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Science News for October 21, 2008


Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Impacts of climate change on lakes

Research on deep Japanese caldera lakes reveals rising temperatures in southern Japan's deep water, while northern lakes remain unchanged. This can lead to changes in nutrient exchange and oxygen supplies for organisms.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 21, 2008

Building a better bee

A UC Davis researcher has crossed New World Carniolans with Old World bees to create a more productive, winter-hardy, and resistant strain. This genetic research aims to increase resistance to pests and diseases, which are major contributors to the decline of honey bee colonies.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateOct 21, 2008

New CU-Boulder study shows diversity decreases chances of parasitic disease

A CU-Boulder study reveals that diverse host species, such as gray tree frogs, can reduce the risk of parasitic infections and limb deformations in American toads. The research found that tadpoles raised with tree frog tadpoles had significantly lower infection rates than those without.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalEcology Letters·DateOct 21, 2008

Study documents safety problems for biological products

According to a study published in JAMA, approximately one in four approved biological medicinal products had at least one safety-related regulatory action issued 10 years after their approval. The average time to a safety-related regulatory action was 3.7 years, with 70.7% of actions occurring within five years after approval.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 21, 2008
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

McCain v. Obama: Whoever wins, $700B bailout means health care loses

Experts warn that both John McCain's and Barack Obama's healthcare plans will be significantly impacted by the $700 billion bailout. McCain's plan would cut federal insurance for the poor, while Obama's plan proposes expanded coverage with standard benefits. The bailout is expected to diminish prospects for health reform.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateOct 21, 2008

Nutrition advice best served with family in mind

Research from the University of Sheffield and Royal Holloway highlights that healthy eating policies must take into account families' differing domestic routines, relationships, and resources. The study found that food decisions are rooted in people's cultural conventions and social ties, rather than individual choice.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateOct 21, 2008

ADHD appears to increase level of nicotine dependence in smokers

Young people with ADHD are more likely to become dependent on nicotine and experience environmental factors that increase their risk of smoking. The study found that individuals with more ADHD-related symptoms were at greater risk of nicotine dependence than those with fewer symptoms.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 21, 2008

Scripps research scientists enhance immune system attacks on cancer

Researchers enhance the body's ability to fight cancer by boosting killer T cells' activity and keeping them alive longer. The new approach has shown promise in treating cancer patients with fewer side effects than existing treatments.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Hospital rankings: More than meets the eye

A study found that hospital rankings ignore patient demographics and comorbidities, penalizing hospitals that treat more vulnerable populations. The researchers suggest rethinking the ranking system to reward adherence to evidence-based treatment rather than a single score or ranking.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateOct 21, 2008

Markers of inflammation and blood-clotting tied to hazards of intermittent HIV treatment

Researchers found strong associations between intermittent HIV treatment and higher levels of inflammation and blood-clotting biomarkers, leading to a higher risk of death from non-AIDS diseases. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer levels rose significantly in the intermittent-treatment group after one month.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateOct 21, 2008

Fertilizers -- a growing threat to sea life

A new study by Professor Grace Brush highlights the negative impact of fertilizer use on water quality and fish populations in Chesapeake Bay. The imbalanced nitrogen cycle has led to eutrophication, reducing oxygen concentrations and affecting aquatic life.

SourceSpringer·JournalEstuaries and Coasts·DateOct 21, 2008

New MRI technique may identify cervical cancer early

Researchers have developed a new MRI technique that can identify cervical cancer in its early stages by measuring the movement of water within tissue. The technique offers better imaging of smaller tumors and may improve surgical options for fertility-sparing procedures.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 21, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

UC Davis chemical ecologist wins major award

Walter Leal, a UC Davis professor, received the ESA award for his groundbreaking research on mosquito repellent DEET. His lab discovered the mode of action for DEET, which doesn't mask the host's smell but rather repels mosquitoes through direct detection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateOct 21, 2008

McGill physicists find a new state of matter in a 'transistor'

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a quasi-three-dimensional electron crystal in a material similar to those used in transistors, which could help the industry overcome quantum limits and continue Moore's Law. The discovery was made using ultra-low temperatures and powerful magnetic fields.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 21, 2008
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Collaboration between states, federal government key to health care reform

States can play a critical role in health care reform by creating insurance exchanges, regulating health insurance plans, and innovating through novel programs. The federal government must also take initiative to achieve sustainable and successful reform, as states alone cannot overcome the substantial barriers to change.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 21, 2008
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Chronic inflammation can help nurture skin cancer, study shows

Researchers found that chronic inflammation can nurture skin cancer by exploiting the IDO enzyme's suppressive immune response. This is analogous to chronic sun exposure and skin cancer, where UV radiation causes malignant skin cells to appear while also causing skin inflammation.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2008

3-D doppler ultrasound helps identify breast cancer

A new study published in Radiology found that 3-D power Doppler ultrasound can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign breast masses. The technique detects higher flow velocities in malignant tumor-feeding vessels, making it a potentially useful tool for breast cancer diagnosis.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 21, 2008

X marks the spot: Sharpies get thumbs-up for marking surgery sites

Researchers found that Sharpie tips do not spread infection due to alcohol-based ink. In contrast, sterile markers with non-alcohol base ink were contaminated after 24 hours. The study suggests that reusable Sharpies can be used safely with proper cleaning and disinfection.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·DateOct 21, 2008

Serendipitous observations reveal rare event in life of distant quasar

Astronomers have discovered a rare event in the life of a distant quasar, marking the first time a huge flow of gas has been seen coming from one. This observation sheds light on how quasars come into being and may hold clues to galaxy formation.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 21, 2008
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Study shows steroid therapies following transplant can be eliminated

A new study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati shows that eliminating steroid therapy as early as seven days following a transplant surgery maintains kidney function. The study found reduction in steroid-related complications, even when prednisone was given in very low doses.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateOct 21, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Wiens heads seismology effort in international Antarctic study

A team led by Professor Douglas Wiens is conducting a comprehensive study of Antarctica's Gamburtsev Province, using radar and seismic imaging to understand the region's geological history. The research aims to shed light on the formation of continental ice sheets and climate models.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateOct 21, 2008

AGA releases evidence-based GERD guidelines

The AGA Institute published evidence-based guidelines for the management and treatment of suspected GERD, highlighting the need for high-quality clinical trials. The guidelines recommend various treatments, including proton pump inhibitors and antireflux surgery, to improve patient outcomes.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateOct 21, 2008

Assessing the quality of phase I clinical trial abstracts

A method of assessing phase I clinical trial abstract quality was developed and applied to two oncology conferences, revealing room for improvement. The study suggests that adopting guidelines for reporting phase I trials can enhance abstract quality.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateOct 21, 2008
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Secret lives of catalysts revealed

Researchers observed catalysts restructuring themselves in response to gases, gaining insight into their behavior during reactions. This new understanding enables the development of smart catalysts tailored to optimize chemical reactions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2008

Depression, health care services and heart attacks -- what's the connection?

A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that depression symptoms are associated with a nine percent increase in heart-related hospitalizations and a 43 percent increase in non-heart related hospitalization visits after a heart attack. Depression caused the greatest increase in health service use in those patient...

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateOct 21, 2008

What we 'know' may not be so, when it comes to the uninsured and ERs

A new study challenges common perceptions about the uninsured and emergency departments, finding that people with insurance are more likely to contribute to ED overcrowding. The research reveals that caring for patients, insured and uninsured, in an ED is more expensive than treating the same complaint in a doctor's office.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·DateOct 21, 2008

A special issue on space physics

Papers in this special issue cover data analysis and investigations of the Double Star Program, as well as CMEs, Solar wind, and magnetosphere topics. The conference brought together prominent researchers, including Z.X.LIU and S.T. WU, to share their latest findings on solar and magnetospheric physics.

SourceScience China Press·DateOct 21, 2008

US suicide rate increasing

The US suicide rate has increased for the first time in a decade, with the largest annual increase seen among middle-aged white women. This trend is part of a broader shift in the epidemiology of suicide, with middle-aged whites emerging as a new high-risk group.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 21, 2008
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.