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Science News for November 20, 2009


Dispensing prescription drugs in 3-month supplies reduces drug costs by a third

A new study from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that purchasing prescription drugs in three-month supplies rather than one-month supplies can reduce out-of-pocket costs by an average of 29% for patients. The total savings, including third-party payers, averaged 18%, with estimated annual savings of $148.6 million.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalApplied Health Economics and Health Policy·DateNov 20, 2009
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Science journalism awards announced

The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards recognize innovative storytelling on scientific topics. The 2009 winners include 'Diamond Factory,' a TV feature on lab-grown diamonds, and 'A Very Lucky Wind,' a radio story exploring randomness and probability.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateNov 20, 2009

Novel K-anonymity algorithm safeguards access to data

A novel K-anonymity algorithm ensures patient confidentiality in health records, facilitating access to a larger number of records. This method safeguards against biases introduced by individual consent requirements in health research.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateNov 20, 2009
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.

Chest ultrasound as useful as chest CT in the eval of pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia

A study published in American Journal of Roentgenology found that chest ultrasound is a viable alternative to chest CT for evaluating pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia. The study suggests using chest radiography and ultrasound as initial evaluations, with CT reserved for cases where ultrasound is technically difficult or di...

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateNov 20, 2009

Systems biology approach provides insulin resistance insights

Researchers from UC San Diego used a systems biology approach to determine how core biochemical pathways are altered in skeletal muscle cells and fat cells in people with insulin resistance. The study found that common drugs for treating insulin resistance, such as TZDs, alter these pathways, leading to improved drug therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2009

Reasonable alternative to invasive biopsy of palpable breast lesions with benign imaging features identified

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that short-term follow-up is an acceptable alternative to invasive biopsy for women with palpable breast lesions showing benign imaging features. The study included 320 women with 375 masses and showed a low prevalence of breast cancer.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateNov 20, 2009
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Just like old times: Generating RNA molecules in water

Scientists have successfully generated long chains of RNA molecules in water, shedding light on the earliest evolutionary steps in biological molecule formation. The study found that cyclic nucleotides can merge together to form polymers over 100 nucleotides long at temperatures similar to ancient Earth.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 20, 2009

From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa

Researchers found PAHs in house dust near coal-tar-based sealcoat and used spiders as sentinels for contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. African dust carried persistent organic contaminants and metals across the ocean affecting native species. Scientists also explored using pheromones to control invasive Asian carp.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·DateNov 20, 2009

Delft breakthrough in bioethanol production from agricultural waste

Researchers introduced a single bacterial gene into yeast to improve bioethanol production from agricultural waste, increasing ethanol yields while eliminating major byproducts glycerol and acetate. The innovation addresses second-generation bioethanol challenges, enabling more efficient and sustainable production.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 20, 2009

Gaining a better picture of lung disease

Scientists are using various imaging techniques, including MRI and CT scans, to study chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and develop a better understanding of the disease. The research aims to categorize COPD patients into two major groups based on airway dysfunction and lung tissue damage.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·DateNov 20, 2009

Ultrasound enhances noninvasive Down syndrome tests

Researchers found that adding a genetic sonogram to non-invasive prenatal screening increases the detection rate of Down syndrome by up to 98%, while decreasing false positive rates. This maximizes the capacity for noninvasive detection with currently available technology.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 20, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers identify role of gene in tumor development, growth and progression

Scientists have identified a gene, AEG-1, that plays a pivotal role in two processes essential for tumor development, growth, and progression to metastasis. The gene's expression is involved in oncogenic transformation and angiogenesis, critical steps for tumor progression.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 20, 2009

ESC to give talks on diabetes in 3 cities in China

The European Society of Cardiology will hold a Joint Scientific Forum on optimal diabetes management in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Experts will explore the link between diabetes and heart disease, and discuss treatment strategies for Asian patients.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateNov 20, 2009
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Smartphone app illuminates power consumption

Researchers developed an Android app called PowerTutor to help users compare the power consumption of different applications. The app provides real-time information on how phone components use power, enabling users to make informed decisions about their device's energy efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateNov 20, 2009

It's a gas: New discovery may lead to heartier, high-yielding plants

Researchers have discovered how a 'genetic symphony' of genes affects plant development, enabling potential disease resistance and increased yields. The study found that combining different ACS genes regulates ethylene production, which impacts various aspects of plant growth.

SourceGenetics Society of America·JournalGenetics·DateNov 20, 2009

Promoting healthy skepticism in the news: Helping journalists get it right

The editorial highlights exaggerated fears and hopes in media coverage of cancer research, such as uncontrolled study results and unwarranted fear from studies. Journalists can alleviate this problem by asking the right questions, highlighting study limitations, and providing data to support claims.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 20, 2009
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

High blood pressure easy to miss in children with kidney disease

A study found that nearly 40% of children with chronic kidney disease have masked hypertension, which increases the risk of heart problems. Children with masked hypertension are four times more likely to develop left ventricular hypertrophy, a common consequence of untreated hypertension.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 20, 2009

Discovery of new type of immune cells regulating inflammation in chronic diseases

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered Th22 cells, a previously unknown subset of T helper cells that aid in tissue repair and prevent inflammation. The newly found cells hold promise for developing new treatment methods for inflammatory skin diseases and potentially also allergic respiratory diseases.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 20, 2009

Researchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug

Scientists identified two new pathways for the breakdown of 4-Hydroxybutyrate (4-HB), a brain chemical used as a date-rape drug. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for victims of sexual assault and those with a rare genetic disorder that causes 4-HB accumulation.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 20, 2009
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Flax and yellow flowers can produce bioethanol

Researchers found that flax can produce up to 0.3 kg of ethanol per kg of dry biomass, but its overall environmental impact is lower than Brassica carinata. Bioethanol from these sources can help mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gases.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateNov 20, 2009
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Funeral industry workers exposed to formaldehyde face higher risk of leukemia

A new study has found that long-duration exposure to formaldehyde used in embalming practices is associated with an increased risk of death from myeloid leukemia. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, also found no associations with other lymphohematopoietic malignancies.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 20, 2009

Barn personnel experience higher-than-average rates of respiratory symptoms

A questionnaire study by Tufts University found that half of barn workers experience coughs or other respiratory ailments, with higher exposure linked to increased symptoms. The study's results suggest poor air quality in horse barns may affect human health, particularly among equine industry workers.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalOccupational Medicine·DateNov 20, 2009

Parent training complements medication for treating behavioral problems in children with PDD

A study funded by NIMH found that a combination of medication and structured parent training significantly reduced serious behavioral problems in children with autism. The treatment protocol showed greater benefits compared to medication alone, including a lower dose of medication needed for symptom control.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateNov 20, 2009