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Quality problems more likely in offshore drug plants, study finds

A new study suggests that offshore manufacturing plants, even those run by U.S. pharmaceutical firms, are more likely to have quality problems than those on the mainland US. The researchers found that cultural differences, primarily language and values, were the primary cause of these differences.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Operations Management·DateSep 6, 2011
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Emotions an overlooked key to whistle-blowing, study says

A University of Illinois study suggests that connecting with workers' emotions and personal identity can produce powerful triggers for calling out wrongdoing in the workplace. The study found that half of employees who witnessed wrongdoing on the job failed to report it due to fear of retaliation, but those who did reported being drive...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalBusiness Ethics Quarterly·DateDec 7, 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.

Waste water treatment plant mud used as 'green' fuel

Researchers from Rovira i Virgili University find that using mud from waste water treatment plants as an alternative fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 140,000 tonnes between 2003 and 2006. This sustainable solution enables cement factories to power their operations without harming human health.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateJun 23, 2009

Ethanol plants no panacea for local economies, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois researchers warns that ethanol plants can pose significant risks to local economies. The research found that employment gains from ethanol plants are often overstated and that the industry is plagued by uncertainties such as shifts in energy policy, global economics, and changing technology.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateFeb 16, 2009

Boost for 'green plastics' from plants

Australian researchers have achieved a major advance by accumulating 30% of an unusual fatty acid (UFA) in the model plant Arabidopsis. This breakthrough could lead to the production of biofactories capable of producing oils for replacing petrochemicals used in plastics, paints, and cosmetics.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateApr 28, 2008

Chemical culprit in 'popcorn worker's lung' identified

A study by Dutch researchers identified four cases of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) among workers at a chemical plant producing diacetyl, a key component of butter flavoring. The findings support the conclusion that an agent in the diacetyl production process has caused BOS.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 31, 2007

British scientists create electron surf machine

Researchers at National Physical Laboratory have developed an electron surf machine that delivers electrons one by one in a reliable steady stream at a rate of over a billion per second. This technology has the potential to increase computer efficiency, allowing for faster processing and more secure digital communication.

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 12, 2007
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Lead exposure leads to brain cell loss and damage years later

A new study has found a significant link between lead exposure and long-term brain cell loss and damage. Researchers measured the brains of former employees exposed to lead in their workplaces, finding those with higher levels had smaller brain volumes and more damage.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMay 22, 2006

Highlights from October ESA journals

New studies reveal that a significant portion of US species are threatened, with only 15% well-studied. Wandering albatrosses have an unique foraging strategy, catching prey in highly dispersed areas. Coral reefs can recover from nuclear tests within five years, but ecosystem integrity is crucial.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateOct 31, 2005
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.

Findings could aid efforts to harness nature for making drugs

Purdue researchers discovered a method to boost the production of ferulate 5-hydroxylase, an enzyme used in pharmaceuticals. By altering nutrients and controlling fermentation time, they increased the enzyme's activity by 45% and productivity by twice its normal rate.

SourcePurdue University·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateJan 28, 2004

Jefferson scientists create tobacco plant to produce antibodies against rabies

Jefferson scientists have developed a tobacco plant that produces human antibodies against rabies, addressing a global shortage of the treatment. The plant-based antibody is safer and less expensive than traditional methods, offering hope for millions affected by the deadly disease.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2003

Making a safer anthrax vaccine using spinach

Researchers genetically engineered tobacco mosaic virus to instruct spinach plants to manufacture protective antigen fragments, which can be easily purified and used in a vaccine. The resulting subunit vaccine has shown promise as a more efficacious and safer alternative to existing anthrax vaccines.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateMar 10, 2003

More frequent rest breaks could reduce industrial accidents

A study published in The Lancet found that accident risk is doubled during the last half hour of a two-hour work period, suggesting that shorter breaks can help mitigate this risk. More frequent short breaks may improve work performance and reduce fatigue, making them a potential strategy to prevent industrial accidents.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 20, 2003
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sandia studies security at nation's chemical plants

Sandia experts have developed a vulnerability assessment methodology to evaluate and improve security at over 10,000 US facilities that manufacture, store, or use hazardous chemicals. The methodology assesses the adequacy of efforts to prevent terrorist attacks and blunt their effects at US chemical plants.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateJan 17, 2002

Maryland's proposed crab regulations could have large economic impacts

The proposed regulations would result in a direct loss of $13.5 million annually and another $4.4 million in economic activity, leading to 459 job losses in the processing industry. Dorchester County on Maryland's Eastern Shore would be hardest hit, absorbing over 75% of the industry's direct losses.

SourceNational Sea Grant College Program·DateJan 17, 2002

Turn up the schedule pressure, improve the quality, says O.R. study

A new study suggests that setting aggressive deadlines can eliminate shortcut-taking and improve product quality. By separating estimates of task duration from deadlines, developers are motivated to stay focused and accurate in their work.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInformation Systems Research·DateJul 16, 2001
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.