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Science News for December 21, 2006


Cellular killer also important to memory

Research by Graham R. Huesmann and David F. Clayton reveals that activated caspase-3 protein is essential for memory storage and forms short-lived, localized synaptic processes. The findings provide direct evidence of a change in caspase-3's availability during memory formation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNeuron·DateDec 21, 2006

How your brain helps you become a wine expert

A new study by Northwestern University researchers shows that the brain learns to differentiate between similar smells simply through passive experience. Prolonged sensory exposure induces 'expertise' in specific smell categories, leading to improved odor discrimination and retention of this expertise for at least 24 hours.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuron·DateDec 21, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cellular cues identified for stroke recovery

A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has identified two proteins, SDF1 and Ang1, as key triggers for neuronal migration and regeneration after a stroke. These molecular signals, released by newly formed blood vessels, promote post-stroke neuroblast migration, holding promise for developing new therapies to repair brain cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·DateDec 21, 2006

Physicians enlisted in efforts to keep demented drivers off the road

Researchers developed a three-hour workshop for healthcare providers to identify potentially unsafe drivers with dementia and encourage retirement from driving. The workshop resulted in a significant change in participants' willingness to ask patients about driving and document findings in the medical record.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateDec 21, 2006

Protection against cancer may begin during pregnancy

A new study found that supplements of Indole-3-carbinol provided significant protection against leukemia and lymphoma in young animals, as well as significantly protected against lung cancer later in life. The protective effects were found to come solely from maternal intake during pregnancy and nursing, and lasted into middle age.

SourceOregon State University·JournalCarcinogenesis·DateDec 21, 2006
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.

St. Jude, El Salvador create research ethics committee

The new REC allows St. Jude to collaborate with Hospital Nacional de Niños Benjamin Bloom on clinical trials and train Salvadoran nurses, leading to improved treatments for pediatric catastrophic diseases. The success of the model has encouraged other institutions in El Salvador to form RECs.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateDec 21, 2006
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.

Africa's least-known carnivore in Tanzania

Researchers from WCS discover Jackson's mongoose, a rare and poorly-known carnivore, in Matundu Forest, Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting nearby forests to conserve this unique species.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalOryx·DateDec 21, 2006

Researchers identify a 'heartbeat' in Earth's climate

A team of international researchers has uncovered secrets about the earth's climate history by analyzing marine microfossils found five kilometers below sea level. The study reveals that the earth's climate and glaciation events have corresponded with variations in the earth's natural orbital patterns and carbon cycles.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Squirrels place winning bet in unpredictable world

In a study published in Science, researchers found that red squirrels are able to predict the timing of tree seed production and produce a second litter of babies to take advantage of the abundant food. This strategy allows them to maximize their reproductive success, outsmarting the trees' 'swamp and starve' tactic.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Genetically modified cells attack tumors

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and City of Hope National Medical Center developed genetically modified stem cells that seek out and destroy even tiny tumors in the nervous system, using a chemotherapy drug that selectively targets cancer cells.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 21, 2006

Children's Hospital Oakland, Calif.'s new iron regulation discovery

A new study by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute reveals that mRNA and protein regulator IRP1 form specific three-dimensional shapes when combined. This discovery could aid in designing medications targeting iron-related diseases such as hemochromotosis, Sickle Cell Disease, and Thalassemia.

SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Health-care delivery contributes to racial disparity in colorectal cancer

A new study reveals that health-care delivery, particularly screening tests and surgical treatment, contribute to poorer outcomes for African-American patients with colorectal cancer. The study found that African-Americans were more likely to have advanced disease and received less surgical treatment compared to other ethnicities.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateDec 21, 2006

What it means to be human

Researchers found that humans and chimps share approximately 96% of their genes, with the remaining 4% being unique to each species. The study discovered a significant increase in gene duplication among humans, including those influencing brain functions, providing new insights into human evolution.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 21, 2006

Scientists develop method to find genetic basis for plant variation

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to rapidly identify the gene responsible for high sodium levels in plants, shedding light on the likely origin of such differences. The method combines DNA microarrays with genetic databases to pinpoint genetic variations, offering a tool to study diverse plant properties.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateDec 21, 2006
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.

Experience sculpts brain circuitry to build resiliency to stress

Researchers found that experiencing control over a stressor immunizes a rat from developing depression-like syndrome when it later encounters uncontrollable stressors. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in processing information about controllability and regulating responses to subsequent stressors.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateDec 21, 2006

Pandemic influenza may cause an extra 62 million deaths a year

Researchers predict 62 million deaths in a year if similar pandemic occurs, with 96% of fatalities in developing nations. The study's findings suggest that wealth disparity plays a significant role in disease burden, with higher-income individuals less likely to die.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateDec 21, 2006

Shotgun sequencing finds nanoorganisms

Researchers at UC Berkeley used shotgun sequencing to identify new microbes living in mine slime, including three previously unknown Archaea that are the smallest organisms ever found. These nanoorganisms have the potential to thrive on other planets, such as Mars.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Prediction markets accurately forecast influenza activity

A futures market for influenza activity has been created, predicting outbreaks two to four weeks in advance with high accuracy. The market aggregates expert opinions of healthcare providers, allowing for real-time analysis and informed decision-making in public health.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 21, 2006
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.

JCI table of contents: Dec. 21, 2006

Researchers have discovered that mutations in the p62 gene are associated with abnormal bone cell development, but do not cause full-blown Paget disease. Meanwhile, a study found that GIP and GLP1R hormones influence energy levels beyond the pancreas, affecting brain cells, adipose tissue, and body weight.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2006

HYMS researchers focus on human evolution

Researchers analyzed 43,000-year-old Neanderthal remains at El Sidrón in Spain, revealing significant north-south variations in facial shape. The study suggests that Southern-European Neanderthals had broader faces with increased lower facial heights.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2006

Structure of iron regulatory protein-RNA complex solved

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have solved the structure of the iron regulatory protein-RNA complex, which regulates iron transport and storage in cells. The complex has two forms with distinct functions, and its unique arrangement allows it to bind RNA with high affinity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Study compares LASIK and LASEK eye surgery

A study comparing LASIK and LASEK found no clinically significant differences between the two procedures. Both procedures were deemed safe, effective, and predictable for treating low to moderate myopia.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology·DateDec 21, 2006

Inherited ischaemic stroke more common in women than men

Women are more likely to inherit an increased risk of ischaemic stroke than men, with a higher likelihood of having a family history of stroke in mothers and sisters. The age at stroke for women and their siblings correlates with the age at stroke for their mothers.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateDec 21, 2006

Giant Sauropod dinosaur found in Spain

The Turiasaurus riodevensis is the largest known Sauropod dinosaur found in Europe, weighing between 40-48 tons and measuring up to 37 meters long. Researchers found numerous fossils, including a large humerus and claw, at the Barrihonda-El Humero site in Teruel, Spain.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Science's breakthrough of the year -- The Poincaré Theorem

Russian mathematician Grigori Perelman solved the Poincaré Conjecture in 2006, a problem proposed by Henri Poincaré in 1904. His proof was completed by three separate teams and led to him being awarded the Fields Medal.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Robotic crawler detects wear in power lines

A robot designed to inspect power cables autonomously has been tested in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The prototype can pinpoint problem spots using sensors that detect heat dissipation, electrical discharge, and water seepage, paving the way for improved grid maintenance and reduced blackouts.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateDec 21, 2006
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

To catch an intermediate

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique to capture and hold intermediate compounds in water, similar to how enzymes function. This method involves trapping the compounds inside molecular pyramids, allowing for controlled study of their properties and reactions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 21, 2006

Squirrels winning at outwitting trees' survival strategy

Red squirrels have figured out a way to predict spruce tree seed crops months in advance and bet on the most abundant harvests. By producing second litters before bumper crop seasons, they increase their chances of survival and reproductive success.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2006

Pain relief effectiveness down to mind-set?

A study by the Human Pain Research Group at the University of Manchester found that individuals' expectations and beliefs play a crucial role in their response to pain relief. The researchers discovered that 67% of volunteers who expected pain relief continued to perceive less pain after applying a placebo cream, highlighting the power...

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPain·DateDec 21, 2006
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.

Laser experiments reveal strange properties of superfluids

Using laser light as a substitute for superfluids, the team observed unusual behavior of particles, including shock waves and interactions that had not been considered before. This new technique has the potential to advance our understanding of condensed matter physics and lead to breakthroughs in sensor technology and atomic trapping.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 21, 2006