Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 21, 2006


UVa scientists hot on trail of therapies for deadly lung failure

Researchers at UVa Health System have identified a critical role of the CXCR2 receptor in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a leading cause of lung failure. The discovery opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies, including aerosol treatments that could potentially hit the lungs without compromising the immune system.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 21, 2006

Obesity is a significant predictor of periodontal disease

A study found that obesity significantly increases the risk of periodontal disease, which is mediated by insulin resistance. The severity of periodontal attachment loss and tooth loss were proportional to the level of insulin resistance.

SourceAmerican Academy of Periodontology·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateFeb 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.

New gallium nitride film method beats the heat

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new method for growing crystalline and polycrystalline gallium nitride films using energetic neutral atom-beam lithography/epitaxy. The technique allows for the growth of GaN films on various inexpensive substrate materials, including glass and polymers.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 21, 2006

Sexual differences in immune response appear at puberty

A study found that genes involved in the innate immune response are underexpressed in female mice during puberty, while those involved in the adaptive immune response are overexpressed. This difference is controlled by the Fas/FasL pathway, modulated by estrogen.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Immunology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Horseshoe crab decline threatens shorebird species

The red knot's dependence on horseshoe crab eggs for survival is a major concern for wildlife management officials. Researchers have found that the number of horseshoe crab eggs is the most important factor determining the use of beaches by red knots.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateFeb 21, 2006

Northwestern researchers launch Avastin trial for pancreatic tumors

A new clinical trial at Northwestern Memorial Hospital aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy with Avastin in reducing tumor size and increasing survival rates. The two-year study will enroll 40 participants with localized pancreatic cancer.

SourceNorthwestern Memorial HealthCare·DateFeb 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.

Male gene may explain higher incidence of Parkinson’s in men

A male-specific gene, SRY, has been found to be linked to the control of physical movement and may contribute to the higher incidence of Parkinson's disease in men. The protein, which determines male gender, was discovered in British scientists in 1990.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Researchers find molecule that may hold key to learning and memory

A protein called MEF2 has been found to regulate the growth and development of synapses in neurons. The study reveals that MEF2 can promote or inhibit synapse formation depending on neuronal activity, with implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as autism.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2006
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.

NIH seeks strategies to preserve brain health

The NIH Cognitive and Emotional Health Project aims to coordinate research on interventions for neurological health. The report highlights the interconnectedness between cognitive and emotional health, emphasizing the need to examine them simultaneously.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·DateFeb 21, 2006

Nanoscience study shows that quantum dots 'talk'

Researchers have successfully demonstrated that quantum dots can transfer energy in a "coherent" fashion when exposed to light, paving the way for potential optical quantum computing and medical imaging applications. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient computers, as well as reduced heat generation.

SourceOhio University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 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.

Approach to school affects how girls compare with boys in math

A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that girls outperform boys in math grades due to their learning-oriented approach. However, when it comes to math achievement tests, the gap disappears, suggesting that confidence plays a crucial role.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Deep-spied fish

New research reveals deep-sea pelagic fish are congregating at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge for spawning, challenging long-held nomadic wanderer myth. MAR-ECO project discovers six new species and unusually large specimens, shedding light on deep-sea ecosystems.

SourceHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institution·DateFeb 21, 2006

European Union's €169 billion bill for cardiovascular disease

The European Union has faced a staggering €169 billion economic burden due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for 12% of all healthcare expenditures. CVD resulted in 2 million deaths and 4.4 million people being severely hampered by daily activities, highlighting the need for policy makers to prioritize research spending.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateFeb 21, 2006

Monitoring baleen whales with autonomous underwater vehicles

Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution use ocean gliders to collect passive acoustic recordings of baleen whales, including right, sei, and humpback whales. The gliders' findings suggest a close correspondence between changes in sei whale calls and near-surface copepod abundance.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateFeb 21, 2006
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.

A link is found between morphine addiction and the tendency to explore

Researchers from the UAB have found a direct relationship between morphine addiction and a tendency to explore perseveringly in rats. The study suggests that individuals with a greater propensity to seek new sensations may be more likely to develop an addiction to morphine.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalBehavioural Brain Research·DateFeb 21, 2006

Sexual reproduction delays aging in a mammalian species

A new study found that breeding Zambian mole-rats lived up to 20 years and twice as long as non-breeding individuals. The researchers suggest this could be due to the species' eusocial lifestyle and pair-bonding habits, making it a valuable model organism for studying aging mechanisms.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Wildlife researchers identify impacts of contamination in amphibians

Researchers found high levels of selenium in contaminated toads and their offspring, leading to developmental abnormalities such as structural malformations and abnormal swimming. The study highlights the importance of maternal transfer in contaminant exposure for amphibians.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateFeb 21, 2006

Genetic links among men who share surnames

A recent study by Turi King and colleagues found that men who share surnames are more likely to have similar Y chromosomes, suggesting a common ancestor within the past 20 generations. The research has implications for genealogy and forensic science, as it may enable surname prediction from DNA alone.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Well-dressed women get better service at clothing stores

Researchers found that well-dressed and groomed women received friendlier service, while appearance had a limited impact on greeting times. The study suggests that assumptions about customers' spending power drive salesclerks' behavior.

SourceOhio State University·JournalClothing and Textiles Research Journal·DateFeb 21, 2006

High-status monkeys ignore the interests of riff-raff

A study found that high-status male macaques took longer to follow the gaze of other dominant monkeys compared to low-status individuals. The researchers suggest that testosterone levels in high-status males may suppress social vigilance, a trait often seen in low-status males.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006

Birds that make teeth

Researchers discovered that modern birds can form teeth in embryonic stages with similar developmental positions to mammals. The talpid2 strain of chicken harbors a genetic change allowing this process.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2006
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.

Detection of DNA on nanotubes offers new sensing, sequencing technologies

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to detect trace amounts of contaminants using single-walled carbon nanotubes coated with DNA. The technique allows for passive sensing of hybridization, enabling the detection of specific DNA sequences in living cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2006

Science class experiment reveals vitamin B12 secret

Researchers led by Graham Walker discovered a mutant bacteria with a specific defect in the bluB gene involved in B12 synthesis. By analyzing mutations, they tracked molecular details of how bacteria provide nutrients to plants.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2006
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Use of statins shows improvement in erectile performance of some men

A small study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high-dose Lipitor improved erectile dysfunction in patients who did not respond to Viagra. The results suggest that statin drugs may improve endothelial dysfunction, which is often linked to ED and atherosclerosis.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateFeb 21, 2006

MIT thinks small to find safer metals

Researchers at MIT create a new alloy using nanostructure manipulation to replace chromium, a toxic material used in industrial coatings, reducing fumes and improving resistance to corrosion. The technology has the potential to transform industries and improve worker safety.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 21, 2006