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Science News Archive February 2006


Page 4 of 15

New study shows antibody-interleukin complexes stimulate immune responses

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found that injecting cytokine-antibody complexes stimulates a massive selective increase in T cell response. The study suggests these complexes could be clinically useful for selectively boosting or inhibiting immune responses in vivo, potentially treating autoimmune disease and cancer.

Three new species of lemurs identified

Researchers have identified three new species of lemurs, expanding our knowledge of these endangered animals. The study, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, uses genetic analysis to reveal distinct species characteristics, shedding light on the importance of conservation programs for lemurs native to Madagascar.

Snakes poisoned at birth

A recent study published in Environmental Microbiology found that snakes become infected with Salmonella through exposure to contaminated environments, not just by eating contaminated food. The knowledge gained from this study can help prevent reptile-associated infections and inform safe handling practices for snakes and other pets.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Obesity may affect response to asthma medications

A new study suggests that people who are overweight or obese may have better results with the prescription pill sold as Singulair than with a type of inhaled steroid, while leaner people may have better luck with an inhaled steroid. The findings indicate that obesity may influence individuals' responses to asthma medications.

Teen sexual encounters not only a result of unsupervised afternoons

A six-year study found that teenage girls' sexual activity is influenced by factors such as relationship dynamics, mood, and time spent with partners. The study revealed that arguments with partners increased the likelihood of afternoon sex, while parental supervision reduced this risk.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Universities diffused Internet technology in mid-1990s

A recent study found that universities in the mid-1990s had a significant impact on Internet adoption, with low-income households seeing a 50% increase in adoption rates. This effect has been transferred to members of these households across generations.

Mobile lab expands capacity of animal disease diagnostics

The new mobile lab expands the diagnostic laboratory's capacity to respond to animal disease outbreaks, enabling quick expansion of testing capabilities. The trailer is equipped with biosafety level 3 standards and can process blood and tissue samples within 24-48 hours.

Genes involved in cell growth and cell division identified

A team of scientists led by Professor Jussi Taipale identified a set of genes contributing to cell growth and division in Drosophila melanogaster. The findings provide new insights into the regulation of cell growth, which is crucial for embryonic development and cancer

Learning and memory stimulated by gut hormone

A study by Yale University researchers found that ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach, has a powerful influence on the hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and memory. This discovery suggests that a potential recommendation could be to limit children's breakfast intake to optimize morning learning hours.

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.

Genetic test accurate for salt-related high blood pressure

A new genetic test has been developed with a 78% accuracy in predicting individuals with low renin levels and salt sensitivity. The test is based on the number of variations found in salt-regulating genes, with more gene variants associated with bigger health problems.

Changes in reef latitude

Research suggests that increasing nutrient pollution levels are reducing the areas where reef-building coral can survive in South Florida. The team found a clear increase in phosphorus concentrations and expansion of fleshy seaweed, corresponding to a decrease in coral species and extent.

Hens' teeth not so rare after all

Researchers have found a naturally occurring mutant chicken called Talpid with a complete set of teeth, similar to those of crocodiles. The team successfully induced teeth growth in normal chickens by activating dormant genes, paving the way for potential applications in tissue regeneration and tooth replacement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great (taste) expectations: Study shows brain anticipates taste, shifts gears

A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists reports that the brain can be rewired in anticipation of sensory input to respond in prescribed ways. By manipulating expectancy, the brain code for tastes is activated less when a cue suggests a lesser taste, and the perception of the taste matches the prediction.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Undersea microbes active but living on the slow side

Researchers found a sizeable and active archaeal community in deep sediment layers using energy from breaking down methane molecules. These microbes live on the slow side, requiring less energy to maintain and taking longer to divide than expected.

MRI offers new hope for severe epilepsy sufferers

Researchers at McGill University have developed advanced MRI methods to improve detection of brain lesions in epilepsy patients. These new techniques reduce complexity and cost of pre-surgical evaluation, paving the way for more surgical treatment options.

Commonly used drug may prevent fetal alcohol syndrome

Researchers discovered that nicotinamide can protect mice from brain cell death and behavioral abnormalities caused by alcohol exposure. The study suggests that taking the drug soon after drinking alcohol may prevent some of the damage to the developing fetus.

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.

Subtropic challenges

A new study found that rapid larval growth in warm Caribbean waters is often disrupted by complex oceanographic processes, leading to variable settlement rates. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for managing and conserving fish populations.

Oceans may soon be more corrosive than when the dinosaurs died

Ocean acidification could lead to extinction of many marine species due to increased acidity and dissolution of calcium carbonate shells. The last time oceans endured such a drastic change in chemistry was 65 million years ago, at the same time dinosaurs went extinct.