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Science News for June 16, 2006


Delayed umbilical cord clamping boosts iron in infants

A study published in The Lancet found that delaying umbilical cord clamping for two minutes at birth significantly increases a child's iron status, particularly among those with low birth weights or iron-deficient mothers. This efficient and low-cost method can help prevent iron deficiency before 6 months of age.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 16, 2006

Cells use mix-and-match approach to tailor regulation of genes

Bioengineering researchers found that cells use pairs, trios, and combinations of up to 13 transcription factors to regulate distinct sets of genes. The study predicts 980 as-yet-undiscovered transcription factor-gene binding interactions.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJun 16, 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.

Vampire bats recognise their prey's breathing

In a study by Udo Groeger and Lutz Wiegrebe, vampire bats were taught to associate different human breathing patterns with cattle blood dispensers. The bats demonstrated the ability to recognize clips of humans breathing at rest and during physical strain, while human participants struggled to do so.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateJun 16, 2006

New stem-cell findings can help the body to cure itself

Researchers have identified a signal transduction process regulating stem-cell division, which could lead to drugs stimulating endogenous cell production. The discovery may help treat conditions such as stroke and Parkinson's by promoting the formation of new nerve cells.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateJun 16, 2006

Wild vs. lab rodent comparison supports hygiene hypothesis

Researchers compared wild rodents to laboratory rodents and found that wild animals had higher levels of antibodies associated with allergy and autoimmune disease. This suggests that a lack of exposure to microbes in modern environments may contribute to these conditions.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalScandinavian Journal of Immunology·DateJun 16, 2006

Cracking a virus protection shield

Researchers have discovered the structure of a protein called nucleoprotein, which helps viruses like rabies evade the human immune system. The protein acts as a 'clamp' to protect the virus RNA from degradation by host enzymes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJun 16, 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 ACC/AHA guidelines released for valvular heart disease

The new guidelines provide practical recommendations for evaluating patients with heart murmurs, preventing endocarditis, and treating concomitant coronary artery disease. The guidelines include more precise definitions of mild, moderate, and severe valvular disease, which may prompt earlier referrals for surgery.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJun 16, 2006

Another grape excuse to hit the bottle

Researchers discovered high levels of melatonin in Nebbolo, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Sangiovesse, and Croatina grapes. The study suggests that melatonin content can be enhanced by treating vines with a plant vaccine Benzothiadiazole.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateJun 16, 2006

LIAI finding gives boost to bioinformatics use in fighting disease

The study demonstrates an extremely high rate of prediction accuracy (95%) in a very complex pathogen, the vaccinia virus. Bioinformatics was able to reveal the vast majority of epitopes that trigger an effective immune response against the virus.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 16, 2006

New study: Pine bark extract reduces ADHD symptoms in children

A new study reveals that Pycnogenol, a French maritime pine bark extract, significantly reduces hyperactivity and improves attention, concentration, and motor-visual coordination in children with ADHD. The study's findings suggest that Pycnogenol may serve as a safe and effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADHD.

SourceMWW Group·JournalEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJun 16, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Central nervous system beckons attack in MS-like disease

Researchers found that eliminating a molecular switch allows immune cells to enter the central nervous system (CNS), leading to symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis. Eliminating this switch prevents destructive immune cells from entering CNS tissue, keeping mice healthy.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 16, 2006

Northwestern team develops 'MRI' for fuel cells

A Northwestern University research team has developed a three-dimensional imaging technique that enables the study of fuel cell microstructure. This will help improve fuel cell performance and lifespan by revealing nanometer-scale features.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 16, 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.

High-flying satellites give land managers the low-down on cheatgrass

The Idaho Bureau of Land Management and weed control groups use new software to analyze NASA satellite imagery and target areas for cheatgrass treatment. The technology helps land managers be smarter in using their resources, improving the effectiveness of weed control efforts.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJun 16, 2006

Bacterium takes a shine to metals

Researchers discovered that Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 bacteria protect metals like copper, aluminum, and mild steel from corrosion. The study found increased resistance to electrical currents and reduced pitting in metals exposed to the bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateJun 16, 2006

Helping children handle stress, emotions may help stuttering

A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers suggests that helping children handle stress and emotions may help alleviate stuttering. The study found that children who stutter are more likely to be emotionally aroused in everyday situations, have difficulty controlling their attention, and take longer to calm down.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of Communication Disorders·DateJun 16, 2006

New imaging technology to shed a realistic light on art

Rochester Institute of Technology and color scientist Roy Berns have developed a practical approach to eliminate subjective lighting decisions when imaging artwork. The five-year project will create an instrument to capture geometric and spectral information of artwork, using mathematical models to predict properties.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateJun 16, 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.

African American women need to receive HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine protects against two types of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases. Targeted school-based vaccination clinics are proposed as an effective strategy to reach at-risk African American females.

SourceLifespan·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJun 16, 2006

Researchers show how brain decodes complex smells

In a breakthrough study, researchers found that nerve cells in the olfactory bulb detect individual chemical compounds in odors, rather than perceiving complex mixtures as single objects. The brain integrates these signals to form a recognizable scent, much like combining multiple melodies to hear a symphony.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNeuron·DateJun 16, 2006