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Science News Archive June 2006


Page 9 of 16

New roles for growth factors: Enticing nerve cells to muscles

Researchers at Salk Institute identify growth factor FGF as molecule guiding axons to muscles, uncovering general principles of neuronal connections. This discovery may help restore movement in people with motor neuron diseases and improve understanding of autism spectrum disorders.

JCI Table of Contents, June 15 2006

Researchers found that AMP production is triggered by sterile wounding of the skin surface, independent of microbial exposure. The study also showed that activation of EGFR leads to increased antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and prevents microbial growth in human skin.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Alberta develops world's first electronic surgical reporting

The new technology allows for standardized, electronic reports after surgeries, improving data analysis and patient outcomes. It has been adopted by the Alberta Cancer Board and other health regions, tracking surgical effectiveness and resource allocation.

Growth factor triggers growth of new blood vessels in the heart

The study found that activating hedgehog signals in adult mouse hearts increased blood vessel density, offering an alternative to invasive procedures. The researchers believe a drug treatment targeting hedgehog signaling could provide substantial benefit to patients with ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarctions.

Sport should not be used to promote unhealthy behaviour

The 2012 London Olympics will require significant public investment and feature corporate sponsors like McDonald's and Coca-Cola, raising concerns about the promotion of unhealthy behaviors. Dr. Jeff Collin argues that these associations are highly questionable given the significance of obesity as a health problem.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Thawing soil in permafrost a significant source of carbon

Scientists have discovered that thawed loess permafrost in Siberia and Alaska contains a large amount of carbon, with approximately 500 Gt of carbon stored. This finding is significant as it suggests that the thawing of this type of permafrost could release substantial amounts of carbon into the atmosphere over the next century.

IADR reinstates Isaac Schour Memorial Award

The IADR has reinstated the Isaac Schour Memorial Award, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding scientific contributions in anatomic sciences. The award will be funded at the same level as other IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and will consist of a $2,000 prize and a plaque.

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.

Study reveals biochemical signature of cocaine craving in humans

Researchers found increased dopamine levels in the dorsal striatum, a part of the brain involved in desire and motivation, when cocaine addicts watched a video featuring people using cocaine. This increase was associated with craving levels and largest in severely addicted subjects.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Drug offers new options for leukemia patients

Dasatinib successfully circumvents Gleevec resistance in 68 of 84 patients, providing new options for CML treatment. The drug works in advanced stages of the disease and shows durable responses with no serious side effects.

Study concludes that pesticide use increases risk of Parkinson's in men

A new study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that pesticide use increases the risk of Parkinson's disease in men, with a higher likelihood of exposure compared to women. The study matched individuals with Parkinson's disease to those without, assessing exposure via farming occupation or hobbies.

Butterfly farming to help save rain forest

The University of Warwick is launching a butterfly farming project in Guyana to preserve the local rainforest. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of indigenous communities by developing a low-tech butterfly farming industry, which will also conserve the rainforest habitat.

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.

America's plan to attack Iraq split Europe down the middle

The study found that smaller Eastern European states were more vulnerable to US influence due to their dependence on stronger partners. In contrast, Western European states' public opinions played little role in shaping their foreign policy positions.

Microbes transform 'safest' PBDEs into more harmful compounds

A recent study found that microorganisms can degrade relatively stable forms of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), making them more toxic. This process could render current and planned bans of the most toxic forms of PBDEs ineffective, scientists warn.

Butterfly speciation event recreated

Researchers successfully created a hybrid butterfly species in the lab, with offspring exhibiting traits from both parent species. The discovery sheds light on the rare phenomenon of homoploid hybrid speciation in animals and has implications for our understanding of species formation.

To profit or explore -- it seems that is the question

The study, led by Dr Nathaniel Daw and Dr John O'Doherty, used fMRI scans to measure brain activity while subjects gambled for money. Most people switch between exploring and exploiting strategies seamlessly, making it hard to distinguish between them.

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.

New materials developed for vascular graft

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed a new vascular graft material combining polydioxanone and elastin fibers, ideal for strength and tissue regeneration. The material undergoes slow degradation, causing few adverse reactions and promoting cell recognition and interaction with the body.

Airborne mold spores increase kids' risk for multiple allergies

A new study by the University of Cincinnati found that infants exposed to specific airborne fungal spores have a higher risk of developing multiple allergies. The research team collected fungal spores from 144 infant homes and found that some fungi may cause allergic sensitization, while others inhibit allergy development.

The downside to diversification

Aberrant V(D)J recombination is found to be more common than thought, generating chromosomal abnormalities in human lymphomas. The study estimates that this process results in approximately 10,000 transpositions per day for the average adult.

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.

Salk and Stanford teams join forces to reveal two paths of neurodegeneration

Researchers at Salk Institute and Stanford University found that axon degeneration after injury involves different mechanisms than normal developmental pruning. The Wlds protein has been shown to slow degeneration in cut axons, and its conservation across species suggests general mechanisms for preserving nerve function.

Dissecting the machinery of nicotine's reward

Researchers discovered that nicotine activates specific receptors in dopamine-producing neurons, leading to increased responsiveness and triggering exploratory behaviors. The study suggests a hierarchical role of two receptor subunits in regulating the response to nicotine.

Where the brain organizes actions

Broca's area plays a crucial role in organizing actions and processing hierarchical structures, according to researchers Etienne Koechlin and Thomas Jubault. Their experiments found that this executive function is distinct from the organization of temporal sequences of actions.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

RBP4 predicts type 2 diabetes

Researchers found that elevated RBP4 levels are closely associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Exercise therapy can lower RBP4 levels and improve insulin sensitivity in individuals at risk of diabetes.

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.

Research links protein to breast-cancer migration

A University of Manchester team has discovered a protein potentially involved in the spread of tumors. The researchers believe their findings could lead to new approaches to treating breast cancer by blocking the protein's actions.

Indiana seed fund invests in breast cancer detection startup company

CS-Keys, a new company formed by Indiana University faculty, is developing an early diagnostic tool for breast cancer using a biomarker that distinguishes healthy cells from cancerous cells. The technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, making it easier to detect cancer in its earliest stages.

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.

ESF task force for clean solar energy

The ESF task force identifies three research avenues to generate clean fuels from solar radiation: extending photovoltaic technology, constructing biomimetic devices, and tuning natural systems. These efforts aim to develop sustainable energy supply, reduce human ecological footprint, and mitigate climate change.

Adult stem cell research at UB targets damaged hearts

Researchers at UB aim to improve heart function in hibernating myocardium using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The study will investigate the effects of aging on MSC potency and develop optimized therapeutics for managing chronic coronary artery disease.

Manual vs device-assisted CPR

The LBD-CPR device's effectiveness is influenced by its use details, including patient population selection and deployment timing. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests claim over 1,000 daily US lives.

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.

Stevens' CSW begins list of 100 Greatest Science Books

The Stevens Institute of Technology has launched its list of 100 Greatest Science Books, featuring prominent works such as The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James and A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. Readers are encouraged to engage with the list, share their opinions, and nominate additional candidates.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may be useful in an influenza pandemic

Researchers suggest that cholesterol-lowering drugs like statins could be useful in treating and preventing severe complications of the flu during a pandemic. Statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that may also benefit people with influenza, making them a potential alternative to vaccines.

Weekend workers are mostly women

Nearly 20% of Canadians work on weekends, mostly in the service sector, with most being female due to part-time and temporary job trends. The unsocial schedule can lead to stress, physical and mental health problems, and decreased productivity.

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.

Experimental vaccine protects lab animals against several strains of H5N1

A new experimental vaccine has shown significant protective effects against multiple H5N1 strains in lab animals. The two-dose vaccination schedule induced higher levels of antibodies that were cross-reactive to various viruses, suggesting a potential solution for stockpiling vaccines during pandemics.

Non-Hispanic blacks have best hearing in US, new study shows

A new study found that non-Hispanic blacks have the best hearing thresholds among three major ethnic groups in the US, with Mexican Americans falling in between. The median hearing levels of U.S. adults have not changed significantly since the early 1970s, despite increased noise sources.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.