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Science News for November 17, 2006


Starting over: Wnt reactivates dormant limb regeneration program

A research team at the Salk Institute has successfully regenerated a wing in a chick embryo by activating Wnt signaling, a powerful system controlling vertebrate regeneration. The study opens up new areas of research into the ability of stem cells to build new human body tissues and parts.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 17, 2006

Disclosure of advertising tactics reduces odds kids will drink

A weeklong intervention in schools reduced adolescents' inclination to drink by teaching them critical thinking skills and strategies to question alcohol ads. The program, led by Penn State's Marvin E. Goldberg, equipped students with persuasion knowledge and processed advertising messages.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateNov 17, 2006
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Targeting leukemic stem cells by Bcl-2 inhibition

Researchers have found that the experimental drug ABT-737 can destroy AML blast, progenitor and stem cells, potentially providing a new way to treat cancer. Combining ABT-737 with another agent may overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 17, 2006

Carnegie Mellon's Granger Morgan pens op-ed

Morgan argues that legislators should impose regulations to prevent the construction of long-lived conventional coal plants. The US electricity industry plans to build 154 new plants in the next 24 years, with 50 slated for construction within five years.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience·DateNov 17, 2006

'Deserving Poor' or 'Greedy Geezers'? New book debunks aging crisis

The authors argue that with collective pension and health insurance programs in place, individuals can avert poor health, finances, and employer age discrimination. Aging Nation offers a new aging policy framework based on the interconnectedness of lives across generations.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateNov 17, 2006

Yeast model shows promise as Alzheimer's test

A new research tool developed by Susan Liebman may provide a means for treating the earliest stage of Alzheimer's disease. The yeast model system detects A-beta small aggregate formation, allowing for high-throughput screening of compounds to inhibit aggregation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalBMC Biology·DateNov 17, 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.

UGA professor finds that confusion about Calories is nothing new

A UGA professor studied the origins of Calories, a unit measuring food energy. He found that there is controversy about who invented the Calorie, with different sources citing Frenchmen P.A. Favre and J.T. Silbermann, German physician Julius Mayer, and French chemist Nicholas Clement as contributors to its development.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateNov 17, 2006

Origins of life

Scientists from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School have developed an approach to investigate ocean reefs, which are considered the core of most living organisms. The new study has shed light on how stromatolites form and offers a new way to explore the origins of these living records.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalGeology·DateNov 17, 2006

Award-winning science

Michael Hernandez, a junior at University of Miami, won Outstanding Student Poster in geosciences category at SACNAS national conference. His research compared CHAMP radio occultations with global model forecasts during the 2005 hurricane season.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateNov 17, 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.

Tβ4 is essential for coronary vessel development report

A study published in Nature demonstrated TB4's ability to regenerate coronary vessels in mice, a finding that could lead to new treatments for human heart disease. TB4 may prevent loss of heart muscle cells and restore blood flow, providing a much-needed treatment modality.

SourceFinancial Relations Board·JournalNature·DateNov 17, 2006

Does natural selection drive the evolution of cancer?

Researchers propose that natural selection drives the evolution of cancer, with tumor cells constantly evolving through mutation and selection. This understanding could lead to new therapeutic strategies, such as targeting benign cells to outcompete malignant ones.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature Reviews Cancer·DateNov 17, 2006

Study explores cause of exercise intolerance in heart failure patients

Researchers found that diastolic heart failure patients have severely reduced exercise tolerance despite normal leg blood flow, suggesting other factors such as muscle oxygen use contribute to symptoms. The study suggests targeting these additional factors could help develop effective treatments for this common form of heart failure.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·DateNov 17, 2006

Setting the stage to find drugs against SARS

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have characterized a component of the SARS virus that will be the target of new anti-SARS drugs. By determining the concentration at which individual proteinase molecules form active dimers, scientists can search for compounds that bind to the active form of the enzyme.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalBiochemistry·DateNov 17, 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.

Recognized innovation

Dr. Liana Talaue-McManus and Dr. John W. McManus, researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, were named Associates of the World Technology Network for their innovative work in marine science and technology.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateNov 17, 2006

Critical pairing

Scientists discover that the structure of the bases, rather than the backbone, is critical in developing genetic material. They created molecules with alternative bases and found that only one pair was strong enough to form specific base pairs.

SourceWiley·DateNov 17, 2006

Woodruff Foundation gives major boost to Emory University's strategic plan

The Woodruff Foundation is contributing $261.5 million to support Emory University's modernization of outpatient care facilities and strategic priorities. The gift includes funds for a new Emory Clinic complex, renovation of administrative buildings, and investment in initiatives related to the university's vision.

SourceEmory University Health Sciences Center·DateNov 17, 2006
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Shorter post-operative recovery stay following outpatient tonsillectomy is safe, cost-efficient

A new UCLA study found that pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomies can be safely discharged after a short post-operative recovery period at an outpatient surgery center. The study, which reviewed nearly 800 patient records, showed no increased complications with average discharge times of 1 hour and 47 minutes.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalInternational Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology·DateNov 17, 2006

Rice chemists create, grow nanotube seeds

Rice University chemists have successfully created and grown carbon nanotube seeds, which can be used to produce large quantities of pure nanotubes. The breakthrough offers significant potential for various materials applications, including energy storage and electronics.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 17, 2006
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.