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Science News Archive April 2007


Page 14 of 17

Study recommends universal newborn screening for cystic fibrosis

A new study in The Lancet suggests that universal newborn screening for cystic fibrosis is associated with lower treatment costs and reduced hospital admissions. This could lead to cost savings that offset the costs of the screening program, making it a more viable option globally.

Females do best if they wait a while

A study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that female woodhoopoes that started breeding later in life produced more offspring than those that started earlier. The researchers attributed this to a high mortality rate among young females, suggesting they were not yet in optimal condition to breed.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Fascinating spider silk

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have successfully produced genetically engineered spider silk protein using genetic engineering, revealing crucial insights into the spinning process. The study found that the interaction between hydrophilic and lipophilic properties of the proteins plays a key role in thread formation.

Why small dogs are small

Researchers have identified a piece of doggy DNA that reduces growth in small breeds, ensuring they stay small. The study found a haplotype in all breeds of small dogs, suggesting it is a major contributor to body size.

JCI table of contents -- April 5, 2007

Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that treatment with TGF-beta inhibitors may help prevent cancer metastasis in patients. Additionally, a study from the University of Michigan discovered that a negative feedback pathway involving leptin receptor signaling may contribute to leptin resistance in obese individuals.

Need oxygen? Cells know how to spend and save

Researchers discovered how cells fine-tune oxygen use to make do with limited availability. They found that under stress, cells replace one protein with an energy-efficient substitute to maintain power production.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Biofuels: More than just ethanol

The study found that certain biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and hybrid poplar, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to gasoline and diesel. These crops also offset the largest amounts of fossil fuels reduced emissions when used for electricity generation via biomass gasification.

New research in Psychological Science

Researchers found that adults exhibit a 'curse-of-knowledge bias' when reasoning about false beliefs, with their own knowledge influencing their ability to reason. Additionally, age affects false memory development, with children showing improved performance at older ages. The study also discovered a circadian rhythm in central process...

Delayed breeding is not necessarily costly to lifetime reproductive success

Researchers analyzed 24 years of data from a cooperative bird species, finding that delayed breeding was not costly to lifetime reproductive success for females. In contrast, males showed reduced reproductive success due to shorter breeding careers. The study challenges the long-held assumption that delayed breeding is always detrimental.

The plague as a weapon?

Bubonic plague has a mortality rate of 50-90 ty, while pneumonic plague can be fatal in most cases. A Yersinia Pestis strain in Madagascar shows multiple antimicrobial resistance, making treatment challenging.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ibuprofen puts high risk cardiac patients at risk

A new study found that ibuprofen significantly raises the risk of heart attacks in high-risk cardiovascular patients taking aspirin for osteoarthritis. The Mount Sinai researchers' findings underscore the importance of considering NSAID interactions with aspirin in these patients.

John H. Morrison, Ph.D., receives MERIT Award

Dr. John H. Morrison has received a $5 million MERIT Award to support his research on brain cell adaptability and its impact on age-related cognitive decline. This recognition highlights the strength of Mount Sinai faculty during a challenging time for researchers.

Promising new drug for HIV

A new antiretroviral drug darunavir has been shown to be highly effective in treating HIV when used in conjunction with a boosting dose of the existing drug ritonavir. The study found that 61% of patients taking the new drug achieved a ten-fold drop in HIV RNA levels, compared to just 15% of those on the control group.

Study links propensity toward worry to early death

A study of over 1600 men found that increased neuroticism and worry were linked to higher mortality rates from cancer and heart disease. However, the study also suggests that reducing stress and anxiety can lead to improved survival rates.

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.

Slow but sure -- Burned forest lands regenerate naturally

Researchers from Oregon State University found a high level of naturally-regenerating tree seedlings in burned forest lands. The density of surviving conifers was similar to that of traditional old-growth forests, with some plots already having larger trees considered 'free to grow' by forestry standards.

News tips from ACS Chemical Biology

The journal reveals how changing protein charges enables cell membrane passage and introduces an enzyme's role in synthesizing antibiotics against resistant bacteria. Additionally, researchers develop artificial methods to induce keratinocytes' differentiation, providing insight into diseases like psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma.

Research finds that culture is key to interpreting facial emotions

A study by University of Alberta researchers found that cultural differences affect how people interpret facial cues, with Japanese focusing on eyes and Americans on mouth. The findings suggest that understanding culture is essential when interpreting facial expressions.

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.

Social computing study to track college students' networking habits

A new study aims to understand how college students network online and interact with each other in virtual communities. The research team, led by Professor Susan Barnes, will develop an undergraduate course on social media to explore the use of software for social interaction.

A 'traffic light' for neurons means 'go' for improving brain research

Scientists have created a technique to directly control brain cell activity with light, enabling experimentation with neural circuits and potentially leading to therapies for disorders like depression and Parkinson's disease. The 'traffic light' system uses light-sensitive proteins to selectively stimulate or dampen different neurons.

Dairy, fruits and veggies may help smokers quit

A study found that dairy products, non-caffeinated beverages, and fruits/vegetables can worsen the taste of cigarettes. Researchers propose a 'Quit Smoking Diet' or alternative treatments to deter smoking.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

UCLA's project strive seeks to reunite runaway teens and families

Project Strive, a UCLA research project, aims to reconnect chronically homeless teens with their families, teaching them skills to manage conflict and prevent further runaways. The intervention program offers five short-term sessions between parents and adolescents, focusing on emotional management, communication, and problem-solving.

Cable laid for new deep-sea observatory

Researchers completed laying a 52 km cable for the Monterey Accelerated Research System (MARS) observatory, providing power and data connectivity to deep-sea instruments. The MARS system will enable continuous monitoring of ocean conditions, allowing scientists to track changes over time.

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.

3.2 billion-year-old surprise: Earth had strong magnetic field

Researchers have found that the Earth's magnetic field was nearly as strong 3.2 billion years ago as it is today, contrary to previous studies. The discovery suggests that the Earth was well protected from the solar wind, which can strip away a planet's atmosphere and bathe its surface in lethal radiation.

Mechanism of nicotine's learning effects explored

Researchers discovered how nicotine adjusts neuronal wiring to enhance memory, including effects on GABAergic neurons and calcium-mediated signaling. This work provides insights into the mechanism of nicotine's learning-enhancing effects, which may lead to development of new treatments for cognitive deficits.

UT Metroplex institutions to collaborate on biomedical research

Thirteen interdisciplinary research teams from UT Southwestern, UT Arlington, and UT Dallas have received grants totaling $1.3 million to pursue collaborative projects. The projects aim to stimulate efforts at the interface between biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, computer science, and mathematics.

Psychologists publish 3 new studies on violent video game effects on youths

Two studies found that exposure to even cartoonish children's violent video games increases aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. A third study showed that frequent play of violent video games leads to a more aggressive worldview and behaviors in school-aged children. Both studies support the idea that violent video game exp...

Study of California's tobacco control study

A new study from UCSD reveals that California's tobacco control program has led to a significant increase in smoking cessation rates, especially among young adults. Cessation rates have risen by 50% among those aged 20-34, while daily cigarette consumption has declined, particularly among older smokers.

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.

The discovery of America: The revolutionary claims of a dead historian

Dr Alwyn Ruddock's extraordinary claims about her research on John Cabot's voyages to America have been explored by Dr Evan Jones of the University of Bristol. Ruddock's findings suggest that Cabot explored a large section of the American coastline, claiming it for England in the process.

Measuring the brain's 'rich switch'

Neurobiologists found that richer individuals are slower to learn associating a stimulus with financial reward, leading to slower brain responses in reward areas. The study also measured marginal utility of money, finding greater wealth reduces the likelihood of picking up coins on the street.

Breakthrough MS treatment doesn't reach US patients

A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that immunomodulatory agents can slow multiple sclerosis progression but are only prescribed to a minority of cases. Women and Caucasians were more likely to receive these treatments, highlighting disparities in care.

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.

Supernova impostor goes supernova

Astronomers observed a massive star suffering a double whammy, with the star surviving one outburst before exploding as Supernova 2006jc. The study found that the supernova's blast wave interacted with material ejected by the star two years earlier, indicating a unique stellar evolution process.

Mediterranean diet wards off childhood respiratory allergies

Research published in Thorax found that a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts protects against allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms among children. The study analyzed dietary habits, respiratory symptoms, and allergic reactions of over 700 children living on the Greek island of Crete.

Multivitamins improve birth outcomes among children born to HIV-negative women

A study found that daily multivitamin supplements given to HIV-negative pregnant women in Tanzania significantly reduced the risks of low birth weight and a small-for-gestational age birth size. The results suggest that enhancing micronutrient status during pregnancy has significant benefits on maternal immunity and hemoglobin levels.

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.

Gender and race still an issue for school leaders

A national survey reveals a gender gap in America's school systems, with women making up only 18% of school leaders. Minority women face additional challenges, often serving troubled districts and taking longer to secure superintendent positions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Heart failure: Intervention possibilities from imaging programmed cell loss

A new nuclear medicine technique using annexin A5 imaging may help identify individuals at risk of developing heart failure by detecting programmed cell loss in the heart muscle. This could lead to earlier intervention and improved treatment options, as cell death is a key factor in worsening left ventricular events.

Blood sugar's manufacture limited by building blocks' supply

Researchers have discovered that a transcription factor KLF15 controls glucose production in the liver. Mice deficient for KLF15 experience severe hypoglycemia due to an inability to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis, a process dependent on amino acids and enzymes.

Carnegie Mellon researcher wins prestigious career award for NSF

The researcher will receive a $400,000 grant to develop sophisticated computer models that can predict wear problems on various surfaces, including materials used in semiconductor and data storage devices. The study aims to understand how abrasive nanoparticles cause friction and surface wear, with potential applications in the product...

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.

Working up potential living liver donors

A 4-step process can be completed quickly and efficiently to assess potential living liver donors. Despite challenges, the process results in a significant proportion of donors undergoing successful transplantation, emphasizing the importance of careful workup and informed consent.

Study suggests some drug resistance to influenza B medications

A recent study in Japan found partial resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors among influenza B viruses, which may have implications for treatment and prevention strategies. The emergence of these resistant variants poses a significant concern, as they can cause infections with no difference in duration or clinical outcome.

Penn study points to new direction for pancreas cell regeneration

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have demonstrated that injured pancreatic cells readily regenerate back into healthy acinar cells. This finding holds promise for treating cancer and inflammation of the pancreas, while shifting focus from regenerating insulin-producing beta cells.

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.

Flies don't buzz about aimlessly!

Researchers found that fruit flies' flight patterns are optimal for searching, using scale-free movement with intermittent turns. This behavior is also observed in other animals, including humans and crickets, suggesting a unified theory for finding food.

Combination treatment for migraine more effective than single medications

A combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium is more effective in treating migraine than either medication alone, with superior efficacy in headache relief and sustained pain-free response. The treatment targets multiple pathogenic mechanisms in migraine, offering advantages over single therapy.