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Science News for April 4, 2007


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.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Forestry·DateApr 4, 2007
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.

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateApr 4, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateApr 4, 2007

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols highlights reliable methods for gene and protein analyses

Two reliable methods are presented for creating and detecting specific proteins, as well as characterizing the activities of specific genes during embryonic development. The methods involve attaching a GST tag to a protein of interest or using a reporter protein to visualize gene expression in transgenic mouse embryos.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateApr 4, 2007

Northwestern chemists develop new method for synthesizing anti-cancer flavonoids

Karl Scheidt and his team have synthesized 10 different flavanones, a type of flavonoid, using a new general method that takes advantage of one simple catalyst. The findings provide a method for making new molecules based on flavonoids, setting the stage for the development of new cancer therapeutics.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 4, 2007
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·DateApr 4, 2007
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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateApr 4, 2007

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...

SourceIowa State University·DateApr 4, 2007
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalTobacco Control·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalHistorical Research·DateApr 4, 2007

Glucose triggers brain cell death in rats after hypoglycemic coma

Researchers at San Francisco VA Medical Center found that administering glucose to treat hypoglycemia actually causes brain damage in rats, contrary to previous assumptions. Oxidative stress is triggered by the sudden return of glucose, leading to neuron death.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateApr 4, 2007
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalThorax·DateApr 4, 2007
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.

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.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 4, 2007

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateApr 4, 2007