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Science News for August 27, 2007


Scientists identify embryonic stem cells by appearance alone

Researchers have successfully identified reprogrammed cells in mice without using genetic markers, simplifying the process and potentially yielding a bountiful supply of custom human embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough brings human stem cell therapies closer to reality and eliminates one major hurdle to reprogramming human cells.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 27, 2007

Same gene protects from 1 disease, opens door to another

Botanists at Oregon State University have discovered a single plant gene that causes resistance to one disease, while producing susceptibility to a different disease. This unusual phenomenon may help scientists better understand the pathways of genetic disease resistance and susceptibility in plants.

SourceOregon State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007

Pitt's School of Medicine gets $16M for HIV structural biology center

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has been awarded a $16 million grant to establish the Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, which will investigate the life cycle of HIV. Researchers at the center will use advanced technologies to identify key virus-host interactions and develop new drug targets.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007
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.

New study may explain Vioxx side effects

A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx trigger life-threatening side effects by stimulating blood clotting. The researchers propose a solution by administering TF-reducing drugs alongside Cox-2 inhibitors to treat people safely

SourceJournal of Experimental Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateAug 27, 2007

UCLA study identifies 'designer estrogen' as potential MS drug

Researchers have discovered a specific form of estrogen that can protect the brain from degeneration without increasing cancer risk. This 'designer estrogen' offers potential for treating multiple sclerosis and combating other age-related brain diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA: Astronomers pioneer new method for probing exotic matter

Astronomers have pioneered a new technique to measure the properties of neutron stars, allowing them to study the extreme conditions under which matter is packed. Using XMM-Newton and Suzaku satellites, scientists observed distorted space-time around three neutron stars, confirming predictions by Einstein's theory of general relativity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 27, 2007

Alcoholism and bad neighborhoods: a 2-way street

Research found a bidirectional relationship between alcohol dependence and neighborhood characteristics. Alcoholism leads to staying in or moving into disadvantaged neighborhoods, while recovery from alcoholism is protective against social drift. Living in poor neighborhoods has an adverse effect on alcoholic symptomatology over time.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateAug 27, 2007

Statin treatment may curb Alzheimer's brain changes

Researchers found that statin treatment may curb Alzheimer's brain changes, with a study comparing brain scans of people who took statins to those who did not. The study, published in Neurology, included 110 Group Health members aged 65-79 and provided the first direct evidence of statin's potential protective effect on the brain.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalNeurology·DateAug 27, 2007

MIT probes secret to bone's strength

New research from MIT reveals a unified explanation for bone's toughness, incorporating several previously proposed theories. The study finds that bone's atomistic structure plays a crucial role in a toughening mechanism that allows it to tolerate small cracks and maintain its strength.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·JournalNanotechnology·DateAug 27, 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.

Smoking increases risks for head and neck cancers for men and women

A large prospective study confirmed strong associations between current and past cigarette smoking and malignancies of the head and neck in both genders. Smoking plays a greater role in developing head and neck cancer in women than men, with higher incidence rates and relative increases in risk.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateAug 27, 2007

Conaway Lab demonstrates mechanism by which transcription factor controls gene expression

The Conaway Lab has discovered a critical role for the chromatin remodeling complex INO80 in activating transcription mediated by the transcription factor YY1. This finding provides new insights into how YY1 regulates gene expression, which is crucial for cell cycle control and may have implications for cancer therapy.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateAug 27, 2007

Nanowire coating for bone implants, stents

Researchers have developed a nanowire coating on titanium that enhances muscle tissue adhesion for hip replacements and dental reconstructions. The material can also be easily sterilized using UV light or ethanol, making it suitable for hospital settings and food processing plants.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateAug 27, 2007

China's 1-child policy could backfire on its elderly

As China's population reaches 336 million over 60 by 2030, the country faces a growing burden of care for senior citizens. The one-child policy may leave some older Chinese without a family member to care for them, forcing them to rely on limited caregivers or facilities.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 27, 2007
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.

U of M study: Early treatment can reverse heart damage

Researchers at U of M discovered that treating people with early cardiovascular abnormalities can slow progression and even reverse damage to the heart and blood vessels. The Rasmussen Disease Score helps doctors identify early signs, enabling targeted lifestyle counseling and drug treatment.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 27, 2007

New study finds married men do less housework than live-in boyfriends

A recent study by George Mason University found that married men report doing less housework than their live-in boyfriends. Couples with egalitarian views on gender tend to divide household chores equally, but even in these relationships, men still do more work.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of Family Issues·DateAug 27, 2007

Cornell team creates math model for circadian rhythm

Researchers at Cornell University have created a mathematical model to describe the internal clock in living beings, which regulates sleeping and waking patterns. The study proposes that an extra protein may be necessary for the circadian cycle to extend over 24 hours.

SourceCornell University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 27, 2007
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.

New treatment effective for most severe kind of headache

A new nasal spray treatment has been shown to be safe and effective in rapidly treating cluster headaches, considered the most painful type of headache. The study involved 52 people with cluster headaches who used zolmitriptan nasal spray or placebo to treat 151 separate attacks.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateAug 27, 2007

Research team finds link between zinc and macular degeneration

Researchers at George Mason University found that zinc deposits are hallmarks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition affecting millions of Americans. The study suggests that excessive zinc intake may contribute to AMD progression.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalExperimental Eye Research·DateAug 27, 2007
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Cells united against cancer

Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that tightly organized epithelial cells can suppress malignant cell proliferation, with a focus on the LKB1 tumor suppressor gene. The study found that epithelial cells lacking LKB1 protein form disorganized structures enabling cancer genes to drive proliferation.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007

Bleeding, not inflammation, is major cause of early lung infection death

A study published in the journal Immunity reveals that a toxin released by bacteria causes severe bleeding in the lungs, making infections deadly. The discovery provides a better understanding of what makes major global bacterial infections deadly and may lead to new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalImmunity·DateAug 27, 2007
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.

HIV's impact in Zimbabwe explored in new research

Researchers found that HIV reduced population growth in worst-affected areas by two-thirds, but the overall population continues to grow, with a higher crude death rate and lower birth rate in the presence of HIV.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007

Story ideas from the Journal of Lipid Research

Scientists discovered that genetic variations do not negatively affect the efficacy of fluvastatin in renal transplant patients. Additionally, researchers created synthetic lipids called pseudoceramides to treat skin diseases and found them to significantly increase protein production when skin cells differentiate.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateAug 27, 2007

Methamphetamine study suggests increased risk for HIV transmission

A new study found that 1 in 20 North Carolina men who have sex with men reported using crystal methamphetamine, increasing the risk of spreading HIV and other STDs. Meth use is associated with inconsistent condom use, STD infection, HIV positivity, and erectile dysfunction treatment.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAIDS Patient Care and STDs·DateAug 27, 2007

XMM-Newton and Suzaku help pioneer method for probing exotic matter

Astronomers have used XMM-Newton and Suzaku to measure the diameters and masses of neutron stars, confirming Einstein's predicted distortion of space-time. The technique involves observing the iron lines produced by hot atoms swirling around neutron stars.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 27, 2007
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

CU researcher engineers sorghum that grows in poisonous soils

Researchers have cloned a novel aluminum-tolerant gene in sorghum, providing insights into how specialized proteins can boost aluminum tolerance in crops. The new genetically-engineered sorghum lines are expected to increase food production on marginal soils in developing countries.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 27, 2007

Engineers perfecting hydrogen-generating technology

The technology produces hydrogen by adding water to an alloy of aluminum and gallium, with the gallium component hindering the formation of an oxide skin that prevents oxygen from reacting with aluminum. This allows for the reaction to continue until all the aluminum is used to generate hydrogen on demand.

SourcePurdue University·DateAug 27, 2007

Human testes may multiply mutations

Research suggests that human testes can multiply mutations, making it easier for disease-causing genes to be passed to offspring. This phenomenon could explain why certain genetic disorders, such as Apert syndrome, occur more frequently than expected.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 27, 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.

The world's oldest bacteria

A research team has found ancient bacteria with active and living DNA, marking the oldest finding of organisms containing life on Earth. The discovery sheds light on cell aging and regeneration processes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007

American Chemical Society's Weekly Press Pac

The American Chemical Society presents groundbreaking research on the biotechnology of health and wellness, including a study that reveals 'good' cholesterol can be bad for the heart. Additionally, scientists uncover new information about HDL cholesterol's protein composition, which could lead to more accurate lab tests and life-saving...

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 27, 2007

Long-term increase in rainfall seen in tropics

Scientists detected a long-term increase in tropical rainfall, with the rainiest years since 2001. The increase is attributed to a warming trend, which enhances evaporation and allows more moisture to form clouds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalJournal of Climate·DateAug 27, 2007
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.

New cancer fighter may help ICU patients beat infections

Researchers find that HSP 90 inhibitors can degrade proteins perpetuating inflammation, restoring lung function and reducing blood vessel leakage in ICU patients. The study suggests a potential new treatment for sepsis using these cancer-fighting compounds.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 27, 2007

Self-collection of specimens for HPV testing

A research letter investigates the feasibility of self-collected HPV specimens for testing among women at high risk of cervical cancer. The study found that outreach nurses were able to recontact 81.4% of participants who tested positive and referred them for further testing.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 27, 2007

Bioengineers at University of Pennsylvania devise nanoscale system to measure cellular forces

Researchers at University of Pennsylvania devise nanoscale system to observe how individual cells react to external forces. The study shows that cells respond to outside forces and demonstrate a remote response from the cell’s internal forces., The findings prove useful for understanding tissue growth, function, and disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2007