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Science News Archive August 2007


Page 4 of 17

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why is Apert's syndrome so common when mutation rate is so low?

Researchers find Apert's syndrome is perpetuated due to mutant cells out-replicating normal cells in testes, leading to higher transmission rates. The single base-pair mutation occurs at a frequency 100-1000 times higher than predicted standard mutation rate.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

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.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Photon-transistors for the supercomputers of the future

Scientists have created a new theory on how to create transistors for quantum computers using photons. The transistors can process optical signals and enable the development of supercomputers that can solve extremely complicated tasks.

Minimum information standards -- all for 1 and 1 for all

The new guidelines aim to reduce ambiguity and capture necessary information from experiments to provide a deeper level of understanding. They have been implemented in public repositories such as ArrayExpress, IntAct, and PRIDE, enabling easier identification and use of relevant data.

When is a stem cell not really a stem cell?

Researchers identified a protein signal that prevents neural stem cells from becoming neurons, shedding light on the maturation process of stem cells. The discovery could simplify stem cell isolation and potentially have implications for treating nervous system damage.

UCLA study shows adverse effects of air pollution on births in Los Angeles County

A new UCLA study found that women exposed to high levels of air pollution in Los Angeles County were more likely to have preterm babies. The research, which analyzed data from over 2,500 births in 2003, controlled for other risk factors and found a significant link between air pollution exposure and increased preterm birth rates.

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.

Giant panda can survive

A study by Cardiff University scientists suggests that human activities such as deforestation and poaching are driving the decline of the giant panda population. The research finds that conservation efforts should focus on habitat restoration and protection to ensure the species' survival.

Einstein researchers use novel approach to uncover genetic components of aging

Scientists at Einstein College of Medicine have discovered the secret behind people living to 100 or more: favorable “longevity” genes that protect against disease-causing genes. The novel method used by researchers could lead to new drugs to protect against age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Los Angeles enjoying 1,000-year seismic lull

The Los Angeles basin has entered a relatively quiet period of seismic activity, with smaller and less frequent earthquakes reported over the past thousand years. The study's findings suggest that seismic clusters in the Mojave Desert alternate with periods of calm in the urban fault network.

Monkeys use 'baby talk' to interact with infants

Researchers found that rhesus macaques increase grunts and girneys when interacting with babies, suggesting a way for females to elicit attention and encourage behavior in infants. These vocalizations may also facilitate interactions between females with babies, promoting social tolerance.

Software coordinates 19 mirrors, focuses James Webb Space Telescope

Scientists have developed algorithms to enable the 19 individual mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to function as one telescope, allowing for sharper images and detection of distant galaxies. The 'Wavefront Sensing and Controls' system was tested successfully on a scale model and through computer simulations.

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.

OSU 3-for-3 in NSF competition

Oklahoma State University has received $1.5M in NSF grants to acquire two new instruments: a field emission environmental scanning electron microscope and an LTQ mass spectrometer. These instruments will enhance research capabilities in areas of interest to industry, government, and other universities.

New cancer weapon: nuclear nanocapsules

Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to package radioactive particles inside DNA-sized carbon tubes to target tiny tumors. The alpha-emitting nanocapsules are designed to deliver a single, direct hit to cancer cells, making them potentially more effective than traditional beta-particle radiation.

UCLA pediatric pain expert wins Mayday Pain and Society fellowship

Associate Professor Jennie Ching-I Tsao of the UCLA Pediatric Pain Program has been selected as a winner of the Mayday Pain & Society Fellowship. The program provides tools and skills to advocate for better treatment of pain, including media communication and policy engagement. Tsao's research focuses on biopsychosocial models of pain ...

Separating the brain's 'bad' from 'good' iron

Researchers have created 'pro-chelators' that can selectively bind to potentially destructive forms of iron in the brain, reducing oxidative stress and cell damage associated with these diseases. The iron-binding agents are designed to target only harmful iron species, allowing benign forms to carry out vital functions.

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.

Toxic shock: immune system's anthrax link

Researchers at Monash University uncover a molecular arms race between bacteria and the human immune system, revealing perforins as key players in defense against bacterial toxins. The discovery could lead to new ways to fight disease, including infectious diseases and transplantation rejection.

Social habits of cells may hold key to fighting diseases

Researchers are working on a £18 million project to change the social habits of living cells, which could help fight diseases like cancer and diabetes. By adjusting cell networking, they aim to reduce disease occurrence and improve health outcomes.

Surgery for severe obesity saves lives

A long-term study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that bariatric surgery reduces mortality in severely obese patients by 29%. The researchers found that the actual weight loss is less important than the surgery itself in reducing risk, opening up new possibilities for treatment development.

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.

WHOI, partners awarded ocean observing contract

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has been awarded a $97.7 million contract to support the development and installation of coastal and global components of the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI). The partnership includes Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Oregon State University, aimin...

Condition of bluefin tuna in gulf of maine is declining

The quality of giant bluefin tuna caught in the Gulf of Maine has declined significantly since the early 1990s, with potential changes in food sources and reproductive patterns. Researchers found that the condition of those fish caught is of much lower quality, with reduced fat content and a leaner appearance.

Astronomers get first look at Uranus's rings as they swing edge-on to Earth

For the first time since their discovery in 1977, astronomers have observed a Uranus ring crossing and detected significant changes in the rings' arrangement. The observations used advanced telescopes and revealed new details about the fine dust that permeates the rings, including a previously unseen outer ring.

Are civil unions a 600-year-old tradition?

A new study suggests that homosexual civil unions may have existed in France six centuries ago, challenging common assumptions about the history of same-sex relationships. The affrèrement, a medieval legal contract, provided a framework for non-nuclear households and shared characteristics with marriage contracts.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

UAF awarded first phase of Alaska Region Research Vessel

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has received funding for the first phase of the Alaska Region Research Vessel's construction, supporting research in high latitudes and facilitating global ocean science collaborations. The $123-million vessel will be capable of breaking ice up to 2.5 ft thick and accommodate 26 scientists and students.

Mouse vision has a rhythm all its own

Researchers found that mice lacking a critical component of the retinal clock exhibit abnormal gene activity and defective electrical responses, but their eyes appear normal. The study suggests that the retina's autonomous circadian clock plays a crucial role in visual processing.

Inhaling helps heal liver transplant recipients

A new study suggests that inhaling nitric oxide during liver transplantation can decrease hospital stay time and improve liver function. The authors found increased levels of nitrite in circulation, which may mediate the beneficial effects of NO inhalation.

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.

University of Minnesota astronomers find gaping hole in the Universe

Astronomers found a gigantic hole in the Universe, spanning nearly a billion light-years, empty of stars, galaxies, gas, and dark matter. The void's existence was confirmed by studying data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, which revealed a significant drop in galaxy count in a region southwest of Orion.

Pioneering tests on odors from plastic water pipe

A study by Andrea Dietrich at the American Chemical Society meeting found that cPVC has a low odor potential, while HDPE had the highest odor production. The researchers also discovered that certain types of plastic piping can leach organic compounds into drinking water.

Money illusion and the market

Money illusion refers to the phenomenon where people base their decisions on nominal values rather than real value, leading to irrational behavior in markets. Experimental evidence shows that firms are reluctant to cut prices during deflation due to money illusion, but more willing to increase prices during inflation.

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.

JCI table of contents: Aug. 23, 2007

Researchers found that FTY720 prevents disease in mouse models of leukemia caused by the cancer protein BCR-ABL. Nitric oxide inhalation also accelerates restoration of liver function after transplantation, reducing hospital stay times.