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Science News for August 8, 2007


New technology reveals seal behavior

Researchers used sensors attached to 85 seals to track their movements and collect data about the marine environment. The results show that elephant seals adopted different strategies to find food, visiting colder waters nearer the continental shelf.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2007

Diet foods for children may lead to obesity

A new report from the University of Alberta finds that diet foods for children can lead to overeating and obesity. Children who consume low-calorie versions of high-calorie foods may develop a distorted connection between taste and calorie content, leading them to overeat as they grow up.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalObesity·DateAug 8, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ethical consumption: Consumer driven or political phenomenon?

A study funded by ESRC suggests that ethical consumption is a political phenomenon rather than a market response. People are aware of issues like Fairtrade and environmental sustainability but often lack effective pathways to act on their concerns.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateAug 8, 2007

New test improves detection of liver cancer

Researchers developed a new blood test to detect liver cancer in an early stage, improving detection accuracy by 70%. The test uses the ratio of two sugar groups on blood proteins to identify liver cancer in patients with cirrhosis.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalHepatology·DateAug 8, 2007

Long heat waves boost hospital admissions

Heat wave duration significantly impacts hospital admissions for fluid and electrolyte balance disorders, acute renal failure, and breathing issues. While individual hot days may have minor effects, prolonged heat waves can lead to increased health risks, particularly among the elderly.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 8, 2007
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.

Female gender provides an advantage in renal diseases

Research suggests that female gender is associated with slower progression rates in certain renal diseases, possibly due to the protective effects of estrogen on kidney health. Estrogen inhibits the activity of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which promotes scarring in the kidneys.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 8, 2007

Penn researchers discover novel pathway for increasing 'good' cholesterol

A new target for controlling high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been discovered by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The enzyme PCSK5A was found to increase HDL-C levels in mice, promoting reverse cholesterol transport and reducing the risk of heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 8, 2007

Where's the beef? Not enough of it is on elders' plates, muscle-metabolism study suggests

A diet rich in protein may help slow the deterioration of elderly people's muscles. Researchers found that both young and elderly volunteers experienced increased muscle protein synthesis after consuming a moderate amount of protein-rich food. This is crucial for maintaining health, independence, and preventing muscle loss.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 8, 2007

Stress may leave your mouth a mess

A literature review found a strong relationship between stress and periodontal diseases, with 57% of studies showing a positive link. Patients can reduce their risk by minimizing stress through healthy habits such as exercise, balanced eating, and positive mental attitude.

SourceAmerican Academy of Periodontology·JournalJournal of Periodontology·DateAug 8, 2007
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Edible fish feasts beats malaria

Nile tilapia significantly reduced Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus mosquito populations by over 94%. The sustainable method provides a win-win situation for Kenyans, offering food and income while controlling malaria.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateAug 8, 2007

Proteaceae spread by continental drift and transoceanic dispersal

A new study published in Journal of Biogeography reveals that ancestors of Proteaceae plants must have crossed the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to reach their current distribution ranges. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that Gondwanaland's biota simply moved with the continents as they broke up.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateAug 8, 2007

Inflammation may cause preterm labor and fetal deaths

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University found that blocking receptors responding to bacterial infections can nearly halve preterm deaths in mice. A synthetic TLR4 antagonist appears safe for mice mothers and pups.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateAug 8, 2007

Sugar and spice and everything nice: Health differences in newborn girls and boys

Two studies have found significant gender-based differences in newborns' hearts and livers that may explain why female infant deaths are higher after heart surgery and pediatric liver transplants are less successful. Newborn girls' hearts accumulate more acid during ischemia, which may lead to injury, while their livers produce more an...

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 8, 2007

Testosterone replacement therapy: How safe for aging men?

A recent study using spontaneously hypertensive rats found that testosterone supplements promote renal injury and exacerbate hypertension in aging male rats. The research suggests that natural decrease in testosterone levels with age may affect the progression of cardiovascular/renal disease in men taking testosterone replacement therapy.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 8, 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.

Innovative tagging technique may help researchers better protect fish stocks

Researchers will use a novel technique to track the dispersal of coral reef larvae and assess the effectiveness of marine protected areas in protecting fish stocks. The new approach, known as TRAnsgenerational Isotope Labeling (TRAIL), involves introducing an artificial tag into mature female fish just before spawning.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateAug 8, 2007

To gain muscle and lose fat, drink milk: study

A study by McMaster University found that drinking milk after weightlifting increased fat loss and improved muscle gain compared to other beverages. The researchers discovered the milk group lost nearly twice as much fat and gained more muscle mass than other groups.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 8, 2007

Obesity linked to hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease

A study found that obesity is associated with higher levels of parathyroid hormone in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. Weight loss may help lower PTH levels, while other treatments could lead to weight loss. The association was strongest in patients with signs of malnutrition and inflammation.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 8, 2007

FSU chemists using light-activated molecules to kill cancer cells

Researchers at Florida State University have developed a new approach to targeting cancer cells using light-activated molecules that can induce apoptosis in both strands of DNA. By exploiting the unique property of these molecules, they can selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2007

Conventional plowing is 'skinning our agricultural fields'

No-till agriculture is more sustainable than conventional plow-based methods, which increase soil erosion. By preserving crop stubble and using disking, no-till farming builds soil fertility and stores carbon, offering a win-win solution for climate change.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2007
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.

Unemployment cuts

A six-year study found that higher unemployment rates were associated with more penetrating trauma admissions, while lower unemployment rates correlated with increased blunt trauma admissions. The authors suggest that socioeconomic status and demographics play a role in the types of trauma admissions.

SourceSpringer·JournalWorld Journal of Surgery·DateAug 8, 2007

Cardio exercise benefits in male vs. female hearts

A new study finds that moderate long-term exercise in male and female mice induces a sex-dependent cardiac adaptation, with females exhibiting greater physiological changes. This research may help improve treatment strategies for women and men with heart disease.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 8, 2007
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Baby DVDs, videos may hinder, not help, infants' language development

A study by researchers at the University of Washington found that excessive exposure to baby DVDs and videos can slow down infants' vocabulary acquisition. Infants who watched these productions for an hour a day understood an average of six to eight fewer words than those who did not watch them.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateAug 8, 2007

Carnegie Mellon's Peter Adams receives EPA research grant

Peter J. Adams, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has been awarded a $900,000 research grant from the EPA to develop integrated models simulating air pollution from local to global scales. The study aims to improve understanding of particulate matter and its health impacts.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateAug 8, 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.

Refusal of medical and surgical interventions common among chronically ill elderly

A recent Yale University study found that 16% of chronically ill elderly patients refuse recommended medical and surgical interventions. The most frequently refused treatments were cardiac catheterization and surgery, with a combined refusal rate over 10%. Patients who refused treatments often cited fear of side effects as the primary ...

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2007

Brain blood flow gives clues to treating depression

Researchers found that antidepressant medicines normalized decreased brain blood flow in patients with depression, while electroconvulsive therapy was associated with additional decreases. Objective imaging evaluations may support subjective clinical decisions in treating depression.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateAug 8, 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.

Grapes, soy and kudzu blunt some menopausal side effects

Researchers have found that grape seed polyphenols reduce salt-sensitive hypertension in young rats, while soy polyphenols protect against hypertension in estrogen-depleted/ovariectomized rats. Kudzu root extract also blunts blood pressure rise and improves glucose tolerance in animal models of insulin resistance.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateAug 8, 2007

Better mobility keeps seniors healthier

Researchers found that mobility is a key factor impacting quality of life for older adults. Interventions targeting mobility limitations may improve HRQOL and overall well-being among seniors at risk for disability. The study highlighted the need to develop effective interventions to preserve or improve mobility in this population.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateAug 8, 2007

Indiana University Imaging Center receives $6M grant for kidney research

The Indiana University School of Medicine has been awarded a five-year, $6 million grant to continue developing advanced light microscopy systems for kidney research. The center will incorporate four core projects, including the development of quantitative analysis tools and techniques to image deeper tissues.

SourceIndiana University·DateAug 8, 2007