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Science News Archive December 2007


Page 1 of 16

Making sense of antisense microRNAs

Research reveals antisense transcription of the Hox miRNA locus generates a novel miRNA precursor, mir-iab-8, which represses Hox gene targets, resulting in homeotic phenotypes. Additional antisense miRNAs identified in Drosophila and mammals may contribute to diversification of miRNA function.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lung cancer cells' survival gene seen as drug target

Researchers have identified a key gene, 14-3-3zeta, that enables lung cancer cells to survive on their own. Silencing this gene has been shown to inhibit the growth and survival of lung cancer cells, making it a potential target for selective anti-cancer drugs.

Lack of deep sleep may increase risk of type 2 diabetes

A recent study found that suppressing slow-wave sleep in healthy young adults significantly decreases their ability to regulate blood-sugar levels. After only three nights of selective slow-wave sleep suppression, subjects became less sensitive to insulin, resulting in reduced tolerance to glucose and increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Breast cancer cells have to learn to walk before they can run

Researchers at the Salk Institute found that early-stage breast cancer cells with high motility pose an increased risk of metastasis. These cells can wander along milk ducts and seed new tumors within the same breast, suggesting a need for earlier intervention.

Oliguridylation-mediated histone mRNA decay

Researchers discovered that uridine residues are added to the 3' end of histone mRNAs, decapping and degrading them via the general mRNA decay machinery. This work represents a new mechanism regulating the half-life of specific mammalian mRNA transcripts.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Jan. 1, 2008, issue

A study found that targeted digital mammography screening can be cost-effective for younger women with dense breasts, while conventional film mammography may be more effective for older women. Additionally, labeling epinephrine as a dose or ratio affected dosing errors among doctors.

Restless legs syndrome doubles risk of stroke and heart disease

People with restless legs syndrome are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease, according to a study published in Neurology. The risk is highest in those with RLS symptoms at least 16 times per month, where they are more than twice as likely to have cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease.

Deep Impact 'celebrates' New Year's Eve with Earth flyby

The Deep Impact spacecraft is using its flyby of Earth to calibrate its instruments for the EPOXI mission, which will study comet Hartley 2. The team made observations of the moon to test the spacecraft's pointing and commanding systems.

Some antipsychotic drugs may be missing their mark

Researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center found that serotonin and synthetic hallucinogens trigger different chemical pathways in brain cells, leading to important implications for drug development. The study's findings suggest that screening agents must also determine if the agent signals through beta-arrestin.

AGU journal highlights -- Dec. 31, 2007

Researchers isolated the signal of ocean global warming by analyzing historical temperature records. Volcanic loading in Hawaii triggered earthquakes with divergent mechanisms. Climate scientists found anticorrelated precipitation patterns between China and Brazil, suggesting oceanic circulation triggers abrupt climate events.

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.

New ingredients in drug-like anti-aging products improve skin

A study published in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that topical application of niacin, engineered peptides, retinoids, and photoprotective ingredients can visibly improve maturing skin. Combining these ingredients in a moisturizer magnifies benefits.

2 genes are important key to regulating immune response

A research team at Weill Cornell Medical College identified two genes, Pbx-1 and Prep-1, that play a critical role in regulating interleukin-10 (IL-10) production. This discovery could lead to new avenues for understanding and treating diseases such as lupus, cancer, and HIV/AIDS.

Pilot error declines as factor in airline mishaps

Researchers found a 40% decrease in pilot error-related mishaps between 1983-2002, attributed to enhanced training and technology. However, the study also revealed an increase in ground-related mishaps, highlighting areas for further improvement.

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.

Cost of glaucoma medications may impact treatment

The management of glaucoma costs the US healthcare system approximately $2.5 billion per year, with glaucoma medications accounting for 38-52% of direct costs. Non-selective ß-blockers remain the most inexpensive class of glaucoma medications, while brand-name ß-blockers are consistently more expensive than their generic counterparts.

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Researchers developed a mutated anthrax toxin that targets melanoma cells, with 100% of mice tolerated lethal doses. The toxin was more specific and effective than natural toxin, inhibiting angiogenesis and killing other tumors like colon and lung.

Men need more Botox than women

A review published in Dermatologic Therapy reveals that men need higher doses of Botox due to greater muscle mass, leading to inadequate results from under-dosing. The study suggests that larger, stronger men require more units per treatment area than slender, small-boned men.

New therapy reduces mortality in patients with severe COPD

A recent study found that patients with severe COPD who received salmeterol-fluticasone (SFC) therapy had lower mortality rates compared to those treated with tiotropium. Additionally, SFC treatment was associated with better health status and fewer patient withdrawals.

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.

Allergic reactions to gadolinium-based contrast agents are rare, study finds

A recent study found that acute allergic-like reactions to gadolinium-containing contrast injections are rare, with 74% of cases being mild. The study included over 78,000 administrations and reported no fatal reactions, supporting the safe use of these agents in patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function.

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.

Cardiac stem cell therapy closer to reality

Researchers have made significant progress in cardiac stem cell therapy, exploring novel delivery methods and strategies to improve cell survival. These advancements aim to overcome the challenges of poor vascular supply and inflammation after a heart attack, paving the way for more effective treatments.

Subliminal messages can influence us in surprising ways

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that subliminal exposure to a national flag image can moderate political attitudes, voting intentions, and actual voting in general elections. The studies showed that participants exposed to the subliminal message tended to adopt more centrist views and voted for central parties.

Overeating and obesity triggered by lack of BDNF

Researchers at Tufts University found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for mediating satiety in adult mice. Mice with deleted BDNF genes ate more and became heavier, highlighting the protein's role in energy balance.

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.

Deep-sea species' loss could lead to oceans' collapse, study suggests

A new report suggests that preserving deep-sea biodiversity is crucial for the health of oceans. Researchers found that sites with a higher diversity of nematode worms support exponentially higher rates of ecosystem processes and increased efficiency. This study highlights the importance of protecting the world's most critical ecosystem.

U of M researchers discover fast-acting cyanide antidote

Researchers developed a fast-acting antidote to cyanide poisoning that works in under three minutes and can be taken orally, giving emergency responders more time to respond. The new antidote has been tested on animals and shows exceptional effectiveness.

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.

Adult male chimpanzees don't stray far from the home

A new study found that adult male chimpanzees, like females, have distinct core areas for foraging alone and show high site fidelity. They remain faithful to the area in which they grew up, even 20 years after their mother's death.

Taxol with avastin produces noteworthy results

The study showed significant benefits of Avastin with Taxol in treating metastatic breast cancer, nearly doubling the time between chemotherapy initiation and tumor progression. This achievement demonstrates Avastin's potential as an antiangiogenic agent in breast cancer therapy.

Study maps life in extreme environments

A team of biologists has developed a model mapping the control circuit governing a whole free-living organism, allowing for accurate prediction of cell dynamics and adaptation to environmental stresses. The study, based on Halobacterium salinarum, provides insights into how cells make stable decisions in response to their environments.

Cone-Beam CT faster, potentially more accurate than conventional mammography

Researchers discovered that cone-beam breast CT provides exceptional tissue contrast and can reduce examination time with comparable radiation dose to conventional 2D mammography. The study found well-resolved images of skin, adipose, and glandular regions, as well as clear detection of microcalcifications within cancers.

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.

Copy number variation may stem from replication misstep

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a new mechanism, called Fork Stalling and Template Switching, which causes DNA copy number variation. This process stalls when there is a problem with the DNA, switching to a different template before returning to the original area.

Baumann lab identifies elusive telomere RNA subunit in single cell model

The Baumann lab has identified the long-sought telomerase RNA gene in a single-cell research model, providing a critical tool for studying telomerase in human cells. This breakthrough sheds light on the correlations between telomere shortening and various diseases, including cancer and coronary heart disease.

NIEHS awards DISCOVER grants

The NIEHS is awarding a total of $6.8 million to three new research centers called DISCOVER, which will bridge the gap between basic research and clinical treatment of diseases caused by environmental factors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Naumann wins best paper award at ACM International Conference

Naumann co-authored paper 'Modular Verification of Higher-Order Methods with Mandatory Calls Specified by Model Programs' recognized for its precise and modular technique for specifying callbacks in object-oriented software frameworks. The 22nd annual OOPSLA Conference, held in Montreal, Canada, also featured industry experts and keyno...

High triglycerides, other cholesterol raise risk of stroke

Researchers found that people with high triglycerides were 2.7 times more likely to have a large artery atherosclerotic stroke than those with low levels. Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol was also linked to an increased risk of this type of stroke.

How do you know whether you are male or female?

A new study published in PLOS Biology found that the number of X chromosomes determines the sex of a fruit fly embryo, contradicting previous findings. The researchers discovered that only two X chromosomes can produce a signal to feminize the embryo during a specific stage of development.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Polarization technique focuses limelight

An international team of astronomers has successfully detected and monitored the polarized light scattered in an exoplanet's atmosphere for the first time. The study reveals that the exoplanet, HD189733b, has a swollen atmosphere with particles scattering blue light, similar to Earth's atmosphere.

Photo-monitoring whale sharks

A new study suggests whale shark populations are healthy and growing in Ningaloo Reef due to regulated ecotourism. The research used computer-assisted photographic identification to track individual sharks and found two-thirds of the sharks were repeat visitors.

Stimulating muscles may improve musician's dystonia

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that stimulating hand muscles using low-amplitude vibration can help treat musician's dystonia. The therapy, which lasts just 15 minutes, has been shown to restore a more normal brain response in people with the condition.

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.

Researchers show that fibrosis can be stopped, cured and reversed

Researchers at UC-San Diego have developed a modified protein that can block excessive scar tissue growth in the liver, stopping its progression and even reversing some cell damage. The peptide has shown promising results in animal studies, opening new possibilities for treating conditions like cirrhosis of the liver.

Brief intervention helps emergency patients reduce drinking

A nationwide collaborative study found that emergency department patients who underwent alcohol screening and brief intervention reported lower rates of risky drinking than those who received only written information. The study enrolled over 7,751 patients and showed that more than one-fourth exceeded low-risk drinking limits.

Five young Hebrew University scientists win first competitive EU grants

Hebrew University researchers received prestigious EU research grants to advance their careers and tackle groundbreaking projects. The five winners will focus on innovative fields such as dormant bacterial spores, group theory, neurophysiological changes, planetary formation, and protein-modulating drugs for cancer and AIDS.

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.

Health coverage improves health and reduces major heart complications

A new study found that expanding health coverage to people without it leads to demonstrable improvements in health, particularly for those with heart disease or diabetes. Uninsured adults who gained Medicare coverage had 10 fewer major cardiac complications by age 72 compared to expected.