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Science News for December 26, 2007


Bevacizumab found to improve survival for patients with advanced breast cancer

A large clinical trial found that bevacizumab significantly prolongs progression-free survival for women with recurrent breast cancer when combined with chemotherapy. The study showed a doubling of delay in worsening of the disease and improved remission rates compared to chemotherapy alone.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 26, 2007

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...

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateDec 26, 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.

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 26, 2007

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 26, 2007

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.

SourceETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 26, 2007
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

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.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcological Applications·DateDec 26, 2007

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateDec 26, 2007

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 26, 2007

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateDec 26, 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.

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.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·DateDec 26, 2007