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Science News for January 11, 2007


Travelers need to know more about diarrhea

A University of Alberta study reveals that travelers are aware of some key factors in avoiding and treating travellers' diarrhea, but lack knowledge on others. The study found that hand-washing is an effective way to ward off the sickness, but many travelers are unaware of the risks of chlorinated water and viral causes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Travel Medicine·DateJan 11, 2007

SCAI issues clinical alert on drug-eluting stents and late thrombosis

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) released a clinical alert on the risks of late thrombosis associated with drug-eluting stents. The alert provides practical advice for physicians to minimize this risk, including careful patient selection and use of dual anti-clotting medications.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateJan 11, 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.

UC San Diego environmental education initiative promotes engineering to girls

The UCSD initiative aims to keep middle school girls engaged in STEM fields by providing hands-on learning experiences, such as measuring air quality and analyzing solar radiation. The project also develops a multi-player online science challenge game designed specifically for girls, addressing the critical leak in the talent pipeline.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateJan 11, 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.

FSU study: Can prunes reverse bone loss after menopause?

A unique clinical study under way at FSU means to find out if daily prunes can help keep the doctor away by reversing bone loss in postmenopausal women. Researchers are expanding treatment options for osteoporosis, a debilitating disease affecting 10 million Americans.

SourceFlorida State University·DateJan 11, 2007

Study demonstrates long-term durability of Plicator procedure

A study led by doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center shows that patients treated with the endoscopic Plicator procedure experience a sustained reduction in gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and medication use. Over half of the patients were able to stop medication completely three years post-procedure.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalSurgical Endoscopy·DateJan 11, 2007
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hospital death rate study reveals wide variations

A study of 46,993 patients found that hospital death rates ranged from 10% to 28%, with nursing staff levels and care map use associated with lower mortality rates. The study suggests that hospitals can reduce deaths by employing more registered nurses and implementing routine care maps or protocols.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateJan 11, 2007

Researchers urge monitoring of bone health during chemotherapy

Researchers found that a medication used to reduce toxic side effects of chemotherapy can also increase bone tumor growth in mice. Physicians are advised to closely monitor cancer patients' bone health with regular scans and prescribe medications to prevent bone loss when needed.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBlood·DateJan 11, 2007

Large size crucial for Amazon forest reserves

A recent study published in Science has found that the size of Amazon forest reserves is crucial for protecting bird species. The research, led by Gonçalo Ferraz, used a 13-year data set of over 40,000 bird captures to show that larger areas are more important than isolation in maintaining biodiversity.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 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.

Novel regulation of the common tumor suppressor PTEN

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center identified novel regulatory mechanisms of PTEN function. NEDD4-1 protein regulates PTEN stability by adding a molecular tag causing degradation. This finding provides a new therapeutic strategy, as proteasome inhibitors may selectively block degrading effects of ubiquitination.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalCell·DateJan 11, 2007

Resurgence and spread of syphilis in China is a rapidly increasing epidemic

A rapidly increasing syphilis epidemic is sweeping China, with infection rates rising from less than 0.2 cases per 100,000 people in 1993 to 6.5 cases per 100,000 in 1999. The study attributes the surge to economic reforms and globalization, as well as changes in social practices and healthcare costs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 11, 2007

Scientists discover new life forms in the Arctic Ocean

A team of international scientists has discovered a new group of microscopic organisms in the Arctic Ocean, which have diverged from known organisms more than land plants and animals. These 'picobiliphytes' are highly fluorescent and transform light into biomass, highlighting the ocean's complex biodiversity.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Soil nutrients shape tropical forests, large-scale study indicates

A large-scale study reveals that soil composition significantly influences where certain tree species grow in tropical forests. Researchers found strong associations between tree species and nutrient distributions, suggesting differences in nutrient requirements among trees may help explain coexistence.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2007

TIGR researchers reveal tricks of common sexually transmitted infection

The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.

SourceThe Institute for Genomic Research·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007
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.

A new target for the treatment of breast cancer

Researchers have discovered a potential new treatment for breast cancer by inhibiting the protease enzyme TACE, which is strongly present in aggressive forms of the disease. Inhibition of TACE blocks shedding of growth factor proteins, resulting in inhibition of cell division and reversion of malignant characteristics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 11, 2007

States with higher levels of gun ownership have higher homicide rates

A study by Harvard researchers found that households with guns are more likely to be involved in homicides, particularly among children and women. States with higher levels of gun ownership have significantly higher homicide victimization rates, driven mainly by gun-related homicides.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJan 11, 2007

Role for proteomics in identifying hematologic malignancies

A new study has identified a set of biomarkers using proteomics that could help diagnose myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and reduce the need for bone marrow biopsies. The findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used serum proteomic profiling to distinguish between MDS patients and healthy controls.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2007
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

New group of algae discovered: Picobiliphytes

Researchers have identified a new group of algae, Picobiliphytes, found in the smallest members of photosynthetic plankton. The discovery was made using molecular techniques and has revealed a wide distribution of these previously unknown organisms.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007

Stealth technology maintains fitness after sex

Researchers discovered a new type of DNA parasite that can increase the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The 'stealth' plasmid produces a protein that helps it survive and thrive in bacteria, making it harder to eradicate with antibiotics.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007

New study focuses on radiation-associated cancer risks

A new study by Herman Suit and colleagues reveals great heterogeneity in radiation-associated cancer risk between species, strains, and organs. The researchers conclude that dose reductions to less than 2 Gy can lead to substantial gains in reducing secondary cancer risks.

SourceRadiation Research Society·JournalRadiation Research·DateJan 11, 2007

Scientists crack the genome of the parasite causing trichomoniasis

The scientists' achievement provides new avenues for diagnosing and treating this sexually transmitted disease, affecting an estimated 170 million people worldwide. The genome contains genes and proteins not found in humans, which can help expand drug options and devise a diagnostic test.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007

JRRD releases single-topic issue focused on vision rehabilitation

This special issue of the Journal of Rehabilitation Research investigates innovative approaches to vision rehabilitation, including surgical excision of abnormal blood vessels and resurfacing with patient-derived retinal pigment epithelial cells. Teleretinal imaging is also explored as a tool for screening patients with diabetes for di...

SourceJournal of Rehabilitation Research·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateJan 11, 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.

How to leak a secret and not get caught

WikiLeaks, an online service designed to allow anyone to post sensitive government documents without being traced, is set to launch. The site aims to protect whistle-blowers and journalists from jail sentences for emailing sensitive information; however, concerns remain about the misuse of its anonymity feature.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 11, 2007

Scientists find potential 'off-switch' for HIV virus

Researchers at Princeton University have found a specific genetic trigger that can deactivate the HIV virus, potentially leading to new treatments. The trigger, involving an enzyme called SirT1, can keep the virus in its dormant phase, reducing its ability to replicate.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 11, 2007

World's largest flower evolved from family of much tinier blooms

Scientists analyzed rafflesia's genome to determine its closest relatives are in the Euphorbiaceae family, with blossoms just a few millimeters in diameter. The plant's massive increase in flower size over millions of years is one of the most significant among living organisms.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2007
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.

New molecular pathway could reveal how cells stick together

Cells use a new signaling pathway to alter their adhesive properties, which could lead to a better understanding of tissue development and immune responses. This discovery may also provide new therapeutic targets for diseases such as cancer and inflammatory conditions.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateJan 11, 2007

Syphilis spreading rapidly in China

A syphilis epidemic is sweeping China, driven by the re-emergence of sex work and changing sexual practices. The country's national surveillance system has reported a significant increase in syphilis cases, with congenital syphilis rates rising by 71% between 1991 and 2005.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 11, 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.

JCI table of contents -- January 11, 2006

Researchers found that regulatory T cells (Treg) are impaired in the absence of WASp, leading to systemic autoimmune disease. However, a spontaneous revertant mutation in a patient's Treg cells improved their function, suggesting that a defect in Treg function contributes to the autoimmunity associated with WASp deficiency.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 11, 2007

Gene that makes people 'early to bed and early to rise' demystified

Researchers discover a mutant gene that affects the body's natural wake-up time, shedding light on the genetic basis of sleep in humans. The study provides new insights into the circadian clock's regulation and may lead to therapies for conditions like jet lag and shift work sleep disorder.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJan 11, 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.