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Science News for January 17, 2007


Clues to the cause of difficulty with swallowing in children

Researchers at UCSD found fibrosis and remodeling in pediatric EE patients similar to airway remodeling in asthma. These changes increase blood vessel adhesion molecules, leading to inflammation in the esophagus.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 17, 2007

A new generation of medicinal products

Researchers have created a new generation of medicinal products using biodegradable materials, allowing for controlled release and reduced side effects. The novel synthetic process enables the production of diverse polymers, increasing the chances of finding an appropriate excipient for various active substances.

SourceCNRS·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 17, 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.

THEMIS mission fields 5 probes to solve mystery of auroral substorms

The Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) mission uses a constellation of 5 space probes to track the origin of magnetic storms and their impact on aurorae. The probes will observe over 30 substorms and coordinate with ground-based cameras to discover the time history of these events.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateJan 17, 2007

Research removes major obstacle from mass production of tiny circuits

A Princeton-led team has developed a method to eliminate tiny air bubbles that form during the mass production of smaller, cheaper microchips. This breakthrough in nanoimprint lithography will enable the creation of more efficient and cost-effective computer chips, with features as small as a billionth of a meter.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNanotechnology·DateJan 17, 2007

British women's binge drinking clearly defined by age and education

A large cohort study in the UK finds that British women's binge drinking habits are defined by their age and education level. Women with higher education tend to reduce their binge drinking as they age, while those with lower education levels increase their binge drinking risk, particularly after the age of 40.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 17, 2007

Studies yield insight into the numerical brain

Two studies in Neuron shed significant light on how the brain processes numerical information and how it develops in children. The research found that the parietal cortex activates during perception of both abstract quantities and numerical symbols, suggesting an important role for this region in processing quantitative information.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJan 17, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study uncovers a lethal secret of 1918 influenza virus

Researchers found that the 1918 flu virus triggers a deadly respiratory infection by attacking the lungs, leading to death. The study provides insight into how the virus killed so quickly and efficiently, offering potential clues for developing novel antiviral strategies.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateJan 17, 2007

New software could help people with multiple prescriptions

A new software program is being developed to help patients with multiple prescriptions by creating a calendar-like printout every time a prescription is filled. The goal is to reduce confusion about which pill is which and when to take medication, ultimately leading to improved patient safety and compliance.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateJan 17, 2007

Delft nano-detector very promising for remote cosmic realms

A miniscule detector developed by Merlijn Hajenius at Delft University of Technology has shown promising results for studying cosmic radiation and its impact on the universe. The detector, which uses a superconductor to detect terahertz frequencies, offers new insights into star systems and planetary birth.

SourceDelft University of Technology·DateJan 17, 2007

CAMH study sheds light on motherhood, marriage and mental illness

A CAMH study found that previously married mothers had higher rates of depressive disorders and alcohol abuse compared to married or never-married mothers. The study also showed that single mothers who were never married and currently married mothers have similar prevalence rates of psychiatric and substance use disorders.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalThe Canadian Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 17, 2007

Redundancies boost mental health problems for those who keep their jobs

Research in Finland found that enforced redundancies boost mental health problems among those who keep their jobs, with men being 64% more likely to be prescribed psychotropic drugs than those without job losses. Women working in downsized organizations were 12% more likely to receive these prescriptions.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 17, 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.

More women students choose engineering -- but not as a career

A new study reveals that while more women are studying engineering, they often use it as a launchpad for other careers due to teaching methods and a male-dominated environment. Women value their novelty status but hold traditionally stereotypical views of themselves outside the profession.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJan 17, 2007

UCLA and NYU microbiologists crack genome of a parasite that causes a common STD

The team of scientists deciphered the genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite causing trichomoniasis, which affects an estimated 170 million people annually. The large genome contains nearly 26,000 confirmed genes, providing new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience·DateJan 17, 2007

Training breathing muscles improves swimming muscles' performance

Researchers found that resistance-breathing training and endurance respiratory muscle training improved swimming endurance by 33-38% and breathing capacity. The study also showed significant improvements in underwater scuba swimming time by 66%.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalEuropean Journal of Applied Physiology·DateJan 17, 2007

More aid required for chronic conditions in low income countries

Global health experts highlight the need for more international assistance to address chronic non-communicable conditions in low and middle income countries. Chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and cancer cause more deaths than infectious diseases, yet receive less funding.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 17, 2007

Researchers develop new strategy for the treatment of CML

Scientists identified an approach to boost the activity of dasatinib, a potent anti-cancer agent, by combining it with PD184352. This combination resulted in increased apoptosis in leukemia cells, particularly those resistant to imatinib mesylate.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalBlood·DateJan 17, 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.

Parasite infection may benefit MS patients

A recent study suggests that parasite infection may alter the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) by affecting the immune response. MS patients with a parasite infection showed fewer clinical relapses and less disability compared to uninfected controls.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJan 17, 2007

Toward more effective paleolgenetic analysis

Paleogenetic research requires well-preserved archeological material, but treatment and storage conditions can deteriorate DNA. A new study shows that treating fossils like biological samples during excavation and after improves DNA amplification rates.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 17, 2007

Prussian Blue for information storage

Researchers created a compound that can switch between magnetic states upon light exposure, enabling binary information storage on an atomic scale. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-small data storage devices for future computers.

SourceCNRS·DateJan 17, 2007

Water theory is watertight, researchers say

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois and Argonne National Laboratory has confirmed a long-standing theoretical prediction about water's behavior on hydrophobic surfaces. They found a thin layer of depleted water at the interface, contradicting previous findings of nanobubbles.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2007
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Built-in molecular brakes curb the sniffles

Researchers discovered a new protein, Carabin, that acts as an internal brake to limit the immune system's response, preventing excessive inflammation. This discovery may have potential applications in stopping unwanted immune reactions, such as organ rejection.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateJan 17, 2007

VISTA camera takes to the air

The VISTA camera, Europe's largest infrared camera, will survey large areas of the southern sky at near-infrared wavelengths, studying cool objects, dust, and high-redshift galaxies. The camera's 67 million pixels will enable it to map the infrared sky faster than any previous telescope.

SourceScience and Technology Facilities Council·DateJan 17, 2007