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Science News for July 11, 2007


Heavy hearts and the risk of sudden death

A $2 million federal grant will help the OHSU Cardiac Arrhythmia Center pinpoint those at greatest risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to left ventricular hypertrophy. The study aims to improve identification and prediction methods, potentially averting disaster before it happens.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateJul 11, 2007

Research team discovers gallstone gene

A recent study discovered a gene variant that significantly increases the risk of developing gallstones, with affected individuals being two to three times more likely to develop the condition. The relevant gene contains instructions for building a molecular pump that transports cholesterol into bile ducts.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalHepatology·DateJul 11, 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.

Tobacco industry efforts to derail effective anti-smoking campaigns

Research by Temple University Assistant Professor Jennifer K. Ibrahim reveals the tobacco industry's aggressive methods to quash effective anti-smoking campaigns, including strategies to limit funding and litigation. The study finds that ads revealing deceptive practices are the most effective in reducing smoking rates.

SourceTemple University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 11, 2007

New light cast on key chemical reactions in interstellar space

Scientists have developed a detailed understanding of neutral-neutral reactions at low temperatures, shedding light on their importance in interstellar chemistry. The study's findings suggest that these reactions can play a significant role in the chemistry of interstellar space, contrary to conventional wisdom.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 11, 2007

Water, water everywhere -- on an extrasolar planet

Astronomers have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of HD 189733b, a gas giant 63 light-years away. The presence of water vapour suggests that the planet may have had liquid water on its surface at some point, increasing hopes for detecting life on other rocky planets.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2007

Benchmark survey shows that giant outer extrasolar planets are rare

Astronomers used powerful telescopes to detect giant Jupiter-like planets in the outer regions of nearby solar systems, but found none beyond 5 astronomical units from their stars. The survey, which was conducted over three years, aimed to determine what the average planetary system looks like and whether ours is typical.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateJul 11, 2007

Some smokers have genetic predisposition to develop COPD, research shows

Researchers found a genetic variant linked to an increased risk of developing COPD in smokers, suggesting a gene-environment interaction. The study suggests that genetic factors play a role in the development of COPD, alongside environmental exposure to cigarette smoke.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 11, 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.

New phenomenon in physics discovered on illumination of metal surfaces

Researchers have discovered a new physical phenomenon called acoustic plasmon, which can be triggered into an excited state with very low energy input. This discovery could have significant implications for the design of ultra-high velocity electronic devices and materials for medical applications.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2007

White blood cells are picky about sugar

Researchers discovered that neutrophils recognize and respond to a specific form of sugar called beta-1,6-glucan on the surface of fungi, which elicits a stronger reaction than another sugar with similar chemical properties. This unique sugar may help stimulate the immune system and combat deadly pathogens.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 11, 2007

Has science unearthed the Holy Grail of pain relief?

Researchers at the University of Manchester have uncovered the structure of a key pain molecule, P2X receptors, using microscopic slime moulds. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new painkillers for chronic conditions like migraine and backache.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2007

The flip side of p27

Researchers have discovered that p27 can act as both a CDK-dependent tumor suppressor and a CDK-independent oncogene. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer growth and developing drugs to target p27 dysfunction.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 11, 2007

Researchers use new approach to predict protein function

A team of researchers has developed a computational approach to accurately predict the function of proteins with unknown structures and functions. By comparing amino acid sequences to known proteins, they can identify potential substrates and understand the protein's biological role.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 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.

Small molecules may explain psoriasis

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that microRNA molecules, specifically miR-203, are significantly upregulated in psoriasis and may be involved in regulating keratinocytes. This study suggests that microRNA therapies could become more effective than traditional medicines targeting individual proteins.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2007

Antibody retards growth and induces death in liver cancer cells

Researchers developed a new treatment for liver cancer using a monoclonal antibody targeting PDGFRá. The antibody significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation and increased programmed cell death in human and mouse liver cancer cell lines.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateJul 11, 2007

Brightly colored birds most affected by Chernobyl radiation

Research found that birds with brightly colored plumage and those that migrate long distances are more adversely affected by Chernobyl radiation due to their high antioxidant levels. Populations of these species declined significantly, while drab species were less affected.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJul 11, 2007

5 OHSU faculty members singled out for honors

Five Oregon Health & Science University faculty members have been honored with the 2007 OHSU Faculty Senate Awards. The winners include Michael Danilchik for groundbreaking research on early morphogenesis, William Hersh for developing a respected academic program in biomedical informatics, Carol Christlieb for exceptional service to nu...

SourceOregon Health & Science University·DateJul 11, 2007
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.

Insights into anemia control in dialysis patients

A study reveals that hemoglobin levels vary among dialysis patients due to negative feedback control systems and individual sensitivity to ESA treatment. The analysis suggests optimizing treatment systems on a rational basis to reduce variation in hemoglobin values and stabilize dose regimens.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 11, 2007

Bernese Mountain Dogs prone to Borrelia burgdorferi infection

A recent study has found that Bernese Mountain Dogs are more susceptible to Borrelia burgdorferi infection than other breeds. More than half of the dogs tested were infected, with antibodies against B. burgdorferi found in 58% of those studied.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Veterinary Research·DateJul 11, 2007

When it comes to walking, it's all good, says Mayo Clinic researcher

A study by Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine found that high-intensity interval walking may protect against high blood pressure and decreased muscle strength in older adults. Walking is a legitimate mode of exercise that doesn't require special equipment or membership, according to Dr. James Levine.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJul 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.

New use for a cell toxin found to inhibit survival proteins in cancer cells

Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered a modified version of antimycin that selectively kills cancer cells with high levels of survival proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. The compound's unique mechanism provides a therapeutic window, making it a potential targeted molecular therapy to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateJul 11, 2007

A stepwise retreat: How immune cells catch pathogens

Immune cells use filopodia to catch pathogens, with the internal scaffolds growing and shrinking through actin filaments. Researchers tracked the dynamic behavior of these structures for the first time in three dimensions, revealing discrete steps of retraction and a possible molecular mechanism underlying it.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 11, 2007

Scaling up HIV prevention programs is cost effective

Researchers found that each doubling of a program's scale can reduce costs by around a third, making it a cost-effective strategy to prevent more HIV infections. Larger prevention programs use money more efficiently than smaller ones, with some large programs being ten times more efficient.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateJul 11, 2007

Uninsured adults increase medicare costs

Research at Harvard Medical School found that uninsured adults before age 65 require more intensive and costlier care than those with private insurance. This can lead to costly complications and reduced health needs after age 65.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 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.

Link between carbohydrate quality and vision loss is strengthened by new data

Researchers found that consuming diets with a higher glycemic index increased the risk of developing advanced AMD, with severity linked to dietary glycemic index. The study suggests improving dietary carbohydrate quality through simple alterations may help prevent AMD progression.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 11, 2007

Could targeted food taxes improve health?

A daily pint of milk reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome by 62%, while regular dairy consumption lowers the risk by 56%. The study found that around one in seven men had the syndrome at entry into the study, with those who consumed more dairy produce having a lower risk.

SourceBMJ Specialty Journals·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJul 11, 2007

How the brain and an iPhone differ

A team of UO researchers found that human memory has a four-item limit, varying from person to person, with high IQ individuals able to think about more things at once. The study contradicts the assumption that those who can remember more items have clearer memories.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 11, 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.

Sour taste make you pucker? It may be in your genes

A twin study published by Monell Chemical Senses Center found that genes account for 53% of the variation in sour taste sensitivity, suggesting a genetic component to individual differences. This discovery may help identify the elusive taste receptor for sourness and inform strategies for promoting healthy eating.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalChemical Senses·DateJul 11, 2007

Longest study finds reef fish need longer break

Researchers found that commercially important species take a quarter of a century to recover fully, while ecological equilibrium takes even longer to achieve. Fish recovery rates vary among species due to competition for resources.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalEcological Applications·DateJul 11, 2007

Larger HIV prevention programs are cheaper

A recent study published in BMC Health Services Research found that larger HIV prevention programs in low and middle-income countries can reduce unit costs of prevention services by up to a third. By rapidly scaling up well-run existing programs, the study suggests that more HIV infections may be averted.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateJul 11, 2007

Network model predicts risk of death in sickle cell disease

Researchers developed a predictive model using Bayesian network modeling to estimate sickle cell disease severity and predict mortality risk. The model identified laboratory markers and clinical events contributing to the risk of death, providing a personalized disease severity score for therapeutic decisions.

SourceBoston University·JournalBlood·DateJul 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.

Isis -- open-access focus section about Science and Law

The 'Focus: Science and Law' section in Isis explores the intersection of science and law, examining how courts shape scientific theories and practices. Scholars discuss topics such as intellectual property legislation, witness testimony verification, and the commercialization of research.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalIsis·DateJul 11, 2007

Plants uptake antibiotics

Food crops like corn, lettuce, and potato take up antibiotics from soils treated with manure containing the antibiotic Sulfamethazine. This raises concerns about the potential for contamination of the human food supply, particularly among vulnerable populations like young children who may experience allergic reactions.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJul 11, 2007

Ago2 and hematopoiesis

Researchers found Ago2 necessary for normal blood cell development, but its role is independent of slicer activity. Ago2 regulates miRNA biogenesis in blood cells through translational control.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 11, 2007