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Science News for July 12, 2007


Groin injuries averted by preseason injury prevention

A preseason groin injury prevention program reduced groin injuries by 28% in professional soccer players, with a significant decrease in acute injuries. The program's success was attributed to multidisciplinary efforts and has the potential to become widely adopted in professional soccer teams.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 12, 2007

How plants learned to respond to changing environments

Researchers discovered how plants evolved to respond to environmental changes by repressing growth, a process integrated by the plant growth hormone gibberellin. The ability emerged in flowering plants 300 million years ago and is linked to major stages in their evolution.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 12, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Domestic violence, psychological distress are recipe for higher unemployment

A new study from the University of Washington finds that domestic violence and psychological distress can lead to increased unemployment, especially among adolescent mothers. The research followed 234 women for 13 years and found that those with high levels of psychological distress were more likely to be unemployed.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence·DateJul 12, 2007

Safer shipping by predicting sand wave behavior

Dutch researcher Joris van den Berg developed a mathematical model to predict sand wave movement, improving safety for shipping and offshore infrastructure. The model simplified equations, enabling quick predictions of interventions like dredging and potentially unlocking studies on sand waves and banks.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJul 12, 2007

New lens device will shrink huge light waves to pinpoints

Scientists at the University of Michigan developed a lens-like device that focuses electromagnetic waves down to tiny points, removing wavelength limitations for data storage and sensing applications. The breakthrough enables CD storage to hold up to one hundred times more information using terahertz radiation.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 2007
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Semiconductor membrane mimics biological behavior of ion channels

Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a semiconductor membrane that can mimic the operation of biological ion channels, with applications in single-molecule detection, protein filtering, and DNA sequencing. The membrane uses electrostatic potentials to regulate charged species and ions, offering a degree of tunability ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 12, 2007

Laser used to help fight root canal bacteria: ADA Journal

Researchers used high-tech lasers to test their effects on root canals and found they reduced bacteria amounts. The laser was also effective in eliminating bacteria and removing debris from the canal walls.

SourceAmerican Dental Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Dental Association·DateJul 12, 2007

Src inhibitors may prove beneficial in breast cancer therapy

Researchers found that Src, a protein that cooperates with estrogen to break down ER-alpha, is overexpressed in ER-alpha–negative breast cancers. Src inhibition was shown to impair estrogen-stimulated ER-alpha proteolysis, suggesting that Src may stimulate estrogen-dependent ER-alpha degradation in these tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 12, 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.

Automated tailgating cuts pollution

Researchers found that platooning with four vehicles reduces drag, saves fuel and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Cars in a platoon experience lower drag coefficients as they move closer together.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Pollution·DateJul 12, 2007

Trial examines diaphragm use in preventing HIV in women

A clinical trial involving 5,045 women in South Africa and Zimbabwe found no statistical difference in the rate of new HIV infections between those who used a diaphragm with lubricant and male condoms versus only male condoms. The study found an overall HIV incidence rate of 4.0 percent, with no additional protective benefit from addin...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 12, 2007

Bak protein sets stressed cells on suicide path, researchers show

Researchers found that Bak protein breaks down mitochondria into vulnerable spheres, allowing Bax to poke holes and release pro-death contents. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and its potential role in diseases like stroke and cancer.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 12, 2007
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.

Mental health: Neglected in the UK

UK mental health wards are criticized for being counter-therapeutic and unsafe, while a survey shows fewer people in England favor more tolerance towards mental illness. The Lancet editorial highlights the need for a substantial shift in public and ministerial attitudes to address these issues.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 12, 2007
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New treatment model for HIV

Researchers have developed an induction-maintenance treatment strategy that balances viral suppression with minimal harm to patients. The model suggests six to ten months of induction therapy can achieve durable suppression of HIV, making it a promising approach for eradicating resistant viruses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 12, 2007

Cells take risks with their identities

A study has discovered that many human genes hover between 'on' and 'off' in any given cell, failing to finish transcription but remaining primed. This vulnerability could explain why cells acquire new properties in diseases like cancer and diabetes.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateJul 12, 2007

EPA foregoes opportunity to improve nanotechnology oversight

The US Environmental Protection Agency has rejected the need for improved nanotechnology oversight, prompting concerns over public and market safety. The agency's current approach is inadequate to deal with nanotechnology's novel biological and ecological characteristics, according to former officials.

SourceWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Science and Technology Innovation Program·DateJul 12, 2007

Children with Tourette's quicker at certain mental grammar skills

A study found that children with Tourette's syndrome are quicker at processing certain mental grammar skills, including rule-governed language tasks. They showed superior performance compared to typically developing children in producing grammatically correct past tense forms.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 12, 2007
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.

Economical and cleaner cars with lean-burn catalytic converter

Researchers have developed a new type of NOx Storage Reduction (NSR) catalytic converter that alternates between lean-burn conditions to reduce emissions and fuel-rich periods for regeneration. This technology has yielded important insights into the function of various components in the catalytic converter.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJul 12, 2007

JCI table of contents: July 12, 2007

Researchers found that Src inhibitors can target aggressive breast cancers, which lack estrogen receptors and are more prone to growth. By inhibiting the protein Src, these treatments show promise in improving patient outcomes.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 12, 2007

Americans trail Chinese in understanding another person's perspective

A study at the University of Chicago found that Americans struggle to consider another person's point of view, whereas Chinese people are more adept at it. The researchers devised a game to test this ability and found that Chinese subjects quickly focused on the objects the director could see, while Americans took longer to figure it out.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 12, 2007
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Unraveling the physics of DNA's double helix

Researchers at Duke University have made direct measurements of DNA's forces within single strands that wind around each other to form the double helix. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, reveals new insights into the stacking and pairing forces between base units.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 12, 2007

A walking robot goes mountaineering

A walking robot, RunBot, has been engineered to mimic human gait and adapt to different environments, including mountainous terrain. The robot's ability to learn from trial and error allows it to adjust its gait in response to visual input, ensuring stability and balance on slopes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 12, 2007

Threats to hope -- Desperation affects reasoning about product information

A new study by USC researchers found that when hopes are threatened, consumers turn to the marketplace for help, relying on favorable sources of information. This leads to 'motivated reasoning,' where consumers believe what they want to believe about products promising to help, even if the arguments aren't credible.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 12, 2007

Speed bumps less important than potholes for graphene

Researchers from NIST and Georgia Tech created detailed maps of electron interference patterns in graphene to understand how single-atom defects affect charge flow. The results show that missing carbon atoms cause strong scattering, unlike irregularities in the underlying silicon carbide.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 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.

Simulated crop provides answer to irrigation issues

A study found that shifting to water-efficient crops like cotton and soybean can decrease irrigation water use by nearly 66% on rice fields. Implementing irrigation water pricing also improves environmental conditions, but its impact on farm income is modest.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJul 12, 2007

One man's junk may be a genomic treasure

Scientists at UCSD School of Medicine have found that 'junk' DNA sequences may serve as punctuation marks to organize functional domains within the genome. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in gene therapy by understanding how genomic material contributes to the regulation of genes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 2007

'Shoulda, woulda, coulda ...'

New research reveals counterfactual thinking in readers is about undoing choices, while actors alter problem-solving processes. This challenges previous theories on the nature of this psychological mechanism.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 12, 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.

Investment in infrastructure gets Uganda up and running

Research by Aldret Albert Musisi shows that Uganda's physical infrastructure investment will pay itself back with substantial returns, stimulating sectoral growth and alleviating poverty. Investments in electricity and services sectors yield the greatest returns, while infrastructure upgrades benefit agriculture and industry.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJul 12, 2007

Emigration of unskilled workers increases child labor

A study by Elias Dinopoulous and Laixun Zhao found that emigrating unskilled workers from poor countries increases child labor rates. Additionally, child-wage subsidies lower costs for employers, leading to more child labor, according to researchers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Labor Economics·DateJul 12, 2007

Emotional memories can be suppressed with practice, new CU-Boulder study says

A new University of Colorado at Boulder study shows people can suppress emotional memories through practice, which could lead to new therapies for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The study found two mechanisms in the prefrontal region of the brain are involved in memory suppression.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateJul 12, 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.

Scleroderma outlook improves as survival increases

Survival rates for individuals with scleroderma have increased by 12% over the past 30 years, from 54% to 66%, thanks in part to advancements in treatment. Newer medications such as ACE inhibitors have dramatically improved outcomes for patients, particularly in reducing renal crisis mortality.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJul 12, 2007

Friendly young people in particular drink under pressure

Friendly young people are sensitive to the influence of others on their alcohol use, with men and extroverts drinking more than others. Upbringing, culture, and social environment also play a role in determining drinking behavior.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateJul 12, 2007
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Study shows an electronic medical records system can pay for itself within 16 months

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that installing an electronic health records system can pay for itself within 16 months. The University of Rochester Medical Center saved $393,662 per year by reducing costs associated with manual chart pulling and transcription.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJul 12, 2007

Penn researchers find a new target for muscular dystrophy drug therapy

Researchers at Penn School of Medicine have discovered a potential new target for treating muscular dystrophy by targeting the 'brake' on utrophin gene expression. The study proposes using drugs to remove this brake, increasing utrophin production as a possible therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Biology of the Cell·DateJul 12, 2007

AGU Journal Highlights -- July 12, 2007

Scientists analyze data from the Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Moon's surface to predict tropical cyclone development, assess ocean temperature and salinity changes, develop new tsunami forecasting methods, and understand lunar surface composition. These findings shed light on the impacts of climate change on extreme weather e...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 12, 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.

ACMG recognizes progress made in newborn screening

The American College of Medical Genetics recommends that all newborns be screened for 29 serious disorders, which can lead to death or mental retardation if left untreated. Early detection and treatment through newborn screening can make a significant difference in the long-term outcome of affected children.

SourceAmerican College of Medical Genetics and Genomics·DateJul 12, 2007

ASTRO announces 2007 Fellows

The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has recognized 40 distinguished members as its 2007 ASTRO Fellows. The nominees have made significant contributions to the field of radiation oncology through research, patient care, education, or leadership.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateJul 12, 2007