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Science News Archive June 2007


Page 1 of 17

The fisherman is a predator like any other

Researchers from IRD and IMARPE found that fishermen adopt similar movement strategies to natural predators when searching for anchovy fish, highlighting the importance of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This study used VMS data to analyze vessel movements and identify areas with high vulnerability of stock exploited.

Regulating alternative splicing during neural development

Dr. Douglas Black and colleagues reveal that a switch in PTB expression induces changes in alternative splicing patterns during neuronal development, adding a new layer of genetic regulation. This reprogramming enables the creation of unique genetic code in post-mitotic neurons.

NASA satellite captures first view of 'night-shining' clouds

The Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite has captured the first occurrence of mysterious iridescent polar clouds. The clouds form during the Northern Hemisphere's summer season and are being seen more frequently at lower latitudes than ever before. Preliminary information suggests a connection with global climate change.

Workers in no-smoking restaurants show lower carcinogen levels

A recent study found that restaurant workers exposed to tobacco smoke have higher levels of NNK, a potent lung carcinogen. The researchers concluded that clean air exemptions are unjustified and policymakers should prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Surgeons say minimally invasive lung surgery should be standard care

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have successfully integrated minimally invasive lung surgery into their training programs with a standardized plan, increasing procedures by 57% over four years. The minimally invasive lobectomy results in faster recovery time and less pain for patients.

Discovery could help bring down price of DNA sequencing

A Northwestern University researcher has explained the nature of the resistive force that determines the speed of DNA as it moves through a nanopore, using classical hydrodynamics. This understanding could help scientists slow down the DNA enough to make it readable and usable for medical and biotechnology applications.

Anti-gay hate crimes widespread

A new study by University of California, Davis professor Gregory Herek found that nearly four in 10 gay men and about one in eight lesbians and bisexuals have been targeted due to their sexual orientation. The survey also revealed significant disparities in victimization rates among gay men, lesbians, and bisexuals.

Key to male infertility

Researchers at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research have isolated MIF, a substance in semen that regulates sperm maturity and fertility. Elevated or low levels of MIF were found to be associated with infertility, while high levels were linked to autoimmune diseases.

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.

Common preterm labor drug has more side effects than alternative

A new study from Stanford Medicine found that magnesium sulfate, commonly used to arrest preterm labor, has more mild to serious side effects than the alternative treatment nifedipine. The research suggests that physicians should consider side effects when choosing which drug to prescribe.

AGU Journal Highlights -- June 29, 2007

Research reveals a 20-year reversal in water mass trends in the subtropical North Atlantic, with upper waters warming and intermediate waters cooling. This finding suggests complex mechanisms drive oceanic responses to global warming.

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.

Smoking interferes with thinking and memory in recovering alcoholics

A study found that recovering alcoholics who smoked showed lower improvement in tests of memory, reasoning, judgment, and visual/spatial coordination compared to non-smokers. Smokers demonstrated inferior performance in auditory/verbal learning and memory, cognitive efficiency, executive skills, processing speed, and working memory.

Undifferentiated networks would require significant extra capacity

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and AT&T Labs found that treating all traffic identically would need an extra 60% capacity in modestly loaded networks, increasing to 100% or more during heavy demand. This suggests that differentiated services are more efficient and cost-effective.

Kalyon elected Fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Dr. Dilhan M. Kalyon, Highly Filled Materials Institute director at Stevens Institute of Technology, recognized for his significant contributions to chemical engineering and the field. He has made a meaningful impact through process or product development, education, technical publications, patents, and theoretical developments.

Modern brains have an ancient core

Researchers have discovered that modern brain centers containing hormones show similarities to those found in marine worm-like ancestors. These hormone-secreting cells are multifunctional and have sensory properties, suggesting they played a key role in conveying environmental cues to the body.

New dynamic brace developed to advance clubfoot treatment

A new dynamic brace, designed by Matthew B. Dobbs, has shown to be at least as effective as traditional braces in treating clubfoot, while resulting in better parental compliance. The brace allows for active movement, preserves muscle strength, and is less restrictive than traditional braces.

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.

Bright future for nano-sized light source

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed a bio-friendly nano-sized light source capable of emitting coherent visible light across the visible spectrum. This innovation enables single cell endoscopy, integrated circuitry for nanophotonic technology, and advanced methods of cyber cryptography.

Children with cerebral palsy have similar quality of life to other children

Most children aged 8-12 years with cerebral palsy experience similar quality of life (QoL) as other children, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The study found that type and severity of impairments do not affect QoL for six categories, but specific impairments are associated with poorer QoL in four categories.

Research says sugar coated proteins seal in a memory of diabetes

Researchers at the University of Warwick discovered a glycation process that creates a metabolic memory in diabetes, persisting even after glucose levels are corrected. The study suggests early tight control of glucose and antioxidant use can mitigate complications, but long-term antioxidants may have health problems.

RNA may play larger role in cell's gene activity, Stanford researchers find

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that large, seemingly useless pieces of RNA play a crucial role in regulating gene activity across vast portions of the human genome. This finding suggests that ancient RNA molecules can influence cancer development and stem cell maintenance.

Ablation procedure proves safe, effective and fast

A recent study shows multiple-electrode radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective way to treat large liver tumors, with 34 of 38 tumors treated in just one session. The new procedure reduces treatment time by approximately 54% compared to single-electrode systems.

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.

Critical protein prevents DNA damage from persisting through generations

A recent study published in the journal Cell found that the ATM protein plays a crucial role in preventing genetic damage from being passed on to future generations of cells. The protein helps repair double-stranded breaks in DNA and activates checkpoints that prevent damaged cells from dividing.

'Megafishes' project featured in Science magazine

Researchers Zeb Hogan and Sudeep Chandra document and protect massive freshwater fishes in Mekong Delta, critical to understanding and preservation of these species. The project highlights the global 'freshwater extinction crisis' affecting numerous species.

Stem cell therapy to prevent heart attacks

Researchers explored the use of autologous cells derived from bone marrow cells (BMC) to strengthen cardiac function and prevent heart attacks. The study found a significant reduction in clinical events, including death, heart attack, or revascularization, in patients who received BMC infusion compared to placebo.

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.

New study shows how often juries get it wrong

A Northwestern University study found that juries give wrong verdicts in at least one out of eight cases, with agreement rates between judges and jurors varying between 77-80%. The study uses statistical analysis to estimate the accuracy of jury verdicts, suggesting that juries may be less accurate than judges in certain cases.

Young smokers want to quit, but don't seek proven treatment

A study by University of Illinois Chicago researchers found that young adults who want to quit smoking are less likely to use evidence-based behavioral treatment. Only 4-5% of young adult smokers use any form of treatment, compared to 32% of older smokers.

Injecting autologous cells could relieve urinary incontinence

A study published in The Lancet found that injecting autologous myoblasts and fibroblasts into the urethra improved continence rates for women with stress urinary incontinence. After 12 months, 38 out of 42 women treated with autologous cells were completely continent, compared to only two out of 21 women treated with collagen.

Researchers identify alcoholism subtypes

A new study identifies five distinct subtypes of alcoholism, including a young adult subtype characterized by low rates of co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders. The functional subtype is defined by well-educated individuals with stable jobs and families.

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.

It's not all the parent's fault: Delinquency in children now linked to biology

A study published in Psychological Science found that a highly reactive autonomic nervous system and stressful family environment contribute to increased instances of maladaptive personality change in children. Researchers assessed 138 elementary school-aged children using a Skin Conductance Response test, which measured their autonomi...

Are parking garages safe during hurricanes?

Kent State University meteorologist Dr. Thomas Schmidlin studied parking garage safety as a 'refuge of last resort' during hurricanes. At what wind speeds are emergency vehicles safe to respond to emergencies?

Penn researchers develop new method for screening drug-resistant forms of HIV

Penn researchers have developed a new method for screening drug-resistant forms of HIV that analyzes multiple HIV variants simultaneously, while also reducing time and costs. The technique uses DNA bar coding and pyrosequencing to quantify and characterize hundreds of thousands of HIV variants for drug resistance in a single test.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

'Modular' leukemia drug shows promise in early testing

A new type of engineered drug candidate has shown promise in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia by targeting the CD37 protein on leukemia cells and triggering self-destruction. The agent works equally as well as rituximab, a commonly used treatment for CLL.

Loss of cell's 'antenna' linked to cancer's development

Researchers found that two proteins, HEF1 and Aurora A, control the temporary disappearance of cilia during normal cell division, leading to an untimely disassembly. This loss of cilia may contribute to cancer development by disrupting cellular response to environmental cues.

Sperm abnormalities seen in male lupus patients

A new study found that male lupus patients have high frequency of sperm abnormalities associated with reduced testicular volume. Treatment with IV CYC was identified as the major factor in permanent damage to the testes, leading to lower median testicular volumes and semen abnormalities.

LSUHSC grants fund infectious diseases research and clinical trials

The LSUHSC School of Dentistry will lead a $3.3 million institute for infectious disease research, creating an educational component for Louisiana students and an intellectual stimulation program for faculty. The Clinical and Translational Research Education and Commercialization Program will support clinical research at the institutio...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

1 in 10 hospice patients referred 'too late,' study shows

A new study by Brown University researchers found that one in 10 hospice patients are referred 'too late' for services, resulting in unmet needs. Families who reported having a loved one referred 'too late' were dissatisfied with the care received and reported more pain management problems.

Hib vaccine: A critical ally in Asia's effort to reduce child deaths

A new study from Bangladesh found that routine Hib vaccination prevented over one-third of life-threatening pneumonia cases and approximately 90% of Hib meningitis cases. The vaccine has been shown to be a feasible and highly effective way of preventing death related to Hib pneumonia and meningitis in Asian children.

Tony Blair's 10 years of tobacco control

The UK government's 10-year tobacco control efforts have achieved significant progress, but also faced criticism for lacking courage and commitment to implement policies. Smoking remains a major public health issue, despite the government's efforts.

Natural signal holds promise for psoriasis, age-related skin damage

Researchers have discovered a natural body lipid that signals cells to normalize growth and maturation. The finding, published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, shows that bypassing the signaling pathway restores normal differentiation of skin cells in diseases like psoriasis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Earliest-known evidence of peanut, cotton and squash farming found

Anthropologists have discovered the earliest-known evidence of peanut, cotton and squash farming in northern Peru, dating back 5,000 to 9,000 years. The findings suggest that agriculture played a broader role in cultural and social changes in the region than previously understood.

Branding matters -- even when searching

A study by Penn State found that branding matters when searching online, with participants favoring Yahoo! and Google over MSN Live Search and an in-house engine. The researchers believe emotional branding has an impact on the evaluation of search engine results, leading to a 15% higher score for Yahoo!.

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.

Rheumatologists overestimate physical disability of rheumatoid arthritis patients

A study by USF Health found that rheumatologists consistently rate their patients' functional disability higher than the patients themselves, particularly in advanced stages of the disease. The researchers used the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and evaluated 223 patients, finding that rheumatologist...

Therapeutic value of meditation unproven, says study

A recent study analyzed 813 studies on meditation's impact on health issues like hypertension and stress. While some types of meditation show promise, the evidence is inconclusive due to poor methodological quality. Researchers call for more rigorous studies to determine meditation's effectiveness.

Breast cancer prognosis runs in the family

A Swedish study found that women who develop breast cancer are more likely to die from the disease if their daughters or sisters also have it. Research suggests a woman's breast cancer prognosis predicts survival of her first-degree relatives, with those whose mothers died within five years having a 70% chance of survival.

New vaccine may provide broader protection against cervical cancer

The Cervarix vaccine demonstrates effective protection against high-grade cervical pre-cancerous lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18, and also provides additional protection against other strains of HPV that account for 10% of cervical cancers. The study involved over 18,000 women aged 15-25 years from around the world and found the ...

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.

Researchers use adult stem cells to create soft tissue

A $2.5M NIH grant supports research using adult stem cells to engineer soft tissue for facial reconstruction after injuries or surgery. The Columbia University team aims to develop a process that allows patients to use their own stem cells to create long-lasting implants.

Where did we come from, and how did we get to where we live today?

The Genographic Project, launched in 2005, uses genetics to address anthropological questions globally. The project provides a periodically-updated database comprising all donated data and the Nearest Neighbor haplogroup prediction tool, allowing for accurate classification of mitochondrial lineages.

New, invisible nano-fibers conduct electricity, repel dirt

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new technology using nano-fibers that can conduct electricity and repel dirt. These fibers have diverse applications in self-cleaning surfaces, transparent electronics, and biomedical tools, including manipulating DNA strands.

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.

Increased prevalence of HIV: Not a casualty of war

A new study found no correlation between conflict and increased HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, contradicting a common belief. In fact, the prevalence of HIV infection decreased in urban areas affected by conflict, and refugees often had lower rates than their host communities.