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Science News for June 27, 2007


Pairing nanoparticles with proteins

Researchers demonstrate ability to attach gold nanoparticles to proteins, forming protein-gold arrays for deciphering protein structures, identifying functional parts, and targeted drug delivery. Applications include catalysts for biomass energy conversion and precision vehicles for tumor targeting.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJun 27, 2007

Turn off TV to teach toddlers new words

Research at Wake Forest University reveals that young children do not learn language skills from television programs, but rather from adult speakers. Children under 2 years old are most receptive to learning with responsive language teachers.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalMedia Psychology·DateJun 27, 2007

UCLA study first to show autistic brains can be trained to recognize visual and vocal cues

Autistic individuals often struggle with interpreting subtle social cues like facial expressions and tone of voice. A UCLA study found that explicit instructions can train their brains to respond appropriately. Researchers trained ASD children to pay attention to these cues, resulting in increased activity in the brain's 'social' network.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateJun 27, 2007

University of Colorado readies for NASA climate change, ozone mission in tropics

A CU-Boulder team is part of a massive field campaign studying tropical storms' impact on global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. The team will use three NASA aircraft, seven satellites, and other instruments to collect data on chemical compounds, high-altitude clouds, and their influence on the Earth's radiation budget.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateJun 27, 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.

Damon Runyon names new class of rising stars in cancer research

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has named 18 new Damon Runyon Fellows, outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting innovative cancer research. The fellows will receive three-year awards of up to $375,000 to pursue their projects, supporting the nation's most promising young investigators in cancer research.

SourceDamon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation·DateJun 27, 2007

Outdoor alcohol ads boost kids' urge to drink

A University of Florida and University of Minnesota study shows that adolescents attending schools in neighborhoods with high alcohol ad presence tend to want to drink more. The study found that exposure to outdoor ads boosts kids' urge to drink, even among those who weren't drinking previously.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateJun 27, 2007

Researchers find gene that spurs development of the epididymis

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a key gene involved in the development of the epididymis, a critical structure for sperm fertility. The gene, inhibin beta A, plays a vital role in stimulating cell growth and differentiation, leading to the formation of the epididymal tube.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 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.

NASA airborne expedition chases climate, ozone questions

A NASA airborne expedition will investigate how chemical compounds are transported into the stratosphere, affecting cloud formation and climate. The mission aims to document the life cycle of widespread clouds and understand their impact on a warming climate.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 27, 2007

Needle-stick injuries are common but unreported by surgeons in training

A survey of 700 surgical residents found that over half failed to report needle-stick injuries involving patients with bloodborne pathogens. Residents claim they are too busy or fear disrupting their work, but early reporting can prevent infection in up to 90% cases.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 27, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Valley Foundation awards Parkinson's Institute $1M

The Parkinson's Institute has received a $1 million grant from the Valley Foundation to support its STOP PD program, which aims to identify compounds to halt Parkinson's disease progression. The new facility will enable expanded research and patient services, offering improved care for those diagnosed with Parkinson's.

SourceThe Parkinson's Institute·DateJun 27, 2007

'Cars' imaging reveals clues to myelin damage

Purdue researchers used CARS imaging to study how the myelin sheath is degraded by lysophosphatidylcholine. The findings suggest that calcium ions activate enzymes that break down proteins and molecules in the myelin, leading to its degradation. This research may lead to new treatments for multiple sclerosis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research·DateJun 27, 2007

Antibodies protect mice from developing respiratory tularemia

Researchers have found that treating mice with tularemia-specific antibodies can protect them against the bacteria, enhancing immune responses and acting as a surrogate vaccine. This approach could be particularly useful in cases of bioterrorism, providing rapid and specific protection to individuals with weakened immune systems.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJun 27, 2007

Green Junta

Cardiff University's Peter Wells warns that a 'Green Junta' could bring about an authoritarian agenda in the name of sustainability. He argues that consensus among multiple stakeholders is increasingly inadequate to create sustainable societies, and a strong government may be necessary to implement drastic changes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development·DateJun 27, 2007

Men and women equally transmit genetic risk of MS to their children

A large Canadian family study found that both fathers and mothers with multiple sclerosis equally transmitted the genetic risk of the disease to their children. The study contradicts previous findings suggesting men may be more likely to pass on the risk, contradicting the Carter effect.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 27, 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.

UCLA, Italian chemists move closer to solving Lou Gehrig's disease mystery

Chemists from UCLA and the University of Florence have made progress in understanding ALS by identifying copper and zinc's lack as a factor in protein misfolding. This hypothesis could lead to treatment advancements, but further investigation is needed.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2007

Scientists discover role of enzyme in DNA repair

Researchers found that a specific enzyme, ATM, plays a crucial role in shutting down transcription near sites of DNA damage, ensuring repair in an undisturbed environment. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of genetic aberrations and cancer development in individuals with ATM deficiency.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·JournalNature·DateJun 27, 2007

Mothers' second-hand smoke exposure linked to psychological problems for kids

A new study finds that children whose mothers were exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy exhibit more symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder compared to those with no prenatal exposure. The research suggests that nicotine affects brain development during pregnancy, leading to behavioral problems in children.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalChild Psychiatry & Human Development·DateJun 27, 2007

Nanotech hitchhikers in blood

Researchers at UCSB discovered a method to extend nanoparticles' in vivo lifetime by attaching them to red blood cells, potentially revolutionizing drug delivery. The attachment allows particles to evade phagocytosis and remain in circulation for up to 120 days.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateJun 27, 2007
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

The newest AI computing tool: people

Researchers at USC Information Sciences Institute have found a new source of artificial intelligence computing power in people's collective tagging activities on the social web. By extracting metadata from these interactions, they can improve information classification, reliability, and meaning.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateJun 27, 2007

NOAA scientists to search tropical skies

Scientists from NOAA's Earth System Research Lab will conduct a field study in Costa Rica to observe the troposphere during the rainy season. They aim to understand key processes related to climate change, the stratospheric ozone layer, and global chemistry.

SourceNOAA Research·DateJun 27, 2007

Frequent brain stimulation in old age reduces risk of Alzheimer's disease

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that older adults with high levels of cognitive activity were 2.6 times less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Frequent cognitive stimulation during old age was associated with reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and slower decline in cognitive function.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJun 27, 2007

Neutron stars join the black hole jet set

The discovery reveals how efficient neutron stars can be as cosmic power factories and shows they rival black holes in generating powerful jets. The X-ray jet is found to be almost as efficient as one from a black hole, with a surprising high percentage of energy converted into powering the jet.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 27, 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.

A genetic factor predicts prognosis in brain tumor patients

A genetic factor has been identified that predicts prognosis in brain tumor patients. The Notch2 gene is a key regulator of developmental processes and its loss positively predicts survival in subgroups of brain tumor cases. This finding offers new targets for molecular intervention to develop drugs against this severe human disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 27, 2007

Computerized doctors' orders reduce medication errors

The use of computerized physician order entry systems has been shown to significantly reduce medication errors, with a 66% decrease in prescription errors reported. The systems also improve patient safety and ease the workload for pharmacists by reducing the need for deciphering handwritten prescriptions.

SourceCenter for Advancing Health·JournalHealth Services Research·DateJun 27, 2007

Female iguanas pay high costs to choose a mate

In a study on female Galápagos marine iguanas, researchers found that females devote substantial energy to picking among suitors, with visiting attractive males carrying the highest costs. This includes weight loss and reduced egg production, as well as decreased chances for survival during food-scarce seasons.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 27, 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.