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Science News for June 7, 2007


Have I been here before?

Researchers at the University of Bristol and MIT have discovered a key role for the dentate gyrus in rapid place recognition, which may help alleviate confusion among elderly individuals. The study's findings could also inform therapies for learning and behavioral disorders.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2007

SIAM Activity Group on Dynamical Systems J. D. Crawford Prize awarded

Dr. Andrew Stuart was awarded the 2007 SIAM Activity Group on Dynamical Systems J.D. Crawford Prize for his work on stochastic differential equations and their applications in physical models and Kalman-Bucy filters. The prize recognizes his outstanding contributions to the fields of stochastic ordinary and partial differential equations.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateJun 7, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lack of sun does not explain low vitamin D in elderly who are overweight

Researchers found that increased body fat in elderly adults is associated with lower levels of vitamin D, regardless of sunlight exposure. Vitamin D is critical for maintaining bone health and low levels can increase the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 7, 2007

Dartmouth professor makes case for ethically universal stem cell lines

A recent paper by Dartmouth Professor Ronald M. Green examines six approaches to deriving human embryonic stem cells in ways that avoid destroying living human embryos. These alternatives aim to make hESC research more universally acceptable, while respecting the sensitivities of citizens.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Reviews Genetics·DateJun 7, 2007

Turning the tables in chemistry

A new approach to teaching chemistry at Brandeis University seeks to capture the imaginations of potential scientists through interactive and technology-driven learning. The program aims to build a 'science posse' of disadvantaged students, providing them with academic support, paid lab jobs, and a two-week boot camp.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 7, 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.

'Cultured' chimpanzees pass on novel traditions

A study reported in Current Biology shows that captive chimpanzees can acquire new traditions and spread them to other troops. This suggests a considerable capacity for cultural spread of innovations among chimpanzees, similar to what is seen in the wild.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 7, 2007

Who needs environmental monitoring?

Long-term monitoring programs help society understand environmental issues like acid rain, clean air, and global warming. The absence of monitoring hinders evaluation of environmental policies and contributes to the development of appropriate experimental design.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJun 7, 2007

Research shows cord blood comparable to matched bone marrow

A recent study published in The Lancet found that mismatched cord blood transplants performed as well as matched bone marrow transplants in terms of leukemia-free survival rates. Additionally, patients receiving matched cord blood had a 20% higher survival rate than those with matched bone marrow.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 7, 2007

SIAM awards the Ralph E. Kleinman Prize

Salvatore Torquato received the 2007 Ralph E. Kleinman Prize for his groundbreaking work on heterogeneous materials, bridging mathematics and applications in engineering and science. His research has led to highly original advances in various problems, including microstructure characterization and percolation theory.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateJun 7, 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.

How to cough up sputum is vital for tuberculosis diagnosis in women

A study published in The Lancet found that sputum-submission guidance increases positive tests for tuberculosis in women by 63%, making it a promising intervention to improve case detection. The guidance aims to address cultural and knowledge barriers, resulting in higher quality samples and early morning returns.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 7, 2007

Menthol receptor also important in detecting cold temperatures

A new study finds that the TRPM8 ion channel plays a crucial role in detecting cold temperatures by activating neural impulses. The research suggests that TRPM8 is not the sole receptor responsible for detecting extreme cold, indicating possible alternative pathways.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateJun 7, 2007

Ancient DNA traces the woolly mammoth's disappearance

Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from woolly mammoth bones, teeth, and tusks to understand their disappearance. The study found a genetic signature indicating a range expansion after the last interglacial period, followed by leveling off and eventual extinction of one lineage.

SourceCell Press·DateJun 7, 2007

Malaria and Epstein-Barr virus linked to pediatric cancer in Africa

A new study has identified a direct link between Plasmodium falciparum antigens and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, increasing the risk of Burkitt lymphoma in children living in malaria-endemic areas. The researchers found that certain proteins from P. falciparum can spur latent EBV-infected cells into active production.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJun 7, 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.

New study finds genetically engineered crops could play a role in sustainable agriculture

A new study published in Science analyzed the environmental impact of genetically modified (GM) crops and found that they can have benefits for sustainable agriculture. The research used data from field experiments worldwide and found that Bt-crops, which produce an insecticide internally, can reduce the need for chemical spraying.

SourceNational Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis/UCSB·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2007

Nanotube flickering reveals single-molecule rendezvous

Researchers used nanotechnology to study exciton mobility on carbon nanotubes, revealing that each excition travels about 90 nanometers and visits some 10,000 carbon atoms during its lifespan. The unique properties of carbon nanotubes made them an ideal system for observing single-molecule reactions.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2007

JCI table of contents: June 7, 2007

Researchers at Institut Gustave Roussy found that a combination of radiation and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome HIF-1–dependent tumor radioresistance in mice. This breakthrough suggests a new approach to treating cancer by shifting tumor resistance towards apoptosis, according to the study published online on June 7.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 7, 2007

Newer contrast agents safe for children

A recent study found that acute allergic-like reactions to newer nonionic contrast agents are rare in children, occurring in only 20 out of 11,306 pediatric IV administrations. The study confirms the safety and better understands the risks of these agents in children.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 7, 2007
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.

Combination therapy reduces tumor resistance to radiation

Researchers have found that a combination of radiation treatment and angiogenesis inhibitors can overcome tumor radioresistance by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells. This dual therapy approach shows promise in treating tumors resistant to radiation, offering a new potential treatment strategy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 7, 2007

Scientists reveal how supermassive black holes bind into pairs during galaxy mergers

Researchers used supercomputers to simulate galaxy mergers, revealing the formation of a new type of structure - a central disk of gas that can be thousands of light years wide. The simulations predict that the gas in this disk will extract energy from the orbiting black holes, causing them to merge and produce strong gravitational waves.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2007

Alzheimer's enzyme acts as a tumor suppressor

Researchers at Burnham Institute have discovered that gamma-secretase acts as a tumor suppressor by altering the EGFR pathway, which may limit treatment options for Alzheimer's and other diseases. The study also found that APP metabolite AICD negatively regulates transcription of the EGFR gene.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2007

Dramatic increase in legal supply of organs needed to stop trafficking

The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the need for dramatically increasing legal organ donations to meet demand, as punitive measures only drive organ trafficking further underground. The Iranian model of paying and caring for donors is considered the gold standard, but its commercialization raises moral concerns.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 7, 2007
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.

Brain holds clues to bipolar disorder

Two studies presented at the Seventh International Conference on Bipolar Disorder have identified novel pathways and markers for diagnosing and treating bipolar disorder. The findings suggest a new avenue for treating the underlying cause of the disease, rather than just treating symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center·DateJun 7, 2007

High self-esteem may be culturally universal, international study shows

A recent study by researchers from the US, China, and Japan found consistent positive implicit self-esteem among university students from three countries. The study used the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure automatic attitudes towards oneself, revealing high levels of positive self-associations across cultures.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 7, 2007

Super fruit fly may lead to healthier humans

Scientists have discovered a single protein that can inhibit aging, which could hold implications for human longevity and treatment of diseases. The technique used to make the inhibiting proteins opens the possibility of developing new therapeutics.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 7, 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.

MIT demonstrates wireless power transfer

Researchers at MIT have successfully demonstrated wireless power transfer using coupled resonant objects, enabling the charging of devices without physical connections. The team's 'WiTricity' concept uses magnetic fields to transfer energy efficiently, promising a future free from bulky batteries and power cords.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2007

Brightening prospects of using fluorescent nanotubes in medical applications

Scientists at Vanderbilt University have overcome a major obstacle in producing fluorescent nanotubes, which can be used as contrast agents in cells and tissues. The breakthrough allows for the creation of trillions of nanotubes with high quantum efficiency, making them suitable for medical applications such as anti-cancer treatments.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 7, 2007

Dark green blood in the operating theatre

A 42-year-old Canadian patient developed compartment syndrome and underwent emergency fasciotomies, resulting in dark greenish-black blood analysis. Sulfhaemoglobinemia was diagnosed as the cause, linked to excessive sumatriptan intake, a medication containing a sulfonamide group.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 7, 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.

Understanding and treating congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Researchers review developmental and genetic basis of CDH, exploring potential treatments using animal models and examining connections to lung and cardiovascular development. Studies find that TO surgery can stimulate fetal lung growth, while genetic mutations in key pathways contribute to the condition.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateJun 7, 2007

Standards for measuring narrowing of carotid arteries too aggressive

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center re-evaluated carotid artery narrowing standards, finding that existing methods may be too aggressive. The new standards, developed using high-resolution ultrasound techniques, indicate a lower threshold for determining significant narrowing.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·DateJun 7, 2007

Dietary preferences and patterns may be linked to genes

A study published in Clinical Chemistry found that genetic variations in the APOA2 gene are associated with dietary preferences, particularly for fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Individuals with a certain genotype were more likely to consume higher amounts of fat, calories, and be obese compared to those with other genotypes.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalClinical Chemistry·DateJun 7, 2007

New interview technique could help police spot deception

Researchers at University of Portsmouth have found that adding cognitive load to interviews can improve police ability to detect deception. The new approach involves asking suspects to tell their stories in reverse order, leading to more non-verbal cues and improved discrimination between truthful and false accounts.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 7, 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.

Candidate research sites selected for the National Ecological Observatory Network

The National Ecological Observatory Network has selected candidate core wildland sites across the United States for deployment, with a focus on understanding climate change and its impacts on ecology. The selected sites will host distributed sensor networks and experiments to record and archive ecological data for at least 30 years.

SourceNational Ecological Observatory Network·DateJun 7, 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.

Newly found sensing system enables certain bacteria to resist human immune defenses

Researchers at NIAID discovered a survival mechanism in gram-positive bacteria that protects it from antimicrobial peptides, which are defense molecules sent by the body to kill bacteria. The discovery may help chart a path to designing new drugs to bolster our antimicrobial treatment options.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 7, 2007