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Science News for March 14, 2007


Proteochemometrics achieves better retardants for HIV/Aids

A new method developed by Professor Jarl Wikberg at Uppsala University allows for the precise analysis of retroviral protein interactions with small molecules. This enables the prediction of effective drug candidates against various HIV-strain resistance.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 14, 2007

Researchers identify molecular basis of inflammatory bowel disease

A study by European Molecular Biology Laboratory researchers identifies NF-kB as a crucial signaling molecule in the development of chronic intestinal inflammation. The findings provide a new paradigm for understanding inflammatory bowel disease and may pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMar 14, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stroke damage keeps brain regions from 'talking' to each other

Researchers found a tight correlation between the severity of spatial neglect symptoms and the degree of impairment in communication within and between two brain networks. This study suggests that testing for communication breakdowns could improve clinical assessment and treatment of stroke and other brain injuries.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 2007

Genes may determine success of hip replacement surgery

Research suggests that genetic variations in MMP1 and vitamin D synthesis genes are associated with a higher risk of complications after hip replacement surgery. Patients with specific genetic variations were more likely to experience aseptic loosening and deep infection.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateMar 14, 2007

Tracing broken wiring in stroke patients

Functional connectivity MRI studies revealed that lower brain connectivity regions correlate with impaired visual field perception in neglected stroke patients. The study provides new insights into the neurological details of spatial neglect, highlighting the value of MRI in studying behavioral symptoms.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 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.

Research project could help create computers that run on light

Physicists at the University of Bath are developing attosecond technology to create continuous series of light pulses that could enable precise control over electric fields. This could lead to the development of photonics-based devices, such as photonic computers, with potentially groundbreaking capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateMar 14, 2007

Study challenges idea that schizophrenia is distinct in developing and developed regions

A new study challenges the World Health Organization's idea that schizophrenia is relatively more benign in developing societies. The research compares biological and cultural indicators of schizophrenia in urban, Western societies with data from Palau, which has one of the highest rates of schizophrenia diagnosis in the world.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateMar 14, 2007

Have researchers found a new state of matter?

Physicists Xiao-Gang Wen and Michael Levin propose a new state of matter where electrons are entangled in string-nets. Their model predicts the emergence of conventional particles and fractionally charged quasiparticles, which behave according to Maxwell's equations.

SourceNew Scientist·DateMar 14, 2007

Phthalates now linked to fat, related health risks

A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center has found a link between phthalate exposure and increased belly fat and insulin resistance in men. The research suggests that low-dose exposures to phthalates may contribute to rising obesity rates and related disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMar 14, 2007

Making memories that last a lifetime

Neurobiologists have found that DNA methylation is necessary for forming memories and regulates the activity of genes involved in memory formation. The study suggests that epigenetic regulation has a significant impact on behavioral changes brought about by environmental stimuli.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 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.

New program aims to overhaul the Internet

The new program aims to redesign the Internet with secure corporate networks like Ethane, wireless spectrum allocation optimization, and high-efficiency optical switches. Stanford researchers aim to create a fresh start for the Internet with innovative solutions.

SourceStanford University·DateMar 14, 2007

Harvard chemist wins national award for lifetime achievements in chemistry

George M. Whitesides, a renowned Harvard chemist, has been awarded the Priestley Medal for his distinguished service to chemistry over 40 years. His groundbreaking research in diverse areas such as NMR, materials science, and nanotechnology has laid the groundwork for advances in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical diagnostics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 14, 2007

Homing pigeons get their bearings from their beaks

A new study reveals that homing pigeons have a complex three-dimensional pattern in the sensory dendrites of their beak skin that reacts to the Earth's magnetic field vector. This allows them to identify their geographical position without relying on visual cues.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateMar 14, 2007

New species declared: Clouded leopard on Borneo and Sumatra

Scientists have discovered a new species of clouded leopard found only in Borneo and Sumatra, characterized by distinct physical features. The genetic analysis revealed significant differences between the two species, with around 40 nucleotide variations, suggesting divergence around 1.4 million years ago.

SourceWorld Wildlife Fund·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 14, 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.

Aga Khan University team discover which patients keep on taking their medicine

A cross-sectional study of 460 Pakistani patients found that 77% were adherent to their medications, with social and family structures playing a key role in high adherence rates. Younger age, poor awareness, and symptomatic treatment negatively affected adherence, whereas mono-therapy and psychosocial factors showed no association.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 14, 2007

Physicists wipe away complexity for a clearer view of heavy nuclei

Researchers from Michigan State and Central Michigan universities develop a new approach to modeling atomic nuclei, reducing computational complexity by focusing on correlations between particles. This breakthrough enables more accurate predictions for the structure of heavy atomic nuclei.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 14, 2007

500,000 years of climate history stored year by year

Researchers at University of Bonn aim to tap into the sediment archives of Lake Van, which store climate data from 800,000 years ago. The sediments contain detailed information on temperature and precipitation patterns, allowing scientists to reconstruct past climates.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·DateMar 14, 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.

Scientists explain source of mysterious tremors emanating from fault zones

Researchers have found that tiny tremors and temblors in fault zones are generated by slow-moving earthquakes that may precede mega-quakes. The study suggests that detecting these weak signals could be useful in forecasting seismic hazards, particularly in subduction zones where the most destructive earthquakes occur.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateMar 14, 2007

Using brain scans, researchers find evidence for a 2-stage model of human perceptual learning

A two-stage model suggests that humans learn novel tasks by first processing stimulus shape and then discriminating between shapes to categorize objects. The study used fMRI to measure brain activity while participants learned to group cars into categories, revealing a complex interplay between lower and higher brain processes.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 2007

New biofuels process promises to meet all US transportation needs

The new H2CAR process produces three times more biofuels from the same biomass, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing efficiency. This could provide sustainable fuel for all US transportation sectors without additional land use.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2007

A case of mistaken identity for the ivory-billed woodpecker?

Research suggests that a video of an extinct woodpecker in Arkansas may be a case of mistaken identity, as it closely resembles another native species. The analysis compares the footage with fresh recordings of the Pileated Woodpecker, revealing similarities in wing movement and plumage

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateMar 14, 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.

Does God answer prayer? ASU research says 'yes'

A comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on intercessory prayer found a positive effect, suggesting that prayer offered for the benefit of another person yields positive results. However, the study also notes that standard treatments should be used as the primary method of treatment for conditions like depression.

SourceArizona State University·JournalResearch on Social Work Practice·DateMar 14, 2007

Nanotechnology oversight requires thinking outside the box

A former EPA official urges policymakers to address oversight system gaps, emphasizing risk criteria, information reporting requirements, and risk management tools. The report highlights the need for 'novel solutions' and openness in decision-making processes.

SourceWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Science and Technology Innovation Program·DateMar 14, 2007

Obesity high among Baltimore's homeless, Johns Hopkins researchers say

A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals a high incidence of obesity among Baltimore's homeless children and caregivers, with nearly half of the children being overweight or at risk. The study highlights the need for healthier meal options and indoor physical activities in high-crime areas to combat this growing epidemic.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateMar 14, 2007

Special chiropractic adjustment lowers blood pressure

A study by the University of Chicago Medical Center found that a specialized chiropractic adjustment can lower blood pressure significantly in individuals with a misaligned Atlas vertebra and high blood pressure. The results showed a decrease equal to taking two blood-pressure drugs at once, with no change in heart rate.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Human Hypertension·DateMar 14, 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.

Ultrasound could help couples undergoing IVF

Researchers developed a new ultrasound-based test that can accurately predict ovarian response and IVF success. The antral follicle count was found to be an effective predictor of egg production, providing a less costly and invasive alternative to current hormone-based tests.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalReproductive Biology and Endocrinology·DateMar 14, 2007

UBC researchers reveal dwarf aquatic plants' hidden ancestry

A team of UBC researchers has re-classified an ancient line of aquatic plants as closely related to water lilies, challenging long-held botanical assumptions. The discovery sheds new light on the evolution of flowering plants, dating back at least 135 million years.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateMar 14, 2007

Anti-epileptic drugs may help prevent and treat noise-induced hearing loss

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that two anti-epileptic drugs can significantly reduce permanent hearing loss in mice exposed to loud noises. The drugs, trimethadione and ethosuximide, work by inhibiting the movement of calcium ions into nerve cells, which play a role in causing damage to hair cells and nerve cells.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalHearing Research·DateMar 14, 2007

Chemical cues turn embryonic stem cells into cerebellar neurons

Researchers at Rockefeller University successfully differentiated embryonic stem cells into fully functional granule neurons, the most plentiful neuron in the cerebellum. This breakthrough study marks a significant step toward understanding how to regulate embryonic stem cells and potentially use them for cell replacement therapy.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2007
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

No carrier necessary: This drug delivers itself

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a novel drug delivery system using nanocrystals of hydrophobic drugs, which can target tumors with comparable efficacy to conventional surfactant-based systems. The system eliminates the need for separate carriers, reducing toxicity and improving drug penetration.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateMar 14, 2007

Associative memory -- learning at all levels

Scientists have successfully traced associative learning to early stages of the visual processing pathway, suggesting a more general property of the brain. By training monkeys to associate objects with specific signals, researchers found that neurons in the middle temporal area responded to both the original stimulus and the associated...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNeuron·DateMar 14, 2007

Study suggests wearing no-line bifocals slows myopia progression in some children

A new study found that children with two myopic parents wearing progressive-addition lenses showed slower myopia progression compared to those wearing single-vision lenses. The five-year study identified parental refractive error as a key factor in myopia progression, suggesting that special lenses may be beneficial for certain children.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMar 14, 2007

Gene therapy for blindness clears hurdle in mice

Researchers used gene therapy to shut down a key gene responsible for inherited blindness, reducing mutated rhodopsin by 60%, in an effort to develop a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. The technique may restore vision in affected individuals if successful.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalVision Research·DateMar 14, 2007