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Science News for May 24, 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.

Some forest birds can survive in agricultural countryside with limited habitat conservation

A recent study by Stanford University researchers found that tropical forest birds can thrive in coffee plantations with minimal restoration, highlighting the importance of preserving remnant trees and riparian corridors. The study suggests that humans and birds may coexist successfully if farmers leave small reserves of native forest.

SourceStanford University·JournalConservation Biology·DateMay 24, 2007

Different type of iron supplement is better at boosting iron levels

Researchers found that fortification of staple cereal flours with high-dose NaFeEDTA significantly reduces anaemia and iron-deficiency in children. The supplement improved three major iron status indicators, including haemoglobin and plasma ferritin concentrations. In contrast, electrolytic iron had little effect on these indicators.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 24, 2007

New approach to fixing spreadsheet errors could save billions

Computer scientists at Oregon State University developed a new approach to fix errors in spreadsheets, which can be used by anyone without extensive training. The system, called GoalDebug, provides a short list of suggested changes, allowing users to identify and fix problems efficiently.

SourceOregon State University·DateMay 24, 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.

What exactly is repetitive strain injury?

Researchers found that repetitive strain injury is not one diagnosis but an umbrella term for various disorders caused by repetitive movements and risk factors. Conventional definitions include conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, which affect millions worldwide.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 24, 2007

Possible new breast cancer gene

Researchers identified Rap80 as a new candidate breast-cancer susceptibility gene required for normal BRCA1 DNA-repair function. This discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanism of BRCA1 recognizing sites of DNA damage, shedding light on cancer-causing mutations in BRCA1.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2007

Nature surrenders flowery secrets to international team

A team of international scientists has described the rules that govern how plants arrange flowers into branching structures, known as 'inflorescences'. The new unifying theory provides an explanation for the diversity of inflorescences in nature, including regional variations and developmental patterns.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Flexible genes allow ants to change destiny

Researchers at the University of Leeds discovered that leaf-cutting ant larvae can switch development based on environmental stimuli and colony needs. This flexible genetic coding allows colonies to adapt to changing workforce demands.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateMay 24, 2007

Hepatitis B patients' understanding of infection and treatment deficient

A new survey reveals that chronic hepatitis B patients often misunderstand the nature of their disease and its treatment. Despite being aware of the long-term consequences of the virus, many patients do not comply with their medication regimens, highlighting the need for improved patient education. The study suggests that enhanced pati...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·DateMay 24, 2007
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.

Skills used in British workplaces still rising

Skills being used in British workplaces have been rising for the last two decades, but at a slower pace in recent years. The study found that computing skills are becoming more essential, while jobs requiring 'influence skills' such as writing reports and teaching others are also on the rise.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 24, 2007

Understanding why C. difficile causes disease -- it's hungry

Researchers found that C. difficile expresses its pathogenicity during periods of nutrient deprivation, potentially leading to a new treatment approach. A five-gene region, known as the tcd locus, plays a crucial role in toxin production and cell membrane disruption.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateMay 24, 2007

MIT-led team uncovers malaria mechanism

An international team of researchers led by MIT Professor Subra Suresh has demonstrated that the parasite protein RESA causes red blood cells to become less deformable, a hallmark of deadly malaria. The study's findings could lead to treatments targeting this protein.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2007

Dynamic sonography accurate in diagnosing muscle tears

A study using dynamic sonography found that 46 of 50 male soccer players had muscle tears and/or hematomas in the thigh and calf regions. The imaging modality successfully diagnosed complete muscle tears surrounded by hemotomas and partial tears with pseudo-tumor-like appearances.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·DateMay 24, 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.

Choice is a key element in success for smokers who want to quit

New research at the University of Rochester found that smokers who were counseled in a manner that encouraged them to reflect on whether they wanted to smoke or not were more likely to maintain their abstinence for two years. Participants who received personalized quit plans with input and perspective on how smoking fit into their live...

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateMay 24, 2007

ICU nurse working conditions linked to increase in patient infections

Researchers found that ICUs with higher staffing levels had lower incidence of hospital-associated infections, including central line associated bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Higher overtime hours were associated with increased rates of infection and skin ulcers.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalMedical Care·DateMay 24, 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.

Definitive evidence found of a swimming dinosaur

A team of scientists discovered a 15-meter-long trackway with 12 consecutive prints that provide definitive evidence of a non-avian theropod dinosaur's swimming ability. The tracks show an underwater stride of 243-271 cm and suggest the dinosaur swam in approximately 3.2 meters of water.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateMay 24, 2007

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Researchers uncovered new details about how proteins orchestrate cell division and how curcumin boosts the immune system to fight cancer. Additionally, scientists provided new insights into the toxic effects of tau protein aggregation in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 24, 2007

Carnegie Mellon project boosts book digitization efforts

A new project by Carnegie Mellon University aims to boost book digitization efforts by using reCAPTCHAs to correct OCR mistakes and improve internet security. The system, developed by Luis von Ahn, uses words from troublesome passages to replace artificially distorted letters and numbers in CAPTCHAs.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 24, 2007
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

'Teaching gap' exists among US and Asian math teachers, study says

A US-Asian teaching gap exists in math instruction, with US teachers utilizing fewer spatial supports and gestures that encourage active reasoning compared to Hong Kong and Japan. This could contribute to lower US student performance on international math tests.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 2007

MIT researchers probe bones' tiny building blocks

Researchers mapped the stiffness of bovine shin bone using a molecular force probe, revealing non-uniformity in bone's mechanical properties within a single region. The study's findings could lead to improved diagnoses and treatments of bone diseases, as well as the development of new materials with improved toughness.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 24, 2007

Alcohol use during pregnancy leads to greater risk of extreme preterm delivery

A recent study has found that maternal alcohol use during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of extreme preterm delivery. The effects are more pronounced among women aged 30 years and older. Researchers also found that cocaine use was associated with an increased risk, while smoking had a lesser impact.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateMay 24, 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.

New mouse model closely mimics human cancers

Scientists developed a new mouse model that closely mimics human cancers, enabling researchers to identify cancer-causing genes and improve laboratory drug testing. The model's genetic instability was found to be similar to that in human tumors, suggesting its potential for guiding gene discovery.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 24, 2007

How plague-causing bacteria disarm host defense

Yersinia pathogen uses effector protein YpkA to target Gaq, a messenger protein that transmits alarm signals into the host cell. This study identifies a novel molecular target for preventing disease and fighting antibiotic-resistant strains.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 24, 2007

Analysis reveals extent of DNA repair army

A new database developed by researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides a detailed portrait of the army of over 700 proteins that helps maintain DNA's integrity. The study reveals that two critical enzymes, ATM and ATR, act as sensors to detect trouble and initiate repair pathways.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateMay 24, 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.

JCI table of contents: May 24, 2007

A study by Arlette Darfeuille-Michaud and colleagues reveals that CEACAM6 expression promotes adherent-invasive E. coli's colonization in intestinal epithelial cells of patients with Crohn's disease, indicating a potential diagnostic marker for the condition. Meanwhile, another study by Andrea Hevener and colleagues shows that macropha...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 24, 2007

Essential tones of music rooted in human speech

Researchers at Duke University found that music tones correspond to the same numerical ratios as human speech frequencies. The study suggests that our ears favor these relationships due to exposure through everyday speech. This discovery may explain why certain tuning schemes sound more natural, like just intonation.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 24, 2007

Want to improve your relationship? Do the dishes because you want to

Researchers found that partners who engage in sacrifices out of genuine desire for their partner are more satisfied and committed. Additionally, those who perceive these actions as selfless can also experience positive outcomes. The study's findings have practical applications for individual and couples therapy.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateMay 24, 2007