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Science News for May 30, 2007


New system for reporting toxicity burden of cancer treatment

A new system, TAME, assesses toxicity burden of cancer treatments by placing adverse events into three concise risk domains: short-term toxicity, long-term effects, and mortality risk. The method has identified differences of up to 500% in acute toxicity burden between certain cancer treatments.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMay 30, 2007

'Virtual Patient' to simulate real-time organ motions for radiation therapy

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a physics-based virtual model to simulate real-time organ motions for radiation therapy. The 4-D VIP-Man will allow doctors and medical physicists to accurately predict and monitor anatomical changes, providing the most effective treatment possible.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateMay 30, 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.

NASA mission checks health of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers

A NASA-led research team has measured critical areas of Greenland's ice sheet and glaciers, finding a significant loss of ice over the past several years. The data suggests that the island's major glaciers have sped up in thinning since the turn of the century, with documented changes of up to 100 feet per year.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 30, 2007

Magnetic field uses sound waves to ignite sun's ring of fire

The study reveals that the Sun's magnetic field allows the release of wave energy from its interior, enabling sound waves to travel through fountains into the solar chromosphere. This discovery sheds light on why the chromosphere is hotter than the star's surface and has significant implications for climate variability.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 30, 2007

How brain pacemakers erase diseased messages

Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that deep brain stimulation alleviates disease symptoms by creating an informational lesion through rapid-fire electrical pulses. This technique can be reversible and adjustable, offering a promising treatment for movement disorders and other conditions.

SourceDuke University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering·DateMay 30, 2007

Study: Who claims to be a pediatrician?

A new study from Michigan Medicine found that up to 17% of physicians in a single state who claim to be pediatricians are not board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). The researchers also discovered that another 12% of pediatricians did not complete a medical residency training program in pediatrics. Parents can check...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateMay 30, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mercury's link to heart disease begins in blood vessel walls

Mercury has been shown to activate phospholipase D enzyme in cells lining blood vessels, causing damage and contributing to vascular disorders. Chelation therapy and antioxidants have been found to suppress this activity, suggesting potential preventive measures against mercury-induced cardiovascular disease.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Toxicology·DateMay 30, 2007

Children can perform approximate math without arithmetic instruction

A study by researchers from Harvard University suggests that children can solve approximate addition and subtraction problems without arithmetic instruction. They demonstrated a natural sense of number, which allows them to think about arithmetic in a way that does not rely on precise knowledge of numbers or place value.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 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.

Want to save polar bears? Follow the ice

The Wildlife Conservation Society's 'Warm Waters for Cool Bears' project uses satellite imagery and meteorological data to predict where sea ice will persist, enabling conservation efforts. The study aims to inform management activities such as designating protected areas for polar bears and their prey species.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·DateMay 30, 2007

Mule deer moms rescue other fawns

A study by the University of Alberta found that mule deer mothers respond to distress calls from both their own and other species' fawns, often putting themselves at risk. This behavior defies traditional explanations for parental care and suggests a more primal instinct for survival.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateMay 30, 2007

An 'elegant' idea proves its worth 25 years later

High-dose sodium phenylacetate and sodium benzoate treatment has saved an estimated 80 percent of patients with urea cycle disorders, mostly children. The treatment uses the body's natural chemicals to eliminate nitrogen, reducing toxic effects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 30, 2007

Molecular motors may speed nutrient processing

Researchers discovered that molecular motors play a crucial role in shedding membrane from the tips of microvilli, speeding up nutrient processing. This finding has implications for understanding gastrointestinal physiology and potential new treatments for diseases.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 30, 2007
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.

For many insects, winter survival is in the genes

Researchers discovered nearly a dozen additional heat-shock proteins that help insects survive cold temperatures. These proteins are essential for insect survival during diapause, a hibernation-like state that allows them to withstand low temperatures.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 30, 2007

Evolution of animal personalities

Researchers propose that animal personalities evolve due to trade-offs between current and future reproduction, with cautious individuals investing more in future opportunities. This leads to populations with consistently risk-averse or risk-prone personality traits.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 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.

Limiting stroke damage is focus of study

Researchers are focusing on preventing further brain damage after a stroke, targeting the penumbra region where blood flow is reduced by 60%. They hope to restore normal electrical activity in neurons and promote recovery. Dr. Sergei Kirov's study uses real-time microscopical imaging and pharmaceuticals to stop anoxic depolarization.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMay 30, 2007

Human stem cell treatment restores motor function in paralyzed rats

Researchers at UC San Diego report that grafting human spinal stem cells into paralyzed rats restored ambulatory function within six weeks. The study demonstrates the potential of stem cell therapy to reconstruct neural circuitry and treat debilitating muscle spasticity.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNeuroscience·DateMay 30, 2007

Better insight into brain anatomical structures

Researchers have developed a new, biocompatible MRI contrast agent using manganese oxide nanoparticles that produces clear images of mouse brains. The agent allows for high-contrast views of brain anatomy and has potential applications in diagnosing brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceWiley·DateMay 30, 2007

Swabs not reliable for detecting lead dust in homes

A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that LeadCheck Swabs are prone to high error rates, detecting 64% of hazardous concentrations of lead in dust as safe. The swab test is not reliable for determining if house dust contains lead above EPA standards.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateMay 30, 2007

UCL scientist develops a measure of distraction

A new test measures subjects' accuracy and reaction times under distractions, filtering out easily distracted candidates. The test correlates with the 'Cognitive Failures Questionnaire', providing an objective assessment of distractibility.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 30, 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.

JRRD releases single-topic issue on pain and pain management

This article discusses various aspects of pain management, including the impact of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on patient satisfaction. The study found that patients with both conditions were more likely to have a chronic medical condition and greater physical and psychosocial stressors.

SourceJournal of Rehabilitation Research·JournalThe Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development·DateMay 30, 2007

Survey shows asthma not controlled in majority of patients

A survey of 1,812 patients with moderate-to-severe asthma found that the disease was not controlled in 55 percent, despite regular health care visits. Uncontrolled asthmatics were more likely to experience severe symptoms and hospitalizations.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 30, 2007

Moths mimic sounds to survive

Researchers discovered that tiger moths use ultrasonic clicks to warn bats of their bad taste, allowing them to survive in a predator-rich environment. The study provides the first definitive evidence of acoustic mimicry as a defensive strategy.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 30, 2007
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The general public lacks basic medical knowledge

A study found that only 32% of adults possess minimal medical knowledge of serious health conditions, despite higher education or personal experience not providing significant improvement. This lack of awareness poses a risk to early detection and treatment outcomes, as well as public health costs and behavior.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMay 30, 2007

Old idea spawns new way to study dark matter

Researchers employed a new technique to estimate dark matter location and calculate its mass, shedding light on the galactic halo's composition. The method revealed two massive dark objects, one with 7 times the sun's mass, in the Milky Way's outer reaches.

SourceOhio State University·DateMay 30, 2007

RIT study predicts how fast a black hole can be booted from a galaxy

Scientists at RIT have discovered that supermassive black holes can be thrown from galaxies at speeds of up to 4,000 km/s, significantly exceeding the escape velocity. The spin velocity determines the size and direction of the 'kick' or radiation recoil.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 30, 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.

Galaxy cluster takes it to the extreme

Astronomers discover a bright arc of extremely hot gas in a massive galaxy cluster, suggesting an exceptionally dramatic event, such as a collision between two clusters. The temperature and mass of the cluster make it a giant among giants, with a quadrillion suns' worth of mass bound by its hot gas.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·DateMay 30, 2007

Talking sex on the factory floor in China

Young women in urban China want more information on contraception but need private and anonymous access due to judgmental attitudes. A pilot workplace intervention showed promising results with popular information leaflets, but low uptake of free family planning services.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Health Services Research·DateMay 30, 2007

NASA embarks on cutting-edge polar exploration and research

NASA is supporting cutting-edge research at the Earth's polar regions with $18 million in funding for 33 scientific investigations. These studies focus on ice flow, air pollution, sea ice impact on ocean ecosystems, and glacier thickness measurement.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 30, 2007

Research shows aerobic exercise helps maintain muscle in elderly

Researchers found that a 45-minute walk restores the muscle-growth-stimulating effects of insulin to levels comparable to those seen in normal young adults. This breakthrough suggests that moderate aerobic exercise may slow the rate of muscle loss in aging.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalDiabetes·DateMay 30, 2007
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Arithmetic is child's play

Researchers found that children can solve large number problems without mastering place value or addition facts, using their natural sense of number to perform approximations. This talent can be built upon in the classroom to enhance interest and understanding in elementary mathematics.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2007