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Science News for May 9, 2007


Egyptians, not Greeks were true fathers of medicine

A team of scientists at the University of Manchester found evidence that ancient Egyptian physicians practised a credible form of pharmacy and medicine over 1,000 years before Hippocrates. The researchers discovered medicinal remedies such as honey, resins, and metals with therapeutic merit, many of which remain in use today.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateMay 9, 2007

Bridges will rock -- safely -- with new quake design

Researchers at University at Buffalo developed a seismic design methodology for bridge towers that allow them to rock during earthquakes, reducing construction and retrofitting costs. The new approach uses devices to control the tower's uplift and absorption of earthquake energy.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateMay 9, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Pittsburgh discovers genetic 'shut down' trigger in healthy immune cells

Researchers identified a genetic mechanism that permanently shuts down crucial genes in healthy immune system cells, which could be used to target cancer and infection treatments. The discovery was made in normal blood samples and found in a quarter of leukemia samples, highlighting the potential for this mutation as a therapeutic target.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 9, 2007

DNA reveals hooded seals have wanderlust

Researchers found that all hooded seal populations worldwide exhibit identical genetic diversity, indicating they intermingle and mate across populations. This discovery sheds light on the mysterious animal's behavior, with potential implications for conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMay 9, 2007

Effectiveness of first renin inhibitor drug for treating hypertension is limited

The review of six large-scale clinical trials found that aliskiren was not more effective than existing antihypertensive drugs in controlling blood pressure. The drug's inability to effectively lower blood pressure was attributed to its stimulation of kidney renin secretion, which can counteract its antihypertensive capabilities.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·DateMay 9, 2007

Cataloging the structural variations in human genetics

A major new effort uncovers medium- and large-scale genetic differences between humans, including structural variations in DNA sequences that amount to 5-10% of the genome. These changes can influence disease susceptibility and normal functioning.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 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.

Extreme winds rule exoplanet's weather

Researchers have mapped weather on a gas giant planet called HD 189733b, discovering supersonic winds that can move at speeds of up to 22,000 mph. The winds are so fast they redistribute heat across the planet's surface, with dayside and nightside temperatures differing by only 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

New bacteria test could improve quality of fruit and vegetable juice

Researchers developed a rapid technique to detect Alicyclobacillus in juices, reducing testing time from 5-7 days to hours. The new method combines DNA sequencing and mid-infrared spectroscopy for accurate identification.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalSensing and Instrumentation for Food Quality and Safety·DateMay 9, 2007

Species thrive when sexual dimorphism broadens their niches

A study at Harvard University found that sexual dimorphism in Caribbean lizards increases their ecological niche, allowing species to thrive by avoiding resource competition. The research suggests sex differences may have fueled the evolution of diverse fauna, highlighting the importance of considering both sexes.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

Survival of the rarest: Fruit flies shed light on the evolution of behavior

Research reveals that rare genetic variants in fruit flies can provide a survival advantage, with individuals with unique traits being less conspicuous to predators. The study's findings offer insights into why genetic variation persists in nature and may have implications for understanding human food-related disorders.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 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.

Scientists identify prion's infectious secret

Researchers have discovered critical regions within prions that determine much of their behavior, providing a new framework for exploring prion biology. These regions, known as recognition elements, can be activated by environmental conditions and amino acid sequence alterations.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

FDG-PET imaging clearly predicts lung cancer patients' response to chemotherapy

Researchers found that FDG-PET imaging can identify patients who respond to chemotherapy, allowing for early termination of futile treatment. This improves patient care by providing an alternative approach, such as stopping chemotherapy or switching to a more adequate therapeutic option.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateMay 9, 2007

Diminishing dinosaur steps saved by laser and laptop

Researchers at the University of Manchester used a laser scanning system to create a detailed 3D model of dinosaur tracks in Spain. The portable RIEGL LMS Z420i scanner allowed for rapid and high-resolution mapping of the fragile site, preserving important information on dinosaur locomotion.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateMay 9, 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.

DNA repair proteins monitored at double-strand break

St. Jude researchers used a new technique to monitor the movement of DNA repair proteins as they interacted with each other and gathered at the site of damage. The study found that disruption of these proteins can cause mutations, cell death, or cancer, providing critical insights into DNA repair mechanisms.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMay 9, 2007

Plants tag insect herbivores with an alarm

Researchers have identified a specific class of small peptide elicitors that help plants react to insect attack, triggering defensive chemistry and improving protection against pests. The discovery opens the door for genetic manipulation of plants with improved defense mechanisms.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalPLANT PHYSIOLOGY·DateMay 9, 2007

Rover Spirit finds evidence of pyroclastic activity on Mars

Scientists on NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission found evidence of long-past explosive volcanic activity at Home Plate, a plateau in Gusev Crater. The data collected by the rover supports earlier findings that water once existed at or beneath the planet's surface.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateMay 9, 2007

The opossum genome sequence casts light on evolution, immunity and disease

The opossum genome sequence has provided significant insights into the evolution of the mammalian immune system, revealing similarities with human immune-related genes. The sequence also revealed ancient DNA elements that have been recruited for specific biological activities, such as regulating gene expression.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Research·DateMay 9, 2007

Parents preach prudence -- peers promote pleasure

A study found that parents typically focus on negative aspects of sex, while peers promote positive messages. Parents are strongest supporters of abstinence and provide information on pregnancy and fertilization, but fail to discuss other topics. Peers encourage non-relational sex and promote sexual freedom, while the media reinforces ...

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateMay 9, 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.

Researchers publish first marsupial genome sequence

The first marsupial genome sequence has been published, providing new insights into human evolution and the origins of the human genome. The study found that most genetic innovations leading to the human genome sequence lie in areas referred to as 'junk' DNA, highlighting the importance of non-gene regions in shaping mammalian genomes.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

NASA study suggests extreme summer warming in the future

A new NASA study suggests that greenhouse-gas warming may raise average summer temperatures in the eastern United States nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit by the 2080s. This could lead to extremely hot summertime temperatures, especially during summers with less-than-average frequent rainfall.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalJournal of Climate·DateMay 9, 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.

Fine motor skills, social acceptance lower in children with 'lazy eye'

A recent study has found that children with amblyopia, also known as 'lazy eye,' exhibit poorer fine motor skills and lower perception of social acceptance. The research, led by Ann Louise Webber, used standardized tests to measure the children's motor skills and self-esteem. The results indicate that treating a child's eye condition m...

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·DateMay 9, 2007

New '1/f noise' discovery promises to improve semiconductor-based sensors

Researchers from the US, Norway, and Russia have identified the origin of 1/f noise in semiconductor electronics, which could lead to more sensitive sensors and detectors. The study found that the noise arises from the random distribution of impurities and electron interactions in a state called Coulomb glass.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 9, 2007

UCF professor finds that hottest measured extrasolar planet is 3700 degrees

The University of Central Florida professor has made a groundbreaking discovery that the hottest known extrasolar planet, HD 149026b, is approaching temperatures of 3,700 degrees. This unprecedented finding indicates that the planet's surface must be incredibly black to absorb all the starlight it receives.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

HPV infection linked to throat cancers

Researchers found that oral HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for throat cancers in both men and women. Consistent condom use may reduce risk, while tobacco and alcohol use do not increase the risk of HPV-linked cancer.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 9, 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.

Uveal melanoma patients at higher risk for colon cancer

A recent study by Frederick H. Davidorf, MD, found that uveal melanoma patients and their families are at higher risk for developing colon cancer. The study involved 130 patients who provided their extended family medical histories, revealing a significant number of patients and relatives with an increased risk for colon cancer.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMay 9, 2007

LSU professor involved in genome sequencing of the first marsupial

The gray, short-tailed opossum's genome reveals insights into connections between humans and other species, as well as the evolution of mobile elements. Mobile elements make up about 52% of the opossum genome, with distinct compositional differences compared to primate genomes.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2007

Majority of herb users don't follow evidence-based indications, researchers find

A recent study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that two-thirds of people using herbs do so without following scientific guidelines. The study, which analyzed data from a 2002 National Health Interview Survey, highlights concerns about the potential adverse effects and interactions of herbal supplements with therapeutic drugs.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateMay 9, 2007