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Science News Archive November 2007


Page 1 of 19

Ibuprofen associated with slower lung function decline in children with cystic fibrosis

A new study found that treatment with ibuprofen is associated with a significantly slower rate of decline in lung function in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. The study showed a 29 percent reduction in loss of lung function compared to those who did not use the anti-inflammatory drug.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 30, 2007

Between water and rock -- a new science

Scientists are discovering that aquatic nanoparticles influence natural and engineered water chemistry differently than similar materials of a larger size. The review considers nanoparticles formed by natural processes in water and as unintended consequences of human activity, such as mining or water treatment.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalJournal of Environmental Monitoring·DateNov 30, 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.

Aging improves parent, child relationships, research shows

Research by Purdue University associate professor Karen Fingerman found that a majority of parents and children reported positive changes in their relationship as parents transitioned to old age. Despite declining health, many parents felt appreciated and nurtured, while children expressed gratitude for increased help from their parents.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvances in Life Course Research·DateNov 30, 2007

Helium isotopes point to the best sources of geothermal energy

Research by Arizona State University scientists reveals that helium-3/helium-4 ratios can be used to identify areas with high geothermal resource potential. Analyzing samples from over 60 hot springs and shallow wells in the Basin and Range province, they discovered a correlation between helium ratios and deformation rates.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateNov 30, 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.

NASA'S Glast satellite arrives at Naval Research Lab for testing

The Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) spacecraft has successfully completed two environmental tests and is now undergoing thermal and vacuum testing at the Naval Research Laboratory. The satellite will study extreme universe phenomena, including black holes and gamma-ray bursts.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 30, 2007

Further development of Water Framework Directive necessary

Experts warn that the European Water Framework Directive lacks a comprehensive approach to monitoring and addressing chemical pollution in rivers. The current priority list of substances is deemed inadequate, and researchers advocate for prioritizing effects rather than just chemicals.

SourceHelmholtz Association·DateNov 30, 2007

Dark energy -- 10 years on

Three quarters of the universe is dark energy, a mysterious substance that repels gravity. New space missions and improved observation methods will help uncover its secrets.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateNov 30, 2007

World AIDS Day: HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment

Research published in PLoS Medicine highlights the high risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in developing countries. Targeting HIV prevention programs to reach these men is crucial to curb transmission and reduce global burden.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 30, 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.

More on HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment

A recent study reveals that CMV retinitis is causing blindness in young people with HIV in the developing world, often leading to fatal outcomes. Successful management of the disease requires decentralizing diagnostic capacity and making valganciclovir medication affordable.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 30, 2007

New system for classifying infant lung disease developed

A new system has been developed to classify rare lung diseases in infants, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes. The system groups various lung diseases into distinct categories, allowing pathologists to diagnose children's lung disease more accurately.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 30, 2007

String of fullerene pearls

Researchers have produced molecular chimeras by binding fullerene receptors to a fullerene molecule, forming short chains of linked nanopearls. These aggregates exhibit special binding interactions between electrons, making them promising for efficient optoelectronic components.

SourceWiley·DateNov 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.

Using fMRI to study brain development

Researchers at MIT used fMRI to monitor brain development in rats, correcting for changes that occur during early life. The study found a key player in the changing relationship between neural activity and blood response: carbonic anhydrase.

SourceMcGovern Institute for Brain Research·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 30, 2007

Levels of prion protein in brain may not be reliable marker for disease

Researchers found that abnormally folded prion protein in brain tissue does not reliably predict disease infectivity; some highly infectious samples had nearly undetectable levels of abnormal PrP. This suggests alternative mechanisms or specific conformation of abnormal PrP may be responsible for prion diseases.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 30, 2007

Purdue researchers obtain a snapshot clarifying how materials enter cells

A Purdue University research team captured an image of the protein gate complex that allows materials to enter cells, providing insights into disease mechanisms. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments for diseases like cancer and cystic fibrosis by inhibiting or activating this mechanism.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature·DateNov 30, 2007

Duke scientists map imprinted genes in human genome

Researchers have discovered 156 new likely imprinted genes in the human genome, including those linked to cancer, diabetes, and autism. The findings offer clues to better disease prevention and management.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalGenome Research·DateNov 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.

Researchers develop powerful tool to study the genetics of inflammation

Researchers have developed a powerful tool to systematically map out pathways and subpathways contributing to inflammation. This study has led to the creation of customized panels for analyzing genetic variations in inflammation pathways for European and African descent populations.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 30, 2007

Out-of-hours doctors reluctant to do home visits, say patients

Patients report feeling uncertain about out-of-hours primary care services, with concerns over appropriateness and responsiveness. Staffing issues and slow handling times are also cited as key problems, highlighting the need for better patient experience monitoring.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGlobal Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare·DateNov 30, 2007

Mountain summits in the Alps becoming increasingly similar

Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research found that Alpine summit vegetation is becoming increasingly homogenized due to climate change. This has led to an increase in species diversity within individual areas, but a decline in regional biodiversity across ecosystems.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Vegetation Science·DateNov 30, 2007

Women with AIDS face cervical cancer threat

A study by Dr. Groesbeck Parham found that 90% of HIV-infected women presenting for antiretroviral therapy harbor cervical cell abnormalities, increasing the risk of cervical cancer. Access to screening and treatment is crucial to prevent this life-threatening condition in women living with AIDS.

SourceCIDRZ Foundation·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateNov 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.

Alcohol may amplify chronic rejection in lung transplants

A recent study found that chronic alcohol consumption by lung donors promotes scarring and airway injury after transplantation. The research, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, raises questions about human lung donors with a history of alcohol abuse.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 30, 2007

Liang receives NIH grant for biofilm research

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology are developing functional polymers modified surfaces that can prevent bacterial adhesion and sensitize formed biofilms for antibiotic treatment. This project aims to combat the fourth leading cause of death in the US, hospital-acquired infections and diseases.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateNov 30, 2007

Nano-sized voltmeter measures electric fields deep within cells

A team of researchers at the University of Michigan has developed a nano-scale voltmeter that can measure electric fields deep within cells. The device, which is 1,000-fold smaller than existing voltmeters, reveals surprisingly high electric field strengths in cytosol, challenging conventional wisdom about cellular processes.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateNov 30, 2007

1 in 10 patients comes to harm while in hospital

A retrospective case note review of 1000 patients found that 8.7% experienced at least one adverse event, with many preventable, and led to extended hospital stays or permanent disability

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGlobal Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare·DateNov 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.

Test Japanese encephalitis vaccine shown to be immunogenic and safe

A new test vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus has shown promising results, with a high seroconversion rate and good safety profile. The vaccine is considered at least as effective as the existing licensed vaccine, making it a potential candidate for use in travelers and children in endemic areas.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 29, 2007

New research discredits $100B global warming 'fix'

Researchers have found that less carbon is transported to deep water during natural plankton blooms than during the rest of the year, suggesting the Biological Pump leaks. This discovery challenges ocean fertilization schemes, which ignore natural processes and may not remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateNov 29, 2007

World AIDS Day

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes the contributions of researchers and managers in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since the first cases of AIDS were reported, NIH has established a comprehensive trans-NIH research effort to understand HIV biology, develop effective therapies, and prevent new infections.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateNov 29, 2007
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

McGill researchers link enzyme to breast cancer malignancy

A recent study by McGill researchers found that the enzyme focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is crucial for tumour progression from a pre-malignant to a malignant state in the mammary tumour system. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing targeted treatments against breast cancer.

SourceMcGill University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2007

Astronomers find stellar cradle where planets form

Astronomers at the University of Illinois have discovered a stellar cradle where planets and moons are believed to form. Located 800 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the object is an enormous flow of shocked molecular hydrogen gas erupting from a young protostar's magnetic poles.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 29, 2007

How our ancestors were like gorillas

Research from University College London found that some of our closest extinct relatives had more in common with gorillas than previously thought. The study discovered that males continued to grow well into adulthood, leading to a significant size difference between males and females, similar to what is seen in gorillas.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScience·DateNov 29, 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.

New heart test to save time, money -- and lives

A new heart test has been developed to detect mild degrees of heart injury, enabling doctors to identify patients most likely to benefit from life-saving treatments. The test, which searches for a specific protein in the blood, could lead to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and improved diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateNov 29, 2007

Blood stem cells fight invaders, study finds

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells can travel to visceral organs to perform reconnaissance missions and produce new immune cells. These cells can synthesize defense mechanisms to counter invading pathogens, indicating a more dynamic role for hematopoietic stem cells.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 29, 2007

Having the climate cake and eating it, too

A recent paper suggests that reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) could be key to addressing climate change. By including REDD in the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries can claim compensation for sustainable forest management, potentially earning $630 million annually.

SourceWiley·JournalAfrican Journal of Ecology·DateNov 29, 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.

Out-of-hours doctors reluctant to do home visits, say patients

Patients using out-of-hours services report feeling uncertain about the appropriateness of their calls and concerns about slow case handling. Despite this, many are happy with the quality of service once they speak to a healthcare professional.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·JournalGlobal Journal on Quality and Safety in Healthcare·DateNov 29, 2007

Small RNA plays parallel roles in bacterial metabolism

A team from the University of Illinois identified SgrS, a 200-nucleotide-long RNA molecule, which performs two functions to regulate glucose metabolism in bacteria. The molecule binds to messenger RNA to inhibit new glucose transporter production and codes for a protein that retards existing transporter activity.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 29, 2007

Helium isotopes point to new sources of geothermal energy

Researchers have identified potential geothermal energy resources in the northern Basin and Range province, characterized by high thermal gradients and deep permeable pathways. The discovery uses helium isotope ratios to map zones of higher than average permeability, offering a new tool for identifying geothermal energy resources.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateNov 29, 2007

Hotspots found for chromosome gene swapping

Researchers have found that double-strand DNA breaks occur more frequently in specific regions near telomeres and centromeres, increasing the likelihood of chromosome gene swapping. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of developmental chromosome abnormalities and birth defects.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 29, 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.

Club drugs inflict damage similar to traumatic brain injury

Research by University of Florida scientists found that using club drugs triggers a similar chemical chain reaction in the brain as a traumatic brain injury, resulting in cell death and memory loss. The study suggests that methamphetamine use can cause irreversible brain damage.

SourceUniversity of Florida·DateNov 29, 2007

Recipe for a storm: The ingredients for more powerful Atlantic hurricanes

University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have found that a basin-wide circulation pattern drives Atlantic hurricane activity. The study reveals that Atlantic hurricanes will be more sensitive to climate changes than storms in other ocean basins, with warmer oceans indicating ideal conditions for development. Understanding this relati...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateNov 29, 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.

New developments in biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer

Researchers have made significant progress in identifying new biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer, which can aid in early detection and improve treatment outcomes. The study highlights the potential of these biomarkers as therapeutic and imaging targets.

SourceIOS Press·JournalDisease Markers·DateNov 29, 2007

Pennsylvania Hospital surgeon receives grant to develop molecular cardiac surgery

Dr. Bridges' group successfully demonstrates marker genes can be efficiently inserted into heart muscle cells in large animals using a novel surgical procedure and specially designed hardware. The approach has the potential to develop new treatments for various heart muscle diseases causing heart failure, with preliminary success showi...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateNov 29, 2007

Vascular biologists make a significant discovery in neurobiology

Researchers discovered JAM-C plays a critical role in maintaining peripheral nerve integrity and function. The molecule was found to be defective in nerves from patients with specific disorders, suggesting potential causes and a platform for further research.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalScience·DateNov 29, 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.

Racial and ethnic differences in the biology of breast cancer tumors

A recent study found racial discrepancies in breast cancer tumor gene profiles, suggesting inflammation plays a stronger role in development and progression in African-American women. African-American breast cancer patients tend to have a greater prevalence of an aggressive form of cancer less likely to respond to hormone therapy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateNov 29, 2007

MRE could provide a definitive diagnosis for people with muscle pain, Mayo Clinic study shows

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new imaging technology called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) that can provide images of affected muscles with greater clarity than traditional MRI. This technology measures tissue elasticity and can detect abnormal hardening of tissues, which is a hallmark of myofascial pain syndrome.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateNov 29, 2007

Youngest solar systems detected by U-M astronomers

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found two young stars with gaps in their protoplanetary disks, suggesting infant planets cleared debris. The study provides new insights into solar system formation and history.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 29, 2007