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Science News Archive November 2007


Page 5 of 19

Nanotech's health, environment impacts worry scientists

Scientists are uncertain about nanotechnology's health and environmental implications, with concerns about pollution, new health problems, and job losses outweighing benefits. The disconnect between scientific understanding and public perception hinders informed discussion and policy.

Cryoablation continues to show good results for kidney cancer patients

A review of 62 Mayo Clinic patients who underwent cryoablation to treat cancerous kidney tumors found that all patients remained cancer-free for up to two and a half years after the procedure. The treatment's effectiveness was demonstrated by the successful elimination of 89 out of 91 tumors in a single treatment session.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Close to the Sky: Biological Heritage in the ALMA Area'

A new book on fauna and flora in the ALMA region has been published, showcasing unique observations of local species and key initiatives to protect them. The book is a valuable educational resource for students and teachers in northern Chile.

Bear hunting altered genetics more than Ice Age isolation

A recent study published in Molecular Ecology reveals that the genetic distribution of brown bears was not solely determined by Ice Age isolation. Instead, human hunting and land use have had a significant impact on their genetics, allowing them to survive and thrive in central Europe during the coldest periods. This new understanding ...

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.

Environmental monitoring goes high-tech in Switzerland

The Swiss Experiment brings together experts to tackle climate change, natural hazards, and sustainable resource use with innovative data collection and analysis. The project aims to improve models predicting floods, avalanches, and landslides, while documenting environmental degradation and change.

Dunes, climate models don't match up with paleomagnetic records

Researchers challenge the prevailing view that the Colorado Plateau shifted north during the Jurassic Period, citing evidence from ancient dunes and climate modeling. The findings indicate the area remained at the equator, sparking a new conundrum in the scientific community.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists melt million-year-old ice in search of ancient microbes

Researchers have successfully thawed ice from Lake Vostok, an ancient lake beneath Antarctica, in search of microorganisms that may hold secrets to surviving in extreme environments. The team aims to gain insights into how these tiny organisms adapted to live in darkness and isolation.

Rebuilding the evolutionary history of HIV-1 unravels a complex loop

Researchers have developed a new method to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the HIV-1 V3 loop, revealing biologically dependent amino acids that form 'co-evolving' ties across the protein. This study advances understanding of HIV-1 evolution and identifies potential targets for future research.

Money motivates -- especially when your colleague gets less

A brain scanning experiment found that when colleagues earn less, participants show stronger activation in the brain's reward centre. Traditional economic theory suggests that only absolute size of rewards matters, but this study reveals relative earnings play a major role in motivation.

Self-sabotage

A study by Dr. Jason Plaks and Kristin Stecher found that individuals with a fixed view of their abilities become anxious and disoriented upon achieving dramatic success, leading to poor performance, whereas those with a malleable view perform better under similar circumstances.

Environmental toxins limit daughters' fertility, study suggests

A study by researchers at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute found that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prior to pregnancy can reduce the number of eggs in a woman's ovaries, potentially limiting fertility. The compounds are widespread pollutants found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and charred foods.

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.

Ozone key to link between heat and increased cardiovascular death risk

Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that high temperatures increase the risk of cardiovascular death from heart disease or stroke. Ozone levels are a common link between temperature fluctuations, with higher ozone levels associated with increased cardiovascular mortality.

Doctors and patients poorly informed about herpes

A survey found that doctors and patients with herpes have poor understanding of the infection, including its transmission and treatment. Doctors overestimated the emotional impact and underestimated viral shedding risks.

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.

Media diplomacy: What role for transnational news?

Transnational English language TV channels are being used to project nation-states' voices and policies in the global Anglosphere. These channels also aim to reach diasporic audiences and provide tools for development, challenging traditional notions of foreign policy and development goals.

'Cooper pairs' can be found in insulators as well superconductors

Researchers at Brown University have made a groundbreaking discovery, finding Cooper pairs in both superconductors and insulators. The team's findings suggest that Cooper pairs behave differently in each material, with some forming solo pairs in insulators that cannot make continuous electric current.

MIT: Prenatal arsenic exposure detected in newborns

A new study by MIT researchers has found that children of mothers with contaminated water supplies during pregnancy exhibit gene expression changes associated with cancer and other diseases. The team developed a reliable test using 11 genes, offering an alternative to routine blood tests.

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.

Cardiff University engineers give industry a moth's eye view

Scientists at Cardiff University developed an industrial lens with nanoscopic structures to capture more light in low-light environments. The lens has potential uses in optoelectronics, photovoltaics, fibre optics, sensors, and medical diagnostic devices.

Australia's health at crossroads

The Australian health system is facing significant challenges, including inadequate funding and poor access to care for Indigenous populations. The Editorial argues that a substantial reform program is needed to achieve better health outcomes for all, building on Labor's vision for New Directions in Australian Health.

Older filters, fresher water

Researchers found that older sand filters with established biofilms effectively remove geosmin and MIB, reducing the earthy taste in tap water. The study suggests using biologically active sand filters can improve water purification, making water safer for consumption.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Calling for research into deafness

Research funding into deafness in the UK is only a fraction of the estimated £13.5 billion in productivity losses due to hearing impairment. The Lancet Editorial highlights the need for further interventions to prevent or reverse hearing damage and improve quality of life for those affected.

Repeating genes

Scientists at the Weizmann Institute have proposed a mechanism that explains the precision of trinucleotide repeat diseases like Huntington's. They suggest that the genes carrying the disease code accumulate more DNA repeats over time until a critical threshold is crossed.

Internet users give up privacy in exchange for trust

A recent study by the Economic and Social Research Council found that internet users are willing to sacrifice their privacy if they trust the organization requesting personal information. The research revealed that even people who declare themselves unconcerned about privacy will oppose ID cards if the request process feels invasive.

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.

Bees are the new silkworms

Researchers discovered the essential design features of coiled coil silks in bees, ants, and wasps, which are produced by larvae using different methods. The unique protein structure produces a lightweight yet tough silk, likely contributing to the social insects' evolutionary success.

Flip-flopping gene expression can be advantageous

Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that certain genes can switch between two phenotypes spontaneously, allowing cells to adapt to changing conditions. This phenomenon, known as epigenetic multistability, can be beneficial for gene expression and is crucial for understanding genetic inheritance.

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.

Lung transplants bring more harm than good to children with cystic fibrosis

Researchers at the University of Utah Health found that lung transplantation rarely extends children's survival and can even increase their risk of dying. The study analyzed data from 514 patients with cystic fibrosis and found that only one patient showed a clear benefit from transplantation, while others were at a higher risk of death.

Babies prefer good Samaritans

Babies as young as six months old showed a preference for individuals who help others, while hindering was met with disdain. This early ability to evaluate people suggests that assessing interactions is central to processing the social world.

Scientists unravel plants' natural defenses

Researchers uncover the mechanism of photoprotection in plants, enabling them to convert excess light energy into harmless heat. This discovery could lead to more resilient crops and improved solar energy technology.

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.

Why you remember names and ski slopes

Kalirin-7, a critical brain protein, is linked to learning and memory. It enhances synaptic spines in the brain, leading to better communication between neurons.

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen level can reflect adrenal adenoma

Researchers reported a rare case of an adrenal adenoma producing carcinoembryonic antigen, highlighting the importance of serum CEA levels in diagnosis. Laparoscopic adrenectomy was successfully performed using combined lateral and anterior transperitoneal approach.

Ripening secrets of the vine revealed

Two studies published in BMC Genomics have identified over 1,400 genes involved in grape ripening and revealed the first biochemical evidence of reactive oxygen species accumulation during color transition. The findings provide a powerful new resource for understanding fruit ripening control in non-climacteric plants.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Bioclocks work by controlling chromosome coiling

Researchers found that biological clocks influence gene activity by controlling chromosome coiling in cyanobacteria, suggesting a universal theme for higher organisms. The study provides direct evidence of the regulatory mechanism, which could explain why some genes are active during the day and night.

Mars' molten past

Researchers found that Mars' surface remained molten for 100 million years, implying a thick atmosphere to insulate the planet and slow cooling. This persistence is surprisingly long, with implications for the planet's early history.

Cigarette smoke, alcohol damage hearts worse as combo

Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that mice exposed to cigarette smoke and fed a liquid diet containing ethanol had a 4.7-fold increase in artery lesions, compared to those breathing filtered air and eating a normal solid diet.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Carnivores in recent study help Bergmann's rule reach the 21st century

A new study in journal Ecography analyzes Bergmann's rule in European carnivore mammals, partitioning body mass variation into historical and ecological components. The findings show that patterns can be better explained by recent and independent evolution of each species as a response to environmental conditions.

Mapping the selective brain

Researchers have identified a brain region, the left supramarginal gyrus, that selectively amplifies behaviorally significant speech sounds. This area is involved in categorical perception, which is crucial for recognizing distinct patterns in sensory input.

Penn's Abramson Cancer Center part of major phase III study for myeloma

Researchers found unprecedented survival for patients with multiple myeloma when treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone, achieving a median survival of nearly three years. The study shows promise for early treatment and has changed official guidelines to add REVLIMID as an initial treatment.

SARS: a model disease

A new predictive model of disease spread has been developed using actual travel and census data from over 3,000 urban areas in 220 countries. The model provides predictions of outbreak likelihood and potential spread, with simulations that fit the actual SARS virus pattern in 2002.

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.

Found in translation: Prioritizing research questions in breast cancer

A team of experts prioritized key issues in breast cancer research, including molecular signatures to spare chemotherapy and optimal chemotherapy regimens. The study aims to focus translational research resources on these critical areas, ensuring better patient management and treatment outcomes.

Oral drug sets a new survival standard for bone marrow cancer

Findings from two large clinical trials demonstrate significant improvement in patients with multiple myeloma who received Revlimid, an oral cancer drug, compared to those receiving a placebo. The study showed improved median survival and response rates, offering new hope for patients with this challenging disease.

Growing tiny carbon nanotube wires to connect computer chips of the future

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed a new method for growing controllable densities of interconnect type multiwall nanotubes with high proportions of Y-junction and multiple junction nanotubes. This breakthrough enables fine-tuning of junction structures through control of initial conditions and processing parameters.

Pregnant women pass on the effects of smoking

A new study published in JCI Journals reveals that smoking before pregnancy or while breast-feeding may decrease the fertility of female offspring by reducing resting and early growing follicles. The effects are mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), which upregulates expression of the Harakiri gene, leading to cell death.

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.