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Science News Archive November 2007


Page 9 of 19

JCI table of contents: Nov. 15, 2007

Researchers identified a mechanism that represses dendritic cell function in melanoma, which could be targeted for treatment. A new approach to treating myotonia in individuals with DM1 was also discovered using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide.

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.

Granger wins Schmidt-Nielsen Mentor/Scientist Award

Granger received the award for his research on preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disease affecting nearly 5-7 percent of U.S. pregnancies. He has also improved graduate education at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Genome comparison of 12 fruit fly species

Researchers have completed the genomes of ten new fruit fly species, providing a comprehensive understanding of their evolution over 60 million years. The study also identified 1193 new genes and 414 corrected previously catalogued genes across the twelve closely related species.

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.

UW launches cutting-edge DNA 'fin-printing' project for salmon

The University of Washington's new DNA fin-printing project aims to create open-access databases for Pacific salmon populations, helping managers and scientists understand their ocean migration. By employing genetic markers, researchers can distinguish between individual fish and track population movements, informing conservation effor...

Researchers reverse key symptom of muscular dystrophy

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have identified a synthetic RNA-based molecule that eliminates myotonia, a symptom of muscular dystrophy, in mice. The study restored normal muscle function by re-establishing a critical cellular mechanism that controls electrical activity in muscles.

Environment plays key role in children's readiness for school

A new study found that environmental factors, such as family resources and parent-child interactions, have a significant impact on children's school readiness. Genetic factors also play a role, but the environment is the most important factor overall.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Optic flow: A step in the right direction

Brown University researchers found that subjects who had access to optic flow adapted faster and made it to virtual targets more easily than those without. The study suggests that optic flow plays a crucial role in navigating through environments.

Understanding the placenta likely key to preventing stillbirth

Researchers argue that improved understanding of placental function and dysfunction can lead to novel screening tests. These tests could identify high-risk pregnancies and prevent devastating events like stillbirth. Despite the prevalence of stillbirths, research in this area is underfunded.

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.

People can put a price tag on economic justice, economists say

A mathematical model measures the value people place on distributive justice, revealing a willingness to sacrifice 20% of disposable income. The study also found that education and race significantly impact the value placed on equity, with educated whites placing the highest value.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Brown to create most comprehensive long-term care database

The Brown University team will collect data on nursing homes across the US to analyze state policies and their impact on long-term care. The goal is to develop sound state policies based on real data to ensure elderly Americans receive high-quality, cost-effective care.

New European loess map

The new European loess map provides a comprehensive overview of fertile soils in Europe, covering around one-fifth of the continent. The map, created using modern digital information systems, links coordinates and factual information, offering valuable insights for agriculture, soil erosion, and climate history.

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.

WHO'S Web-based public hearings: hijacked by pharmaceutical industry?

The pharmaceutical industry has hijacked WHO's web-based public hearings to promote its own interests in research and development for neglected diseases and access to medicines. Patient advocacy groups have been found to receive funding from pharmaceutical companies, compromising their credibility.

ClC-1 helps mice get a move on

Researchers developed a morpholino antisense oligonucleotide to correct the abnormal inclusion of exon 7a in ClC-1 mRNA, restoring chloride channel function and eliminating myotonia in mice with DM1. This approach may potentially treat myotonia in individuals with DM1.

How 'IAP antagonist' chemicals kill tumors

New compounds that target Inhibitor-of-Apoptosis (IAP) proteins have been shown to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. The IAP antagonists block the anti-death proteins and engage other players that lead to cell death, with little effect on healthy cells.

Girls will be girls longer when home life is stable

Researchers found that girls living in families with supportive parents and lower levels of stress are more likely to delay their onset of puberty. These findings support a life history model that suggests children's early experiences affect how they mature, including when they reach puberty.

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.

Pilot program helps boost seniors' activity levels, quality of life

Researchers tested a pilot program to change older adults' beliefs about aging, resulting in increased physical activity and improved mental health-related quality of life. The program, which combined attribution retraining with weekly exercise classes, showed significant increases in walking levels and age-expectation survey scores.

Fetal heart rate yields clues to children's later development

A new study found that fetal heart rate patterns before birth can predict children's mental, motor, and language abilities through toddler years. Greater variation in fetal heart rate was associated with better performance on standardized developmental exams and more proficient language skills.

Forests damaged by Hurricane Katrina become major carbon source

A NASA study found that Hurricane Katrina killed or severely damaged 320 million trees in Gulf Coast forests, weakening their ability to store carbon from the atmosphere. This has led to these forests releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, potentially amplifying climate warming.

Two-faced miniatures

Researchers at MIT develop a new method to produce tiny particles with defined size and shape featuring regular patterns in two or three dimensions. The team creates Janus particles, microparticles with two chemically different hemispheres, using stop-flow interference lithography.

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.

Forests damaged by Katrina may contribute to global warming

Hurricane Katrina's impact on Gulf Coast forests can cancel out a year's worth of new tree growth in other parts of the country. The study found that 320 million trees were killed or severely damaged, releasing significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

JDRF and Lilly partner to fund research to identify beta cell biomarkers

The JDRF-Lilly project will support cutting-edge research on biomarkers for pancreatic beta cell mass and function, which could indicate the presence of type 1 diabetes. Biomarkers would be a powerful research tool in indicating disease progression and predicting patient responses to treatments.

Schizophrenics more likely to suffer from ruptured appendix

A study published in BMC Public Health found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to develop a ruptured appendix, with a 46.7% rate compared to 25.1% of the general population. The research highlights disparities in healthcare provision for mental illness and physical disease.

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.

Local bars, not liquor stores, associated with heavy drinking

A new study finds that adults-only bars and nightclubs are associated with high rates of binge drinking and excessive alcohol consumption. The research suggests that regulating these establishments may be more effective than limiting total alcohol licenses.

'Fingerprints' help find genes involved in differentiation

Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine created a database of molecular profiles for blood cells, identifying unique 'lineage fingerprints' that mark different cell types. They found two genes that, when overexpressed, drove the differentiation of specific blood cells.

Researchers push transmission rate of copper cables

Researchers at Penn State successfully transmitted data at a rate of 100 gigabits per second over 100 meters using Category-7 copper cables. This breakthrough offers a less expensive and easier-to-build solution for high-speed data transfer, paving the way for future advancements in chip circuitry.

Scientists zero in on the cellular machinery that enables neurons to fire

Researchers discover paddle, a modular unit in ion channels, enabling nerve cells to fire. The findings hold promise for developing new therapeutic drugs targeting ion channel function., Ion channel proteins control electrical activity in nerve cells, and the study's results may lead to new approaches for treating neurological disorder...

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.

Brain implant turn thoughts to words

Neuroscientists are developing software that may turn thoughts into speech for patients like Eric Ramsey, who was left 'locked-in' after a car accident. By analyzing signals from his brain activity, the team has identified distinct patterns associated with vowel sounds, allowing them to correctly identify around 80% of the time.

Forteo's bone-building power shown in arthritis patients

A new study found that Forteo significantly increased bone density measurements, particularly in the lumbar spine and hip, compared to Fosamax. The findings suggest Forteo may be a valuable treatment option for secondary osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoid use.

Nicotine addiction slashed in test of new cigarette smoking strategy

Scientists report a breakthrough strategy to reduce smokers' nicotine dependence while allowing them to continue smoking. By gradually decreasing nicotine content in cigarettes, most smokers cut their daily cigarette consumption by 40% and experienced comparable reductions in nicotine intake.

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.

What's in a name? Initials linked to success, study shows

A study found that liking one's own name can sabotage success for people whose initials match negative performance labels. Researchers analyzed Major League Baseball players' performance and found batters with names starting with 'K' struck out more often. Similarly, in academia, students with initials 'C' or 'D' earned lower GPAs.

Effects of social isolation traced to brain hormone

Altered levels of an enzyme controlling brain hormone production linked to social isolation-induced anxiety and aggression in mice. The study suggests a potential mechanism for the psychological effects of social isolation, which could lead to the development of new treatments.

Predicting the future in ovarian cancer

Researchers identified kisspeptin and GPR54 as independent prognostic biomarkers specific for ovarian clear cell carcinoma. These molecular markers are associated with a favourable prognosis and could potentially be used to monitor disease activity or as therapeutic agents in women with this subtype of ovarian cancer.

CGD ranks CO2 emissions from power plants worldwide

The CARMA database provides detailed information on power plant emissions, ranking companies by their carbon footprint. The US is the largest emitter, with Southern Co. leading the way, and Australians are among the highest per capita emitters.

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.

Left brain helps hear through the noise

Researchers used neuroimaging to study how the brain processes sounds in noisy environments, finding that the left hemisphere plays a key role. The study revealed that the brain's left hemisphere is responsible for distinguishing between signals and noise, enabling us to focus on specific sounds amidst competing noises.

Fire, ice, and invasion

Researchers in paleoecology study fossilized remains and soil cores to reconstruct past ecosystems. The Amazon's pre-Columbian history reveals both human impact and resilience, while Arctic lake sediments indicate recent climate change.

Menstruation proves more than a curse

Researchers discovered a novel type of stem cell in menstrual blood that can rapidly replicate and develop into various cell types, including heart, liver, and lung cells. This breakthrough could lead to innovative treatments for damaged tissues and diseases such as diabetes and liver failure.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Lessons from Turkey's bird flu outbreak

A recent study on Turkey's 2006 bird flu outbreak emphasizes the need for well-coordinated emergency response plans and clear responsibilities among healthcare workers. The research found that poor access to healthcare and poverty contributed significantly to the spread of the virus.

A dose of God may help medicine

A new study by Brandeis University researchers finds that many pediatric oncologists lack the necessary training to build bridges with families of critically ill children through religion and spirituality. The study suggests that providing this type of training could improve patient outcomes.