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Science News for October 12, 2007


Nanoengineers mine tiny diamonds for drug delivery

Researchers have developed nanodiamond clusters that efficiently carry and release chemotherapy drugs, sparing healthy cells from toxicity. The material's stability, safety, and high surface area make it a promising alternative to current drug delivery agents.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 12, 2007

In human grid, we're the cogs

Researchers from UC San Diego propose a grid system that utilizes human computation to label images and perform tasks for the benefit of others. The 'Soylent Grid' uses CAPTCHAs to engage humans in the loop, allowing for efficient data labeling and various applications such as assistive technology for visually impaired individuals.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 12, 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.

Study finds that people are programmed to love chocolate

Researchers found that people programmed to love chocolate have a distinct metabolic profile, including low LDL-cholesterol and elevated albumin levels. The study's findings could lead to personalized diets tailored to an individual's metabolic type.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateOct 12, 2007

Portal vein thrombosis is common in extraportal vein obstruction

Patients with non-cirrhotic and nontumoral extrahepatic portal vein obstruction often present with well-tolerated bleeding. Cirrhosis- and tumor-related portal vein thrombosis generally carries a grim prognosis. A large sample size study found that hypercoagulable states are less common in this population.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 12, 2007

COPD rates, higher than expected in China, will continue to grow

A large-scale study in China reveals that COPD prevalence is significantly higher than previously thought, affecting over 8% of the population over 40. The risk factors identified include smoking, particularly among women, and exposure to biomass fuels, highlighting a need for preventative measures and improved diagnosis.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 12, 2007

Heaps of climate gas

A study found that cows produce more methane in soil when pastured on winter grasslands, rather than in cowsheds. This process is triggered by the amount and quality of organic material from their excrement and the compaction of the soil by their weight.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature·DateOct 12, 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.

NJIT to receive $150,000 gift from PSEG

PSEG has donated $150,000 to NJIT's Albert Dorman Honors College to establish a scholarship for freshmen. The scholarship will prioritize students pursuing engineering or STEM fields, promoting skilled workers for companies like PSEG.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·DateOct 12, 2007

'Electromagnetic wormhole' possible with invisibility technology

A team of mathematicians has discovered a way to generate an electromagnetic wormhole using invisibility cloaking technology, allowing for objects to be transported through a tunnel in space. The technology could have potential applications in fields such as endoscopic surgeries and 3D television displays.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 12, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study examines parent-child interactions in at-risk families

A five-year study will investigate patterns of interaction between parents and preschool children to better understand the effects of child maltreatment. The research seeks to identify relationship patterns underlying the severity and type of maltreatment, aiming to inform the development of more effective family therapies.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 12, 2007

International team of scientists warns of climate change's impact on global river flow

A global analysis of climate change's impact on rivers indicates that many will require significant management interventions to protect ecosystems and people. The study projects changes in river discharge under different climate and water withdrawal scenarios, highlighting basins at risk of water stress or increased flood flows.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateOct 12, 2007

Statins reduce loss of function, keeping old lungs young - even in smokers

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that statins reduce the annual loss of lung function in elderly individuals, including those who smoke. The researchers suggest that statins' ability to reduce inflammation and smoking-induced injury in the lungs may be responsible for this effect.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 12, 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.

Even occasional use of spray cleaners may cause asthma in adults

Researchers found that frequent use of household cleaning sprays can raise asthma risk in nonprofessional users, increasing the risk by 30-50% compared to those who rarely or never use such products. Cleaning sprays, especially air fresheners and glass cleaners, had a particularly strong effect.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateOct 12, 2007

First high-res 3D structures of mammalian HSP90 protein solved

Researchers have solved the first high-resolution structure of the mammalian HSP90 protein, GRP94, which is implicated in immune diseases such as sepsis, AIDS, and certain cancers. This breakthrough provides new insights into the function and activity patterns of this protein, paving the way for the design of targeted therapies.

SourceHauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 12, 2007
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.