Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for October 16, 2007


Study shows some athletic men may risk low bone density

A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that men engaging in predominantly low-impact forms of exercise have an increased incidence of osteopenia, a condition resulting in two times the risk of bone fracture. Regular weight-bearing activities can mitigate this risk and maintain healthy bones.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMetabolism·DateOct 16, 2007

How schizophrenia develops: Major clues discovered

Researchers have identified epigenetic mechanisms involved in schizophrenia, pointing to potential new targets for medications. The GAD1 gene's role in producing the neurotransmitter GABA is also linked to brain development abnormalities.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateOct 16, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ear infection superbug discovered to be resistant to all pediatric antibiotics

A strain of bacteria resistant to all approved pediatric antibiotics has been discovered, according to researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The 19A strain was found in children with persistent ear infections despite antibiotic treatment, highlighting concerns over potential long-term consequences.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateOct 16, 2007

Researchers measure carbon nanotube interaction

Scientists have successfully measured the interaction between a single functional group and a carbon nanotube for the first time. The study found that the interaction strength depends on the electronic structure of the interacting molecule/CNT system, eliminating guesswork in designing new nanocomposite materials and devices.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 16, 2007

Contrast agent trials in swine

Researchers developed a new near-infrared contrast agent that selectively marks hydroxyapatite crystals, allowing for the detection of malignant tissue. The swine trials demonstrated the effectiveness of real-time NIR fluorescence images in image-guided surgery.

SourceWiley·DateOct 16, 2007

The genetics of MLL leukemogenesis

Meis1 is required for maintaining leukemia stem cell properties in MLL leukemia, including self-renewal and differentiation arrest. The study provides new insights into the genetic underpinnings of MLL leukemogenesis.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateOct 16, 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.

Understanding, combating foodborne pathogens E. coli 0157 and salmonella

A team of researchers at Kansas State University is working to understand the ecology of E. coli 0157 and develop practical interventions to combat it in cattle. They are also studying salmonella, which causes bloody diarrhea in feedlot cattle and dairy cattle abortions, with a focus on reducing its prevalence.

SourceKansas State University·DateOct 16, 2007

UF researchers track genetic journey of HIV from birth to death

UF researchers tracked HIV genetic journey from birth to death in four children with HIV, finding the deadly X4 form emerges just before AIDS. The study reveals thymus as key location for viral replication and development of a 'program' of virus evolution over time.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2007

Carnegie Mellon, Pitt Team to study psychosocial stress

A team from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh is studying the effectiveness of a wrist-mounted instrument called eWatch in measuring psychosocial stress exposure. The study will collect data on participants' daily activities, stress levels, and environment to understand how stress affects daily life.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateOct 16, 2007

National study -- kids' bike injuries are major public health concern

A new national study found that bicycle-related injuries among children and adolescents result in nearly $200 million in hospital inpatient charges annually. The study also estimates that approximately 10,700 children are hospitalized annually for a bicycle-related injury, with an average length of stay of three days.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalInjury Prevention·DateOct 16, 2007
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

LA breast cancer activist honored with Survivor Circle Award

Stefanie LaRue, a 30-year-old LA resident, was diagnosed with Stage-4 Advanced/Metastatic Breast Cancer in 2005. She has since devoted her time to educating men and women about diagnosing breast cancer and preventing misdiagnoses in young women under 40.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 16, 2007

Is the spleen able to prohibit tumor cell proliferation?

The spleen's unique anatomical and immunological characteristics may explain why isolated splenic metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is rare. Experimental studies have shown that cancer cells injected into the spleen grow more slowly than those in other organs.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2007

Novel gate dielectric materials: perfection is not enough

Researchers at the London Centre for Nanotechnology discovered that even perfect structure in high-dielectric constant materials can lead to 'self-trapping' of charges, which affects device performance. This new understanding could open the way to suppressing undesirable characteristics in these materials.

SourceUniversity College London·DateOct 16, 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.

Acupuncture reduces pain, need for opioids after surgery

Acupuncture significantly reduces post-surgical pain and opioid use, with lower rates of nausea, itching, dizziness, and urinary retention. The treatment is also inexpensive and has virtually no side effects when performed by trained personnel.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateOct 16, 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.

A new baseline of invasive plants in Isabela

A new baseline of invasive plants has been established in Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, with 261 introduced species recorded, 39 growing wild. The study highlights the impact of invasive plants on native flora and fauna, with five species identified as potentially serious weeds that should be eradicated.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2007

Genetic contributions to human brain morphology and intelligence

Research suggests that genetic factors significantly influence human brain structure and intelligence, particularly in regions involved in attention, language, and visual processing. Heritability estimates range from 70-90% for gray matter volume and 40-69% for the hippocampus.

SourceEuropean College of Neuropsychopharmacology·DateOct 16, 2007

IOM advisory: improving cancer patients' psychosocial care

The Institute of Medicine report outlines an action plan to ensure that cancer patients receive necessary psychosocial health services. Key findings include the need to address psychological and social side effects, increasing patient suffering and treatment adherence.

SourceNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine·DateOct 16, 2007

Argonne National Lab acquires first SiCortex SC5832

The SiCortex SC5832 enables research in astrophysics, climate modeling, and biotechnology at Argonne National Lab due to its unique capabilities and energy efficiency. The system boasts six 64-bit processors and a PCIexpress connection for fast communications.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateOct 16, 2007
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.

Patients may have sweet and effective way to prepare for upper GI endoscopy: an anesthetic lollipop

A study found that administering a lidocaine lollipop reduced the need for sedation in the majority of patients undergoing upper endoscopy, improving patient comfort and reducing potential side effects. The lollipop proved safe and well-tolerated, making it a promising alternative to conventional lidocaine sprays.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateOct 16, 2007

Elderly Medicare, Medicaid patients not receiving quality care

A new UCLA study found that vulnerable elderly patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid received only 65% of recommended tests and treatments, indicating significant room for improvement. The study examined quality of care for common conditions such as depression, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalMedical Care·DateOct 16, 2007

Obesity genetics

Researchers found two genetic SNPs influencing metabolic efficiency in Pima individuals, which helped them survive the Sonora desert's harsh environment. These findings suggest that similar SNPs may contribute to obesity globally.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications·DateOct 16, 2007

Farm kids have lower risk of asthma, study shows

A University of Alberta study found that farm children are less likely to develop asthma compared to those living in non-farm rural or urban environments. The two-year cumulative incidence of asthma was 2.3% among farm kids, significantly lower than other groups.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalRespirology·DateOct 16, 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.

Liver fibrosis will be treated by a potential target

Researchers have identified activin receptor-interacting protein 2 (ARIP2) as a potential target for treating liver fibrosis. The study found that ARIP2 negatively regulates activin signal pathways, which can help prevent collagen type IV production and alleviate liver damage.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2007

Clemson awarded $2M to study radiation-induced bone loss

Researchers at Clemson University will develop an animal model to study bone loss caused by radiation therapy, which could lead to the development of therapies for cancer survivors. The study also examines the effect of space radiation on bone loss for astronauts, a growing concern for future space missions.

SourceClemson University·DateOct 16, 2007

Acid oceans warning

The world's oceans are becoming more acidic, potentially devastating for corals and marine organisms. Corals with chalky skeletons face declining calcification, affecting the marine food web and global oxygen production.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·DateOct 16, 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.

Ecologists discover city is 'uber-forest' for big owls

Researchers found barred owls thriving in Charlotte's urban areas due to open understories and birdfeeders attracting prey. The study suggests that suburban neighborhoods can serve as an 'uber-forest' for owls, contradicting previous assumptions about their habitat needs.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·DateOct 16, 2007

Small-scale fishing in Mexico rivals industrial fisheries in accidental turtle deaths

A small-scale Mexican fishery has been found to kill as many critically endangered loggerhead sea turtles as all of the industrial fishing fleets in the North Pacific Ocean. The research led by University of California, Santa Cruz Ph.D. candidate Hoyt Peckham resulted in a voluntary turnaround in the fleet's fishing practices and the d...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2007

Bouncing bucky balls

Researchers have found that C60 molecules exhibit a wide range of molecular motions on surfaces, including spinning and bouncing. The motion is influenced by temperature and intercage rattling, which governs the friction-related properties of the bucky balls.

SourceWiley·JournalSmall·DateOct 16, 2007

Study shows reducing class size may be more cost-effective than most medical interventions

A study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that reducing class sizes from 22-25 students to 13-17 students in kindergarten through grade 3 nationwide generates more quality-adjusted life-year gains per dollar invested than most medical interventions. This results in significant lifetime revenue ...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateOct 16, 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.

UCSB researchers discover the dawn of animal vision

UCSB researchers have discovered a key milestone in the evolution of animal vision, finding evidence of light-sensitive genes in ancient aquatic animals. The study, published in PLoS ONE, suggests that animal vision emerged around 600 million years ago.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 16, 2007

Does race still play a role in capital punishment sentencing?

A study by Dr. Thomas Brewer found that blacks and whites give mitigation the same level of attention in most capital cases, but black jurors are significantly more open to mitigating evidence when a black defendant is facing killing a white victim.

SourceKent State University·JournalLaw and Human Behavior·DateOct 16, 2007
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.

A low prevalence of H pylori in HIV-positive patients

A study of 151 HIV-positive patients found a low prevalence of H pylori infection compared to HIV-negative patients. The researchers suggest a different mechanism for chronic active gastritis in HIV-positive patients, potentially related to opportunistic infections rather than H pylori.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2007

Getting light to bend backwards

Researchers have created a layered material that causes light to refract in the opposite direction, enabling flat lenses and potentially capturing images of DNA molecules. This technology, developed at NSF-funded research centers, holds promise for various applications such as chemical threat sensors and medical diagnostics.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature Materials·DateOct 16, 2007

Aswan Obelisk Quarry more than meets the eye

Researchers at Penn State suggest a canal existed in the quarry, enabling stone transportation, and propose solutions to prevent water damage. Preservation efforts are crucial to protect the site's unique archaeological record.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 16, 2007
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.

Severely mentally ill at high risk for cardiovascular disease

Patients with severe psychiatric illness lose 25-30 years of life expectancy due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Lifestyle interventions like healthy eating and exercise can be challenging for this population.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJAMA·DateOct 16, 2007

Gold nanorods shed light on new approach to fighting cancer

Scientists have created a method to target and destroy tumor cells by attaching folate to gold nanorods, which then burst through the membrane upon near-infrared light exposure. This triggers a complex biochemical mechanism leading to cell death.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 16, 2007

Insulin's brain impact links drugs and diabetes

Researchers found that insulin levels affect dopamine systems in the brain, which are involved in drug addiction and neuropsychiatric conditions. In diabetic animals, amphetamine-induced dopamine signaling was disrupted, suggesting a link between insulin status and brain function.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 16, 2007