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Science News Archive October 2007


Page 4 of 21

Demand for Spanish-language cancer Web materials quadruples

Demand for Spanish-language cancer web materials has quadrupled, with OncoLink en español seeing a significant increase in unique visitors. However, limited internet access and different search patterns among Spanish-speaking users highlight the need for tailored content to meet their needs.

The lively little girl is a miracle for everyone

A team of doctors at the University of Bonn performed the first-ever prenatal surgery to treat premature rupture of the fetal membrane. The operation successfully stimulated lung growth in Miriam, who was born after five days with almost doubled lung volume. Her case will be published in Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy on October 29th.

Who counts? -- A test of our humanity

The WHO Counts? Series exposes the scandal of invisibility, where millions are born and die without record. The Lancet's editor Dr Richard Horton calls for robust national statistics systems, strong government ministries, and civil society pressure to act.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Interim measures to obtain vital data for developing countries

Innovative strategies fill information gaps in countries with inaccurate civil registration systems, complemented by census and survey data for a state-of-the-art health information system. International agencies should support coordinated data collection and sharing activities.

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.

PET scans track small tumors after stereotactic body radiotherapy

Researchers found that PET scans at 3 months post-treatment can evaluate tumor response earlier and more accurately than current methods. Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be as effective as surgery in treating small tumors, but early detection is crucial to prevent treatment delays.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Cancer patients not getting live-saving flu and pneumonia shots

A study found that nearly a quarter of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy are not getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia, posing a significant risk to their health. Oncologists can play a key role in informing patients about recommended vaccines during regular interactions.

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.

NIST demos industrial-grade nanowire device fabrication

Researchers at NIST have developed a method to selectively grow nanowires on sapphire wafers, allowing for the creation of transistors and other circuit elements with high accuracy. This technique has the potential to enable industrial-scale production of nanowire-based devices.

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.

Obesity-related hormone is higher in children with Down syndrome

A study found that children with Down syndrome have significantly higher body mass index and percentage of body fat compared to their siblings. Leptin levels also correlate with these differences, suggesting a genetic predisposition to leptin resistance in individuals with Down syndrome.

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.

World's hottest chile pepper discovered

Researchers have identified Bhut Jolokia as the world's hottest chile pepper, boasting an impressive 1 million Scoville heat units. This variant of chile pepper from Assam, India, outperforms the previous record holder, Red Savina, with its intense heat concentration.

Dealing with stress as a treatment for alcohol abuse

Researchers at the University at Buffalo are investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in treating alcohol dependence. The four-year study aims to develop an increased ability to cope with stress and enhance psychological well-being among alcohol-dependent individuals.

UD researchers race ahead with latest spintronics achievement

Researchers at the University of Delaware successfully transport an electron's spin a marathon distance through a silicon wafer, confirming its potential for spintronics. The finding opens doors to cheaper, faster, and lower-power processing and storage of data.

Video shows buckyballs form by 'shrink wrapping'

Buckyballs start as distorted graphite sheets that shed loosely connected threads and chains until they form perfectly spherical shapes. Researchers used electron microscope video and computer simulations to capture the 'shrink-wrapping' process.

The coevolution of parochial altruism and war

SFI researchers Samuel Bowles and Jung-Kyoo Choi suggest that altruistic behavior towards fellow group members may have evolved together with hostility towards outsiders. The study found that the combination of these traits enabled survival, as they promoted group conflict, which in turn contributed to their success.

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.

Cell pathway, disease linked to histone action

Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a key cell-signaling pathway regulating cell growth and patterning in tadpoles. The study found that modification of histone protein H2A influences normal cell pathways and cell growth.

Removal of uterus increases risk of urinary incontinence

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that hysterectomy significantly increases the risk of urinary incontinence, with the highest likelihood noted within five years of the removal of the uterus. Women who had a hysterectomy before menopause or after multiple deliveries were particularly at risk.

Red hair and freckles...

Scientists discovered that at least one percent of Neanderthals in Europe had red hair, a finding based on genetic analysis. This rare trait was linked to the mc1r gene mutation, causing lighter skin and more freckles.

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.

CAST rolls out biofuel commentaries in New Orleans

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has introduced two new commentaries on biofuel byproducts and ethanol production, highlighting the potential risks of invasive pests in dedicated feedstock crops. The commentaries aim to provide a process to quantify and minimize this risk.

Emergence of recombinant forms of HIV: dynamics and scaling

A new model of HIV dynamics accurately predicts the emergence and growth of recombinant forms of the virus in infected individuals. This framework also establishes scaling relationships between the prevalence of these resistant strains and overall infection extent.

Penn State receives mine emergency training grant

Penn State has received a $135,000 Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant to establish a training program for 1,000 miners and 1,120 others. The program will include interactive simulations and training materials to enhance miners' ability to survive mine emergencies.

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.

Attenuation of NASH by stimulation of free fatty acid metabolism

The study found that TCPOBOP stimulation of CAR induced genes involved in fatty acid microsomal omega-oxidation and beta-oxidation pathways, reducing hepatic steatosis. This research offers a potential pharmacologic treatment for NASH by enhancing hepatic fatty acid oxidation.

The largest colonic lipoma to date

A case of a giant submucosal lipoma located in the descending colon is presented, highlighting key findings such as abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum, and change in bowel habits. The study suggests that colonic malignancy should not be ruled out in patients with significant symptoms.

Anti-hypertensive drugs may help prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease

Researchers identified 7 anti-hypertensive drugs that significantly prevent beta-amyloid production, a key mechanism in Alzheimer's disease. These drugs, including Valsartan and Propranolol HCI, showed promise in preventing cognitive deterioration and memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

U-M to lead disaster aftermath research center

The University of Michigan is leading a consortium to study health consequences of disasters, with a focus on rapid response and mitigation. Researchers will recruit healthy adults to study two, four, and 14 months after the disaster.

HIV patients sicker when seeking care than in the past

A new study finds that HIV-infected patients are sicker when starting therapy compared to the past. The delay in diagnosis and treatment is particularly pronounced among injection drug users, women, and certain demographic groups.

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.

Why do autumn leaves bother to turn red?

Researchers found that trees in low-nitrogen soils produce more anthocyanins, which protect the leaves longer and allow for greater nutrient recovery. This study supports a hypothesis suggesting that trees produce red pigments to aid in survival during the winter months.

A new chemotherapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma

A new potential therapeutic target for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma has been identified through a study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Survivin protein expression was found to be elevated in 64.7% of HCC specimens, suggesting its role as a marker for diagnosis and treatment.

Drugstore in the dirt

Researchers have discovered that French clay can kill several types of bacteria, including MRSA and Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes the flesh-eating disease Buruli ulcer. The study, led by Lynda Williams at Arizona State University, used laboratory tests to confirm the antibacterial properties of the clay.

New study shows that therapeutic gene expression can be sustainable for 1 year

Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel gene delivery system that can sustain therapeutic expression in the central nervous system for up to 1 year. This innovative approach uses an adenoviral vector called HC-Adv, which is invisible to the immune system and renders previously used vectors ineffective.

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.

Ancient DNA reveals that some Neanderthals were redheads

Scientists found that at least 1% of Neanderthals were likely redheads due to a point mutation in the MC1R gene. The discovery suggests that Neanderthals' pigmentation may be as varied as modern humans', with implications for understanding the evolution of human traits.

Scientists discover possible cosmic defect, remnant from Big Bang

Researchers at University of Cambridge and Institute of Physics of Cantabria propose existence of cosmic defects called textures, predicted by particle physics theories. Textures are defects in vacuum left over from hot early universe, observed as hot and cold spots in cosmic microwave background radiation.

Study reveals lakes a major source of prehistoric methane

A team of scientists identified lakes as a new likely source of prehistoric methane, which could have contributed up to 87% of the early Holocene methane spike. The findings suggest that large releases from lakes may occur again in the future with global warming.

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.

JCI table of contents: Oct. 25, 2007

A study found that valsartan reduces Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in mice by lowering brain beta-amyloid protein levels. A new virotherapeutic also shows promise in treating cancer by selectively targeting cancer cells.

HIV's path out of Africa: Haiti, the US then the world

A new study suggests that HIV/AIDS originated in Africa and traveled to the US through Haiti around 1969. Most US viruses descended from a single common ancestor originating from Haiti. The research used genetic analysis of archived blood samples to pinpoint the virus's entry point, shedding light on its early spread.

'Nervous' birds take more risks

Birds with higher stress levels adopt bolder behaviour than their peers, taking more risks in stressful situations. The 'stressed' birds explored more objects and returned to feeders quickly after being startled.

Mars with ice, shaken, not stirred

Recent high-resolution images from NASA's Mars orbiters show extensive evidence of ice-made features on the planet's surface, including glacial debris and valley deposits. The findings suggest a dynamic history of Martian climate change, with water ice playing a key role in shaping the planet's geology.

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.

Imaging shows structural changes in mild traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that diffusion tensor imaging can identify structural changes in the white matter of the brain, correlating to cognitive deficits even in patients with mild TBI. The study also discovered axonal damage and myelin abnormalities in more severe injuries.

Frog study takes leaf out of nature's book

A new study is working to save the endangered splendid leaf frog by understanding its development and behavior in relation to diet and environment. The researchers are conducting field studies and experiments at Chester Zoo to provide a better idea of the species' nutritional requirements.