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Science News Archive September 2007


Page 12 of 18

Putting stem cell research on the fast track

Researchers created methods to study millions of stem cells on devices the size of a microscope slide, enabling thousands of individual stem cell experiments to be carried out quickly. A platform was also developed to understand how different genes impact stem cell function or development, allowing for rapid screening of genetic sequen...

Improving the health of 2 billion in energy poverty

A lack of access to clean energy causes 1.6 million premature deaths worldwide from household fuels annually, and 0.8 million from air pollution in cities. Improving energy access through renewable resources has the potential for major health dividends.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nicotine may accelerate atherosclerosis, may be as dangerous as tar

A Weill Cornell study finds that nicotine in cigarettes accelerates atherosclerosis, even at low levels, by activating the sympathetic nervous system and increasing heart rate. Mice exposed to low-nicotine cigarettes showed smaller atherosclerotic lesions than those exposed to regular cigarettes.

Can consumers be confused into buying? Yes -- and more easily than you think

Researchers found that disrupting consumers with confusing sales pitches can increase sales by restating in a familiar way, boosting student interest groups and tuition increases. The 'disrupt-then-reframe' technique exploits the need for cognitive closure, making susceptible consumers more likely to freeze their judgments.

Unique role for blood formation gene identified

A new study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers has identified a crucial pathway for blood stem cell turnover, which could lead to novel strategies for treating rare and aggressive infant leukemia. The research reveals that the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene plays an essential role in maintaining adult blood cells.

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.

Scientists discover how to isolate stem cells in womb tissue

Researchers in Australia identify two markers to isolate mesenchymal stem-like cells from endometrial tissue, which can differentiate into various cell types and repair prolapsed pelvic floors. The study opens up possibilities for using these stem cells for pelvic floor prolapse surgery and other gynaecological applications.

Hispanics' hypertension better controlled with equal access to care

Studies have shown that hypertension awareness, treatment, and control are lower among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics. However, a recent study found that Hispanic men and women responded as well or better than non-Hispanics when treated aggressively with medication. At four years, blood pressure was controlled in 72% of Hispanic w...

Shrinkage of prostate led to overestimation of cancer risk in trial

Researchers reanalyzed data from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, finding that prostate shrinkage may be responsible for the excess prevalence of high-grade cancer in the drug-treated group. Adjusting for changes in gland size due to finasteride use eliminated all excess high-grade tumors.

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.

Preventing or reducing enlarged heart decreases risk of heart failure

A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that preventing or reducing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) decreases the risk of heart failure in high-blood-pressure patients. The study, led by Dr. Peter Okin, demonstrated a significant reduction in heart failure risk among patients with reduced LVH levels.

Herr receives Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy and Employment

Prof. Hugh Herr's groundbreaking work in biomechatronics has led to the development of new prosthetic innovations that enhance mobility and quality of life for thousands of people with physical challenges. His research focuses on human amplification and rehabilitation systems, enabling leg amputees to walk faster and more stably.

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.

A step toward tissue-engineered heart structures for children

Children’s Hospital Boston researchers have developed a solution to the repeat operations faced by infants and children receiving artificial heart-valve replacements. They created living, growing valves using tissue engineering techniques, which provide one-way blood flow from the heart’s right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.

Corals added to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for first time

Three species of Galapagos corals and 74 seaweeds were listed as threatened or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to climate change and over-fishing. The study highlighted the urgent need for marine conservation practice to address these environmental pressures.

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.

Study by Pittsburgh researchers identifies possible vaccine target for chlamydia

Scientists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have identified a plasmid-deficient strain of Chlamydia that fails to cause disease in animal models. This finding represents a major step forward in developing a vaccine against chlamydial disease, with potential to protect against damage to reproductive organs and infertility.

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.

Hospital bugs get from bottom to bedrail

Research finds that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria can contaminate hospital surfaces and patient hands through stool samples, increasing the risk of infections. The study also reveals a significant link between intestinal colonization and S. aureus skin presence in hospitalized patients.

New class of RNA molecules may be important in human cancer

Research reveals ultraconserved non-coding RNAs may play a role in cancer development and could help diagnose the disease, determine prognosis, and even guide treatment. The study found specific activity patterns for these molecules in different types of cancer, suggesting they might serve as genetic markers.

RAND researchers offer options to improve immigrant health care quality, access

The article suggests several policy options to address immigrants' limited access to health care, including expanding health insurance programs and improving language barriers. Researchers emphasize the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities to ensure better health outcomes for this growing segment of the U.S. population.

MIT: Leveraging learning for artificial respiration

Researchers at MIT have found that the body's innate ability to adapt to recurring stimuli can be leveraged to design more effective and less costly artificial respirators. By taking into account a patient's natural breathing rhythm, doctors may be able to minimize the need for induced sedation or paralysis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

WFU professor designs atomic emission detector

A team of researchers, led by Wake Forest University Professor Brad Jones, has developed a handheld device that can detect and identify radioactive particles. The device uses an atomic emission spectrometer to analyze environmental samples, providing rapid field testing capabilities.

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.

Higher education is associated with lower cancer death rate

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that higher education levels are associated with decreased cancer mortality rates among black and white men and women. The difference in mortality was greatest between those with 12 or fewer years of education and those with more than 12 years. This association is ...

Who's afraid of the big, bad wolf? Coyotes

A study found coyote densities are significantly lower in areas with wolves, indicating competition for resources. However, coyotes can survive by living in packs, reducing their vulnerability to wolves.

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.

Biological invasions can begin with just 1 insect

A study by York University biologists Amro Zayed and Laurence Packer found that a single mated female solitary bee is likely the founder of an invasive population. This contradicts the 'propagule pressure hypothesis,' which suggests that more individuals introduced to an area lead to a higher success rate of invasion.

Soft drinks alone do not affect children's weight

A recent study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found no evidence that soft drinks alone contribute to children's weight gain. Instead, researchers discovered that overweight children consumed more food overall and had a greater tendency towards savory rather than sweet foods.

Shape encoding may start in the retina

Researchers found evidence that the two sides of the retina interact to enhance shape recognition, coordinating their responses with unexpected temporal precision. This study challenges the traditional view that communication between brain hemispheres is necessary for shape recognition.

Welch Foundation gives $1.6 million for drug discovery research

The John S. Dunn Gulf Coast Consortium for Chemical Genomics will establish a computational chemistry research program to predict molecular properties, design molecules, and discover small molecules affecting protein-protein interactions. The grant aims to improve computing methods and synthetic techniques for drug discovery.

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.

Penn State supplies NASA to the Schools

Penn State has taken over NASA's Aerospace Education Services Program, shifting its focus from one-time school visits to university-based summer courses. The program aims to make science come alive in students and teachers across the nation, using innovative technologies like GeoWall.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Aspartame is safe, study says

A comprehensive review of over 500 studies on aspartame found no evidence of cancer, neurological damage, or other adverse effects. The study suggests that aspartame is safe at current levels of consumption and may even aid in weight control and sugar-free diets.

China's eye on the Internet

Researchers at UC Davis developed ConceptDoppler, a tool that clusters words by meaning and identifies keywords likely to be blacklisted in China's censorship system. The study found that keyword filtering encourages self-censorship due to the perception of surveillance, allowing users to avoid blocked topics.

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.

A POX on syn

The POX method produces high-temperature and pressure synthesis gas, enabling ten times more power generation and lower exergy losses compared to conventional methods. This process can drive a gas turbine for power generation and is more compact than existing steam turbine systems.

Parental surveys boost diagnosis abilities of pediatricians

A simple questionnaire from the University of Oregon has increased referrals of mild developmental delays in year-old and 2-year-old children. The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) showed a significant improvement in pediatrician diagnosis, with 44 additional patients eligible for monitoring.

Study links education to risk of cancer death

A new American Cancer Society study reveals that having at least some education beyond high school is associated with a decreased risk of cancer death. The study found stronger associations between higher education levels and lower cancer mortality among black men, white men, and white women.

Cluster and double star uncover more on bright aurorae

Scientists have found a third type of substorm onset using data from ESA's Cluster satellites and CNSA's Double Star mission. This discovery challenges existing theories about magnetic substorms and their effects on the aurora and GPS signals.

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.

Other highlights in the September 11 JNCI

A third of prostate biopsies detected cancer, with the risk increasing with each subsequent biopsy. Gene variants influencing innate immunity also linked to improved or poorer lung cancer survival in white patients. Brain tumor stem cells susceptible to a cancer-killing virus, offering new treatment hope.

Rhythmic breathing adapts to external beat through 'brain calculus'

Researchers found that nonassociative learning enables rats and mice to adapt to artificial rhythms in mechanical ventilation, reducing the need for sedation. Brain calculus involves mathematical calculations to process and filter information, allowing vital functions to learn and adapt.

Finasteride unlikely to induce high grade prostate cancers

Two studies found that finasteride reduces prostate cancer incidence, but increases detection of high-grade cancers. Analysis suggests increased detection rather than development of high-grade cancers. The findings have favorable implications for the clinical impact of finasteride.

Brain network related to intelligence identified

A distinct neurobiology of human intelligence has been identified through a review of brain imaging studies. The Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory suggests that the frontal and parietal lobes are key areas involved in intelligent information processing, with some overlap with attention, memory, and language functions.

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.