Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 21, 2008


Mutation in human gene helps protect against fatal malaria

A study by researchers at the University of Toronto found that individuals with a specific enzyme deficiency may be protected from severe and fatal malaria. The enzyme pyruvate kinase plays a crucial role in energy production and its deficiency is linked to protection against malaria infection.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 21, 2008

Powerful antenna attached to NASA's GLAST satellite

The powerful Ku Band antenna system attached to NASA's GLAST satellite enables high-rate data transmission to Earth through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. The antenna system includes a Ku antenna, pointing mechanism, and transmitters, and will play a crucial role in the observatory's scientific experiments.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 21, 2008

Arctic ice more vulnerable to sunny weather, new study shows

A new study by NCAR and CSU finds that unusually sunny weather contributed to last summer's record loss of Arctic sea ice. The research suggests that warmth from the Sun will increasingly affect Arctic sea ice loss in the summer.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 21, 2008

High eBay shipping costs: When do surcharges affect the purchase price?

Research by Amar Cheema found that consumers scrutinize additional fees more closely when buying from low-reputation sellers, leading to decreased willingness to pay. Sellers with poor reputations benefit from offering consolidated prices to attract suspicious buyers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 21, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vitamin D in brain function

Scientists at Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland conclude that vitamin D plays an important role in brain development and function. While the exact effects on behavior remain unclear, evidence suggests a beneficial role for vitamin D in protecting against autoimmune diseases and some forms of cancer.

SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 21, 2008

Pathogen virulence proteins suppress plant immunity

A study by VBI Professor Brett Tyler and colleagues reveals that the Avr1b virulence protein in Phytophthora sojae suppresses programmed cell death in plants, disabling their immune systems. This finding has significant implications for understanding plant-pathogen interactions and developing effective disease management strategies.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Chemotherapy causes delayed severe neural damage

Researchers found that a single chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil, can cause delayed degeneration in the central nervous system of mice, leading to extensive myelin pathology. This damage is not self-repairing and worsens over time.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Biology·DateApr 21, 2008

Most lethal melanomas are on scalp and neck

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have discovered that people with melanoma on their scalp or neck are more likely to die from the disease. The analysis of 51,704 melanoma cases found that survival rates differ depending on where skin cancer first appears.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateApr 21, 2008

Study: Counseling trauma victims causes secondary trauma

A new Geisinger-led study finds that hearing repeated stories of trauma from clients causes serious psychological stress in clinical social workers. A positive work environment helps reduce secondary trauma and job burnout.

SourceGeisinger Health System·JournalResearch on Social Work Practice·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

We are family -- but advertisers often miss the point

Family membership affects consumer choices, from cell phone plans to kitchen remodels and displaying treasured keepsakes. Advertisers can gain value by positioning products as resources for achieving relational and family identity goals.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 21, 2008

Survival rates appear lower for scalp and neck melanoma than for other sites

A recent study found that individuals with melanoma on their scalp or neck have lower survival rates than those with melanomas at other sites. The study analyzed data from U.S. cancer registries and found significant differences in five-year and 10-year survival rates, highlighting the importance of skin awareness and sun protection.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateApr 21, 2008

How much progress has there been in vaccinating against Hib in the Americas?

By the end of 2006, all countries in the Americas had included Hib vaccine in their immunization schedule. However, efforts are still needed to strengthen invasive bacterial disease surveillance and improve vaccination coverage. The successful introduction of Hib and pneumococcal vaccines could reduce global severe pneumonia burden by ...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 21, 2008

Researchers detail chemotherapy's damage to the brain

Researchers detail chemotherapy's damage to the brain, finding that healthy cells die off long after treatment ends. The study identifies 5-fluorouracil as a contributor to chemo brain, with damaged oligodendrocytes leading to cognitive decline and demyelination.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Biology·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Carnegie Mellon studies how climate change impacts food production

Carnegie Mellon researchers argue that dietary choice, not food miles, determines a household's climate impact. Shifting to a local diet or reducing meat and dairy consumption can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Eating more plant-based meals can reduce emissions by up to 8,000 miles driven per year.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 21, 2008

Coke or Pepsi? Being distracted can make you more susceptible to ads

A study by Bryan Gibson found that people are more likely to choose a brand they associate with positive images when distracted. Even if participants couldn't remember the pairing, this effect occurred. The findings suggest implicit product attitudes play a significant role in impulse purchases.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 21, 2008

Nasal surgery associated with improvements in quality of life for those with sleep apnea

For patients with obstructive sleep apnea and nasal blockages, nasal surgery is associated with significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life. The procedure led to notable reductions in snoring, daytime sleepiness, and overall health status, particularly in reducing role limitations caused by physical or emotional problems.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateApr 21, 2008
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Patients arriving at hospitals in off hours get slower, less care

A recent study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that patients admitted with heart attacks during off-hours receive slower and less comprehensive care. Despite this, there is no significant difference in in-hospital death rates between those arriving during regular hours and off-hours.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 21, 2008

Mammography may be beneficial to all women, regardless of age

Researchers found that regular mammograms significantly reduce the risk of being diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer in women over 80. Women who received mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease and had a higher five-year survival rate compared to non-users.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateApr 21, 2008

Melanoma lurks in larger skin lesions, NYU researchers find

Larger skin lesions are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles, according to a new study by NYU researchers. The study confirms that an important warning sign of melanoma - moles larger than 6 millimeters - is still valid.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Brain reacts to fairness as it does to money and chocolate

UCLA researchers found that people tend to accept fair offers over unfair ones, with the brain responding similarly to winning money or eating chocolate. The study suggests that humans have an innate preference for fairness, which can be regulated through self-control.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 21, 2008

Counting every thought: What consumers see when looking at ads

Researchers found that traditional thought-listing exercises can introduce bias and fail to capture specific cognitive responses. Instead, implicit measures of cognitive responses are likely to perform better when people are unable to access their thoughts directly.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 21, 2008

Rat study suggests why teens get hooked on cocaine more easily than adults

A new study found that adolescent rats were more likely to prefer the place where they got cocaine, and even after extinction, a low dose of cocaine rekindled this preference. This suggests that younger brains are more vulnerable to addiction due to stronger memories for drug-associated cues.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateApr 21, 2008
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Advanced life support in ambulances doesn't benefit trauma patients

New research from the Ontario Prehospital Advanced Life Support project shows that advanced life support for trauma patients prior to hospital transport has no survival benefits and may even cause harm. The study found no difference in patient survival rates between those receiving basic and advanced life support.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCancer·DateApr 21, 2008

Lizard hunting styles impact ability to walk, run

Researchers found that sit-and-wait lizards use running mechanics when moving at slower speeds, while wide foragers evolved a walking gait. The study used 18 species of lizards to understand the impact of foraging styles on biomechanics.

SourceOhio University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 21, 2008

Improving quality of life for brain tumor patients

A new neuroimaging study maps functional brain areas to improve cognitive skills before, during, and after brain tumour surgery. The study uses fMRI to localize important areas and preserve motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities.

SourceMontreal Neurological Institute and Hospital·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Study reveals inaccuracies in studies of cancer treatment

A new study published by the American Cancer Society found that observational studies on cancer treatments can be inaccurate due to selection biases. The researchers analyzed data from the SEER registry and found improbable results, indicating how easy it is to generate questionable results in these types of studies.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer·DateApr 21, 2008

Chocolate bar shown to lower cholesterol

A University of Illinois study found that eating two CocoaVia dark chocolate bars daily lowered total cholesterol by 2% and LDL cholesterol by 5.3%. The drop in cholesterol numbers is attributed to plant sterols added to the bar and flavanols found in dark chocolate.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateApr 21, 2008
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Migraine increases risk of severe skin sensitivity and pain

Research found that people with migraine are more likely to experience exacerbated skin sensitivity or pain after daily activities, particularly those with chronic migraines. The study also identified risk factors for migraine progression, including allodynia and depression.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 21, 2008

Larger skin lesions appear more likely to be melanomas

A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that larger skin lesions (over 6mm) are more likely to be melanoma. The findings support the use of diameter guidelines for screening, but also suggest that smaller lesions can still be malignant.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Dermatology·DateApr 21, 2008

Starbucks to make contribution to

Starbucks and Conservation International are partnering to address climate change and promote sustainable coffee farming. The companies will plant 10 trees in Mexico for every $10 donated through the Starbucks Card Rewards program, supporting conservation efforts in Chiapas.

SourceConservation International·DateApr 21, 2008

Biology of Reproduction highlights

Recent studies in Biology of Reproduction suggest that maternal follicular testosterone influences the sex of bovine embryos, while research on maternal cell microchimerism reveals its presence in major organs of healthy newborn mice. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind these phenomena.

SourceSociety for the Study of Reproduction·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateApr 21, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Mascoma and UT join in $26M DOE grant

The University of Tennessee has received a $26 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop biomass conversion technology. The grant will support research on converting biomass crops into fuels and other products, with the goal of creating a thriving, sustainable biobased economy in the state.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·DateApr 21, 2008

US sees decline in number of general surgeons

The number of general surgeons per 100,000 Americans has declined by over 25% since 1981, mainly due to an aging population and a lack of rural training opportunities. Rural areas are disproportionately affected, with urban areas experiencing a slightly greater decline.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateApr 21, 2008

Cancer cells spread by releasing 'bubbles,' according to an MUHC study

A new mechanism of how tumour cells communicate has been discovered, involving the release of vesicles called oncosomes containing cancer-causing proteins. This finding could lead to major clinical innovations and potentially serve as a clinical marker for cancer diagnosis.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 21, 2008

Survey offers first-ever look at treatment practices for nonepileptic seizures

The study found that psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for nonepileptic seizures, followed by education and psychopharmacology. Neurologists and psychiatrists often work together to care for patients with NES, but barriers to treatment adherence include insurance limitations and lack of experienced practitioners.

SourceLifespan·JournalEpilepsy & Behavior·DateApr 21, 2008
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.

Computer scientists develop solutions for long-term storage of digital data

Computer scientists have developed a solution called Pergamum, which uses hard disk drives to provide energy-efficient and cost-effective long-term data storage. The system is designed to be reliable, scalable, and adaptable, making it suitable for businesses and individuals looking to preserve digital data.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateApr 21, 2008

Teenage suicides: Study advocates greater family support

Research highlights a key role for general practitioners in providing long-term, individually formulated support schemes for families of suicide victims. The study found that post-suicidal reactions and impacts on daily living are still profoundly affecting families after the event.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateApr 21, 2008

Effective cancer immune therapy through order in the blood vessels

Researchers discovered a key molecule that normalizes tumor vasculature, allowing immune cells to colonize cancer tissue in large numbers. This finding led to improved survival rates in mice with disrupted Rgs5 gene, highlighting the potential of vascular normalization for enhancing immune therapy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateApr 21, 2008
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.