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Science News for August 27, 2008


Health risk behaviors associated with lower prostate specific antigen awareness

A study from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found associations between smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity with lower Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) awareness. This may lead to reduced prostate cancer screening rates among affected individuals.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateAug 27, 2008

Chronic stress alters our genetic immune response

Researchers found that chronic stress alters the genetic immune response by changing the pattern of gene expression in monocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune response. This altered response can lead to increased inflammation and contribute to the risk for illnesses like depression, heart disease, and diabetes.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 27, 2008

Ancient mother spawns new insight on reptile reproduction

Scientists discovered a 75-million-year-old pregnant turtle fossil with a nest of 26 eggs in the badlands of Alberta, Canada, shedding light on ancient reptile reproduction. The fossilized eggs are found to have extremely thick and hard shells that may have evolved to protect them from desiccation or predators.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 27, 2008
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.

Cocaine-induced brain plasticity may protect the addicted brain

A recent study found that cocaine-induced brain plasticity may actually defend the brain during excessive drug use, potentially limiting maladaptive behavioral responses. The research identifies MEF2 as a key regulator of structural synapse plasticity and suggests that increasing spine density in the NAc may be a compensatory mechanism.

SourceCell Press·DateAug 27, 2008

Not all fat is created equal

A recent study published in the journal Diabetes found that fat tissue in obese patients has impaired cellular function, leading to increased risk of insulin resistance and related conditions. The researchers discovered significant differences in the cellular structure and function of fat cells between lean and obese individuals.

SourceTemple University·JournalDiabetes·DateAug 27, 2008

UCI scientists discover minimum mass for galaxies

Researchers analyzed light from small galaxies to determine their masses, finding all dwarf galaxies had the same mass - 10 million times the mass of the sun. This discovery reveals a fundamental property of dark matter, a key component of the universe.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2008

Genetic predisposition may play a role in anxiety disorders

Researchers identified genes that show statistical association with specific anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social phobias. The study found that environmental factors can trigger an anxiety disorder more easily in people with a genetic predisposition.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 27, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Newly-defined factors may prevent postpartum smoking relapse

A University of North Carolina study finds that strong social support, internal belief systems, and concrete strategies for dealing with temptations are crucial for women to remain smoke-free postpartum. In contrast, easy access to cigarettes, reliance on cigarettes to cope with stress, and low self-esteem can lead to relapse.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateAug 27, 2008

Study examines use of opioids

A recent study found that over 10 million Americans use opioids, with 4 million using them regularly, reflecting a need to strike a balance between opioid misuse and chronic pain control. Opioid regular use increased with age, decreased with education level, and was more common in females and non-Hispanic whites.

SourceBoston University·JournalPain·DateAug 27, 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.

NSF approves $1.3M for OSU and OU microbes hunt

Researchers will study four groups of bacteria at a sulfur spring in southwestern Oklahoma to understand their metabolic capabilities and ecological role. The grant also funds an educational outreach component to engage high school students in the project.

SourceOklahoma State University·DateAug 27, 2008
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.

Endoscopic ultrasound highly accurate in evaluating ambiguous radiographic findings of the pancreas

Researchers report that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is highly accurate in diagnosing pancreatic neoplasms, with a 99.1% accuracy rate. EUS-FNA also shows excellent results, with 88.8% sensitivity and 100% specificity, making it an ideal next step for patients with ambiguous imaging findings.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateAug 27, 2008

Potential new targets for antidepressant medications

A new study suggests that blocking the corticotrophin releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor and the vasopressin-1B (V1B) receptor may retain their efficacy in treating depression, even when neurogenesis is disrupted. The researchers found that restoration of the stress axis may be key to how these new antidepressant approaches work.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 27, 2008

New role for natural killers!

Scientists at the University of York have discovered a new role for Natural Killer cells, which can make diseases worse in certain cases. The research suggests that these cells produce chemicals that inhibit immune responses, leading to potential breakthroughs in treating chronic infections and cancer.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalImmunity·DateAug 27, 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.

ASTRO selects pediatric oncologist as 2008 honorary member

Dr. Evans, a pioneering figure in pediatric oncology, has been recognized by ASTRO for her groundbreaking work on neuroblastoma staging and patient care. She has also co-founded the Ronald McDonald House and received numerous awards for her dedication to cancer research.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateAug 27, 2008

Low levels of brain chemical may lead to obesity, NIH study of rare disorder shows

A National Institutes of Health study found that people with WAGR syndrome, a rare genetic condition, have low blood levels of the brain chemical BDNF and are more likely to become obese. The study suggests that BDNF plays a role in regulating appetite and body weight.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2008

Young type-2 diabetic men suffer low testosterone levels, study shows

A study published in Diabetes Care found that young men with type-2 diabetes have significantly lower levels of testosterone, which can impact fertility, muscle development, and increase the risk of heart disease. The study also highlights the potential clinical implications of low testosterone in these individuals.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalDiabetes Care·DateAug 27, 2008

NIAID describes challenges, prospects for an HIV vaccine

Researchers identify key areas of focus, including broadly neutralizing antibodies and innate immune responses, to develop an effective HIV vaccine. The authors express cautious optimism about the potential development of a vaccine, citing the need for significant scientific understanding of HIV disease.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 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.

Sticks and stones: A new study on social and physical pain

A study published in Psychological Science found that socially painful experiences can be revisited through memory recall, causing increased emotional pain. In contrast, physically painful events tend to fade with time. The study's findings suggest an evolutionary aspect of human brain development, particularly in the cerebral cortex, ...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 27, 2008

First gene associated with dry macular degeneration found

A study has identified the first gene associated with severe dry macular degeneration, a condition that can lead to blindness. The researchers found that individuals with a specific genetic variant may be at risk if treated with an experimental therapy called RNA interference.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2008

Black raspberries slow cancer by altering hundreds of genes

Researchers found that freeze-dried black raspberry powder restored activity to 460 genes in animals with esophageal cancer, many associated with cell proliferation and death. The study identified 53 genes important for early cancer development, which may be targeted by chemoprevention agents.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 27, 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.

Campus diversity important predictor of interracial friendships

A new study found that campus racial and ethnic diversity is a key predictor of interracial friendships. The study controlled for prior experiences and attitudes, showing that exposure to greater diversity leads to more cross-group friendships across all students.

SourceWiley·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateAug 27, 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.

ETH Zurich-administered fund ends scientific anonymity

A new wiki links every word to its corresponding author, allowing readers to know sources and authors receive due credit. This resolves the uncertainty of authorship in first-generation wikis, enhancing collaborative publishing with reputation systems.

SourceETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 27, 2008

Common treatment to delay labor decreases pre-term infants' risk for cerebral palsy

Researchers found that mothers who received magnesium sulfate during preterm labor had a lower risk of cerebral palsy in their infants. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that magnesium sulfate may protect against cerebral palsy by stabilizing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2008

No-take zones offer no boost for bleached reefs

A team of scientists found that current protection zones are ineffective in preventing coral reef collapse due to climate change. New areas need to be established to focus on escaping or recovering regions, while managing the entire system is crucial for long-term survival.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 27, 2008

Why is Greenland covered in ice?

Research suggests that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the primary cause of Greenland's ice formation, contrary to competing theories. The study uses computer climate and ice-sheet models to show that a decline in CO2 levels led to the long-term growth of the Greenland ice sheet.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2008

Pre-school age exercises can prevent dyslexia

Researchers at the Academy of Finland's Centre of Excellence in Learning and Motivation Research have found that pre-school age exercises can significantly reduce reading and writing difficulties in children. The study suggests that training should focus on phonetics, mathematics, and information technology to aid learning.

SourceAcademy of Finland·DateAug 27, 2008
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.

Teens making poor choices when it comes to riding in vehicles

A study by Meharry Medical College found that teen passengers are less likely to buckle up, with only 42% always wearing a seatbelt. The researchers recommend upgrading state laws to require all teens to wear seatbelts, and developing community-based interventions to address the issue.

SourceMeharry Medical College·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateAug 27, 2008

Genetic link to dry macular degeneration found

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that offers protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in adults over 50. The study identifies a functional link between toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and geographic atrophy, a type of dry AMD.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 27, 2008