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Science News for December 23, 2008


A potential drug for ischemia/reperfusion related liver injury

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that resveratrol attenuates oxidative stress and histological alterations induced by liver ischemia/reperfusion. The results suggest that resveratrol has protective effects against hepatic I/R injury, making it a potential therapeutic drug for liver transplantation.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

A breakthrough in diagnosis of enteric lesions

A new computer-aided screening technique has been developed to diagnose enteric lesions in capsule endoscopy, reducing the reading time from 5 hours to 1 hour on average. The technique uses image processing to screen out normal images, allowing for accurate diagnosis with high sensitivity rates.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

Protein sports drinks proven to give best performance

Research shows that protein sports drinks are superior to carbohydrate-only drinks in improving cyclists' recovery from exercise. The study found that subjects who consumed a mix of carbohydrate and protein had lower self-reported fatigue levels and increased fat oxidation.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition·DateDec 23, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What is the clinical character of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?

Researchers identified clinical characteristics of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome in 22 female patients, noting pain in the upper right abdomen and lower abdomen. Antibiotic treatment cured 20 patients, highlighting the importance of abdominal CT scans for diagnosis.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

Honeybees succumb to cocaine's allure

Researchers found that honeybees danced vigorously in response to cocaine, indicating a potential susceptibility to the substance. The bees' sensitivity to rewards was increased, and they exhibited withdrawal symptoms when the drug was withheld.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 23, 2008

Vitamin D deficiency associated with greater rates of Cesarean sections

Researchers found that pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency were more than twice as likely to undergo a caesarean section compared to those without the deficiency. The study highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy.

SourceBoston University·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 23, 2008

Electronic methods potentially secure for sending blank ballots overseas

New NIST report explores electronic technologies for overseas voting, highlighting potential risks and control measures. The report suggests that postal mail can be augmented with electronic methods to distribute blank ballots, but transmission of completed ballots via telephone, e-mail, and the Web faces significant security threats.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateDec 23, 2008

Cracking a tough nut for the semiconductor industry

Researchers at NIST have developed a new technique to measure the toughness of thin insulating films used in high-performance integrated circuits. This breakthrough could help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs by identifying films with brittle fracture failure, affecting both manufacturing yields and device reliability.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Materials Research·DateDec 23, 2008
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.

With mental health insurance, price matters

A new study found that when the price of mental health services is equivalent to primary care co-payments, more people will seek follow-up care after an initial hospitalization for a mental illness. This leads to improved quality of care and reduced costs.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateDec 23, 2008

Older adults at high risk for drug interactions

A study found that 2.2 million older US adults take multiple medications, with half involving nonprescription medications, increasing the risk of harmful drug-drug interactions. The most common interaction was bleeding problems, often caused by combining prescription and over-the-counter medications.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateDec 23, 2008

New technique is quantum leap forward in understanding proteins

A computational method predicts bacterial protein interactions with remarkable accuracy, identifying critical residues that bind directly with other proteins. This breakthrough enables the development of new antibiotics targeting specific protein interactions vital to pathogenic bacteria survival.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 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.

Electromagnetic phantom exorcises specters of metal detector tests

The NIST electromagnetic phantom is a standardized test object that mimics the human body's electrical conductivity. This phantom allows for reproducible testing of walk-through metal detectors, enabling more accurate discrimination between threatening and non-threatening objects.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateDec 23, 2008

Skipping sleep may signal problems for coronary arteries

A recent study published in JAMA found that skipping one hour of sleep per night can increase the risk of coronary artery calcification, a precursor to cardiovascular disease. The study, which followed 495 healthy volunteers, found that those who slept less than five hours per night were more likely to develop calcified arteries.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateDec 23, 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.

What is the mechanism of the chronic radiation enteritis?

Researchers found that fractionated radiation induced an immune imbalance, characterized by elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, in the distal colonic mucosa. This imbalance persisted even after the end of radiotherapy, with a Th2 profile dominating the immune response.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

Molecular events involved in liver regeneration

Researchers found that extensive liver resection impairs the regenerative capacity of the liver on a molecular and cellular level. Key findings include delayed activation of NF-kappa B and increased programmed cellular death in regenerating livers.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

Needle/syringe programs and opioid substitution therapy should be widely available in prisons

Prisons have high-risk environments for HIV transmission due to needle-sharing. Implementing needle/syringe programs (NSPs) and opioid substitution therapy (OST) can reduce risky behavior, overdose deaths, and improve relationships between prisoners and staff. These measures are essential for protecting prisoners' health.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 23, 2008

IRB Barcelona to coordinate 2 European projects on biomedicine

The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) will coordinate two European health research projects on malaria and diabetes. The Mephitis project aims to find new anti-malarial compounds, while the MITIN Project applies bioinformatics to understand complex diseases like diabetes.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·DateDec 23, 2008
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.

UCSB scientists show how certain vegetables combat cancer

Researchers discovered that compounds like sulforaphane inhibit cell proliferation and kill precancerous cells, similar to anticancer drugs. This finding suggests that consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli may help prevent breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalCarcinogenesis·DateDec 23, 2008

Krumlauf Lab demonstrates modulation of gene expression by protein coding regions

The Krumlauf Lab has discovered that protein coding regions can modulate gene expression in the developing brain. This finding has important implications for understanding the regulation of brain development and designing tests for large-scale analyses of gene regulation.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 2008

UC Davis discovery offers hope for treating kidney cancer

Researchers at UC Davis Cancer Center have identified three compounds that can help make chemotherapy for kidney cancer more effective by blocking the repair mechanism of a key cancer gene. These findings offer hope for patients who currently face limited treatment options and many side effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalCancer Biology & Therapy·DateDec 23, 2008
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.

What is the effect of fluoxetine on mast cell?

In a rat model of depression, fluoxetine inhibited mast cell ultrastructural alterations and de-regulated rMCP-1 expression. Treatment with fluoxetine suggested that SSRIs are an effective therapeutic agent for some gastroduodenal diseases caused by psychological factors.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008

Enhancing solar cells with nanoparticles

Researchers have developed a new method to boost the efficiency of solar cells by using nanoparticles. By scattering light and improving color-specific capture, this approach could significantly improve sunlight conversion rates.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateDec 23, 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.

Engineers: Efficient organic LEDs a step toward better lights

Engineers have achieved a new record in efficiency of blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which can produce high-quality white light similar to standard incandescent bulbs. The breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and affordable lighting solutions.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 23, 2008

Maternal health problems in Myanmar widespread

In eastern Burma, over 88% of women had home deliveries, with displaced women facing up to 5 times less antenatal care. Human rights violations, including displacement and forced labor, exacerbate poor health outcomes. The study highlights the need for increased access to maternal healthcare services in conflict-affected regions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 23, 2008

In many fungi, reproductive spores are remarkably aerodynamic

Researchers at Harvard University discovered that many fungal species produce spores with aerodynamically optimized shapes, allowing them to minimize air resistance and maximize travel distance. In contrast, spores transported by animals lack these drag-minimizing features.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 23, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

A new light on tumor immunotherapy for gastric cancer

Researchers discovered that bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) pulsed with tumor lysates can stimulate T cells to attack and kill gastric cancer cells. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating advanced gastric cancer.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateDec 23, 2008