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Science News Archive December 2008 - Page 14


Page 14 of 21

Pine bark reduces inflammatory marker CRP in osteoarthritis

A recent study published in Redox Report reveals that Pycnogenol significantly lowers plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in osteoarthritis patients. This finding suggests that Pycnogenol's anti-inflammatory potency may be potent enough to arrest the spread of inflammation from osteoarthritic joints to the whole organism.

SourceMWW Group·JournalRedox Report·DateDec 9, 2008

Study reveals effects of unconscious exposure to advertisements

A recent study by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute suggests that non-conscious exposure to advertisements can increase consumer preference for promoted products. The research, led by cognitive scientist Mark Changizi, reveals how advertising tactics like apparel branding and product placement in movies and TV shows tap into our brain's...

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalPerception·DateDec 9, 2008

People in the US and the UK show strong similarities in their attitudes toward nanotechnologies

A new US-UK study reveals that people in both countries hold positive views of nanotechnologies, with a focus on energy applications. The research found that participants were more optimistic about the future contribution of new technologies to society and exhibited a high degree of comfort with energy applications.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 9, 2008

Researchers report on convergence of technology

Scientists present reports on novel technologies to restore memory circuits, alter drug effects, deliver targeted therapies and improve brain imaging. The advancements aim to pinpoint seizure causes and deliver precise treatments, promising a new era in epilepsy care.

SourceAmerican Epilepsy Society·DateDec 9, 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.

Surface-level ozone pollution set to reduce tree growth 10 percent by 2100

A meta-analysis of decades-long experimental evidence reveals that modern day concentrations of ground level ozone pollution are decreasing tree growth in northern and temperate mid-latitudes. The study predicts a 17% reduction in tree growth by the end of the century if current fossil fuel dependence continues.

SourceWiley·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateDec 9, 2008

Application quantifies carbon sequestration of urban trees

The Tree Carbon Calculator provides quantifiable incentives for tree planting and stewardship projects. It calculates the dry weight of biomass that would be obtained if a tree were removed, offering a valuable resource for urban forestry efforts.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·DateDec 9, 2008

Genetic markers identified for alcohol response in UCSF Gallo study

Researchers at UCSF Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center have identified a DNA sequence variation on chromosome 15 associated with the level of response to alcohol. This finding could signal the genetic factors that affect alcohol abuse, and may help develop targeted treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 9, 2008

Honey adds health benefits, is natural preservative and sweetener in salad dressings

A University of Illinois study found that honey, rich in antioxidants, protects the quality of salad dressings for up to nine months while naturally sweetening them. The study substituted honey for chemical additives and high-fructose corn syrup, resulting in a healthier alternative.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 9, 2008
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.

Also in the Dec. 9 JNCI

Researchers found that among women under 40, black women have a higher breast cancer incidence rate than white women. However, this trend reverses among women over 40, with white women having a higher incidence rate. The study confirms the age-related crossover effect in breast cancer incidence rates between black and white ethnic groups.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 9, 2008

SAGE to publish International Journal of Toxicology

The American College of Toxicology partnered with SAGE to publish the International Journal of Toxicology, a peer-reviewed bi-monthly journal covering current research in toxicology. The journal will increase visibility globally and provide access to full-text articles through SAGE Journals Online.

SourceSAGE·JournalInternational Journal of Toxicology·DateDec 9, 2008

Financial incentives appear effective for short-term weight loss

Researchers found that economic incentives, such as lottery-based groups and deposit contracts, were highly effective in inducing initial weight loss. The study's results showed a significant difference in weight loss between the incentive groups and the control group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateDec 9, 2008
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.

Nonhormonal treatment regimens improve survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer

A meta-analysis of 128 clinical trials has found that nonhormonal treatment regimens, including anthracycline-based regimens and taxanes, have improved overall survival in women with advanced breast cancer. The use of these regimens led to a significant relative risk reduction in overall mortality.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 9, 2008

Breaking the silence after a study ends

Clinical trials involve millions of individuals, yet there's no formal requirement to inform them of study results, leaving participants confused. Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center proposed a novel approach to disseminate study results, which showed high levels of satisfaction among participants.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateDec 8, 2008

UV-B light sensing mechanism discovered in plant roots

Researchers found that plant roots have a mechanism to detect UV-B light levels, thanks to the RUS1 gene. This discovery sheds light on how plants respond to UV-B radiation, and may lead to better understanding of plant development.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 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.

Epilepsy drug shows potential for Alzheimer's treatment

A commonly used epilepsy drug, sodium valproate, has been shown to reactivate the body's defenses against amyloid beta peptide, a key component of brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. This reaction may help clear plaques and prevent nerve cell death linked to dementia.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEMBO Reports·DateDec 8, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Medical terms worry more people than lay terms, study finds

Researchers found that medicalized terms influence how serious people think a condition is, with some disorders perceived as more severe and rare when presented in medical terminology. The study has implications for medical communication, corporate advertising, and public policy.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 8, 2008

New prognostic model for MDS covers all phases of disease

Researchers at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new risk model for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that applies to patients at any stage of the disease. The model provides improved survival projections and treatment guidance, offering hope for better patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateDec 8, 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.

The crash of 2008: A mathematician's view

The 2008 financial crisis was a result of excessive risk-taking and lack of regulation, likened to the Tulip Mania of 1636. Experts recommend learning from past mistakes to avoid repeating them.

SourceWiley·JournalSignificance·DateDec 8, 2008

Study sheds light on cause of bowel disease

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the Hedgehog signalling pathway in colon cells to find new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. They discovered that a defective GLI1 protein may calm inflammation, but is only half as active in IBD patients.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 8, 2008

Older AML patients show promising response in drug study

A clinical trial at Ohio State University found that older AML patients responded well to a less toxic therapy, achieving complete remission in 42% of cases. The treatment involved decitabine and showed promising results for this 'silent majority' of patients who previously were told they had no chance of treatment.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·DateDec 8, 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.

Frequent price promotions threaten quality brands, INFORMS study shows

A new INFORMS study shows that frequent price promotions can harm well-respected brands by diluting their perceived quality. The study found that ketchup makers Heinz and Del Monte experienced negative effects from promotional pricing.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateDec 8, 2008

Oil spray reduces greenhouse gas emissions from pig finishing barns

Scientists investigate oil spray as a mitigation technique for reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions from pig barns. The study found that oil spray techniques reduced average emissions by 20% for methane and 19% for carbon dioxide.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateDec 8, 2008

Pavlov's neurons: Researchers find brain cells that are a key to learning

Scientists have visualized individual neurons in rat brains that are activated during associative learning tasks, providing direct evidence of convergent activation. This finding sheds light on how the brain changes as a result of experience and has implications for understanding plasticity.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2008

Men are red, women are green, Brown researcher finds

A Brown University researcher has discovered that men tend to have more reddish skin and greenish skin is more common for women. The finding has important implications in cognitive science research and potential industry applications in facial recognition technology and advertising.

SourceBrown University·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 8, 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.

Global warming aided by drought, deforestation link

A recent study analyzing satellite data reveals a significant link between drought and deforestation in equatorial Asia, leading to increased global warming. The practice of using fire to clear forests releases substantial amounts of climate-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2008

News from the Journal of Clinical Oncology

A long-term study found that high insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) levels reduced overall death risk by over 50%, while high C-peptide levels doubled the risk of death. Lifestyle factors like obesity and physical inactivity are associated with high insulin levels, which can fuel colon cancer growth.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 8, 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.

Age-related farsightedness may affect more than 1 billion worldwide

A study estimates that over 1 billion individuals worldwide had presbyopia in 2005, with the condition expected to increase to 1.8 billion by 2050. Most people affected live in developing countries, highlighting a need for accessible corrective glasses and vision care systems.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateDec 8, 2008

Harm-reduction cigarettes are more toxic than traditional cigarettes, UC Riverside study finds

A UC Riverside study reveals that harm-reduction cigarette smoke retains toxicity and can adversely affect reproductive development in mice and may pose risks to human pregnancies. The research found that both mainstream and sidestream smoke from traditional and harm-reduction brands are toxic to pre-implantation embryos.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateDec 8, 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.

Contraceptive methods shape women's sexual pleasure and satisfaction

A new study from The Kinsey Institute reveals that many women associate condoms with decreased sexual pleasure, but those who use both hormonal contraception and condoms report higher overall satisfaction. Women using hormonal methods only reported the lowest levels of sexual enjoyment.

SourceIndiana University·JournalSexual Health·DateDec 8, 2008

Properties of unusual virus revealed in research

A team of researchers has discovered how the N4 phage injects its own RNA polymerase into E. coli bacterial cells, enabling it to create new proteins without host help. The unique property allows for potential therapeutic applications in killing E. coli bacteria.

SourcePenn State·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 8, 2008

Half-dose flu shot appears to produce immune response in young, healthy adults

A randomized clinical trial found that half-dose influenza vaccine produced similar antibody responses to full-dose vaccines in healthy adults. Women had a greater response to both doses, suggesting guidelines should consider sex as well as age. This study supports the validity of dose reduction strategies during vaccine shortages.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 8, 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.

Cellular stress causes fatty liver disease in mice

A University of Iowa researcher and colleagues have discovered a direct link between cellular stress and fatty liver disease in mice. The study found that disrupted protein folding causes abnormal fat metabolism in the liver, which may lead to serious conditions like diabetes and cirrhosis.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateDec 8, 2008

New hybrid nanostructures detect nanoscale magnetism

Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a method to detect magnetic behaviors of nanomaterials using single carbon nanotubes. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in spintronics, digital storage devices, and selective drug delivery components.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNano Letters·DateDec 8, 2008
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.

Mediterranean diet plus nuts may be helpful in managing metabolic syndrome

A traditional Mediterranean diet combined with a daily serving of mixed nuts appears to be useful for managing some metabolic abnormalities in older adults. The study found that the nut group had a significant decrease in large waist circumference, triglycerides, and blood pressure compared to the control group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateDec 8, 2008

CT scans reveal that dinosaurs were airheads

Dinosaurs had more air cavities in their heads than expected, which may have helped lighten the load of their heads and enabled them to move their heads quickly. These sinus cavities also played a biomechanical role by making bones hollow, similar to hollow beams used in construction.

SourceOhio University·JournalThe Anatomical Record·DateDec 8, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 8, 2008

Researchers have developed a mouse model of neonatal diabetes that replicates human disease, providing new insight into the condition. Additionally, studies have identified a link between endothelial dysfunction and altered metabolic responses, particularly in relation to high-fat diets and glucose regulation.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 8, 2008
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Experts propose minimum standards of care for epilepsy

The report proposes detailed medical history, neurological examination, and diagnostic tests as essential steps in diagnosing and treating epilepsy. The consensus also outlines the need for weight seizure control, side effects, and long-term safety when making treatment decisions.

SourceGolinHarris International·DateDec 8, 2008

Biologists spy close-up view of poliovirus linked to host cell receptor

Researchers at Purdue and Stony Brook universities have determined the precise atomic-scale structure of the poliovirus attached to key receptor molecules in human host cells. The study provides a detailed analysis of how a virus can enter its host cell, shedding light on infection processes.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 8, 2008