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Science News Archive February 2008


Page 1 of 19

Of mice and men ... and kidney stones

Researchers discovered that mice are more efficient at removing oxalate from the body, a crucial step in preventing kidney stones. This finding holds promise for developing improved treatments and paving the way for a mouse model of the disease.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Popular alternative therapy for psoriasis performs no better than placebo

A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, had a low response rate in patients with psoriasis. Despite laboratory evidence showing its potential, the study suggests that the placebo effect or natural remission may be responsible for the limited results.

Children with autism may learn from 'virtual peers'

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that children with high-functioning autism produce more contingent sentences when interacting with virtual peers. This suggests that virtual peers can be a useful tool in helping children with autism develop communication and social skills. The study aims to generalize these skills to m...

Darwin was wrong about the wild origin of the chicken

A new study from Uppsala University found that the genes responsible for domesticated chickens' yellow legs come from a closely related species, the grey jungle fowl. This challenges Charles Darwin's theory that chickens originated from the red jungle fowl.

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.

Technology uses live cells to detect food-borne pathogens, toxins

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new technology that can detect multiple food-borne pathogens and toxins in one to two hours using live mammalian cells. The technique estimates the amount of microbes present and whether they pose an active health risk, giving users a higher degree of confidence in the test results.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Researchers uncover the specific receptor subtypes affected by chronic nicotine exposure, revealing new insights into its addictive properties. A two-protein complex also protects nerve cells by promoting growth and survival, showing promise as a therapeutic agent.

Genetic factors in smoking also increase risk of chronic bronchitis

Researchers found that genetic factors account for 40% of the risk for chronic bronchitis, but also identified a link between genetic predisposition to smoking and the development of the disease. The study suggests that smoking remains a primary risk factor for chronic bronchitis, regardless of genetic background.

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.

Certain vitamin supplements may increase lung cancer risk, especially in smokers

A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that certain vitamin supplements, including multivitits, vitamin C, and folate, did not protect against lung cancer and may even increase the risk. The risk was highest among current smokers, with a seven percent rise in risk for every 100mg/day of supplemental vitamin E.

Liquid water found flowing on Mars? Not yet

Researchers used topographic data from NASA's HiRISE camera to determine how a flow of pure liquid water would look on the images versus an avalanche of dry granular debris. The study found that the dry granular case was the winner, suggesting that liquid water has not been found on the Martian surface within the last decade.

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.

Financial struggles plague families of children with autism

A new study reveals that families of children with autism often experience substantial financial burdens, including high therapy costs and reduced lifestyle choices. Financial planners can help direct families to available resources and encourage smart spending decisions to mitigate these effects.

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.

Increased allergen levels in homes linked to asthma

A new national survey found that elevated indoor allergen levels are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals, particularly those with allergies. Regular household cleaning and reducing exposure to pets and pests can help alleviate symptoms.

ESRC Festival of Social Science 2008

The ESRC Festival of Social Science 2008 celebrates British social science research, highlighting its impact on everyday lives. The festival features over 90 events across UK towns and cities, covering topics such as climate change, ageing, and energy efficiency.

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.

Stakeholders use science to find common ground on wood supply from forests

A group of stakeholders, including forest wood-product businesses, environmental groups and public land agencies, worked with scientists to identify the potential volume of wood resources available from more than 2 million acres of Arizona forests. The analysis estimates a potential supply of up to 850 million cubic feet of wood and 8 ...

NHLBI issues first US von Willebrand Disease clinical practice guidelines

The NHLBI has published its first US clinical practice guidelines for von Willebrand Disease, a condition that affects 1 in 100 to 1,000 people. The guidelines provide recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of the three major types of VWD, emphasizing proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications.

Airborne bacteria may play large role in precipitation

Research found that airborne bacteria are globally distributed and may cause freezing at warmer temperatures, leading to the formation of rain. The bacteria can multiply and form groups on plants, creating a cycle of precipitation that could help reduce drought.

From 2-D pictures to 3 dimensions

A team of UC San Diego computer scientists has developed a groundbreaking algorithm for 3D reconstruction from 2-D images, solving the long-standing problem of autocalibration. This technology has vast potential in various applications, including virtual product showcases and augmented-reality walkthroughs.

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.

Novel mechanism found that may boost impaired function of leukemia protein

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center discovered a novel mechanism that can enhance the function of AML1, a protein frequently impaired in acute leukemia. The study identified the methyltransferase enzyme controlling normal AML1 activity and demonstrated its ability to regulate transcription factors.

Study shows Darwin was wrong about the origins of chickens

A new study found that chickens have a different version of a gene that codes for white skin, but the yellow-skin variant is present in a completely different wild species, grey junglefowl. This discovery contradicts Charles Darwin's theory that all chickens came from a wild red junglefowl species.

St. Jude researchers find key step in programmed cell death

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a crucial role of the Hax1 protein in protecting cells from apoptosis. The findings provide valuable insights into the biochemical interactions that control programmed cell death, which may lead to new treatments for diseases like Parkinson's.

Breast cancer death rates among black women not decreasing across all states

A new study from the American Cancer Society reveals that breast cancer death rates among African American women are decreasing in only 11 US states and remain flat or increase in at least half. The disparity is attributed to access issues, regional variations in treatment quality, and limited screening services.

Extract of broccoli sprouts may protect against bladder cancer

A concentrated broccoli sprouts extract cut bladder tumor development in animal models, with isothyiocyanates delivering potent protective action. The study's results reinforce associations between cruciferous vegetable intake and reduced bladder cancer risk.

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.

New genetic association with schizophrenia found by researchers

Researchers discovered a new genetic link between the MEGF10 gene and schizophrenia, finding that a variant of the gene is associated with increased heritability risk. The study also found that the MEGF10 gene is expressed more extensively in post-mortem brain tissue from individuals with schizophrenia.

Student develops new LED, wins $30,000 Lemelson-Rensselaer Prize

A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute student has developed a new type of LED that could allow for its widespread use in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), improving screen clarity and conserving energy. The polarized LED, invented by Martin Schubert, is expected to revolutionize the field of lighting technology.

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.

Is your drinking water safe?

A study of Lake Bloomington, a major source of drinking water for central Illinois residents, reveals high nitrate concentrations exceeding safe levels. The research aims to inform producers on nitrogen fertilizer management in sensitive watershed areas.

Improving the quality of laboratory data with computer modeling

Researchers have developed a new statistical model to clean up low-quality HLA data, enabling easier and more cost-effective individual immune system analysis. This advancement has significant implications for transplant medicine, disease diagnosis, and understanding viral evolution.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UB's bioblower closer to protecting soldiers from biological attack

The BioBlower technology has passed US Department of Defense tests and has been directed to retrofit military platforms with the system. The device destroys airborne pathogens by rapidly heating and compressing contaminated air, providing a more efficient and effective solution than conventional HEPA filters.

Researchers have discovered a gene that can block the spread of HIV

A team of researchers identified a human gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection in cell culture by preventing virus assembly. The discovery shows the body has a natural defense mechanism against HIV, but research is needed to understand why it doesn't work in people infected with HIV.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Comparison of antipsychotic treatments in adolescents with schizophrenia

A new study found that clozapine was approximately twice as effective as high-dose olanzapine in treating adolescents with schizophrenia. Both medications produced significant weight gain and metabolic abnormalities, but clozapine showed greater symptom reduction for positive and negative symptoms.

Researchers measure field strength and density of ICF implosions

Scientists have identified two types of electromagnetic configurations in inertial confinement fusion implosions that affect dynamics and diagnosis. Researchers measured field strength and area densities using radiography with a pulsed monoenergetic proton source.

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.