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Science News for February 22, 2008


Study: highly involved patients don't always see better health outcomes

A new study found that patients who prefer a highly active role in their treatment do not necessarily have better luck managing chronic health conditions. Those who preferred an active role had higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels over a 12-month period compared to those with a less active approach.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateFeb 22, 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.

A novel hMSH2 gene mutation in colorectal cancer patients?

A novel hMSH2 gene mutation was found in a Chinese HNPCC kindred, associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer in four successive generations. The mutation resulted in Asp 603 Gly of hMSH2 and was present in four out of ten family members.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Study finds spine surgery yields greater benefits over nonsurgical treatments

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients who underwent surgery for spinal stenosis showed significant improvement compared to those treated nonsurgically. After two years, 63% of surgical patients experienced a major improvement, while 29% of non-surgical patients reported similar results.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 22, 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 structure of resistance

Researchers have solved the structure of two proteins that enable bacteria to develop resistance to various types of antibiotics, providing insights into their evolution and design strategies for new drugs. This discovery could aid in developing effective treatments against antibiotic-resistant infections.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·DateFeb 22, 2008

Do patients with inflammatory bowel disease receive optimal care?

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in China often receive suboptimal care, including inadequate dosing of aminosalicylates and underuse of immunomodulatory drugs. This is partly due to limited understanding of the disease among Chinese healthcare providers.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Are tumors causing stricture of bile duct always malignant?

A case report describes a patient with a benign bile duct tumor, adenomyoma, which was successfully treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy. The study highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment to avoid unnecessary surgery.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

3 newly discovered ERK pathway proteins related to CagA induced disease

Researchers have identified three new ERK pathway proteins related to CagA-induced disease, which may serve as potential cancer-associated proteins. The study used SELDI-TOF-MS technology to analyze protein expression changes in AGS cells transfected with the CagA gene.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

'Fluorescent' cells give early warning for eye disease

Researchers at Michigan Medicine created a device that measures metabolic stress, detecting eye disease before symptoms appear. The instrument provides accurate results in detecting vision loss and characterizing disease progression.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Novel method to reveal drug targets

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have developed a novel method to identify weak and transient protein interactions. By analyzing over 6000 experiments in mammalian cells, they discovered 17 new pairs of interactions that could lead to novel therapeutic opportunities for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and growth.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateFeb 22, 2008

University of Sydney researchers find new evidence linking kava to liver damage

Researchers at the University of Sydney found evidence linking kava to liver damage, revealing changes in liver tissue structure and impacting immune system function. The study's findings support earlier literature observations on kava's adverse effects on the liver, highlighting the need for further investigations.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 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.

A strange case of upper obstructive syndrome

A rare case of ADF was reported, where the prosthesis was detached from the duodenal wall and a pediculated fragment of the greater omentum was placed to relieve mechanical bowel obstruction. The clinical suspicion for ADF is essential, with esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy and CT scans being the most commonly used diagnostic techniques.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

New theory sheds light on space enigma

Scientists have shed light on Enceladus' space enigma by explaining the dynamics of its erupting plume. The new theory suggests that dust particles and water vapor form below the moon's surface, with temperature and pressure conditions allowing for rapid water vapor eruption and slower dust particle ejection.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2008

Attention! The increased oxidative stress in decompensated cirrhotic patients

Patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis exhibit higher levels of nitric oxide (NO•) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), contributing to liver disease progression. Elevated oxidative stress is also linked to a positive correlation with clinical liver disease severity.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Electron filmed for first time ever

Scientists at Lund University have successfully filmed an electron for the first time, capturing its motion on a light wave after being pulled away from an atom. The research uses attosecond pulses to study electron collisions with atoms, providing new opportunities to monitor and understand electron behavior.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 22, 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.

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

Embryonic livers store glycogen by overproducing the enzyme hexokinase (HK), which can produce glycogen independently of blood-glucose levels. This adaptation safeguards energy storage for newborns. Meanwhile, a protein called NCKX5 plays a key role in skin color production, exchanging sodium for calcium across cell membranes.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 22, 2008

Stroke treatment alteplase gives benefits beyond normal 3-hour treatment window (epithet study)

A recent study published in The Lancet Neurology found that alteplase treatment can improve clinical outcomes in stroke patients even when administered outside the conventional 3-hour window. The researchers identified patients with an ischaemic penumbra and showed significant benefits in tissue reperfusion and reduced infarct growth.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Childhood obesity leads to higher rate of problems during surgery

A new study from Michigan Medicine found that obese children are more likely to experience difficulties with airway obstruction and other breathing-related functions during surgery. The study also reveals a higher incidence of illnesses such as asthma, hypertension, sleep apnea, and Type II diabetes among obese children.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnesthesiology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Special coating greatly improves solar cell performance

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new anode coating strategy that significantly enhances the efficiency of solar energy power conversion. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper, more manufacturable, and easily implemented solar cells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 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.

Stroke risk factors may signal faster cognitive decline in elderly

Researchers found that older Americans with high stroke risk, but without a history of stroke, experience accelerated cognitive decline. The study, conducted by the American Heart Association, analyzed data from over 17,000 participants and found that those at high risk declined twice as fast as those considered low-risk.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 22, 2008

A rare diagnosis in the operation room: Kidney atrophy due to duplicated colon in an adult

A rare case of colon duplication was diagnosed in an adult patient with hydronephrotic atrophy of the right kidney. The mass was successfully removed during a laparotomy, revealing a continuum of the duplicated colon. This exceptional case highlights the importance of accurate pre-operative diagnosis and surgical expertise.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 2008

Who found some new mechanisms of HBV virulence?

Researchers have discovered new mechanisms of HBV virulence by studying the effects of X protein on liver cells in transgenic mice. The study found that X protein inhibits liver cell proliferation and affects gene transcription and cholesterol metabolism.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateFeb 22, 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.

Study finds recidivism no higher among deportable immigrants

A RAND Corporation study found that deportable immigrants released from the Los Angeles County jail system had a similar recidivism rate as non-deportable immigrants, with 43% being rearrested within a year compared to 35%. The study controlled for factors such as age and criminal history.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalCriminology & Public Policy·DateFeb 22, 2008