Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 29, 2008


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.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateFeb 29, 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.

Simple screening questionnaire for kidney disease outperforms current clinical practice guidelines

A new screening questionnaire, SCORED, has been shown to be more accurate and efficient in identifying individuals with silent chronic kidney disease than current clinical practice guidelines. The test correctly identifies patients at risk for CKD 88-95% of the time and defines high-risk individuals 25% fewer times.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateFeb 29, 2008

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...

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 29, 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.

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.

SourceUppsala University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalLaboratory Investigation·DateFeb 29, 2008
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 29, 2008

Customized treatments for sepsis lower treatment time and reduce length of ICU stays

Researchers found that using a blood test and decision algorithm to determine antibiotic therapy duration in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock can reduce treatment time by up to 6 days. This approach also resulted in shorter ICU stays, averaging three days less for treated patients.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 29, 2008
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

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.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 29, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGeology·DateFeb 29, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Family and Economic Issues·DateFeb 29, 2008

When the rules of the game are broken: Research studies sports injuries related to illegal activity

A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that more than 98,000 high school sports-related injuries were directly linked to illegal activities, with the highest rates in girls' soccer and volleyball. The research suggests that reducing illegal activity through rule enforcement and education may reduce sports-related injuries.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalInjury Prevention·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateFeb 29, 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.

Kaiser Permanente study shows 1 in 3 women has pelvic floor disorder

A Kaiser Permanente study found that one-third of women experience pelvic floor disorders, including incontinence and prolapse. The study, which surveyed over 4,000 women aged 25-84, highlights the need for education and access to experts in female pelvic medicine.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateFeb 29, 2008

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 ...

SourceNorthern Arizona University·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalHaemophilia·DateFeb 29, 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.

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.

SourceMontana State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 29, 2008

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.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature·DateFeb 29, 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.