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Science News for January 11, 2008


Stem cells make bone marrow cancer resistant to treatment

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found that cancer stem cells in multiple myeloma share properties with normal stem cells and exhibit resistance to chemotherapy. These cells contain high levels of enzymes that neutralize toxins, making them harder to treat.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCancer Research·DateJan 11, 2008

2 different neural pathways regulate loss and regain of consciousness during general anesthesia

Scientists have identified two separate neural pathways that regulate the transition in and out of anesthesia. The study found that mice with impaired orexin signaling took longer to emerge from general anesthesia, but not to fall asleep during the procedure. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for administering anesthetics ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Greenhouse ocean may downsize fish

The Bering Sea's rich food web could fray as algae adapt to greenhouse conditions, affecting top predators like pollock and hake. A shift away from diatoms towards smaller phytoplankton could undermine the biological pump, making the ocean less able to soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateJan 11, 2008

People with anorexia less likely to be blamed when biology, genetics explained

A study found that providing a biological and genetic explanation for anorexia nervosa reduced blame towards individuals with the disorder. The research suggests that disseminating accurate information about the underlying causes of anorexia can help decrease stigma.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateJan 11, 2008

Researchers create mathematical model of fruit fly eyes

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a functional equation that explains how cells pack together to form the eyes of Drosophila, or fruit flies. This pared-down model uses only two parameters and demonstrates how it can be applied to different kinds of tissues, leading to potential advances in regenerative medicine.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 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.

New understanding for superconductivity at high temperatures

A research team led by Andrea D. Bianchi discovered a way to control superconductivity in a material by applying a magnetic field, leading to a better understanding of the phenomenon and potential applications in energy storage and transmission.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalScience·DateJan 11, 2008

Uncovering the Achilles' heel of the HIV-1 envelope

Researchers discovered that a specific region of the HIV-1 envelope protein is embedded in the viral membrane, making it difficult to target with antibodies. However, a new approach using antibodies targeting this region could lead to the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine

SourceCell Press·DateJan 11, 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.

High degree of resistance to antibiotics in Arctic birds

A recent study found that Arctic birds carry antibiotics-resistant bacteria, highlighting the global spread of antibiotic resistance. The researchers believe immigrating birds from Southeast Asia may have introduced these resistant bacteria to the tundra.

SourceUppsala University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJan 11, 2008

Half of the people suffering from head injuries fake to receive financial help

A pioneering Spanish study reveals that nearly half of patients with head injuries feign psycho-cognitive disorders to profit from insurance claims or sick leave. Researchers have developed reliable tools to detect these 'simulators', providing a valuable solution for healthcare professionals.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalArchives of Clinical Neuropsychology·DateJan 11, 2008

MIT: Culture influences brain function

Researchers discovered that people from different cultures use their brains differently to solve visual perceptual tasks. East Asians and Americans showed distinct patterns of brain activation when performing absolute and relative judgments.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 11, 2008

MESSENGER set for historic Mercury flyby

The MESSENGER spacecraft will make its first flyby of Mercury on January 14, 2008, capturing images of large portions of the planet never seen before. The encounter will provide critical gravity assist needed to keep the spacecraft on track for its orbit insertion around Mercury.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJan 11, 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.

MIT gas sensor is tiny, quick

The MIT gas sensor is a tiny energy-efficient device that can detect minute quantities of hazardous gases in 4 seconds. It uses gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques on a miniature scale, reducing the size and power consumption compared to current devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJan 11, 2008

MIT reports new twist in microRNA biology

Researchers identified two microRNA pairs in fruit fly and eight more in mouse where both DNA strands encode RNA products, which fold into hairpins that are processed into mature microRNAs. This discovery builds on earlier findings about microRNA regulation using computational tools to investigate genomes of multiple species.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalGenes & Development·DateJan 11, 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.

Ways to improve informed consent are testable, study says

A new questionnaire tool was developed to assess the informed consent process in clinical trials. The tool aimed to educate potential participants on the risks and benefits of taking part in research. However, the results showed that the tool did not improve informed consent in this experiment. Despite this, the study's findings provid...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Trials·DateJan 11, 2008