Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for January 22, 2008


Debut of TEAM 0.5, the world's best microscope

The TEAM 0.5 microscope has achieved unprecedented image resolution of half a ten-billionth of a meter, enabling the precise localization of individual atoms in three dimensions. This capability is made possible by advanced technologies such as ultra-stable electronics and aberration correction.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJan 22, 2008

Adaptive functional evolution of leptin in cold-adaptive pika family

Researchers propose that pika leptin's adaptive functional evolution may be driven by cold environmental stress, not hypoxia. This discovery has significant implications for understanding small mammals' adaptation to extreme environments and identifying new candidate therapies for human diseases like obesity and diabetes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 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.

Scientists use nanomaterials to localize and control drug delivery

Researchers create a localized and controlled drug delivery system that is invisible to the immune system, providing a potential solution for cancer and other diseases. The system uses nanoscale polymer films to slowly release anti-inflammatory drugs, reducing side effects and enhancing treatment efficacy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 22, 2008

DNA sensors found to be an effective artificial nose

Researchers developed DNA sensors that can detect odors in the vapor phase with high specificity. The study demonstrated a previously unreported property of single-stranded DNA molecules, showing they can respond to odor pulses in a sequence-selective manner on solid surfaces.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 22, 2008

Queen's immunologists find better way to boost the immune system

Researchers at Queen's University have found a way to manipulate the immune system by introducing virus components that activate killer T cells. This discovery may lead to more effective vaccines against diseases like influenza or HIV, as well as enhanced immunology treatments.

SourceQueen's University·JournalViral Immunology·DateJan 22, 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.

Food peptides activate bitter taste receptors

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center identify chemical compounds from common foods that activate human bitter taste receptors, providing a practical means to manipulate food flavor. The findings may help make health-promoting bitter foods more palatable.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·DateJan 22, 2008

Disparities among patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcomas

A new study found significant racial and ethnic differences in the treatment and survival of patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. Blacks had lower rates of surgeries that would have saved their arm or leg, higher death rates, and were least likely to receive additional treatments for improved survival.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 22, 2008

Pharmacists believe drive-through windows contribute to delays, errors

A study of pharmacists reveals that drive-through windows lead to increased processing times, reduced efficiency, and dispensing errors. The survey found that automated dispensing systems can reduce errors and enhance efficiency by minimizing workflow interruptions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care·DateJan 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.

Debate over safety of gene therapy trials focuses on issue of informed consent

A series of commentaries in Human Gene Therapy explores key controversies surrounding patient recruitment and trial management in gene therapy trials. The authors discuss the challenges of patients comprehending lengthy and technical study descriptions and consent forms, and propose innovative strategies for improving informed consent.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateJan 22, 2008

Study raises questions about diagnosis, medical treatment of ADHD

A new UCLA study found that only half of children diagnosed with ADHD exhibit cognitive defects, challenging the common method for diagnosing the disorder. The research also suggested that medication is not always effective in treating ADHD, highlighting the need for alternative approaches to address long-term problems.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 22, 2008
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.

New therapeutic target for treatment of multiple sclerosis

A research team led by Dr. Alexandre Prat has identified a new therapeutic target for multiple sclerosis, ALCAM/CD166, which plays a major role in the migration of immune cells to the brain. The study suggests that blocking this molecule could dampen neuroinflammation and decrease lesions characteristic of MS.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Immunology·DateJan 22, 2008

QUT researcher discovers Maya mask splendor

A Queensland University of Technology researcher has discovered two new pigments at the famous Maya archaeological site in Honduras that would have had a lustrous effect. The pigments, including green and mica, were found on stucco masks and revealed that the Rosalila temple was built using over 15 layers of paint and stucco.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalApplied Spectroscopy·DateJan 22, 2008

Cell phone sensors detect radiation to thwart nuclear terrorism

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a system that uses cell phones with radiation sensors to detect and track radioactive material, making it difficult for terrorists to go undetected. The system can pinpoint the location of radiation sources using data from multiple cell phones.

SourcePurdue University·DateJan 22, 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.

Mercury in color!

MESSENGER's Wide Angle Camera captures high-resolution color views of Mercury, showcasing subtle variations indicative of different rock types and mineral compositions. The images provide valuable information for understanding Mercury's formation and evolution.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJan 22, 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.

Regular, long-term aspirin use reduces risk of colorectal cancer

A study found that regular aspirin use lowers the risk of colorectal cancer in men, particularly at higher cumulative doses. However, the benefits of long-term aspirin use appear to diminish after four to five years and are not evident after discontinuing use.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 22, 2008

Researchers develop darkest manmade material

Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute created a coating with low-density, vertically-aligned carbon nanotube arrays that absorb more than 99.9 percent of light, making it the darkest material ever made by man. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar energy conversion and detection capabilities.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 22, 2008

Forests could benefit when fall color comes late

Scientists found that rising carbon dioxide levels can delay autumnal senescence, allowing forests to stay greener longer, and potentially increasing productivity. However, other factors such as ozone levels may negate these benefits.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 22, 2008

Einstein researchers: Do national dietary guidelines do more harm than good?

Researchers at Einstein College of Medicine argue that federal dietary guidelines may have a negative impact on health, including the current obesity epidemic. They recommend that guideline writers be guided by explicit standards of evidence to ensure public safety.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 22, 2008

A good fight may keep you and your marriage healthy

A University of Michigan study found that couples who express their anger and resolve conflicts tend to live longer than those who suppress their emotions. Researchers analyzed 192 couples over 17 years and found that those who both suppressed their anger had a higher mortality rate, with twice as many deaths compared to other groups.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Family Communication·DateJan 22, 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.

Hot springs microbes hold key to dating sedimentary rocks, researchers say

Researchers found that microbial communities change the rate of calcium carbonate precipitation, which can affect the chemistry and shape of crystals. This discovery could help date certain sequences of sedimentary rock and search for evidence of life on other planets.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateJan 22, 2008

Story ideas from Molecular and Cellular Proteomics

Researchers have identified 30 new proteins that interact with the amyloid precursor protein, shedding light on its functional role in Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, a study found low variation in platelet protein expression within the elderly population, suggesting potential for clinical biomarkers.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateJan 22, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Zanzibar study paves way for mass co-delivery of 3 antiparasitic drugs

A new study in Zanzibar has shown the safety of delivering three antiparasitic drugs simultaneously to tackle three diseases. The co-administration of ivermectin, albendazole, and praziquantel was found to be safe and effective in reducing distribution costs and increasing community participation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 22, 2008

Low vitamin E levels associated with physical decline in elderly

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine discovered a significant association between low vitamin E levels and physical decline in older adults. The three-year study found that individuals with lower vitamin E levels experienced a 62% greater risk of declining in physical function.

SourceYale University·JournalJAMA·DateJan 22, 2008

Drugs to bulk up muscles may make injuries more likely

A new study suggests that myostatin inhibitors, currently under study for medical conditions and bodybuilding, may also increase the risk of small, brittle tendons making muscle injuries more likely. Researchers found that myostatin's absence led to shorter, stiffer tendons in mice.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 22, 2008

Early promising results in malaria vaccine trial in Mali

A candidate malaria vaccine showed strong immune responses in a small clinical trial conducted in Mali, where it was tested on 40 adults and is now being expanded to 400 children. The trial's promising results could provide new hope for fighting the disease that claims over 1 million lives annually.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 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.

Cell division studies hint at future cancer therapy

Researchers, led by Dr. Quansheng Du, are studying the complex process of cell division to understand how it can be targeted for cancer therapy. They focus on the mitotic spindle and its role in asymmetric cell division, which may lead to the development of cancer stem cells.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 22, 2008