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Science News for July 3, 2008


Nanostructures improve bone response to titanium implants

Researchers discovered that nanostructures enhance bone formation on titanium implants as early as 4 weeks after placement. Modifying the size and distribution of nanostructures at the implant surface may lead to faster and more predictable results.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateJul 3, 2008

Unique stellar system gives Einstein a thumbs-up

Researchers used a rare double-star system to test Albert Einstein's theory of General Relativity, finding that the famed physicist's 93-year-old theory has passed yet another test. The study confirmed that the strong gravity of the neutron stars causes one to wobble or precess.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

New study points to agriculture in frog sexual abnormalities

Researchers found that toads in suburban areas are less likely to suffer from reproductive system abnormalities than those near farms. The study highlights the difference between the impact of agriculture versus development on amphibians.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 3, 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.

Funding boost in fight against leukaemia

University of Manchester researchers have received £1.6 million in funding to study a group of genes identified as playing a key role in leukaemia. The grant will help analyze the common mechanisms of action for patient benefit, potentially leading to the development of targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateJul 3, 2008

Microsoft and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev announce agreement

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Microsoft's R&D Center, enabling joint research projects and internships for outstanding students. The partnership aims to create a talented group of programmers and develop next-generation technology innovations.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·DateJul 3, 2008

Mercury's surface dominated by volcanism and iron-deficiency

MESSENGER data reveals widespread volcanism on Mercury's surface, with lava plains and iron-deficient rock units mapped. The spacecraft has identified three major rock units and confirmed an apparent planet-wide iron deficiency in Mercury's surface rocks.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Acidifying oceans add urgency to CO2 cuts

The oceans have absorbed 40% of human-caused carbon dioxide, causing a 0.1-unit drop in surface pH; acidification may harm corals and plankton by mid-century if emissions aren't reduced. Carbon dioxide levels could reach 0.35 units by the mid-21st century if cuts aren't made immediately.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Volcanic activity shaped Mercury after all

Researchers from Brown University have discovered evidence of past volcanic activity on Mercury, suggesting that the planet underwent intense changes to its landscape around 3-4 billion years ago. The findings were made possible by detailed images from NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft and provide new insights into Mercury's geologic history.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Simian foamy virus found to be widespread among chimpanzees

Researchers analyzed fecal samples from 25 chimpanzee communities and found a range of SFV infection rates from 44% to 100%. The study highlights the importance of understanding cross-species infections in primates and their potential impact on human health.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 3, 2008

Potential treatment for TB solves puzzle

Researchers have identified a new target for TB treatment, solving a long-standing puzzle about bacterial cell wall production. The discovery reveals molecules that could be developed into drugs to treat tuberculosis, particularly for multi-drug resistant strains.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJul 3, 2008

Ancient marine invertebrate diversity less explosive than thought

Researchers found that diversity among ancient marine creatures like clams and lobsters showed only a modest rise beginning 144 million years ago. The study contradicts previous work suggesting dramatic increases in diversity, providing insight into future diversity and the impact of global warming.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 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.

Brain noise is a good thing

A new study from Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care overturns the notion that brain noise decreases with maturity. Brain maturation leads to more stable and accurate behavior in memory tasks, but also correlates with increased brain signal variability.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 3, 2008

Eclipses again prove key for Einstein

Researchers confirmed Einstein's theory of general relativity using observations of a unique pulsar system. The discovery shows that one pulsar is 'wobbling' in space, a effect precisely as predicted by Einstein.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Kidney cancer patients given vaccine show no increased survival

A new vitespen vaccine was tested on post-operative kidney cancer patients, but showed no significant improvement in recurrence-free survival. In early stage disease, patients receiving the vaccine had a lower risk of recurrence, but this finding requires further validation.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 3, 2008

'Mind's eye' influences visual perception

New research from Vanderbilt University has found that mental imagery--what we see with the "mind's eye"--directly impacts our visual perception. The study, published in Current Biology, discovered that a short-term memory trace formed by imagery can bias future perception.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 3, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nature reserves attract humans, but at a cost to biodiversity

A new study finds that nature reserves in Africa and Latin America attract human settlement, with population growth near protected areas being nearly twice that of neighboring rural areas. The researchers attribute this to economic incentives provided through international aid and donor investment, which stimulate local economies.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Long-term study of middle-aged mice shows

A long-term study shows that resveratrol improves bone health, reduces cataracts and cardiovascular dysfunction, and enhances balance and motor coordination in middle-aged mice. The study also found that resveratrol induces gene expression patterns similar to those induced by dietary restriction.

SourcePure Communications Inc.·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 3, 2008

Prevalence of religious congregations affects mortality rates

Research found that communities with a large number of Catholic and Mainline Protestant churches tend to have lower mortality rates due to their emphasis on community outreach and public charity. In contrast, Conservative Protestant churches often focus on individual relationships with God and may lead to higher mortality rates.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalSocial Forces·DateJul 3, 2008

U-M instrument shows what planet Mercury is made of

A University of Michigan instrument on the MESSENGER spacecraft has detected silicon, sodium, sulfur, and water ions around Mercury, suggesting that they were blasted from the surface or exosphere by solar wind. The findings provide a new understanding of Mercury's composition and its interaction with the sun's magnetic field.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 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.

Einstein was right, McGill astrophysicists say

Researchers at McGill University confirmed Einstein's prediction that a binary-pulsar system's spin axis should precess due to general relativity. The team observed the unique PSR J0737-3039A/B twin-pulsar system and found that one pulsar's spin axis is indeed precessing as predicted.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Woman aquires new accent after stroke

A woman in southern Ontario acquired a unique Maritime Canadian accent after a stroke, according to a study by McMaster University researchers. Despite intensive speech therapy, the new accent persists, even two years later.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalCanadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques·DateJul 3, 2008

New drugs for Crohn's disease

Researchers are developing new treatments targeting Crohn's disease by blocking autoimmune responses and strengthening the intestinal lining. The goal is to provide more effective options for patients who have lost response to current treatments.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 3, 2008

Mimic molecules to protect against plague

Researchers have developed molecules that can mimic Yersinia pestis, a type of plague bacteria, to stimulate the innate immune response and protect against pneumonic plague. These synthetic modified lipid A compounds have been shown to be effective in treating infected animals, with up to 93% survival rate.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalMicrobiology·DateJul 3, 2008

Visualizing atomic-scale acoustic wavesin nanostructures

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new technique to visualize high-frequency acoustic waves in nanostructures, such as LED lights. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with terahertz (THz) radiation, they can detect these waves and gain insights into the dynamics of crystals under ultra-high s...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 3, 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.

AGU Journal Highlights -- July 3, 2008

Scientists studied carbon export in the deep Arctic Ocean, finding that most particulate organic carbon enters from surrounding continental margins. Meanwhile, research on Venus's magnetic field reveals new structures and turbulence patterns within its induced magnetosphere. Additionally, Antarctic sea ice forms unique, organism-rich l...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 3, 2008

Infant formula blocks HIV transmission via breastfeeding

A team of researchers has developed a new infant formula that captures the HIV virus, preventing its transmission through breastfeeding. The formula contains a special strain of probiotic lactobacilli that can survive in hot climates and provides long-lasting protection.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateJul 3, 2008

Geologists push back date basins formed, supporting frozen Earth theory

A team of geologists from the University of Florida has found evidence that six major basins in India were formed over a billion years ago, removing an obstacle to the Snowball Earth theory. The discovery also suggests that complex life may have originated hundreds of millions of years earlier than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalPrecambrian Research·DateJul 3, 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.

New research sheds light on the molecular basis of crib death

Researchers have developed a mouse model of SIDS, showing that an imbalance of serotonin in the brainstem is sufficient to cause sudden death. The study suggests that a congenital serotonin defect could play a critical role in SIDS.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 2008

Stem cells from umbilical cord used in the treatment of hepatic diseases

Researchers have found that human umbilical cord blood cells can improve liver damage and function in rats with hepatitis. The study provides an alternative to bone marrow transplants for hepatic regenerative medicine, offering hope for patients suffering from terminal hepatic failure.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalCell Transplantation·DateJul 3, 2008

Statins have unexpected effect on pool of powerful brain cells

Researchers discovered that statins increase the development of oligodendrocytes from glial progenitor cells, a crucial reservoir for brain cell customization. The findings suggest potential benefits and risks associated with statin use in brain health and dementia prevention.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalGlia·DateJul 3, 2008

Organizing an Earth Systems Science Agency

The article proposes merging NOAA and USGS to create an independent Earth Systems Science Agency (ESSA) to address climate change, freshwater availability, and biodiversity loss. The new agency would have a comprehensive perspective on both environmental and resource systems.

SourceWoodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars/Science and Technology Innovation Program·JournalScience·DateJul 3, 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.

Gender is an issue in kidney transplantation

A retrospective cohort study found complex gender interactions in kidney transplantation outcomes, with female donors having a higher rate of graft loss and female recipients experiencing a lower rate of graft failure. The study suggests considering sex in future studies and decisions on organ allocation to optimize transplant success.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 3, 2008

'Smart' materials get smarter with ability to better control shape and size

Biological chemist Jason Shear and his team developed a way to alter the shape and size of microscopic hydrogel structures by changing their environment's chemistry. This allows for precise control over cells, which can be used to study disease, understand quorum sensing, and create micro-devices.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2008