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Science News for June 27, 2008


Climate change causing significant shift in composition of coastal fish communities

A 50-year analysis of Narragansett Bay fish-trawl surveys reveals a shift from vertebrate to invertebrate species and from benthic to pelagic species composition. The study attributes this change primarily to global warming, with smaller, warm-water species increasing while larger, cool-water species declining.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateJun 27, 2008
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Prebiotic potential of almonds

Recent research suggests that almonds contain prebiotics that can stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, supporting overall digestive health. The study found that finely ground almonds significantly increased levels of certain beneficial gut bacteria, with this effect being attributed to the presence of almond lipids.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 27, 2008

McGill researchers overcome chemotherapy resistance in the lab

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a compound called silvestrol that can re-sensitize tumors to chemotherapy, making them susceptible to anticancer drugs. Silvestrol, derived from Malaysian folk medicine, has been shown to effectively reduce resistance to chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 27, 2008

MIT probe may help untangle cells' signaling pathways

Researchers have designed a new probe to image thousands of protein interactions inside living cells, giving them a tool to untangle signaling pathways. The probes are derived from an enzyme and its peptide substrate, allowing for easy detection of protein interactions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 27, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

To branch or not to branch

The study reveals that three RAMOSA genes (RA1-3) control maize inflorescence branching, leading to changes in grain yield. The genes regulate the architecture of maize ears through a complex network, influencing plant development and adaptation.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·DateJun 27, 2008

Passports for penguins

Scientists at the University of Bristol developed an intelligent, visual surveillance system to track African penguins' population dynamics and social behavior. The 'Penguin Recognition Project' uses unique biometric identifiers to monitor large numbers of species cheaply and automatically.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateJun 27, 2008

Ancient oak trees help reduce global warming

Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that submerged oak trees can store carbon for up to 14,000 years, significantly longer than trees in forests. This process reveals the importance of proper tree disposal and benefits of riparian forests in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcosystems·DateJun 27, 2008

Leading market researchers honored as inaugural INFORMS Marketing Society Fellows

The INFORMS Society for Marketing Science has announced the inaugural 10 recipients of its Fellow Award, recognizing their significant contributions to the development of knowledge and practice in marketing. The honored researchers include prominent figures such as Frank Bass, John Hauser, Gary Lilien, and Richard Staelin.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·DateJun 27, 2008

The good and the bad of a potential Alzheimer's target

Research suggests that enhancing neprilysin production can reduce plaque formation and neuron death associated with Alzheimer's disease, but at the cost of shortening lifespan. Over-activation of neprilysin also reduces CREB protein activity and increases age-dependent axon pathology.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 27, 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.

Early origins of maize in Mexico

A team of scientists has used paleobotanical evidence, genetic analysis, and microbotanical techniques to reconstruct the early history of maize agriculture. They suggest that maize may have been domesticated in Mexico around 10,000 years ago, based on findings from sediments at San Andrés, Tabasco.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·DateJun 27, 2008

USU researchers awarded $5.6 million NIH grant to fight deadly viruses

Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences have been awarded a $5.6 million grant to develop vaccines and treatments for Nipah and Hendra viruses. The grant will support collaboration with Australian researchers to test vaccines and therapeutics, which have shown promising results in previous studies.

SourceHenry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine·DateJun 27, 2008

Genome communication

Paramutations, a process where one copy of a gene can alter the expression of another, have been found in plants and may be important for introducing changes under environmental stress. Researchers studying paramutations in maize identified genes and mechanisms involved in this epigenetic process.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·DateJun 27, 2008

Brown researchers create mercury-absorbent container linings for broken CFLs

A team of Brown University researchers has invented mercury-absorbent materials to capture mercury vapor from broken compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The technology can be applied to packaging and plastic bags, making it an inexpensive solution to mitigate environmental concerns and health risks.

SourceBrown University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 27, 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.