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Science News for June 8, 2008


Study identifies brain pathway that shuts down seizures

Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified a brain pathway that reacts to low pH levels, shutting down seizure activity. The study reveals that an acid-activated ion channel, ASIC1a, plays a crucial role in terminating seizures, providing new insights into the condition and potential therapeutic approaches.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 8, 2008

Caution on stem cell therapy

Researchers discover at least one or two additional types of adult stem cells beyond Bmi1-expressing cells, found primarily in the upper third of the intestine. This finding complicates stem cell therapy for diseases such as Parkinson's and heart disease, requiring recognition of organ-specific stem cell complexity.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 8, 2008

Surprising graphene

Researchers measured graphene's properties with unprecedented accuracy, confirming its unusual features and revealing significant departures from theoretical predictions. The results point to novel practical applications in nanoscale electronics.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 8, 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.

Duke scientists show why cells starved of iron burn more glucose

Researchers found that cells lacking iron reorganize their metabolism to use less efficient glucose-based pathways, producing lower energy levels. This mechanism may help explain human responses to iron deficiency and potentially aid in diabetes research.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJun 8, 2008

Origins of the brain

New research explores the evolutionary origins of the brain, shedding light on how complex synapse structures drove brain evolution. The study finds that sophisticated molecular processing of nerve impulses was key to developing animals with more complex behaviors.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 8, 2008

Diet prior to pregnancy determines sheep's gender

Research shows that ewes fed a diet enriched with polyunsaturated fats have a significantly higher chance of giving birth to male offspring. This finding suggests that dietary composition around conception can influence sex ratio in farm species.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalReproductive Biology and Endocrinology·DateJun 8, 2008
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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AcademyHealth honors leading health services researchers

The four award winners – David Blumenthal, Ashish Jha, Ming Tai-Seale, and J. Michael McWilliams – have made groundbreaking research in areas such as health information technology, quality management, and access to healthcare services. AcademyHealth's awards promote the sharing of perspectives and strengthening of working relationships...

SourceAcademyHealth·DateJun 8, 2008

New pathogen from pigs' stomach ulcers

Scientists have isolated a new bacterium, Helicobacter suis, in pigs' stomachs using a pioneering technique. The bacterium is associated with stomach ulcers in pigs, which may cause sudden death, and has been linked to an increased risk of infection in humans who are close to the animals.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateJun 8, 2008

UCLA researchers develop new PET scanning probe that will allowing monitoring of the immune system

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have created a new probe that allows for the modeling and measurement of the immune system in action. The probe enables scientists to monitor the immune response at the whole body level in 3D, facilitating faster diagnosis and treatment evaluation of immunological disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 8, 2008