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Science News for March 24, 2008


New findings from Tibetan Plateau suggest uplift occurred in stages

The Tibetan Plateau's rise is now believed to have occurred in stages, with the central part uplifting first at least 40 million years ago. This finding has significant implications for understanding major episodes of global climate change.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2008

Corn's roots dig deeper into South America

Researchers have discovered evidence of maize consumption in tropical Ecuador dating back over 5,000 years. The findings suggest that corn was a vital food crop for villages in the region, contradicting previous theories that it was only used for ritual purposes.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 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.

When should children infected with HIV start medication

The article discusses the controversy surrounding when to initiate antiretroviral treatment in children with HIV. Dr. Steven Welch argues for deferred treatment to avoid poor adherence habits and drug resistance, while Professor Di Gibb advocates for early initiation to prevent disease progression and promote healthy growth.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 24, 2008

Toward the ethical treatment of whole genome research participants

A consensus statement provides guidance for whole-genome research participants regarding informed consent, withdrawal, results return, and data public release. The authors emphasize the need for robust governance and oversight mechanisms to protect participants' privacy and autonomy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 24, 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.

Dieting and medication may reduce blood pressure in patients with hypertension

A meta-analysis of previously published studies found that dieting and medication can significantly lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Weight loss interventions involving orlistat resulted in greater reductions in both body weight and blood pressure compared to usual care or placebo groups.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 24, 2008

New SAI grant aims to shorten testing time of photovoltaic modules

PTL will test concentrator PV systems and work with manufacturers to certify products, develop warranty information, and measure up against industry standards. The goal is to fill a need for reliability tests, subjecting modules to extreme conditions to simulate operational lifetimes.

SourceArizona State University·DateMar 24, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UH report shows college students making the grade online, in class

A University of Houston report found that students in a 'hybrid class' incorporating instructional technology scored higher on average, with minimal interaction between instructor and professor. Students preferred the self-paced nature of the hybrid class, which also reduced space management issues for large campuses.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAJP Advances in Physiology Education·DateMar 24, 2008

'Superdense' coding gets denser

Researchers at the University of Illinois have successfully transmitted two bits of information using a single photon, overcoming a fundamental limit in classical coding. The breakthrough uses hyper-entangled photons to encode and decode messages, paving the way for more efficient quantum communication.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 24, 2008

Too much information? Study shows how ignorance can be influential

Researchers Isabelle Brocas and Juan D. Carrillo present a situation where one party controls public opinion despite having access to the same information as others. This phenomenon, known as 'influence through ignorance,' occurs when power comes from controlling the flow of public information rather than possessing private information.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalThe RAND Journal of Economics·DateMar 24, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Social contacts and mixing patterns

A study of 7,290 participants in eight European countries identified patterns of person-to-person contact relevant to controlling the spread of infectious diseases. Statins impair antitumor effects of rituximab and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against B cell lymphoma cells.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 24, 2008

MRI: A window to genetic properties of brain tumors

Researchers have shown that MRI can non-invasively characterize brain tumors and determine which are responsive to specific treatments based on their molecular properties. The study identified five distinct MRI features linked with particular gene expression patterns, including those associated with tumor proliferation and growth.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2008

Baby boys are more likely to die than baby girls

A new study by researchers at the University of Southern California and University of Pennsylvania reveals that male infants in developed nations are more likely to die than female infants. The disparity has narrowed in recent decades due to medical advancements such as C-sections and intensive care units.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2008

A fly's tiny brain may hold huge human benefits

A University of Missouri researcher found a way to isolate and test genes related to memory by manipulating compounds associated with the fly brain. This discovery could lead to new treatments for Parkinson's disease and depression.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 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.

Free drug samples may burden patients' pockets

A recent study published in Medical Care found that patients who receive free drug samples have significantly higher out-of-pocket prescription costs than those who don't. The study analyzed data from over 5,700 patients and found that patients receiving samples spent an estimated $244 for a six-month period.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalMedical Care·DateMar 24, 2008

JAMA editor-in-chief comments on Pfizer lawsuit

A recent court ruling supported JAMA and Archives of Internal Medicine in their opposition to Pfizer's subpoena for confidential information regarding COX-2 inhibitors. The subpoenas sought documents related to the decision-making process, but the court ruled that this information was irrelevant to the pending claims.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 24, 2008

OHSU Cancer Institute researchers identify new approach to help control drug resistance in leukemia

OHSU Cancer Institute researchers found that SGX393 is effective against Gleevec-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) by inhibiting T315I mutant and most, but not all, other Gleevec-resistant mutants. The combination of SGX393 with Sprycel or Tasigna completely suppressed resistance in a pre-clinical study.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 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.

Birth of an enzyme

Researchers designed an enzyme for a specific reaction using computational design, but the synthetic enzyme was less efficient than naturally occurring ones. However, by allowing the enzyme to undergo 'evolution in a test tube,' they were able to improve its efficiency 200-fold and increase reaction rates by a million-fold.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2008

K-State researchers boost beef jerky safety

Researchers at Kansas State University have validated a new method to destroy pathogens in beef jerky production, making it safer for consumers. The process involves additional drying time at 68 degrees Celsius to ensure both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella are eliminated.

SourceKansas State University·DateMar 24, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Insects take a bigger bite out of plants in a higher CO2 world

Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels in soybeans attracted more adult Japanese beetles, Western corn rootworms, and Asian soybean aphids. The study suggests that global environmental change is multifaceted, with increased insect damage due to impaired plant defenses.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 24, 2008

Strengthening the tumor-fighting ability of T cells

Activating OX40 protein in mice eliminates existing tumors and prevents new ones from forming, suggesting its potential as an anti-cancer therapy. The approach may mitigate the risk of autoimmune disease, as the mice showed no signs of autoimmunity.

SourceJournal of Experimental Medicine·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMar 24, 2008

Yang receives AFOSR grant for nanoelectronics research

Yang's project aims to create ultra-high-speed single electron memory devices based on CNTs, which could replace silicon transistors in future electronics. The team will investigate novel in-plane CNT structures for high-speed and low-power applications.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateMar 24, 2008
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Model offers new understanding of cell signaling

A new mathematical model could revolutionize how scientists study cellular signaling pathways, potentially leading to more effective treatments for cancer and other diseases. The model takes advantage of today's computing power to provide a superior tool for understanding the complex interactions between cell signals.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 24, 2008

Finely tuned WspRs help bacteria beat body by building biofilm

Researchers have identified a finely tuned control system in Pseudomonas bacteria that enables them to form biofilms, which contribute to chronic infections. The WspR enzyme plays a crucial role in this process, and its regulation helps balance the production of c-di-GMP.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 24, 2008

Risky teen behavior may not occur at home or school: but how to track?

A pilot study tracked the movement of 14- to 16-year-old girls using GPS-enabled cell phones, revealing they spend more time away from home and school than anticipated. The study aims to learn about the characteristics of environments that influence health behaviors.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 24, 2008

Hospitals that participate in clinical trials may provide better patient care

A study found that hospitals participating in clinical trials have better quality of care, lower mortality rates, and improved processes for treating acute coronary syndrome. Patients treated at these hospitals had significantly better outcomes compared to those treated at non-participating hospitals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 24, 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.