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Science News for March 7, 2008


New TB test means quicker and easier diagnosis for patients

A new blood test, ELISpot-Plus, in conjunction with a skin test, can rule out tuberculosis infection within 48 hours, providing a much quicker result than existing methods. This combination enables doctors to diagnose TB more accurately and begin investigating other possible explanations for patients' symptoms.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2008

New stem cell technique improves genetic alteration

A new stem cell technique has been developed by UC Irvine researchers, which blends two existing methods to improve cell survival rates and increase the efficiency of inserting DNA into cells. This approach is up to 100 times more efficient than current methods at producing human embryonic stem cells with desired genetic alterations.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 7, 2008

WMAP reveals neutrinos, end of dark ages, first second of universe

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) has revealed a sea of cosmic neutrinos permeating the universe and provides evidence that the first stars took more than half a billion years to create a cosmic fog. The new data also places tight constraints on the burst of expansion in the universe's first trillionth of a second.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 7, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lombardi Cancer Center's Toretsky awarded prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Award

Jeffrey A. Toretsky, a pediatric oncology physician and researcher at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, has received a prestigious Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The award will support his research to identify molecular mechanisms of EWS-FLI1 and develop ...

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateMar 7, 2008

Dr. Mei receives 2008 Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award in Neurosciences

Dr. Lin Mei received the 2008 Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award for his groundbreaking research on neural circuitry formation and synaptic plasticity. His studies have revealed potential causes of schizophrenia and seizures, as well as new treatment targets for psychiatric diseases.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMar 7, 2008

On a 'roll': MIT researchers devise new cell-sorting system

Researchers at MIT have devised a simple and inexpensive method for sorting different types of cells, which could lead to low-cost tools for diagnosing diseases like cancer. The new device relies on the way cells interact with a surface by rolling along it, allowing specific types of cells to be separated.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 7, 2008

Computers explain why pears may become brown during commercial storage

A computer model developed by researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven can predict the oxygen concentration inside pears, leading to a better understanding of internal browning. The model suggests that extremely low oxygen concentrations in the core of the pear can lead to cell death and browning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 7, 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.

Scientists believe photograph depicts wolverine in California

A photograph taken by a wildlife biology student in 2008 may depict a California wolverine, sparking further analysis and investigation. The animal's presence has not been confirmed since the 1920s, but forest service scientists believe it is a rare sighting.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·DateMar 7, 2008

$17 million grant supports predictive science and supernovae research

The Center for Radiative Shock Hydrodynamics will advance predictive science by simulating and studying supernovae. Researchers will quantify uncertainty in simulation results, understand sources of uncertainties, and make better predictions. This grant also funds a doctoral program for predictive science and engineering at U-M.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateMar 7, 2008

Journalism created initial awareness of nation's history, MU study finds

A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Betty Winfield found that 19th century American journalism significantly influenced the nation's early history. By referencing certain people and events, journalists created a collective memory and gave meaning to current events.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournalism & Communication Monographs·DateMar 7, 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.

LASIK patients report more than 95 percent satisfaction rate worldwide

A global study of LASIK patients found that 95.4 percent are satisfied with their new vision, with similar high satisfaction rates reported in countries outside the US. The study also identified factors associated with patient dissatisfaction, which will be presented at an upcoming ASCRS symposium.

SourceAmerican Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery·DateMar 7, 2008

Language of a fly proves surprising

A team of researchers discovered that a common fly's motion-sensitive neurons emit spikes very often and precisely, revealing a more complex language than previously thought. This new understanding challenges traditional assumptions about neural networks and could lead to the development of more efficient artificial intelligence.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 7, 2008

Newly defined signaling pathway could mean better biofuel sources

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a biochemical pathway in plants that determines cell shape and size. By understanding this pathway, scientists may be able to engineer plants with improved properties for biofuel production, such as more massive cell walls.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 7, 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.

New bacteria contaminate hairspray

Scientists have identified a new species of bacteria called Microbacterium hatanonis that contaminates hairspray, similar to previously found bacteria in human infections.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY·DateMar 7, 2008

Stratospheric ozone chemistry plays an important role for atmospheric airflow patterns

Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that stratospheric ozone chemistry significantly influences the Arctic Oscillation, leading to changes in atmospheric air flows and temperature distribution. This basic knowledge is crucial for improving climate models and reducing uncertainty in simulated climate developments.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMar 7, 2008

Typical North American diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids

Research found that women consuming high amounts of meat and low amounts of fish have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for brain and eye function. This may lead to developmental delays in infants, emphasizing the need for dietary recommendations that promote optimal health for mothers and babies.

SourceChild & Family Research Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 7, 2008

Case Western Reserve University researchers identify colorectal cancer gene

Case Western Reserve University researchers identified genes associated with hereditary components of colorectal cancer in a genome-wide scan. The study found susceptibility genes on chromosomes 1p, 15q, and 17p, which may lead to better cancer screening strategies.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 7, 2008

Allergic response tied to lipid molecules in cell membrane

Researchers at Penn State University have discovered that lipid molecules in cell membranes play a key role in triggering allergic reactions. The team used advanced imaging techniques to show how cholesterol-rich lipid domains associate with IgE antibodies and their receptors, leading to histamine release and allergic symptoms.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 7, 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.

New study reveals profound impact of our unconscious on reaching goals

Researchers found that non-conscious goal pursuit helps individuals achieve their objectives, even in new environments. In two experiments, participants who received achievement-related cues demonstrated improved performance in tasks requiring implicit learning.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 7, 2008

GLAST spacecraft arrives in Florida to prepare for launch

The GLAST spacecraft is preparing for its launch on May 16 at the Kennedy Space Center. It will explore extreme environments in the universe, studying supermassive black hole systems, pulsars, and cosmic rays. The mission aims to answer questions about gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 7, 2008

Skewered pumpkins

Researchers developed a pH-sensitive pseudorotaxane nanovalve that can switch between open and closed states. The valve uses cucurbituril molecules to control the flow of guest molecules in porous silica spheres, offering a potential solution for targeted drug delivery.

SourceWiley·DateMar 7, 2008
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.