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Science News Archive March 2008 - Page 6


Page 6 of 19

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
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.

UC Davis researchers discover how HIV turns food-poisoning into lethal infection

UC Davis scientists discovered how salmonella becomes lethal for AIDS patients by finding the defect in immune response that allows it to cross the gut barrier and infect other organs. The study suggests Th17 cells play a crucial role in the inflammatory response, recruiting immune system cells to the site of infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 23, 2008

Promising new drug targets identified for Huntington's disease

Researchers have identified promising new drug targets for Huntington's disease, which can stimulate autophagy and alleviate the toxicity of malformed proteins. Candidate drugs include verapamil and clonidine, which have been shown to be safe and effective in cell-based models.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 23, 2008

Protein protects embryonic stem cells' versatility and self-renewal

A study published in Nature reveals that the protein REST maintains self-renewal and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells by suppressing a specific microRNA called miR-21. This discovery has implications for regenerative medicine and treating diseases, including pediatric brain cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateMar 23, 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.

Yerkes researchers identify language feature unique to human brain

Researchers at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have identified a unique language feature in the human brain that differs from our closest living relative, the chimpanzee. The study used DTI to compare human brain structures and found a larger and more widespread projection of fibers in the middle temporal lobe.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 23, 2008

Therapeutic cloning treats Parkinson's disease in mice

Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have successfully used therapeutic cloning to treat Parkinson's disease in mice. The method involves generating customized dopamine neurons from the patient's own skin cells and transplanting them into the mouse, resulting in neurological improvement.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 23, 2008

A switch that controls whether cells pass point of no return

The study reveals that the switch is bistable, maintaining its on state even without external signals, and provides clues for novel drug targets for cancer and other diseases. The findings have implications for understanding cell fate decisions and the process of cell death.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMar 23, 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.

Netting mosquitoes to prevent malaria

A Michigan State University researcher is leading a study on insecticide-treated bed nets to disrupt mosquito populations and reduce malaria transmission. The project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bed nets over time and monitor changes in parasite populations and virulence factors.

SourceMichigan State University·DateMar 21, 2008

Countering an approaching water crisis

Researchers are turning to advanced technologies like membrane bioreactors, nanoscale filtration, and desalination to provide clean water globally. A coordinated approach is needed to tackle complex water issues, with international cooperation key to addressing the crisis before it worsens.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateMar 21, 2008

Visual technology enables brain to learn in new ways

Researchers can translate complex concepts into clear 3D images, enabling new insights and recognition of patterns. The VisWall system combines advanced features to produce ultra-high resolution images with the ability to touch and manipulate data.

SourceTufts University·DateMar 21, 2008
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Childhood personality can predict important outcomes in emerging adulthood

A 19-year longitudinal study found that childhood personality types, including resilient, overcontrolled, and undercontrolled traits, are associated with the timing of important transitions into adulthood. Resilient individuals tend to leave their parents' house earlier and find a romantic partner faster.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of Personality·DateMar 21, 2008

First study hints at insights to come from genes unique to humans

Researchers have produced the first detailed analysis of a hominoid-only gene, TBC1D3, which is linked to cancer. The study found that the protein helps turn on RAS, a protein active in a third of all human cancers. Further research aims to uncover the functions of human-only genes and their potential applications in fighting diseases.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 21, 2008

Entrepreneurs hold the key to income growth in developing economies

The Enterprise Initiative will analyze the role of enterprise in simulating economic growth, inequality, and poverty reduction using high-quality models based on massive survey data from Thailand and other emerging economies. The project aims to provide policy solutions and shed light on circumstances that lead to entrepreneurial growth.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateMar 21, 2008

In poker, Case Western Reserve University psychologist places bets on skill

A study by Case Western Reserve University psychologist found that skills play a significant role in winning at poker, rather than luck. The research involved college students playing multiple rounds of Turbo Texas Hold'em, with those given strategies performing better and improving their games.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGaming Law Review and Economics·DateMar 21, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Story ideas from the Journal of Biological Chemistry

A new study has shed light on the cause of cataracts, revealing that tiny pieces of crystallin proteins become toxic during aging. Researchers also found that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) aggregates are composed of just one protein: superoxide dismutase (SOD1).

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 21, 2008

Using ground-penetrating radar to observe hidden underground water processes

Researchers present applications of radar technology for exploring water beneath the surface, addressing soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and pollution. GPR-derived dielectric permittivity is used as a surrogate measure for soil water content, providing high-resolution subsurface images.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalVadose Zone Journal·DateMar 20, 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.

Infection with a mutated HIV strain results in better survival

A recent study found that infection with a mutated HIV strain is linked to improved survival in people who are newly infected. The researchers identified two specific mutations, A146X and T242N, which were associated with lower viral loads and higher CD4+ counts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 20, 2008

Do attractive women want it all?

A new study reveals that attractive women's preferences for partners are influenced by their own physical attractiveness, calibrating their standards across multiple characteristics. Women seek a balanced combination of good genes, resources, parenting proclivities, and emotional commitment in their partners.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateMar 20, 2008

Arthritis drug tocilizumab effective in trials involving both adults and children

The anti-arthritis drug tocilizumab has been proven effective in two separate trials involving both adults and children. In the adult trial, patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis showed significant improvements in signs of RA. In the pediatric trial, children and young adults with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arth...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 20, 2008
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Adolescents with chronic insomnia report 'twofold to fivefold' increase in personal problems

A recent study found that adolescents with chronic insomnia are more likely to experience drug use, depression, and school work difficulties. The study, which involved over 3,000 teenagers, also suggests that primary care settings may be an effective venue for screening and early intervention of adolescent insomnia.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 20, 2008

Texas A&M scientists say early Americans arrived earlier

A team of researchers, led by Ted Goebel and Michael R. Waters, revises the timeline of early American arrival, proposing a 15,000-year-old migration from Alaska. New data synthesizes genetic, archaeological, and skeletal evidence to explain the complex process of peopling America.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Children with healthier diets do better in school

A new study published in the Journal of School Health reveals that children with healthier diets outperform their peers academically. The research found students with higher fruit and vegetable intake and lower fat consumption were less likely to fail literacy assessments.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of School Health·DateMar 20, 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.

The crisis in Kenya: 1 conflict among others

In Kenya, ethnic violence linked to land tenure claims has led to a fierce situation of fire and fighting, particularly in the Rift Valley. The Majimbo ideology, built on regional homogeneity, justifies political supremacy and local land tenure, leading to xenophobic feelings.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalJournal of Eastern African Studies·DateMar 20, 2008

Joslin researchers discover new effect for insulin

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have found that insulin inhibits a master gene regulator protein, SKN-1, which controls the Phase 2 detoxification pathway. Increased SKN-1 activity increases lifespan, providing potential insights into increasing resistance to chronic diseases and influencing longevity.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell·DateMar 20, 2008

APIC launches first national C. difficile prevalence study

The APIC Research Foundation's first national C. difficile prevalence study aims to gain a better understanding of the spread of this virulent pathogen, which causes diarrhea and serious intestinal conditions. The study will provide the first national estimate of C. difficile infection in U.S. healthcare facilities.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·DateMar 20, 2008

Tiny buckyballs squeeze hydrogen like giant Jupiter

Researchers at Rice University discovered that tiny carbon capsules called buckyballs can hold up to 8% of their weight in hydrogen, surpassing the federal target of 6%. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient storage and use of hydrogen in fuel cells and cars.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 20, 2008
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Money buys happiness when you spend on others: UBC and Harvard research

A UBC study and Harvard research found that spending money 'pro-socially' on gifts for others or charitable donations leads to greater reported happiness. The researchers used a nationally representative sample of Americans to test their theory that how people spend their money is at least as important as income earned.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Physicists team up to learn how quantum mechanical states break down

Researchers at Ames Laboratory and Microsoft Station Q studied nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to understand decoherence, a process destroying quantum coherence. They discovered that environmental interference can be regulated by applying a moderate magnetic field, gaining insight into the decoherence process.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 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.

Research shows Earth's earliest animal ecosystem was complex and included sexual reproduction

Researchers discover ancient organism with multiple reproductive strategies, including sexual reproduction, dating back to the Neoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that ecosystems were complex and interconnected hundreds of millions of years ago, providing insights into early life evolution and potential extraterrestrial life.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Yale scientists show that a microRNA can reduce lung cancer growth

Researchers at Yale University and Asuragen, Inc. found that the microRNA let-7 substantially reduced cancer growth in multiple mouse models of lung cancer, indicating a direct role for miRNAs in cancer progression. The study introduces a new paradigm for using miRNAs as effective therapeutic agents to treat human cancer.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Cycle·DateMar 20, 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.

UC San Diego chemists find important contributor to smog

A chemical reaction in the atmosphere above major cities is a significant contributor to urban ozone and smog, according to UC San Diego chemists. This new mechanism involves reactions between water vapor and NO2, producing OH radicals that attack hydrocarbons and form nitrogen dioxide.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

A genetic study of Latin Americans sheds light on a troubled history

A recent molecular analysis of ancestry across Latin America has revealed a marked differentiation between regions, demonstrating a 'genetic continuity' between pre-and post Columbian populations. The research shows that mostly Native and African women and European men contributed genes to the subsequent generations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

Rare cosmic rays are from far away

Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 20, 2008

JCI table of contents: March 20, 2008

Researchers have identified a crucial role for antibodies in protecting against nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella bacteria, which causes fatal infections in African children. Meanwhile, a study on HOXB4 gene therapy found that early precursors can cause leukemia in large animals, highlighting the need for extreme caution in human trials.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 20, 2008
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Bullying threatens nurses' health and careers

A study found that bullying in nursing workplaces leads to declining patient care quality and increased health problems among nurses. Author Dianne Felblinger recommends implementing zero-tolerance standards to prevent such incidents.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·DateMar 20, 2008

New research provides genetic clue to Parkinson's disease

A genetic clue has been uncovered for Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder affecting millions worldwide. GIGYF2 mutations have been found to be directly linked to the development of Parkinson's in people with a family history of the disease.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008