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Science News for May 14, 2008


Monarch butterflies help explain why parasites harm hosts

Researchers found that female monarchs with intermediate parasite loads were long-lived and laid many eggs, while those with light loads also thrived but had fewer infected offspring. The study provides evidence for the 'trade-off hypothesis' in a natural system.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NC State astrophysicist discovers youngest known supernova in Milky Way

Dr. Stephen Reynolds and his team discovered the youngest known supernova remnant G1.9+0.3, estimated to be around 100-140 years old, using Chandra X-Ray Observatory images from 2007 and 1985. The discovery suggests that a supernova explosion occurred relatively recently, providing insights into the life cycle of galaxies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

Scientists decipher fruit tree genome for the first time

Researchers have successfully sequenced the papaya genome, revealing a complex evolutionary history and providing valuable insights into fruit tree biology. The study also identified genetic mechanisms underlying arboreal development and seed dispersal, with potential implications for other crops in the Brassicales order.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 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.

Scientists aim to unlock deep-sea 'secrets' of Earth's crust

Scientists from Durham University are exploring the Mid-Atlantic Ridge tectonic plate boundary using robots to map individual volcanoes and collect rock samples. The research aims to shed light on the timescales behind Earth's crust formation and related tectonic plates.

SourceDurham University·DateMay 14, 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.

Studies confirm greenhouse mechanisms even further into past

Scientists have confirmed the link between greenhouse gas levels and global warming with new analysis of Antarctic ice cores extending back 800,000 years. The study reveals that current concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane are unprecedented in the past.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2008

Premier issue of Environmental Justice just published

The premier issue of Environmental Justice explores adverse environmental burdens on marginalized populations, legal challenges, and activism. The journal aims to provide a balanced assessment of environmental inequalities locally, nationally, and globally.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Justice·DateMay 14, 2008

Aprotinin associated with increased risk of death

A Canadian clinical trial has found that aprotinin increases the relative risk of death by 50% compared to other antifibrinolytics used to prevent blood loss during heart surgery. The study involved over 2,000 patients and showed that tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid are safer choices for cardiac surgical patients.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 14, 2008

Genetic variation linked to sugary food

A genetic variation in the GLUT2 gene is associated with higher intakes of sugars in two distinct populations. The study found that individuals with the variation consistently consumed more sugars, regardless of age or sex.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·JournalPhysiological Genomics·DateMay 14, 2008

Study confirms link between mothers' depression, young children's injuries

Young children whose mothers are severely depressed are nearly three times more likely to suffer accidental injuries than other children in the same age group. Mothers with chronic depression may not properly safeguard their environments, leading to poor supervision and increased injury risks.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateMay 14, 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.

New role found for a cardiac progenitor population

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have found that parent cells involved in embryonic development can generate three important types of cells with potential for cardiac repair. The study suggests that restoring the ability of adult epicardial cells to generate cardiomyocytes may enhance their future potential for c...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 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.

New efficiency record for solar cells

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology and Fraunhofer Institute achieved an unprecedented 6% improvement in solar cell efficiency by depositing a thin layer of aluminum oxide on the front of a silicon solar cell. This breakthrough brings the industrial application of high-efficiency solar cells closer, with costs expected to...

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

Racism not an issue in firing of NBA coaches

A new study by the University of Michigan found no evidence of racial bias in the firing of NBA coaches. The research showed that African-American coaches were fired at the same rate as their white counterparts, and that technical efficiency had no difference between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Sport Finance·DateMay 14, 2008

Middle class relaxing with marijuana

A University of Alberta study found that middle-class Canadians use marijuana for relaxation and focus, challenging criminalization. The study suggests decriminalization and legalization could reduce crime and generate revenue.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·DateMay 14, 2008

Research sheds new light on heroin addiction

A study by researchers at the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne found that manipulating the adenosine A2A receptor may contribute to heroin addiction. Mice without this receptor showed reduced desire for morphine and did not develop tolerance or conditioned place preference, suggesting a role in regulating opiate use and abuse.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateMay 14, 2008
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

AGU Journal Highlights -- May 14, 2008

Researchers find global sea level acceleration may have started in the 18th century, causing a 6 cm rise during the 19th century and 19 cm during the 20th century. The US east coast also subsided since the Eocene, with wind-launched ocean eddies triggering formation and propagation in the South China Sea.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

Vancouver researchers discover missing link between TB bacteria and humans

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered how tuberculosis bacteria hide and multiply in human bodies. By identifying a key protein involved in this process, they are working towards therapies that can block its activity, leading to a more effective treatment for TB.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMay 14, 2008

Female sex offenders often have mental problems

A Swedish study found that female sex offenders are more likely to suffer from mental illness or drug abuse than male perpetrators. The research compared 93 convicted women with over 20,000 normal women and 13,000 women convicted of non-sexual crimes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateMay 14, 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.

Restoring fish populations leads to tough choice for Great Lakes Gulls

A new report by the Ecological Society of America finds that restoring fish populations in the Great Lakes leads to a shift in herring gull diet, with birds opting for terrestrial food instead. This change may have severe consequences for other species, such as terns, which are more closely tied to aquatic environments.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcology·DateMay 14, 2008

Discovery of most recent supernova in our galaxy

Astronomers have tracked a recent supernova explosion in the Milky Way galaxy using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and NRAO's VLA. The discovery confirms the supernova is about 140 years old, making it the youngest recorded in the galaxy.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMay 14, 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.

New treatment for hepatitis C

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma found that Fluvastatin significantly lowered viral load for up to six weeks in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The study aims to improve the cure rate by combining Fluvastatin with standard treatment.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateMay 14, 2008

Most effective initial therapy for HIV-1 infection identified

A study published in New England Journal of Medicine identified efavirenz with NRTI as the most effective initial therapy for HIV-1 infection, achieving high viral suppression rates. The finding offers a valuable alternative to traditional triple-drug regimens and could lead to simpler treatment regimens.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 14, 2008

Warming climate is changing life on global scale, says new study

A new analysis combining decades of data from all continents shows that human-caused warming is changing life on a global scale. The study found that physical and biological systems are being affected, including changes in tree leafing, bird migrations, and ocean plankton and fish communities.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2008

Mixed results for late-talking toddlers

New research from the LOOKING at Language project reveals that late-talking toddlers are more likely to continue struggling with language development, but a significant proportion will catch up. By seven years old, around 80% of late talkers have made progress and there is no evidence boys are at greater risk than girls.

SourceResearch Australia·DateMay 14, 2008
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Fat chance: Brown vs. white fat cell specification

Researchers discover how PRDM16 regulates fat cells to favor brown adipose tissue (BAT) formation, which can help counteract obesity and diabetes. The findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms behind BAT specification and hold promise for therapeutic treatments.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 14, 2008

Rosiglitazone prevents hepatic fibrosis?

Rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic drug, has been found to prevent hepatic fibrosis due to Schistosoma japonicum infection. PPARgamma ligand is thought to play a key role in this process.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 14, 2008

Monkey studies important for brain science

Studies with non-human primates have significantly contributed to understanding the human brain, particularly in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The unique similarities between human and monkey brains enable researchers to study complex behaviors and develop new treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 14, 2008

OSU technologies funded for development

Four faculty research projects at Oklahoma State University have been awarded funding from the Technology Business Assessment Group, totaling over $102,000. The projects focus on developing innovative products and technologies, including a 3D human tissue model, fiber optic sensor, data protection software, and recycled rubber composites.

SourceOklahoma State University·DateMay 14, 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.

Physicists demonstrate how information can escape from black holes

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a mechanism that allows information to be recovered from black holes, contrary to Stephen Hawking's previous assertion. By expanding space-time beyond its assumed size, the team finds room for information to reappear in the distant future.

SourcePenn State·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

Researchers fine-tune clot-busting treatment for bleeding in brain

A new treatment using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has dramatically decreased death and disability in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a condition where blood clots inside the brain. The treatment, which clears trapped blood from the brain, showed an 80% survival rate for patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateMay 14, 2008

'Cool' new treatment for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors

A new study shows that an anesthetic injection into nerves in the neck can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes and night awakenings in breast cancer survivors. The treatment, called a stellate ganglion block, was shown to provide lasting relief for most patients.

SourceDAVIS MEDPR, Inc.·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMay 14, 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.

Deep sea methane scavengers captured

Researchers successfully isolated and sequenced the genome of syntrophic microorganisms that oxidize methane anaerobically. They discovered new bacterial partners and found genes responsible for nitrogen fixation, which may enhance their metabolic versatility. These findings provide insights into the global carbon cycle and climate.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2008

A promising target of anti-fibrotic therapy: herbal compound 861

Herbal compound 861 delays and reverses hepatic fibrosis due to HBV infection through the inactivation of LX-2 cells. The TGF beta1/ALK1/Smad1 signaling pathway is activated by TGF-beta1 and inhibited by Cpd861, making it a potential target for anti-fibrotic therapy

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 14, 2008

Gastrin and somatostatin relate with large intestine carcinoma?

Recent research suggests that gastrin inhibits cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer by up-regulating FasL expression, allowing cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. Somatostatin promotes cell apoptosis in large intestine cancer by increasing caspase-3 levels and activating death receptor signaling pathways.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 14, 2008

Distinct treatment needed: Tourette's and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Researchers found a clear dissociation between OCD and Tourette's dimensions in terms of brain activity, working memory, and attention. This distinction could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment approaches for both conditions by prioritizing the identification and addressement of OCD symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalProgress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry·DateMay 14, 2008

Common drug halts lung damage in emphysema

Researchers have found that doxycycline, commonly used to treat acne, can prevent tissue damage caused by emphysema. The study suggests that the antibiotic boosts the body's ability to protect against lung damage by increasing VEGF levels.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Cellular Biochemistry·DateMay 14, 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.

Nanotechnology in reverse uses cell to calibrate tools

Researchers at UC Davis use individual red blood cells as accurate force transducers to calibrate atomic force microscopes. This technique allows for precise measurement of forces between molecules and cells, advancing our understanding of cell biology.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 14, 2008

NASA study links Earth impacts to human-caused climate change

A new NASA-led study finds human-caused climate change has made significant impacts on Earth's natural systems, including permafrost thawing and plant blooming earlier across Europe. The study concludes that human-caused warming is resulting in a broad range of impacts across the globe.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2008

Video games and violence

A recent study by Patrick Kierkegaard suggests that there is limited scientific evidence linking video games to real-world aggression. In fact, research shows that violent video games have not led to an increase in violence but rather may have reduced it. The study's findings contradict previous work on the topic and highlight the need...

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry·DateMay 14, 2008

Mouse can do without man's most treasured genes

Researchers found that 22% of essential human genes are nonessential in mice, and this discrepancy affects waste management. The study's results suggest that efficient waste management became increasingly important as life span increased in humans, making certain genes more essential.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 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.

Accounting practices ultimately affect global economy

A University of Missouri researcher found that uniform and strict auditor enforcement is crucial for improving the quality of accounting, which in turn affects the global economy. The study suggests that countries with stronger investor protection and rigorous auditing have better financial reporting.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalContemporary Accounting Research·DateMay 14, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Wandering poles left scars on Europa

Researchers mapped large arc-shaped depressions on Jupiter's moon Europa, indicating a shift of 80° in its rotational axis. The findings suggest the presence of an internal liquid ocean, which could support life, and provide independent evidence for this possibility.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateMay 14, 2008

Compound has potential for new class of AIDS drugs

A new compound has been developed that targets the flap recognition pocket of the HIV-1 protease, inhibiting its activity. This mechanism is distinct from current protease inhibitors and holds promise for a new class of AIDS drugs with better drug-like properties.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalBiopolymers·DateMay 14, 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.

Indianapolis trees provide $5.7M in benefits

A study by the USDA Forest Service found that Indianapolis street trees annually intercept 318.9 million gallons of rainfall, valued at $1.98 million, and reduce electricity use by over 6,447 megawatt hours, worth $432,000. The trees also improve air quality and increase property values.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·DateMay 14, 2008