Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for May 21, 2008


The new discovery about pathophysiology of intestinal irritable syndrome

Research highlights the critical role of food intolerance in IBS symptoms, particularly diarrhea, which alters epithelial function and increases intestinal permeability. The study provides valuable insights into the relationship between intestinal inflammation and increased permeability in IBS patients.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Challenges of HIV-1 subtype diversity

Advances in sequencing and surveillance have enabled researchers to identify circulating strains of HIV-1, with subtype B prevalent in the Americas and clades A, C, and D in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study highlights the importance of viral diversity on disease progression and transmission.

SourceHenry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 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.

How to diagnose primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma?

Primary pancreatic MFH is a rare entity with distinct clinical characteristics, requiring prompt diagnosis for effective treatment. Characteristic imaging findings include large, liquescent-necrosis masses or multilocular cystic lesions with calcification on CT scans.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Climate change does double-whammy to animals in seasonal environments

Research on caribou in West Greenland reveals that climate change is affecting not only the timing of plant growth but also the availability of nutritious food. This 'trophic mismatch' leads to reduced births and increased deaths among caribou calves, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect seasonal animals.

SourcePenn State·DateMay 21, 2008

Researcher strives for watershed moment

A researcher at the University of Western Ontario is studying the relationship between global warming, nutrient enrichment, and lake systems to understand the complex dynamics of climate change. The study aims to identify how human activities impact regional temperature, hydroclimates, and aquatic ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·DateMay 21, 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.

A foamy drink and the future of food

Tejate, a traditional Maize and Cacao Beverage from Oaxaca, Mexico, holds the key to understanding the future of agriculture and food variety. The authors found that tejate is in decline in modern communities but remains associated with traditional farmers' varieties, which are essential for preserving crop diversity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateMay 21, 2008

A better method of chemosensitivity testing on gastric cancer

A new method of chemosensitivity testing was found to provide predictive information that could lead to better treatment outcomes for gastric cancer patients. The study's results showed a longer overall 5-year survival time in the sensitive group compared to the control group.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Does patient outcome depend on who they are or where they go for care?

Research findings suggest that high-volume surgeons at high-volume centers have improved in-hospital mortality rates for liver resections. Additionally, hospitals with a high annual volume of IBD patients experience lower mortality rates among hospitalized patients who undergo surgery.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 21, 2008

A biomimetic jumping microrobot

Researchers developed a biomimetic jumping robot inspired by grasshoppers, capable of jumping 1.4 meters and navigating rough terrain with ease. The tiny robot can be fitted with sensors and solar cells to aid in search and rescue operations or explore remote areas on Earth or other planets.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateMay 21, 2008

Energy crops take a roasting

A study by University of Leeds engineers found that roasting energy crops using the torrefaction process can increase their energy content, reducing transportation costs and emissions. Willow emerged as the most favourable crop, retaining 86% of its mass and performing best in terms of energy yield.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalFuel·DateMay 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.

Argonne scientists develop way to predict properties of light nuclei

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new method to predict the properties of light nuclei, allowing for better understanding of element origins and star behavior. This breakthrough enables more accurate calculations of nuclear reaction rates, which are crucial for astrophysics experiments.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateMay 21, 2008

Storn winds blow in Jupiter's Little Red Spot

A team of scientists from Johns Hopkins University used data from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft and multiple telescopes to observe the high winds in Jupiter's Little Red Spot. The winds have increased substantially over previous storms, with maximum speeds reaching 384 miles per hour, surpassing Category 5 storm thresholds.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateMay 21, 2008

Scientists discover how common vaccine booster works

Researchers found that alum stimulates clusters of proteins called inflammasomes, which respond to stresses such as infection or injury by releasing immune cell signaling proteins. This discovery provides evidence for the role of Nalp3 inflammasome in alum's adjuvant action.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 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.

Elevated serum HBV DNA level increases risk of hepatocarcinogenesis?

A nested case-control study found that high HBV DNA levels are associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with higher viral loads have a heightened potential for developing liver cancer, suggesting a potential correlation between viral load and liver cancer development.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Halting methane squanderlust

Scientists have determined the structure of a catalytic material that can convert methane into benzene, laying the foundation for converting excess methane into various useful fuels and chemicals. The breakthrough was achieved using an ultra-high field nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer to analyze the active catalyst.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 21, 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.

A promising biomarker to diagnosis gastric and colorectal cancer

Researchers found that serum RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation is a promising biomarker for diagnosing gastric and colorectal cancer. The study detected higher rates of this abnormality in tumor tissues and patient sera compared to benign disease or healthy individuals.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Gatekeepers are discovered in the human cell 'shredder'

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered two gatekeeper proteins, Rpn13 and an ubiquitin receptor, on the proteasome. This finding has significant implications for cancer research, as it may lead to the development of targeted drugs that can block protein breakdown and prevent tumor cell proliferation.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 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.

Quitting smoking helps social life

Research found that quitting smoking is linked to a cultural shift, with groups of spouses, friends, siblings, and co-workers giving up the habit at the same time. Closer relationships have a greater impact on quitting, with education playing a role in influencing behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 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.

Supernova birth seen for first time

Astronomers have witnessed a star dying in real-time for the first time, marking a major breakthrough in understanding supernovae. The team used NASA's orbiting Swift telescope to detect an extremely luminous X-ray blast from the explosion, confirming that it was indeed a supernova.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2008

Gladstone scientists reveal the genetics of fat storage in cells

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified genes responsible for fat storage in cells, which may lead to new understanding and potential treatments for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The study found that ~1.5% of all genes function in lipid-droplet formation and regulation.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2008

ICU physicians less likely to discuss prognoses with African-American patients

A new study reveals that ICU physicians are less comfortable discussing end-of-life issues and do it less frequently with African-American patients than with Caucasian patients. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 physicians and found a significant disparity in prognostic conversations with patients of different racial backgrounds.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 2008

Many paths, few destinations: How stem cells decide what they'll be

Researchers found that stem cells differentiate through the collective behavior of multiple genes in a network, leading to just a few endpoints. The findings also suggest that cell populations maintain built-in variability that nature can harness for change under the right conditions.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 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.

Fluorescent nano-barcodes could revolutionize diagnostics

Researchers have developed fluorescent nano-barcodes that can detect biomolecules with high precision, surpassing existing methods like microarrays. This technology has the potential to accurately diagnose diseases and identify new molecular markers associated with them.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMay 21, 2008

Smokers flock together, quit together

A study found that smokers tend to quit in groups, with entire clusters of spouses, friends, siblings, and co-workers giving up the habit concurrently. Close relationships within the social network have a significant influence on quitting smoking.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 2008
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

EARLINET, European research for climatic change analysis

The European research project EARLINET-ASOS is analyzing the effects of atmospheric aerosol particles on climate change. By monitoring aerosol concentrations and origins across Europe, scientists aim to improve predictions of climate systems.

SourceUniversity of Granada·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateMay 21, 2008

Iraq war service: A risk factor for bronchiolitis?

A large group of soldiers returning from Iraq were diagnosed with bronchiolitis, a disease affecting the small airways of the lung. Prolonged exposure to sulfur dioxide from a mine fire near Mosul, Iraq in 2003 was found to be a major risk factor for the condition.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 21, 2008

A scientific first: A supernova explosion is observed in real time

Astronomers have caught a supernova explosion in the act, providing valuable insights into the process. The observation, made possible by NASA's Swift satellite, has helped scientists form a detailed picture of star explosions and shed light on long-standing puzzles.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateMay 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.

Montana State University researchers map iron transport protein

Researchers at Montana State University have created the first three-dimensional map of the Steap3 protein, which regulates iron absorption. This breakthrough could lead to the development of targeted drugs for hemochromatosis and iron deficiency conditions.

SourceMontana State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 21, 2008

USC stem cell study sheds new light on cell mechanism

Researchers at USC have discovered a method to keep embryonic stem cells undifferentiated by shielding them from differentiation signals. This breakthrough could lead to the large-scale production of specialized cells for future therapeutic use.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature·DateMay 21, 2008

Is laparoscopic biliary tract reoperation feasible and safe?

A recent case report indicates that laparoscopic biliary tract reoperation is a safe and viable option for patients with choledocholithiasis who have failed or are contraindicated for endoscopic sphincterotomy. The procedure appears to be feasible when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateMay 21, 2008

Smoking is addictive, but quitting is contagious

Researchers analyzed 32-year longitudinal data to discover that people quit smoking in network clusters, influenced by education and marginalization. The study suggests that smoking cessation is a social phenomenon, highlighting the interconnectedness of health and social networks.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 21, 2008
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

UNC study firms up promise of potential new cervical cancer screening tool

A UNC study found a consistent association between six-month to one-year persistent HPV infections and high-grade cervical lesions or cervical cancer. The study suggests that measuring HPV persistence could optimize screening for cervical cancer by increasing sensitivity while maintaining specificity.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateMay 21, 2008

Biodiversity as a natural resource

The TEEB report estimates that biodiversity offers $5 billion in ecosystem services per year, but loss could exacerbate global poverty and climate change. The project aims to address the economic value of biodiversity and its impact on human survival.

SourceHelmholtz Association·DateMay 21, 2008