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Science News for May 30, 2008


Potential therapy discovered for hypophosphatasia, a congenital form of rickets

Researchers at the Burnham Institute have demonstrated successful enzyme replacement therapy to prevent hypophosphatasia in mice, paving the way for future clinical trials. The treatment maintains healthy bone mineral density and preserves skeletal structures, offering new hope for patients with this genetic disorder.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateMay 30, 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.

Whole milk is effective and cost-effective as oral contrast agent

A new study found that whole milk is just as effective as a diluted barium suspension in imaging the gastrointestinal tract via CT scans. The study also revealed that whole milk was less expensive, had better patient acceptance, and fewer adverse symptoms compared to the barium suspension.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMay 30, 2008

MIT develops a 'paper towel' for oil spills

Researchers at MIT create a membrane that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil, and can be recycled for future use. The oil itself can also be recovered, making it an important tool in the cleanup of oil spills.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 30, 2008

Caltech astrophysicist wins 1 of first Kavli Prizes

Maarten Schmidt's discovery of high redshifts in quasar 3C273 led to a new understanding of quasars as compact halos surrounding massive black holes. He shares the award with Donald Lynden-Bell for their contributions to astrophysics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateMay 30, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Goddard scientists receive Lindsay Award for black hole research

Dr. Joan M. Centrella and Dr. John G. Baker received the John C. Lindsay Memorial Award for their pioneering computer simulations of black hole mergers, a crucial step towards understanding cosmic evolution. The simulations have spurred rapid progress in predicting observable signatures of these events.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 30, 2008

Living fossils have long- and short-term memory

Nautilus pompilus demonstrated short-term memory lasting up to an hour before fading away, but remembering it again after 6 hours. The living fossil's memory was comparable to that of modern cephalopods, challenging the assumption that complex brains are necessary for memory.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 30, 2008

Spontaneous mutations rife in nonfamilial schizophrenia

A study found that people with nonfamilial schizophrenia harbor eight times more spontaneous mutations than healthy controls, primarily affecting brain development pathways. This suggests that rare genetic variations contribute to the vulnerability of individuals without a family history of the illness.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 30, 2008

New research shows overheating newborns can increase the risk of SIDS

New research reveals that overheating and thermal stress can contribute to the development of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The study, led by Dr. Shabih Hasan, found that increased ambient temperatures, smoking during pregnancy, and exposure to cigarette smoke can all increase the risk of SIDS.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 30, 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.

Researchers pinpoint gene mutations responsible for 10 percent of schizophrenia

A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center researchers has identified rare spontaneous copy number mutations in the genomes of individuals with schizophrenia, accounting for at least 10% of non-familial cases. These genetic mutations were found to be present in affected individuals but not in their biological parents.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 30, 2008

Research measures movement of nanomaterials in simple model food chain

A new study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigated the dietary accumulation, elimination, and toxicity of fluorescent quantum dots in a simplified food chain. The researchers found that while the nanomaterials were transferred across the food chain, they did not accumulate in higher organisms.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 30, 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.

Rivaroxaban phase III pivotal data presented at EFORT annual meeting

A pivotal Phase III clinical trial demonstrated that rivaroxaban was superior in preventing venous blood clots in patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Rivaroxaban provided a statistically significant 31% relative risk reduction in total venous thromboembolism events compared to enoxaparin.

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·DateMay 30, 2008

Jefferson, Ohio State team find gene signature profile for metastasis

A team of researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and Ohio State University Medical Center has identified a specific gene signature profile associated with metastasis. This signature is composed mainly of overexpressed microRNAs and may represent a new approach for diagnosing metastatic cancer.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·DateMay 30, 2008

Forest canopies help determine natural fertilization rates

Scientists found that tree canopy levels affect nitrogen fixation rates in feather mosses, regulating forest productivity and carbon consumption. High nitrogen deposition from pollution reduces moss nitrogen fixation rates.

SourceSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences·JournalScience·DateMay 30, 2008

How about dessert?

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers with highly developed emotional sensibilities are better at making product choices. The authors developed a scale to assess consumer emotional ability, which predicts overeating and other unhealthy behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 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.

NYP/Columbia physician-scientists present at ASCO 44th annual meeting

Researchers presented promising results for OncoVEXGM-CSF in treating metastatic melanoma, achieving treatment success in 32% of patients. Additionally, studies on robotic prostatectomy found excellent cancer control outcomes with disease-free survival rates at 21 months. The association between obesity and microvascular invasion was a...

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·DateMay 30, 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.

Stretchy spider silks can be springs or rubber

Spider silk exhibits different mechanical properties based on its amino acid composition, with proline-rich silks behaving like rubber bands and low-proline silks acting as rigid springs. The presence of proline affects the silk's hydration level, causing some silks to shrink and swell more than others.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 30, 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.

Yale researchers clear up Alzheimer's plaques in mice

Researchers at Yale University have successfully cleared up Alzheimer's plaques in mice by blocking a common immune system response, enabling treated mice to recover lost memory. The breakthrough could one day lead to the development of new dementia medications that can safely cross the blood-brain barrier.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 30, 2008

Bikini-clad women make men impatient

Research shows that watching sexy videos or handling lingerie increases desire for immediate rewards, even in financial decisions. Men who touch bras or look at pictures of beautiful women seek immediate satisfaction.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 2008

Young adults at risk: 13.7 million lack health insurance coverage

The report found that nearly 60% of employers do not insure dependent children over age 18 or 19, and two-thirds of young adults without coverage go without needed healthcare due to cost. Extending Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility beyond age 18 could cover up to 7.6 million uninsured young adults.

SourceCommonwealth Fund·DateMay 30, 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.

Self-assembled viruses

Researchers have developed artificial viruses that can transport genes and drugs into cancer cells, eliminating immune responses and potential side effects. The viruses are self-assembled using a ribbon-like protein structure, allowing for precise control over their size and shape.

SourceWiley·DateMay 30, 2008

Golf prolongs life

A study from Karolinska Institutet found that golfers have a lower death rate than non-golfers, with a 5-year increase in life expectancy. Golfing, especially with a low handicap, has beneficial health effects.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateMay 30, 2008

Sophisticated soil analysis for improved land use

A team of researchers has developed a range of sophisticated mathematical approaches to quantify soil variability across multiple scales. These methods include geostatistics, fractals, and multi-fractals, which can be applied to diverse data sets such as soil pore shapes, water content, and geochemical data.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalVadose Zone Journal·DateMay 30, 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.

Advil or Excedrin? New model helps predict product choices

A new study uses a graph-based approach to understand consumer preferences for over-the-counter pain relievers. The model identifies three distinct segments: price-conscious consumers, the athletic segment, and anti-medication users.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 2008

All bets are off: Office pools lead to unhappiness

A recent study suggests that betting on NCAA basketball tournament or Oscar contests reduces people's enjoyment of the events. The researchers found that participants who made predictions actually enjoyed the event no more than those who were incorrect, highlighting the negative impact of anticipated regret.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 2008

Look before you leap: New study examines self-control

A novel method for measuring people's abilities to consider the consequences of their actions has been developed, with high scores associated with more consequence-related thoughts. Consumers who think about pros and cons before making decisions report improved health outcomes and better financial habits.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 30, 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.

Smoking during pregnancy increases risk of SIDS

A new study links smoking during pregnancy to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) with the strongest causal link yet. The research found that prenatal cigarette smoke exposure can increase the likelihood of gasp-like respiration and prolong breathing time after hypoxia, placing infants at higher risk for SIDS.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMay 30, 2008