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Science News Archive November 2008


Page 10 of 20

Microarray analysis improves prenatal diagnosis

A new microarray analysis technique improved prenatal diagnosis for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in 300 cases at Baylor College of Medicine. The test identified 58 copy number variations, including 15 significant findings that would have been missed otherwise.

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.

Can an ant be employee of the month?

A new study published in PLoS Biology found that ants specializing in specific jobs are not more efficient than 'generalist' ants, challenging the idea that job specialization contributes to their success. The research tested individual ants performing various tasks and found that specialists put in more hours of work but did not outpe...

How should we assess new anti-malarial drugs?

A team of researchers argues that the success of ACT in curing malaria demands a new approach to assessing new antimalarial drugs. The authors discuss the design and interpretation of clinical trials for new antimalarial drugs, emphasizing the need for improved efficacy and public health utility.

New gene-silencing pathway found in plants

A team led by Craig Pikaard discovered a new mechanism by which plant cells silence potentially harmful genes, involving the non-coding region of DNA and two plant-specific RNA polymerases. The research has major implications for gene therapy, where RNA-centric approaches show promise for controlling diseases such as cancer and HIV.

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.

Acid soils in Slovakia tell somber tale

A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals the devastating impact of increased nitrogen deposition on Slovakian soil acidity, compromising plant fertility and surface water quality. Researchers warn that many soils are already susceptible to this process due to decades of human-influenced pollution.

MIT: Safe storage of greenhouse-gas carbon dioxide

Researchers have created a new model to calculate how much CO2 can be stored safely in geological formations, with potential applications for large-scale carbon sequestration projects. The tool predicts the migration of CO2 plumes and can help policymakers make informed decisions about storage sites.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Could genetic research awaken racist attitudes?

A University of Alberta researcher has developed guidelines to prevent genetic research from awakening racist attitudes. The study emphasizes the importance of proper group representation and justifying research focus on specific ethnic groups.

A big bunch of tomatoes?

A new study identifies a genetic pathway that determines the pattern of flower growth in tomato plants. The researchers found that manipulation of this pathway can turn a single stem into hundreds of branch-bearing shoots, increasing crop yields.

Asthma over diagnosed in one third of Canadian adults

A longitudinal study of 540 adults found that approximately one third of Canadians with physician-diagnosed asthma do not have asthma when objectively tested. Obesity is linked to increased asthma rates in North America, but overdiagnosis may be more common than previously thought, particularly among obese adults.

New clue emerges for cellular damage in Huntington's disease

Scientists have discovered a new clue for understanding how misfolded proteins cause cell death in Huntington's disease. The study found that polyQ-expanded proteins interact with and trap other proteins, leading to a breakdown in protein quality control, which may contribute to the disease's toxicity.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

DFMO may affect Barrett's esophagus

Researchers found that DFMO treatment reduced dysplasia progression in patients with Barrett's esophagus, while also lowering putrescine levels and KLF5 expression. The study suggests a potential mechanism for the chemopreventive effects of DFMO.

FoxJ1 helps cilia beat a path to asymmetry

New research reveals FoxJ1 helps create left-right asymmetry by orchestrating the formation of nodal cilia, which generate fluid flow to orient tissues. The study finds that increasing FoxJ1 levels leads to the formation of ectopic cilia, challenging current theories on its role.

Calls for a more flexible approach to vaccine funding

A University of New South Wales researcher calls for a more flexible approach to vaccine funding, considering quality-of-life impacts. This could lead to improved productivity, reduced sick leave for parents, and enhanced herd immunity against diseases such as chickenpox and shingles.

Drug-related preference in cocaine addiction extends to images

A study found that cocaine-addicted individuals prefer drug-related images over neutral ones, challenging the assumption that pleasure drives drug choice. The tasks developed in this research can help clinicians monitor choice behavior in addicted individuals, potentially predicting treatment effectiveness and outcomes.

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.

Comet particles provide glimpse of solar system's birth spasms

Comet particles from Wild 2 provide a glimpse of the solar system's early convulsions, flinging primordial material out into the cold regions. The particles contain minerals formed at high temperatures, suggesting transport from the inner to outer solar system.

'Super-aged' brains reveal first secrets of sharp memory in old age

Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine discovered that super-aged brains have a lower number of fiber-like tangles, which accumulate inside brain cells and are thought to kill them. This finding suggests that individuals with fewer tangles perform better cognitively.

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 bacteria discovered in raw milk

Scientists have identified new species of bacteria that can grow at low temperatures and spoil raw milk even when refrigerated. The discovery highlights the complex microbial population of raw milk and underscores the importance of developing tools to monitor cold-tolerant bacteria.

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.

Researchers identify toehold for HIV's assault on brain

Scientists discovered a key step in HIV's attack on brain cells and were able to reverse its effects by blocking the receptor. The discovery opens up a new avenue for researchers to explore in preventing or treating HIV's neurological effects, which have no currently approved treatment.

Gruber prize celebrates 'place cell' pioneer

John O'Keefe received the Gruber Foundation Neuroscience Prize for his groundbreaking 'place cell' research, which enabled animals to map and remember locations. His work has influenced recent studies on memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

Discovery questions intelligence of human ancestor

A recent discovery in Ethiopia's Gona region has challenged previous estimates of Homo erectus infant head size, indicating a possible increase in brain capacity. The findings, published in Science, suggest that the ancient human ancestor may have been born with brains comparable to those of modern humans.

Lessons from the past can clarify banking crisis

Researchers point to historical events like the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878 as a guide for addressing current banking crises. The UK's Financial Services Authority is recruiting more staff and considering stricter regulation, with experts emphasizing the need for effective policing of new regulations.

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.

UI researchers help to improve carbon measurements in global climate studies

Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a method to estimate photosynthetic uptake by plants over large regions, improving accuracy of global warming and land cover change estimates. By analyzing carbonyl sulfide levels, scientists can quantify human-generated CO2 emissions and develop better management strategies.

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.

Sonography in space

Astronauts on the International Space Station successfully performed remotely-guided sonograms using a ground-to-space communication system. The study's findings demonstrate the feasibility of sonography in microgravity environments and could lead to new applications in space medicine.

Children distressed by family fighting have higher stress hormones

A new study found that children distressed by family fighting have higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone. This increase in cortisol may explain why children experiencing high levels of distress during parental conflicts are more likely to develop psychological problems.

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.

Putting a new spin on current research

Physicists at UCL and the London Centre for Nanotechnology have made a significant discovery in quantum computing, extending the quantum lifetime of electrons by over 5,000%. This achievement brings researchers closer to building a usable quantum computer. The study used a powerful magnetic field to align electron spins, providing a cr...

Arbor Vita presents new data on cancer diagnostic at EUrogin

Arbor Vita Corporation presented new data on its rapid, point-of-care prototype HPV test with a high positive predictive value for cervical cancer and pre-cancer detection. The test detects the E6 oncoprotein produced by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a diagnostic marker of high positive predictive value.

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.

Unhappy people watch TV, happy people read/socialize, says study

A new study by University of Maryland sociologists finds that unhappy people watch significantly more TV than very happy individuals, who prefer reading and socializing. The study analyzed 30 years of national data and found that TV viewing can provide short-term pleasure but has less positive effects in the long run.

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.

Genetics of aging and cancer resistance

Researchers identified two genes that sensitize lymphoid progenitor cells to the effects of aging and confer resistance to leukemogenesis. These genes regulate cell cycle progression and mediate senescence and tumor suppression in aged cells.

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.