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Science News for November 4, 2008


Pregnancy disorder signals need to screen for heart disease

Researchers found that high blood pressure during pregnancy can be an early warning sign of future cardiovascular problems. A study followed 400 Ontario women with pre-eclampsia and found they had higher rates of elevated blood pressure and lipids, suggesting a link between the condition and increased cardiovascular risk.

SourceQueen's University·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateNov 4, 2008

Hydrogen tank lighter than battery

A Dutch researcher has developed a new metal alloy that can absorb hydrogen, making it possible to store the gas in lighter tanks. This breakthrough could make hydrogen a cleaner alternative to battery-powered vehicles.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 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.

Boston Medical Center Receives Grant from Avon Foundation

The Boston Medical Center has received a $50,000 grant from The Avon Foundation to support the Child Witness to Violence Project (CWVP), which provides trauma-focused counseling and advocacy to children affected by violence. CWVP will use the grant to train police officers to better recognize and respond to child witnesses of violence.

SourceBoston University·DateNov 4, 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.

Apelin to rescue diabetics

Researchers have discovered that the apelin protein can help regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type II diabetes. Activation of this second pathway improves glucose regulation and offers a potential new treatment option.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 4, 2008

Brain recognizes verbal 'oh dear' wave

Researchers found brain responds to verbal errors with specific signal that can sometimes be corrected in time, similar to physical actions like grabbing or walking.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 2008

Community support wins 'ghost'

A new study by Queen Mary University of London highlights the success of a grassroots coalition in winning higher wages for low-paid migrant office cleaners. The research shows that community action and cooperation among faith groups, unions, and community organisations can bring positive changes.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateNov 4, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NOAA-N prime satellite arrives at Vandenberg for launch

The NOAA-N Prime satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, will provide a polar-orbiting platform for environmental monitoring instruments. The satellite will assist in measuring Earth's atmosphere, surface, and cloud cover, as well as supporting the Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 4, 2008

An anti-frailty pill for seniors?

A daily oral dose of MK-677 increased muscle mass in healthy older adults by restoring 20% of lost muscle mass associated with aging. The study shows promise for a treatment that could help prevent age-related frailty and maintain independence as seniors age.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 4, 2008

Coral reefs found growing in cold, deep ocean

Researchers have found large coral reefs growing in cold, deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean, up to 1,000 meters below the surface. These cold-water corals thrive in areas with strong tidal currents and nutrient-rich seawater, allowing them to feed on algae and zooplankton.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 2008

Just scratching the surface: New technique maps nanomaterials as they grow

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a measurement technique to map nanomaterials as they grow, enhancing material efficiency. The new method allows for faster discovery of optimal nanomaterial structures, leading to potential breakthroughs in solar panels and magnetic data storage.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateNov 4, 2008

Penn scientists show how body determines optimal amount of germ-fighting B cells

Researchers at Penn School Medicine have discovered a molecular balance that governs the number of mature B-cells in the blood stream, balancing immune responses and autoimmunity. By adding BLyS, the 'brakes' on immature B cells are relaxed, while neutralizing it allows memory B cells to survive.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·DateNov 4, 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 therapeutic target identified for rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a potential new therapeutic target for treating inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Manipulating the protein RBP-J could serve as a treatment, leveraging gamma secretase inhibitors already in trials for leukemia.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalImmunology·DateNov 4, 2008

'Junk' DNA proves functional

Researchers at the Genome Institute of Singapore found that 'junk' DNA plays a crucial role in distinguishing humans from other species. These repeats provide a source of evolutionary variability and may hold the key to understanding physical differences between humans and other organisms.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalGenome Research·DateNov 4, 2008

Healthy bones program reduces hip fractures by 37 percent

A five-year study tracked over 625,000 patients in Southern California to find that a healthy bones program reduced hip fracture rates by an average of 37.2%, with some reductions reaching as high as 50%. Implementing initiatives such as bone density tests and anti-osteoporosis medications led to significant improvements.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateNov 4, 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.

Hip resurfacing is not for everyone

A Rush University Medical Center study of over 500 hip resurfacing surgeries reveals that complications occur more frequently in women of all ages and men over 55. The most common complication was a fracture of the femoral neck.

SourceSpringer·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateNov 4, 2008

Study finds ADHD affects motor skills of boys more than girls

Researchers from the Kennedy Krieger Institute found that girls with ADHD experience fewer motor skill difficulties compared to their male peers. The study suggests that sex-related differences in children with ADHD extend beyond symptom presentation, and that girls may outgrow ADHD-related motor skill deficits before age 7.

SourceKennedy Krieger Institute·JournalNeurology·DateNov 4, 2008

Research shows that time invested in practicing pays off for young musicians

A Harvard-based study found that children who studied a musical instrument for at least three years outperformed those with no instrumental training on tests of verbal ability, visual pattern completion, auditory discrimination, and finger dexterity. The longer the child practiced, the better they scored in these areas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 4, 2008

Consumer not ready for tailor-made nutrition

Consumer market readiness for tailored nutrition based on genetic profiles is limited due to concerns over personalization and regulation. Key factors hindering adoption include the need for clear scientific consensus and acceptable disruption to daily life.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 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.

Death by hyperdisease

Genetic research reveals black rats carried a pathogenic protozoan that exterminated two endemic species on Christmas Island. The study is the first to demonstrate extinction in a mammal due to disease, contradicting most scientists' view of pathogens' effect on species.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 4, 2008

Impact of insulin pump under study

A study of over 300 diabetics and their caregivers will measure the impact of insulin pump technology on quality of life, attitudes towards treatment, and lifestyle changes. The research aims to provide insights into the clinical implications and potential coverage by Medicare and health insurance providers.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateNov 4, 2008

A new weapon in the fight against obesity and diabetes

A new synthetic chemical entity activates the SIRT1 pathway, improving glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and exercise endurance in mice fed a high-fat diet. The study demonstrates that this activation primarily promotes fat consumption in skeletal muscle, liver, and brown adipose tissue.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalCell Metabolism·DateNov 4, 2008

Computer model improves ultrasound image

A computer model developed by Koos Huijssen predicts sound transmission of improved ultrasound instrument designs, processing large data sets on PC and parallel supercomputers. The model is being used to design a new sonographic transducer at Erasmus University Medical Centre.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 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.

The overall channels of the lightning discharges

Researchers used a VHF radio interferometer system to study cloud-to-ground lightning flashes, revealing new characteristics and progression speeds of different types of leaders. The system allows for microsecond-order time and space reconstruction, enabling detailed analysis of lightning flash processes.

SourceScience China Press·DateNov 4, 2008

Penn scientists map molecular regulation of fat-cell genetics

Researchers mapped thousands of positions where PPAR gamma regulates genes in fat cells, potentially leading to new therapies for reducing fat cell numbers or altering function. The findings aim to decrease side effects associated with antidiabetic drugs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 4, 2008

Research shows raised incidence of psychoses among migrant groups

A study by Queen Mary University of London reveals higher rates of psychosis among all black and ethnic minority subgroups compared to white British individuals. The risk varies by ethnicity and generation, with second-generation immigrants facing a significantly increased risk due to their age profile.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateNov 4, 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.

Vitamin B3 reduces Alzheimer's symptoms, lesions

A recent study found that nicotinamide, a water-soluble vitamin, lowered levels of phosphorylated tau protein, a key player in Alzheimer's disease development. The treatment also strengthened microtubules, the scaffolding within brain cells, helping to keep neurons alive and preventing symptoms in mice with Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNeuroscience·DateNov 4, 2008

New spaceship force field makes Mars trip possible

Researchers have successfully shielded spacecraft from deadly space weather using a portable magnetosphere, making a manned mission to Mars more feasible. The technology uses knowledge gained from nuclear fusion research to scatter solar wind particles away from astronauts.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion·DateNov 4, 2008