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Science News for November 5, 2008


Big Lottery to fund scientific research

Scientists at the University of Liverpool will use models and tissue samples to understand ochronosis development. A potential therapy may be developed if the underlying mechanisms are understood, reducing arthritis risk for Alkaptonuria sufferers.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·DateNov 5, 2008

MIT creates tiny backpacks for cells

Researchers have developed polymer patches that can ferry drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis and help with tissue engineering. The polymer backpacks allow researchers to use cells as vectors to carry materials to tumors or other tissue sites.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 5, 2008

Gene variations alter risk of esophageal cancer

A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that variations in a common gene pathway may affect esophageal cancer risk, with seven genotypes showing significant association and four more borderline significance. The risk of esophageal cancer increased with an increase in unfavorable genotypes present.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateNov 5, 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.

Protein 'tubules' free avian flu virus from immune recognition

A protein in H5N1 avian flu virus forms tiny tubules hiding double-stranded RNA from the immune system, allowing the virus to evade an antiviral response. The discovery could lead to drug development to block this action and potentially fight influenza worldwide.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Electron pairs precede high-temperature superconductivity

Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory use a new imaging method to confirm that electron pairs emerge above the transition temperature before superconductivity sets in. The findings rule out certain explanations for high-Tc superconductivity and lend support to other competing theories.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2008

Data revelations

A recent study reveals that a significant proportion of used hard disks still contain sensitive information, highlighting the need for improved data security measures. The research suggests that public awareness campaigns and better education are essential to reduce the risk of harm from data entering the black market.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry·DateNov 5, 2008

Alcohol advice needs to play a greater role in sex education for teenagers

Researchers found that teenage girls are more aware of the complexities of relationships and see their partner's point of view, while boys often use aggressive language and pressure girls into sex. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to address alcohol use and promote healthy attitudes towards sex education.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Clinical Nursing·DateNov 5, 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.

Extreme weather postpones the flowering time of plants

A study by the University of Bayreuth and Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research found that extreme weather events like droughts and heavy rains can postpone or accelerate plant flowering times in Central Europe. On average, a one-month drought postponed the time of flowering by 4 days, equivalent to a decade of global warming.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateNov 5, 2008

Mitochondria could be a target for therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease patients

Researchers found that blocking Cyclophilin D and developing surrounding mitochondrial targets may be viable strategies for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease. The study provides new insights into the mechanism underlying amyloid beta-mediated mitochondrial stress, which links to synaptic plasticity and learning/memory.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 5, 2008

Researchers describe how chronic inflammation can lead to stomach cancer

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered that elevated levels of interleukin-1 beta can initiate the progression towards stomach cancer. The study found that IL-1β works by activating myeloid derived suppressor cells, which are pro-inflammatory and contribute to gastric inflammation.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 5, 2008

NIU researchers say nighttime tornadoes are worst nightmare

A new study by NIU researchers highlights the danger of nighttime tornadoes, which are 2.5 times more likely to kill than daytime events. The study suggests that current warning systems may not be adequate for overnight events, particularly in mobile homes where nearly 61% of fatalities occur at night.

SourceAmerican Meteorological Society·JournalWeather and Forecasting·DateNov 5, 2008

Genetic predictors of esophageal cancer identified

Researchers have identified 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms that show a significant association with esophageal cancer. Individuals with more than four unfavorable genotypes are three times more likely to develop the disease.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateNov 5, 2008
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Genetic study provides new insights into molecular basis of language development

Researchers have identified the CNTNAP2 gene as a key player in childhood language disorders, with variants linked to specific language impairment (SLI) and delayed language development in children with autism. The study provides new insights into the molecular basis of language development and its relationship to autism.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 5, 2008

Giant simulation could solve mystery of 'dark matter'

Researchers used a massive computer simulation to 'see' gamma-rays given off by dark matter in the Milky Way galaxy. They predict that these gamma-rays should glow in a characteristic pattern near the Sun, which could help detect invisible clumps of dark matter.

SourceDurham University·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2008

Rocks could be harnessed to sponge vast amounts of CO2 from air, says study

A type of rock called peridotite reacts naturally with CO2 to form solid minerals at surprisingly high rates. The process could be sped up by drilling and injecting heated water containing pressurized CO2, potentially capturing large amounts of atmospheric carbon.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2008

Study reveals continued damage from banned obesity drug

A large study of former fenfluramine users found a strong association between duration of exposure and prevalence of valve regurgitation. The risk of valve surgery was increased approximately seven-fold, with over 0.44% of participants undergoing surgery due to the drug's use.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateNov 5, 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.

Proteomics study yields clues as to how tuberculosis might be thwarting the immune system

A proteomics study has identified new proteins that facilitate communication between the immune system and the self-cleaning process, potentially leading to new treatments for tuberculosis. The research found that autophagy plays a crucial role in immune response, particularly against intracellular pathogens.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2008

Reducing epidemic proportions

A radical new software program developed by Tel Aviv University researchers has been adopted by top medical centers in America to fight hospital-borne infections. The system, which collects information from microbial lab cultures, sends real-time alerts and reminders to wards every day to identify potentially contagious patients.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy·DateNov 5, 2008

Dead famous: Research says 18th century obituaries sparked modern cult of celebrity

Research by Dr Elizabeth Barry reveals how 18th century obituaries popularized the concept of celebrity, shifting attention from historically significant achievements to eccentric lives. The rise of newspapers and magazines played a crucial role in this phenomenon, cementing the public's fascination with famous individuals.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalInternational Journal of Cultural Studies·DateNov 5, 2008

DNA chunks, chimps and humans

Researchers compared many human and chimpanzee genomes to identify duplicated or lost regions during evolution, finding similar patterns in copy number variation but key gene differences. CNVs affected genes involved in inflammation and cell proliferation, with one gene linked to HIV susceptibility found to have reduced numbers in chimps.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateNov 5, 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.

Multiple sclerosis progression can be predicted with MRI

Researchers used MRI scans to detect gray matter damage in MS patients, finding that unnatural darkness was linked to higher risk of disability progression. This new marker shows closer correlations with clinical status than other established markers.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neuroimaging·DateNov 5, 2008

Pitt research identifies new target in brain for treating schizophrenia

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have identified the orbitofrontal cortex as a promising target for developing new antipsychotic drugs to treat schizophrenia. The study found that this brain region responds to both dopamine and glutamate, neurotransmitters linked to schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2008

Moms' smoking linked to increased risk of birth defects

Research found that mothers who smoked during pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a baby with a cleft palate or lip. Nearly 7,000 babies are born annually with oral-facial clefts in the US, which can lead to feeding difficulties and other health issues.

SourceMarch of Dimes Foundation·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateNov 5, 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.

'No Child' law gets an 'F' from education professor at Illinois

The No Child Left Behind law has led to a focus on teaching to the test, resulting in marginalized writing instruction in low-income schools. Younger teachers in these schools face increased pressure to perform due to high-stakes testing, leading to burnout and turnover.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalWritten Communication·DateNov 5, 2008

Therapy may block expansion of breast cancer cells

A new study reveals that therapy targeting cyclin D1 can block the expansion of breast cancer cells, which are involved in therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. The findings provide a potential new treatment approach for targeted therapies at cancer stem cells in humans.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical and Translational Science·DateNov 5, 2008

New evidence strengthens link between cigarette smoke exposure and poor infant health

A new study found that maternal smoke exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of oral clefts in babies. Another study revealed that infants exposed to cigarette smoke are more irritable and difficult to soothe than those not exposed. The findings emphasize the importance of smoking cessation programs for expectant mothers.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateNov 5, 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.

Study shows pine bark reduces jetlag

A new study shows Pycnogenol, a natural plant extract from pine bark, reduces jetlag symptoms by nearly 50% in both healthy individuals and hypertensive patients. The study found significant reductions in fatigue, headaches, insomnia, and brain edema, as well as minimal lower leg edema.

SourceMWW Group·JournalMinerva Cardioangiologica·DateNov 5, 2008

Friendly bacteria reduce hospital infections

Researchers found that applying a probiotic bacterial solution in place of antiseptics effectively prevents respiratory illness in ventilated patients. The friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum 299, has no negative side effects and does not contribute to antibiotic-resistant strains.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateNov 5, 2008