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Science News for October 10, 2008


Caltech biologists spy on the secret inner life of a cell

Researchers at Caltech used electron tomography to study the transport of antibodies from mother's milk to newborns' bloodstream. The findings revealed that antibodies are shuttled through large vesicles and form 'tangled messes' before being delivered into the bloodstream.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateOct 10, 2008

Research shows link between bisphenol A and disease in adults

A research team has found evidence linking bisphenol A to diabetes and heart disease in adults. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from over 1,400 adults and found a significant association between high BPA levels and an increased risk of these diseases.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·JournalJAMA·DateOct 10, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Does it matter if black plus white equals black or multiracial?

A recent Northwestern University study reveals that the immediate response of non-black participants is to categorize racially ambiguous people as black when they know one parent is black and the other is white. However, upon more thoughtful reflection, they are more likely to consider the same faces multiracial.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 10, 2008

Boston Medical Center receives $5.8m grant

Boston Medical Center has received a $5.8 million grant to develop drugs targeting muscle proteins for older adults, improving mobility and preventing age-related ailments. The grant will support interdisciplinary research collaborations to address osteoporosis, hip fractures, and type one diabetes.

SourceBoston University·DateOct 10, 2008

Statins may prevent miscarriages

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery found that statins can prevent white blood cell activation and protect pregnancies in women with APS. The study suggests that statins may be used as a treatment for women with APS-induced pregnancy complications.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 10, 2008

What is the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and reflux esophagitis?

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found a significant association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and reflux esophagitis. The research identified age, hoarseness, and hiatus hernia as factors significantly associated with LPR. Further study is needed to elucidate the importance of hiatus hernia in LPR.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 10, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

A link between mitochondria and tumor formation in stem cells

Research reveals a connection between mitochondrial activity and stem cell differentiation, with high-metabolism cells more prone to forming tumors. Administering a mitochondrial inhibitor reduced teratoma capacity in these cells, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 10, 2008

PhysTEC addressing physics teacher shortage

PhysTEC's new teacher training program boosts the number of physics teachers graduating from programs by a factor of 10. The initiative provides critical mentoring support and transforms content courses to help future physics teachers teach in an interactive way.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateOct 10, 2008

The risk factors of abdominal venous thrombosis

Research found that inherited and acquired risk factors play a significant role in abdominal venous thrombosis. Acquired risk factors were more common in patients with Superior Vena Cava Syndrome (SVT), while hereditary risk factors were similar in both BCS and SVT groups.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 10, 2008

Can genetic information be controlled by light?

DNA's photostability is influenced by its base sequences, with different combinations exhibiting varying fluorescence lifetimes. This discovery could lead to new diagnostic methods and potentially repair gene mutations using laser radiation.

SourceKiel University·JournalScience·DateOct 10, 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.

US culture derails girl math whizzes

A study finds that many girls with exceptional math talent exist but are rarely identified due to a lack of respect for math and role models. The US pipeline for nurturing top math talent is badly broken, with 80% of female faculty hired at top research universities born in other countries.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNotices of the American Mathematical Society·DateOct 10, 2008

Landmark study unlocks stem cell, DNA secrets to speed therapies

Researchers at Florida State University discovered dramatic changes in DNA replication order during embryonic stem cell differentiation. The findings bridge a critical knowledge gap, enabling scientists to better understand the complex process of DNA reorganization during cell specialization.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 10, 2008

Study finds stroke-prevention surgery safe in growing 80-plus population

A retrospective study of 103 carotid endarterectomies in 95 patients aged 80-94 found a low incidence of neurologic complications. The combined stroke and death rate was 2.91 percent, indicating that age alone should not disqualify patients from this surgery.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 10, 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.

Making waves

Soundararajan and Roman Holowinsky prove a significant version of the quantum unique ergodicity (QUE) conjecture using different techniques from number theory. Their work shows that for certain shapes associated with number theory, waves always spread out evenly, eliminating whispering galleries.

SourceAmerican Institute of Mathematics·DateOct 10, 2008

Sensitive nanowire disease detectors made by Yale scientists

Researchers at Yale University have created nanowire sensors that can detect specific antigens and identify diseases with high sensitivity and specificity. The system uses immune cell activation to generate a current in the nanowires, allowing it to detect as few as 200 activated cells.

SourceYale University·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 10, 2008

U-M to house leading drug database

The University of Michigan is developing the Community Structure-Activity Resource (CSAR) database, a centralized repository of experimental data on drug-making compounds. This resource will improve computer programs that predict drug effectiveness and significantly impact the drug development process.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateOct 10, 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.

On the trail of a targeted therapy for blood cancers

The cullin family of proteins is involved in regulating the degradation of proteins that control blood cell development. A study published in Blood found that targeting this protein may lead to improved therapies for leukemia and other blood cancers.

SourceIndiana University·JournalBlood·DateOct 10, 2008

A new alternative in treating short bowel syndrome

Researchers discovered that chlorella crude extract improves intestinal adaptation in rats with short bowel syndrome, increasing villi height and absorption rates. This finding suggests an alternative to commercial enteral products for treating SBS.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 10, 2008

Just a numbers game? Making sense of health statistics

A new report highlights the issue of statistical illiteracy in health, with misleading presentation of relative risks and lack of absolute risk information. The problem affects both doctors and patients, leading to incorrect decisions and actions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateOct 10, 2008

Recommendations for children's exercise lacking say experts

A study published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood found that only 42% of boys and 11% of girls met the recommended daily exercise level, suggesting a need for revised guidelines. Exercise improved metabolic health, but diet changes were deemed more effective at improving overall health and weight.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateOct 10, 2008

New data resource to advance computer-aided drug design

A new Web-based resource is being developed to provide molecular data needed for computer-aided drug design. The resource aims to improve the prediction of potential drug candidates and advance biomedical research.

SourceNIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences·DateOct 10, 2008
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.

Is CT-colonoscopy a valuable tool to detect colorectal cancer?

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that CT colonography is accurate for detecting colonic masses or polyps equal to or greater than 10mm. This non-invasive technique replaced double contrast barium enema (DCBE) for evaluating incomplete colonoscopies.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 10, 2008

Lost in America: Top math talent

A new study reveals that girls can excel in mathematics with proper nurturing, contrary to conventional wisdom. The study found that cultures valuing math education lead to a higher representation of female math whizzes in competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad. In contrast, US culture discourages girls from pursuing...

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·JournalNotices of the American Mathematical Society·DateOct 10, 2008

UD chemist Svilen Bobev receives ACA Early Career Award

Svilen Bobev, a University of Delaware assistant professor, has been awarded the American Crystallographic Association's Early Career Award for his outstanding achievement in crystallographic research. The award recognizes his potential to make significant contributions to the field.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateOct 10, 2008

Why could ethyl pyruvate attenuate severe acute pancreatitis?

This study investigates whether delayed ethyl pyruvate therapy can attenuate experimental SAP via reducing serum HMGB1 levels in rats. The results showed that ethyl pyruvate significantly reduced serum HMGB1 levels, protected against liver, renal, and lung injury, and prolonged survival time in rats.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 10, 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.

Team led by Livermore scientists helps to resolve long-standing puzzle in climate science

A team led by Livermore scientists has reconciled the differences between simulated and observed temperature trends in the tropics. They applied a modified statistical test to account for uncertainty in observational data and found no fundamental discrepancy between modeled and observed trends. This reconciliation is thanks to the use ...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Climatology·DateOct 10, 2008

New instrument puts new spin on superconductors

Ames Laboratory researchers used a brand new instrument to study iron-arsenic compounds, which are part of the 'hottest' new find in superconducting materials research. The findings mark the first research produced with the aid of the new tool and provide insights into the role of lattice vibrations in these new superconductors.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateOct 10, 2008

Only some Web sites provide patients with reliable information before having an operation

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that unsponsored web sites have significantly higher quality information compared to commercially sponsored ones. The researchers suggest that surgeons can help patients find reliable information by providing them with technical search terms.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 10, 2008

NASA supercomputer shows how dust rings point to exo-Earths

Researchers used NASA's Thunderhead supercomputer to simulate dusty disks around sunlike stars, finding that planets as small as Mars can create detectable ring structures. The models provide a way to infer a planet's mass and orbital distance based on dust particle simulations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 10, 2008
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.