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Science News Archive October 2008


Page 16 of 24

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Where optics meets medicine

Researchers have developed an animal model to study the effect of small strokes on nearby neurons, finding that blockages can cause significant decreases in blood flow and death of neurons. A potential new tool for brain surgeons is being developed using optical measurements to detect and protect critical areas during surgery.

NIAID awards contracts to search for protein markers of disease

Researchers will analyze human blood samples to discover proteins that could serve as biomarkers of infectious diseases. The goal is to identify specific biomarkers present in infected individuals but absent in uninfected people, guiding diagnostics, therapies, and vaccines.

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.

Alzheimer's study at Queen's boosted by £228,000 grant

Dr Stephen Todd will investigate the role of beta-secretase in Alzheimer's disease using a novel blood-based assay. The study aims to determine if enzyme activity predicts disease progression and response to dementia treatment.

Bold traveler's journey toward the center of the Earth

Researchers found a unique microorganism, Desulforudis audaxviator, living in complete isolation with no sunlight, oxygen, and extreme heat. The bacterium survives by harnessing energy from hydrogen and sulfate produced by radioactive decay of uranium, and has a remarkable genome with 2,157 protein-coding genes.

Smithsonian perspective: Biodiversity in a warmer world

A study published in Science warns that climate change may exceed life's ability to respond, threatening 53% of species with extinction. The research provides critical insights into the effects of warming on tropical ecosystems, highlighting the need for conservation measures.

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.

'60s generation is heading for conventional old age

Research finds UK baby boomers have limited retirement plans, preferring to maintain current lifestyles. They demonstrate a changing attitude towards inheritance, with a focus on enjoying life rather than leaving a legacy. Baby boomers also show diverse generational views, varying in their perceptions of age, identity, and consumerism.

Researchers discover how infectious bacteria can switch species

Scientists have developed a rapid new technique called Rapid Virulence Annotation (RVA) to identify toxins and virulence factors made by bacteria that allow it to infect different types of organisms. This discovery could lead to new vaccines and anti-bacterial drugs, as well as help prevent diseases caused by disease-causing bacteria.

Deep magma matters in volcanic eruption cycle

A team of researchers found that magma is continuously supplied from deep in the crust but a valve acts below a shallower magma chamber, releasing lava to the surface periodically. The upper reservoir is open and the lower reservoir refills at half the rate it was lost during lulls in eruption.

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.

New Systems Biology Awards enable detailed study of microbes

The new NIAID-funded programs aim to identify molecular features that distinguish bacterial and viral species, which may be targets for potential medical interventions. Researchers will use computational and experimental methods to analyze the dynamics of molecular components within microbes and their interactions with human cells.

JCI online early table of contents: Oct. 9, 2008

Researchers found that SREBP-2 induces expression of type 2 taste receptors in cultured mouse intestinal cells and enhances T2R-induced secretion of cholecystokinin. This mechanism may inform the gut about food-borne toxins and initiate a response to limit their absorption.

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.

New drug class: Angina

A new drug class, ranolazine, has been approved for the treatment of chronic stable angina, providing a safe and effective alternative to existing treatments. Ranolazine has been shown to reduce anginal episodes by one attack per week and extend exercise time before an angina attack develops, with benefits seen in men more than women.

Risk and reward compete in brain

A new imaging study reveals two distinct brain regions competing for control: one associated with risk aversion, the other with a desire for risk-taking. The prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in risk assessment.

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.

Brainy genes, not brawn, key to success on mussel beach

Scientists found that mussels alternate between eating and growing genes in response to changing environmental conditions. The study suggests that mussels use a survival strategy similar to circadian rhythms, allowing them to separate physiological processes and reduce damage from free radicals.

Clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect

Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine discovered a novel enzyme linked to anencephaly, a rare fatal birth defect. The study suggests that a genetic test may be developed to diagnose the condition early in pregnancy.

Small intestine can sense and react to bitter toxins in food

Researchers discovered that the small intestine can detect bitter toxins in food, slowing digestion and producing hormones that suppress appetite. This finding has potential applications for treating ailments like cancer and diabetes, and may explain why certain populations adapt to eat local foods that are toxic to outsiders.

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.