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Science News for April 16, 2009


Huntington disease begins to take hold early on

Researchers used mouse models to study Huntington Disease, finding significant protein alterations as early as 2 weeks before symptoms appear. These changes may affect late-stage disease by altering biochemical activity in the brain.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateApr 16, 2009

Mystery shoppers cut underage smoking

Research by the University of Massachusetts Medical School found a 20.8% reduction in daily smoking among 10th graders after enforcement of the Synar Amendment. This law makes it financially dangerous for shops to sell tobacco to underage customers, reducing cigarette supply to vulnerable groups.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateApr 16, 2009

Cosmic heavyweights in free-for-all

Astronomers have identified a triple merger of four separate galaxy clusters, the first time such a phenomenon has been documented. The galaxy clusters are involved in a cosmic free-for-all, with one collision after another occurring as galaxies pour into a region already full of galaxies.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 16, 2009

New nucleotide could revolutionize epigenetics

A new nucleotide, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, has been discovered in the mouse brain, opening a new front in epigenetic research. This discovery may challenge existing approaches to investigating DNA methylation and could have significant implications for understanding gene regulation.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Scorpion venom with nanoparticles slows spread of brain cancer

University of Washington researchers found a combination of nanoparticles and chlorotoxin, a scorpion venom compound, cuts brain cancer cell spread by 98% compared to 45% with chlorotoxin alone. The additive treatment disables machinery that allows tumor cells to change shape, preventing further invasion.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalSmall·DateApr 16, 2009

Museum specimens aid conservation effort in Madagascar

Research using museum specimens found support for alternative hypotheses on the evolution of locally distributed endemism, suggesting multiple processes develop local endemism. This knowledge can help identify priorities in conservation planning.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalEvolution·DateApr 16, 2009

Severity, length of past megadroughts dwarf recent drought in West Africa

A new study reveals that droughts in West Africa can last for decades, with some droughts lasting up to four times longer than the current Sahel drought. The research suggests that changes in Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures play a key role in sustaining these long periods of drought.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study shows simple writing assignment improves minority student grades

A University of Colorado at Boulder study found that an in-class writing assignment increased the grade-point averages of African-American middle school students over a two-year period. The intervention reduced the rate at which these students were held back or placed in remediation, suggesting targeted psychological interventions coul...

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009

Emory study yields clue to how stem cells form

Researchers at Emory University discover a process required for epigenetic reprogramming between generations, shedding light on fertilization, stem-cell formation, and cloning. The study found that histone protein modification can be inherited through cell-to-cell transmission.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCell·DateApr 16, 2009

Singapore scientists synthesize gold to shed light on cells' inner workings

Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology have synthesized gold nanoclusters that can be used for sub-cellular biolabeling and bioimaging. These clusters are suitable for use within the body due to their lack of toxic metals, enabling scientists to monitor cell nucleus dynamics and study genomic changes.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Worms control lifespan at high temperatures, UCSF study finds

Researchers found that thermosensory neurons in C. elegans help regulate response to increasing heat by changing steroid signaling pathways, which affect longevity. This system allows worms to reduce the effect of warm temperature on aging processes, similar to how warm-blooded animals control their body temperature.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 16, 2009

How to deflect asteroids and save the Earth

A North Carolina State University researcher has developed a method to deflect asteroids by attaching a long tether and ballast to the incoming object, changing its center of mass and orbit. This system shows promise in altering the motion of an asteroid to miss hitting Earth.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateApr 16, 2009
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Jet lag disturbs sleep by upsetting internal clocks in 2 neural centers

Scientists have identified the two neural centers responsible for regulating sleep patterns, revealing that disruptions to these centers can cause jet lag. The study found that deep sleep is more closely tied to light-dark cycles, while REM sleep follows a separate internal clock, leading to a delay in adaptation to new schedules.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 16, 2009

'First aid' for brain cells comes from blood

Researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital have shown that certain immune cells in the blood inhibit inflammation after a stroke. Regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg) play a key role in this protection and may offer a new approach to stroke therapy.

SourceHeidelberg University Hospital·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 16, 2009

Study explores roots of ethnic violence

Researchers found that countries with high levels of ethnic exclusion are more likely to experience civil war. The study, led by UCLA professors Andreas Wimmer and Lars-Erik Cederman, analyzed data on ethnic power relations in 155 countries from 1946 to 2005.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateApr 16, 2009

Megadroughts in sub-Saharan Africa normal for the region

Researchers have developed an almost year-by-year record of the last 3,000 years of West Africa's climate, revealing that catastrophic droughts occurred every 30 to 65 years. The new research suggests that global warming may exacerbate the normal climate pattern, producing even more severe and prolonged droughts.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009

Study points to disruption of copper regulation as key to prion diseases

Researchers found a key role for disrupted copper regulation in prion disease progression, suggesting that the loss of copper binding ability contributes to neurodegeneration. The study identified a threshold at four extra octarepeats, beyond which changes in molecular properties lead to toxic effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Linked angina relates with gastroesophageal reflux diseases?

A study of 1970 patients found a strong association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and linked angina. Patients with GERD had a higher prevalence of linked angina than those without GERD symptoms, suggesting that GERD may be misclassified as non-GERD heartburn.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 16, 2009

Singapore researchers first to transform carbon dioxide into methanol

Scientists at IBN have successfully converted carbon dioxide into methanol using organocatalysts, a novel approach that offers a low-energy and non-toxic process. This breakthrough has significant implications for the sequestration and conversion of greenhouse gases, providing a viable alternative energy option.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 16, 2009

Survival mode that protects cells when oxygen is low also slows aging

Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a cell survival pathway that protects against degenerative diseases and promotes longevity. The study found that nematode worms live longer when their genetic make-up permits them to turn on this pathway under normal oxygen conditions.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Colorectal cancer risks quantified

Researchers analyzed primary care records of 5,477 colorectal cancer patients and 38,314 controls to quantify the exact risks posed by eight clinical features. The study found that rectal bleeding carries a high risk warranting investigation regardless of other symptoms.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateApr 16, 2009

Microbes thrive in harsh, isolated water under Antarctic glacier

Researchers at Harvard University and Dartmouth College discovered hardy microbes living in isolation beneath an Antarctic glacier. The microbes, similar to those found in modern marine environments, have adapted to survive in extreme conditions by breathing iron and using sulfur catalysts.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Researchers tie crest size to seabirds' suitability as a mate

A new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers suggests that the size of male crested auklets' crests may be an indicator of their quality as mates. Males with larger crests have been found to have lower levels of stress hormones, indicating they are better equipped to cope with the challenges of reproduction.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology B·DateApr 16, 2009

Origins of sulfur in rocks tells early oxygen story

Researchers propose alternative explanation for anomalous sulfur isotope composition in ancient rocks, suggesting early oxygen-rich atmosphere may have been present. Laboratory experiments show that organic material and thermal sulfate reduction can produce similar isotopic signatures.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

A potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer

A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology has discovered a significant link between aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression and gastric cancer. The research suggests that AhR may be a potential therapeutic target for gastric cancer treatment.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 16, 2009

A step closer to an ultra precise atomic clock

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in creating ultra-precise atomic clocks using fermions at near absolute zero temperatures. The new method enables the control of fermion interactions and avoids the loss of precision, leading to a three-fold increase in clock accuracy. This advancement has great potential for applications...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009

Alpha-fetoprotein can affect the development of rat colons?

Researchers found that alpha-fetoprotein is highly expressed in developing rat colons, particularly at embryonic day 18.5, and decreases significantly as the animal matures. The protein is localized to mesenchymal cells throughout different developmental stages of the colon.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 16, 2009

Ancient ecosystem thrives millions of years below Antarctic glacier

Scientists discovered an ancient ecosystem trapped beneath Taylor Glacier in Antarctica, which survived without light or oxygen by transforming sulfur and iron compounds for growth. This unique ecosystem has the potential to explain how life might exist on other planets and serve as a model for life under ice.

SourceMontana State University·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

World premiere in stem cell research in Montreal

A team from IRIC has successfully produced a large quantity of laboratory stem cells from a small number of blood stem cells. This breakthrough could lead to major implications in fields with no current treatment, such as transplantation and organ rejection prevention.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalCell·DateApr 16, 2009

'Ocean glider' home after 2-month voyage

The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateApr 16, 2009

1 class increases odds of college graduation for struggling students

A new course at Ohio State University has been shown to increase the odds of college graduation for struggling first-year students, with those taking the class being 45% more likely to graduate within six years. The course teaches skills such as risk-taking and using feedback to improve academic performance.

SourceOhio State University·DateApr 16, 2009
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Suicide: The risk factors

The article discusses various risk factors that contribute to suicide, including male sex, psychiatric disorders, unemployment, and easy access to means. Mental health problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder, significantly increase the risk of suicide.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 16, 2009

The story of X -- evolution of a sex chromosome

A new evolutionary study of the X chromosome shows that it plays an active role in sex chromosome differentiation. The researchers found that the X chromosome undergoes periods of intense adaptation as it compensates for the degeneration of the Y chromosome, which has lost many genes since it stopped recombining with the X. This findin...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 16, 2009
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.

Researchers find lack of key molecule leads to deafness

A team of researchers identified two critical microRNAs that lead to abnormal ear development and progressive hearing loss when removed. The study also found potential for using these molecules as a regenerative tool to treat deafness and balance disorders.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2009

Shedding some light on Parkinson's treatment

Researchers have identified a group of cells as direct targets of deep brain stimulation (DBS) using optogenetics, which reduces disease symptoms by preferentially activating neurons linked to the subthalamic nucleus region. The technique allows precise stimulation and measurement of treatment effects simultaneously in animals with Par...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateApr 16, 2009

Penn scientists use RNA to reprogram 1 cell type into another

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a way to change one cell type into another by flooding it with specific messenger RNAs from another cell type. This approach, called Transcriptome induced phenotype remodeling (TIPeR), offers the possibility for a new type of cell-based therapy for neurodegener...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 16, 2009

New therapeutic target for melanoma identified

Researchers have identified Mcl-1 as a critical protein in melanoma cell resistance to anoikis, enabling metastasis and survival. Depletion of Mcl-1 makes melanoma cells susceptible to apoptosis, suggesting a viable treatment strategy.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateApr 16, 2009

A novel method of isolating high quality RNA from Kupffer cells

Researchers developed a novel approach to isolate high-quality RNA from Kupffer cells, overcoming technical obstacles. The method uses laser capture microdissection with India ink labeling, resulting in enriched mRNA and significant gene expression changes.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 16, 2009
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.