Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for April 24, 2009


Laughing hyenas, wailing levees, the sound of cheese and blaring bagpipes

The 157th ASA Meeting explores various disciplines and unique sounds. Wimps hear dangerous noises differently due to physical fitness, while fish living in darkness have exceptionally sensitive ears. Researchers also study medical devices using sound to treat disease, a long-gone whale's comeback, and cowards' evolution.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateApr 24, 2009

New target for maintaining healthy blood pressure discovered

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a new target for maintaining healthy blood pressure. Mice that lack the receptor for PG F2-alpha, a type of prostaglandin, have lower blood pressure and less atherosclerosis than their non-mutant counterparts.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 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.

Drug inhibits neuroblastoma blood supply in pre-clinical tests

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug that inhibits neuroblastoma blood supply, reducing tumor growth by 75%. The drug, AMD3100, blocks interaction between SDF-1a and its receptor CXCR4, preventing tumors from growing rapidly by disrupting their blood supply.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateApr 24, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Global health experts release new guidance on malaria elimination

The Malaria Elimination Group provides a roadmap for countries pursuing malaria elimination, reviewing operational, technical and financial decisions. The guidance aims to support countries in achieving universal coverage of preventive and treatment measures by 2010.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateApr 24, 2009

Drug therapy reduces neuroblastoma tumor growth in pre-clinical investigation

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a new drug combination that significantly hinders neuroblastoma tumor growth in pre-clinical tests. The combination of vandetanib and 13-cis-retinoic acid reduced tumors by 86 percent, offering new hope for children with this childhood cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateApr 24, 2009

Run! It's the student council president

A new study from Temple University graduate student Maureen Dzanis found that extracurricular activity participants, particularly student council presidents and glee club members, are more likely to experience bullying in urban schools. The research surveyed 1,203 students and explored the role of program quality on violence.

SourceTemple University·DateApr 24, 2009
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

USC partners with French drug discovery company on computer modeling effort

Researchers at USC and Rhenovia Pharma will use large-scale computer modeling to predict synergistic interactions within glutamate systems that might be targets for new drugs. The goal is to find a way to home in on specific neural cells without disturbing others, addressing malfunctions in diseases like schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateApr 24, 2009

New mediator of smoking recruits

Researchers found high osteopontin levels in patients with interstitial lung disease and healthy smokers, while healthy non-smokers produced no osteopontin. Osteopontin expression could be stimulated by nicotine treatment, leading to immune cell recruitment and symptoms similar to smoking-related lung diseases.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 24, 2009

DNA blueprint for healthier and more efficient cows

Scientists have discovered that the bovine genome contains over 2,800 billion DNA building blocks and around 22,000 genes. The study found that cows share about 80% of their genes with humans, providing valuable insights into human biology.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2009

NASA's Swift satellite comet tally highlighted

Comets are analyzed using Swift's Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope, which separates wavelengths of ultraviolet light to study gases surrounding the icy bodies. Cometary X-ray emission is also detected, providing insights into the process of charge exchange between solar ions and comet gases.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 24, 2009
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.

Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Notch1 contributes to lung fibrosis by increasing myofibroblasts, while SOCS-1 inhibits prostate cancer growth. TIP30 prevents lung cancer metastasis, and SPARC accelerates kidney disease progression. These findings highlight potential new therapeutic targets.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateApr 24, 2009

Survival rates for cancer rise across Ireland

A new report reveals a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Ireland, but also shows that survival rates are rising for certain types of cancer. The report highlights the importance of prevention and early detection in reducing the burden of cancer.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·DateApr 24, 2009

Brain music

The US Department of Homeland Security's study on Brain Music aims to enhance emergency response performance through neurotraining. Human Bionics LLC creates customized music compositions from brain waves to promote relaxation, alertness, and productivity.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateApr 24, 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.

Mind over muscle

A Temple-led study found that a two-phased program combining body image group counseling sessions and nicotine patches was more effective in helping young women quit smoking and maintain weight loss. The program showed an 18% rate of smoking cessation, compared to 8% for the exercise-only group.

SourceTemple University·DateApr 24, 2009

At the limits of the photoelectric effect

Researchers at PTB found that with xenon, a whole light-wave packet seems to knock out a huge number of internal electrons, dependent on material properties. This discovery challenges current models of the photoelectric effect and has significance for future experiments in materials research.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 24, 2009

Two-pronged model could help foil tough cystic fibrosis infections

Combining a mainstay antibiotic with drugs to deprive bacteria of iron boosts infection killing, according to Dartmouth researchers. Their study found that using two FDA-approved iron chelators and tobramycin eradicated biofilms by 90 percent.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateApr 24, 2009

Can middle class families make urban schools better?

A Temple University study found that middle-class parental involvement in urban education can have a positive impact when parents focus on making the school better for everyone. However, the study also shows that this influence can sometimes be exclusive to their own children's needs at the expense of working-class students.

SourceTemple University·DateApr 24, 2009
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.

Lice can be nice to us

Lice parasites have been found to modulate the immune system of wild wood mice, suggesting a potential link between parasite exposure and reduced autoimmune disease risk. This research implies that modern humans, lacking natural parasite exposure, may develop less regulated immune systems leading to increased disease susceptibility.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalBMC Biology·DateApr 24, 2009