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Science News for April 3, 2009


Scientists show how a neuron gets its shape

Researchers used microscopy to study neuron growth in Caenorhabditis elegans and found that certain neurons work backward from their destination. The discovery suggests that the brain is wired based on connectivity rather than absolute distance, providing an explanation for how the brain grows in proportion to the organism.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateApr 3, 2009

Nicotine may have more profound impact than previously thought

New Brown University research suggests nicotine interferes with multiple cellular interactions, potentially developing new treatments for various diseases. The study identified 55 proteins interacting with the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor, which may have broader roles in the body than previously thought.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateApr 3, 2009

Partner behavior better predicts STD risks

Researchers found that considering partner characteristics together is the strongest predictor for STDs. Adding simple questions about partner characteristics to STD screenings could help catch more patients who need testing and education.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalSexually Transmitted Diseases·DateApr 3, 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.

GEN highlights increasing use of digital gene expression profiling

A novel digital gene-expression profiling technique is gaining traction, offering a fully quantitative approach to gene-expression analysis. The method has been shown to provide robust and comparable expression profiling data, making it an attractive alternative to traditional microarray-based platforms.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalGenetic Engineering & Biotechnology News·DateApr 3, 2009

Model tissue system reveals cellular communication via amino acids

A team of researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital has found evidence of cell-to-cell communication by amino acids, leading to faster recovery of hepatocyte activity. The study reveals that proline, a building block of collagen, plays a key role in this process.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 3, 2009

Can periodontal disease act as a risk factor for HIV-1?

A study found that periodontal disease caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis can reactivate latent HIV-1 in infected individuals. The bacteria induce histone acetylation, leading to HIV-1 reactivation. Maintaining oral hygiene is crucial for preventing AIDS progression.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateApr 3, 2009

Does the stress of being a parent lead to decay in children's teeth?

A study found that parents with low income, limited education, and single status experience higher levels of stress, which increases the likelihood of their children developing tooth decay. Conversely, receiving treatment for a child's dental decay can decrease parental stress levels.

SourceInternational Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research·DateApr 3, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bird feathers produce color through structure similar to beer foam

Research by Yale University reveals that bird feathers create bright colors through nanostructures resembling a sponge with air bubbles. The structures self-assemble as the feather grows, replacing water bubbles with air, and have significant implications for the role of color in birds' plumage.

SourceYale University·JournalSoft Matter·DateApr 3, 2009

Radiation dose can be reduced for 'triple rule-out' coronary CT angiography

Physicians can reduce radiation exposure by using tube current modulation in 'triple rule-out' coronary CT angiography. This technique reduces effective radiation doses from 9.9-31.3 mSv to 5.4-16.6 mSv, comparable image quality and less than nuclear stress test radiation.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateApr 3, 2009

Maternal personality affects child's eating habits

A Norwegian Institute of Public Health study analyzed children's diets combined with psychological and sociodemographic variables in mothers. The results show that mothers with high negative affectivity are more likely to give their children unhealthy food, but not the opposite for healthy food.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition·DateApr 3, 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.

Locking parasites in host cell could be new way to fight malaria

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found a new way to combat malaria by trapping parasites inside host cells. They identified an enzyme called calpain-1, which parasites use to break out of infected cells, and developed a method to block it, leaving parasites trapped.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateApr 3, 2009

Big men more susceptible to atrial fibrillation

A new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy reveals that big men are more susceptible to atrial fibrillation, a disturbance in the heart's rhythm. The risk of atrial fibrillation increases linearly with both body size and weight gain, putting larger men at higher risk.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateApr 3, 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.

Dissecting a stellar explosion

The analysis reveals highly polarised gamma rays, providing insight into the central engine's magnetic field structure. The team favours a synchrotron model, suggesting that the jet lifted the magnetic field into space.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 3, 2009

Cellular target may prove useful in treating deadly brain tumors

Researchers at Duke University have identified a receptor on human glioblastoma cells that may be an appropriate target for therapies. Activation of the neurokinin 1 receptor leads to increased cell growth, but blocking this activity can reduce cell death and potentially stall cancer growth.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateApr 3, 2009
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.

Beating the back-up blues

Physicists at the University of Leeds and IBM Research have made advances in racetrack memory, a new kind of computer memory that could replace hard disks. The technology is estimated to be 100 times cheaper per bit than flash memory and promises faster speeds.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 3, 2009

Bent tectonics: How Hawaii was bumped off

Scientists have re-examined Hawaii's formation, finding the Pacific oceanic plate moved under a drifting hotspot, creating a 50 million-year-old bend in the seamount chain. Mantel circulation models aid understanding of forces on tectonic plates and stress estimation for major earthquakes.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateApr 3, 2009

Researchers discover primer to plant defense system

A novel compound called azelaic acid has been identified as a primer for the plant's immune system, leading to increased systemic plant immunity and disease resistance. The discovery was made by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 3, 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.

Radiologists can dramatically lower cardiac CT radiation dose in some patients

A study at the University of Erlangen found that reducing tube voltage from 120 kV to 100 kV lowered cardiac CT radiation doses in adult patients weighing 185 pounds or less by 39% without compromising image quality. The lower dose resulted in effective radiation doses ranging from 4.9 to 11.9 mSv, compared to 8.8 to 16.9 mSv at 120 kV.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateApr 3, 2009

Computer based model helps radiologists diagnose breast cancer

A computer-based model has been developed to aid radiologists in diagnosing breast cancer by analyzing mammogram images. The model was trained on 48,744 mammograms and found that it could detect 41 more cancers than routine practice, with potential benefits including reduced unnecessary biopsies.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateApr 3, 2009