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Science News Archive April 2009


Page 7 of 24

UCSF HIV/AIDS training program successfully promotes diversity

The UCSF Visiting Professor Program has provided training and mentoring to 40 visiting professors from minority universities, resulting in over $50 million in research funding and 425 scientific publications. The program accelerates careers and promotes interdisciplinary approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention research.

Chromosome breakpoints contribute to genetic variation

Breakpoint regions on chromosomes contain a higher density of genes and are more susceptible to breakage, leading to genetic variation. The study found that rearrangements in these regions can lead to new sources of variation, potentially subject to natural selection.

Completed cattle genome could improve beef and dairy production

The complete cattle genome has been sequenced and annotated, providing unique insight into the biology and evolution of cattle. This breakthrough research could lead to significant improvements in beef and dairy production, including increased milk production, disease resistance, and meat quality.

Ultrasound changes care of some patients with rheumatic conditions

A study found that ultrasound significantly changed management decisions for 50% of patients with rheumatic hand and foot conditions. Ultrasound increased certainty in clinical findings, ranging from 24% to 56%, and led to a decrease in the use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for difficult-to-assess patients.

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.

Living in history: How some historical events shape our memory

Researchers found that historically-defined autobiographical periods exist, but their formation depends on the intensity and novelty of public events. Public events like wars and natural disasters can categorize personal memories as 'emotionally charged' or 'epoch-defining', causing them to become entwined with history.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Living outside the box: New evidence shows going abroad linked to creativity

New research by the American Psychological Association finds that living outside the box - literally - can boost creativity. Studies show that individuals who have spent time living abroad are more likely to come up with creative solutions to complex problems, such as a classic test of creative insight known as the Duncker candle problem.

US shorts critical farm animal research, scientists say

A group of Michigan State University scientists warn that US farm animal research is facing a critical funding crisis, with only $32 million allocated from a $88 billion budget in 2007. This lack of funding threatens not only the research itself but also human health studies that rely on large-animal models.

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.

'Nonsurgical' method for chronic tendinosis of the Achilles tendon

Researchers have developed an alternative treatment method for chronic Achilles tendon tendinosis, with sonographically-guided debridement showing significant improvements in 60% of patients who had failed conservative treatments. The procedure encourages the body's natural repair process to heal damaged tendons.

First evidence for DNA-based vaccination against chronic hepatitis C

A DNA-based therapeutic vaccination has shown antiviral effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C, with 67% experiencing significant reductions in viral load. The vaccine, developed using naked DNA delivered by electroporation, was found to induce immune responses and activate the host T cell response in patients.

'Sleep talking' PCs save energy and money

Researchers at UC San Diego and Microsoft Research have developed a plug-and-play hardware prototype called Somniloquy, which induces a new energy-saving state in personal computers. This allows PCs to save up to 80% of their energy consumption while still maintaining network presence and running well-defined application functions.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Early-stage lung cancer identified using computer-aided system

A computer-aided detection system has been shown to detect 45-55% of overlooked lung cancer nodules, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and improved survival rates. The study suggests that CAD software can assist radiologists in identifying subtle signs of early lung cancer.

North America works to halt invasive species

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation releases guidelines to assess and mitigate the risks of aquatic invasive species, which can cause significant environmental harm and economic losses. The guidelines aim to promote preventive measures and harmonized actions among North American countries.

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.

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.

Study rules out ancient bursts of seafloor methane emissions

Researchers confirm that major methane increases near the end of the last Ice Age were due to wetland growth and associated methane releases, not sudden bursts of seafloor methane. The study's findings provide a significant relief as they largely rule out massive seafloor hydrate deposits as a source of methane.

Wetlands likely source of methane from ancient warming event

Researchers found that a surge in atmospheric methane gas 11,600 years ago was more chemically consistent with an expansion of wetlands rather than a large-scale melting of frozen methane deposits. This discovery suggests that wetland regions may have played a significant role in regulating global warming during past events.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Double-action power stations: Energy and hydrogen

Chemists have developed a catalyst to produce hydrogen and electricity simultaneously in existing gas power plants with minimal investment. The technology could ease the transition to a hydrogen economy by repurposing existing infrastructure.

Teleradiology offers CT colonography to rural areas

A study at the University of Arizona found that remote CT colonography is feasible in rural health centers using teleradiology. Technicians performed CTC exams on 86 patients and sent data to a local server for interpretation by an off-site radiologist.

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.

Cattle genome sequencing milestone promises health benefits, researcher says

A recent cattle genome sequencing milestone has significant implications for human health research, revealing a closer genetic link between humans and cattle than previously thought. The study's findings suggest that milk evolved as an immune function, essential to the survival of newborn mammals, dating back over 160 million years.

How late is too late to break bad habits?

A study of over 2,000 seniors found that quitting smoking can slow down gait and improve overall health. Changing bad habits such as poor food choices and lack of exercise can also have a significant impact on senior health.

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.

Even modest exercise can reduce negative effects of belly fat

A new University of Illinois study suggests that moderate exercise can reduce visceral fat inflammation, even without a change in diet. The benefits were apparent in both short-term and long-term studies, with significant reductions in belly fat and improved insulin sensitivity found in mice.

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.

Noninvasive test accurately identifies gynecologic malignancies

A noninvasive test using diffusion weighted MRI accurately identifies benign from malignant pelvic lymph nodes in patients with gynecologic malignancy. The test has a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 85%, making it a useful tool for determining the extent of cancer spread.

MIT: Jeremy Nathans to deliver Scolnick Prize lecture

Jeremy Nathans receives the Scolnick Prize for his groundbreaking work on color vision, brain development, and retinal disease. His research has led to significant insights into human blindness and the basis for many forms of color blindness.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

MRI identifies 5 causes of complications from ACL reconstructive surgery

A study using MRI has identified five possible causes of patient complications after ACL reconstructive surgery, including graft discontinuity and hardware failure. Persistent pain is the most common complaint among patients, with other symptoms such as instability and joint swelling also reported.

How cigarettes calm you down

Researchers found that nicotine alters brain areas involved in inhibiting negative emotions like anger, leading to reduced retaliation and increased cravings. The study supports the idea that individuals with an angry disposition are more susceptible to nicotine's effects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scientists moving closer to 'artificial noses'

Researchers at LMU Munich have created a system of nanostrings made of non-conducting material, which can be individually electrically excited and produce thousands of strings on a small chip. This breakthrough could lead to the development of highly sensitive 'artificial noses' for detecting various molecules, including pollutants.

EU supports future metrological research

The European Union has launched a €400 million research program to develop highly precise measurements in healthcare, energy, environmental and advanced technology sectors. The EMRP program aims to bring together the best minds from one research area, creating new foundations for metrology.

New cow genome sequence released

Scientists from the University of Maryland have published their assembly of the domestic cow genome, improving on previous versions in terms of completeness and accuracy. The new assembly is anchored onto chromosomes with around 91% of the genome placed correctly.

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.

A genomic CluE for cloud computing

Researchers at the University of Maryland are working on a project to analyze vast amounts of DNA sequencing data using remote computer clusters, also known as Cloud Computing. The goal is to determine whether this approach can be more cost-effective and efficient than traditional local clusters.