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Science News for December 11, 2009


Europe's flora is becoming impoverished

The study found that European plant communities are becoming more homogeneous, with rare species becoming extinct and phylogenetic diversity decreasing. This loss of uniqueness makes it harder for biological communities to adapt to environmental changes.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2009

'Extreme' genes shed light on origins of photosynthesis

Researchers are studying phototrophic extremophiles to understand the evolution of oxygen-evolving high-energy photosynthesis. The study aims to illuminate gaps in genetic data and explore astrobiology connections, potentially revealing clues about extraterrestrial life.

SourceArizona State University·DateDec 11, 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.

Moderate weight loss in obese people improves heart function

A two-year study found that moderate weight loss improved four key measures of heart health in obese patients, including decreased heart muscle thickness and improved pumping functions. After weight regain, some cardiovascular benefits were retained.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 11, 2009

NICE guidelines ration affordable osteoporosis drugs

Current UK guidelines limit postmenopausal women's treatment options due to bone mass T-score criteria. Alternative therapies are available but often require stricter conditions.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease·DateDec 11, 2009

UA-led study grapples with health effects of low-intensity warfare

A recent study by UA-led researchers documents the health consequences of endemic warfare in northern Kenya, focusing on nutrition and its impact on community health. The research highlights the disproportionate burden of violence on women and children, who face food insecurity and increased mortality rates.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateDec 11, 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.

Elusive 'hot' electrons captured in ultra-thin solar cells

Boston College researchers successfully harvested elusive charges using ultra-thin solar cells, opening a potential avenue to improved solar power efficiency. The team developed a mechanism able to extract hot electrons in the moments before they cool, effectively opening an escape hatch for these highly energized particles.

SourceBoston College·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 11, 2009

Rice physicists find reappearing quantum trios

Using ultracold atoms, Rice physicists confirmed a theory about a universal quantum mechanism that allows trimers to form in special cases where pairs cannot. The team observed Efimov's trimers appear and reappear repeatedly in a stepwise fashion.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2009

Most eligible patients miss out on cardiac resynchronization therapy for heart failure

A large-scale study found that less than half of eligible patients with heart failure receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. The therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with disorganized heartbeats, but widespread variations in CRT use were observed among practices and patient characteristics.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·DateDec 11, 2009

More mental health care called for in wake of Ft. Hood shootings

Renowned psychopharmacology expert Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD, highlights low confidence in army mental health care, excessive opiate prescribing, and understaffing of services at Ft. Hood. He proposes redeploying primary-care providers and nurse case managers to centralize mental health care delivery.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCNS Spectrums·DateDec 11, 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.

Novel detection method unmasks circulating breast cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a novel detection method that can identify circulating tumor cells (CTCs) after they undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), rendering them undetectable by current methods.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateDec 11, 2009

Roe of marine animals is best natural source of omega-3

A study by Spanish researchers found that roe of hake, lumpsucker and salmon contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, essential for metabolic functions. Minimal consumption satisfies the body's requirements, preventing cardiovascular disease and other conditions.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Lipid Science and Technology·DateDec 11, 2009

New research identifies modifiable risk factors for heart disease

Emerging research reveals that post-menopausal women experience adverse changes in lipid profiles around the time of their final menstrual period, independent of age. Conversely, quitting smoking before or after a heart attack significantly improves long-term survival rates, with reductions comparable to those from lifestyle changes an...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 11, 2009
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.

Blood stem cell transplant regimen reverses sickle cell disease in adults

A modified blood adult stem-cell transplant regimen has effectively reversed sickle cell disease in 9 of 10 adults with severe symptoms. The trial's results show that the treatment reduced toxicity and allowed patients to achieve stable mixed donor chimerism, completely replacing their disease-causing cells.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateDec 11, 2009

Journal highlights forest service early warning system

The USDA Forest Service has developed an early warning system to monitor forest health using satellite imagery and land surface phenology data. The system aims to provide near-real-time information on forest conditions impacted by insects, diseases, wildfires, or extreme weather events.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·JournalPhotogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing·DateDec 11, 2009

New inherited eye disease discovered

Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a new inherited retinal disease affecting the macula, which is an area critical for central vision. The disease causes abnormal blood vessels to form, leading to swelling or scars that can blur parts of the visual field.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateDec 11, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

TRMM Satellite sees Cyclone Cleo coming to a close

Cyclone Cleo's rainfall has significantly diminished over the last 24 hours, with its maximum sustained winds down to 40 mph. The storm is expected to dissipate in the next day or two due to wind shear and dry air.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 11, 2009

Scientists identify natural anti-cancer defenses

Researchers at the University of Montreal identified a novel molecular mechanism that prevents cancer by regulating the p53 gene. The SOCS1 molecule plays a crucial role in suppressing cancer-causing cytokine activity, offering potential new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer prevention strategies.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 11, 2009

Why England's soccer team keeps losing on penalties

A new study by the University of Exeter shows that anxious penalty takers are more likely to focus on the goalkeeper, leading to shots that centralize and become easier to save. The research suggests that coaches can address this issue through training, emphasizing the importance of practicing aiming strategies under pressure.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology·DateDec 11, 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.

Physician advice a key motivator in baby's sleep position

A UT Southwestern study found that physician advice is a key motivator in placing infants on their backs to sleep, reducing the risk of SIDS. The rate of SIDS has plummeted since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was launched in 1994.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateDec 11, 2009

Bacteria provide new insights into human decision making

Scientists applied physics techniques to study bacteria's survival strategies, gaining insights into human decision making. The study found that bacteria's game theory decision making process is more advanced than the Prisoner's Dilemma, enabling them to weigh pros and cons in complex environments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2009

Clinical trial advances new approach to re-sensitizing breast cancer

A new study presents a promising approach to re-sensitize breast cancer to standard therapy after it becomes resistant. The treatment combination of an aromatase inhibitor and sorafenib shows encouraging responses in 20% of post-menopausal women with metastatic breast cancer, offering a potential new treatment option.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateDec 11, 2009

MDC researchers identify a scaffold regulating protein disposal

The MDC researchers have discovered a crucial scaffold regulating the identification and disposal of defective proteins. The study reveals that the flexible Usa1 subunit tethers specific modules of the enzyme complex, connecting them to form a larger complex to degrade insoluble membrane proteins.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 11, 2009

New discoveries could improve climate projections

Researchers have discovered that the deep ocean's temperature variability and circulation system are more complex than previously thought, leading to more accurate predictions of sea level rise and ice volume changes. The study uses a 3-D reconstruction of an ocean during a past warm period to gain insights into global climate dynamics.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalClimate of the Past·DateDec 11, 2009
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Math goes viral

Researchers at the University of Alberta designed materials that link mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios, such as disease transmission, to enhance learning. Students used these materials to calculate the West Nile virus's reproductive number, gaining a deeper understanding of math in science.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalResearch in Science Education·DateDec 11, 2009

New curriculum mixes nanotechnology and skiing

The University of Nevada, Reno has developed a new curriculum that combines nanotechnology with skiing, aiming to prepare mechanical engineers for emerging challenges. Students will design and manufacture innovative materials and technologies to create extraordinary ski designs, including energy-efficient systems and dynamic structures.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·DateDec 11, 2009

Surgery on beating heart thanks to robotic helping hand

A French team has developed a computerized 3D model that predicts the movement of the heart as it beats, allowing robotic tools to move in concert with each beat. This innovation could enable less invasive surgical procedures with high precision and reduce complications.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalThe International Journal of Robotics Research·DateDec 11, 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.

Anti-estrogens may offer protection against lung cancer mortality

A study presented at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium found that anti-estrogen therapy for breast cancer patients reduced their risk of dying from lung cancer. The research involved 6,715 women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1980 and 2003.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateDec 11, 2009

Tropical Cyclone 05B forms southeast of Chennai, India

Tropical Cyclone 05B has formed in the Northern Indian Ocean, expected to approach southeastern India and make landfall on Monday, December 14. The storm is forecast to intensify due to low wind shear, but may be impacted by a zonal jet stream.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 11, 2009

Easily led 'ash-tray': Adolescent smokers prone to drug abuse

A study by Natividad et al. found that adolescent rats exhibit fewer physical and neurochemical withdrawal signs than adult rats after nicotine withdrawal, suggesting age alters neurological systems relevant to nicotine use. This increased sensitivity makes adolescents more prone to drug abuse.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalSynapse·DateDec 11, 2009