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Science News Archive February 2009 - Page 24


Page 24 of 24

BioScience tip sheet, February 2009

This issue of BioScience explores strategies for managing biological resources, including optimizing forest responses to climate change. The journal also examines the ecological roles of mesocarnivores and the impact of mercury contamination on sport fish in the Northeastern United States.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateFeb 2, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Discovery fleshes out metabolism of key environmental and energy bacteria

A team of researchers has discovered a new enzyme in Shewanella that works together to oxidize lactate, a food and energy source for many microbes. The discovery suggests that dozens of bacteria use this multi-protein enzyme instead of the single-protein version, which could help clean up toxic pollutants.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 2, 2009

Vascular drug found to improve learning and memory in middle-aged rats

A vascular drug has improved spatial learning and working memory in middle-aged rats, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive function in humans. The findings support the use of the drug as a cognitive enhancer for age- or neurodegenerative-related memory dysfunction.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateFeb 2, 2009

New vaccine developed for preventing 'uncommon cold' virus

Researchers at George Mason University have developed a DNA-based vaccine effective in protecting mice from adenovirus-3. The vaccine's affordability and stability make it a promising solution for preventing this devastating infection.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalVaccine·DateFeb 2, 2009

Combined measures of maternal drinking can predict resulting problems in children

Researchers developed a composite metric of maternal-drinking measures that can predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children, identifying over 62% of mothers as drinking at risk levels. The metric was more successful than individual measures in predicting poor child cognition and behavior problems.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateFeb 2, 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.

10 new amphibian species discovered in Colombia

Scientists have discovered 10 new amphibian species in Colombia, shedding light on the country's remarkable biodiversity. The discovery was made during a Rapid Assessment Program expedition in the Tacarcuna area, where approximately 60 species of amphibians were identified, including three glass frogs and three poison dart frogs.

SourceConservation International·DateFeb 2, 2009

New strategies to tackle medical ghostwriting are debated

Leading authors debate the best strategies to tackle ghostwriting, a form of scientific misconduct that undermines author accountability. Some advocate for regulations and explicit disclosure of writing assistance, while others argue against excessive controls that may not be justified by current evidence.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2009

A DATE with breast cancer: Shortened gene region linked to breast cancer

Researchers identified a DNA region controlling HGF gene activity and found shortened regions in most breast cancer patients, who were younger than those with normal lengths. This discovery suggests a potential marker for increased breast cancer risk and may be linked to other cancers overexpressing HGF.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 2, 2009

Rare skin tumor responds better to treatment than melanoma

Researchers discovered that atypical spitzoid tumors (ASTs) respond well to treatment, with 27 patients experiencing complete remission after a lymph node biopsy. The study suggests ASTs behave differently from other types of melanoma and may not be as aggressive.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer·DateFeb 2, 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.

Phytoplankton cell membranes challenge fundamentals of biochemistry

Researchers have discovered phytoplankton in the Sargasso Sea that build cell membranes without phospholipids, using substitute lipids instead. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cell biochemistry and could lead to rewriting fundamental principles.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalNature·DateFeb 2, 2009

An estimated one-third of US children and teens take vitamin or mineral supplements

A large number of U.S. children and teens take vitamin and mineral supplements, often due to lack of health care access or unhealthy lifestyle habits. These supplements contribute significantly to total dietary intakes of vitamins and minerals, highlighting the need for targeted screening and counseling by healthcare providers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateFeb 2, 2009

Stat3 signaling tips the balance of immunity in favor of cancer

Stat3 promotes pro-cancer immune responses and inhibits antitumor immunity by stimulating immunosuppressive factors and inhibiting expression of chemicals critical for antitumor immunity. The study reveals a mechanism by which oncogenic pathways regulate the immune microenvironment to promote tumor development.

SourceCell Press·JournalCancer Cell·DateFeb 2, 2009

Older killer whales make the best mothers

Researchers found that older killer whales nearing menopause have a 10% higher survival rate for their calves compared to younger females. This suggests that these older mothers may be more successful in rearing their young due to maternal experience and increased allocation of effort.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateFeb 2, 2009

PET/CT may improve prognosis for patients with inflammatory breast cancer

A new study found that PET/CT can identify precise location and extent of metastasis, offering a better prognosis for patients with inflammatory breast cancer. The imaging modality provides information on both primary disease site and disease involvement throughout the body.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 2, 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.

Infliximab may help prevent post-operative Crohn's disease recurrence

A new study found that infliximab was effective at preventing endoscopic, clinical and histological postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease. The treatment significantly reduced the rate of endoscopic recurrence (9.1%) compared to placebo (84.6%).

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateFeb 1, 2009

Study finds genetic link between sleep disorders and depression in young children

A study using twin data revealed that genetic factors play a significant role in linking sleep problems to later depression in young children. The stability of sleep problems across time is mainly caused by genetic influences, while non-shared environmental influences dominate the development of depressive symptoms.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateFeb 1, 2009
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.

In India: A search for more effective tuberculosis drugs

Researchers have discovered a compound that targets four crucial metabolic pathways of the tuberculosis bacterium, weakening and destroying it. This approach could lead to the development of safer, single-drug treatments that eliminate the need for lengthy medication regimens.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateFeb 1, 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.

Ancient turtle migrated from Asia to America over a tropical Arctic

A tropical, freshwater turtle fossil discovered in Arctic Canada supports the idea of animals migrating from Asia to North America across a freshwater sea floating on top of the warm, salty Arctic Ocean. The find suggests a rapid influx of carbon dioxide led to a super-greenhouse effect creating extraordinary polar heat.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalGeology·DateFeb 1, 2009

Nanoscopic static electricity generates chiral patterns

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that electrostatic interactions alone can give rise to helical shapes in molecules, shedding light on how nature generates chirality. Their work shows that this phenomenon is a result of simple interactions and has implications for understanding complex phenomena.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSoft Matter·DateFeb 1, 2009

Single gene lets bacteria jump from host to host

A team of scientists found that a single gene is enough for bacteria to switch from one host animal to another. The study, published in Nature, reveals the genetic pressure point that could be manipulated to thwart germs that make us sick.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature·DateFeb 1, 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.