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Science News for July 22, 2009


CNN's 'Vital Signs' to feature US Navy-funded technology

A breakthrough technology developed by the US Navy is being adapted for breast cancer detection, offering improved reliability in early detection. The technology complements existing radiology devices by yielding more detailed images of faint cancerous lesions.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJul 22, 2009

Hopkins-designed animal TB 'tracker' to speed drug and vaccine studies

A new monitoring system developed by Johns Hopkins researchers allows for the non-invasive pinpointing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mouse lungs, speeding up preclinical testing of TB drugs and vaccines. This innovation enables fewer animals to be used, reducing the need for lengthy and complicated regimens.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 22, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New evidence: AIDS-like disease in wild chimpanzees

Researchers discovered that infected chimpanzees had lower survival rates and were more likely to die from disease. The study found a significant link between SIV infection and CD4+ T-cell decline, similar to HIV-1 in humans.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateJul 22, 2009

Chimps, like humans, focus on faces

A recent study suggests that chimps respond to faces in a similar manner to humans, capturing attention more effectively than other objects. Reaction times improved when the target appeared behind the image of a chimpanzee face.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateJul 22, 2009

Rainfall to decrease over Iberian Peninsula

Rainfall in Iberian Peninsula to decline due to climate change, with increased frequency in winter and lower amounts in spring-summer. Climate models predict significant changes by middle of 21st century, with varying effects on seasonal distribution patterns.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 22, 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.

Critical link in cell death pathway revealed

A team of researchers has identified XIAP as the critical factor determining which cell death pathway is followed to culminate in a cell's death. This finding has implications for cancer patients with underlying liver conditions who are being treated with IAP inhibitors.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 22, 2009

Experiments show 'artificial gravity' can prevent muscle loss in space

Researchers used a NASA centrifuge to simulate artificial gravity and found that just one hour a day was enough to maintain thigh muscle protein synthesis. The study suggests that this could be a potential countermeasure for preventing muscle loss in space, with implications for human health on Earth as well.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateJul 22, 2009

New windows opened on cell-to-cell interactions

Researchers at the University of Oregon have discovered a new class of self-assembling materials that can control colloidal interactions by applying biological molecules from cell membranes. The findings suggest that specially tweaked biological membranes can serve as control knobs to direct materials to specific actions.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 22, 2009

An inner 'fingerprint' for personalizing medical care

Researchers analyzed over 1,800 urine samples and identified individual patients with an accuracy of over 99 percent using metabolic profiling. The study provides evidence that the metabolic fingerprint remains stable over time, paving the way for personalized medical care.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateJul 22, 2009
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.

New silver nanoparticle skin gel for healing burns

Researchers have developed a novel silver nanoparticle skin gel that effectively kills harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant microbes, while promoting wound healing without causing harm to healthy skin. The gel contains 30 times less silver than traditional antimicrobial agents, making it a safer option for burn patients.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalMolecular Pharmaceutics·DateJul 22, 2009

Hepatitis C: No overall difference in sustained viral response in most widely used treatments

A large study comparing widely used treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection found similar safety and efficacy in achieving long-term viral eradication. However, subgroup analysis revealed that certain approaches may be better suited for women and minorities, with some treatments showing higher success rates in these groups.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 22, 2009

Louisiana Tech researcher featured in international physics journal

Researchers, including Dr. Dentcho Genov, successfully mimicked celestial mechanics using artificial optic materials to study phenomena around black holes and other celestial objects. The team's work has implications for technology, such as the 'invisibility cloak,' and confirms Louisiana Tech's contribution to vital science discoveries.

SourceLouisiana Tech University·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 22, 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.

AIDS discovered in wild chimpanzees

A new study reveals that chimpanzees infected with SIV, the precursor to HIV-1, contract and die from AIDS. Infected females were less likely to give birth, and infants born to infected mothers were unlikely to survive. The virus was transmitted sexually and through mother's milk.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature·DateJul 22, 2009

Vi typhoid vaccine proves highly effective in young children

A new study by IVI-NICED found that the Vi polysaccharide vaccine is highly effective in protecting young children against typhoid fever, with 80% protection rate in children under five years old. The vaccine also conferred substantial herd protection, reducing typhoid risk among unvaccinated neighbors by 44%.

SourceInternational Vaccine Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 22, 2009

Stunting plants' skyward reach could lead to improved yields

Michigan State University scientist Beronda Montgomery is studying the process of stem growth in plants, which diverts energy from seed, flower, and leaf production. Her research aims to understand how phytochromes control plant growth and develop new approaches to improve crop yields.

SourceMichigan State University·DateJul 22, 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.

Quantum measurements: Common sense is not enough

A team of physicists from Innsbruck, Austria, have proven that it is not possible to explain quantum phenomena in non-contextual terms. They used techniques designed for building a quantum computer and performed a series of measurements on a pair of laser-cooled calcium ions.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·DateJul 22, 2009

Music is the engine of new U-M lab-on-a-chip device

Researchers at U-M have developed a lab-on-a-chip device that uses sound waves to drive experimental samples through the device. This innovation replaces traditional electromechanical valves with resonance cavities, amplifying specific musical notes to create air pressure controlling droplets.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 22, 2009

Vaccine blocks malaria transmission in lab experiments

Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine that effectively blocks the parasite's sexual development, critical for transmission. The vaccine induced a significant immune response in mice and non-human primates, with a 93% transmission-blocking rate after a single dose.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 22, 2009
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

NASA tracking and data relay satellite mission passes major review

The TDRS project has received approval to proceed with the implementation phase of its mission, enabling NASA to build more spacecraft needed to support missions. The next milestone is a critical design review scheduled for January 2010, which will examine detailed aspects of the TDRS spacecraft and system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 22, 2009

Caltech physicists create first nanoscale mass spectrometer

Researchers at Caltech have created a nanoscale mass spectrometer that can instantly measure the mass of an individual molecule. The device uses tiny nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) resonators to detect changes in vibration frequency, allowing for precise mass determination.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 22, 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.

For abused women, leaving is a complex and confusing process

A new study finds that abused women experience a five-stage process of leaving, marked by boundary ambiguity, emotional disconnection, and preparation to leave. Women often struggle with clarity and connection once they've left, highlighting the need for support and understanding from social workers, friends, and family.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Family Theory & Review·DateJul 22, 2009

Close caregiver relationship may slow Alzheimer's decline

A study found that a close caregiver relationship can slow Alzheimer's disease progression by retaining more cognitive function and functional abilities over time. Patients with close caregivers scored better on cognitive tests and retained more of their brain function compared to those without close relationships.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateJul 22, 2009

ART therapy for babies, mothers safely reduces HIV transmission

A study led by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill investigators found that giving daily antiretroviral syrup to breastfeeding infants or treating their HIV-infected mothers with highly active antiretroviral drugs is safe and effective in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission through breast milk.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·DateJul 22, 2009

Risky driving puts P-platers at high danger of crash

A study of 20,000 young drivers found that risky behaviors like speeding and text messaging while driving significantly increase the risk of crashes. Young drivers who engage in these behaviors, even with good safety knowledge, are more likely to crash.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 22, 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.

Bad mitochondria may actually be good for you

A study published in JBC found that mice with defective mitochondrial protein MCLK1 lived longer and aged slower than normal mice. Despite high levels of oxidative stress, their inefficient mitochondria produced less energy and fewer oxygen radicals, accumulating less damage over time.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 22, 2009

Can brain scans read your mind?

A study by UCLA and Rutgers neuroscientists found that functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can accurately predict a person's mental task, such as reading words aloud or counting tones. The research suggests that brain patterns are similar across healthy individuals, allowing for predictions on new people.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 22, 2009

Hepatitis C infection: treatment options equally effective, likelihood of success known early on

A landmark study finds that treatment with either of two standard antiviral drug therapies is safe and offers the best way for people infected with hepatitis C to prevent liver scarring, organ failure and death. The study showed that treating patients in early or less advanced stages of the disease leads to higher success rates.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 22, 2009

Stop and smell the flowers -- the scent really can soothe stress

A new study found that inhaling linalool, a key ingredient in aromatherapy, can alter gene activity and blood chemistry to reduce stress levels. The study also showed that linalool returned stress-elevated levels of immune cells to near-normal levels.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJul 22, 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.

Still a low chance of development for 2 lows

Two areas of thunderstorms in the Caribbean are moving into the eastern Atlantic and southeastern Bahamas, but a low chance of development exists. The National Hurricane Center reports less than 30 percent chance of tropical formation within the next 48 hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 22, 2009

Eliminating cell receptor prevents infection in animal study

A new study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has found that eliminating a specific cell receptor, CAR, prevents infection by a common virus that causes serious diseases in humans. The researchers used genetically engineered mice to demonstrate the critical role of CAR in coxsackievirus infections.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJul 22, 2009

Carnegie Mellon's Andrew Gellman receives $2 million grant

Gellman is leading a research team to create solid surfaces that can select between 'left-handed' and 'right-handed' versions of complex molecules, improving efficiency in chemical processes. The goal is to control chemical reactions to yield only the desired product, reducing waste and environmental impact.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateJul 22, 2009

Ytterbium's broken symmetry

Researchers have measured the largest effects of parity violation in an atom, using ytterbium-174 isotopes and detecting a hundred times larger effect than previous measurements in cesium atoms. The discovery promises significant advances in studying weak forces in the nucleus.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 22, 2009
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.

Foot & Ankle Specialist accepted in Medline

The Foot & Ankle Specialist journal has been accepted for inclusion in the MEDLINE database, providing researchers and clinicians with improved access to high-quality studies on foot and ankle treatments. This acceptance aims to enhance the dissemination of techniques and advancements in foot and ankle care.

SourceSAGE·JournalFoot & Ankle Specialist·DateJul 22, 2009

A new method to cleaner and more efficient CO2 capture

A new method for capturing CO2 from flue gas has been developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The approach uses ionic liquids as a solvent to separate carbon dioxide from its source, overcoming the shortcomings of existing methods, such as non-selectivity and corrosiveness.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalChemSusChem·DateJul 22, 2009

Life lessons: Where psychology stands on living well

Research by Nansook Park and Christopher Peterson highlights the importance of experiencing positive emotions, having close interpersonal relationships, and finding meaning in life. The authors suggest that psychology has made progress in understanding human problems but still lacks a formula for achieving a good life.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJul 22, 2009
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Biodiesel on the wing: A 'green' process for biodiesel from feather meal

Scientists develop environmentally friendly process for producing biodiesel from chicken feather meal, generating up to 593 million gallons annually. The process also produces high-grade animal feed and nitrogen-rich fertilizer, reducing waste and increasing renewable energy production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJul 22, 2009

LSUHSC shows for first time infant inhalation of ultrafine air pollution linked to adult lung disease

Early exposure to airborne ultrafine particulate matter in infancy has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma later in life. This study found that infant inhalation of ultrafine air pollution caused genetic defects leading to dysfunctional proteins and permanent changes in immune responses.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·DateJul 22, 2009