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Science News for July 9, 2009


Diets bad for the teeth are also bad for the body

Research suggests that diets high in fermentable carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, can lead to dental decay and contribute to chronic systemic diseases. A diet low in these carbohydrates may improve cardiovascular markers and reduce body fat. Dental problems can serve as an early warning sign for dietary imbalances.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateJul 9, 2009

Toward an explanation for Crohn's disease?

A study has found that a mutation in the NOD2 gene may predispose individuals to Crohn's disease by impairing the immune system's ability to recognize and fight off mycobacteria. The research, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, highlights the potential for new therapeutic approaches to combat the disease.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 9, 2009

Research may hold key to maintaining embryonic stem cells in lab

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a gene that activates in mouse embryonic stem cells, allowing them to grow and divide rapidly in the lab. This breakthrough could enable scientists to maintain ES cells from other species, leading to new discoveries in medical research.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

JNCI news brief: Breast cancer hormone receptor status and risk of a second primary tumor

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found women with hormone receptor-negative first tumors have twice the risk of developing a second breast cancer compared to those with HR-positive tumors. The research also identified a five-fold increase in risk of a second hormone-receptor negative breast cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 9, 2009

New Bluetooth application will let sport fans share experiences in real time

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a new Bluetooth application that allows people in different parts of a stadium to share banter, photos, and video clips instantly. This technology makes innovative use of short-range communications, enabling fans to connect with up to seven other users simultaneously.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateJul 9, 2009

Caltech chemists say antibody surrogates are just a 'click' away

Researchers create highly stable chemical compounds that can bind to proteins with high affinity and selectivity, replacing traditional antibodies used in medical diagnostic tests. The technique involves a stepwise approach using in situ click chemistry, allowing for the creation of complex molecules in a relatively simple process.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJul 9, 2009

Simulations illuminate universe's first twin stars

Researchers created a detailed computer simulation of early star formation, revealing the existence of twin stars. The simulations showed that these stars provide seeds for next-generation star formation, helping scientists understand how galaxies formed.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·DateJul 9, 2009
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.

Oral/body inflammatory connection explained

Periodontal disease has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with as many as 75% of adults in the US affected by periodontal disease. The study suggests that addressing oral/body inflammatory connection can improve overall health and reduce CVD risks.

SourceAcademy of General Dentistry·DateJul 9, 2009

Study identifies potential fix for damaged knees

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery have developed a biodegradable scaffold to treat patients with damaged knee cartilage. The study found that the plug demonstrated predictable maturation on imaging studies and showed encouraging properties similar to native articular cartilage.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·DateJul 9, 2009

Systems biology recommended as a clinical approach to cancer

Researchers advocate for systems biology in cancer treatment, promising improved diagnostic tools and new drug targets. The approach integrates mathematical modeling, simulations, and experiments to understand complex cancer processes.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta·DateJul 9, 2009

Motion analysis helps soccer players get their kicks

Researchers used motion analysis to study the kicking motion in male and female soccer players, finding that males have more activation in hip flexors and hip abductors compared to females. Female players also exhibit a knock-kneed knee position, which may contribute to increased ACL injuries.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·DateJul 9, 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.

Galileo's notebooks may reveal secrets of new planet

Researchers believe that Galileo's notebooks from 1613 may reveal evidence of his discovery of a new planet, which is now known as Neptune. The planet was observed by Galileo as a faint star near Jupiter and moved relative to an actual nearby star.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalAustralian Journal of Physics·DateJul 9, 2009

4 from Penn State receive PECASE awards

Four Penn State researchers, Sean Hallgren, Adam Smith, Michael Hickner, and Susan Parks, will receive the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. They were recognized for their outstanding work in quantum computation, cryptography, polymer chemistry, and bioacoustics.

SourcePenn State·DateJul 9, 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.

Nanopillars promise cheap, efficient, flexible solar cells

Researchers have developed a new design for solar cells using arrays of nanoscale pillars, each a single crystal, to efficiently convert light into charge-carrying electrons. The efficiency of the test device was measured at six percent, which is higher than most photovoltaic devices based on nanostructured materials.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 9, 2009

Of yeast and men: Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of Friedreich's ataxia

A research team led by Sergei Mirkin has developed a yeast model to study the molecular mechanisms of Friedreich's ataxia, a genetic disorder caused by GAA repeat expansions. The team found that proteins facilitating smooth replication fork progression decrease repeat expansions, while those causing fork deviations increase them.

SourceTufts University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 9, 2009

Academy Library accepted to prestigious Biodiversity Heritage Library

The Academy of Natural Sciences' Ewell Sale Stewart Library has been accepted into the Biodiversity Heritage Library, a global initiative to preserve scientific literature on biodiversity. Over 35,500 volumes have been scanned and digitized, with over 14 million pages now available online.

SourceAcademy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University·DateJul 9, 2009

SF State professor honored by President Obama for science mentoring

Frank Bayliss, a SF State professor, has been awarded a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for his work opening doors for minority students in the sciences. His Student Enrichment Opportunities office helps send underrepresented minority students to doctoral programs annually.

SourceSan Francisco State University·DateJul 9, 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.

Underwater exploration seeks evidence of early Americans

A team of scientists, led by Dr. James Adovasio, is searching for evidence of human occupation in the Gulf of Mexico, dating back over 12,000 years. The researchers are exploring submerged sites using remotely operated vehicles and divers to collect artifacts and animal fossils.

SourceMercyhurst College·DateJul 9, 2009

'Uphold the ban'

The World Bank has reaffirmed its support for the ban on tiger trade and called for the phasing out of tiger farms to protect wild tiger populations. The organization urges countries to continue banning domestic trade of wild tigers, citing economic and conservation concerns.

SourceWorld Wildlife Fund·DateJul 9, 2009

New theory gives more precise estimates of large-scale biodiversity

A new theory derived from information theory provides more accurate estimates of species richness in habitats of all sizes, from deserts to tropical rainforests. The method scales up from small plots to biomes and predicts that the number of new species found approaches zero as the area increases.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalEcology Letters·DateJul 9, 2009
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.

Dry mouth linked to prescription and over the counter drugs

Dry mouth, caused by decreased salivary function, affects one in four Americans and is linked to over 400 prescription and non-prescription drugs. Patients may experience symptoms like constant thirst, difficulty eating or speaking, and increased tooth decay risk.

SourceAcademy of General Dentistry·DateJul 9, 2009

Ozone, nitrogen change the way rising CO2 affects Earth's water

A recent study found that climate change models may underestimate the impact of changing atmospheric chemistry on water runoff. The researchers discovered that increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and ozone in the atmosphere and nitrogen in the soil can lead to a 17% increase in forest runoff in eastern US forests.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 9, 2009

Dialysis safe for kidney patients' heart health

A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis does not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack. Researchers identified predictors of high risk, such as potassium levels and patient condition severity.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 9, 2009

Exploring standards to advance microbial genomics

The development of genome annotation standards is crucial for advancing microbial genomics, but a lack of standards hinders comparisons and discoveries. Kyrpides suggests several innovative approaches to ease the data processing bottleneck, including proxy approaches and pan-genome representations.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 9, 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.

Arctic climate under greenhouse conditions in the Late Cretaceous

Scientists discover regular alternation of microscopically thin layers composed of distinct diatom assemblages, reflecting seasonal changes in the Arctic Ocean during the Late Cretaceous. This indicates exceptional abundances of diatoms adapted to stratified conditions, suggesting a pointer to future trends in the modern ocean.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2009

Einstein scientists link elevated insulin to increased breast cancer risk

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found a strong association between elevated insulin levels and increased breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Women with higher insulin levels were more than twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with lower insulin levels, especially among lean women.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJul 9, 2009

Ethicists: Include pregnant women in national childrens' study

Pregnant women are underrepresented in clinical research, but experts say including them in the National Children's Study could yield crucial information for women's health. The study aims to follow children from conception through adulthood, but ethicists recommend adding a few key questions on medication usage to gather valuable data.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 9, 2009

Seals quickly respond to gain and loss of habitat under climate change

Researchers found that Southern Elephant seals quickly responded to the gain and loss of habitat under climate change by establishing a new breeding site in the Ross Sea Embayment. This new habitat was adopted due to abundant food resources and physical space, allowing rapid expansion of the population.

SourceDurham University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 9, 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.

Reduced diet thwarts aging, disease in monkeys

A study of rhesus macaques has shown that consuming fewer calories leads to a longer, healthier life, with a reduced risk of age-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The diet also preserved brain health, particularly in regions responsible for motor control and executive functions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

Tossing a coin in the microcosm

Physicists at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a quantum walk, a superposition of heads and tails states in an atomic 'coin', and found unusual effects when observing the particle. This research paves the way for new algorithms, including search processes, that can process information much faster than classical methods.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

UT Southwestern, UT Arlington to develop magnetic surgery tools

Researchers at UT Southwestern and UT Arlington are developing magnetically controlled surgical instruments to enhance maneuverability and reduce entry ports in laparoscopic surgeries. The Magnetic Anchoring and Guidance System (MAGS) uses magnets outside the abdomen to attract instruments inserted inside, allowing for greater range of...

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·DateJul 9, 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.

Researchers identify technique that improves ACL surgery

Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a drilling technique that improves the outcome of ACL surgery by better reproducing the native ligament anatomy. The anteromedial portal drilling technique outperforms the traditional transtibial technique in restoring knee stability and preventing complications.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·DateJul 9, 2009

Telomeres resemble DNA fragile sites

Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that telomeres resemble fragile sites in DNA, where replication can stall. A protein called TRF1 helps prevent this by removing unusual structures from telomeric DNA, allowing smooth progression of DNA replication.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateJul 9, 2009

Newborn brain cells show the way

Researchers discovered that newborn neurons in the hippocampus help separate individual events and form temporal relationships, improving spatial memory. This breakthrough sheds light on the purpose of neurogenesis and its role in adult brain function.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 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.

Tremors on southern San Andreas Fault may mean increased earthquake risk

A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found that increased tremors along the San Andreas Fault near Parkfield, Calif., may indicate a build-up of stress and an increased likelihood of a major quake. The tremors have continued to this day at a rate significantly higher than before two nearby earthquakes in 2003 and 2004.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2009

Addition of probiotics to functional foods does not improve severe malnutrition outcomes for African children

A randomized controlled trial found that adding probiotics to conventional high-energy ready-to-use therapeutic foods did not improve nutritional cure rates or reduce mortality in severely malnourished African children. However, the study suggests a possible observation of reduced outpatient mortality in HIV-positive children.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 9, 2009

New lab test offers better prediction of HIV microbicide safety

Researchers developed a lab test to predict HIV microbicide safety, identifying why some 'safe' microbicides increased HIV transmission. The test detects disruptions in the vaginal epithelial barrier, which can facilitate HIV infection.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJul 9, 2009