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Science News for June 23, 2009


Children's Hospital Oakland scientists first to discover new source for harvesting stem cells

A groundbreaking study reveals a new avenue for harvesting stem cells from healthy newborn placentas, which contain more stem cells than umbilical cord blood and can be safely extracted for transplantation. The discovery holds promise for curing chronic blood-related disorders such as sickle cell disease and leukemia.

SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

U of M study finds new insight on therapy for a devastating parasitic disease

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Medical School have made a breakthrough in understanding how the commonly prescribed drug praziquantel works to treat Schistosomiasis. Praziquantel causes two-headed organisms by subverting normal regeneration, leading to the identification of key molecules that control its effects.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJun 23, 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.

Common ECG finding may indicate serious cardiac problems

A prolonged PR interval on an electrocardiogram may indicate a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and the need for a pacemaker. Studies suggest that middle-aged to older adults with this finding are more likely to experience serious heart rhythm disturbances and premature death.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateJun 23, 2009

A Canada-wide technology platform for mapping the human interactome

A Canada-wide technology platform will map the human interactome, providing Canadian researchers with state-of-the-art equipment and integrated infrastructure. The project, led by Dr. Benoit Coulombe, aims to elucidate dynamic organization of proteins and molecules, potentially leading to better disease treatments.

SourceInstitut de recherches cliniques de Montreal·DateJun 23, 2009

Molecular typesetting -- proofreading without a proofreader

A team of researchers at the University of Leeds has developed a model that explains how errors are corrected during protein synthesis. The study suggests that a molecular machine called RNA polymerase uses a unique mechanism to remove incorrect letters from the growing RNA chain, allowing copying to resume.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 23, 2009

Waste water treatment plant mud used as 'green' fuel

Researchers from Rovira i Virgili University find that using mud from waste water treatment plants as an alternative fuel reduces CO2 emissions by 140,000 tonnes between 2003 and 2006. This sustainable solution enables cement factories to power their operations without harming human health.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateJun 23, 2009

ADHD genes found, known to play roles in neurodevelopment

Pediatric researchers found hundreds of gene variations associated with ADHD, many linked to learning, behavior, and brain function. The study suggests future drug targets and personalized treatments may be possible.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 23, 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.

Radiation dose drastically reduced during whole chest MDCT

A study found that MDCT with prospective ECG triggering reduces chest radiation dose by 71% compared to retrospective gating, delivering a lower dose of 9mSv. Image quality was also slightly better with prospective triggering.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 23, 2009

New therapy found to prevent heart failure

A landmark study demonstrates a significant reduction in heart failure or death in patients with heart disease who received CRT-D versus ICD-only. The MADIT-CRT trial showed a 29% decrease in mortality and heart failure symptoms, improving survival and outcome for patients with severe heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateJun 23, 2009

Researchers work to create more permanent joint replacements

Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing biological joints using living tissue that can mimic normal cartilage in a healthy joint. These new joints have shown promising results in dogs and aim to be used for human patients with similar physical characteristics, potentially reducing complications from repeat surgeries.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalTissue Engineering·DateJun 23, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Bycatch' whaling a growing threat to coastal whales

A new form of unregulated whaling is emerging along Japan and South Korea's coastlines, threatening minke whale stocks. DNA analysis reveals that up to 300 whales may be killed annually through bycatch whaling, equivalent to Japan's scientific whaling program.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateJun 23, 2009

Energy-saving method checks refrigerant level in air conditioners

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technique that uses sensors to monitor refrigerant temperature and estimate the amount of refrigerant in an air conditioning system, saving energy and reducing maintenance costs. The new method could be easily integrated into automotive and household air conditioners.

SourcePurdue University·JournalHVAC&R Research·DateJun 23, 2009

Afghani children suffering from post-traumatic stress

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that at least half of Afghan school children have developed PTSD due to traumatic experiences. The research highlights the need for interventions addressing not only war experiences but also family disturbances and community factors.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateJun 23, 2009

Ability to literally imagine oneself in another's shoes may be tied to empathy

A study from Vanderbilt University found that individuals with higher empathy levels were better at mentally transforming their body position to simulate another person's perspective. This suggests a link between spatial abilities and empathy, with implications for understanding the neural basis of emotional intelligence.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 23, 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.

Marking anorexia with a brain protein

A recent study published by Faculty of 1000 Medicine discovered that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are higher in women who have recovered from anorexia. This suggests that low BDNF levels may be reversible and could potentially serve as a biomarker for recovery from eating disorders.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalPsychological Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

How adolescent girls manage stress

Teenage girls experience increased stress levels, with seven out of ten suffering from stress. To withstand this, girls rely on various sources of strength including emotional support, controlling their daily lives, and engaging in recreational activities.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateJun 23, 2009

AOSSM presents prestigious research awards

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) presents eight research awards and two grants to support young researchers, clinicians, and scientists in orthopaedic sports medicine. The awards recognize outstanding research papers in various categories, including basic science, clinical science, and excellence in research.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJun 23, 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.

Feather fibers fluff up hydrogen storage capacity

Scientists have developed a new hydrogen storage method using carbonized chicken feather fibers, which can hold vast amounts of hydrogen at a lower cost. The method has the potential to improve upon existing methods and pave the way for a truly hydrogen-based energy economy.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateJun 23, 2009

Prairie dogs: influencing the accumulation of metals in plants?

Researchers found that prairie dogs prefer plants with low levels of selenium, suggesting that high levels act as a deterrent. This suggests that plants may use metal hyperaccumulation to defend against herbivores, including prairie dogs.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJun 23, 2009

UT School of Public Health researchers develop game for HIV-positive youth

Researchers at UT School of Public Health developed +CLICK, a game designed to educate HIV-positive youth on safe behaviors and reduce secondary transmission. The game received high credibiilty ratings from participants and showed promise in reducing risky sexual behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAIDS Care·DateJun 23, 2009

Southwest Nano Consortium established

The Southwest Nano Consortium brings together six states and northern Mexico to pool resources, encourage collaboration, and host internationally recognized events. The consortium aims to expedite the commercialization of nanotechnology technologies with significant impact on renewable energy, biotech, IT, and other sectors.

SourceUniversity of Denver·DateJun 23, 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.

New research discovers link between smoking and brain damage

Researchers found a direct link between smoking and brain damage due to NNK, a tobacco compound that provokes white blood cells to attack healthy brain cells. This can lead to neuroinflammation, conditions like Multiple Sclerosis. NNK is present in all forms of tobacco, also affecting second-hand smokers.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateJun 23, 2009

Salt block unexpectedly stretches in Sandia experiments

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories discovered that a block of salt can stretch rather than shatter, defying its brittle nature. This finding has potential implications for desalination efforts and understanding sea salt aerosols, which affect cloud nucleation, smog formation, and asthma triggers.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 23, 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.

New agreement to link up Europe's polar research

Leading European scientific institutions are linking up their polar research through a new framework agreement, aiming to improve international teams and collaborative efforts. This will facilitate the launch of joint funding calls, share scientific data, and host scientists in each other's research stations.

SourceEuropean Science Foundation·DateJun 23, 2009

Notre Dame study provides insights into how climate change might impact species' geographic ranges

Researchers found that populations at the northern edge of a species' range experienced problems when exposed to warmer conditions, contradicting the assumption that they would increase. The study used two butterfly species and found that interactions among species could change under climate change.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 23, 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.

A urine test for appendicitis?

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital developed a protein detectable in urine as a potential biomarker for appendicitis. The leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein (LRG) marker showed near-perfect sensitivity and specificity, and was strongly elevated in diseased appendices.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJun 23, 2009

Need something? Talk to my right ear!

Researchers found that people prefer to be addressed in their right ear and are more likely to perform a task when receiving a request there. In noisy night club environments, the side bias was consistently displayed, with 72% of interactions occurring on the right side.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateJun 23, 2009

Researchers to reveal aging's origins on global stage

Four leading biologists will present their research on the biological causes of aging, revealing that complex molecules become dysfunctional over time. The symposium aims to advance our understanding of aging and its relationship with age-associated diseases.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateJun 23, 2009
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

How to confirm the causes of iron deficiency anemia in young women

A study of 115 young women with iron deficiency anemia found that serological screening for H. pylori and celiac disease increased gastroscopy compliance rates. The tests were confirmed by gastroscopy, which identified IDA-related GI causes in most cases.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJun 23, 2009

Biomarkers predict brain tumor's response to therapy

Researchers identified a new biomarker that can predict which patients with recurrent glioblastoma will respond better to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. The study found that vascular normalization, measured using advanced MRI and blood biomarkers, correlated with survival rates.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 23, 2009

How to text message and avoid pain

A study by Ewa Gustafsson found that young adults with neck, arm, or hand symptoms tend to use their mobile phones differently than healthy controls. They often text message while hunched over and use the single thumb technique, which can lead to increased stress on hands and reduced breaks.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Electromyography and Kinesiology·DateJun 23, 2009

Weight-loss surgery could lower cancer risk in obese women

A recent study suggests that weight-loss surgery could be associated with reduced cancer risk in obese women, with a 42% decrease in first-time cancers over 10 years. However, the surgery had no effect on cancer incidence in men. The findings indicate that bariatric surgery may have broader benefits for women's cancer prevention.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 23, 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.

Mouse model of Parkinson's reproduces nonmotor symptoms

A genetically engineered mouse reproduces many of the non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, including digestive problems and loss of sense of smell. The mice have delayed emptying of the stomach, fall asleep more quickly, and display signs of depression in tests.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·DateJun 23, 2009

Weather forecasts of great value to Americans, survey finds

A nationwide survey found that nearly nine out of ten adult Americans obtain weather forecasts daily, placing a value of 10.5 cents on each forecast, resulting in an annual value of $31.5 billion.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 23, 2009

Researchers develop new and efficient breast biopsy technique

Researchers have created a new breast biopsy technique using a mechanical arm to guide the needle, resulting in increased success rates and reduced procedure times. The system has shown promise for improving biopsy efficiency and accuracy, especially for radiologists of varying experience levels.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJun 23, 2009
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

NASA awards aircraft catalog blanket purchase agreements

NASA has selected five contractors to receive Aircraft Catalog Blanket Purchase Agreements, allowing access to a variety of airborne platforms for science research and range support. The agreements have a maximum ordering value of $10 million and are valid through February 7, 2013.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 23, 2009

New way to fix leaking mitral heart valves safe in initial testing

A new study reports a safe and effective nonsurgical technique for repairing leaking mitral valves, which could significantly reduce risks associated with surgical repair. The Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Annuloplasty (PTMA) system improved mitral regurgitation in patients treated with the reversible implant.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJun 23, 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.

NASA lunar mission successfully enters moon orbit

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has entered lunar orbit, marking a crucial milestone for the mission, which aims to compile high-resolution maps of the lunar surface and survey it at various spectral wavelengths.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 23, 2009

Anxiety's hidden cost

Researchers discovered that anxious individuals struggle to avoid distractions and take longer to switch attention between tasks. Training techniques to enhance attentional control may help anxious students achieve their full potential.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 23, 2009

Is 31P MRS a useful tool for evaluating early acute hepatic radiation injury?

Researchers found that 31P MRS can detect changes in liver ATP levels related to liver damage score and pathologic changes. The study showed significant differences in ATP quantification among groups, indicating its potential as a non-invasive method for detecting early acute hepatic radiation injury.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJun 23, 2009

Meckel's diverticulum masked by intermittent recurrent subocclusive episodes

A case of Meckel's diverticulum masked by intermittent recurrent subocclusive episodes is presented, highlighting the difficulty in diagnosing this condition due to overlapping symptoms. Laparoscopy proved to be a crucial diagnostic tool in establishing the final diagnosis and also therapeutic in nature.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJun 23, 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.

300 billion weather forecasts used by Americans annually, survey finds

A nationwide survey found that nearly 9 out of 10 adult Americans obtain weather forecasts regularly, with an estimated 300 billion forecasts used each year. The study reveals that most people are satisfied with forecasts and place a high value on them, equivalent to $31.5 billion annually.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 23, 2009

In pursuit of a happiness gene

Tel Aviv University researchers found that 50% of happiness is genetically determined, with positive psychology exercises improving participants' happiness levels by up to 30%. The study aims to bridge the gap between psychology and clinical medicine, exploring physical benefits of mental well-being.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalExpert Review of Neurotherapeutics·DateJun 23, 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.

Scientists block Ebola infection in cell-culture experiments

Scientists discovered two critical biochemical pathways for Ebola virus entry into cells and developed inhibitors to block them. The UTMB team prevented Ebola infection in cell culture experiments, a crucial step towards developing the first therapy for the deadly disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Modern Drug Discovery and Drug Delivery Research·DateJun 23, 2009