Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 26, 2009


Melon research sweetened with DNA sequence

Scientists have successfully mapped the melon genome with hundreds of DNA markers, allowing for the identification of desirable genes for higher sugar content, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. This breakthrough will aid in developing new melon varieties for future summer picnics.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateJun 26, 2009

Dietary fat linked to pancreatic cancer

A new study found that high intake of dietary fats, particularly from red meat and dairy products, is associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer. Men and women who consumed more total and saturated fats had significantly higher rates of pancreatic cancer compared to those with lower fat consumption.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 26, 2009
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Race origins and health disparites

Research by Nina T. Harawa reveals the complexities of racial categories in understanding health disparities, highlighting the need for a historically informed approach to address these issues.

SourceCharles Drew University of Medicine and Science·JournalEthnicity & Disease·DateJun 26, 2009

Immigration makes Spanish pensions system more sustainable

Researchers used a demographic and economic model to evaluate the effect of immigration on the Spanish pensions system, finding that immigrant contributions will exceed native-born contributions by 2055. The study predicts a more pronounced increase in fertility rates among migrants, leading to a decline in pension loads.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalRevista Hacienda Pública Española·DateJun 26, 2009

LSUHSC research identifies enzyme that makes survival molecule for key vision cells

Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center identified the 15-LOX-1 enzyme, which produces neuroprotectin D1, a molecule that protects retinal cells key to vision. This discovery has potential applications in treating retinal degenerative diseases and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 26, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Success of the academy approach?

Research studies examining Academies in England reveal mixed results, with notable improvements to student performance but diversity between and within Academies. The Trinity Academy case study highlights the significance of private business sponsorship and core values in achieving improved GCSE attainment.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalManagement in Education·DateJun 26, 2009

Researchers pinpoint a new enemy for tumor-suppressor p53

A new protein called Trim24 marks the tumor suppressor p53 for destruction by attaching targeting molecules, leading to increased p53 expression and programmed cell death in cancer cells. The discovery provides a potential therapeutic approach to restoring p53 and killing tumor cells.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2009

Trial shows promise for arthritis drug

A clinical trial of masitinib has shown it to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing the severity of active rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment was found to significantly reduce inflammation and improve symptoms, with mild to moderate side effects.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalArthritis Research & Therapy·DateJun 26, 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.

Latin America must cut blood pressure to thrive

New research warns of increasing rates of hypertension in Latin America, which poses a mounting threat to economies if not addressed. To combat this, policymakers and healthcare providers must work together to implement core policy changes, including detection, diagnosis, treatment, and control of high blood pressure.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease·DateJun 26, 2009

Insulin analogue glargine possibly increases cancer risk

A study published in Diabetologia suggests that insulin analogue glargine may increase the risk of cancer in diabetes patients. The analysis found a statistically significant association between glargine use and an increased risk of malignancies, with a dose-dependent relationship observed.

SourceInstitute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care·JournalDiabetologia·DateJun 26, 2009

Inhaled growth hormone safe for children deficient in this key protein

A new study found that inhaled growth hormone is well-tolerated by children with growth hormone deficiency and can safely deliver the medication to their bloodstream over a one-week period. The inhaler was preferred over traditional injections, which can be painful and difficult to administer.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJun 26, 2009

Why saints sin and sinners get saintly

A new study by Northwestern University suggests that individuals with abundant moral self-worth may engage in immoral behavior to balance out their perceived level of goodness, while those who experience a moral-cleansing effect tend to engage in good work to restore their ideal level of moral self-worth.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 26, 2009

Dolphins get a lift from delta wing technology

Researchers have discovered that dolphins' flippers exhibit aerodynamic properties similar to modern delta wing aircraft. The study found that swept-back flippers are the most efficient at generating lift, with the bottle nose dolphin's triangular flippers being the most efficient overall.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJun 26, 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.

'Kill all the quants'?: Models vs. mania in the current financial crisis

Andrew W. Lo's lecture at SIAM Annual Meeting explores the evidence for and against blaming quantitative analysis for the financial crisis. He suggests a broader perspective reveals bubbles, crashes, and market dislocation are unavoidable consequences of human behavior and free enterprise.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateJun 26, 2009

Tryptophan deficiency may underlie quinine side effects

Researchers found that quinine blocks cells' ability to take up essential amino acid tryptophan, leading to adverse side effects. Dietary tryptophan supplements may help alleviate these issues by improving quinine's effectiveness against malaria parasites.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 26, 2009

Making nanoparticles in artificial cells

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have successfully produced cadmium sulphide particles in microscopically small membrane bubbles, achieving control over nanoparticle size for the first time. The method uses biomimetic compartments similar to cell membranes to synthesize nanoparticles, offering a new approach to optical informati...

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalSmall·DateJun 26, 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.

Rating attractiveness: Study finds consensus among men, not women

A new study by Wake Forest University psychologist Dustin Wood found that men agree more than women on who they find attractive. The study analyzed over 4,000 participant ratings of men and women's photographs for attractiveness, revealing significant differences in consensus between men and women.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 26, 2009

Uncovering how cells cover gaps

Researchers studied dorsal closure in fruit flies to gain insights into human wound healing, discovering that the actin cable acts as a ratchet to guide epithelial cells over gaps. This mechanism could apply to developing tissues beyond dorsal closure and wound healing.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateJun 26, 2009

New research may help address radionuclide contamination at DOE sites

A new study aims to improve understanding of plutonium transport in groundwater, which is crucial for addressing radionuclide contamination at Department of Energy (DOE) sites. The research will use advanced techniques to measure minute amounts of plutonium and identify geochemical processes controlling its mobility.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·DateJun 26, 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.

Cellulose-hydrogen production from corn stalk biomass by anaerobic fermentation

Researchers developed a method to convert corn stalk biomass into cellulose-hydrogen using anaerobic fermentation. The study found that pretreatment methods significantly impacted the yields of soluble saccharides and hydrogen, with optimal results achieved at 15 g/L substrate concentration, initial pH 7.0, and 36℃.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateJun 26, 2009

$2.25 million grant to help unravel the effects of early child abuse

A large-scale, five-year research project will investigate how various factors affect the well-being and mental health of children who have experienced child maltreatment. The study aims to understand the complex interactions between genetics, family environment, hormonal regulation, personality traits, and brain activity.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateJun 26, 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.

Enzyme fights mutated protein in inherited Parkinson's disease

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a protein called CHIP that binds to the mutated protein LRRK2, promoting its breakdown. This finding provides a potential therapeutic target for treatments to halt the action of the mutated protein.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJun 26, 2009

Further gene mutations linked to autism risk

Researchers found rare copy number variations in genes of children with autism spectrum disorders but not healthy controls. The study identified two novel genes, BZRAP1 and MDGA2, thought to be important in synaptic function and neurological development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 26, 2009

Xie Lab uncovers molecular machinery related to stem cell fate

The Xie Lab has uncovered the molecular machinery behind stem cell fate, revealing how BAM protein regulates stem cell differentiation and competition by interfering with eIF4A. This imbalance can lead to tissue degeneration and tumor development.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2009

FSU research group wins $1 million grant to study nuclear fuels

A Florida State University research group has received a $1 million grant to develop new theoretical models for studying the microstructure of nuclear reactor fuels. The goal is to improve fuel reliability and performance, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and radioactive element release.

SourceFlorida State University·DateJun 26, 2009

Researchers see evidence of memory in the songbird brain

A new study reveals three distinct profiles of gene expression in the songbird brain, showing how birds remember and process new songs. Gene activity changes were observed even 24 hours after the initial stimulus, suggesting that memory formation is still ongoing.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 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.

Corals stay close to home

Recent study reveals coral species tend to stay close to home, with high local genetic diversity important for conservation. Marine reserves should prioritize locally sourced coral recruitment to maintain healthy populations.

SourceWiley·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateJun 26, 2009