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Science News Archive March 2009


Page 6 of 26

Before starting dialysis, patients need nephrologist care

Patients with end-stage renal disease who receive pre-dialysis care from a nephrologist have higher chances of surviving the first year on dialysis. The study also identified geographic clusters where suboptimal care is prevalent, suggesting targeted improvement efforts could be beneficial.

A new family of molecules for self-assembly: The carboranes

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to control the geometry and stability of self-assembled monolayers using different carboranethiol isomers. The new SAMs show exceptional properties, including selective capture of biomolecules and high-quality patterning.

Asteroid impact helps trace meteorite origins

Researchers calibrated laboratory analyses of a meteorite with telescopic observations of its precursor asteroid, providing new insights into asteroid compositions and origins. The study identified the asteroid as a ureilite, potentially originating from the same parent body.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

When it comes to intelligence, size matters

A collaborative study by McGill University researchers discovered a positive correlation between cognitive ability and cortical thickness in the brains of healthy 6 to 18-year-olds. The link was found in regions integrating information from different parts of the brain, including 'multi-modal association' areas.

Is consensus in anti-aging medical intervention an elusive expectation

A new study published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics challenges the concept of consensus in anti-aging medical intervention, citing diverse therapeutic approaches and conflicting opinions. Dr. Imre Zs.-Nagy proposes an open-minded approach to reconcile differences and achieve a realistic goal of aging intervention.

Researchers decipher blood stem cell attachment, communication

A breakthrough study has revealed that blood stem cells produce chemical signals of their own that influence their attachment to the bone marrow or migration into the circulatory system. This discovery holds implications for improving leukemia treatment and artificially culturing infection-fighting immune cells.

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.

Billions spent on health IT stimulus could lead to major boom... or bust

Researchers propose a platform model for health information infrastructure that would improve healthcare delivery, increase productivity and stimulate job growth. The model aims to support applications for clinical care, public health, and research, with key characteristics including data liquidity and substitutability of applications.

Study explores effects of herbicide drift on white oak

A study published in HortScience found that herbicide drift is causing 'leaf tatters' on white oak trees, reducing their canopy health. The research recommends timing herbicide applications before or after leaf unfolding to prevent injury.

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.

Recession cuts many, not all plastic surgery procedures

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a nine percent drop in surgical procedures and a five percent increase in minimally-invasive procedures in 2008. Reconstructive procedures saw a three percent increase, with tumor removal and hand surgery being among the top performers.

Fructose metabolism by the brain increases food intake and obesity

Research suggests that fructose metabolism in the brain plays a significant role in increasing food intake and obesity risk, particularly with high consumption of high fructose sweeteners. The study's findings raise health concerns for youth and adults consuming large amounts of these sweeteners.

Stopping autoimmunity before it strikes

Researchers track autoimmune disease development with bioluminescent imaging of NF-κB activation, revealing pathology in multiple organ systems. Early detection is critical for assessing new treatments and preventing disease progression.

Erratic black hole regulates itself

Researchers discovered a mechanism for regulating the rate at which stellar-mass black holes grow, suggesting that they can regulate themselves. The study found that the black hole in GRS 1915+105 toggles between expelling mass via a jet and a wind from its accretion disk.

The matchmaker that maintains neuronal balance

The protein LMO4 helps maintain a critical balance between two types of neurons, preventing motor dysfunction in mammals. Inhibitory neurons promote calm activity, while excitatory neurons encourage activity. LMO4 promotes inhibitory neurons by forming a complex that binds to DNA and blocks the development of excitatory neurons.

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.

New drug agent knocks out multiple enzymes in cancer pathway

A new anti-cancer agent, BPH-715, has been developed that is highly effective at inhibiting multiple enzymes in the cancer pathway. The compound has shown promising results in cell culture and animal studies, demonstrating its potential as a treatment for various cancers.

Structure more effective in high school science classes, study reveals

A study by University of Virginia professor Robert Tai and Harvard University researcher Philip Sadler found that high school students with weak math backgrounds who engage in self-structured learning practices may perform poorly in college science. In contrast, those with stronger math skills who receive more guidance in their high sc...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Therapeutic cloning gets a boost with new research findings

Researchers at UTSA and Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine found that somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) does not increase point mutation rates in cloned mice, with naturally conceived fetuses having similar rates as their cloned counterparts.

Study: Morbidly obese sedentary for more than 99 percent of day

A new study in Clinical Cardiology examines the fitness level of morbidly obese individuals and finds they are sedentary for more than 99% of the day. The results show that even light physical activity, such as walking at a speed of 1-2 miles per hour, may yield significant health benefits and improve aerobic capacity over time.

The egg makes sure that sperm don't get too old

Research at University of Gothenburg reveals that egg cells can rejuvenate sperm by extending telomeres, reducing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities. This breakthrough has significant implications for future stem cell therapy, which aims to replace diseased or dying cells.

Missing or mutated 'clock' gene linked to vascular disease

Researchers found that mice with mutated or missing clock genes developed thick and inflexible blood vessels, a hallmark of vascular disease. This suggests that clocks may work normally in the brain but malfunction in blood vessels to bring on hypertension and vascular disease.

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.

Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Researchers at the University of Tokyo identified a novel biomarker to monitor acute kidney injury, while a study found that the unfolded protein response contributes to nerve cell death in Alzheimer's Disease. Additionally, a bacterial toxin disrupts intestinal epithelial barrier function, leading to systemic infection.

AGU journal highlights -- March 25, 2009

Research highlights coral reefs' decline due to rising CO2 levels and ocean acidification. Ocean proximity also exacerbates ozone pollution in Houston by increasing reactive chlorine mass. New measurements reveal the impact of nitryl chloride on ozone formation, with significant increases observed.

New metasearch engine leaves Google, Yahoo crawling

Webscalers' technology integrates multiple small search engines to retrieve a vast amount of information, including deep Web content. The system aims to provide fresher results and overcome limitations of existing search engines like Google and Yahoo.

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.

Finding trapped miners

Researchers at the University of Utah developed a new method to locate trapped miners in collapsed mines by installing seismic listening devices on the ground. The system uses unique 'fingerprints' generated by miners banging on iron plates to pinpoint their location, showing promising results in tests.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Magnetism governs properties of iron-based superconductors

Researchers at NIST have discovered that magnetism plays a crucial role in governing the physical properties of iron pnictides, allowing them to superconduct at high temperatures. The team's findings provide strong evidence for the importance of magnetism in understanding iron-based superconductivity.

Gene exchange common among sex-manipulating bacteria

Researchers at Uppsala University mapped the genome of a bacterium that manipulates insect sex ratios, revealing high frequencies of gene exchange within this group. The study's findings may lead to development of eco-friendly pesticides using these bacteria.

Rotation is key to understanding volcanic plumes, scientists say

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that volcanic plumes rotate around their axis due to a phenomenon called mesocyclones. This rotation triggers lightning and creates waterspouts or dust devils. The study provides new insights into understanding volcanic eruptions and predicts effects more accurately.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Gender, geography influence floral purchases

A study published in HortTechnology found that consumers' floral purchase decisions are driven by sensory hedonics for men and emotion conditioning for women. Consumers from rural areas prioritize curiosity fulfillment and monetary worth, while urban consumers value emotion conditioning.

Personality influences reproductive success

A new study published in the Journal of Personality reveals that personality at adolescence predicts reproductive success later in life. Adolescents with socially dominant personalities were more likely to have children as adults, suggesting that status striving may be important for reproductive success even in modern humans.

Making a point: Picoscale stability in a room-temperature AFM

Researchers at NIST and CU have developed a method to detect and monitor light reflected off the probe needle point, improving AFM stability under ambient conditions. This enables sensitive atomic-scale measurements at room temperature in liquids, with improved image quality and reduced drift.

Visual attention: How the brain makes the most of the visible world

Researchers at Salk Institute uncover how the brain uses attention to bring salient details into focus and filter out background clutter. By exploiting the center-surround organization of receptive fields, the brain separates task-relevant information from irrelevant clutter.

'First economical process' for making biodiesel fuel from algae

Researchers have developed a novel, eco-friendly process to convert algae oil into biodiesel fuel, promising a cheaper alternative to traditional methods. The 'continuously flowing fixed-bed' method produces no wastewater and uses a proprietary solid catalyst, reducing processing costs and increasing efficiency.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

RIT scientist fine-tunes Hubble Space Telescope

A Rochester Institute of Technology scientist improved Hubble's Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer calibration to enable high-precision polarimetry. This technique helps scientists study active galactic nuclei and proto-planets around young stars.

A new approach to prostate cancer detection

Researchers have found that sarcosine distinguishes between slow-growing and aggressive prostate cancers. The metabolomic analysis suggests that sarcosine is highly associated with tumour development and can predict the aggressiveness of tumors.

A fast magnetic fix for sepsis?

A team of researchers has created a microdevice that uses magnetism to remove pathogens from the bloodstream, showing promise as a potential treatment for sepsis. The device, developed by Chong Wing Yung and Don Ingber, achieved over 80% clearance of fungi in contaminated human blood.

Policies regarding IRB members' industry relationships often lacking

A new study found that many academic institutions lack clear policies covering IRB members' industrial relationships, leading to inconsistent reporting and handling of conflicts. The study suggests that more consistent policies and accountability are needed to ensure the integrity and safety of medical research.

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.

Synthetic biology: The next biotech revolution is brewing

A new report by Michael Rodemeyer examines the benefits and drawbacks of regulating synthetic biology using the current U.S. biotechnology framework. While early applications may be adequately covered, advances in the field are expected to create significant challenges for regulatory agencies, including the EPA and FDA.

Rice fine-tunes attack on cancer

Rice University scientists have developed a method to optimize the attack on cancer cells using laser-nanoparticles. By adjusting the size and composition of nanoparticles, researchers can create more uniform temperature profiles within tumors.

Values predict attitudes toward nuclear power

A new study published in Risk Analysis found that public support for nuclear power is highest among those who trust the industry and hold traditional values. The study's findings suggest that increasing public trust in the nuclear industry is crucial for a resurgence of nuclear power in the US.

New discovery raises doubts about current bladder treatment

Researchers at UVA Health System found that SRC gene promotes growth suppression in bladder cancer, contradicting its role in most cancers. The study suggests caution when using targeted therapeutic agents that inhibit SRC in bladder cancer treatment.

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.

Knobbly kneed ID

A study published in the International Journal of Biometrics proposes using knee X-rays for biometric validation, providing a unique and secure method for identifying individuals. The Wnd-charm algorithm rapidly analyzes X-ray images to identify specific knees and match them with a database, making it difficult for fraudsters to spoof ...

New study set to change how critically ill patients are treated

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that intensively lowering blood glucose in critically ill patients increases the risk of death by 10%. The research, which followed over 6,000 ICU patients, found that targeting very low levels of blood glucose is not safe.

Imaging technique may trace development of Parkinson's disease

Researchers have developed a non-invasive brain scanning technique that may help diagnose Parkinson's disease and track its progression. The technique uses diffusion tensor imaging to examine the substantia nigra region of the brain, which produces dopamine.

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.

Herbal medicines for treatment of gastrointestinal disease

Researchers reviewed data on Japanese herbal medicines and found them to be effective in reducing symptoms of functional dyspepsia, constipation, and postoperative ileus. The use of standardized formulations of herbal medicines requires further examination for their health benefits.