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Science News Archive May 2009 - Page 20


Page 20 of 22

3T MRI detects 'early' breast cancer not seen on mammography and sonography

A study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology found that 3T MRI detected 66 malignant lesions, while mammography detected 54 and sonography detected 57. This suggests that 3T MRI is an important tool for early breast cancer detection and more accurate disease evaluation.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateMay 5, 2009

Flow of potassium into cells implicated in schizophrenia

Researchers have identified a previously unknown form of potassium channel, Isoform 3.1, implicated in schizophrenia and linked to abnormal brain activity. Inhibiting this protein may correct disorganized brain activity without cardiac side effects associated with existing antipsychotic medications.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Medicine·DateMay 5, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pfizer shows support for open access

Pfizer has partnered with BioMed Central to cover publication costs for its researchers, making their research results universally accessible. This move follows the lead of major funders such as the National Institutes of Health and Wellcome Trust, which have implemented policies for open access.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·DateMay 5, 2009

Computer-based phone calls raise awareness, control of blood pressure

A one-year study found that a computer-based system significantly lowered high blood pressure in participants, reducing systolic and diastolic pressures by an average of 11.9mmHg and 6.6mmHg, respectively. The system's regular feedback and automated alerts encouraged patients to take their medication as prescribed.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMay 5, 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.

How social insects recognize dead nestmates

UC Riverside entomologists discover that Argentine ants use a different mechanism to recognize dead nestmates, triggered by the dissipation of life chemicals. The researchers found that live ants produce both life and death chemicals, while dead ants only produce death chemicals, leading to their removal from the colony.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2009

Does new swine flu virus kill by causing a 'cytokine storm'?

Research suggests that the new swine flu virus may induce a cytokine storm in otherwise healthy adults, causing fatal damage to lungs. Historical evidence also supports the possibility of severe infection and poor outcomes in young, healthy individuals.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalViral Immunology·DateMay 5, 2009

Little or no evidence for some swine flu interventions

The Lancet Editorial highlights the lack of evidence for some swine flu interventions, including culling pigs, restricting pork trade, and distributing facemasks. Experts emphasize the need for timely and accurate information dissemination to healthcare professionals, particularly in pandemic preparedness.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMay 5, 2009

Theory shows mechanism behind delayed development of antibiotic resistance

A new study by Uppsala University reveals a mechanism to delay the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Inhibiting drug efflux pumps can mask the effect of mutations that reduce antibiotic binding, providing clues to delaying resistance development.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 5, 2009

Extra support helps obese women cycle to and from work

A new study by Karolinska Institutet shows that extra support encourages more women to cycle to and from work, increasing daily physical activity levels. The intervention group achieved a larger proportion of cycling two kilometres or more per day than the control group.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateMay 5, 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.

Hospital volume inconsistent predictor of quality care

A systematic review found that hospital volume is associated with short-term mortality rates for certain cancer types, but individual studies often fail to show this association. The review concludes that case volume may be an imperfect proxy for healthcare quality and highlights the need for more direct quality measures.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·DateMay 4, 2009

Nano-sandwich triggers novel electron behavior

Researchers at UC Davis discovered a material with unique electronic properties, exhibiting mass-like behavior in one direction and mass-less behavior in another. The discovery has potential applications in spintronics technology and could lead to new electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 4, 2009

True grit

Researchers discovered that the teeth contain crystals of magnesium calcite, which are smaller, harder and denser than those of pure calcite. The unique arrangement of these crystals in two different arrays allows them to be self-sharpening as they wear down.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2009
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Lithium may help radiation target cancer, spare healthy tissue

Researchers found that lithium promotes DNA repair in healthy cells but not in brain tumor cells, protecting healthy hippocampal neurons from radiation-induced damage. This mechanism could provide a way to increase the radiation dose to kill tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 4, 2009

Cigarette smoke may rob children of needed antioxidants

A study of over 2,000 children aged 6-18 found that those exposed to secondhand smoke had lower antioxidant levels, which can help defend against biological stresses. The researchers recommend a diet rich in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables to mitigate this effect.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateMay 4, 2009

New data analysis shows possible link between childhood obesity and allergies

A new study has found a positive association between obesity and allergies in children and adolescents, with obese kids being 26% more likely to have allergies. The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and found that IgE levels were higher among obese children.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateMay 4, 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.

Scientists learn why the flu may turn deadly

Researchers discovered that the influenza virus can paralyze the immune systems of healthy individuals, leading to severe secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia. The study found that this immunological paralysis is long-lived and specific to influenza infection.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateMay 4, 2009

Study finds particles, molecules prefer not to mix

Researchers found that particles and molecules have a tendency to separate from each other when mixed, forming small-scale phase separation. This phenomenon is counterintuitive, as one might expect different shapes to mix well without any special interaction or repulsion between them.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalLangmuir·DateMay 4, 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.

Iron deficiency in womb may delay brain maturation in preemies

A new study found that iron deficiency in womb may delay auditory neural maturation in preemies, affecting sound processing and later language development. The research evaluated 80 infants over 18 months, revealing abnormal brain maturity in those with low iron levels.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateMay 4, 2009

Hypothyroidism in women associated with liver cancer

A new study published in Hepatology found that women with a history of hypothyroidism are at a significantly higher risk of developing liver cancer. The study revealed that subjects with a prior history of hypothyroidism had twice the risk of liver cancer, particularly for females, and those who had it for over 10 years had a threefold...

SourceWiley·JournalHepatology·DateMay 4, 2009

Memory grows less efficient very early in Alzheimer's disease

Research reveals that people with emerging symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are less efficient at remembering high-value information. Clinicians may be able to train them to improve their memory by teaching strategic and selective encoding techniques.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalNeuropsychology·DateMay 4, 2009

Sleep apnea thickens blood vessels, increases heart disease risk

Researchers found that obstructive sleep apnea thickens blood vessels due to NADPH oxidase enzyme activation, increasing the risk of pulmonary hypertension and other heart diseases. In mice, inhibiting NADPH oxidase reduced hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, suggesting potential treatment strategies.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateMay 4, 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.

UGA biomedical engineer publishes on 'super-resolution' video imaging

Researchers have developed a microscope capable of live imaging at double the resolution of fluorescence microscopy using structured illumination. This advancement will help scientists study cellular behavior and mechanisms important for human disease with enhanced detail.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 4, 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.

Junghans named PI in $5.9 million breast cancer grant

Richard Junghans, MD, has been awarded a $5.9 million grant from the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program to research gene therapy techniques to modify patients' T cells and create 'designer T cells' to fight breast cancer.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateMay 4, 2009

Exercise programs may improve symptoms in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Researchers found that exercise programs significantly reduced lung cancer symptoms in patients who completed the study, with no deterioration in functional capacity or muscle strength. The study suggests that community-based or shorter exercise programs may be more feasible for lung cancer patients to complete.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMay 4, 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.

NASA's Fermi explores high-energy 'space invaders'

The Fermi telescope has detected a class of pulsars, probed gamma-ray bursts and watched flaring jets in galaxies billions of light-years away. The data may imply the presence of a nearby object beaming cosmic rays our way.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 4, 2009

New target identified for potential treatment of retinopathy in premature babies

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a potential new treatment for retinopathy in premature infants using JNK1 inhibitors. The study found that inhibiting JNK1 reduced abnormal blood vessel growth and vision loss in mouse models of ROP.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2009

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers identified BCL2, p53, and high microvessel density as molecular factors associated with increased risk of death from prostate cancer. Additionally, a study found that news reports often sensationalize medical research, potentially misleading the public about its relevance to human health.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 4, 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 trial casts doubt on role of zinc supplements in diarrhea treatment

A randomized controlled trial found that zinc and copper supplementation was no more effective than placebo in treating acute diarrhea in children. The study's authors suggest that baseline serum zinc concentrations may not be a reliable measure of body zinc status, contributing to the lack of effect.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMay 4, 2009

Research shows wide age gap between possible and actual autism diagnosis

Research at Washington University in St. Louis found that the average age of autism diagnosis is nearly six years old, three to four years after possible diagnosis. Early diagnosis is often linked to more severe cognitive impairment and is less common for females and minority groups.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMay 4, 2009

Research gives clues for self-cleaning materials, water-striding robots

Scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and RIKEN institute developed a computer simulation to design nanostructured surfaces with superhydrophobic properties. This technology can help create self-cleaning materials and water-striding robots, which are inspired by nature's ability to repel water.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2009
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.

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.

African-American women still have poorer breast cancer outcomes

New research highlights large disparities in breast cancer care and treatment for African-American women, with a significantly lower five-year survival rate compared to Caucasian women. Socioeconomic barriers also hinder access to advanced treatments.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateMay 4, 2009

New insight into Alzheimer's disease pathology

A study published in the Journal of Cell Biology reveals that a mutated Alzheimer's-related protein called presenilin helps form and maintain nerve cell connections. The findings suggest that failing nerve transmission might be an early step in the disease's pathology.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 4, 2009

Georgetown University's Howard J. Federoff, M.D., Ph.D., receives Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award

Howard J. Federoff has received the Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award from the American Society for Neural Therapy and Repair (ASNTR) for his significant contributions to the field of neural therapy and repair. The award recognizes his research on gene therapy and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·DateMay 4, 2009

Injectable testosterone may provide effective male contraception

A new study published in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that injecting testosterone undecanoate monthly can effectively prevent pregnancy. After thirty months, the cumulative contraceptive failure rate was 1.1 per 100 men.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 4, 2009
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.

MIT: Targeting tumors using tiny gold particles

Gold nanorods can detect and treat tumors by absorbing near-infrared light, heating them up to kill cancer cells, while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. The technology has shown promise in studies using mice, where tumors disappeared within 15 days of treatment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCancer Research·DateMay 4, 2009