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Science News Archive November 2009 - Page 14


Page 14 of 24

Researchers 'notch' a victory toward new kind of cancer drug

Researchers have devised a new way to disarm the key protein NOTCH, which drives tumor growth. The discovery lays the foundation for a new therapy aimed at critically important transcription factors that could treat various diseases, including multiple types of cancer.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2009
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Right first time: Pioneering new methods of drug manufacture

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a new technology to ensure correct drug crystal formation, eliminating polymorphism issues that result in significant losses. The system uses self-assembled monolayers to produce well-defined crystal structures, promising improved pharmaceutical efficiency and efficacy.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateNov 11, 2009

Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis

Scientists have assembled the largest-ever collection of liver proteins, which could become a roadmap for finding new biomarkers and treatments for liver disease, including hepatitis. The database includes 6,788 non-redundant proteins, many of which are related to diseases in the nervous system.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateNov 11, 2009

Athletes on performance enhancers more likely to abuse alcohol, other drugs

A study of 234 male college athletes found those using performance-enhancing substances were more likely to admit to heavy drinking and recreational drug use. They also experienced elevated rates of substance-related problems, including missing classes or getting into fights.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·DateNov 11, 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.

Early life on Earth may have developed more quickly than thought

Researchers found features in rocks from the Buck Reef Chert that suggest water temperatures were significantly lower than previous studies had suggested, making conditions for life easier. This discovery could change our understanding of the earliest forms of life on Earth and potentially reveal new ways to study the planet's history.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2009

When seconds count: Interventional radiology treatment for pulmonary embolism saves lives

A recent study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology found that catheter-directed therapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism. The treatment was lifesaving in 86.5% of cases studied and had only a 2.4% chance of major complications.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateNov 11, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Workplace BPA exposure increases risk of male sexual dysfunction

A Kaiser Permanente study found that workers exposed to high levels of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in their jobs had a quadruple the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times more risk of ejaculation difficulty. This is the first human study to measure the effects of BPA on the male reproductive system.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalHuman Reproduction·DateNov 11, 2009

Exploration by explosion: Studying the inner realm of living cells

Scientists develop a new method to study living cells by exploding them with laser pulses, then analyzing the vaporized contents for chemical profiles. This technique reveals crucial details about cell health and differences between diseased and healthy cells.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateNov 11, 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.

Underground lines that bypass monuments

A team of mathematicians has developed a method to design underground lines that bypass historical monuments, minimizing economic loss and ensuring safe distances. The study applies Voronoi diagrams to create optimized routes, offering non-disruptive solutions for the construction of line 2 in Seville.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of the Operational Research Society·DateNov 11, 2009

A bubbling ball of gas

The SUNRISE balloon-borne telescope has delivered images showing the complex interplay on the solar surface with unprecedented detail. The mission reveals a connection between magnetic field strength and solar brightness, with implications for Earth's heat input.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·DateNov 11, 2009

Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar

Research found four alterations in RORB gene associated with pediatric bipolar disorder, linking circadian rhythm abnormalities to the condition. The study suggests that clock genes may be important candidates for further investigation into bipolar disorder's molecular basis.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Psychiatry·DateNov 11, 2009
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New nano color sorters from Molecular Foundry

Researchers have engineered bowtie-shaped devices that focus and sort light in tiny spaces, enabling the creation of ultrafast detector arrays. By introducing asymmetry, scientists can control the plasmonic properties of these devices to produce filters with specific colors or energies.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 11, 2009

Longevity tied to genes that preserve tips of chromosomes

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered a link between longevity and genes that maintain telomere length. The study found that individuals with long telomeres were more likely to have inherited genes that enabled effective telomerase production, potentially protecting against age-related diseases.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 11, 2009

Barrow study identifies new way to biopsy brain tumors in real time

A new miniature microscope enables neurosurgeons to visualize brain tumors in real-time, allowing for more precise removal and accurate diagnosis. This technology has the potential to reduce surgery time by up to 40 minutes and improve patient outcomes.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateNov 11, 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 evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress

A clinical trial found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate daily for two weeks reduced stress hormone levels and corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. This study provides strong evidence for the potential benefits of dark chocolate in reducing emotional stress.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateNov 11, 2009

Trimming US health care spending will require new approaches, study finds

A study by RAND Corporation suggests that slowing US healthcare spending will require new approaches, including changing payment methods for doctors and hospitals. The most promising option is bundling payments for medical care, which would encourage providers to eliminate unnecessary care and improve quality.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 11, 2009

Africa's rarest monkey had an intriguing sexual past, DNA study confirms

A DNA study confirms that Africa's rarest monkey, the kipunji, had an intriguing sexual past with baboons. The results may help to set conservation priorities for this critically endangered species by highlighting the importance of protecting its habitat and preserving genetic diversity.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 11, 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.

New research center to focus on cardiac safety and innovation

The University of Rochester Medical Center has launched a new center to improve cardiac safety and understand cardiac arrhythmias. The center will utilize a vast database of ECG data to develop novel methods and technologies to predict cardiac arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateNov 11, 2009

Energy-saving powder

Researchers at Max Planck Institute create a novel catalyst that efficiently converts methane to methanol, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough could help address global natural gas shortages and support the chemical industry.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 11, 2009

Why can't chimps speak?

A UCLA/Emory study discovered significant differences between the human and chimp versions of the FOXP2 gene, which may explain why humans developed language while chimps did not. The research provides insight into the evolution of the human brain and may lead to new drug targets for disorders characterized by speech disruption.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 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.

Nobel laureate claims the 2010 Herbert Tabor Lectureship

Phillip A. Sharp has been awarded the 2010 Herbert Tabor Lectureship for his groundbreaking research on small RNAs, RNA interference, and its potential to revolutionize biology and generate new therapeutics. Sharp's work builds on his landmark discovery of RNA splicing in 1977, which earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateNov 11, 2009

Treatment to improve degenerating muscle gains strength

A study demonstrates the effectiveness of a gene delivery strategy producing follistatin, which inhibits myostatin, in non-human primates, showing pronounced increases in muscle size and strength. The treatment is well-tolerated and has long-term effects, paving the way for potential clinical trials.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 11, 2009

Aisle placements affect grocery sales, UB research shows

Researchers found that aisle placements can influence sales across product categories as much as price or display. Stores placing cross-category items like chips and soda facing each other in the same aisle saw a 9% increase in weekly sales. This benefits both retailers and consumers.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateNov 11, 2009

Exoplanets clue to sun's curious chemistry

Astronomers have discovered that Sun-like stars with planetary systems tend to have lower levels of lithium than those without planets. The study, which analyzed 500 stars, found that planet-bearing stars had less than 1% of the lithium present in other similar stars.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 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.

Vibrations key to efficiency of green fluorescent protein

University of California, Berkeley chemists use ultrafast laser pulses to study green fluorescent protein's structural changes during fluorescence. The study reveals the importance of vibrational oscillations in proton transfer reactions, shedding light on how GFP captures and emits light.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateNov 11, 2009

New brain findings on dyslexic children

Research from Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory confirms that children with developmental dyslexia have trouble tuning into relevant auditory signals. The study suggests that poor readers who struggle with processing sound in noisy environments may benefit from simple strategies to enhance their listening skills.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuron·DateNov 11, 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 motley collection of boneworms

Researchers have discovered up to 15 species of boneworms in Monterey Bay, which feed on dead whales and exhibit unique life cycles. The worms' ability to adapt to different environments and find food sources has led scientists to estimate their evolutionary origins, suggesting they may date back to the time of dinosaurs.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·JournalBMC Biology·DateNov 10, 2009

Scientists decipher the formation of lasting memories

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. The study found that signalling via the nogo receptor 1 plays a key part in this process, enabling the conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 10, 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.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents associated with higher risk of venous thromboembolism

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents increase the risk of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. The use of these agents, approved to reduce blood transfusions during chemotherapy, may outweigh benefits due to associated risks.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 10, 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.

Health care accounts for 8 percent of US carbon footprint

A new study reveals that the healthcare industry in the US accounts for nearly 10% of the country's total carbon dioxide emissions, despite only accounting for 16% of the nation's gross domestic product. Hospitals and pharmaceutical industries are among the largest contributors to this environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateNov 10, 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.

Ethics guide for rural MDs

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has launched a handbook for rural health care ethics, addressing the gaps in resources for regional clinicians. The guide covers case studies and personal ethical challenges faced by healthcare professionals in rural settings.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·DateNov 10, 2009