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Science News for October 16, 2009


Which is promising as therapeutic targets in patients with biliary tract cancer? EGFR or HER2?

A study of 124 patients with advanced biliary tract cancer found EGFR overexpression in 39.3% of tumors, while HER2 overexpression and gene amplification were present in only 5% of cases. This suggests that targeting EGFR may be a promising therapeutic approach for BTC, while routine testing and targeting of HER2 is not recommended.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2009

NASA satellite tracking Typhoon Lupit on a march toward the northern Philippines

Typhoon Lupit strengthened quickly from a tropical depression to a typhoon in just 24 hours. The storm's cloud temperatures were colder than minus 63F (-52.78C), indicating strong thunderstorms. Forecasts predict the northern Philippines will feel the first effects of Lupit on October 20, with residents urged to make preparations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 16, 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.

Protein interaction network can respond Helicobacter pylori infection?

A study found that protein interaction networks respond to Helicobacter pylori infection by activating immune-related proteins and interacting with cancer-related proteins. The network construction reveals potential drug targets for gastric inflammation and cancer, including hub and bottleneck proteins.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2009

Science study: Teacher participation in Columbia program improves student achievement in science

The study found that students taught by participating teachers passed Regents science exams at a rate 10.1 percentage points higher than non-participating teachers' students. The program provides hands-on laboratory experience and funds for science supplies, encouraging teachers to implement more interactive exercises in their classrooms.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2009

GOES-P satellite preparing for launch in March 2010

The NASA team has completed instrument testing on the GOES-P spacecraft, ensuring its instruments function as expected. The spacecraft is now undergoing testing of subsystems and mechanical activities before its launch in March 2010.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 16, 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.

AIAA to present awards at 28th Digital Avionics Systems Conference

The AIAA will recognize outstanding achievements in digital avionics and information systems with the presentation of two prestigious awards. John Moody and colleagues from The MITRE Corporation will receive the Dr. John C. Ruth Digital Avionics Award for their invention and implementation of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) and ...

SourceAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics·DateOct 16, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists demonstrate link between genetic defect and brain changes in schizophrenia

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered a genetic lesion associated with schizophrenia disrupts brain development, altering neuron numbers and GABAergic cell placement. This finding supports the neurodevelopmental hypothesis, offering new avenues for understanding the disease's molecular mechanisms and potential biomarkers.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2009

New concept may enhance Earth-Mars communication

Researchers propose a solution to the crucial problem of ensuring reliable radio communication between Mars and Earth during solar alignments. A pair of communication relay satellites in B-orbits equipped with electric ion propulsion can 'hover' over points leading and trailing Mars' orbit, providing full-time communications.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·DateOct 16, 2009
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Super sticky barnacle glue cures like blood clots

Researchers discovered that barnacle adhesive polymerization is related to blood clotting, with a trypsin-like serine protease and human factor XIII proteins involved. The team found that the glue's proteins are remarkably similar to those found in human blood clots.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 16, 2009

Maternal HIV-1 treatment protects against transmission to newborns

A study found that highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) significantly reduces postnatal HIV-1 transmission in breastfeeding mothers. The protective effect was observed across all eligible women, with an 82% reduction in transmission.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 16, 2009

Internationally highly visible

The DFG Research Centre for Renewable Therapies will receive €30 million in funds over the next four years. The centre aims to develop new cellular therapies and treatment options for various diseases, including metabolism diseases, cancers, and immune system disorders.

SourceDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft·DateOct 16, 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.

TraDIS technique tackles typhoid

Researchers used a novel high-throughput analysis technique to study every gene in Salmonella Typhi, revealing that only 356 genes are necessary for its survival. The TraDIS method has the potential to accelerate the discovery of new targets for treatment and improve our understanding of bacterial disease.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateOct 16, 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.

Trial raises doubts over alternative pain therapy for arthritis

A new randomized controlled trial found that copper bracelets and magnetic wrist straps are ineffective in relieving arthritis pain. The study, led by University of York researcher Stewart Richmond, suggests that any perceived benefits from these devices can be attributed to psychological placebo effects.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalComplementary Therapies in Medicine·DateOct 16, 2009

On the road to fusion energy, an accelerator to study warm dense matter

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Accelerator and Fusion Research Division are making progress with their Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment-II (NDCX-II) accelerator, a specialized user facility designed to study warm dense matter. The NDCX-II can deliver high currents in short pulses of moderate energy, heati...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateOct 16, 2009

Cassini helps redraw shape of solar system

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University present a new view of the region of the sun's influence, suggesting that the heliosphere may not have a comet-like shape. The Cassini spacecraft's images reveal that particle pressure and magnetic field energy density control the shape of the heliosphere.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 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.

A case of post-gastrectomy acute pancreatitis

A case of post-gastrectomy acute pancreatitis was reported in a patient with gastric carcinoma and pancreas divisum. Early detection and aggressive treatment may improve prognosis for patients with this condition. The study highlights the importance of monitoring pancreatic function after gastrectomy.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2009

How to identify early graft dysfunction preoperatively?

Small-for-size graft dysfunction can occur in liver transplant patients with a graft-to-recipient body weight ratio above 0.8%. The study found that patients with a high GV/SLV ratio were more likely to develop early graft dysfunction, highlighting the importance of prompt recognition and timely treatment.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 16, 2009

Baja California residents watching for Hurricane Rick

Tropical Storm Rick is expected to strengthen into a hurricane over the weekend, with warm sea surface temperatures and light wind shear contributing to its growth. Residents of southern and central Baja California are advised to prepare for potential evacuations from coastal areas if the forecast holds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 16, 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.

UT student honored for research of life-threatening pregnancy complication

A UT student has received a $10,000 fellowship to investigate the causes and effects of pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide every year. Her research aims to find new treatments for this deadly disease, which is responsible for 18% of pregnancy-related maternal deaths annually in the US.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateOct 16, 2009

Blue highways

Researchers led by Williams College Professor Anne Skinner investigate the lifestyle of humans living near the Nile tributaries during the Middle Stone Age. The study focuses on water resources concentrated near riverbanks during seasonal dry periods, and the site may have been a refuge during climate stress.

SourceWilliams College·DateOct 16, 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.

Fish vision discovery makes waves in natural selection

Researchers at Emory University have identified the first fish species to switch from ultraviolet to violet vision, a significant find in understanding natural selection. The scabbardfish's ability to detect blue light is linked to environmental factors and molecular evolution.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2009

NIH launches second phase of patient reported outcomes initiative

The National Institutes of Health has awarded grants to further develop and test the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), a tool that assesses pain, fatigue, and other aspects of quality of life in a standardized manner. The second phase of PROMIS aims to strengthen assessment of patient-reported outcomes ...

SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·DateOct 16, 2009

Satellite reveals surprising cosmic 'weather' at edge of solar system

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite has revealed an unexpected landmark at the outer edge of the solar wind bubble, forming a giant ribbon of energetic neutral atoms. The structure is associated with enhanced production of energetic neutral atoms due to interstellar magnetic forces.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateOct 16, 2009

New science approach to revolutionize welding

A €4.8 million European research project is using computer modelling and laboratory experiments to develop a predictive, cost-effective tool for welding deep-sea gas and oil transportation systems. The MintWeld consortium aims to save lives and money by understanding the process of weld failures.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·DateOct 16, 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.