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Science News for October 27, 2009


Vegetables can protect unborn child against diabetes

A Swedish study found that pregnant women who eat vegetables daily have a lower risk of their child developing type 1 diabetes. The study analyzed data from almost 6,000 five-year-olds and found that those whose mothers rarely ate vegetables had a higher risk.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalPediatric Diabetes·DateOct 27, 2009

Does diabetes speed up memory loss in Alzheimer's disease?

Research published in Neurology suggests that people with both diabetes and Alzheimer's disease have a slower rate of memory loss than those with only Alzheimer's. The study found that diabetes may actually counteract the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, although the reasons for this effect are still unclear.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateOct 27, 2009

Epilepsy drugs could treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Researchers have discovered a potential new function for anti-epileptic drugs in treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The study found that neurons were protected after treatment with T-type calcium-channel blockers, suggesting the possibility of developing new treatments for neuronal injury.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMolecular Neurodegeneration·DateOct 27, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tropical Depression Neki nulled by cool waters and wind shear

A tropical depression with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph was downgraded late yesterday as cooler waters and increasing wind shear took their toll. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) detected the disintegration of Tropical Depression Neki using its satellite imagery, revealing a surface trough in low clouds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 27, 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.

Adding tools against breast tumors

A Dartmouth study found that adjuvant radiotherapy can prevent tumor recurrence in patients with borderline-malignant and malignant phyllodes tumors after breast-conserving surgery. The treatment was effective in controlling the growth of tumors in nearly 80% of cases.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology·DateOct 27, 2009

Experts offer policy recommendations for improving medication adherence

A diverse group of organizations released five policy recommendations to promote better medication adherence and improved health outcomes. The recommendations focus on quality improvement, care coordination, health information technology, patient/provider education and engagement, and health services research.

SourceChandler Chicco Agency·DateOct 27, 2009

Married with children the key to happiness?

A new study published in Springer's Journal of Happiness Studies found that raising children improves life satisfaction for married people, while having no impact on unmarried individuals. The analysis takes into account individual characteristics and suggests that marriage is a key factor in experiencing happiness.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·DateOct 27, 2009

Anxious pregnant mothers more likely to have smaller babies

A new study reveals that anxious pregnant women are more likely to have affected babies, with anxiety during the third trimester predicting significantly smaller births. Women with severe anxiety in the first and second trimesters also show significant impact on birth outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalPaediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology·DateOct 27, 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.

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.

Electrical engineers go head to head with Genius on music playlists

Researchers created a music recommender system that generates playlists as good as or better than Genius, but with less user data required. The system uses auto-tagging algorithms to label songs based on their acoustic content, leading to high-quality playlists including lesser-known songs.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateOct 27, 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.

Stanford study recommends change in treating pulmonary embolisms

A Stanford study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology found that catheter-directed therapy can save lives in people with massive blood clots in their lungs. The treatment was effective in 86.5% of cases and appeared to be safer than existing treatments.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology·DateOct 27, 2009

Exercise is good medicine for lymphoma patients

A three-year study by University of Alberta researchers found that aerobic exercise training significantly improved physical functioning and overall quality of life in patients with lymphoma. The study showed a 46.4% complete response rate in the exercise group, compared to 30.8% in the usual care group.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalClinical Oncology·DateOct 27, 2009
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.

Exposure to alkaline substances can result in damaged teeth

A new Swedish study reveals that exposure to alkaline substances can damage teeth by destroying organic content and leaving enamel more vulnerable. The study found that high pH values can cause flaked enamel, markedly increasing the risk of caries and other dental issues.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Dentistry·DateOct 27, 2009

Heart patients running the red light on traffic restrictions

A recent study by Dr. Ravi Bajaj found that over half of heart patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) do not receive counselling on their ability to drive after angioplasty, putting lives at risk. The study also revealed inconsistent driving restrictions among doctors, highlighting a need for improved education and patient safety.

SourceHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada·DateOct 27, 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.

Practice-changing cancer studies to be unveiled at ASTRO Annual Meeting

Research presented at the ASTRO Annual Meeting has shown that short-term hormone therapy added to radiation increases survival for medium-risk prostate cancer patients, while a shorter radiation course is effective in reducing recurrence rates. Additionally, proton therapy reduces recurrences and is well-tolerated in prostate cancer pa...

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 27, 2009

Significant regional variations exist regarding proximity to burn centers

A study found significant regional variations in geographic access to verified burn centers, with the northeast region having the highest and southern states having the lowest access rates. The researchers suggest optimizing air and ground emergency medical service systems for states with low baseline access rates.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 27, 2009

Research continues on secure, mobile, quantum communications

Researchers at Air Force Office of Scientific Research have successfully established high-data-rate optical links over long distances using adaptive optics to overcome atmospheric distortions. The next step is to conduct flight tests at increased altitudes to demonstrate air-to-ground quantum communications capabilities.

SourceAir Force Office of Scientific Research·DateOct 27, 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.

Endowment fund to support ICT research

A new endowment fund will support ICT research at CSIRO Australia, enhancing the nation's wireless technologies capabilities. The fund will also provide scholarships and fellowships for students across various disciplines, addressing key skills shortages.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateOct 27, 2009

Cholesterol-lowering medicines may be effective against cancer

Researchers found that statins can inhibit growth and development of cancer cells, as well as treat diabetes and neurological disorders like Parkinson's. The study used the nematode C. elegans as an ideal test subject, showing dramatic effects on enzyme activity.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 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.

Patients starting dialysis have increased risk of death

Research estimates cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality rates in patients receiving dialysis, finding that noncardiovascular death is the most common cause. The study suggests that excess mortality in patients starting dialysis may not be specific to cardiovascular deaths.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 27, 2009

Adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin improves lipid control

A study found that adding ezetimibe to atorvastatin significantly boosts attainment of lipid targets in elderly patients, producing superior results than increasing the dose of atorvastatin alone. The combination improved LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced cholesterol absorption from the gut.

SourceHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada·DateOct 27, 2009

Older patients with dementia at increased risk for flu mortality

A study published in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older patients with dementia are diagnosed with flu less frequently, have shorter hospital stays, but a higher rate of death. The study highlights the need for refined guidelines on flu immunization and treatment in this vulnerable population.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateOct 27, 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.

LMU Munich researchers highly endowed with EU funding

Two LMU Munich researchers, Jens Michaelis and David Vöhringer, have received EU Starting Grants to study DNA rearrangement in the cell nucleus and immune factors essential to allergic sensitization. Their projects aim to understand complex cellular processes using cutting-edge microscopic techniques.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·DateOct 27, 2009

Global warming cycles threaten endangered primate species

Researchers analyzed global warming's impact on four New World monkey species, finding a significant drop in their populations during climate fluctuations. The team used statistical models to investigate how food resources and tree responses related to temperature and rainfall patterns.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 27, 2009

The skeleton: Size matters

European consortium identifies Hox genes as key regulators of vertebral development, controlling both type and number. Cdx genes also play a crucial role in embryo growth, with Hox activation compensating for Cdx deficiency.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 27, 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.

French male bears in immediate need of more females

A recent study published in PLoS ONE found that French brown bears are at risk of extinction due to a lack of females. The researchers suggest that relocating new bears could not only boost the population size but also reverse some of the causes of the decline by introducing more females.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 27, 2009

The true North -- Strong when salt free

A Canadian study reveals that the adoption of Western diets led to an increase in diastolic and systolic blood pressures among Inuit populations, with a significant drop in consumption of traditional nutrient-rich foods. The study emphasizes the importance of reducing sodium intake through dietary changes.

SourceHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada·DateOct 27, 2009

Charles Darwin really did have advanced ideas about the origin of life

Darwin's private correspondence and notebooks reveal a detailed understanding of evolutionary processes underlying biodiversity. Despite mentioning 'Creator' in The Origin of Species, Darwin was troubled by the origin of life problem and had an advanced idea on its solution.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalOrigins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres·DateOct 27, 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.

Ant fight!

Researchers isolated and synthesized scent molecules from Argentine ant colonies, which induced aggression in worker ants when applied. The findings suggest that these chemical cues play a crucial role in defining colony membership, shedding light on the complex social systems of ants.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateOct 27, 2009

Mayo Clinic physician receives first PASSOR Legacy Award

Dr. Jay Smith, a Mayo Clinic physician, has received the first-ever PASSOR Legacy Award and Lectureship for his groundbreaking contributions to musculoskeletal physiatry. The award recognizes Dr. Smith's innovative approaches to patient care, education, and research in this field.

SourceMayo Clinic·DateOct 27, 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.

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 are first to observe the global motions of an enzyme copying DNA

Researchers at Ohio State University observed real-time behavior of an enzyme called Dpo4, a model Y-family enzyme. They defined critical steps in the process and identified unexpected movement that could lead to DNA mistakes. The findings set the stage for studies on DNA copying errors and potential cancer and disease causes.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 27, 2009

Plastic Surgery 2009 news briefs

Key findings from the ASPS Plastic Surgery 2009 conference include advancements in face and hand transplantation, with a focus on improving donor availability and patient selection. Additionally, plastic surgeons will discuss innovative technologies and techniques for repairing traumatic battlefield injuries and restoring function.

SourceAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons·DateOct 27, 2009

Puberty a gateway to heart disease for Canada's teens

A study of over 20,000 Canadian grade 9 students found that most already have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The rates of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity in teens were alarmingly high and increasing over time.

SourceHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada·DateOct 27, 2009

UT leads collaborative initiative for innovative cancer research

A consortium led by UT Health Science Center at Houston is establishing a center to conduct innovative cancer research, focusing on transport oncophysics and targeting liver cancers. Researchers aim to develop new approaches to studying cancer processes and exploiting its weaknesses to mount decisive attacks against metastatic disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateOct 27, 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.

Nepal expands critical tiger habitat

The Government of Nepal has expanded Bardia National Park in the Terai Arc Landscape to increase critical tiger habitat. WWF welcomes the move and aims to help the country double its number of endangered tigers through innovative conservation strategies.

SourceWorld Wildlife Fund·DateOct 27, 2009

Magnetic mixing creates quite a stir

Researchers have developed a new method of mixing tiny liquid volumes using magnetic particles suspended in a fluid, creating 'vortex field' stirring effects. The technique shows promise for mixing fluids in complex spaces and could lead to improved sensor sensitivity.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalPhysical Review·DateOct 27, 2009

TBI-vision loss impacts vets; low-vision patients may have hallucinations

A recent study found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with TBI vision loss have significantly poorer quality of life than comparable civilians. Low-vision patients may also experience vivid visual hallucinations due to Charles Bonnet syndrome, which can be treated by ignoring the images or medication.

SourceAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology·DateOct 27, 2009
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Consumer electronics can help improve patient health

Research by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that consumer electronics can aid in improving clinical outcomes like smoking cessation. Consumer health informatics applications provide personalized information to help patients better manage their health.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateOct 27, 2009

Families suffer from problem gambling

A study published in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy reveals that problem gambling has a profound impact on families, affecting their physical, emotional, and financial well-being. The authors emphasize the need for family-based therapy solutions to address this growing issue.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Marital and Family Therapy·DateOct 27, 2009

Crushing cigarettes in a virtual reality environment reduces tobacco addiction

A study published in CyberPsychology and Behavior found that smokers who crushed virtual cigarettes in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence compared to those who grasped virtual balls. The treatment group stayed in the program longer, with higher rates of smo...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalCyberPsychology & Behavior·DateOct 27, 2009