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Science News Archive October 2009 - Page 4


Page 4 of 27

Gene therapy repairs injured human donor lungs for the first time

Researchers successfully used gene therapy to repair injured human donor lungs, making them suitable for transplantation. The technique improves lung function and reduces inflammation, offering a promising approach to increase organ availability and improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 28, 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.

INFORMS presents 11 new Fellows Awards

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) has awarded 11 new Fellows, recognizing their contributions to education, practice, research, and service in operations research. The recipients include experts in fields such as nonlinear programming, healthcare, marketing science, and revenue management.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·DateOct 28, 2009

The IUD is the most popular long-acting contraceptive amongst Europeans

A European study found that 1,088 women (10% of the sample) use longer-lasting IUDs as their primary long-acting reversible contraceptive method. Women over 30 who do not want more children and are looking for a long-term solution are most likely to use this method.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalThe European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care·DateOct 28, 2009

New technique for injectable facial fillers improves comfort, recovery

A new injection technique combines lidocaine with facial fillers to minimize pain and reduce recovery time. The procedure provides an immediate numbing effect, allowing plastic surgeons to begin injections without waiting for traditional anesthesia to take effect.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateOct 28, 2009

Study: depression can lead to inflated reports of physical symptoms

A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with depression tend to overreport physical symptoms. Researchers attribute this phenomenon to depressed individuals' recall of experiences differently, tending to ruminate and exaggerate negative emotions.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateOct 28, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lifestyle changes, drug lower type 2 diabetes risk

Researchers found that intensive lifestyle changes reduced the rate of developing type 2 diabetes in people at high risk by 34 percent over 10 years. Lifestyle changes also lowered blood pressure and triglyceride levels in patients.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 28, 2009

Genetic links to fungal infection risk identified

Two genetic mutations, CARD9 and Dectin-1, have been identified as increasing the risk of fungal infections in humans. These findings offer new insights into the genetic basis of fungal diseases and may pave the way for future therapeutic options for patients suffering from chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis and other infections.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 28, 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.

Circadian surprise: Mechanism of temperature synchronization in drosophila

Researchers discovered that Drosophila's brain circadian clock neurons require information from peripheral tissues to synchronize with temperature cycles. Disruption of key gene nocte in peripheral cells interferes with temperature synchronization, highlighting the chordotonal organs as crucial temperature receptors.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateOct 28, 2009

NIEHS awards Recovery Act funds to address bisphenol A research gaps

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has awarded $14 million in Recovery Act grants to study the potential health risks of bisphenol A (BPA). Researchers will investigate BPA's effects on human health, including behavior, obesity, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and cancer.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·DateOct 28, 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.

BRC for Mental Health gets cash for CRIS

The BRC's Case Register Interactive Search (CRIS) system, a groundbreaking research tool, will be expanded with the new funding. CRIS allows researchers to search and analyze electronic medical records in an anonymized format, facilitating personalized diagnosis and treatment for mental health patients.

SourceKing's College London·DateOct 28, 2009

Gossip in the workplace: A weapon or gift, new research from IU

Researchers found that gossip in formal settings is often veiled criticism, but can be redirected by changing the subject or targeting another colleague. The study also identified subtle ways that people who are targets of gossip are negatively evaluated during meetings.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Contemporary Ethnography·DateOct 28, 2009

Bad driving may have genetic basis, UCI study finds

A study by UC Irvine neuroscientists found that people with a particular gene variant performed more than 20 percent worse on a driving test than those without it. The variant limits the availability of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which keeps memory strong.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateOct 28, 2009

Next-generation microcapsules deliver 'chemicals on demand'

Researchers have developed phototriggerable microcapsules that burst and release chemicals upon light exposure, opening doors for targeted medical treatments and various industrial uses. The innovation uses laser light to convert nanotubes into heat, bursting the nylon capsule and releasing its contents.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 28, 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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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
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.

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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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