Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive December 2010


Page 17 of 21

Alpha-2 integrin: A protein predictor of tumor spread?

Researchers found decreased alpha-2 integrin expression predicts tumor dissemination and lower survival rates in breast and prostate cancer. Alpha-2 integrin suppression of metastasis was confirmed using a mouse model and human microarray databases.

Challenging HIV through social networking

A study by Young and Rice found that online social networking has both positive and negative effects on sexual risk behaviors in homeless youth, with potential for increased risks but also opportunities for effective health communication and information portals.

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.

Training the computer scientists of the future

The University of Manchester has established the UK's first Centre for Doctoral Training in Computer Science, receiving a £2.2m grant from EPSRC. The centre will admit at least 75 students over five years and provide training in research problem-solving, collaboration with industrial users, and real-world impact.

Brand recognition can help hotels survive economic downturns

Research by Penn State and University of Gothenburg found that brand named hotels outperformed independent hotels in economic downturns. Branded hotels registered significantly higher net operating income during recessions due to increased occupancy, while independent hotels charged higher room rates due to perceived uniqueness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New tool in the early detection of bowel disease

A new Confocal Laser Endomicroscope (CLE) tool allows clinicians to view bacteria that trigger bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis during routine colonoscopy. This enables rapid identification of patients at risk or in early stages of these diseases.

Eutrophication makes toxic cyanobacteria more toxic

Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that cyanobacteria like Nodularia spumigena become more toxic when facing eutrophication conditions, producing hepatotoxin nodularin. This toxin attacks the liver, posing a risk to humans and livestock consuming contaminated water.

Lesbian, gay and bisexual teens singled out for punishment

A Yale University study found that LGB adolescents are 40% more likely to be punished by school authorities, police, and the courts. Girls who identified as lesbian or bisexual were especially at risk for unequal treatment, with twice as many police stops, arrests, and convictions.

A DEDD cert to support embryo development

A recent study has identified DEDD protein as essential for the formation of a functional decidua in mice. Defective DEDD function may be responsible for female infertility. The researchers suggest further investigation into the relationship between DEDD dysfunction and infertility in women.

Ravenous foreign pests threaten national treasures

A comprehensive study published in BioScience reveals over 455 insects and 16 pathogens are destroying forests across the US. Invasive species are predicted to continue threatening native ecosystems, with experts warning of a devastating impact on industries dependent on trees and plants.

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.

JAK inhibitors producing significant response in myelofibrosis patients

Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that JAK inhibitors CYT387 and TG101348 effectively reduce spleen size and alleviate constitutional symptoms in myelofibrosis patients. These targeted treatments have shown significant clinical benefits, including improved anemia rates and reduced white blood cell counts.

CMU to lead new center for climate and energy decisionmaking

Carnegie Mellon University has launched a new center for climate and energy decision making, developing strategies to protect fragile ecosystems and curb carbon emissions. The center will also educate graduate students on climate change and its impact on the environment.

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.

Peer pressure can keep you healthy

A study of 3610 Australian women found that social norms play a significant role in promoting physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. Women who surrounded themselves with friends who engaged in healthy behaviors were more likely to adopt similar habits.

Sex, race, place of residence influence high blood pressure incidence

A recent study has found that high blood pressure is more common among black women in the southeastern US compared to white men. The researchers analyzed data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study and discovered significant geographic, racial, and gender differences in hypertension risk.

Learning the language of bacteria

Researchers have discovered a class of molecules that can target quorum sensing, a key mechanism used by bacteria to communicate and coordinate their behavior. By blocking this system, scientists hope to develop new drugs that can prevent bacterial infections without promoting resistance.

EMBO Installation Grants help 6 scientists set up in Europe

Six scientists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey will receive the 2010 EMBO Installation Grants for 3 years. They will be integrated into the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator programme with networking opportunities and career development programmes.

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.

Bacteria seek to topple the egg as top flu vaccine tool

Scientists have developed a novel flu vaccine using bacteria, which triggers an immune response without the need for eggs. The study, led by John Treanor, showed that the experimental vaccine worked well in people, with about half of participants responding strongly to just one microgram of the vaccine.

New NIH grant helps MU scientist get to the heart of muscular dystrophy

A new $2.1 million NIH grant will help MU scientist Dongsheng Duan develop a treatment that prevents heart muscles from weakening due to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Tests have shown that treating skeletal muscle alone can lead to complications, highlighting the need for comprehensive treatment targeting both skeletal and cardiac muscle.

Warring Greeks find peace in ancient Egypt

A Greek trade emporium on Egyptian soil thrived under the protection of powerful Eastern empires. The Greeks who inhabited Naukrtis formed a unique culture despite being from warring city-states, emerging with a national Greek identity. This arrangement enabled the exchange of art and culture between Greece and Egypt.

Illinois study: Ginseng just got better -- not as bitter

University of Illinois scientists have discovered a method to reduce the bitterness of ginseng in energy drinks by over half using cyclodextrins. This innovation could improve the health benefits of these beverages and expand their market, particularly in the US energy drink industry.

Scientists announce discovery of first horned dinosaur from South Korea

The newly identified genus Koreaceratops hwaseongensis is the first ceratopsian dinosaur from the Korean peninsula, featuring a parrot-like face and unique fan-shaped tail. It lived approximately 5-6 feet long and weighed around 60-100 pounds, indicating it was relatively small compared to its giant relatives.

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.

Using new materials to make more reliable nanoelectromechanical systems

Researchers have found a way to improve the reliability of carbon nanotube-based nanoelectromechanical systems by using diamond-like carbon electrodes. This enables reliable switching and storage of binary states in devices, advancing the technology from laboratory-scale demonstrations to practical applications.

Mammogram sensitivity depends on menstrual cycle

Researchers suggest scheduling mammograms in the first week of a woman's menstrual cycle to improve accuracy in detecting breast cancer. The study found that mammography conducted at this time was more sensitive, but not necessarily specific, for finding breast cancers in pre-menopausal women.

Color test predicts response to hypnotherapy

Researchers found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who chose a positive color on a color chart were nine times more likely to respond to hypnotherapy. The study suggests the use of this test as a predictor for responders.

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.

New microscopic life aboard the RMS Titanic

Researchers have identified a new bacterium that contributes to the deterioration of the RMS Titanic's exterior, accelerating metal corrosion. The novel Halomonas titanicae has been found to adhere to steel surfaces, creating corrosion products.

Researchers: Include data about societal values in endangered species decisions

Researchers argue that the US Fish and Wildlife Service should consider societal values when determining whether species need protection from extinction. A study analyzing public opinions on wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains found mixed results, contradicting the agency's claim that attitudes have improved over time.

Rice physicists help unravel mystery of repetitive DNA segments

Scientists at Rice University have discovered that poly(dA) repeats behave differently when stretched, requiring less force to lengthen without additional effort. The findings raise more questions about the role these repeats play in gene regulation and genome packaging.

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.

Profiling based on mobile, online behavior: A privacy issue

Experts warn that consumers have little control over their online tracking and profiling, leading to a loss of privacy and potential manipulation of behavior. Nancy King, associate professor at Oregon State University, advocates for a balance between protecting consumer privacy and allowing behavioral advertising to thrive.

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.

Study of how genes activate yields surprising discovery

Scientists at Einstein College of Medicine discovered that genes involved in building protein complexes are activated randomly, not coordinately. This unexpected finding may change the way scientists think about cellular processes and synchronization.

Over-reactive immune system kills young adults during pandemic flu

Researchers found that a massive, uncontrolled activation of the complement system led to severe lung damage and death in young adults. The study's findings suggest that this over-reaction is responsible for making healthy young and middle-aged adults seriously ill during pandemic flu, explaining why they are disproportionately affected.

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.

'Shotgun' method allows scientists to dissect cells' sugar coatings

Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have adapted gene chip microarray technology to the study of glycans, using an approach called 'shotgun glycomics.' This technique allows for the separation and analysis of thousands of glycans, enabling researchers to test what sticks to them. The method has been used to identify a mo...

UNC-led team tests commonly used antibodies

A UNC-led research team developed a searchable database of more than 200 commonly used antibodies to help genetic scientists precisely test DNA. The database addresses the issue of specificity in antibody tests, which can affect gene regulation and human diseases.

Seeing the world differently

Researchers found that individual volunteers' perceptions of optical illusions varied greatly due to differences in brain size. The primary visual cortex area affects the extent to which we see visual illusions.

Babies' biological clocks dramatically affected by birth light cycle

A new study finds that birth light cycles significantly impact the development of biological clocks in mice, which may explain why people born in winter months are at a higher risk of certain neurological disorders. The experiment reveals that even after weaning, biological clocks remain affected by the initial light cycle.

Northern wildfires threaten runaway climate change, study reveals

A new study reveals that climate change is causing northern wildfires to burn more fiercely and release more carbon into the atmosphere than previously thought. The research found that fires in Alaska's interior have become more severe over the past decade, pumping out more greenhouse gases and accelerating permafrost loss.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

The LouseBuster returns

A new study by the University of Utah found that the LouseBuster is highly effective in killing head lice and nits, with 94.8% mortality rate. The device uses warm air to dry out lice and nits, making it a safe and easy treatment option.

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.

Phase I trial indicates ponatinib may thwart most resistant CML

A Phase I trial indicates that ponatinib produces significant hematologic and cytogenetic responses in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who have developed resistance to standard treatments. The drug showed strong efficacy in patients with the T315I mutation, which is resistant to current therapies.

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.

Preventing physician medication mix-ups by reporting them

A study using the MEADERS (Medication Error and Adverse Drug Event Reporting System) system found that communication problems and lack of knowledge are leading causes of medication errors, with cardiovascular medications being the most commonly associated. The system has been successful in reducing harm to patients, documenting 11% of ...