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Science News for March 21, 2010


Global sustainability technology breakthroughs featured at ACS meeting

The 239th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society features a comprehensive series of scientific reports on advances in sustainable development, including the application of green chemistry to reduce hazardous substances. The event aims to shepherd scientists' collective knowledge to address the world's sustainability challenges.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 21, 2010

Spying on a cellular director in the cutting room

The spliceosome, a giant complex of RNA and protein subunits, assembles and operates to remove unwanted genetic material and join the remaining pieces. Researchers spied on the process using FRET and observed reversible contortions in the presence of energy.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 21, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Gene variation linked to higher risk of lung cancer in never-smokers

A recent study found that genetic variations in the GPC5 gene are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in never-smokers. The research, published in The Lancet Oncology, suggests that GPC5 could be a new target for drug development and could help identify high-risk individuals.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMar 21, 2010

Seaweed to tackle rising tide of obesity

Newcastle University researchers found that dietary fibre in seaweed reduces fat absorption by 75%. Adding this fibre to foods like bread may help people lose weight while eating normally. The study's next step is to test the effects on volunteers and determine if such foods are acceptable in a normal diet.

SourceNewcastle University·DateMar 21, 2010
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.

Newly identified growth factor promotes stem cell growth, regeneration

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a new growth factor that stimulates the expansion and regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells. The growth factor, pleiotrophin, has been shown to increase the numbers of human cord blood stem cells in culture capable of engraftment in immune-deficient mice.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 21, 2010

Denmark to open world-class international research center

The University of Copenhagen is set to establish a leading international research center for basic metabolic research, thanks to a historic $160 million donation from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The Center will conduct research into Type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle diseases, aiming to make a significant impact on global health trends.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·DateMar 21, 2010

'Cold fusion' moves closer to mainstream acceptance

The American Chemical Society symposium on cold fusion has brought together nearly 50 presentations on the topic, indicating that it may be a reality. Researchers are making progress toward battery-based energy and discovering natural occurrences of cold fusion in certain bacteria.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 21, 2010

Governments fail to protect red and pink coral

Red and pink coral are in steep decline due to overharvesting; governments failed to grant trade protection despite scientific evidence. Conservationists urge the jewelry and design industries to act where governments have failed.

SourceSeaWeb·DateMar 21, 2010
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.

Einstein researchers discover 2 new ways to kill TB

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have found two novel ways to kill TB bacteria, using an enzyme called GlgE and a second pathway that also synthesizes alpha glucans. This combination could lead to a potent therapy that prevents resistant TB strains from developing.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 21, 2010

Detecting fake wine vintages: It's an (atomic) blast

Researchers develop a method to determine wine vintages using radioactive carbon dioxide produced by atomic bomb tests. The technique uses accelerator mass spectrometry to analyze the carbon-14 levels in wine alcohol, allowing for reliable detection of vintage authenticity.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 21, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

APEX snaps first close-up of star factories in distant universe

Researchers have made direct measurements of the size and brightness of regions of star-birth in a very distant galaxy using the APEX telescope. The galaxy is so bright due to massive dust grains heated by starlight, revealing star formation at a rate equivalent to about 250 Suns per year.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateMar 21, 2010

Gene is linked to lung cancer development in never-smokers

A recent study found that approximately 30% of never-smoking lung cancer patients carry a rare variant of the GPC5 gene, leading to reduced expression levels and increased risk of cancer. The research suggests that GPC5 may be a critical tumor suppressor gene in lung cancer development.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateMar 21, 2010