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Science News for May 16, 2010


A more active lifestyle crucial for day-to-day function in COPD patients

Research suggests that COPD patients who engage in higher amounts of daily physical activity have better functional exercise tolerance. Increasing normal daily activities like walking or gardening may be more beneficial than formal exercise training. This approach aims to promote a more active lifestyle and improve long-term function.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Control of cell movement with light accomplished in living organisms

A new technique developed by UNC researchers uses light to manipulate protein behavior in cells, enabling precise control of cell movement. This discovery has significant implications for understanding embryonic development, nerve regeneration, and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateMay 16, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

High-fat meals a no-no for asthma patients

Research suggests that consuming high-fat meals can lead to increased airway neutrophils and TLR4 mRNA gene expression, impairing the response to asthma medication Ventolin. High-fat intake may play a role in managing asthma by reducing inflammation and improving lung function.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Estrogen may reduce airway constriction in women patients with asthma

Estrogen has been found to decrease airway constriction and increase bronchodilation in human airway smooth muscle cells, particularly when combined with beta-agonists. This suggests that estrogen may be beneficial for women with asthma, and further research is needed to explore its potential as a treatment option.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Long-term use of vitamin E may decrease COPD risk

A study published by the American Thoracic Society found that long-term vitamin E supplementation may decrease the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by about 10% in both smokers and non-smokers. Vitamin E may protect lung tissue from damage caused by free radicals, according to researchers.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010
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.

Resilience factor low in depression, protects mice from stress

Researchers found that the deltaFosB gene regulator protects against depression by boosting neurons' activity when glutamate binds to AMPA receptors. Boosting deltaFosB calms neurons, enabling individuals to pursue goal-directed behavior despite stress.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 16, 2010

Higher blood pressure found in people living in urban areas

A study by the University of Duisburg-Essen found that people living in polluted urban areas experience higher blood pressure due to exposure to fine and coarse particulate matter. This association remains even after accounting for other factors such as age, gender, smoking, and weight.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Statins decrease risk of clot-related diseases

A study found that statin therapy can lower the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Statins are believed to decrease VTE risk by reducing inflammation.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Brown geologists show unprecedented warming in Lake Tanganyika

Researchers at Brown University have found that Lake Tanganyika has experienced unprecedented warming over the last century, with surface waters reaching record highs. This warming is expected to affect fish stocks, which are crucial for millions of people in the region, and could have severe consequences for local livelihoods.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMay 16, 2010

Scientists home in on lithium battery safety flaws

Researchers at Cambridge have developed a way to visualize chemistry in lithium-ion batteries using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This technique could help identify the formation of dendrites, which cause short circuits and fires, enabling the development of safer battery technologies.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·DateMay 16, 2010
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.

Children with severe asthma at increased risk of developing COPD

A study found that children with severe asthma have a significantly higher risk of developing COPD as adults. Children with mild asthma were not at increased risk. The study suggests early treatment and surveillance for children with severe asthma may prevent long-term complications.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010

Higher oxygen levels improve preterm survival, increase risk for eye condition

Researchers found that higher oxygen levels in preterm infants improve survival rates, but also increase the risk of retinopathy of prematurity. A new treatment using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is as effective as traditional ventilator therapy and may result in fewer complications.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 16, 2010

False positives in TB diagnosis lead to real negatives for HIV patients

A recent study published at the ATS 2010 International Conference found that HIV-infected patients who are falsely diagnosed with tuberculosis have higher mortality rates compared to those who receive correct diagnoses. The study evaluated 600 HIV-infected patients treated at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, and discovered that fals...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 16, 2010
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-led team validates, extends fMRI research on brain activity

A Stanford-led team has solved the mystery of how functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals are produced, confirming earlier assumptions about their relationship to neural excitation. The breakthrough enables researchers to study brain-wide impact of changes in neural circuitry using blood-flow fMRI combined with optogenetics.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateMay 16, 2010