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Science News Archive May 2010 - Page 14


Page 14 of 26

Unstable chromosome regions are the origin of yeast's brewing capacity

Yeast's ability to convert sugar to alcohol is attributed to duplicated genes at the chromosome margins, allowing for optimal sugar processing. This process likely evolved in beer and wine yeasts around the Cretaceous era, enabling them to digest various sugars.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 14, 2010
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.

New twist on potential malaria drug target acts by trapping parasites in cells

Researchers have discovered a new twist on a potential malaria drug target, which traps malaria parasites within infected red blood cells. This breakthrough identifies an essential step in the biology of the most common and severe malaria parasite and offers a new direction for fighting one of the world's most deadly infections.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalScience·DateMay 14, 2010

Impact sensor provides athletic support

Researchers developed a new type of wearable impact sensor based on composite materials that generate an electrical current when compressed. The sensors can measure the forces acting on athletes' bodies and provide data to improve performance and reduce injuries.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics·DateMay 14, 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.

Study finds effects of early child care at age 15

A longitudinal study of over 1,300 children found that early child care quality predicts higher test scores in cognitive and academic achievement, fewer behavior problems, and less impulsivity. The study supports the idea that early childhood experiences can have long-lasting effects on teenagers' development.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 14, 2010

Growers can boost benefits of broccoli and tomatoes

A University of Illinois study demonstrates that agronomic practices can significantly increase the cancer-fighting compounds in broccoli and tomatoes. Selenium-treated broccoli was found to have six times higher levels of one compound and exhibited increased bioactivity, particularly in the liver.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 14, 2010

Links between child care and academic achievement, behavior persist into adolescence

A study of 1,364 children found that those in high-quality child care had slightly higher academic achievement and were less likely to exhibit acting-out behaviors as teenagers. The study also discovered a correlation between hours spent in child care and impulsivity and risk-taking tendencies at age 15.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 14, 2010

Spitting cobras track first, predict later

Researchers discovered that spitting cobras initially track an aggressor's movement, but then switch to predicting where the victim will be 200ms in the future. The snakes use this information to fine-tune their venom spray and hit their target with accuracy.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 14, 2010

A warm sensor maintains skin barrier

A Japanese research group discovered that TRPV4 ion channel plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's barrier function by regulating cell-cell junctions. Removal of TRPV4 from keratinocytes led to leaky junctions and weak skin barriers, highlighting its importance in preventing dehydration.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 14, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Poor children more vulnerable to effects of poor sleep

Children from poor families experience higher levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms when they sleep poorly. In contrast, getting a good night's sleep protects against behavioral problems in minority children.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 14, 2010

Frequent alcohol use linked to faster HIV disease progression

A recent study found that frequent alcohol consumption is associated with a faster decline in CD4+ cell counts in individuals with HIV disease. The research, conducted over 30 months, suggests that alcohol has a direct impact on CD4 cells and accelerates immune system decline.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateMay 13, 2010
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Silver tells a volatile story of Earth's origin

Researchers found that water and key volatiles may have been present in Earth's original building blocks, contradicting previous theories. The study suggests a complex accretion process for the planet, with volatile-rich material added in late stages of formation.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateMay 13, 2010

Water was present during birth of Earth

Scientists have found that volatile elements, including water, were present during the violent process of Earth's birth. The discovery, made using high precision equipment to measure Silver isotopes in rocks, suggests that comets and asteroids may not have brought significant amounts of volatile elements to Earth.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

DksA polices the intersection of replication and transcription

Researchers discovered a new factor, DksA, that prevents conflict between DNA replication and transcription in E. coli. When present, DksA tags along with RNA polymerase and removes it from the track when DNA polymerase approaches, allowing for stable replication.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateMay 13, 2010

Novel pouch could reduce mother-to-infant HIV infection

A novel pouch system developed by Duke University researchers can provide a potentially life-saving dose of an anti-HIV medication to newborn babies born at home. The system uses foil and plastic pouches that can hold a single dose of Nevirapine, allowing mothers to give their newborns treatment shortly after birth.

SourceDuke University·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Firms pay more to high-skill foreign IT pros than to US colleagues, shows INFORMS study

A new study by Professors Sunil Mithas and Henry C. Lucas, Jr., published in Management Science, found that firms paying higher wages to foreign IT professionals do not depress the salaries of American colleagues. Instead, this practice may actually benefit US companies by leveraging a culturally diverse workforce.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalManagement Science·DateMay 13, 2010

How do organisms make dietary choices?

A study in fruit flies reveals a molecular pathway involved in dietary choices, which has implications for humans sharing the same pathway. The research opens doors to developing treatments for metabolic disorders by addressing nutritional imbalances.

SourceBuck Institute for Research on Aging·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 13, 2010

People who recognize stroke symptoms still may not call 9-1-1

Researchers found that only 14% of participants knew to call 9-1-1 for three common stroke symptoms, while 37% reported not calling. The study emphasizes the critical role of symptom recognition and emergency medical services in reducing delays in hospital arrival.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Scientists offer new take on selective fishing

Scientists propose a new approach to selective fishing that prioritizes ecosystem health and biodiversity, challenging traditional methods. The 'balanced exploitation' approach combines reduced fishing effort with better use of non-target species to achieve sustainable yields while maintaining healthy ecosystems.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 2010

New pathway discovered in cellular cholesterol regulation

Researchers at NYU Langone Health have discovered a micro-RNA, miR-33, that regulates key genes involved in cellular cholesterol transport. Inhibiting miR-33 may enhance cholesterol removal from tissues and raise HDL levels.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateMay 13, 2010

New forensics research will help identify remains of children

Researchers have developed a new tool to identify the remains of children using craniofacial shape analysis. This breakthrough can help resolve missing-persons cases and advance our understanding of past civilizations' population dynamics. The study found that children's facial shapes attain adult-like characteristics as early as age 14.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Craniofacial Surgery·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Genetic ancestry testing challenges identified by American Society of Human Genetics task force

A recent White Paper report by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) highlights issues with genetic ancestry testing, including imprecise definitions and lack of standard guidelines. The task force recommends a collaborative approach among stakeholders to address concerns and develop best practices.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMay 13, 2010

Game theoretic machine learning methods can help explain long periods of conflict

Researchers developed Inductive Game Theory to study conflict, identifying strategies that generate intense conflict and highlighting the importance of group interactions. The approach suggests individual agency may over-estimate in social evolution and considers the impact of friends' and enemies' actions on conflict.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 13, 2010

Can Celebrex prevent cancer-causing colon polyps?

Rush University Medical Center is conducting an international clinical trial to test celecoxib's effectiveness in preventing precancerous polyps in children with familial adenomatous polyposis. The five-year study aims to assess whether the drug can reduce or prevent polyp formation, offering hope for these patients.

SourceRush University Medical Center·DateMay 13, 2010

Study: Community approach to smoking bans not effective in Appalachia

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that local ordinances in Appalachian states with weak statewide smoking regulations do not provide adequate protection against second-hand smoke. Stronger statewide clean indoor air laws are recommended to effectively regulate smoking in public places.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

How microtubules let go of their attachments during cell division

Researchers have determined how cells regulate microtubule attachments during cell division, a process critical for proper chromosomal distribution. The system relies on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of key proteins, controlled by enzymes Aurora B and PP1, to correct attachment problems and maintain accurate chromosome separation.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 13, 2010

Without this protein, embryonic development halts

A study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine found that the Ash2l protein is crucial for early mammalian development, with mouse embryos dying without it. The researchers discovered that Ash2l interacts with Tbx1 to regulate gene transcription, shedding light on the pathogenesis of DiGeorge syndrome.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateMay 13, 2010

Strategies for increasing carbon stored in forests and wood

Scientists review eight strategies to increase forest carbon storage, including afforestation, urban forestry, and biomass energy, while acknowledging the need for cost-effective methods and regulation. The current carbon offset of 12-19% in US forests is not permanent but has potential to increase with careful management.

SourceEcological Society of America·DateMay 13, 2010

University of Pennsylvania mathematicians solve 140-year-old Boltzmann equation

Mathematicians from the University of Pennsylvania have found solutions to the 140-year-old Boltzmann equation, a 7-dimensional equation that predicts gas molecule behavior. The solution provides new insights into gaseous collisions and confirms the predictions made by James Clerk Maxwell and Ludwig Boltzmann.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 13, 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.

Low oxygen levels prevent X chromosome inactivation in human embryonic stem cells

Researchers found that low oxygen levels prevent X chromosome inactivation in human embryonic stem cells, which can lead to a less flexible and pluripotent state. The study suggests that conventional lab methods may not be optimal, and alternative approaches are needed to maintain human ES cells' pluripotency.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateMay 13, 2010

Advanced geographical models bring new perspective to study of archaeology

Researchers used computational modeling to simulate different land use practices in ancient societies, finding that a combination of shifting cultivation and grazing leads to more erosion runoff but also fertile farmland around tiny hamlets. The study sheds light on the importance of threshold effects when people alter landscapes for a...

SourceArizona State University·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Cheese found to improve the immune response of the elderly

Daily probiotic cheese consumption boosts natural and acquired immunity in older adults by activating NK blood cells and increasing phagocytic activity. The study aims to thwart immunosenescence, an age-related deterioration of the immune system that increases susceptibility to infections and cancer.

SourceWiley·JournalFEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Volcanic plume meets and occluded weather front, changes wind direction

A visible satellite image shows Eyjafjallajokull Volcano's ash plume shifting to an east-southeasterly direction as a cold occlusion brings cold air under warmer aloft air. The interaction between the volcanic plume and occluded front has changed wind direction from southerly to west-northwest.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 13, 2010

'Votes' of sub-cellular variables control cell fate

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that bacterial cells 'vote' on their fate based on sub-cellular variables, rather than random chemical events. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that cell fate decisions are determined by environmental noise.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateMay 13, 2010
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.

Scientists ID bacterial genes that improve plant growth

Researchers have identified a range of bacterial genes that help explain how certain microbes increase plant growth by up to 40%. These genes provide benefits for plants, including drought resistance, antimicrobial agents, and phytohormones, and are directly dependent on plant-synthesized sugars.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMay 13, 2010

Wine-making yeast shows promise for bioethanol production

Researchers identified a gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that enables it to convert five-carbon sugars like xylose into ethanol. This discovery may lead to the development of new, industrially-applicable strains for large-scale bioethanol production.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMay 13, 2010

The Hastings Center Report table of contents for May/June 2010

Neuroimaging research suggests that patients in a persistent vegetative state may not be conscious, raising questions about end-of-life care. The Hastings Center Report explores these issues, including the use of palliative sedation and organ donation after cardiac death protocols.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateMay 13, 2010
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.