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Science News for October 8, 2010


Clue to unusual drug-resistant breast cancers found

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have found a gene expression mechanism that contributes to drug resistance in aggressive ER-positive breast tumors. The study reveals how estrogen and inflammatory proteins work together to drive cancer progression.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 8, 2010

USDA awards grant to GSU professor to study childhood obesity dynamics

A GSU professor received a $225,000 USDA grant to explore the dynamics of childhood obesity from childhood to adolescence. The research aims to identify causal effects of prior weight gains on future weight outcomes and assess the impact of food assistance programs.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalJournal of Human Resources·DateOct 8, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stem cells repair damaged spinal cord tissue

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered how stem cells and other cells repair damaged spinal cord tissue in mice. The study identified ependymal cells as a key player in this process, which is crucial for developing therapies for spinal cord injury.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateOct 8, 2010

Neurons cast votes to guide decision-making

Researchers found that certain neurons represent accumulation of evidence to a threshold and others represent evidence itself, driving decision-making. The study offers potential insights into psychological disorders, such as ADHD, where impairments in decision-making occur.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPsychological Review·DateOct 8, 2010

MU establishes National Botanical Research Center

University of Missouri researchers create a National Botanical Research Center to investigate the safety and efficacy of botanical dietary supplements, focusing on five key plants that may aid in preventing strokes, prostate cancer, and infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateOct 8, 2010

UNH awarded $487,000 from NASA for high school climate change curriculum

The University of New Hampshire has been awarded a $487,000 grant from NASA to develop high school climate change curriculum. The project will utilize data from NASA and other federal agencies to create classroom-friendly materials, aiming to provide teachers with a scientifically sound means of teaching climate change issues.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·DateOct 8, 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.

Alienated youths are more likely to lash out

Researchers found that alienation increases aggression in children who feel like outcasts after being rejected by peers. The study recruited students aged 10-13 and found they were more aggressive when receiving negative feedback.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 8, 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.

Louis A. Cassel to receive AIAA Missile Systems Award

Cassel is honored for his sustained technical contributions to missile systems, including hypersonic flight regimes and navigation systems. He developed innovative solutions such as jet interaction in hypersonic flight, aerodynamic control configurations, and optical sensors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics·DateOct 8, 2010

OncologyPRO: Unique portal for cancer specialists

The European Society for Medical Oncology launches OncologyPRO, a unique scientific portal providing instant access to high-quality scientific knowledge. The platform offers a range of services tailored to the specific needs of cancer specialists, improving their efficiency and patient outcomes.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateOct 8, 2010

NASA's Mobile Mars Laboratory almost ready for flight

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite is nearly ready for a December delivery to the Curiosity rover on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Once deployed, SAM will become an automated laboratory, assessing whether Mars ever supported microbial life.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 8, 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.

Taking a fresh look

A new study by Northwestern University researchers uses complex systems and computer modeling to better understand educational policies. The approach, which treats education as a complex system, has been applied to school choice and student tracking, revealing promising results in understanding policy implications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateOct 8, 2010

Plants kick-start evolutionary drama of Earth's oxygenation

A study published in PNAS reveals that large predatory fish and vascular plants emerged around 400 million years ago, coinciding with a significant increase in oxygen levels. This finding suggests that animals evolved under lower oxygen conditions than previously thought.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 8, 2010

Improving sonography requires improving sonography school admissions

A study by researchers at the University of Missouri has found that students' spatial abilities are crucial for success in sonography. Students with greater spatial abilities were more likely to score high on scanning proficiency tests over two semesters.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography·DateOct 8, 2010

Oxidation mechanisms at gold nanoclusters unraveled

New research evidence reveals gold nanoclusters can break the O-O bond by forming a novel one-dimensional gold-oxide phase. This mechanism is predicted to dominate at ambient conditions, enabling catalysts to use ambient oxygen in reaction processes.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 8, 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.

Chronic Disease Alliance receives European Health Award 2010

The Chronic Disease Alliance, a coalition of 10 European health organizations, has been recognized for its efforts to improve the prevention of chronic diseases at the European level. The alliance has produced a policy paper that identifies central causes of chronic diseases and furnishes action proposals on how to combat their spread.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateOct 8, 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.

Popular prostate cancer treatment associated with bone decay

Researchers found that androgen deprivation therapy is associated with structural decay of cortical and trabecular bone in men with prostate cancer. The study used virtual bone biopsies to assess bone microarchitecture and found a link between testosterone deficiency and increased fracture risk.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 8, 2010

NASA sees Otto become eighth hurricane of the Atlantic season

Otto intensified into the Atlantic Ocean's 8th hurricane on October 8, bringing heavy rainfall to the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm is expected to strengthen due to light wind shear and warm waters but may weaken when it encounters cooler waters.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 8, 2010
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Large variations exist in end-of-life care in the intensive care unit; doctors must guard against subtle institutional pressures to withdraw life support

The article discusses the variations in end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICUs) and the need for clinicians to be aware of subtle institutional pressures and adapt their approach to individual patients. Key findings include differences in family involvement, communication styles, and attitudes toward withdrawing life support ac...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 8, 2010

Obese workers cost workplace more than insurance, absenteeism

A new study by Duke University researchers estimates the total value of lost job productivity due to health problems among U.S. full-time employees with obesity, which exceeds medical expenditures. The per capita cost of obesity is as high as $16,900 for obese women and $15,500 for obese men.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateOct 8, 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.

Got fish? Nutrition studies explore health benefits

Ongoing studies by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are investigating the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Research has shown that DHA and EPA, two essential fatty acids, can help protect against chronic diseases such as insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateOct 8, 2010

Children's agitation after surgery may be preventable

Temporary combativeness in anesthetized children may be prevented by reducing epinephrine production with specific drugs, according to a medical expert. This can improve post-surgery experience for both children and their families.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateOct 8, 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.

Researchers discover a new class of highly electronegative chemical species

A team of researchers has discovered hyperhalogens, which use superhalogens as building blocks around a metal atom. These chemicals have improved properties compared to halogens and may have applications in industries where large amounts of halogens are needed.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 8, 2010
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.

Critical/intensive care: Huge investments needed for increasing demand in rich and poor countries; UK has one of lowest numbers of intensive care beds per head in developed world

The UK faces a critical care crisis with one of the lowest numbers of intensive care unit beds, leading to concerns about its ability to cope with large-scale disasters. Increasing demand driven by ageing populations and lack of effective interventions will require huge investments for high-income and poor countries.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 8, 2010