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Science News for April 15, 2011


Molecular messages from the antennae

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology sequenced the antennal transcriptome of the tobacco hornworm moth, revealing specific proteins involved in olfaction. The study identifies 18 odorant binding proteins and 21 chemosensory proteins, providing new insights into the insect's ability to detect and process odor molecules.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2011

Mortality rate is increased in persons with autism who also have epilepsy

A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology found that brain donors with autism and epilepsy had a significantly higher mortality rate than those with autism alone, increasing by over 800%. The research highlights the importance of early identification of epilepsy in children with autism.

SourceAutism Speaks·JournalJournal of Child Neurology·DateApr 15, 2011
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.

Breast cancer prognosis goes high tech

Researchers at the University of Calgary developed a new digital tool using fractal dimension analysis to assess breast cancer tumours. The method provides an objective and reproducible measure of tissue abnormality and aggressiveness, promising more accurate risk assessment and therapeutic decisions.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·DateApr 15, 2011

Study examines new treatment for recurrent urinary tract infections

A new probiotic treatment has been shown to reduce the rate of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. The study found that women who received a Lactobacillus crispatus intravaginal suppository had lower infection rates compared to those who received a placebo.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 15, 2011

Genital herpes more virulent in Africa than in US

Researchers found that vaccine candidates were more efficacious against US-strain genital herpes, while African viruses required higher doses for similar protection. The study's findings offer hope for developing a potent vaccine to prevent HIV transmission in Africa.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateApr 15, 2011
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.

The watched pot and fast CMEs

Solar activity has increased significantly after a three-year period of minimal sunspot activity, signaling the start of Solar Cycle 24. The longest recorded period of inactivity began in 2008 and lasted until this year.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 15, 2011

Secrets of a precision protein machine

A Berkeley Lab-led team has solved the structure of human FEN1, a key player in DNA replication and repair. The study reveals how FEN1 binds to DNA, opens it by severely bending the template strand, and prepares flaps for joining to new fragments.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalCell·DateApr 15, 2011
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Twitter and natural disasters

The study found that Twitter users in disaster-stricken areas tended to tweet about their unsafe situation, while those in remote areas posted updates to let their followers know they were safe. The researchers also identified numerous unreliable retweets and low signal-to-noise ratio for messages using hashtags.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Web Based Communities·DateApr 15, 2011

Researchers link alcohol-dependence impulsivity to brain anomalies

A new study found that impulsive choice in alcohol dependence may be linked to functional anomalies in brain regions involved in cognitive and emotional control. Individuals with more severe AUDs showed increased activity in regions such as the insula and supplementary motor area when delaying gratification.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateApr 15, 2011

Large study finds ICS therapy reduces pneumonia mortality

A large retrospective analysis of 15,768 COPD patients found that ICS therapy significantly reduced all-cause mortality, particularly at 90-day intervals. This study contradicts previous expert assumptions and provides new insights into the use of ICS in pneumonia treatment.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 15, 2011

Ag firms outperform S&P 500

Agricultural companies have shown a stable and profitable performance over the past several years, outperforming the S&P 500 index with an 8.6% market value increase from 2007 to 2011. The top-performing sectors were fertilizer, equipment, and seed and genetic companies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·DateApr 15, 2011
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.

Search for dark matter narrowed by new data from XENON100

The XENON collaboration has announced results from a 100-day experiment, revealing no evidence of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), leading candidates for dark matter. The high sensitivity achieved by the XENON100 detector may allow future detection in the near future.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateApr 15, 2011

Human rules may determine environmental 'tipping points'

A new study finds that human responses to a changing environment determine environmental tipping points in ecosystems. Regulatory choices can influence behavior and alter ecosystem outcomes. Strong institutional support is crucial for effective management.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 15, 2011

Preserving a world favorite flavour

Scientists at the University of Nottingham's Malaysia campus are working on a new method to improve the commercial production of vanilla plants through tissue culture. The research aims to overcome issues with genetic instability in micropropagated sub-clones, which can lead to reduced quality and yield.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateApr 15, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain bypass surgery sparks restoration of lost brain tissue

Researchers observed a 5.1% increase in brain tissue thickness after brain bypass surgery, reversing loss and improving neurocognitive function in patients with impaired blood flow. The study offers hope for treating chronic cerebrovascular disease and its associated neurocognitive impairment.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalStroke·DateApr 15, 2011

Nationwide study finds US meat and poultry is widely contaminated

A nationwide study found nearly half of US meat and poultry samples contaminated with drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can cause serious illnesses like pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive inspection program.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 15, 2011

Another reason not to binge drink

A Loyola University Health System study found that binge drinking can change the body's immune system response to orthopaedic injury, complicating trauma care. This means that measuring chemical markers in the blood may be misleading when alcohol is involved.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateApr 15, 2011

Childhood eczema and hay fever leads to adult allergic asthma

A new study found that children with eczema are nine times more likely to develop allergic asthma in their 40s. The research, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggests that preventing childhood eczema and hay fever may prevent adult asthma.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 15, 2011
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.

Blood test could predict metastasis risk in melanoma

A blood test has identified seven plasma biomarkers that can predict the risk of metastasis in melanoma patients. The test was tested on 216 individuals and showed a high accuracy rate of 0.898, indicating its potential for use in clinical settings.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateApr 15, 2011

How beliefs shape effort and learning

A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with different theories of intelligence evaluate their own learning differently. Entity theorists tend to disengage when faced with challenges, while incremental theorists believe more time and effort can lead to better results.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 15, 2011

When it comes to carbon footprints, location and lifestyle matter

A new study by researchers at UC Berkeley reveals that who you are and where you live significantly affect which activities have the largest impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An online calculator allows households to track and reduce their carbon footprint by analyzing location, lifestyle, and household type.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 15, 2011

NIH researchers complete whole-exome sequencing of skin cancer

Researchers from the NIH have completed a comprehensive genome analysis of skin cancer, revealing key mutations that contribute to melanoma. The study identified 16 genes deemed to be melanoma driver mutations, including the oncogene BRAF and the ionotropic glutamate receptor gene GRIN2A.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 15, 2011
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.

Non-cardiac surgery: Safe for patients with heart device

A study at Henry Ford Hospital found that non-cardiac surgery can be performed safely in patients with a heart device. The study looked at the management of blood-thinning medication and found no complications due to bleeding or device malfunctions.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateApr 15, 2011

SLU neurosurgeon pushes brain bypass to new heights

SLU professor of neurosurgery Saleem Abdulrauf's high-flow brain bypass procedure improves treatment outcomes by reducing invasive procedures and maintaining blood flow in the brain. The technique is built upon the original brain bypass surgery developed in the 1960s and has been recognized for its potential to minimize recovery time.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalNeurosurgery·DateApr 15, 2011

Israeli media increase division between people

A study by Matt Evans finds that Israeli media frame information to separate secular and religious Jewish communities, using techniques such as selective reporting and emotive language. This division is not limited to Israel, with similar framing tactics observed in the US media.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Middle East Journal·DateApr 15, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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