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Science News for April 26, 2011


Researchers identify key players in cancer cells' survival kit

Cancer cells survive by ignoring signals to become senescent and continuing to make copies of themselves at will. Researchers discovered a molecular switch required for entry into quiescence and senescence, which may provide new targets for cancer treatment and help develop neurons in infants with Down syndrome.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalUltrasonic Imaging·DateApr 26, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NIST seeks improved recovery of samples from biohazard events

Researchers at NIST found that polyester-rayon wipes and extraction solutions with surfactants improve spore recovery efficiency. The team discovered that vortexing is more effective than sonication in removing spores.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 26, 2011

Brain imaging demonstrates that former smokers have greater willpower

A recent study found that former smokers have increased activity in prefrontal regions related to controlling behavior, suggesting a link between quitting smoking and enhanced cognitive control. This research highlights the importance of cognitive skills in overcoming addiction and may inform more effective smoking cessation therapies.

SourceElsevier·JournalNeuroImage·DateApr 26, 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.

Understanding how glasses 'relax' provides some relief for manufacturers

A NIST study reveals that glass transition process is related to molecules moving in long strings around frozen atoms, influencing viscosity. The team's computer model confirms this relationship and provides a firm computational underpinning for material design.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 26, 2011

Fitness and frailty in adults linked to health outcomes

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that frailty increases exponentially with age throughout adulthood, not just after 65. Relatively fit individuals had lower mortality rates and used fewer healthcare services than those who were frail.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 26, 2011

Evidence of medical complicity in torture at Guantánamo Bay

A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that medical personnel at Guantánamo Bay failed to investigate and document causes of physical injuries and psychological symptoms in detainees. The review of nine cases corroborates allegations of torture, highlighting a breach of fundamental human rights.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 26, 2011

'Explosive' evolution in pupfish

A new study by UC Davis found that two groups of pupfish from the Bahamas and Yucatan peninsula show extreme evolutionary changes, adapting to specialized diets in just a short period. The research suggests that these rapid evolutions are unique to these specific environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEvolution·DateApr 26, 2011
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.

Canada faces obesity epidemic, legislative changes are vital

Overweight children and young adults are on the rise in Canada, with more than 60% of adults being overweight or obese. Legislative approaches, such as taxing junk food and improving nutritional labeling, are proposed to combat obesity.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateApr 26, 2011

Vitamin D unlocks racial differences in blood pressure

A new study identifies vitamin D as a potential contributor to the racial disparity in blood pressure between Blacks and Whites. The research found that low vitamin D levels were associated with elevated blood pressure readings, accounting for a quarter of the difference between the two groups.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 26, 2011

Developing biocontrols to contain a voracious pest

Researchers are testing a fungal pathogen and releasing non-stinging wasps to control the emerald ash borer, which has devastated forests and tree-lined neighborhoods. The fungus, Beauveria bassiana, kills beetles when applied to infested trees before wasps are released.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalEnvironmental Entomology·DateApr 26, 2011

Novel ash analysis validates volcano no-fly zones

A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Iceland developed a protocol for rapidly providing air traffic authorities with data on volcanic ash risks. The new method can provide safety assessment information in under 24 hours, reducing the difficulty faced by aviation authorities during eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 26, 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.

Diamonds shine in quantum networks

Researchers at the University of Calgary have successfully created a node in a quantum network using impurities in diamonds. Impurities in diamonds can be used to store information encoded onto their quantum state, which can be controlled and read out using light.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 26, 2011

Mouth as the gateway to your body

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common oral bacteria, facilitates disease and infection spreading from the mouth through the bloodstream. This bacterium is linked to increased risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and stillbirth.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateApr 26, 2011
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.

RAD-tagging technology is demystifying genome sequencing

Researchers have developed a novel technique called RAD paired-end contigs that enables rapid and accurate genome assembly. This method uses restriction-site associated DNA markers to identify and assemble small sections of the genome, resulting in an efficient and minimally fragmented final product.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 26, 2011

Heaviest antimatter found

Physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider produce the heaviest antimatter, antihelium-4 nucleus, confirming existing theories about matter and antimatter properties. The discovery will aid in understanding the imbalance of matter and antimatter in the universe.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateApr 26, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Guns in the home provide greater health risk than benefit

A new study by David Hemenway found that gun ownership in homes increases the risk of accidents, suicide, homicide, and intimidation, outweighing any perceived benefits. Homes with children or women are disproportionately affected, with a higher risk of female homicide victimization.

SourceSAGE·JournalAmerican Journal of Lifestyle Medicine·DateApr 26, 2011

NTU and NAC launch first-of-its-kind Singapore Writing Residencies

The NTU-NAC Writing Residencies provide two writers-in-residence positions each year, allowing them to work on literary projects, teach and mentor students, and participate in literary activities. The program aims to support the development of Singapore literature and foster connections between local and global literatures.

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateApr 26, 2011

Scripps Research wins more than $2 million to study prostate cancer

Scripps Research and Moffitt Cancer Center collaborate on a $2.1 million grant to understand the origins of prostate cancer and develop novel treatments. The study aims to define how B cells control the spread of hormone-refractory cancer, potentially leading to effective treatments.

SourceScripps Research Institute·DateApr 26, 2011
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.

New 'nanobead' approach could revolutionize sensor technology

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach using magnetic nanobeads to detect chemical and biological agents, enabling rapid and accurate sensing in various fields. The technology has potential applications in bioterrorism detection, environmental monitoring, and medical diagnostics.

SourceOregon State University·DateApr 26, 2011

It's all about control

A new study published in Psychological Science found that people are willing to trade one source of control for the other. Researchers discovered that lacking power triggers a greater need for choice, while having an abundance of choice doesn't lead to striving for power. Having neither makes people distinctly dissatisfied.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 26, 2011

Caterpillars inspire new movements in soft robots

Researchers designed a soft-bodied robot, GoQBot, inspired by caterpillar ballistic rolling to achieve fast wheeling behaviors. The robot's unique movement mimics the caterpillar's ability to rapidly curl into a wheel and propel itself away from predators.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateApr 26, 2011

Antibiotic may prove beneficial to preterm infant lung health

A study published in Pediatric Pulmonology found that azithromycin can reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants colonized or infected with Ureaplasma bacteria. The treatment showed a 21% reduction in BPD development and death rates in treated infants, compared to placebo.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalPediatric Pulmonology·DateApr 26, 2011
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.

Unique AED pads give hearts a second chance

Rice University bioengineering students collaborate with the Texas Heart Institute to create unique AED pads that allow rescuers to try again without losing valuable time. The pads have been tested with 100% success rate and are being patented, with hopes of being picked up by an AED manufacturer for FDA approval.

SourceRice University·DateApr 26, 2011

Vitamin D may help explain racial differences in blood pressure

A recent study suggests that low vitamin D levels among black people may contribute to racial differences in hypertension. The research found that nearly 61% of blacks had vitamin D levels in the lowest one-fifth of the population sample, compared to 11% of whites.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 26, 2011
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Transferring doctors to heart attack patients improves outcomes

In a large Chinese city, interventional physicians transferred to patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) improved door-to-balloon time and survival rates. The study found that nearly 85% of patients received specialist care within a year, leading to better long-term outcomes.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 26, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Chernobyl's radioactivity reduced the populations of birds of orange plumage

Researchers found that radiation exposure led to population declines in birds with orangish plumage, as the pigment pheomelanin consumes antioxidants and diminishes their ability to combat oxidative stress. In contrast, some species with different melanin-based coloration showed positive effects from radiation.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalOecologia·DateApr 26, 2011

Motor protein may offer promise in ovarian cancer treatment

Researchers have found that over-expression of motor protein km23-1 can block human ovarian tumor growth, leading to eventual cancer cell death. This discovery offers promise for new therapies to treat ovarian cancer, a disease affecting U.S. women with an estimated 21,880 new cases and 13,850 deaths in 2010.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateApr 26, 2011
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.

Looks do matter, particularly when it comes to neighborhoods

Studies show that people judge urban neighborhood safety based on physical structures, but can be misled by ambiguities. Disordered neighborhoods tend to discourage cooperative behavior and negatively impact residents' self-esteem, highlighting the importance of community perception.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 26, 2011

Prey-tell: Why right whales linger in the Gulf of Maine

Research suggests right whales stay in Gulf of Maine area during spring due to vertical migration of copepods, allowing them to feed below surface. This behavior helps them outcompete herring for food, contradicting earlier thought that declining herring stocks would threaten their population

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateApr 26, 2011

Protein inhibitor may bring a topical treatment for HPV

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine have developed a protein-based inhibitor that blocks HPV protein expression in cell culture, paving the way for a topical treatment. The inhibitor, E2R, prevents viral gene transcription and has shown promise against various strains of HPV, including high-risk and low-risk types.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 26, 2011

Will minorities be left out of health care law provision?

Experts warn that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) could be designed to exclude minorities and widen health care disparities. Hospitals and practices may 'cherry-pick' wealthy institutions to form ACOs, leaving poor and minority-heavy patient populations behind.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateApr 26, 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.

Topical treatment may prevent melanoma

Researchers have found that repeated topical application of ISC-4 can reduce tumor cell expansion by 80-90% and decrease tumor development in mice skin by about 80%. The compound is safe and kills melanoma cells two to five times more effectively than normal cells.

SourcePenn State·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateApr 26, 2011

Study finds flame retardants at high levels in pet dogs

Researchers at Indiana University found significant levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the blood of pet dogs, with average concentrations about five to ten times higher than those found in humans. The study suggests that dogs may serve as 'biosentinels' for monitoring human exposure to flame retardants.

SourceIndiana University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 26, 2011

Cold case: Siberian hot springs reveal ancient ecology

Scientists studying hot springs in Siberia have found that exotic bacteria produce and consume carbon monoxide, a surprising twist that challenges previous theories about the evolution of Earth's atmosphere. The discovery has implications for understanding the Great Oxidation Event and the early history of our planet.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateApr 26, 2011