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Science News for April 28, 2011


Fish livers contain beneficial fatty acids

A new study confirms that fish livers contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to health and have been found in high levels in certain species. The researchers highlight the nutritional properties of these organs and suggest that their use could reduce environmental pollution caused by discarding fish entrails.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Food Composition and Analysis·DateApr 28, 2011

Mutations in single gene may have shaped human cerebral cortex

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that mutations in a single gene, centrosomal NDE1, may have played a key role in shaping the human cerebral cortex. The research found that these genetic variations were responsible for microcephaly, a condition characterized by abnormally small brains.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 28, 2011

Alcohol, mood and me (not you)

A new study uses long-term data to discover that the relationship between mood and alcohol use varies greatly among individuals. Adolescents with behavioral problems tend to drink more regardless of their mood, while those without behavioral issues exhibit a stronger link between depression and increased drinking when feeling down.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateApr 28, 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.

Video captures cellular 'workhorses' in action

Scientists at Yale University used fluorescent stains to create movies of cellular actin filaments disassembling, shedding light on their mysterious process. The study reveals the location of breaks along the filaments, crucial for cell movement and maintenance.

SourceYale University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Study: Cotton swabs prove problematic for ear health

A study by Henry Ford Hospital found a direct association between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum. In most cases, the rupture heals within two months without surgery, but in severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary to repair the eardrum.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateApr 28, 2011

A tale of 2 lakes: One gives early warning signal for ecosystem collapse

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have detected an unmistakable warning sign of an impending ecological catastrophe in a remote Wisconsin lake. The team, led by ecologist Stephen Carpenter, monitored vital signs across three years and found subtle changes in the system's natural patterns of variability, indicating a reg...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reducing risk of renal failure in obese patients

A new study by the American Society of Nephrology found that ramipril lowers the risk of kidney disease progression in all weight groups, but shows a significant reduction in obese patients. Obese patients with kidney disease progress more quickly towards renal failure compared to non-obese patients.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 28, 2011

Inverting a standard experiment sometimes produces different results

A recent study by Washington University in St. Louis scientist Younan Xia found that nanoparticles above certain sizes and weights settle, altering the concentration near cell surfaces and resulting in higher cellular uptake rates. This discovery may invalidate prior experiments on nanoparticle toxicity and dosimetry.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 28, 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.

Wayne State student awarded prestigious NSF graduate research fellowship

Wayne State doctoral student Keith Zabel has been awarded a prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship to study the impact of racial bias on mentorship. His research aims to determine if prejudice towards black mentors affects protégé outcomes, with potential implications for mentoring literature.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateApr 28, 2011

Use of costly breast cancer therapy strongly influenced by reimbursement policy

A study found that Medicare reimbursement policy significantly affects the use of costly breast cancer therapy, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The analysis showed a sharp increase in IMRT usage and costs between 2001 and 2005, with billing rates varying by region and treatment setting.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateApr 28, 2011

2 unsuspected proteins may hold the key to creating artificial chromosomes

Researchers discover CENP-C and CENP-T proteins, which are essential for kinetochore assembly and can potentially overcome the current obstacle of outfitting artificial chromosomes with kinetochores. This finding could lead to new genetic research tools and efficient creation of artificial human chromosomes.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateApr 28, 2011

Scientists detect early warning signal for ecosystem collapse

Researchers detected a warning signal of impending ecosystem collapse in a Wisconsin lake by monitoring its complex signals and biological community changes. The study provides evidence that radical change can be foreseen, potentially preventing ecological catastrophe.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 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.

Taking safety personally

Psychologist E. Scott Geller advocates for a culture of safety that empowers workers to report hazards and encourages positive reinforcement over threats. He argues that root causes are complex and multi-factorial, and that listening to workers can lead to safer workplaces.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateApr 28, 2011
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.

Jump in communication skills led to species explosion in electric fishes

Researchers found that advancements in brain anatomy and signal processing allowed mormyrids to fully exploit electric signal space, leading to rapid speciation. The study revealed two equally parsimonious ways to reconstruct the fish's evolutionary history, challenging current understanding of brain development.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2011
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.

Mystery solved: How sickle hemoglobin protects against malaria

Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia unravel the molecular mechanism of sickle cell trait's protective effect against malaria. Sickle hemoglobin induces heme oxygenase-1, which produces carbon monoxide to protect infected hosts from cerebral malaria.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalCell·DateApr 28, 2011

Being tall, obese may significantly increase risk of blood clots in deep veins

Research found a significant association between tall stature, obesity, and increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in both men and women. The study analyzed data from over 26,700 adults and found that being tall and obese may increase the risk of blood clots in deep veins by up to 5.28 times for men and 2.77 times for women.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateApr 28, 2011

Shielding body protects brain from 'shell shocking' blast injuries

Researchers discovered that wearing body armor fully protected mice brains from axonal nerve cell damage in critical parts of the brain. Body armor shielded mice from over 80% of axonal damage observed in the brain's visual pathways.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology·DateApr 28, 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.

NASA's Swift and Hubble probe asteroid collision debris

Asteroid Scheila unexpectedly brightened with short-lived plumes after being struck by a smaller asteroid, according to data from NASA's Swift satellite and Hubble Space Telescope. The collision created a crater 1,000 feet across and ejected over 660,000 tons of dust.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 28, 2011

5-minute screen identifies subtle signs of autism in 1-year olds

A new screening tool has been introduced to identify subtle signs of autism in 1-year-old children during well-baby check-ups. The 5-minute checklist is designed to be adopted by pediatricians nationwide and has shown high accuracy rates, enabling early diagnosis and treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateApr 28, 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.

As the worm turns, its secrets are revealed

A new method developed by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has revealed functional gene networks in a live organism. The technique allows for the prediction of gene functions and could be useful for understanding human disease.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell·DateApr 28, 2011

JAMA study reports on fatty liver disease in children and teens

A new study published in JAMA found that neither vitamin E nor the diabetes drug metformin successfully reduced liver enzymes in children and teens with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, a biopsy of the liver showed improvement in injury pattern with vitamin E therapy in patients with severe fatty liver disease. The study high...

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateApr 28, 2011

Social bonding in prairie voles helps guide search for autism treatments

Researchers at Emory University are exploring the use of prairie voles to identify drugs that can enhance social learning in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The study found that giving female voles D-cycloserine promotes pair bonding, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic tool for treating autism.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 28, 2011

Monkey recall memory mirrors that of humans

A study demonstrates that monkeys can recall and reproduce simple shapes from memory, mirroring the performance of humans using a standard recall test. This finding suggests that recollection might be an adaptive ability in primates long before humans evolved.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 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.

Our own status affects the way our brains respond to others

A new study found that people with higher social status respond more strongly to information about others of higher status, while those with lower status respond more strongly to information about others of lower status. This effect is linked to the brain's value system and has important implications for social behavior and interactions.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 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.

Nanotechnologists must take lessons from nature

Researchers Peter Cummings and Michael Simpson propose that mimicking natural processes can lead to more efficient and reliable devices. By exploiting contrarian behavior and 'noise,' scientists can develop technology that outperforms traditional methods, as seen in the humble bacterial cell's ability to withstand modern medicines.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 28, 2011

TRMM Satellite sees massive thunderstorms in severe weather system

The TRMM satellite detected massive thunderstorms and very heavy rainfall along a powerful cold front moving through the eastern United States on April 28, 2011. Tornadoes spawned by these storms caused significant loss of life, with at least 128 deaths in Alabama and 15 in Georgia.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 28, 2011

Green light for flu vaccine in transplant recipients

A study found that flu vaccination in transplant patients lowers risk of organ loss and death. Vaccination is safe and effective, contradicting earlier concerns about its impact on transplanted organs.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 28, 2011

How do white blood cells detect invaders to destroy?

Cedars-Sinai researchers discovered how white blood cells identify invading fungi, using the molecular receptor Dectin-1. This finding sheds light on the immune system's ability to mount a response against pathogens.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 28, 2011
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Animals have personalities, too

A new study found that animal personalities are reflected in their oxidative stress profiles, with timid birds experiencing higher levels of damaging oxygen toxins and weaker defenses. In contrast, curious birds had better defences against oxidative damage.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Prejudice and the President

A University of Delaware doctoral student conducted a study on how racial prejudice affects perceptions of President Barack Obama's 'Americanism' and performance. The results show that white Americans who hold prejudiced views against black people are more likely to rate Obama as performing poorly in office.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 2011
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.

Dr. Michael Collins publishes paper on ivory-billed woodpecker

The article reports on audio recordings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker captured by Dr. Michael Collins, which match historical descriptions. The footage shows characteristics consistent with the species, including a large crest and rared-back posture.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateApr 28, 2011

1 drug, many targets: Is this the future?

Researchers have identified multiple molecular targets of the anti-HIV drug nelfinavir, which may explain its effectiveness as a cancer therapy. The study, published in PLOS Computational Biology, suggests that the collective effect of these weak interactions leads to the clinical efficacy of nelfinavir.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Eddies found to be deep, powerful modes of ocean transport

Researchers have discovered that massive ocean eddies can reach the ocean bottom at mid-ocean ridges, transporting larvae, chemicals, and heat. This phenomenon helps explain how larvae travel huge distances from one vent area to another.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 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.

From the beginning, the brain knows the difference between night and day

Researchers found that infants' brains develop the ability to determine light and dark cycles independently of visual stimuli. The study suggests that this innate ability is a hard-wired feature of development, allowing animals to synchronize their circadian rhythms with daily changes in light exposure.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 28, 2011

Catching signs of autism early: The 1-year well-baby check-up approach

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, developed a novel screening approach to detect Autism Syndrome Disorder (ASD) in babies at 1-year check-ups. The 'One-Year Well-Baby Check Up Approach' has shown a positive predictive value of 75% using a simple, five-minute screening technique.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateApr 28, 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.

Finding molecular targets of an HIV drug used in cancer therapy

Researchers have identified potential human molecular targets of Nelfinavir, an anti-HIV drug also effective as a cancer therapy. The study suggests that the collective effect of weak interactions with multiple protein kinases leads to clinical efficacy.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

Monkeys, too, can recollect what they've seen

Rhesus monkeys demonstrated flexible recall of simple shapes from memory, similar to humans, and showed ability to transfer memory skill to novel shapes. This finding suggests that the ability to recollect may have been present in our common ancestor 30 million years ago.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 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.

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.