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Science News for January 5, 2011


Different sources, same result

Scientists found that hepatocyte-like cells derived from iPS cells exhibit 80% similar gene expression to those from embryonic stem cells, but less than that of real human liver cells. The study suggests that further adaptation is needed for iPSC-derived hepatocytes to be used in treating liver diseases.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJan 5, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Catfish study reveals multiplicity of species

Researchers found that communities of similar-looking catfish often comprise multiple species, highlighting the hidden diversity and complexity of neotropical freshwater ecosystems. The discovery has significant implications for environmental conservation, as many rivers are facing large-scale development and habitat destruction.

SourceBangor University·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011

Oxygen's challenge to early life

Researchers found evidence of oxygen-poor ocean conditions lasting 2-4 million years after the first appearance of animals, suggesting fluctuating oxygen levels may have driven rapid evolutionary turnover during the Cambrian Period. This study provides new insights into how early life evolved and flourished on Earth.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011
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.

Exercise may lower risk of death for men with prostate cancer

A new study found that physical activity is associated with a lower risk of overall mortality and prostate cancer-specific mortality in men with prostate cancer. Men who did more vigorous activity had the lowest risk of dying from the disease.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 5, 2011

UConn cardiologists uncover new heart attack warning sign

Cardiologists at UConn Health Center have identified a protein fragment that can predict heart attack, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potentially life-saving treatment. The discovery could also lead to the development of new therapies to block cell death and preserve heart muscle function.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 5, 2011

Antibiotic resistance is not just genetic

Researchers discovered interplay between genetic and persistence mechanisms in bacteria, leading to novel effective treatments for multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. Persistence cells are temporarily hyper-resistant to antibiotics, causing treatment failure and contributing to chronic bacterial infections.

SourceMicrobiology Society·JournalJournal of Medical Microbiology·DateJan 5, 2011

Globally sustainable fisheries possible with co-management

A study finds that community-based co-management is key to sustaining aquatic resources and the livelihoods of communities depending on them. Co-management involves sharing responsibility for resources between governments and users, leading to successful and sustainable fisheries worldwide.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011

Scripps Research chemist devises new method to quantify protein changes

A Scripps Research chemist devised a new method to quantify changes in proteins resulting from stress, which could provide insights into disease progression and treatment. The technique focuses on cysteine S-hydroxylation, allowing researchers to monitor protein modifications at the individual cysteine site.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJan 5, 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.

New method for making large quantities of deuterium-depleted drinking water

Scientists in China have created a more eco-friendly and cost-effective way to produce deuterium-depleted drinking water, which may be beneficial for human health. The new technique uses a platinum catalyst to efficiently remove deuterium from water, reducing levels from 150 ppm to 125 ppm.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateJan 5, 2011

How studded winter tires may damage public health, as well as pavement

Studded winter tires grind away at road surfaces, generating dust particles linked to inflammation and diseases such as heart disease. Researchers found specific protein changes in cells related to road dust exposure, which could help understand the link between pavement dust and heart disease.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateJan 5, 2011

Study confirms 2 vaccine doses protect children from chickenpox

A new study confirms that two doses of the varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine provide excellent protection in children against this highly contagious and, in some cases, severe disease. The study found that the effectiveness of two doses of vaccine was 98.3 percent in protecting against varicella, significantly higher than one dose.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 5, 2011

Hepatitis C: In 2011, a predictive marker for response to therapy

Scientists have identified a protein biomarker that predicts the efficacy of hepatitis C treatment, enabling improved patient management. The discovery of IP-10 as a prognostic biomarker could lead to the development of a diagnostic test to distinguish between effective and ineffective treatments.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 5, 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.

Helicopter transport increases survival for seriously injured patients

Patients transported by helicopter from accident scenes are more likely to survive than those brought to trauma centers by ground ambulance. Despite being more severely injured, they require less hospital resource utilization and ultimately fare better than those transported by ground.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateJan 5, 2011

Major advance in MRI allows much faster brain scans

A new MRI technique has been developed that enables full three-dimensional brain scans in less than half a second, significantly reducing the scanning time. This breakthrough, made possible by combining two technical improvements, will have an immediate impact on research institutions worldwide and the Human Connectome Project.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 5, 2011

Deaths from anesthesia during childbirth plummet

A recent study found that the number of women dying from complications of anesthesia during childbirth has plummeted 59 percent, thanks to better monitoring and medical techniques. The risks associated with general anesthesia have been dramatically reduced, but regional anesthetic-related deaths have slightly increased.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 5, 2011

Mother's milk improves the physical condition of future adolescents

A study published in Journal of Nutrition found that breastfed adolescents had stronger leg muscles and better performance in horizontal jumping. Prolonged breastfeeding was associated with increased lower body explosive strength during adolescence.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateJan 5, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

January-February 2011 GSA Bulletin highlights

This issue of GSA Bulletin explores river geomorphology, submarine landslides, and paleoclimatic analysis. Researchers examine the impact of a dome-building eruption on downstream channel aggradation in Oregon, as well as the age and genesis of the Sangamon/Loveland complex in the Lower Mississippi Valley.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeological Society of America Bulletin·DateJan 5, 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.

How to look younger without plastic surgery

Psychologists at Jena University discovered that adapting to faces of older people can make a person appear younger. The study found that viewing multiple faces of the same age group can influence age perception and lead to estimates that are systematically wrong.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalVision Research·DateJan 5, 2011

Women with MS more likely to have MS-related gene than men

A study of over 2,100 individuals with multiple sclerosis found that women were 1.4 times more likely to carry the HLA gene variant associated with MS than men. The researchers also discovered that women with this gene variant were more likely to pass it on to other women in their families.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 5, 2011

Is the hornet our key to renewable energy?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered that the hornet's body shell can harvest solar power due to its unique structure. The yellow and brown stripes on the abdomen enable a photo-voltaic effect, converting solar radiation into electric energy.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateJan 5, 2011

Faster, scalable method for producing AAV-based gene transfer vectors

A new, simplified method for producing large amounts of viral vector cassettes has been developed, overcoming previous limitations. This approach enables efficient packaging of single- or double-stranded AAV vectors and large AAV cassettes, paving the way for commercial production.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateJan 5, 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.

Rifaximin provides significant relief of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

A pair of clinical trials found that two weeks of rifaximin treatment significantly reduced IBS symptoms, including bloating and abdominal pain. The benefits persisted for 10 weeks after treatment was stopped, suggesting a potential underlying cause of IBS: alterations in gut bacteria.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 5, 2011

Consumers prefer products with few, and mostly matching, colors

In a study by Ohio State University, consumers preferred to use few colors for an entire shoe design, with an average of only four colors used. They also favored identical or similar colors for different elements, avoiding contrasting color combinations. A small minority chose to highlight one element with a contrasting color.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateJan 5, 2011

Biological joints could replace artificial joints soon

A team of researchers from University of Missouri and Columbia University successfully regenerates complete shoulder joint surfaces in animals using the patient's own cells. The new technique eliminates the need for multiple surgeries to harvest and implant cells, making it a promising alternative to metal and plastic joints.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 5, 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.

Widespread ancient ocean 'dead zones' challenged early life

Researchers found evidence of ancient ocean 'dead zones,' where oxygen levels were low, around 499 million years ago. This challenges the long-held assumption that oceans became oxygen-rich about 600 million years ago. The findings suggest that fluctuations in oxygen levels may have played a major role in shaping early animal evolution.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 2011

Carbon taxes are the answer to the stalled climate negotiations

Leading climate economist William Nordhaus advocates for carbon taxes as a means to achieve significant emissions reductions, citing economic inefficiency and ineffectiveness of cap-and-trade systems. A carbon tax could also provide a revenue source to curb budget deficits while meeting environmental objectives.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateJan 5, 2011

Violence against mothers linked to 1.8 million female infant and child deaths in India

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that domestic violence against mothers increases the risk of death among female children, but not male children, in India. The researchers attribute this disparity to lower investment in girl children, leading to a higher mortality rate for girls.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJan 5, 2011

Children in formal child care have better language skills

A recent study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that children in formal centre-based and family-based child care were less likely to be late talkers compared to those cared for at home. This effect was strongest between the ages of 1 to 1.5 years.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalEarly Child Development and Care·DateJan 5, 2011

Study of UK TB patients shows that some recover more quickly if their antibiotics are supplemented with high-dose vitamin D

A new study found that supplementing antibiotics with high-dose vitamin D can significantly reduce the time needed for TB bacteria to clear from sputum culture by almost a week in patients with specific genetic profiles. The treatment improved response in those with the tt genotype of the TaqI vitamin D receptor polymorphism.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 5, 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.

IDSA announces first guidelines for treatment of MRSA infections

The Infectious Diseases Society of America has released its first-ever guidelines for the treatment of MRSA, which may mean not prescribing antibiotics for less complicated forms of infection. The guidelines address treatment of both common and invasive MRSA, a potentially deadly infection responsible for 18,000 deaths annually.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 5, 2011

Household sewage: Not waste, but a vast new energy resource

Scientists report that household sewage has nearly 20% more energy potential than previously estimated, offering a new avenue for extracting methane, hydrogen, and other fuels from wastewater. The discovery could transform treatment facilities into energy sources, reducing their energy drain.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 5, 2011

Bacteria eyed for possible role in atherosclerosis

Bacteria, specifically Enterobacter hormaechei, found in excised atherosclerotic plaque tissue of patient who suffered a heart attack. The data suggest that chronic infection may underlie the process of atherosclerosis.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis·DateJan 5, 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.

New findings show vitamin D accelerates recovery from TB

New research shows vitamin D can speed up antibiotic treatment of tuberculosis (TB), clearing bacteria from the lungs in just 5 weeks for certain patients. Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among TB patients, and those with a specific genetic type of vitamin D receptor responded better to supplementation.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 5, 2011

Where MRSA colonizes on the human body

A Rhode Island Hospital study found that culturing the nose is more likely to reveal MRSA than other body sites, and a strong correlation exists between nasal MRSA quantity and colonization at other sites. The researchers suggest screening the nose and groin for MRSA yields the highest yield.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateJan 5, 2011

Protective properties of green tea uncovered

Researchers at Newcastle University found that the compounds in green tea are more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer's development when digested by enzymes in the gut. The study also suggests that these compounds have anti-cancer properties, slowing down the growth of tumour cells.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalPhytomedicine·DateJan 5, 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.

Gesturing while talking helps change your thoughts

Researchers found that gesturing while talking changes how people think by providing a visual clue to their mental state. This effect is particularly pronounced when discussing abstract concepts like mathematics or physics.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateJan 5, 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.

'Smart grid' would save energy, cut costs for US consumers

A new smart grid system aims to optimize energy use, allowing consumers to control their appliances and use electricity during off-peak hours. The proposed 'time of use' pricing strategy could lead to significant cost savings for US households.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 5, 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.

Filtering kitchen wastewater for plants

Researchers in India have found that various kitchen waste water filtration systems can produce clean water suitable for agricultural or horticultural use. Ceramic microfiltration membrane systems with physicochemical treatments such as biotreatment and adsorption showed promising results, removing up to 98% of BOD and 99% of COD.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Technology and Management·DateJan 5, 2011

Newly developed cloak hides underwater objects from sonar

University of Illinois researchers create an acoustic cloak that hides underwater objects from detection, using metamaterials to manipulate sound waves. The technology has potential applications in military stealth, soundproofing, and medical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 5, 2011

This new year, how motivated are you?

A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that personal motivation is a crucial factor in determining how quickly patients return to work following total knee replacement surgery. Motivated patients were able to return to work an average of 8.9 weeks after surgery, while those with lower motivation took longe...

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateJan 5, 2011

Prestigious journal validates Asian carp research

A team of researchers from the University of Notre Dame and The Nature Conservancy has successfully validated their environmental DNA (eDNA) technique for detecting invasive Asian carp in the Chicago-area waterway. This breakthrough method, which uses genetic material from aquatic organisms to identify species presence, has been hailed...

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalConservation Letters·DateJan 5, 2011

Graphene grains make atom-thick patchwork 'quilts'

Researchers imaged graphene grain boundaries using diffraction imaging electron microscopy, revealing that impurities are responsible for fluctuating electrical conductivity. Larger grains do not improve conductivity as previously thought, highlighting the importance of controlling impurities in graphene growth.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 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.