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Science News for January 7, 2011


Quality of life measures in breast cancer clinical trials

Quality of life measures are most useful in breast cancer clinical trials using non-biomedical interventions. The authors recommend including QOL measures as secondary endpoints in adjuvant therapy trials for vulnerable populations or when minimal survival difference is expected.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 7, 2011

Statistical analysis can estimate crop performance

Researchers at Rothamsted Research and ICARDA developed a method to account for spatial trend in single crop field trials, improving accuracy on line performance estimates. The new approach can significantly enhance precision in estimating crop yield and characteristics.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateJan 7, 2011

Grape ingredient resveratrol increases beneficial fat hormone

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio found that resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone with wide-ranging benefits for obesity-related medical complications. This discovery provides important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for these diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 2011

Lessons learned from oil rig disaster

A lack of safety procedures was identified as a factor behind the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Norwegian regulation, which relies on internal control and trust between companies and unions, is more robust than the US model, with fewer near-accidents resulting in disasters.

SourceUniversity of Stavanger·DateJan 7, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Increasing diversity of future life science researchers

The IUPUI School of Science has received a $943,000 NSF grant to establish an Undergraduate Research Mentoring in the Biological Sciences program. The two-year fellowships will provide students from underrepresented groups with research experience and mentorship in biosignaling.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·DateJan 7, 2011

Most consumers want predictive tests to learn if a disease is in their future

A national survey found that 76% of people would take a predictive test to learn about their future health risks, with willingness to pay varying by disease type and accuracy. Respondents were more likely to pay for tests related to breast and prostate cancer, and were willing to alter lifestyle choices after receiving positive results.

SourceInHealth: The Institute for Health Technology Studies·JournalHealth Economics·DateJan 7, 2011

Researchers pinpoint origin of deadly brain tumor

Scientists have pinpointed the type of cell responsible for brain tumors known as oligodendrogliomas, a category of malignant brain tumors. The tumor originates in and spreads through glial progenitor cells, which are often referred to as 'daughter' cells of stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateJan 7, 2011

Tango mandarins to appear this month in produce aisles

The University of California, Riverside has developed a seedless mandarin variety called Tango, which is virtually free from seeds and diseases. The fruit, created through an induced mutation process, boasts a deep orange color and tangy-sweet flavor.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJan 7, 2011

More than 3,000 survivors of the WTC attacks experience long-term post-traumatic stress disorder

Researchers found that nearly 95.6% of 3,271 civilian WTC survivors reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and 15% screened positive for PTSD two years after the disaster. The study identified five predictors of PTSD: late evacuation initiation, high floor exposure, dust cloud exposure, personal horror, and employer fatalities.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJan 7, 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.

A pesky bacterial slime reveals its survival secrets

Scientists at Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery about biofilm colonies, which exhibit an unprecedented ability to repel liquids and vapors. The researchers believe that the secret to their resiliency lies in their unique liquid-repellent surface.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2011

Evidence lacking for widespread use of costly antipsychotic drugs, says Stanford researcher

A new study by Stanford researchers found that many prescriptions for atypical antipsychotic medications lack strong evidence, yet these drugs can cause serious side effects like weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. The study also identified a significant amount of off-label use, with $6 billion spent on such prescriptions in 2008.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalPharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety·DateJan 7, 2011

MicroRNA-TP53 circuit connected to chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A study discovered a microRNA-TP53 circuit that explains the link between chromosome deletion and less aggressive forms of CLL. MicroRNAs miR-15a and miR-16-1 inhibit tumor-suppressing gene TP53, while its increased expression leads to indolent CLL. This mechanism may also contribute to chemotherapy resistance.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJAMA·DateJan 7, 2011

Liver disease a possible predictor of stroke: Study

A study by St. Michael's Hospital researchers found that people with fatty liver disease are three times more likely to suffer a stroke than those without the condition. High levels of liver enzymes were also found in adults who had an acute stroke, suggesting a potential link between the two.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalEpidemiology·DateJan 7, 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.

Bendy tubes get around

Rice University researchers settle a long-standing controversy in polymer dynamics by proving that flexibility enhances the mobility of stiff filaments. The study shows that nanotubes and other fine filaments can navigate through crowded environments and fixed networks with ease, paving the way for new sensing technologies.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2011

Study finds energy limits global economic growth

A study published in BioScience finds strong correlations between energy consumption per person and gross domestic product per person across countries and over time. Researchers conclude that increasing energy supply is necessary to meet projected world population growth without compromising living standards.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJan 7, 2011

Link between signaling molecules could point way to therapies for epilepsy, stroke, other diseases

Scientists from UT Health Science Center San Antonio discovered a relationship between phosphoinositide kinases and calcium ions in nerve cells, which could lead to treatments for neurological disorders. The study's findings have implications for epilepsy, stroke, dementia, hypertension, mental illness, and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 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.

American Mathematical Society to award prizes

The American Mathematical Society will award numerous prestigious prizes to recognize outstanding achievements in mathematics. These awards include the AMS Steele Prize, which honors lifetime achievement and mathematical exposition.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateJan 7, 2011

College students lack scientific literacy, study finds

Most college students fail to grasp fundamental scientific principles like the carbon cycle and conservation of matter, leading to inaccurate explanations and environmental issue ignorance. The study calls for improved teaching methods to enhance students' understanding of essential biological concepts.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalBioScience·DateJan 7, 2011

Study shows promise for new drug to treat Fragile X

A new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a drug called AFQ056, developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, showed promising results in treating Fragile X syndrome. The treatment improved symptoms in some patients with a specific DNA marker, and was well-tolerated without safety problems.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 7, 2011

Blame the 'chaperone'

A Jackson Laboratory research team has identified a mutation in a gene essential for correct protein-processing, which disrupts cellular development and growth. The study found that defects in the chaperone proteins lead to photoreceptor degeneration, central nervous system abnormalities, and male infertility.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 7, 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.