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Science News for June 3, 2011


Benefit of targeted lung cancer therapy confirmed

A clinical trial revealed crizotinib's effectiveness in shrinking tumors and improving responses in over 60% of ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. The treatment has shown dramatic benefits with minimal side effects, opening new avenues for targeted therapy.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateJun 3, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Paper and computer workarounds challenge but may improve health IT

Researchers found that clinicians created shadow processes to support their work when the computer system didn't meet their needs. Paper and pen workarounds were common, involving printed consultation notes or electronic spreadsheets outside of the electronic health record.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Informatics·DateJun 3, 2011

New strain of MRSA discovered

A new strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been discovered in both human and dairy cow populations. The genetic makeup of the new strain differs from previous strains, making current molecular tests ineffective in detecting it.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJun 3, 2011

Helping the aged during natural disasters

The elderly are more vulnerable to negative impacts of floods and natural disasters due to age-related disabilities and social circumstances. Research highlights the importance of considering age-related needs in emergency preparedness planning to ensure better outcomes.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Emergency Management·DateJun 3, 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.

Bacterial roundabouts determine cell shape

Researchers found that MreB proteins assemble into patches and move in circular paths along the inside of the cell membrane, relying on a functioning cell wall for movement. This discovery opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention and could lead to urgently needed alternatives to antibiotics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2011

Helping Latinos quit smoking: Miriam Hospital studies offers new insight

Researchers found that Latino smokers who have a significant other are more successful in quitting smoking, with approximately 46% of participants reporting success. The study also suggests that having a partner can buffer the negative effect of depression on smoking cessation.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·DateJun 3, 2011

Combination antibody therapy shows promise in metastatic melanoma

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute conducted a phase 1 clinical trial using ipilimumab and bevacizumab to treat advanced, inoperable melanomas. The trial showed that the combination of these two drugs was safe and potentially more effective than either drug alone.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateJun 3, 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.

How muscle develops: A dance of cellular skeletons

Muscle cell fusion is crucial for understanding normal muscle growth and regeneration after injury or disease. Johns Hopkins researchers discovered the role of a regulatory protein called Blown Fuse in facilitating muscle cell merging by disrupting the WASP-WIP protein duo, which regulates cytoskeleton dynamics.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 3, 2011

Cancer survivors can't shake pain, fatigue, insomnia, foggy brain

A Northwestern University study found that cancer survivors experience moderate to severe symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and disturbed sleep, often unaddressed by healthcare providers. Researchers emphasize the need for education programs and tailored interventions to manage these chronic symptoms.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJun 3, 2011

Novel geothermal technology packs a one-two punch against climate change

The novel CO2-plume geothermal system offers advantages over conventional geothermal systems, including increased efficiency and reduced risk of 'short-circuiting'. By using high-pressure CO2 as the underground heat-carrying fluid, CPG can be used in regions where traditional geothermal production is not feasible. This technology also ...

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·DateJun 3, 2011

Study finds vaccine extends recurrent GBM survival rates by 2 to 3 times

Researchers found that the HSPPC-96 vaccine for recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) extended median survival to 11 months, compared to the current three to five month survival rate. The vaccine showed a favorable safety profile and evoked a significant innate immune response in patients.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·DateJun 3, 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.

Unexpected results show no benefit from the addition of cetuximab to standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, but reveal that a large group of patients could benefit from treatment breaks (COIN trial)

The COIN trial found that standard chemotherapy with cetuximab does not improve progression-free survival or overall survival in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. However, taking treatment breaks without compromising survival improves quality of life for most patients.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 3, 2011

ACSM: Weight loss success in a 3-D virtual world

Participants lost similar weight and body fat, but the online group reported greater gains in behaviors promoting healthy lifestyles. They also showed increased confidence in physical activity, even in challenging situations.

SourceIndiana University·DateJun 3, 2011

Understanding cancer energetics

Cancer cells exploit a unique metabolic pathway fueled by sugar consumption to survive. Researchers identified HIF-1 as controlling gene expression in low-oxygen conditions, with PKM2 playing a crucial role in this process.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateJun 3, 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.

Moral responses change as people age

Research shows that moral responses differ across ages, with young children being more inclined to punish perpetrators for intentional harm versus accidental damage. As people mature, their brain's response to moral situations changes, becoming more tempered and reflecting on the values linked to outcomes and actions.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJun 3, 2011

USC researchers discover genetic mutation causing excessive hair growth

Researchers have discovered a chromosomal mutation responsible for a very rare condition called CGH, which causes individuals to grow excess hair on their bodies. The study found that the insertion of chromosome 5 into the X chromosome appears to turn on a gene, likely SOX3, leading to excessive hair growth.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJun 3, 2011

NASA watching 2 areas in the Caribbean, 1 is a rainmaker

A low pressure area in the far western Caribbean Sea shows signs of tropical cyclone development, with a near zero percent chance over the next 48 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center. A second low pressure area is expected to bring heavy rainfall and flash flooding to Jamaica, Haiti, and other parts of the Caribbean.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 3, 2011

Fast track to vascular disease

A study found that dendritic cells release CCL17, which drives atherosclerosis by restraining regulatory T-cell homeostasis. The researchers used transgenic mice to demonstrate the role of CCL17 in promoting atherosclerosis.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 3, 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.

FSU scientist leads research on AIDS-related cancer

AIDS-related cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, is a frequent harbinger of HIV, with FSU scientist Dr. Fanxiu Zhu leading research on the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) to develop targeted therapies. His work focuses on viral proteins, including ORF45, which plays a crucial role in infection and immune evasion.

SourceFlorida State University·DateJun 3, 2011

Emergency department physicians growing weary of frequent users

A survey of 418 ED physicians found that 59% acknowledge less empathy for frequent users, who visit the ED at least 10 times a year. The study highlights the challenges posed by these patients and the need for hospital administrators to develop programs to manage their care.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateJun 3, 2011

Vaccine first to show improved survival rates for metastatic melanoma

A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that a vaccine combined with Interleukin-2 improves response rate and progression-free survival for patients with advanced melanoma. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack tumor cells, resulting in increased survival rates.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJun 3, 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.

NIH scientists reactivate immune cells exhausted by chronic HIV

Researchers at NIH have demonstrated how to reactivate immune cells exhausted by chronic HIV using siRNA-based approach. This breakthrough may lead to improved human antibody responses against HIV and other pathogens.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 3, 2011

Study links empathy, self-esteem, and autonomy with increased sexual enjoyment

A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers found a positive association between key developmental assets (self-esteem, autonomy, and empathy) and measures of sexual pleasure among young adults. The findings suggest that these assets may enable individuals to experience higher levels of sexual pleasure, particularly in men.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJun 3, 2011

New strategy to combat cystitis

Researchers have identified a new target for combating cystitis: the thread-like structures on E. coli bacteria that adhere to bladder cells. Understanding this mechanism can lead to the development of new antibiotics, offering hope for treating recurring urinary tract infections.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 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.

River mystery solved

Researchers uncover the mechanism by which Didymo 'scrubs' phosphorus from streams and rivers, making it available for growth. This study solves the puzzle of Didymo blooms in low-nutrient waterways.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 3, 2011

Matching targeted therapies to tumor's specific gene mutations key to personalized cancer treatment

Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that customizing targeted therapies based on a patient's specific gene mutations can lead to higher response rates, survival, and failure-free survival compared to non-matched patients. This approach has shown promise in treating solid tumors with gene aberrations.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateJun 3, 2011

Not all hospitals treat elderly the same

A study found that hospitals prioritize young patients over elderly ones, highlighting the need for tailored care and more geriatricians in Canada.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJun 3, 2011

Study confirms long-lasting anticancer benefit of zoledronic acid for women with early-stage breast cancer

Women with early-stage hormone receptor-sensitive breast cancer who received zoledronic acid alongside standard hormone therapy had a significantly lower risk of cancer returning (32%) compared to those on hormone therapy alone. The treatment's anticancer benefit persisted even after stopping treatment for over two years.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJun 3, 2011