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Science News for March 11, 2011


DCIS patients who get invasive breast cancer have higher mortality

Women with DCIS who develop invasive breast cancer in the same breast have higher mortality rates, study finds. Radiation treatment after lumpectomy reduces risk of ipsilateral invasive breast cancer, while treatment with tamoxifen also offers protection.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateMar 11, 2011

Host change alters toxic cocktail

A fundamental change in the genome of leaf beetles has emerged, resulting in the loss of salicylaldehyde-producing enzyme salicyl alcohol oxidase in birch feeders. This adaptation allows birch beetles to save resources by not producing the enzyme, which is only needed for willow feeders.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2011

Research suggests HIV-infected patients at higher risk for bone fractures

A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV-infected patients have a higher risk of bone fractures compared to the general US population. The study analyzed data from over 5,800 HIV-infected patients and observed annual fracture rates 1.98-3.69 times greater than the general population.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateMar 11, 2011

Contrary to popular belief, not all cases of chronic pancreatitis are alcohol-induced

A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that chronic pancreatitis cases are not exclusively caused by alcohol consumption, with over 50% of patients having no identifiable cause. Genetic factors and environmental interactions may play a role in disease development.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateMar 11, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UCI's Dr. Bang H. Hoang, colleagues recognized for bone cancer research

Dr. Hoang's research aims to understand and explain the underlying mechanisms of tumor progression in osteosarcoma, a type of aggressive bone cancer that often relapses with low survival rates. The award recognizes his work advancing knowledge on how to develop therapies for patients with untreatable sarcomas.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateMar 11, 2011

Why are the elderly so vulnerable to pneunomia?

A study published in The Journal of Immunology reveals that the elderly are more susceptible to pneumonia and bacterial infections due to a decline in immune system cells. Researchers have found that macrophages and B cells, which fight bacteria, appear effective but are fewer in number, making them less effective. Developing targeted ...

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateMar 11, 2011

New technology to predict future appearance

A Concordia researcher has developed a highly effective computer program to age photographic images of people's faces, improving the accuracy of age-estimation for missing-child investigations and national security. The technique combines active appearance models and support vector regression to predict future facial appearance.

SourceConcordia University·DateMar 11, 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.

Extra iron doesn't help many pregnant women

A recent study found that daily iron supplements do not significantly increase hemoglobin levels in healthy pregnant women, but can help alleviate iron-poor blood conditions in Africa. Researchers followed over 1,000 pregnant women and discovered that all participants ended with similar iron levels after three months.

SourceInstitute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMar 11, 2011

Simple blood test detects early emphysema in smokers before symptoms appear

A new blood test measures destruction of lung air sacs and can detect early emphysema in smokers, potentially preventing disease progression. The test is a low-cost screening tool that could help the 20% of American adults who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke understand their risk of developing this progressive lung disease.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 11, 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.

New measurement into biological polymer networks

Researchers have developed a new measurement technology to investigate the structure of composite and biological materials, providing microscopic insights into polymeric networks. The rheometer and confocal microscope system enabled visualization of fluorescently labeled actin networks and filming of polymer filaments' movement in 3-D ...

SourceAir Force Office of Scientific Research·DateMar 11, 2011

Less than one-third of children ages 5-15 will wake up to home smoke alarms

An Australian study found that 78% of school-aged children slept through a smoke alarm sounding for 30 seconds. The study highlights the importance of child evacuation in domestic fires, as only half of waking children recognized the alarm's sound. Younger children (5-10 years old) are significantly more at risk.

SourceWiley·JournalFire and Materials·DateMar 11, 2011

Around 40 percent of hake is mislabeled

A study in Spain and Greece found that over 30% of hake products sold in these countries were mislabelled, with African fish often labelled as European or American. The error benefits middlemen, not African fishermen.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 11, 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 study shows government spending preferences of Americans

A recent survey by NORC at the University of Chicago found that Americans prioritize education as the top spending category, followed by healthcare. The study, which analyzed data from 2010, also showed a decline in support for increased spending in some categories, despite the economic downturn.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateMar 11, 2011

Getting organized: Berkeley Lab study shows how breast cell communities organize into breast tissue

Researchers discovered that human mammary epithelial cells possess lineage-specific intrinsic abilities to self-organize into domains of lineage specificity, maintaining healthy bi-layered branching organization. The study provides insights into the coordination of stem cell differentiation and tissue architecture maintenance.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2011

Researchers link novel biomarkers to asthma and COPD

Researchers identified four novel biomarkers that can discriminate between healthy controls, asthmatics, and individuals with COPD. These anti-inflammatory proteins may help diagnose respiratory diseases earlier, allowing for more effective treatment.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 11, 2011

Keys to long life

A groundbreaking study by University of California, Riverside researchers found that personality characteristics and social relations from childhood can predict one's risk of dying decades later. The Longevity Project followed over 1,500 bright children for 20 years, revealing that prudence and persistence are key to a long life.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateMar 11, 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.

New method could improve economics of sweetening natural gas

A new method called Antisolvent Swing Regeneration reduces the amount of heat needed during processing, potentially saving at least 10% of energy. This process uses a recyclable binding organic liquid to remove hydrogen sulfide from natural gas.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateMar 11, 2011

Stem cells take cues from fluid in the brain

Scientists found that a protein called Igf2 in the cerebrospinal fluid signals brain cells to multiply during embryonic development. This discovery could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases and cancer by targeting specific areas of the brain, eliminating the need for localized drug delivery.

SourceGeorge Washington University Medical Center·JournalNeuron·DateMar 11, 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.

How incentives can hurt group productivity and shared resources

A study by Columbia Business School professor Stephan Meier found that incentives can decrease public goods contribution and increase free-riding behavior in group environments with informal norm enforcement. The researchers discovered that incentives changed the norm of contribution, making it acceptable to exploit common resources.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalManagement Science·DateMar 11, 2011

Finding shows potential way to protect neurons in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS

Researchers found that eliminating caspase-2 prolongs the life of neurons stressed by pesticide chemicals, a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Neurons lacking caspase-2 increase autophagy to survive.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMar 11, 2011