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Science News Archive March 2011


Page 16 of 28

An inside look at how the elite control HIV

Research reveals T cells from elite controllers are resistant to HIV infection due to selective upregulation of p21, an enzyme inhibitor. Blocking p21 increases viral gene expression, highlighting potential treatment strategies for vulnerable patients.

A seismograph for ancient earthquakes

A new tool, developed by Prof. Shmuel Marco, can analyze wave patterns in sediment to understand past earthquake intensity. The 'fossil seismograph' helps geophysicists predict future earthquakes in areas with bodies of water.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Virtual assistance is confirmed as an effective tool in monitoring HIV patients

A telemedicine program called Hospital VIHrtual has been shown to provide comprehensive control over HIV-infected patients in medical, pharmaceutical, psychological, and quality of life aspects. The virtual hospital allows for efficient management of stable HIV patients, reducing costs and time spent on travel and waiting for visits.

Tumor metastasis with a twist

Researchers at UCSD School of Medicine identified Twist1's role in promoting invadopodia formation and matrix degradation in tumor cells. This process facilitates the spread of cancer to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body.

Neuro signals study gives new insight into brain disorders

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a critical protein that maintains nerve fibre health, potentially improving understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. The discovery could lead to new insights into conditions like epilepsy, dementia, and stroke by unraveling the complexities of brain function.

Taking tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer can save lives and money

A study published in Cancer suggests that tamoxifen can significantly reduce breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women under 55 with a high risk of developing the disease. The medication not only saves lives but also reduces medical costs, preventing 29 breast cancer cases and 9 deaths per 1,000 treated women.

Study helps explain how pathogenic E. coli bacterium causes illness

Scientists at NIAID discovered how E. coli O157:H7 infects humans by altering the host's immune responses, allowing it to evade elimination and prolong survival. This mechanism could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases, such as Shigella and Salmonella.

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.

Study seeks to halt progression of diabetic nephropathy

A four-year study aims to develop drugs that inhibit the degradation of protective metabolites in the kidneys, which are damaged by diabetes. Researchers hope these inhibitors could halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy and slow the rise of end-stage renal disease.

Combining 2 peptide inhibitors might block tumor growth

Researchers developed two peptide inhibitors targeting HER-2 and VEGF pathways, showing additive benefits in reducing tumor burdens with minimal side effects. The strategy aims to overcome acquired resistance and provide clinical benefit in several types of cancer.

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.

Osteoblasts are bone idle without Frizzled-9

Researchers found that Frizzled-9 upregulates during osteoblast differentiation and is essential for bone mineralization. Mice lacking Fzd9 have fragile bones due to low rates of bone formation, highlighting its potential as a drug target for treating osteoporosis.

Mini disks for data storage

Researchers created mini magnetic disks with slanted edges, which favor the formation of tiny magnetic vortices. This allows for efficient data processing and reduced power consumption compared to traditional memory storage systems.

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.

Nauset Marsh Estuary red tide study begins next week

A three-year study on the Nauset Marsh Estuary's red tide problem begins next week. The researchers will collect water samples and analyze them for concentrations of toxic algae to better understand environmental factors influencing the incidence of red tides.

Silicon spin transistors heat up and spins last longer

University of Utah researchers built spintronic transistors that aligned magnetic spins of electrons for a record period of time at room temperature. The achievement is a significant step towards the development of faster and more power-efficient spintronic devices using silicon chips.

Newer doesn't mean better when it comes to type 2 diabetes drugs

A new Johns Hopkins study suggests that older, less expensive medications like metformin can be just as effective in controlling type 2 diabetes as newer, more expensive options. The research also found that metformin was associated with fewer side effects, including weight gain and cholesterol level increases.

Heavy drinking not linked to common type of gullet cancer

Research from the BEACON Consortium found no association between heavy drinking and esophageal adenocarcinoma, contrasting with a well-established link to squamous cell carcinoma. Light drinkers had lower risk of these cancers than non-drinkers.

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.

Brown biologist wins NSF's Waterman Award

Casey Dunn, a Brown University biologist, has been awarded the National Science Foundation's Alan T. Waterman Award for his groundbreaking research on the origins of diversity in life. The award recognizes his use of genomic and computational techniques to study complex multicellular organisms, including humans.

Novel strategies target health care-associated infections

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine are developing new approaches to reduce health-care-associated infections. Investigating the use of probiotics to prevent pneumonia in ventilated patients and evaluating the effectiveness of a new antibiotic in preventing Clostridium difficile infection are two key areas of focus.

Water for an integrative climate paradigm

A new integrative climate model recognizes the significance of human-induced causes, such as deforestation and agro-industry, in addition to carbon dioxide emissions. This approach aims to achieve a more effective and socially democratic climate policy, responsive to local conditions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Gender stereotypes about math develop as early as second grade

Researchers found that American children as young as second grade adopt the cultural stereotype that math is for boys, leading to a lower association with math among girls. Parental and educational practices can help broaden interests and aspirations in elementary school.

New mouse model explains common pediatric brain tumor

A new mouse model has been developed to study pilocytic astrocytoma (PA), a common pediatric brain tumor. The model uses expression of a mutant BRAF kinase domain in mice and shows that this is sufficient to induce the formation of PA, closely resembling human disease.

Impact of a bad job on mental health as harmful as no job at all

A study of over 7,000 Australians found that poor-quality jobs have a significant impact on mental health, often worse than unemployment. Those in the poorest quality jobs experienced the sharpest decline in mental health, with each additional adverse condition lowering their score.

How the slime mold gets organized

Researchers discovered that slime mold cells organize into an epithelial layer with a structure and function similar to those in some animals. The layer secretes proteins, coating the fruiting body stalk with rigidity.

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.

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that hospitals with low AMI mortality rates shared an overall vision of excellence and had more senior management involvement, broad staff presence, and better communication among physicians. A new low-radiation alternative to CT angiography also shows promise in diagnosing coronary artery disease, with good specifici...

NASA's Hubble rules out 1 alternative to dark energy

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have recalculated the universe's expansion rate with unprecedented accuracy, ruling out an alternate theory on dark energy. The new measurement reduces uncertainty by 30% and solidifies understanding of cosmic ingredients.

New research focuses on prion diseases

Researchers have discovered that polymers of amino acid lysine can block the propagation of prions, halting their spread in test tubes and cultured cells. In animal models, mice treated with polylysines showed improved symptoms, longer survival, and lower prion levels

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.

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.

Why argue? Helping students see the point

A new curriculum aims to develop argumentative reasoning skills in students through discussion and debate. Students who participated in the program made more of the higher forms of arguments and listed more questions of substance than those taught in a conventional way.

Lambs provide crucial link in understanding obesity

Research published in The Journal of Physiology found a link between maternal and offspring obesity in lambs, shedding light on the mechanisms of human obesity. Hormonal changes, including leptin and cortisol, were observed in lambs born to obese mothers, suggesting a predisposition to increased appetite and obesity.

Toxoplasmosis: The strain explains severity of infection

A new Johns Hopkins study shows that each strain of the cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii triggers a unique reaction in human nerve cells, varying the severity of infection. The research found alterations triggered by the most virulent strain to be linked to brain development and central nervous system function.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Is your child's hobby making him sick?

Research found that used woodwind and brass instruments are heavily contaminated with bacteria and fungi, including species of Staphylococcus and molds. Proper sanitation and regular cleaning are crucial to prevent the spread of illness and infection in children who play these instruments.

March/April 2011 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Patient-centered medical homes in Ontario's Family Health Team Model show high patient satisfaction and improved income for primary care physicians. Additionally, a novel approach to detecting white-coat hypertension using automated serial blood pressure measurements is found to be valid and useful.

Research may lead to new and improved vaccines

Alum, a common vaccine adjuvant, interacts with dendritic cells to activate T cells that control antibody production. The breakthrough study uses single cell force spectroscopy to understand alum's properties, potentially leading to new vaccines for major diseases.

Neanderthals were nifty at controlling fire, says CU-Boulder-led study

A new study reveals that Neanderthals consistently used fire for approximately 400,000 years in Europe, contrary to previous assumptions about their abilities. The findings, based on scores of ancient archaeological sites, show evidence of sustained fire control through the presence of charcoal, heated stone artifacts, and burned bones.

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.

Antioxidants in pregnancy prevent obesity in animal offspring

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that feeding rats antioxidants during pregnancy prevented obesity and glucose intolerance in their offspring. The study suggests that preventing oxidative stress during pregnancy may lower the risk of childhood obesity.

Osteopathy 'of no benefit' to children with cerebral palsy

A large randomized control trial found no evidence that osteopathic therapy improves movement, quality of life, or pain in children with cerebral palsy. However, parents whose children received osteopathy reported a slightly better overall wellbeing for their child compared to those who did not receive treatment.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study puts notch on the jagged edge of lung cancer metastasis

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new mechanism driving lung cancer metastasis, involving the suppression of microRNA miR-200 by Jagged2. The study found that low levels of miR-200 may indicate susceptibility to Notch inhibitors currently in clinical trial.

Key mutations act cooperatively to fuel aggressive brain tumor

New research from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists shows that mutations in three pathways cooperate to launch glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Tumors develop in multiple regions of the brain, highlighting the complexity and cooperation of genetic changes driving cancer.

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.

Study shows why people read magazines featuring envy-inspiring models

A study found that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance spend more time looking at ideal body images when the editorial content is about body improvement, compared to general interest articles. People satisfied with their bodies don't feel the need to avoid or seek inspiration from these images.