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Science News for October 9, 2011


Graphene's 'Big Mac' creates next generation of chips

Researchers at the University of Manchester have created a graphene 'Big Mac' structure that isolates graphene from environmental influences, allowing for better electronic properties. This breakthrough enables the potential replacement of silicon chips in computers with graphene-based transistors.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 9, 2011

Novel technique uses RNA interference to block inflammation

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a novel technique using RNA interference to block inflammation in animal models of several disorders. The technique targets specific inflammatory cells that contribute to conditions such as heart disease and cancer, reducing damage and improving survival rates.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 9, 2011

Progress in quantum computing, qubit by qubit

Researchers at Harvard University have successfully controlled the rate of photon emission from luminescent imperfections in diamond, a crucial step towards developing scalable quantum networks. The breakthrough uses nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to emit red photons at room temperature.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 9, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Small molecules can starve cancer cells

Researchers have discovered a small molecule, microRNA-101, that can block autophagy in cancer cells, making them more sensitive to treatment with the anti-hormone Tamoxifen. This breakthrough has significant clinical relevance for treating breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateOct 9, 2011

Professor Doug Hilton wins Milstein Award for cytokine research

Professor Hilton's receipt of the award recognises his research into how cytokines signal between cells, including the discovery of many molecules involved in this process. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of cytokine biology and its applications in cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·DateOct 9, 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.

Health effects of financial crisis: Omens of a Greek tragedy

Healthcare access in Greece declined during the financial crisis, with long waiting times and supply-side problems contributing to reduced doctor consultations. This led to increased hospital admissions, suicides, and other alarming indicators such as rising HIV infections and heroin use.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 9, 2011

Star packs big gamma-ray jolt, researchers discover

Researchers have discovered gamma rays with unprecedented energies from the Crab Pulsar in the Crab Nebula, contradicting existing theories. The findings suggest a different mechanism for producing these high-energy particles, which could be detected by the VERITAS observatory.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience·DateOct 9, 2011

If you don't snooze, do you lose?

A University of Wisconsin-Madison study suggests that short-term sleep restriction in adolescent mice prevented balanced growth and depletion of brain synapses, which may have lasting consequences for the wiring of the brain. The study's findings could be relevant to mental illnesses like schizophrenia that often start during adolescence.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 9, 2011

New membrane lipid measuring technique may help fight disease

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have created a biosensor to measure membrane lipid levels, which can act as switches turning on or off protein-protein interactions. This technique allows for real-time quantification and monitoring of lipid molecules, potentially leading to new pathways for disease treatment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Chemistry·DateOct 9, 2011
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Smarter toxins help crops fight resistant pests

A UA-led team of researchers discovered a new edge in overcoming resistance to certain pests by modifying the structure of crop-protecting proteins called Bt toxins. The modified toxins were found to be effective against some resistant strains, but not always working as expected and requiring further testing.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateOct 9, 2011

Over past decade antiretroviral therapy has tripled the proportion of adults in western Europe achieving undetectable levels of HIV after failing all 3 original drug classes

Over the past decade, antiretroviral therapy has effectively managed HIV in adults with virological failure to all three original drug classes. Since 2000, nearly one in five patients achieved undetectable viral loads after treatment failure, increasing to nearly three in five by 2009.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateOct 9, 2011

Study shows how bookmarking genes pre-cell division hastens their subsequent reactivation

A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology has discovered that bookmarking genes before cell division accelerates their reactivation afterwards. By analyzing the kinetics of gene activation, researchers found that a histone molecule undergoes chemical modification and is preserved during mitosis, allowing for rapid reactivation.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateOct 9, 2011

Brain imaging reveals why we remain optimistic in the face of reality

Research shows that optimistic individuals tend to filter out negative information, updating their estimates only when the new data is better than expected. This faulty frontal lobe function can lead to unrealistic predictions and a lack of caution, with potential downsides for mental health and decision-making.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 9, 2011
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.