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Science News for September 30, 2011


UNC spin-off receives $3 million Small Business Innovation Research Grant

G-Zero Therapeutics, a UNC spin-off, has received a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research Grant to commercialize technology protecting patients from cellular damage caused by radiation or cancer chemotherapy. The grant will fund the development of treatments for bone marrow toxicity resulting from radiation and chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·DateSep 30, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Glucosamine-like supplement suppresses multiple sclerosis attacks

A glucosamine-like dietary supplement, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), suppresses multiple sclerosis attacks by inhibiting abnormal T-cell growth and function. The study, published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggests a novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function and autoimmunity.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 30, 2011

NSF provides UC $9.2 million boost for STEM education in region

The University of Cincinnati's CEEMS program aims to equip teachers with engineering skills to provide students with opportunities to reach revised Ohio State Science Standards. The five-year grant will reach 1,925 teachers impacting 38,500 students in the region, promoting STEM education and transforming teacher education.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateSep 30, 2011

Toxic red tides: USC scientist tracks neurotoxin-producing algae

A new algae monitoring method developed by USC scientists aims to predict when and where toxic algal blooms will occur. The research focuses on the increase of harmful toxins in shellfish due to neurotoxin-producing algae.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 30, 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.

Identification and management of breakthrough cancer pain remains a challenge

A European Survey of Oncology Nurse Breakthrough Cancer Pain Practices revealed an enormous opportunity to improve pain outcomes through education, with most nurses reporting inadequate training and confusion over medication options. The survey calls for nurse-specific guidelines and training to address the gap in management.

SourceCohn & Wolfe, Copenhagen·DateSep 30, 2011

New software tools for railway signaling and energy distribution

The EU-funded ADVANCE project will deliver methods and tools for formal modelling, verification, and validation to produce precise models for embedded systems. This will help eliminate design errors before projects go into manufacturing, reducing costs and improving system quality.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·DateSep 30, 2011

Taking the heat: Asian elephants simply 'ride out' high daytime heat load

Scientists found Asian elephants store thermal reserve by lowering body temperature at night, allowing them to regulate body temperature in hot environments. This mechanism, known as heterothermy, may be more common in mammals than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Comparative Physiology B·DateSep 30, 2011

How your brain reacts to mistakes depends on your mindset

A new study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with a growth mindset exhibit different brain activity when making mistakes, leading to better post-error adjustments. Those who believe intelligence is fixed show reduced brain activity and difficulty bouncing back from errors.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 30, 2011
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.

High-performance simulation, neutrons uncover 3 classes of protein motion

The study reveals three distinct classes of protein motion: localized diffusion, methyl group rotations, and jumps. These motions are crucial for understanding protein functions critical to life, enabling scientists to design new biofuels and environmental remediation technologies.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 30, 2011

New software brings science to life for young people

Researchers developed a software toolkit that enables students to conduct their own scientific experiments, analyzing data and reaching conclusions based on hypotheses. The nQuire software covers three key topics of the new science curriculum, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateSep 30, 2011
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

University of Georgia study finds that less is more for common cancer drug

Researchers discovered that frequent low-dose administration of chemotherapy medicine topotecan can slow prostate cancer growth without causing side effects. This 'metronomic dosing' alters the cellular activity of the drug, offering a promising new approach to treating slowly growing tumors.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalCancer Biology & Therapy·DateSep 30, 2011

Flight patterns reveal how mosquitoes find hosts to transmit deadly diseases

Researchers found that mosquitoes are attracted first to carbon dioxide, then to skin odors, which could lead to more effective mosquito traps. The study's findings provide crucial insights into how female mosquitoes locate human hosts for diseases like malaria and yellow fever.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateSep 30, 2011

New inherited neurometabolic disorder discovered

A new inherited neurometabolic disorder has been discovered, caused by mutations in the ADK gene. The disease, adenosine kinase deficiency, disrupts the methionine cycle, leading to symptoms such as encephalopathy and abnormal liver function.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateSep 30, 2011
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

American Geophysical Union journal highlights -- Sept. 30, 2011

Researchers tracked changes in ionosphere during a solar eclipse, finding acoustic waves with periods of 3-5 minutes originating from the Moon's shadow. Groundwater depletion has also contributed to sea level rise, with 1,100 cubic km pumped out between 2000 and 2008.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 30, 2011

Cell-specific mechanism-based gene therapy approach to treat retinitis pigmentosa

Researchers developed a novel bipartite gene therapy approach to temporarily preserve photoreceptors in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. The treatment targets defective phosphodiesterase metabolism, reducing cGMP and Ca2+ levels, and showing promise for treating this genetic disorder.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateSep 30, 2011

New guideline outlines recommendations to reduce blood clots after hip and knee replacement

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends preventive treatments for patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolic disease. The guideline suggests using mechanical compression devices and anticoagulants, such as blood thinners, to prevent clots.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateSep 30, 2011

An innovation star for Europe

CrossJect's Zeneo needle-free injection device addresses real market need with precise and reliable technology. The company has received significant funding from venture capital firms and the Eurostars Programme to accelerate development and bring its product to market.

SourceEUREKA·DateSep 30, 2011
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.

Combating mood disorders

A novel binding assay using mass spectrometry simplifies the search for SERT inhibitors, potentially improving treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. The technique avoids use of radiolabeled substances, offering a more efficient and cost-effective method.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalChemMedChem·DateSep 30, 2011

Johns Hopkins scientists discover 'fickle' DNA changes in brain

Researchers found evidence of large-scale dynamic DNA demethylation in non-dividing brain cells, challenging scientific dogma. This discovery has major implications for understanding learning, memory, and mood regulation, as well as potential new treatments for depression and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 30, 2011

'Sexting' driven by peer pressure

A University of Melbourne study found that young men and women experience pressure to share sexual images via 'sexting', often due to societal expectations or peer group influence. The study highlights the need for meaningful dialogue to address the negative consequences of sexting among young people.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·DateSep 30, 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.