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Science News for April 1, 2012


Picky females promote diversity: UBC-IIASA study

A study by UBC and IIASA researchers reveals that picky females can promote diversity in species through selective mating. They must occupy different resource hotspots and pay a cost for their preferences to prevent invasion of undesirable areas.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2012

Death anxiety increases atheists' unconscious belief in God

Research reveals that death anxiety makes atheists more unconsciously receptive to religious beliefs, while religious individuals strengthen their beliefs at both conscious and unconscious levels. This study contributes to understanding why religion endures as a fundamental aspect of human culture.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateApr 1, 2012
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.

DNA sequencing lays foundation for personalized cancer treatment

Scientists at WashU Medicine are using DNA sequencing to map the genetic evolution of disease and monitor response to treatment. By analyzing tumor samples, they can identify 'driver' mutations and determine whether cells carrying those mutations have been eliminated by treatment.

SourceWashU Medicine·DateApr 1, 2012

Transforming scar tissue into beating hearts: The next instalment

Scientists have made breakthroughs in reprogramming scar tissue from myocardial infarction (MI) into viable heart muscle cells using viral vectors. The new approach has shown promising results in adult mice and offers a potential solution to the major problem of cardiac regeneration after MI.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateApr 1, 2012

Accentuating the positive memories for sleep

A new study found that sleep protects positive memories just as it does negative ones, with significant implications for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. Sleep enhances emotionally positive memories while these memories decay over wake, prioritizing them for processing during sleep.

SourceCognitive Neuroscience Society·DateApr 1, 2012

Gene variations linked to intestinal blockage in newborns with cystic fibrosis

Researchers have discovered gene variations that predispose cystic fibrosis patients to develop an intestinal blockage while still in the uterus. These variants involve genes responsible for ion transport in the lower end of the small intestine, increasing the risk of meconium ileus and serious health problems.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 1, 2012

South Pole Telescope hones in on dark energy, neutrinos

The South Pole Telescope's data analysis provides strong support for the cosmological constant as the source of dark energy, accelerating the universe's expansion. The results also place tight limits on neutrino masses, shedding light on these mysterious particles' properties.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·DateApr 1, 2012
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.

Epigenetic changes in twins and babies of dieting mothers increase obesity, diabetes risk

Epigenetic changes in gene structure lead to higher incidents of obesity and diabetes for mothers with poor nutrition at the time of conception. The study found that dieting around the time of conception and early pregnancy can alter genes controlling food intake and glucose levels, increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 1, 2012

Heart failure's effects in cells can be reversed with a rest

Researchers at Imperial College London found that allowing heart muscle cells to rest can reverse structural changes caused by heart failure. This discovery could lead to new treatment strategies without the need for serious procedures like LVAD implants.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·DateApr 1, 2012

MDC-researchers elucidate molecular mechanism contributing to cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a deterioration of the heart muscle affecting its pumping ability. MDC-researchers identified RNA binding motif protein 20 (RBM20) as a gene regulating titin splicing, a process connected to the disease. Understanding this mechanism may lead to more efficient molecular diagnosis and therapies for cardiomyopathy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Medicine·DateApr 1, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New comparison of ocean temperatures reveals rise over the last century

A new study reveals a global ocean warming trend spanning at least 100 years, with an average increase of .33-degree Celsius in upper ocean temperatures. The research uses historical temperature readings from HMS Challenger's 1872-1876 voyage and modern data from the Argo program.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 1, 2012

The protein survivin could be a useful biomarker for pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center found that survivin levels were associated with longer disease-free survival and better response to chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer. The study suggests that survivin could be a useful tool for identifying patients who may benefit from specific treatments.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·DateApr 1, 2012

Study finds protective gene in fat cells

A new study finds a protective gene in fat cells that helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, potentially leading to a new therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating type 2 diabetes. The discovery challenges popular notions of body fat and health.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 1, 2012
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.

Rare immune cells could hold key to treating immune disorders

Researchers identified a rare immune cell's role in antibody production and 'memory' of infectious agents, crucial for vaccine development and potential treatment of immune disorders. T follicular helper cells can remember past infections, enabling rapid responses to future attacks.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 1, 2012

Second mutation in BRAF-mutated melanoma doesn't contribute to resistance

A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that patients with both MEK1 and BRAF mutations respond equally well to BRAF inhibitor drugs, challenging conventional wisdom. The presence of both mutations does not contribute to drug resistance in melanoma patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalCancer Discovery·DateApr 1, 2012

Raising the school leaving – while learning from another age

A recent study found that raising the school leaving age was met with significant controversy and sacrifice in the past, highlighting potential difficulties in adapting to future changes. The UK's decision to raise the education participation age to 17 in 2013 and potentially 18 in 2015 may face similar challenges.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateApr 1, 2012
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.

How black holes grow

A University of Utah astrophysicist has proposed that supermassive black holes in galaxy centers grow by consuming single stars from wandering binary pairs. The study found that this process is an efficient way to bring stars close to black holes, outperforming gas clouds as a growth mechanism.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 1, 2012

New discovery may lead to effective prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host dsease

Scientists have discovered that the platelet activating factor receptor plays a crucial role in graft-versus-host disease, which can cause significant tissue damage and mortality. Blocking this receptor may lead to reduced tissue injury and improved survival rates for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateApr 1, 2012

The role of physics in the sinking of the Titanic

The Titanic's sinking was attributed to a combination of structural deficiencies and the Gulf Stream's unusual alignment, weakening the ship's hull. Researchers found that non-uniform rivet composition and insertion contributed to the vessel's vulnerability.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateApr 1, 2012

Mechanism found connecting metastatic breast cancer and arthritis

A study by University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers confirms the connection between metastatic breast cancer and autoimmune arthritis. Mast cells play a critical role in facilitating breast cancer metastasis, with SCF/Kit signaling inducing mast cell differentiation in arthritic conditions. This finding suggests a potentia...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·DateApr 1, 2012
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.