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Science News for August 31, 2012


Immune system protein could explain pancreatitis

A new study published in Gastroenterology suggests that the immune system protein NFATc3 plays a significant role in the development of acute pancreatitis. The researchers found links between NFAT and trypsinogen activation, neutrophil recruitment, and tissue damage in mice.

SourceLund University·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateAug 31, 2012

Breathable treatment to help prevent asthma attacks

A new treatment has been developed to help prevent asthma attacks in asthmatics by boosting their immune systems. The study found that a simple inhalation of an immune system protein molecule can significantly reduce worsening asthma symptoms and the need to use an asthma inhaler.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·DateAug 31, 2012

Wayne State researchers say adolescent smoking prevention programs still critical

Researchers found that fewer adolescents started smoking after exposure to prevention programs and more quit if they began. Funding cuts negatively impacted these numbers, but state spending on prevention has increased, suggesting a potential reversal of behavior trends.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalEvaluation and Program Planning·DateAug 31, 2012
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

An open platform revolutionizes biomedical-image processing

Fiji, an open-source platform, has become a de facto standard for biomedical-image processing, offering improved precision and accessibility. The platform, created by researchers, allows application sharing and plug-in development, driving collaboration and innovation.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 31, 2012

Has osteoporosis treatment failed when a fracture occurs?

The International Osteoporosis Foundation has published new guidelines to help doctors assess treatment efficacy in patients who experience a fracture while on medication for osteoporosis. The guidelines outline a checklist of pragmatic criteria that can be used to define treatment failure and take appropriate action.

SourceInternational Osteoporosis Foundation·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateAug 31, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Chilling methods could change meat tenderness

Researchers found no loin quality advantages from blast chilling, but a 13-fold increase in excessively tough samples. CO2 stunning resulted in better meat quality traits, including darker lean color and greater water-holding capacity.

SourceAmerican Society of Animal Science·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateAug 31, 2012

MU celebrates $5 million partnership for advancing biomedical discoveries

The University of Missouri's Coulter Translational Partnership Program has awarded funding to five teams of physicians and engineers to improve healthcare. The program aims to turn laboratory discoveries into new products and services for patients, leveraging MU's substantial resources for biomedical innovation.

SourceUniversity of Missouri School of Medicine·DateAug 31, 2012

Research yields two 'firsts' regarding protein crucial to human cardiac function

Researchers have achieved two significant 'firsts' in studying the human cardiac protein alpha-tropomyosin, which controls heart contraction on every beat. By direct imaging, they found individual molecules to be roughly 40 nanometers long and demonstrated their flexibility, establishing a baseline for normal protein function.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 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.

Making Web applications more efficient

Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory presented a new system called Pyxis that automatically streamlines website database access patterns. This results in significant speedups of up to three times and reduced bandwidth usage. Pyxis works with languages already favored by web developers, such as Java.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 31, 2012

Study looks at efforts to improve local food systems through policy

A nationwide survey of food policy councils reveals that many are focusing on procurement and access, but face barriers such as lack of time and funding. The study, funded by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, highlights key findings on the role of food policy councils in improving local food systems.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateAug 31, 2012

Glass shape influences how quickly we drink alcohol

Researchers at University of Bristol found that participants drank more slowly from curved 'beer flute' glasses than straight-sided glass containing lager, suggesting curved glasses compromise ability to gauge liquid levels and pace drinking. This could have positive impact on reducing intoxication and excessive drinking.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 31, 2012

Genetic link to prostate cancer risk in African Americans found

A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention establishes the association of IL-16 with prostate cancer in men of both African and European descent. Researchers found new polymorphisms in the gene unique to African Americans that confer risk, providing a potential biomarker for prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateAug 31, 2012

AGU journal highlights -- 31 August 2012

Scientists study Mercury's surface chemistry and geological history, finding distinctive mineral patterns dominated by magnesium and sulfur. Meanwhile, researchers in Bermuda investigate the origin of red soils, discovering that African dust may be a key factor in their formation.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 31, 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.

Cleveland Clinic researchers investigating potential drug for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute and Anesthesiology Institute have discovered a potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The compound MDA7 has been shown to induce beneficial immune responses that limit the development of the disease, restoring cognition, memory, and synaptic plasticity in animal models.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateAug 31, 2012

A millimeter-scale, wirelessly powered cardiac device

A team of engineers at Stanford University has demonstrated the feasibility of a super-small, implantable cardiac device that gets its power from radio waves transmitted from outside the body. The device is contained in a cube just eight-tenths of a millimeter in radius and can receive up to 50 microwatts of power.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 31, 2012
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.

Origami design methods project receives $2 million NSF grant

Researchers will develop methods to design origami structures that actively fold and unfold in response to multiple fields, guided by predictive multi-scale modeling and multi-physics simulations. The four-year project will also integrate summer student exchange programs and capstone design projects for K-12 students.

SourcePenn State·DateAug 31, 2012

Danish scientists solve old blood mystery

Researchers at Aarhus University have solved the long-standing puzzle of haemoglobin structure using high-resolution three-dimensional mapping. This discovery provides essential information on how haptoglobin captures and neutralizes toxic haemoglobin, which can cause kidney damage in diseases like malaria.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·DateAug 31, 2012

BUSM researchers study use of MRI in osteoarthritis

A study by BUSM researchers reveals that approximately 90 percent of knees with no signs of osteoarthritis using X-ray showed clear signs of osteoarthritis using MRI. The findings suggest that MRI is not a useful diagnostic test for knee pain in this age group.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 31, 2012

Traumatic childhood may increase the risk of drug addiction

Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that a traumatic upbringing during childhood is linked to impulsive and compulsive personality traits, increasing the risk of drug dependence. The study examined 50 adults with cocaine dependence and their biological siblings, finding a direct relationship between traumatic childhoods ...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 31, 2012

Too much protein HUWE1 causes intellectual disability

Research by VIB/KU Leuven scientists identifies HUWE1 as the culprit behind intellectual disability in some patients, a condition affecting approximately 15% of cases. The study's findings open up possibilities for detecting and treating X-linked intellectual disabilities through targeted tests and further research.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 31, 2012
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.