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Science News for December 27, 2012


Statin drug shows promise for fighting malaria effects

Researchers discovered that adding lovastatin to traditional antimalarial treatment decreases neuroinflammation and protects against cognitive impairment in a mouse model of cerebral malaria. Statins may be worthy of consideration in clinical trials for treating cerebral malaria.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 27, 2012
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.

Penn team developing new class of malaria drugs using essential calcium enzyme

A Penn team has developed a new class of malaria drugs by mimicking a natural reaction with a synthesized molecule, inhibiting the calpain enzyme. The innovation uses an alpha-helical shape to block the enzyme's activity, offering a highly specific and potentially safer alternative.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 27, 2012

Having serious fun in the MBL physiology course

The MBL physiology course fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation among students, leading to the generation of 23 research papers and 59 meeting abstracts. The course's unique approach combines cell biology and physical sciences, and encourages students to think beyond their comfort zones.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalScience·DateDec 27, 2012

Slice, stack, and roll: A new way to build collagen scaffolds

Researchers at Tufts University developed a novel method for fabricating collagen structures that maintain the protein's natural strength and fiber structure. The new technique, called bioskiving, creates scaffolds with tensile strength stronger than those made using common processing techniques.

SourceTufts University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateDec 27, 2012
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.

Birdsong study pecks theory that music is uniquely human

A new study comparing neural responses of birds and humans to music suggests that both share a neural reward system, with females in the breeding state responding similarly to human music. Male birds also exhibit an amygdala response to discordant sounds.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Evolutionary Neuroscience·DateDec 27, 2012

APS announces inaugural issue of new journal, Clinical Psychological Science

The inaugural issue of Clinical Psychological Science (CPS) publishes diverse and boundary-crossing perspectives on topics such as targeted rejection, major depressive disorder, youth mentoring, and mind wandering. The journal aims to define a new way of studying clinical phenomena through innovative research.

SourceSAGE·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateDec 27, 2012

Johns Hopkins receives funding for cholera vaccine initiative

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School will provide relief agencies and governments with technical assistance on using oral cholera vaccine. The DOVE program aims to detect outbreaks in remote areas and contain the disease, improving global efforts to combat cholera.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateDec 27, 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.

Rush University Medical Center scientists home in on cause of osteoarthritis pain

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center identified a chemokine known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP)-1 and its receptor, chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), as central to the development of osteoarthritis pain. This finding could lead to new treatments for this debilitating condition.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 27, 2012

A model-free way to characterize polymodal ion channel gating

Researchers develop thermodynamically rigorous analysis to parse free energy of polymodal voltage- and ligand-dependent ion channels. This new approach offers a model-independent way to study ion channel gating, useful for constraining future atomic-scale models and understanding disruptions caused by genetic mutations.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateDec 27, 2012

UNC research uncovers new insight into cell development and cancer

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified polycomb-like proteins as key regulators in stem cell development and cancer. The study found that these proteins interact with epigenetic signals to control gene expression, implications for both stem cell biology and cancer development.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 27, 2012

2 new species of orchid found in Cuba

Researchers have discovered two new species of Caribbean orchid belonging to the Laeliinae family. The new species, Encyclia navarroi and Tetramicra riparia, were found in Cuba's eastern and western zones respectively.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalSystematic Botany·DateDec 27, 2012
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

The factor that could determine future breast cancer treatment

A new study reveals how a 'transcription factor' called ELF5 causes aggressive breast cancer to develop, making it resistant to oestrogen therapies. Researchers found that manipulating ELF5 levels could be a potential treatment option for this type of breast cancer.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 27, 2012

Penn team mimicking a natural defense against malaria to develop new treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a powerful new weapon against malaria by mimicking a natural defense found in human blood platelets. They discovered that a synthetic molecule, PMX1207, targets and destroys the parasite's digestive vacuole, killing it without harming the host cell.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 27, 2012

Cellular fuel gauge may hold the key to restricting cancer growth

Researchers at McGill University have discovered AMPK's role in restricting cancer cell growth by regulating metabolism and preventing the use of sugar to fuel growth. AMPK, a tumour suppressor, can help control tumour development by targeting energy levels and promoting healthy cellular function.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateDec 27, 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.

Trying to halt hepatitis C's molecular hijacking

Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the hepatitis C RNA to block its hijacking of cell machinery, potentially leading to new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateDec 27, 2012

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!

Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 27, 2012

Strange behavior: New study exposes living cells to synthetic protein

Researchers at Arizona State University have fabricated an artificial protein and examined its effects on living cells, revealing a peculiar set of adaptations including filamentation, ATP depletion, and the formation of endoliposomes. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.

SourceArizona State University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateDec 27, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Disease burden links ecology to economic growth

A new study links vector-borne diseases to economic development across the globe, finding that these diseases have a substantial effect on income between tropical and temperate countries. The study's results suggest that infectious diseases can undermine economic growth similarly to crime or government corruption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 27, 2012

The factor that could influence future breast cancer treatment

A recent study published in PLOS Biology has discovered the role of ELF5 in aggressive breast cancer subtypes and its potential to overcome anti-estrogen therapies. The research suggests that manipulating ELF5 levels could lead to new treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 27, 2012
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.