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Science News Archive December 2012 - Page 3


Page 3 of 24

miR-205 can be responsible for breast cancer

A new study challenges previous views on miR-205's function in breast cancer. Research found that miR-205 is overexpressed in transformed cells and contributes to the abnormal morphology of acini. The findings suggest miR-205 can act as an oncogene, promoting cell growth or inhibiting apoptosis.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalOncomiRs·DateDec 21, 2012

Researchers discover genetic basis for eczema, new avenue to therapies

Eczema is a persistent skin rash that can be triggered by inadequate Ctip2 protein, leading to inflammation and immune dysfunction. Researchers have identified two ways in which improper Ctip2 function contributes to eczema, paving the way for personalized treatments and new therapies.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 21, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Many causes for learning lags in tumor disorder

New research sheds light on the complexities of learning problems in neurofibromatosis 1 patients. The study found that both increased RAS function and reduced dopamine levels contribute to cognitive dysfunction in individuals with NF1. Developing personalized therapies is now a priority.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateDec 21, 2012

New free e-Books available about 2 famous NASA space telescopes

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has been providing amazing images of the universe since April 1990, while the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope will reveal mysteries of the universe in much greater detail. The new free e-Books offer interactive resources and insights into both telescopes' science and technology.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 21, 2012

Strength training improves vascular function in young black men

Researchers found that six weeks of resistance training significantly improved blood markers of cardiovascular health in young African-American men, but not Caucasian men. This suggests that resistance exercise training is more beneficial in young African-American men.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Human Hypertension·DateDec 21, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 21, 2012

Researchers found that Xbp1s regulates liver metabolic switch after eating, while low iron accelerates H. pylori-induced gastric cancer. Additionally, p62 is crucial for brown fat thermogenesis, and dendritic cells play a protective role in atherosclerosis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 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.

A new type of nerve cell found in the brain

Scientists have identified a new type of nerve cell in the brain that regulates heart rhythm and blood pressure. The discovery may lead to new ways of treating cardiovascular diseases.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 2012

Ironing out the link between H. pylori infection and gastric cancer

Research found that low iron levels accelerate H. pylori-induced carcinogenesis in rodents and humans, increasing the risk of gastric cancer. Iron deficiency is associated with more virulent H. pylori strains and greater inflammation, highlighting the importance of iron levels in identifying high-risk patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 21, 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.

How stars look young when they're not: The secret of aging well

The study reveals differences in the speed of evolution among globular clusters, with fast-aging clusters experiencing core collapse within a few hundred million years. In contrast, slow-aging clusters would take several times the current age of the universe to undergo core collapse.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateDec 21, 2012

Ups and downs of biodiversity after mass extinction

Research suggests that cooler climates led to increased biodiversity in marine fauna, while warmer temperatures caused species to become extinct. The study's findings indicate that climate fluctuations played a significant role in the emergence and extinction of species.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Geoscience·DateDec 21, 2012

May the force be with the atomic probe

Theoretical physicists created models to study van der Waals-Casimir-Polder (vdW-CP) force, which depends on electron diffusion. This finding could contribute to designing minimally invasive surface probes for quantum computer hardware architectures.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateDec 21, 2012

NIH grant moves pathologists to the forefront of genomic medicine

A five-year NIH grant supports a program to develop resident genomic pathology curriculum, expanding pathologists' role in interpreting and acting on genomics data. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between genetic research and practical application in patient care.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·DateDec 21, 2012
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.

Xiao-Gang Wen and the 500 phases of matter

Researchers Xiao-Gang Wen and collaborators introduce a new system for classifying symmetry-protected phases of matter, potentially increasing our ability to design states of matter for superconductors and quantum computers. This reclassification provides insight into the fascinating world of quantum entanglement.

SourcePerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2012

Boosting galactan sugars could boost biofuel production

Researchers at JBEI identified the first enzyme capable of boosting galactan in plant cell walls, increasing the amount of sugars that can be fermented into fuels. This discovery provides an important new tool for engineering advanced bioenergy fuel crops.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateDec 21, 2012

NASA Sees the major Midwestern snowstorm in infrared light

A massive low-pressure area dropped over a foot of snow in some Midwestern states, prompting severe warnings and weather advisories. The AIRS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image showing the heaviest precipitation areas at -63.6°F (-53.5°C) near New England states.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 21, 2012

Origin of life emerged from cell membrane bioenergetics

Scientists propose that early life forms utilized deep-sea hydrothermal vents to harness energy, driving the emergence of complex cellular structures. The new theory explains why all living organisms conserve energy in the form of ion gradients across membranes.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalCell·DateDec 20, 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.

New target for treating prediabetes in patients with kidney disease

Retaining certain compounds normally excreted by the kidneys can cause insulin resistance in kidney disease patients. Treating mice with a prebiotic reduces these compound levels, preventing insulin resistance and related lipid abnormalities.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 20, 2012

Small wasps to control a big pest?

Researchers have identified five small wasp species that directly attack the younger life stages of the pine wood nematode vector Monochamus galloprovincialis. The study, published in ZooKeys, highlights the potential for these tiny insects to control a major pest affecting southwest Europe pine stands.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateDec 20, 2012

Physicians admit feeling under qualified and lacking necessary education to treat obesity

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that primary care physicians feel unprepared to address obesity due to inadequate medical education. Despite this, they support additional training and practice-based changes to improve their skills. Key findings include the importance of nutritionists and dietitian...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalBMJ Open·DateDec 20, 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.

PNNL recognized for transferring innovations to the marketplace

PNNL has been honored with three 2013 Excellence in Technology Transfer awards for developing innovative technologies such as redox flow batteries for renewable energy storage, radiogel products for targeted radiation therapy to fight cancer, and Ion Mobility Spectrometers for explosives detection. These technologies are expected to be...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateDec 20, 2012

A nanoscale window to the biological world

Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute invent a way to directly image biological structures at their most fundamental level, providing a gateway to understanding dynamic systems in structural biology. The technique has successfully imaged viruses and other biological structures in their natural environments.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalLab on a Chip·DateDec 20, 2012

University of Alberta research working towards treatment for aortic aneurysms in the abdomen

A research team led by Professor Zamaneh Kassiri has discovered that boosting TIMP3 levels can prevent the development of abdominal aneurysms. The study found that a protein called MMP2, despite being a contributor to heart and vascular disease, did not cause aneurysms when combined with TIMP3 deficiency.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateDec 20, 2012

Low vitamin D levels in pregnancy associated with lower birth weights, pitt research finds

Women deficient in vitamin D early in pregnancy are more likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights. Maternal vitamin D deficiency may impact fetal growth by reducing calcium absorption and glucose production, leading to a higher risk of small for gestational age births.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 20, 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.

Can observations of a hardy weed help feed the world?

A study on Arabidopsis thaliana reveals its genetic diversity can help crops adapt to environmental stresses. Dr. Sarah Assmann explores the plant's ability to tolerate climate change, drought, and poor soils.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalInternational Journal of Plant Sciences·DateDec 20, 2012

Rensselaer awarded gift to establish fellowship in astrobiology

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is establishing a fellowship in astrobiology thanks to a $480,000 gift from the Emily Landecker Foundation. The James P. Ferris Fellowship will support graduate students pursuing research in the interdisciplinary field of astrobiology.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateDec 20, 2012

Silver sheds light on superconductor secrets

Researchers from the Institute of Solid State Physics found that superconductivity is intrinsic to a bismuth-based layered material when doped with silver. The material's characteristics were measured using x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, electrical transport, and thermal transport.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 20, 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.

Pair of proteins gets brain cells into shape

Researchers identified ADF and cofilin as crucial proteins in the shape change of young brain cells, enabling them to develop connections with other cells. The study found that these proteins facilitate neurite formation, which is essential for brain development and regeneration.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNeuron·DateDec 20, 2012

Serendipity points to new potential target and therapy for melanoma

Researchers found that microRNA-26a suppresses melanoma cell growth while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Reintroducing microRNA-26a to melanoma cell lines led to a marked decrease in cancer cell survival, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target for melanoma treatment.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateDec 20, 2012

Science's Breakthrough of the Year: Discovery of the Higgs boson

The Higgs boson's detection completes the standard model of particle physics, where particles interact with a Higgs field to obtain mass. Researchers used a $5.5-billion-dollar atom-smasher and two massive particle detectors to spot the elusive boson.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2012
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Peacock love songs lure eavesdropping females from afar

A study found that peacock courtship calls attract distant females, suggesting a potential advantage for males in securing mates. The calls may serve as a form of advertising, warning predators of the male's vulnerability and increasing his attractiveness to females.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalBehaviour·DateDec 20, 2012

Protein kinase Akt identified as arbiter of cancer stem cell fate

Researchers identify protein kinase Akt as a regulator of cancer stem cell biology, linking its hyperactivation to cancer resistance. The findings suggest that targeting Akt could be a new approach for killing cancer stem cells in cancer therapy.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 20, 2012

U of T Researchers uncover major source of evolutionary differences among species

Researchers at U of T discovered a major source of evolutionary differences among species by analyzing hundreds of thousands of genetic messages in equivalent organs across 10 different vertebrate species. Alternative splicing has dramatically changed the structure and complexity of genetic messages during vertebrate evolution.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2012

UGA research offers new targets for stroke treatments

Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified a new target for stroke treatments using candesartan, which increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stimulates angiogenesis. This approach has the potential to improve recovery outcomes for stroke patients and may also benefit veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics·DateDec 20, 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.

Stroke drug kills bacteria that cause ulcers and tuberculosis

Researchers found a compound called ebselen effectively inhibits the thioredoxin reductase system in Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric ulcers, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis. Ebselen's mechanism targets bacteria lacking glutathione.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateDec 20, 2012

Discovery could eventually help diagnose and treat chronic pain

Researchers used brain imaging technique to examine patterns of brain connectivity in adults with chronic back pain and without. They found specific brain regions became less connected, predicting worsening chronic pain, suggesting potential biomarker for chronic pain perception.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPain·DateDec 20, 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.

First ever 'atlas' of T cells in human body

Columbia University researchers have created the first-ever atlas of immune cells in the human body, providing a unique view of T lymphocyte distribution and function. The study found that T cells are highly compartmentalized, with each tissue having its own complement of T cells.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalImmunity·DateDec 20, 2012

Transplanted genetically-modified adipose cells offer potential therapy for liver diseases

Researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified adipose cells into mice with liver disease, demonstrating their potential as a therapy. The study used bioluminescent imaging to track the cells' migration and engraftment in the liver, revealing their ability to persist for up to two months.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateDec 20, 2012

Brain imaging insight into cannabis as a pain killer

A brain imaging study found that THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, reduces the emotional reaction to pain but does not reduce the intensity of pain. The study suggests that individual responses to cannabis-based pain relief may vary greatly.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPain·DateDec 20, 2012

Gene expression improves the definition of a breast cancer subtype

A recent study by Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology has led to the redefinition of hormone-sensitive breast tumours, improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Gene expression analysis revealed discrepancies between histopathological data and molecular profiles, prompting a new definition that incorporates progesterone receptor levels.

SourceVall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateDec 20, 2012

Sync to grow

Researchers discovered that embryo growth is controlled by oscillating gene expression in neighboring cells, resulting in well-proportioned animals. The speed of this wave determines the size of future vertebrae, with faster waves indicating larger vertebrae.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 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.

Sibling squabbles can lead to depression, anxiety

A University of Missouri study found that conflicts over personal space and fairness are associated with higher anxiety and depression in adolescents. Parents can use household rules such as knocking before entering a sibling's room to resolve disputes and promote healthy psychological development.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalChild Development·DateDec 20, 2012

Extending steroid treatment does not benefit children with hard-to-treat kidney disease

A new study found that six months of steroid treatment didn't reduce relapse rates or side effects in children with nephrotic syndrome, challenging previous assumptions about optimal treatment strategies. The research highlights the need for new treatment strategies to prevent frequent relapses in this disease.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateDec 20, 2012

World Allergy Organization's official journal to become open access

The World Allergy Organization Journal is transitioning to BioMed Central's open access publishing platform, increasing global accessibility to allergy research. This move aims to improve knowledge-sharing and dissemination of research in the field of allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalWorld Allergy Organization Journal·DateDec 20, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Shedding light on Anderson localization

Researchers demonstrate Anderson localization of light for the first time, showing waves no longer spread if defects are within one wavelength apart, exceeding previously thought threshold.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 20, 2012