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Science News for July 24, 2012


Same adaptations evolve across different insects

A study by Cornell University researchers found that same molecular changes confer resistance in multiple insect species across four orders, suggesting a high level of evolutionary repeatability

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 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.

Lace plants explain programmed cell death

Researchers have documented the physiological events in lace plant leaves during programmed cell death (PCD), revealing how cells dismantle and disappear. The study used long-term live cell imaging and staining to observe the progression of PCD, which is essential for producing the characteristic holes in the leaves.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Plant Biology·DateJul 24, 2012

New national digital repository for social and economic data

The UK Data Service will provide seamless access to extensive range of economic and social data, including census data. The service is designed to support current and future research demands of academic and non-academic users, maximizing the impact of their work.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJul 24, 2012

A new route for tackling treatment-resistant prostate cancer

Researchers found that paxillin regulates cell growth even in hormone therapy-resistant tumors, providing a new treatment target for advanced prostate cancer. The discovery could potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies that selectively attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 24, 2012
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.

More gold -- and other minerals -- in them thar hills?

A new method developed by Tel Aviv University's Prof. Lev Eppelbaum successfully uncovered a previously unknown polymetallic reserve in the Caucasus mountainside, containing over 500,000 tons of copper, zinc, lead, aluminium, and gold-silver mixtures.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateJul 24, 2012

Ecopsychology -- a major new area of study

A growing field of study, ecopsychology examines the psychological, spiritual, and therapeutic aspects of human-nature relationships. It highlights various approaches to integrate psychology and environmental content in education, promoting students' appreciation for the link between their well-being and the natural world.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEcopsychology·DateJul 24, 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.

Physicists study the classics for hidden truths

Physicists analyzed the interactions between characters in the Iliad, Beowulf, and Tain Bó Cuailngé, finding similarities with real-life social networks. The study revealed assortative and vulnerable network structures, indicating realistic societal dynamics.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateJul 24, 2012

Research discoveries to find commercial reality

The newly established Therapeutic Innovation Australia Queensland Node will provide a testing model to speed up the movement of inventions from laboratory to therapeutic products. The Node will focus on four initial projects, including migraine prevention and diabetes management, aiming to deliver tangible commercial returns within fiv...

SourceGriffith University·DateJul 24, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Women who give birth after age 30 lower their risk of endometrial cancer

A large international study found that women who give birth at age 30 or older have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. The risk decreases by approximately 13 percentage points for each five-year delay in last births, with the greatest reduction seen among women who give birth between ages 35 and 39.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateJul 24, 2012

Social networking pays off more in the US than Germany

Informal social networks play a crucial role in finding jobs, especially high-paying ones, in the US where open market systems prioritize merit over connections. In contrast, Germany sees 40% of jobs filled through informal recruitment, with no apparent link to wages.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSocial Forces·DateJul 24, 2012

How a common fungus knows when to attack

Researchers discovered that Candida albicans can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy hosts by altering its physiology based on the levels of protein Efg1p. In immunocompromised patients, fungal cells with lower levels of this protein thrive, leading to serious infections.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalmBio·DateJul 24, 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.

Spillways can divert sand from river to rebuild wetlands

A study published in Nature Geoscience found that a significant percentage of the Mississippi River's sand load is diverted into the Bonnet Carre spillway wetlands, rather than flowing into urban areas. This discovery offers new insights into the potential for controlled diversion to mitigate land loss in coastal Louisiana.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 24, 2012

New drug could treat Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and brain injury

A new class of drug developed at Northwestern University has shown early promise in reducing inflammation in the brain, which is a common denominator in these neurological diseases. The drug targets proinflammatory cytokines and prevents their overproduction, preventing damage to synapses and neurons.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJul 24, 2012

New research determines how a single brain trauma may lead to Alzheimer's disease

A study by Tufts University researchers found that a single moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury can disrupt proteins regulating BACE1 enzyme associated with Alzheimer's. The team identified complex mechanisms leading to rapid elevation of BACE1 in the brain, which may lead to new drug treatment targeting this mechanism.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·DateJul 24, 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.

Bend or stretch? How stressful is hyperflexion of horses' necks?

A recent study has found that hyperflexion of horses' necks, when done without force or aggression, does not elicit a pronounced stress response. The study monitored hormone levels, heart rate, and body temperature in horses lunged with either hyperflexion or an extended head and neck position.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition·DateJul 24, 2012

Reducing traffic at 2008 Olympics yielded large cut in CO2

China's transportation restrictions during the 2008 Olympics reduced carbon dioxide emissions by a significant amount. The study found that this reduction could potentially provide a substantial part of the necessary emissions cut to prevent global warming by 2 degrees Celsius.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 24, 2012

New probe provides vital assist in brain cancer surgery

A new probe developed at Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth College helps surgeons differentiate between cancerous tissue and normal tissue in low-grade tumors. The probe reads how light travels through tissue, producing a straightforward answer as to whether the tissue is cancerous.

SourceDartmouth Health·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJul 24, 2012

Some harmful effects of light at night can be reversed

A new study suggests that chronic exposure to artificial light at night can lead to depressive symptoms in rodents, which can be reversed by returning to a standard light-dark cycle. The study found that blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor, a protein involved in depression, prevented the development of depressive-like symptoms.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJul 24, 2012

Fine tuning cardiac ablation could lead to quicker results for patients with arrhythmias

Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a safer method for steadying abnormal heart rhythms, using photodynamic therapy to target specific cells causing the arrhythmia. This cell-specific approach aims to decrease unwanted cell injury and inflammation, paving the way for more effective therapies.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalInternational Journal of Heart Rhythm·DateJul 24, 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.

Yoga reduces stress; now it's known why

Researchers found that a specific type of yogic meditation, Kirtan Kriya Meditation, reduced inflammation and stress levels in dementia caregivers. This 12-minute daily practice for eight weeks led to changes in 68 genes related to inflammation, resulting in improved well-being.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateJul 24, 2012

Novel pig model may be useful for human cancer studies

A naturally occurring line of immunodeficient pigs can support the growth of human tumors, making them a promising large animal model for studying human cancers. The ability of human melanoma cells and pancreatic carcinoma cells to grow in these pig models could lead to significant advancements in cancer research and drug discovery.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBioResearch Open Access·DateJul 24, 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.

Under the right conditions, peptide blocks HIV infection at multiple points along the way

Researchers have discovered a human peptide that effectively blocks HIV entry into cells by targeting specific targets on both the virus and the cells. The peptide, human neutrophil peptide 1, prevents early and late stages of HIV-cell fusion and inhibits viral uptake without compromising cell function.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 24, 2012

Feces fossils yield new insights into ancient diets and 'thrifty genes'

Researchers analyzed fossil feces from an Arizona cave and found a diet rich in fiber, low in fat, and high in plant-based foods with low glycemic indices. This diet may have been enough to fix thrifty genes in place, making modern populations susceptible to disease.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalCurrent Anthropology·DateJul 24, 2012

Researchers study knee stress at tissue, cellular levels

A Cleveland Clinic research team has developed virtual models of human knee joints to study how tissues and cells respond to heavy loads. The simulations reveal that cartilage cells experience amplified deformations compared to larger scales, with a significant impact on their deformation patterns.

SourceOhio Supercomputer Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 24, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Carnivores: Beware of ticks

Researchers discover tick bites trigger alpha-gal antibodies in patients, leading to delayed anaphylaxis after eating red meat. The study highlights a previously unknown food-induced severe allergic reaction due to a carbohydrate, not protein.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJul 24, 2012

NIH funds development of tissue chips to help predict drug safety

The NIH is funding the creation of tissue chips with living cells and tissues to model human organs and predict drug safety. These chips will be tested with compounds known to be safe or toxic, ultimately advancing research to help identify reliable drug safety signals.

SourceNational Center for Advancing Translational Sciences·DateJul 24, 2012

New angioplasty procedure improves blood flow in blocked arteries to extremities

The XCELL trial confirms nitinol stenting is safe and effective in improving wound healing, providing pain relief, and promoting amputation-free survival for patients with critical limb ischemia. The procedure reduces major adverse events and offers improved limb preservation rates compared to open surgery.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateJul 24, 2012

How chronic obstructive pulmonary disease increases risk of lung cancer

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases lung cancer risk through a novel mechanism involving long-term oxygen depletion and HIF-2a tumor growth signaling. COPD-induced signals may be susceptible to prevention or treatment with VEGFR-2 and EGFR inhibitors.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateJul 24, 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.

Professor's essay is 1 of 10 in special issue of Daedalus

David Tilman's essay in Daedalus highlights the challenges to Earth's biodiversity due to human population growth, emphasizing the need for sustainable food and energy systems. The essay explores how loss of biodiversity affects ecosystem function and productivity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalDaedalus·DateJul 24, 2012
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Pulling CO2 from air vital, say researchers

Emerging techniques to pull carbon dioxide from the air can help stabilize the climate, but lower-cost technology is a stumbling block. The techniques address sources of CO2 that other types of carbon capture and storage cannot, and have the potential to lower atmospheric CO2 levels significantly.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2012

Satellites see unprecedented Greenland ice sheet surface melt

Researchers have observed a dramatic increase in Greenland's ice sheet surface melting, with nearly the entire ice cover experiencing melting. The melting event was linked to an unusually strong heat dome over Greenland, causing temperatures to hover above freezing for several hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 24, 2012

Hitting back at 'wiretapping' parasite

Researchers have discovered a way to make plants resistant to parasitic dodder vines by attacking the junctions where they tap into their hosts. The technique, using RNA interference, has shown promise in preventing dodder from spreading and can potentially be applied to other parasites like Striga.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJul 24, 2012

Winners of competition for most innovative skills-focused education models

The Results for Development Institute has announced the winners of its 2012 Innovative Secondary Education for Skills Enhancement (ISESE) Competition, recognizing promising models to equip youth with skills for success in today's global economy. The competition identified and explored innovative models of skills delivery at the seconda...

SourceResults for Development Institute·DateJul 24, 2012
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.

Bringing natural history collections out of the dark

A series of 18 articles in ZooKeys examines recent advances in imaging systems, data gathering techniques, and collaborative approaches to digitization. These efforts aim to create a global virtual natural history museum, providing unprecedented access to biodiversity records and research opportunities.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJul 24, 2012

Scientists create artificial mother of pearl

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have successfully synthesized a material with a similar structure, mechanical behavior, and optical appearance to natural nacre, also known as mother of pearl. The new coating has potential applications in coating applications due to its cheap ingredients and ability to be easily automated.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 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.

Greater availability of neurosurgeons could reduce risk of death from motor vehicle accidents

A study found that higher population density of neurosurgeons in the US is associated with lower mortality rates from motor vehicle accidents, which are often caused by traumatic brain injuries. Rural areas tend to experience more MVA-related deaths due to slower medical response times and reduced access to trauma resources.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateJul 24, 2012

Researchers find driver of breast cancer stem cell metastasis

Researchers have identified RhoC as a key driver of breast cancer stem cell metastasis. High levels of RhoC are associated with worse patient survival rates. Targeting this molecule may lead to more effective treatments for certain types of cancer, potentially managing cancer stem cells and invasive behaviors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 24, 2012

Blood sugar diabetes risk for South Asians

A new study found South Asians have higher levels of blood sugar than white Europeans, independent of risk factors. This suggests that South Asians should be monitored more closely for type 2 diabetes, as the diagnosis is already higher in this ethnic group.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJul 24, 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.

ESC says 50 percent of CVD deaths in Europe could be avoided with proper regulation

A population-level approach to preventing cardiovascular disease could reduce deaths by up to 50%, according to the European Society of Cardiology. The organization recommends changes in agricultural policies, taxation, and advertising to support healthy diets, physical activity, and reduced alcohol consumption.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 24, 2012