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Science News for July 6, 2012


Images in an instant: Suomi NPP begins direct broadcast

The Suomi NPP satellite is now providing 'direct broadcast' data to users in real-time, enabling quick evaluation of regional events such as forest fires and flooding. This data is used by organizations like the USDA Forest Service to produce fire mapping products and inform decision makers.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 6, 2012

Microscope probe-sharpening technique improves resolution, durability

A new microscope probe-sharpening technique has been developed to improve imaging resolution and durability for researchers studying tiny structures. The technique, described in Nature Communications, uses a matching voltage to deflect ions and sharpens the probe around the tip, preserving the point and increasing stability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Concordia welcomes 4 new Vanier scholars

Four Concordia PhD candidates have secured Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships to conduct groundbreaking research in various fields. Brigitte Desharnais will investigate metabolizing enzymes in the liver to determine drug-related deaths, while Matthew Keough will study stress and alcohol use in young adults.

SourceConcordia University·DateJul 6, 2012

BWH researchers discover new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have discovered a new vaccine candidate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that causes severe lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. The vaccine is based on a new mechanism of immunity mediated by T helper 17 (Th17) cells and has been shown to protect mice from lethal pneumonia.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 6, 2012

UGA study finds that physical education mandates not enough in most states

A University of Georgia study found that only six states mandate sufficient physical education for elementary school students, while middle and high schools fall short. The lack of clear guidelines and mandates has led to reduced programs and elimination in many schools.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Teaching in Physical Education·DateJul 6, 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.

Fertility drug usage and cancer risk

A study found that women using fertility drugs had a reduced risk of breast cancer if they did not conceive a 10-plus week pregnancy, but an increased risk if they did. The study suggests that exposure to the drugs may raise risk by modifying breast tissue remodeling during pregnancy.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 6, 2012

Stop and go

A new protein called Lem4 has been discovered to direct a crucial step in cell division by preventing the addition of phosphate tags to BAF while promoting their removal. This process is essential for cellular growth and division, and its regulation may be key to understanding various cellular processes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Keeping the flu away

EP67, a powerful synthetic protein, is able to activate the innate immune system within two hours of administration, preventing flu symptoms. The study found that EP67 functions similarly across different flu strains, offering a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 6, 2012

Spaceflight may extend the lifespan of microscopic worm

A team of scientists discovered that spaceflight suppressed the accumulation of toxic proteins in a microscopic worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. When the expression of genes involved in aging was lowered, the worms lived longer, suggesting that spaceflight may slow the aging process.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 6, 2012

Can you hear me now? New strategy discovered to prevent hearing loss

A new research in the FASEB Journal suggests that the AMPK protein helps protect sensory cells in the inner ear from permanent damage and maintains hearing after extreme noise exposure. The discovery provides a target for new preventive strategies and potentially even treatments for earbud deafness syndrome.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 6, 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.

The 'appetite-suppressing' effect of proteins explained

Researchers describe the biological mechanisms behind protein's appetite-suppressing effects, identifying specific receptors involved in intestinal gluconeogenesis. This understanding paves the way for new avenues in obesity treatment by controlling fullness sensation over long periods.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalCell·DateJul 6, 2012

Gastroenterology, CGH maintain strong 2011 impact factors

The AGA journals, Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, maintained strong standing with high impact factors in 2011. Both journals received a significant number of citations and had outstanding immediacy indices.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJul 6, 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.

NIH-funded study finds more precise way to estimate kidney function

A new equation that combines creatinine and cystatin C levels provides a more accurate measurement of kidney function, reducing over-diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study suggests that this approach could be used as a confirmatory test for CKD in patients with estimated GFR near 60.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 6, 2012

Building global collaboration for biodiversity intelligence

The Global Biodiversity Informatics Conference identified critical areas for greater investment and coordination in information technologies and social networks. The conference aimed to build global collaboration on biodiversity observation, uniting partners and initiatives to detect and respond to short-term changes and long-term trends.

SourceGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility·DateJul 6, 2012

Zebrafish reveal promising mechanism for healing spinal cord injury

Researchers discovered a protein that promotes the adoption of bipolar glial shape in zebrafish, encouraging nerve regeneration and potentially offering a new therapeutic target. The findings suggest an alternative approach to scar tissue formation, which is a major barrier to spinal cord repair in mammals.

SourceGenetics Society of America·DateJul 6, 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.

Prevention is better than cure for killer cardiovascular disease

The new 2012 Joint European Societies' Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice focus on lifestyle changes, public health initiatives, and individual preventive measures to address the growing burden of CVD. Experts stress the need for a co-ordinated society-wide effort to reduce mortality.

SourceSAGE·JournalEuropean Journal of Preventive Cardiology·DateJul 6, 2012

Scientists discover an epigenetic cause of osteoarthritis

Researchers found that people with osteoarthritis have a signature epigenetic change responsible for increasing the levels of the destructive MMP13 enzyme. This discovery provides hope for targeted drug development to prevent disease progression and improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 6, 2012

HI-C sounding rocket mission has finest mirrors ever made

The HI-C mission will observe the solar corona at a resolution of up to 100 miles, surpassing existing instruments. The telescope's finely crafted mirrors, some of the best ever made, will capture structures in the sun's atmosphere with unprecedented detail.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 6, 2012

Aqueous iron interacts as strong as solid iron

Researchers developed a new method called inverse Partial Fluorescence Yield (iPFY) that allows them to examine the structure of metal ions-complexes in solution without sample damage. The study found that iron ions interact strongly with water, contradicting previous thoughts.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJul 6, 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.

Heat, rainfall affect pathogenic mosquito abundance in catch basins

Researchers from the University of Illinois discovered that low rainfall and high temperatures increase the numbers of larvae in storm water catch basins. The study, published in Journal of Medical Entomology, highlights the importance of monitoring mosquito populations in these areas to track West Nile Virus disease cases.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJul 6, 2012

Taking tissue regeneration beyond the state-of-the-art

Researchers at University of Nottingham are developing new injectable materials that stimulate stem cells to form new blood vessels, heart and bone tissue. The goal is to create radical new treatments for diseases with no cure, reducing the need for invasive surgery.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateJul 6, 2012

Zebrafish provide insights into causes and treatment of human diseases

Researchers use zebrafish to study the biological mechanisms underlying human disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, doxorubicin-induced heart failure, spinal muscular atrophy, and acute T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. The models provide valuable insights into causes and potential treatments for these diseases.

SourceGenetics Society of America·DateJul 6, 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.

UCLA researcher discovers epigenetic links in cell-fate decisions of adult stem cells

Researchers found two key epigenetic regulating genes that govern cell-fate determination of human bone marrow stem cells. The discovery may allow stem cells to differentiate specifically into bone cells while inhibiting fat cell differentiation, paving the way for therapies in regenerative medicine and osteoporosis treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 6, 2012

UC Davis study finds that above-normal weight alone does not increase the short-term risk of death

A new UC Davis study found that being overweight or obese alone is not linked to an increased risk of death in the short-term. However, severely obese individuals with diabetes or hypertension do face a higher risk of mortality, emphasizing the importance of weight loss and managing co-occurring health conditions.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateJul 6, 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.