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Science News for June 22, 2012


GMCSF treatment associated with improved cognition in cancer patients

Researchers found significant improvements in memory and thinking among cancer patients treated with GMCSF plus GCSF compared to those receiving GCSF alone. The study suggests that GMCSF may prevent or reverse cognitive decline in cancer patients, in addition to Alzheimer's patients.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalBrain Disorders & Therapy·DateJun 22, 2012

Maths tells us when to be more alert on the roads

Researchers used mathematical algorithms to determine that drivers should pay more attention during the shortest lifetime of spatio-temporal correlations of traffic intensity, found to be between 6pm and 8pm. This period experiences high 'stop and go' phenomena, requiring constant driver attention.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalCentral European Journal of Physics·DateJun 22, 2012

Danish scientists detect new immune alert signal

Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune alarm signal that triggers the human immune system before a virus attack. This knowledge may lead to more efficient vaccines and better treatment of recurrent infections, potentially reducing the risk of diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, and cold sores.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Immunology·DateJun 22, 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.

Notre Dame establishes professorships in adult stem cell research

Notre Dame has established professorships in adult stem cell research thanks to a $5 million gift from the Gallagher family. The new positions aim to accelerate the discovery of treatments for degenerative diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, using non-embryonic stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·DateJun 22, 2012

Research: Many programs to help diabetics manage their health do work

A comprehensive review of 142 clinical trials found that strategies targeting patients and the healthcare system are effective in improving diabetes outcomes. Programs aimed at physicians were only successful for diabetics with poor health control, while patient-targeted interventions showed promise regardless of HbA1c levels.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·DateJun 22, 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.

'Trust' hormone oxytocin found at heart of rare genetic disorder

A study published in PLoS One found that individuals with Williams syndrome exhibit abnormal hormonal responses to emotional triggers, particularly increased levels of oxytocin and arginine vasopressin. This may help understand human social behavior and inform treatment for related disorders.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 22, 2012

Predicting treatment response in central nervous system diseases

A study by European Society of Human Genetics researchers identifies a crucial factor, CD36 fatty acid transporter protein, in suppressing response to VPA treatment. Monitoring blood for CD36 levels can help doctors determine response to treatment before starting therapy.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Genetics·DateJun 22, 2012

New hospital guidelines to help mothers at risk of postpartum depression

The University of Louisville Hospital has implemented new guidelines to guide perinatal nurses in caring for women at risk of postpartum depression (PPD). The guidelines, developed by a team led by M. Cynthia Logsdon, aim to improve PPD assessment, education, and referral policies.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalMCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing·DateJun 22, 2012

The Affordable Care Act could have negative consequences for elderly recipients

A recent study by George Washington University School of Nursing found that three ACA provisions have inadequate addressed the needs of elderly Americans receiving long-term services and supports. The research highlights the potential for unintended consequences, including poor outcomes, if these provisions are not retooled.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJun 22, 2012

Is arm length the reason women need reading glasses sooner than men?

Research suggests women require higher power reading glasses than men of equivalent age due to preferred reading distances or arm length. The study found no significant gender-related difference in the eye's focusing ability.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJun 22, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Animal reservoir mystery solved

A team of scientists from Washington University in St. Louis has identified the eastern gray squirrel as a major animal reservoir for tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichioses and STARI. The study uses a new assay to detect species-level tick blood meals, confirming the presence of gray squirrel DNA in infected ticks.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJun 22, 2012

Happy Father's Day! Another reason why dads and hopeful dads should quit smoking now

A new study published in the FASEB Journal reveals that smoking before conception can damage genetic information in sperm cells, potentially harming offspring with increased risk of cancer and other diseases. The research highlights the importance of quitting smoking for men trying to conceive.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJun 22, 2012

NASA satellite sees several western US fires blazing

Multiple large fires are burning across western US states, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing images of smoke and hot spots. The High Park Fire in Colorado has burned over 68,200 acres, while the Poco Fire in Arizona has burned over 11,950 acres.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 22, 2012

Trial seeks to sniff out cancer

Researchers are enrolling patients to detect lung cancer through volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. Early detection can significantly improve treatment options and survival rates.

SourceNational Jewish Health·DateJun 22, 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.

For minority college students, STEM degrees pay big

A new study found that STEM degrees are associated with significantly higher earnings for minority college students. Latinos reported the highest average earnings after college, with an average annual salary of $42,180. STEM majors also led to higher job salaries, with a 50% premium compared to non-STEM fields.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalResearch in Higher Education·DateJun 22, 2012

South African daffodils may be a future cure for depression

Researchers have identified several South African daffodil plant compounds that can potentially bypass the blood-brain barrier, a key challenge in developing new antidepressant drugs. The study's findings, published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, offer hope for the development of novel treatments for depression.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology·DateJun 22, 2012

Parents' work-life stress hinders healthy eating

A study by Temple University found that parents' work-life stress hinders healthy eating in families, particularly among urban fathers who face higher rates of unemployment. Fathers and mothers experience different challenges in preparing meals, with mothers spending more time on food preparation but reporting fewer family meals.

SourceTemple University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJun 22, 2012

Bandgap engineering for high-efficiency solar cell design

Theoretical calculations predict a significant difference in the bandgap between ordered and fully disordered ZnSnP2 materials. Experimental measurements support these predictions, suggesting a graded solar cell system that absorbs light across a wide spectrum.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 22, 2012

New technique allows simulation of noncrystalline materials

A multidisciplinary team at MIT developed a new mathematical approach to simulate noncrystalline materials, which could lead to more efficient solar cells and organic LED lights. The method uses free probability applied to random matrices, achieving accurate predictions with great precision.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 22, 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.

Myelodysplastic syndrome treated with deferasirox shows beneficial iron reduction, Moffitt says

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have tested deferasirox as a treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood-related malignancy that affects the ineffective production of blood cells. Deferasirox reduced iron levels by 23% in 53% of patients, showing promising results for this type of cancer.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 22, 2012

Is your leaf left-handed?

Recent research reveals that the spiral pattern of leaf formation affects the symmetry of tomato and Arabidopsis leaves. The study found measurable anatomical differences between the left and right sides of both young and mature leaves, identifying a previously overlooked axis of asymmetry.

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateJun 22, 2012

Research finds Stonehenge was monument marking unification of Britain

The study reveals that Stonehenge was built as a monument to unify the peoples of Britain after a long period of conflict between eastern and western regions. The monument's alignment suggests it was more significant during winter solstice than summer solstice, with evidence pointing to a unified cultural shift around 3,000 BC.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateJun 22, 2012

Sea waves as renewable resource in new energy converter design

Researchers have designed a new device that converts sea wave motion into electrical energy with high power density and robustness. The proposed electric linear planar switched reluctance generator addresses the challenges of low speed and irregular movements in ocean waves.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJun 22, 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.

NASA sees first Atlantic hurricane fizzling in cool waters

NASA's Aqua satellite data revealed that sea surface temperatures of 290 Kelvin (62°F) in the area where Chris is located were not sufficient to maintain its strength. As a result, Chris weakened and became a post-tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 22, 2012

Infection biology: The elusive third factor

Researchers from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the enzyme YfcM as a key player in bacterial pathogenicity modification. The discovery of YfcM, which displays hydroxylase activity and lacks sequence similarity to known proteins, has significant implications for the development of new antibiotics.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 22, 2012

First paternity study of southern right whales finds local fathers most successful

A new study published in Molecular Ecology found that most southern right whales born near New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands were fathered by local males, indicating strong local fidelity to breeding habitat. This finding suggests that the New Zealand population is relatively isolated from other populations, which could have implicat...

SourceOregon State University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJun 22, 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.