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Science News for March 11, 2012


Discovery could reduce chemo's side effects

A team of researchers at Duke University has determined the structure of a concentrative nucleoside transporter, which works by moving nucleosides from outside to inside of cells. This discovery may lead to more effective drugs with fewer effects on healthy tissue.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMar 11, 2012

Why do we see the man in the moon?

Researchers found that the Moon's synchronous rotation with Earth is due to its geophysical properties, not a result of chance. The near side of the Moon resembles the Man in the Moon due to volcanic material, while the far side has higher mountainous regions.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalIcarus·DateMar 11, 2012

Tracing the UK's No. 1 sexually transmitted infection

Researchers used whole genome sequencing to reveal that Chlamydia strains can swap DNA, making it harder to detect new strains and track re-infections. This knowledge is crucial for improving Chlamydia testing and implementing health policies to combat the spread of this common STI.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateMar 11, 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.

US citizenship may be determined at random

A Michigan State University researcher found that the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) test is not reliable in measuring civics knowledge. The test questions are randomly selected from a pool of 100, but no data has been released on their reliability or validity.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalLanguage Assessment Quarterly·DateMar 11, 2012

World breakthrough on salt-tolerant wheat

A team of Australian scientists has bred salt tolerance into a variety of durum wheat, showing improved grain yield by 25% on salty soils. The research uses non-GM crop breeding techniques and introduces a salt-tolerant gene that works by excluding sodium from the leaves.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateMar 11, 2012

Researchers discover mechanism in cells that leads to inflammatory diseases

Cedars-Sinai researchers identified the mechanism that leads to interleukin-1beta production, a major contributor to inflammation in conditions like atherosclerotic heart disease and strokes. This discovery could lead to treatments that prevent its production, resulting in more effective medications for inflammatory diseases.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalImmunity·DateMar 11, 2012

Antidepressant shows promise as cancer treatment

A team of researchers has found that an antidepressant called tranylcypromine (TCP) can harness the power of a vitamin A-derivative to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study reveals that inhibiting an enzyme called LSD1 with TCP can switch genes on, making cancer cells susceptible to ATRA.

SourceSamuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 11, 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.

Sending out an SOS: How telomeres incriminate cells that can't divide

Researchers found that telomeres send out a molecular SOS signal when cells take too long to divide, leading to the activation of DNA damage pathways and cell death. This discovery has implications for cancer chemotherapy, suggesting ways to make therapy more potent by combining mitotic inhibitors with other drugs.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 11, 2012

Protein discovery could switch off cardiovascular disease

Researchers have found a protein called pregnane X receptor (PXR) that can sense harmful substances in the blood and activate protective pathways in blood vessels. This discovery has major implications for preventing cardiovascular disease, the UK's biggest killer.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateMar 11, 2012

Greenland ice sheet may melt completely with 1.6 degrees global warming

A new study suggests the Greenland ice sheet may melt completely within 500 years under 8 degrees Celsius global warming, while a 2-degree limit would take 50,000 years to achieve. The melting could accelerate due to feedbacks between climate and the ice sheet, with significant consequences for sea levels.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMar 11, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mount Sinai researchers identify promising new drug target for kidney disease

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified HIPK2 as a crucial regulator protein in kidney fibrosis, leading to improved conditions when eliminated or inhibited. The study provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of kidney failure, affecting millions of Americans.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 11, 2012