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Science News for March 18, 2012


American College of Cardiology honors 2 Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute physicians

Two Cedar-Sinai Heart Institute physicians, Prediman K. Shah and C. Noel Bairey Merz, receive American College of Cardiology's highest honors for groundbreaking work in cardiovascular disease research and clinical care. The accolades recognize their pioneering efforts to develop innovative treatments and improve heart health outcomes.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·DateMar 18, 2012

Marine Protected Areas are keeping turtles safe

A recent study published in Global Ecology and Biogeography reveals that 35% of the world's green turtles inhabit Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), significantly higher than expected. The research also shows that older MPAs are more likely to contain turtles, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMar 18, 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.

The Viking journey of mice and men

A multinational team of researchers found that house mice (M. m. domesticus) colonized Iceland and Greenland during the Viking age, mirroring human settlement patterns. The analysis of mouse mitochondrial DNA showed no evidence of mice in Newfoundland, suggesting a fleeting presence.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateMar 18, 2012

Exotic materials will change optics, Duke researchers say

Duke researchers have developed exotic materials that can control light at will, allowing for the creation of holograms in the infrared range. The team's innovative approach enables a broad range of optical devices with complex properties, opening up new possibilities for advanced optics and optoelectronics.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 18, 2012

Need for speed

A team of scientists at EMBL found that oskar RNA requires both tags to reach its correct destination, suggesting a 'ticket' that also affects its speed of transport. The study provides clues on how a single molecule could receive tickets for different destinations depending on the type of cell.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 18, 2012

Genetic variation in East Asians found to explain resistance to cancer drugs

A study found that a genetic variation in the BIM gene variant occurs in about 15% of the typical East Asian population and contributes to some patients' failure to benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs. The researchers identified a novel class of BH3-mimetics as a potential treatment option to overcome this resistance.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 18, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UMass Amherst theoretical physicists find a way to simulate strongly correlated fermions

Theoretical physicists at UMass Amherst have developed a new technique called Diagrammatic Monte Carlo to simulate strongly interacting quantum systems. This breakthrough enables accurate predictions of their properties, opening doors to practical superconductor applications and solving complex 'many-body' problems in high-energy physi...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 18, 2012

Looking at quantum gravity in a mirror

Researchers propose a new quantum experiment using Planck-mass mirrors to test predictions of quantum gravity. The team's findings suggest that certain modifications predicted by quantum gravity proposals could be verified in the laboratory, potentially shedding light on the unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 18, 2012

Hazy shades of life on early Earth

A new study reveals that the Earth's early atmosphere periodically transitioned between a hydrocarbon-rich state and a haze-free environment due to microbial activity. This 'see-sawing' phenomenon had a profound impact on the climate system, with evidence suggesting a significant role in regulating atmospheric oxygen levels.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 18, 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.

A surprising new kind of proton transfer

Researchers found that protons can transfer without hydrogen bonds, involving significant rearrangements of molecular fragments. Methyl groups on uracil dimers played a crucial role in enabling this process.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMar 18, 2012

Researchers reveal how a single gene mutation leads to uncontrolled obesity

A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that a mutation in the Bdnf gene can lead to uncontrolled obesity due to the inability of neurons to pass along appetite-suppressing signals. The researchers found that stimulating expression of this gene may offer a novel strategy for treating obesity.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 18, 2012
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Bone marrow transplant arrests symptoms in model of Rett syndrome

A bone marrow transplant has been shown to arrest severe symptoms of Rett syndrome, a devastating neurological disorder, by replacing faulty immune system cells. The procedure significantly extended the lifespan of Rett mouse models and improved their mobility, breathing, and overall health.

SourceRett Syndrome Research Trust·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2012