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Science News for September 14, 2012


CAMH illuminates roles of novel epigenetic chemical in the brain

Researchers at CAMH have identified 5-hmC, an epigenetic modification of DNA, as playing a key role in the brain's plasticity. The study found that 5-hmC is highly enriched in genes related to synapses, suggesting its involvement in learning and memory.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 14, 2012

Surgery more profound effect than anesthesia on brain pathology, cognition in Alzheimer's mice

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that surgery itself has a profound impact on brain pathology and cognition in mice with human Alzheimer disease genes. Surgery causes a lasting increase in Alzheimer's pathology and significant cognitive impairment, primarily through inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateSep 14, 2012

NASA examines very dangerous Super Typhoon Sanba

NASA's TRMM satellite observed intense rain falling at 3 inches per hour around Super Typhoon Sanba, with powerful hot towering thunderstorms near its center. The storm is expected to make landfall on South Korea's south coast on September 17.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 14, 2012

Researchers find our inner reptile hearts

Scientists have identified the genetic building blocks behind the human heart's subtle control system, which shares similarities with birds and reptiles. The study reveals that a spongy inner tissue in fetal hearts stretches out to form a fine network of conductive tissue in adult animals.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 14, 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.

X-rays reveal the self-defence mechanisms of bacteria

A new X-ray study reveals that persister cells are regulated by toxins produced by the bacteria themselves, allowing them to enter a dormant state. This understanding can lead to the development of treatments that block toxin function and production, potentially improving outcomes in life-threatening diseases.

SourceAarhus University·JournalStructure·DateSep 14, 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.

Getting (drugs) under your skin

MIT engineers enhance skin permeability using ultrasound waves, enabling efficient transdermal drug delivery. The technology could pave the way for needle-free vaccinations and improve treatment of skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateSep 14, 2012

Feeling stressed by your job? Don’t blame your employer, study shows

A recent study by University of Notre Dame researcher Timothy Judge found that genes play a significant role in job stress and health problems. He studied nearly 600 twins and discovered that shared genes were about four times more important than shared environments in shaping personality, stress, and health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateSep 14, 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.

Probing matters of the heart

A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateSep 14, 2012

Maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning

A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateSep 14, 2012

'Memristors' based on transparent electronics offer technology of the future

Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed the potential of zinc tin oxide for use in resistive random access memory (RRAM), a 'memristor' technology that could replace traditional flash memory. This new approach offers significant advantages, including smaller size, faster performance, and lower cost.

SourceOregon State University·JournalSolid-State Electronics·DateSep 14, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Simple tool may help evaluate risk for violence among patients with mental illness

A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalPsychiatric Services·DateSep 14, 2012

Canadian otolaryngologist wins international award

Dr. Lorne Parnes, a renowned Canadian otolaryngologist, has won the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Distinguished Service Award. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to the field, including pioneering treatments for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and direct drug delivery implementation.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·DateSep 14, 2012
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

The most stable laser in the world

Researchers develop new silicon resonator for ultra-stable laser, enabling narrower optical absorption lines and better optical atomic clocks. The stability of the laser is critical for these applications.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 14, 2012

23andMe opens its API to developers

23andMe is opening its API to third-party developers, enabling them to create new web-based interactive tools using the company's DNA data. Approved developers will receive an authentication key to access the platform.

Source23andMe, Inc.·DateSep 14, 2012

UMass Amherst sleep researchers study value of preschool naps

Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate the value of preschool naps to understand their effects on memory, behavior, and emotions in young children. The study aims to determine if napping enhances physical and emotional learning, particularly for children who don't get optimal overnight sleep.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateSep 14, 2012

45 percent of layoff victims, despite anger, would return to former employer

A Temple University study reveals that 45% of highly paid professionals who were laid off would consider returning to their previous employer, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent layoff decisions. The research also highlights the impact of layoffs on survivors' attitudes towards their former employer.

SourceTemple University·JournalCareer Development International·DateSep 14, 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.

X-rays unravel mysterious degradation of a Van Gogh painting

Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray analysis to identify a hitherto unknown degradation process at the interface between paint and varnish. The study found that the presence of lead-based siccative in the varnish led to the formation of anglesite, an opaque compound causing discoloration.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateSep 14, 2012

Could bioscience research bring more Olympic and Paralympic medals

Three new projects will study athletes' vision, movements, and cognitive skills to develop improved training methods for elite athletes across all sports. The research also aims to provide insights into how to train or retrain people who have lost daily skills due to ageing or disease.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateSep 14, 2012

Learning faster with neurodegenerative disease

Researchers found that individuals with Huntington's gene mutation exhibit increased learning efficiency, which is more pronounced in those with stronger mutations. This paradoxical effect suggests that neurodegenerative changes can lead to improved cognitive function.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 14, 2012

NASA's TRMM satellite sees Nadine still struggling to become a hurricane

Tropical Storm Nadine continues to battle wind shear and dry air that are keeping it under hurricane status, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. Satellite imagery shows Nadine has grown in size but appears more ragged and disorganized, with decreasing convection around the center of circulation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 14, 2012

China's nuclear dilemma

China's unique deployment of modern conventional ballistic missiles has a decisive effect on its war plan, creating critical uncertainties. The country's military considers conventional missiles as a fundamental source of political and military strength, but this also generates risks of escalation.

SourceSAGE·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateSep 14, 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.

New insights on cell competition

Scientists from CNIO describe natural selection at the cellular level, where tissues and organs select the 'best' cells to fend off disease processes. The study reveals the role of haemocytes in eliminating cell residues, shedding light on mechanisms of homeostasis and potential cancer detection.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 14, 2012

Passive smoking also affects neurodevelopment in babies

A new study by experts at CRAMC University reveals that newborns exposed to nicotine from active and passive smoking mothers show poor physiological, sensory, motor, and attention responses. The researchers analyzed the behavior of 282 healthy newborns using the Neonatal Behavioural Evaluation Scale.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEarly Human Development·DateSep 14, 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.

Neurobiologist Rodal wins New Innovator award

Rodal's lab aims to understand the interplay between neuronal firing and growth factor transport in neurons, with potential applications for ALS and Alzheimer's treatments. She will use a fruit fly model system to study the relationship between electrical activity and receptor trafficking.

SourceBrandeis University·DateSep 14, 2012

Canadian homes a kill zone for up to 22 million birds a year

A University of Alberta study estimates that Canadian homes are a kill zone for up to 22 million birds annually. The research suggests that bird fatalities from window collisions can be prevented by adjusting feeder placement distance from windows. Factors influencing collision frequency include tree age and feeder feeding habits.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalWildlife Research·DateSep 14, 2012

Whole-genome scan helps select best treatment for childhood cancer

A whole-genome scan can help identify large-scale chromosomal damage, enabling doctors to choose the most effective treatment option for children with neuroblastoma. The study recommends that all children diagnosed with neuroblastoma worldwide have a whole-genome scan as part of their treatment.

SourceInstitute of Cancer Research·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateSep 14, 2012