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Science News for August 16, 2013


'Reprogrammed' treatment-resistant lymphomas respond to cancer drugs

A phase I clinical trial shows that diffuse, large B-cell lymphomas resistant to chemotherapy can be reprogrammed to respond using the drug azacitidine. Patients whose tumors do not respond to standard therapies are being treated with a combination of approaches, including high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateAug 16, 2013

Female frogs prefer males who can multitask

In a study of gray tree frogs, females preferred calls that were longer and more frequent, which is a challenging task. The findings support the multitasking hypothesis, suggesting that high-quality males can produce multiple signals at once.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalAnimal Behaviour·DateAug 16, 2013
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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Pewa develop in central Pacific

Tropical Storm Pewa has formed in the central Pacific, according to NASA's satellite imagery. System 90C, located about 775 miles south-southwest of Kauai, Hawaii, has a medium chance (30%) of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 16, 2013

Drug dosing for older heart patients should differ

A new study suggests that a half-dose of prasugrel, an anti-platelet drug used to treat heart attacks, works as well as the typical dosage in older patients over 75. The research found no greater risk of bleeding problems with a lower dose of 5-mg/day prasugrel compared to the standard 75-mg clopidogrel dosage.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCirculation·DateAug 16, 2013

Effects of Parkinson's-disease mutation reversed in cells

A UCSF team discovered that a chemical found in an anti-wrinkle cream can increase mutant PINK1 enzyme activity to near normal levels, reversing cell death caused by Parkinson's-disease mutations. This finding suggests potential for new treatment strategies and raises hope for combatting other diseases, including diabetes and cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateAug 16, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nanosensors could aid drug manufacturing

Researchers at MIT have developed nanosensors that can detect variations in binding strength of antibody drugs, enabling more efficient production. The sensors also measure weak interactions with sugar chains, which are essential for drug effectiveness.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 16, 2013

Agricultural fires in Mozambique and Malawi

Dozens of fires detected in southeastern Africa, primarily in Mozambique and Malawi, indicating intentional burning by farmers. The fires, mainly during the main growing season, have been linked to agricultural practices to enhance crop yields and manage land.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 16, 2013
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.

New flow battery could enable cheaper, more efficient energy storage

A new rechargeable flow battery has been engineered by MIT researchers, generating three times as much power per square centimeter as other membraneless systems. The device stores and releases energy through laminar flow, without relying on expensive membranes, and may enable cheaper, large-scale energy storage.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2013

How DNA repair helps prevent cancer

Researchers used large-scale computer simulations to gain a detailed understanding of the cellular recognition process of MutS and MSH2-MSH6 proteins. The study found that DNA bending facilitates the initial recognition of mismatched base pairs, leading to repair initiation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·DateAug 16, 2013

Middle-aged men, women not equal in heart attack risk

A new study found that middle-aged men are at a greater risk for having a first heart attack due to high cholesterol levels, unlike women who are also at risk but to a lesser extent. The study suggests that men with high cholesterol should be treated more aggressively to prevent infarctions and save lives.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEpidemiology·DateAug 16, 2013
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Fires in eastern Russia -- Urals and Siberia

Fires in eastern Russia's Siberia and Urals are often set by farmers to return nutrients to the soil and clear unwanted plants. These fires produce smoke degrading air quality, highlighting the need for fire management teams to limit uncontrolled wildfires.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 16, 2013

Psoriasis researcher earns third NIH Grant in 1 year

A psoriasis researcher has received a third NIH grant to explore the nervous system's involvement in psoriasis. The study aims to identify new targets for drug development and improve patient care by investigating nerve-derived peptides critical to sustaining the disease.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateAug 16, 2013

Soft drinks and behavioral problems in young children

A new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that soft drink consumption in young children is associated with increased aggressive behavior, attention problems, and withdrawal symptoms. Children who consumed four or more servings per day were nearly twice as likely to exhibit these behaviors.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateAug 16, 2013
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.

JPIDS explores trends in perinatally infected HIV patients now approaching adulthood

The study found that the proportion of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased, with virologic suppression rising from 35.5% to 63%, among perinatally infected HIV patients now approaching adulthood. However, older patients are more likely to experience higher viremia and advanced immunosuppression.

SourcePediatric Infectious Diseases Society·JournalJournal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society·DateAug 16, 2013

Soft drink consumption linked to behavioral problems in young children

A new study finds that soft drink consumption is associated with aggressive behavior, attention problems, and withdrawal behavior in young children. Approximately 43% of the children consumed at least 1 serving of soft drinks per day, and those who drank 4 or more were more than twice as likely to engage in problem behaviors.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateAug 16, 2013