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Science News for February 22, 2013


How to mend a broken heart: Advances in parthenogenic stem cells

Researchers at Georg-August-Universität Göttingen used parthenogenic stem cells to create cardiomyocytes and engineered heart muscle with normal properties. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of parthenogenic stem cells for tissue engineering and could lead to new cell replacement therapies.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

Pulmonary fibrosis: Between a ROCK and a hard place

Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs that causes shortness of breath and fatigue. Researchers identified a mechanosensitive cellular signaling pathway in myofibroblasts, which promotes survival and prevents normal cell disappearance after wound healing.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

Flipping the 'off' switch on cell growth

A Johns Hopkins research team has identified a protein called HIF-1α that helps cells slow down their growth in response to low oxygen levels. This process can potentially be used to treat diseases such as cancer and other conditions where cell growth is uncontrolled.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Signaling·DateFeb 22, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Clean energy research targets idle engines

A new research project aims to develop sustainable air conditioning and refrigeration systems for vehicles, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The technology uses waste heat from engine exhaust to power the system, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions and energy consumption.

SourceSimon Fraser University·DateFeb 22, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 22, 2013

Scientists successfully use parthenogenic stem cells to develop functional heart muscle and treat pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers find that inhibiting a protein called ROCK attenuates myofibroblast survival and prevents lung scarring.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

The lifetime journeys of manure-based microbes

Researchers identified diverse microbial communities in cattle manure, with some bacteria present in beef cattle not found in dairy cows. Diet and tillage management also affected pathogen transport in field runoff, highlighting the importance of soil management for food safety.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateFeb 22, 2013

Controversial dam removals founded on value conflicts

Researchers found that opponents of dam removal value aesthetics, cultural heritage, and recreational activities, while supporters prioritize ecological benefits and game fish restoration. Compromise solutions may be challenging due to differing ecosystem service values.

SourceUmea University·JournalEcology and Society·DateFeb 22, 2013

Parents talking about their own drug use to children could be detrimental

A recent study found that children of parents who didn't disclose their own drug use but delivered a strong antidrug message were more likely to exhibit antidrug attitudes. Parents should consider the potential unintended consequences of sharing their past substance use stories with their kids.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateFeb 22, 2013
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.

Light from silicon nanocrystal LEDs

Researchers from KIT and the University of Toronto have successfully manufactured highly efficient light-emitting diodes using silicon nanocrystals. The SiLEDs can produce light in various colors and have a surprising long-term stability, making them an attractive alternative to existing LEDs.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 22, 2013

Asteroid searchers take the high ground

The University of Calgary has launched a satellite to track near-Earth asteroids, enabling researchers to study these rare and difficult-to-detect objects. The NEOSSat satellite will enable scientists to take hundreds of sensitive images daily to search for moving dots of light that represent asteroids.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·DateFeb 22, 2013

Cyclone Haruna makes landfall in Madagascar

Cyclone Haruna made landfall near Manombo, Madagascar on February 22, with its eye becoming cloud-filled. The storm's maximum sustained winds dropped to 80 knots after interacting with land, but it will continue to weaken due to friction and wind shear.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 22, 2013

PNNL rolls out its clean energy tech at ARPA-E

PNNL researchers are developing a range of innovative clean energy technologies, including thermal energy storage that can store solar heat for up to 10 times longer than traditional molten salts. Additionally, the lab has created lightweight fuel tanks for compressed natural gas vehicles and rare earth-free magnets for electric motors.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateFeb 22, 2013

Smarter lunchrooms make lunch choices child's play

A study found that small, inexpensive changes to school cafeterias increased students' likelihood of taking fruits and vegetables by 13% and 23%, respectively. These interventions, called the smarter lunchroom makeover, promoted healthier behaviors through behavioral cues.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateFeb 22, 2013
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.

Watching molecules grow into microtubes

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way for small molecules to spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes through self-assembly. The process involves the formation of vesicles that stick onto the surface of the tube, causing it to grow longer and wider.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalSmall·DateFeb 22, 2013

Lessons from cockroaches could inform robotics

Researchers studied cockroaches' gait patterns using kinematic phase analysis, revealing a substantial delay in the nervous system's response time. This finding suggests that periodic feedback systems might lead to more stable walking robots.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalBiological Cybernetics·DateFeb 22, 2013

Researchers find appointed justices outperform elected counterparts

State supreme court justices who don't face voters are generally more effective than their elected counterparts, according to research led by Princeton University political scientists. The study found that appointed justices bring a higher quality of information to the decision-making process and are less likely to make errors.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateFeb 22, 2013
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.

Genomic detectives crack the case of the missing heritability

A study by Princeton University researchers suggests that heritability in humans may not be missing after all, but rather hidden due to limitations in modern research tools. By using yeast cells as a model, the team detected DNA variations associated with traits and characteristics, indicating that most heritability is accounted for.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2013

Keck Medical Center of USC offers new treatment for chronic reflux disease

The LINX Reflux Management System, a device made of magnetic titanium beads, helps relieve chronic heartburn symptoms by strengthening the lower esophageal sphincter. Over 90% of patients reported satisfaction with their condition after treatment.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 22, 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 device better traps viruses, airborne pathogens

A new device called the SXC ESP was created by Washington University engineers to better protect human lungs from allergens and airborne viruses. The device uses soft X-ray irradiation to capture particles, making it more effective than traditional air cleaners in removing biological agents from the air.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 22, 2013

UNC-led study documents head and neck cancer molecular tumor subtypes

A UNC-led team has identified four molecular classes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a disease with limited information on its molecular profile. The study confirms the presence of these subtypes and demonstrates their clinical relevance, paving the way for targeted therapies.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2013
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.

Reprogramming cells to fight diabetes

Scientists successfully repurposed human alpha cells into functional beta cells by modifying chromatin material, demonstrating the potential for a novel diabetes treatment. The study also reveals that many genes in alpha cells are marked with both activating and repressing histone modifications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 2013

Interdisciplinary education seeks to improve palliative care

The University of Louisville's interdisciplinary curriculum for oncology palliative education (iCOPE) prepares students to work together as a team, addressing psycho-social-spiritual and physical needs. This innovative program aims to improve patient care and graduate students who demand interdisciplinary teams.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateFeb 22, 2013

Fruit flies force their young to drink alcohol -- for their own good

In a study published in Science, fruit flies were found to lay their eggs in an alcohol-soaked environment when sensing parasitic wasps, forcing larvae to consume booze to combat infection. The discovery suggests that using toxins in the environment to medicate offspring may be common across the animal kingdom.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalScience·DateFeb 22, 2013