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Science News for February 8, 2013


Comparing mechanical clot removal and standard medical therapy for severe stroke

A new randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of mechanical clot removal with standard medical therapy in treating severe strokes. The study, led by Georgetown University Medical Center, found that removing blood clots within eight hours of stroke symptoms improved survival outcomes and reduced disability levels.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Physicians' belief about obesity causes impacts advice and care

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that physicians who believe overconsumption of food contributes to obesity are more likely to advise patients to modify nutritional habits. The study analyzed data from 500 US primary care physicians and found a significant correlation between physician beliefs and counse...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Scientists using holiday snaps to identify whale sharks

Researchers successfully identified individual whale sharks in 85% of cases using public photographs, comparable to professional photographer identification rates. The study suggests that citizen-sourced photos can be a valuable tool for tracking whale shark populations and monitoring conservation efforts.

SourceImperial College London·JournalWildlife Research·DateFeb 8, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rooting out recurrent breast cancer

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that TGF-β is highly expressed in triple negative breast cancer cells after chemotherapy. In a mouse model, blocking TGF-β prevented tumor recurrence and enhanced chemotherapy action against triple negative breast cancer.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

Having a Tony Stark in the office is fine as long as you hire a Pepper Potts

Research suggests that highly powerful individuals often ignore constraints, but low-power team members can serve as a check. The study found that powerful people are less likely to consider risks, while their lower-powered colleagues are more aware of potential pitfalls.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateFeb 8, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

New insight on relationship between parents, preschoolers and obesity

A new study from Washington State University finds that mothers' eating habits at the dinner table can significantly impact their preschoolers' obesity risk. The researchers analyzed surveys of low-income African-American and Latino Head Start preschoolers and caregivers, discovering that moms who exhibit high levels of control while f...

SourceWashington State University·JournalAppetite·DateFeb 8, 2013

New insight into RASopathy-associated lymphatic defects

Researchers used transgenic mice to study the effects of RAS pathway alterations on lymphatic system development. They found that excess ERK activation leads to lymphatic defects in RASopathies, which can be reversed by ERK inhibitor treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

Villain stomach bug may have a sweet side

Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered that Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium blamed for health issues like gastritis and gastric cancer, helps balance the stomach's ecosystem and control body weight and glucose tolerance in mice. The findings suggest that H. pylori may provide important metabolic traits required to combat diabetes.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 8, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 8, 2013

Studies reveal that blocking TGF-β can prevent tumor recurrence in mice with triple negative breast cancer. Additionally, targeting specific subsets of immune cells, such as CD8+ regulatory T-cells, may provide a new approach to treating rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 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.

Imaging acute ischemic stroke patients' brains did not lead to improved outcomes

A recent NIH-funded study found that using advanced imaging shortly after an acute ischemic stroke did not identify a subgroup of patients who could benefit from clot removal procedures. The study, MR RESCUE, tested an invasive clot removal strategy in patients with large clots blocking major brain arteries.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Pitt/UPMC team describes findings from BCI study in spinal cord-injured man in PLoS One

Researchers at Pitt/UPMC successfully used brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to enable a paralyzed man to control a computer cursor and robot arm with his thoughts. The study, published in PLoS ONE, demonstrates the potential for BCI technology to help individuals regain independence after spinal cord injuries.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 8, 2013

Forensic pathology: tracing the origin of the Usutu Virus

A team at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine found the same strain of Usutu virus in dead blackbirds in Italy in 1996 as in Austria's cases. This suggests the virus was present in Italy before reaching Europe, and forensic pathology can help unravel origins of emerging diseases.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 8, 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.

Cupid's arrow: Notre Dame Research illuminates laws of attraction

University of Notre Dame Sociologist Elizabeth McClintock's research offers new insights into physical attractiveness and age on mate selection. Her studies show that very physically attractive women are more likely to form exclusive relationships, while thinner women report fewer sexual partners.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalBiodemography and Social Biology·DateFeb 8, 2013
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.

Support needed for children losing parent at early age

A study exploring the impact of early parental death found that individuals experiencing bereavement as children are more likely to experience low self-esteem, loneliness, and isolation in adult life. Researchers recommend providing essential practical support and maintaining social networks to mitigate these effects.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Bronchiectasis increases mortality risk in moderate-to-severe COPD

A new study has found that bronchiectasis is independently associated with an increased mortality risk in patients with moderate-to-severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The presence and severity of bronchiectasis were linked to a higher risk of death, independent of other known risk factors.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2013

Targeting T cells in rheumatoid arthritis

A subset of regulatory T cells has been identified that can remove pathogenic T cells, inhibiting disease progression in RA-like conditions. Small proteins have also been found to induce more of these beneficial T cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New strategy prevents rheumatoid arthritis in mice

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed a new approach to treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Infusing CD8+ Treg cells into arthritis-prone mice shut down the inflammatory cascade that damages tissues and joints, significantly slowing disease progression.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 8, 2013

Putting our heads together: Canines may hold clues to human skull development

Scientists review research on dog cranium development to identify genetic variations that may inform human skull development. The study suggests a connection between canine and human craniofacial development, potentially leading to new insights into craniofacial deformities such as Apert, Crouzon, and Pfeiffer syndromes.

SourceGenetics Society of America·JournalGenetics·DateFeb 8, 2013

Implants make light work of fixing broken bones

Artificial bone created using stem cells and lightweight plastic can heal shattered limbs by encouraging real bone growth. The implant's honeycomb structure allows blood to flow through it, supporting the attachment of patient-derived stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateFeb 8, 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.

Study drug is first to help patients with recurrent low-grade ovarian cancer

A phase II clinical trial shows that selumetinib, a targeted therapy, can halt growth or shrink tumors in 15% of patients with recurrent low-grade ovarian cancer. The two-year overall survival rate is 55%, and the median overall survival has not been reached due to high patient survival rates.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 8, 2013

Premiums for public health insurance affect coverage

A study by Georgetown University researchers found that requiring premiums for public health insurance coverage can counteract its expansion effects. The Affordable Care Act subsidies play a crucial role in making health insurance more affordable, affecting the number of uninsured individuals.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalHealth Services Research·DateFeb 8, 2013

Using Twitter to predict the influence of lifestyle on health

Researchers used Twitter data to model how lifestyle factors such as social status, pollution exposure, and interpersonal interaction influence health. They found that even people who regularly talk about exercising get sick more often than those who actually exercise.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateFeb 8, 2013

New brain-test app

A new study by researchers at the University of Bergen found that an iPhone app, iDichotic, produces as reliable results as laboratory tests. The app measures brain function in language processing and attention, opening up new possibilities for psychological research and remote testing.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 8, 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.

Got to go? Harvard scientists figure out how you know

Researchers have identified a new mechanism by which the bladder senses its level of fullness through integrin proteins. This discovery may lead to the development of new drugs targeting this pathway to treat overactive bladder and incontinence.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateFeb 8, 2013