Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for September 29, 2013


Organized screening for prostate cancer does more harm than good

Researchers estimate that routine PSA testing can lead to increased impotence and incontinence cases, as well as additional prostate cancer diagnoses. However, the difference in death rates between screened and unscreened men is relatively small, with only 0.07 more deaths attributed to screening.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·DateSep 29, 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.

Tiny sensor used in smart phones could create urban seismic network

A tiny MEMS accelerometer chip used in smartphones can detect moderate to strong earthquakes when located near the epicenter. The technology has the potential to increase coverage and accuracy in monitoring strong motion during earthquakes, making it possible to create an urban seismic network that transmits real-time ground motion data.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateSep 29, 2013

Researchers uncover 48 new genetic variants associated with multiple sclerosis

Researchers have identified 48 new genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis, nearly doubling the number of known risk factors and shedding light on the immune system's role in the disease. The study, led by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, confirms the critical involvement of genetic factors in MS development.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 29, 2013

Largest, most accurate list of RNA editing sites

The researchers validated 1,799 sites and predicted an additional 1,782 sites, resulting in a combined list of 3,581 accurate sites. The team gained insights into the model organism's fundamental biology, including patterns of editing and alternative splicing.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 29, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wagon-wheel pasta shape for better LED

Researchers at the University of Utah created a new organic molecule shaped like rotelle – wagon-wheel pasta – that depolarizes light, increasing LED efficiency. This breakthrough allows for more efficient OLED displays, promising longer battery life in smartphones and TVs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 29, 2013

Eilat's corals stand better chance of resilience than other sites

Scientists at Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University found that Eilat's corals are more resilient than other sites due to a 'warm-water barrier' in the Red Sea. This barrier allows only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to enter, making it a unique refuge for coral reefs.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 29, 2013

Leukemia cells are addicted to a healthy gene

A study at the Weizmann Institute suggests that in a quarter of all leukemias, cancer cells use a balance between a mutated gene and its normal counterpart to keep going. The healthy RUNX1 gene plays a crucial role in blood cell development and maintenance.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 29, 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.

Sequencing studies help pinpoint gene in Prader-Willi syndrome

Researchers have pinpointed a specific gene responsible for Prader-Willi syndrome, an imprinted disease affecting muscle tone, feeding difficulties, and intellectual disability. The study identified mutations in the MAGEL2 gene, which was found in three additional patients with similar symptoms.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 29, 2013

KAIST announced a novel technology to produce gasoline by a metabolically engineered microorganism

A Korean research team developed a novel strategy for microbial gasoline production through metabolic engineering of E. coli, producing 580 mg of gasoline per liter of cultured broth. The platform E. coli strain can be modified to produce other chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil resources.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature·DateSep 29, 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.