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Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Scientists discover novel genes responsible for regulating muscle cells

York University researchers have identified novel genes that play a crucial role in regulating muscle cell differentiation and growth. The study found that Smad7 and β-catenin proteins work together to control the pathway for normal gene expression, resulting in normal skeletal muscle cells.

SourceYork University·JournalCell Death and Disease·DateMay 22, 2019

Stem cell scientists clear another hurdle in creating transplant arteries

Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research have successfully grown smooth muscle cells from pluripotent stem cells using a novel growth factor called RepSox. This breakthrough reduces the risk of intimal hyperplasia, a common cause of graft failure in bypass surgery.

SourceMorgridge Institute for Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMay 9, 2019
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.

Atherosclerosis: Induced cell death destabilizes plaques

Researchers discovered that neutrophils can induce a previously unrecognized type of cell death in tissues, leading to the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. This process causes inflammation, which increases the likelihood of plaque rupture and subsequent cardiovascular events.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateMay 1, 2019

The FASEB Journal: Pericytes may improve muscle recovery

Researchers found that pericyte transplantation can facilitate full regrowth of muscle fibers in skeletal muscle following limb immobilization. Pericytes play a crucial role in regulating muscle mass, particularly in the context of recovery from disuse atrophy.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 25, 2019

Duke-NUS study: New technique shows promise for heart muscle regeneration

Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School have made a breakthrough in heart muscle regeneration by priming stem cells to become heart tissues. The novel method uses the laminin protein to promote differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cardiovascular precursor cells, which can then differentiate into cardiac muscle fibers.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 27, 2019

Study of female weightlifters crushes stereotype

A study of elite female weightlifters found they have the same amount and in some cases more fast twitch fibers than their male counterparts. This challenges a persistent stereotype about women athletes and highlights the influence of training on muscle fiber development.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 27, 2019
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Building starch backbones for lab-grown meat using Lego pieces

Researchers at Penn State and the University of Alabama developed a technique to spin starch fibers using Lego pieces, creating potential scaffolds for lab-grown 'clean' meat. The starch fiber mats have been optimized for better alignment and strength, making them suitable for biomedical applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalFood Hydrocolloids·DateMar 26, 2019

Antibodies stabilize plaque in arteries

Researchers found that IgG antibodies play a crucial role in stabilizing arterial plaques, reducing the risk of rupture and clotting. The study suggests that these antibodies may be a new target for mitigating atherosclerosis and improving cardiovascular health.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCirculation·DateMar 21, 2019

Oscillation in muscle tissue

Researchers discovered that muscle stem cells produce proteins MyoD and Hes1 in an oscillatory manner, ensuring a sufficient supply of stem cells. This phenomenon is crucial for muscle regeneration and differentiation. The study aims to develop new therapies for muscular disorders by understanding the oscillation mechanism.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalGenes & Development·DateMar 15, 2019

UMN study provides new insight into use of cell replacement therapies to treat muscular dystrophies

A University of Minnesota Medical School research breakthrough highlights the potential of cell therapies for treating muscular dystrophy. The study identifies the molecular signature of muscle stem cells generated in vitro and their transformation upon transplantation into mice with muscular dystrophy.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Medical School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2019
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.

In their DNA: Rotator cuff stem cells more likely to develop into fat cells

A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that rotator cuff muscle stem cells have a higher propensity to develop into fat cells, leading to fatty infiltration and weakening of the muscles. This genetic basis may explain why rotator cuff tears are difficult to rehabilitate.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateFeb 6, 2019

Muscle memory discovery ends 'use it or lose it' dogma

Researchers have found that nuclei gained during training persist even when muscle cells shrink due to disuse or disease, allowing for rapid growth when retrained. This discovery has important implications for public health policy and suggests that exercise in early life can help prevent frailty in old age.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJan 25, 2019
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.

Scientists cut main heart disease risk locus out of DNA by genome editing

Researchers precisely cut a widespread DNA region from the genome using genome editing, revealing its role in cardiovascular disease. The 9p21.3 haplotype causes abnormalities in vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to heart attacks and stroke. This breakthrough may lead to new treatments for millions worldwide.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalCell·DateDec 6, 2018
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.

This matrix delivers healing stem cells to injured elderly muscles

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a molecular matrix that effectively delivers muscle satellite cells to injured muscle tissue, promoting healing and protection from immune reactions. The hydrogel therapy has potential to treat muscular dystrophy patients, including those with Duchene muscular dystrophy.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 15, 2018

Key to artery health lies in LYVE-1 macrophage

A team of researchers found that LYVE-1 macrophages protect arteries from becoming stiff by interacting with smooth muscle cells and reducing collagen production. The protein is responsible for binding to hyaluronan, facilitating the degradation of collagen.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalImmunity·DateJul 27, 2018

It takes a village...

Researchers identify myofibroblasts as key players in activating nucleus movement, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for muscle disorders. The discovery could improve understanding of muscle differentiation, functionality, and regeneration.

SourceInstituto de Medicina Molecular·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 9, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Getting to the heart of congenital cardiac defects

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals how gene defects lead to congenital heart defects. The researchers found that the absence of the CHD4 protein allows for the production of abnormal, 'hybrid' muscle cells that cannot pump blood efficiently.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2018

New target for treating heart failure identified by Penn Medicine researchers

Researchers from Penn Medicine identified a new target for treating heart failure by reversing the stiffness of diseased heart muscle cell struts, which can improve the beating strength of cells isolated from transplant patients. The team aims to develop therapies that seek out damaged cellular struts to reverse their harmful influence.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateJun 11, 2018

New gene therapy sparks healthy heart beats

A new gene therapy approach has shown dramatic reduction of post-infarction arrhythmias in mice by electrically coupling non-excitable cells to undamaged heart cells. The treatment involves introducing a single gene, Connexin43, which bridges the conduction block in damaged hearts.

SourceCornell University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 9, 2018
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.

Breakthrough for SF State kinesiologists studying metabolic protein

Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered a breakthrough technique for testing AMPK protein levels in human muscle cells. This innovative approach allows for precise analysis of individual muscle fibers, enabling better understanding of how the body regulates blood sugar levels.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateMay 1, 2018

Exercise could make the heart younger

Researchers found that exercising mice produced over four and a half times more new heart muscle cells than sedentary counterparts. The study suggests exercise can stimulate the heart to regenerate tissue after a heart attack.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 25, 2018

Fruit fly study identifies new gene linked to aortic aneurysms

Researchers have identified a new gene, ari-1, linked to aortic aneurysms in humans through a fruit fly study. The study found that mutations in the ari-1 gene disrupt mechanical sensing mechanisms in the body, leading to abnormal nuclei shapes and potentially contributing to the development of aortic aneurysms.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 24, 2018
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Brown fat flexes its muscle to burn energy

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that brown fat cells can be activated to burn calories when stimulated, similar to how muscle cells work. The team identified a potential pathway to trigger this activation and hopes to develop drugs to stimulate brown fat function.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 6, 2018

Nature, meet nurture

Researchers found diverse landscape of gene expression changes across all cell types in visual cortex, involving 611 genes linked to neural connectivity. The study suggests that each cell has a unique genetic program tailored to its function within the neural circuit.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 8, 2018
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.

More than 100,000 switches

A research team led by Dr. Ralf Gilsbach and Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein from the University of Freiburg has mapped out the gene regulators in the DNA of human cardiac muscle cells for the first time. They discovered over 100,000 gene switches that control gene activity, providing insight into mechanisms misdirected in heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 29, 2018

Heart cells sense stiffness by measuring contraction forces and resting tension simultaneously

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered a new mechanism by which heart cells sense stiffness, involving both contraction forces and resting tension. The study found increased resting tension in heart cells after a heart attack or disease, leading to abnormal mechanosensing and signalling that contributes to heart fail...

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 25, 2018

0.6 percent soy isoflavone in the diet decrease muscle atrophy

A study published in European Journal of Nutrition found that dietary isoflavone aglycone can reduce muscle atrophy by blocking the apoptosis-dependent pathway in muscle fibers. The researchers observed significantly thicker muscle fibers in mice fed with AglyMax supplement compared to those on a normal diet.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·DateJan 18, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Engineers grow functioning human muscle from skin cells

Duke researchers successfully grew functioning human skeletal muscle from induced pluripotent stem cells, offering a promising path for cellular therapies, drug discovery, and studying rare diseases. The technique allows for the growth of far more muscle cells and provides an easier route to genome editing and individualized models.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2018

New hope for stopping an understudied heart disease in its tracks

Scientists have made breakthroughs in understanding the early stages of CAVD by studying pig valves and creating a lab model. They found that certain sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) can increase blood vessel growth, but also trap low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecules.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 25, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

UCLA researchers create skeletal muscle from stem cells

Researchers at UCLA have successfully created skeletal muscle from human pluripotent stem cells, a major step towards developing a cell replacement therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The study uses natural human development as a guide to mature muscle cells in the lab and restore dystrophin-producing muscle fibers.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 18, 2017

Pathological mechanisms in congenital myotonic dystrophy unveiled

Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Researchers have identified an upregulation of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) myokine signaling pathway in CDM muscles, suggesting that enhanced RNA toxicity contributes to severe CDM phenotypes through aberrant IL-6 signaling.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 11, 2017

Fighting myocardial infarction with nanoparticle tandems

Scientists show that transplanted muscle cells loaded with magnetic nanoparticles engraft better onto the existing tissue, leading to improved heart function. The technology could potentially be used to revitalize damaged heart tissue and has shown promising results in mice.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalBiomaterials·DateDec 1, 2017
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.

Surprising roles for muscle in tissue regeneration, study finds

A team of researchers discovered that different subtypes of muscle cells play critical roles in orchestrating tissue regeneration in flatworms. Removing specific muscle groups was shown to disrupt the regeneration process, revealing essential functions for longitudinal and circular fibers.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2017

UofL researchers discover key signaling protein for muscle growth

Researchers at UofL discovered the critical role of MyD88 in muscle development and regeneration, highlighting its potential to improve therapies for degenerative muscle disorders. The study also suggests that increasing MyD88 levels could inhibit growth of rhabdomyosarcomas and enhance engraftment of exogenous myoblasts.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2017
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Massage could be used to aid recovery of damaged limbs

Researchers found that massage increased muscle growth after loss and improved protein manufacture in cells, leading to faster regeneration. Additionally, non-massaged muscles showed accelerated growth, suggesting massage could benefit both injured and healthy limbs.

SourceThe Physiological Society·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·DateOct 31, 2017

MDC receives funding to collaborate on Human Cell Atlas

The Max Delbrück Center receives funding to collaborate on the Human Cell Atlas project, focusing on understanding heart muscle cells. The goal is to create a three-dimensional model of the human heart and advance personalized medicine.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·DateOct 19, 2017

3-D packaging of DNA regulates cell identity

A Penn study suggests that DNA 3D packaging controls which genes are available for activation, influencing cell differentiation. The researchers found that tethering DNA to the nuclear periphery with an epigenetic enzyme contributes to a cell becoming a certain type.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateOct 12, 2017

A need for bananas? Dietary potassium regulates calcification of arteries

Researchers found that low dietary potassium promotes elevated aortic stiffness, while increased dietary potassium alleviates it. Increased potassium also reduced vascular calcification and aortic stiffness in mouse models, suggesting its potential to protect against heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJCI Insight·DateOct 5, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Regenerating tissues with gene-targeting molecules

A synthetic DNA-targeting molecule called PIP-S2 has been developed to guide human induced pluripotent stem cells into specific cell types. This breakthrough overcomes challenges in current approaches and offers a promising strategy for tissue regeneration.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateSep 25, 2017