science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Σάββατο 7 Ιουλίου 2012

Science News SciGuru.com

Robot Vision: Muscle-Like Action Allows Camera to Mimic Human Eye Movement
Researchers Block Pathway to Cancer Cell Replication
Heat, rainfall affect pathogenic mosquito abundance in catch basins
Researchers Study How Cooperation Can Trump Competition in Monkeys
For Cardiac Stenting Procedures, Wrist Access Offers Cost Saving Benefits Over Groin Access
"Self-Distancing" can help people calm aggressive reactions, study finds
Scripps Florida Scientists Identify Critical ‘Quality Control’ for Cell Growth

Robot Vision: Muscle-Like Action Allows Camera to Mimic Human Eye Movement

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 12:55 PM PDT

Using piezoelectric materials, researchers have replicated the muscle motion of the human eye to control camera systems in a way designed to improve the operation of robots. This new muscle-like action could help make robotic tools safer and more effective for MRI-guided surgery and robotic rehabilitation.

Researchers Block Pathway to Cancer Cell Replication

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 12:45 PM PDT

Research suggests that patients with leukemia sometimes relapse because standard chemotherapy fails to kill the self-renewing leukemia initiating cells, often referred to as cancer stem cells. In such cancers, the cells lie dormant for a time, only to later begin cloning, resulting in a return and metastasis of the disease.

One such type of cancer is called pediatric T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or T-ALL, often found in children, who have few treatment options beyond chemotherapy.

Heat, rainfall affect pathogenic mosquito abundance in catch basins

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 10:10 AM PDT

Rainfall and temperature affect the abundance of two mosquito species linked to West Nile Virus in storm catch basins in suburban Chicago, two University of Illinois researchers report.

Marilyn O’Hara Ruiz, a professor of pathobiology, led the study with graduate student Allison Gardner.

Researchers Study How Cooperation Can Trump Competition in Monkeys

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 10:01 AM PDT

Being the top dog — or, in this case, the top gelada monkey — is even better if the alpha male is willing to concede at times to subordinates, according to a study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Duke University.

Alpha male geladas who allowed subordinate competitors into their group had a longer tenure as leader, resulting in an average of three more offspring each during their lifetimes.

For Cardiac Stenting Procedures, Wrist Access Offers Cost Saving Benefits Over Groin Access

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 09:49 AM PDT

In the United States, radial artery (wrist) catheterization is performed in the minority of diagnostic angiograms and cardiac stenting procedures despite the benefits it offers to patients in terms of reduced complications and faster mobility after the procedure. Now, new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington Medical Center, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, indicates that radial access may offer a significant cost savings benefit to hospitals.

"Self-Distancing" can help people calm aggressive reactions, study finds

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:52 AM PDT

A new study reveals a simple strategy that people can use to minimize how angry and aggressive they get when they are provoked by others.

When someone makes you angry, try to pretend you’re viewing the scene at a distance - in other words, you are an observer rather than a participant in this stressful situation. Then, from that distanced perspective, try to understand your feelings.

Researchers call this strategy “self-distancing.”

Scripps Florida Scientists Identify Critical ‘Quality Control’ for Cell Growth

Posted: 06 Jul 2012 08:13 AM PDT

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have identified a series of intricate biochemical steps that lead to the successful production of proteins, the basic working units of any cell.