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Science News Archive June 2006


Page 12 of 16

Researchers build an ultrasound version of the laser

Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a device that generates coherent ultrasonic waves, allowing them to study laser dynamics and measure material properties. The 'uaser' has potential applications in modeling and studying laser behavior, as well as sensing changes in materials.

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.

Recent, rapid climate change is driving evolution of animal species

Research by University of Oregon scientists reveals that rapid climate change is leading to heritable genetic changes in animal populations. This includes changes in timing of seasonal events, such as earlier reproduction and migration, rather than adaptations to temperature increases.

Massive-star supernovae found to be major space dust factories

Researchers found massive-star supernovae to be major space dust factories, producing up to seven thousand earth masses of solid dust particles. This discovery challenges existing theories and provides new insights into the processes that produce dust in the universe, with implications for the formation of comets, planets, and life.

How to 'infect' students with a love of science

Researchers developed a phage-genomics educational platform, attracting high school and undergraduate students to scientific discovery. The study found that simplicity, flexibility, and ownership are key attributes of an effective science program.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The mystery behind love-hate relationships

Research by Yale University's Margaret Clark and Steven Graham found that individuals with low self-esteem are slower to respond when judgmenting partners due to their tendency to idealize or devalue them. The study also introduced the I-TAPS scale, a tool to measure the extent of segregated thoughts about partners.

Policy makers draw up list of 'top 100' ecological questions

A group of 654 environmental policy makers and academics have created a list of 100 key questions to help bridge the gap between science and policy. The list aims to inform policy decisions with sound scientific research, addressing pressing ecological issues.

Female birds boost up their eggs when hearing sexy song

Researchers found that female domesticated canaries varied the size of their eggs in response to the attractiveness of the male's song. The study highlights the importance of behavioral stimuli for reproductive physiology. In this experiment, attractive songs led to larger eggs, but no difference was observed in brood sex ratio.

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.

Paying to prevent diabetes is cost effective

A new study suggests that prepaying benefits for diabetes prevention could save healthcare costs by preventing millions of individuals from developing the disease. By sharing costs with employers and individuals, private health insurers and Medicare can cover lifestyle interventions, reducing the economic impact of obesity and diabetes.

Brain region linked to fly slumber

A team of researchers led by Ravi Allada from Northwestern University discovered that mushroom bodies play a crucial role in regulating sleep in fruitflies. The study suggests that the area may function to consolidate memories formed during the day, similar to vertebrates.

First comprehensive literature-derived database of yeast interactions

A comprehensive literature-derived database of yeast interactions has been created, containing over 22,000 protein interactions and 11,000 genetic interactions. The database is publicly available and enables researchers to gain further insight into individual gene functions and biological network features in yeast.

First trimester use of ACE inhibitors implicated in birth defects

A new study found that infants born to mothers who took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester had a significantly higher risk of major birth defects. The study examined over 29,500 infant records and showed a clear increase in birth defects following first-trimester-only exposures.

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.

New study shows earthquake shaking triggers aftershocks

Researchers found that the amplitude of shaking directly affects the chance of an aftershock, following an inverse power law relation. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that aftershocks are triggered by static stress resulting from crust movement.

Diabetes research takes wing thanks to long-lived fruit fly

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the relationship between stress response and insulin regulation in flies. By boosting a molecular signal called JNK, they found that flies can live up to 85 days longer, opening up new avenues for understanding human diabetes and aging.

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.

New contrast agents may be on horizon for better medical imaging

Researchers have developed tiny carriers, called gadolinium oxide nanoparticles, that can target tumors for improved imaging. These nanoparticles could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and other cancers by reducing toxic effects of chemotherapy.

$478,000 grant funds Florida Tech undergraduate astronomy research

The National Science Foundation and Department of Defense partner to provide funding for Florida Tech's Summer Astronomy Research Program (SARA). Undergraduate students from across the country participate in a nine-week research program, working with faculty mentors and presenting their findings.

New way to assess risk of heart disease in ethnic groups

A new calculator tool, ETHRISK, has been developed to better assess the risk of heart disease in British black and minority ethnic groups. The tool is based on a re-calibration of the Framingham risk equations and provides more realistic assessments of heart disease risks within a 10-year period.

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.

University launches Pinot noir research

The University of Auckland is launching a new Pinot noir research program to better understand the grape variety and its qualities. The program aims to enhance New Zealand's wine making reputation by analyzing grape varieties, wine making processes, and reactions.

UNH space scientists deliver twin instruments to NASA

The University of New Hampshire has delivered two identical Plasma and SupraThermal Ion Composition (PLASTIC) instruments for NASA's STEREO mission, which aims to study coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather. The instruments will make measurements of the solar wind as they pass by the twin spacecraft.

Sensational find: The mini-dinosaurs from the Harz Mountains

A team of scientists has discovered a new species of dwarf sauropod dinosaurs in the Harz Mountains, estimated to weigh only one tonne. The unique microstructure of their bones suggests that these animals were fully grown when they died, reaching lengths of up to 6 metres and 90 centimetre tall.

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.

Mysterious carbon excess found in infant solar system

Researchers have discovered a surprising amount of carbon in the gas surrounding a young star, Beta Pictoris. The findings may indicate that asteroids and comets in this system could contain large amounts of organic material, which could have delivered building blocks of life to early Earth.

Forming super-Earths by ultraviolet stripping

Astronomers propose that super-Earths can form around red dwarf stars via ultraviolet stripping, a process previously thought to only create gas giant planets. The new theory suggests that the mass of the central star determines whether a planet forms as a gas giant or a super-Earth.

Pick your COX partners

Researchers discovered that the partnership between COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes plays a critical role in blood vessel development in newborn mice. This finding suggests exploring new roles for COX enzymes in biology and potentially developing new drugs.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

'Immersidata' improves interactive game development user-testing

A new method of user-testing in interactive games is being developed using 'immersidata,' which captures machine-readable records of commands sent by players. The tool, ISIS, analyzes these records to identify problems in game design and development, including navigation errors and emotional responses.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

St. Jude helps Brazil improve outcomes of children with leukemia

The St. Jude program in Brazil reduced abandonment rates from 16% to 0.6% and increased event-free survival from 32% to 63%, providing continuous care and psychosocial support to families. The program's success is a model for reducing disparities in cure rates between high- and low-income countries.

RNA found in the cellular centrosome of surf clams

Researchers have discovered RNA in the cellular centrosome of surf clams, which may be related to structure, protein encoding, and organism development. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer development and progression.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Step by step, cancer patients use exercise to feel better

A randomized, controlled study found that exercise reduced cancer-related fatigue and improved strength during radiation treatment, with participants taking at least 12,000 steps per day. The study showed that moderate physical activity resulted in significant improvements in aerobic capacity and reduced fatigue.

World's largest osteoporosis congress closes; significant studies released

Significant studies presented at the World Congress on Osteoporosis highlight the importance of calcium, vitamin D, and protein in building bones, as well as the impact of space travel, obesity, and smoking on bone health. The congress also emphasized the need for improved screening and treatment options for osteoporosis patients.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Gardenia fruit compound starting point for diabetes therapy

Researchers found that Gardenia extract contains the chemical genipin, which blocks UCP2 enzyme and improves insulin secretion. In both animals and humans, high concentrations of UCP2 appear to inhibit insulin secretion from the pancreas and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

From theory to reality

Researchers at Kent State University develop negative index materials, rewriting the laws of optics and enabling super-resolution lenses, non-destructive optical tweezers, and more. The five-year project aims to create NIMs for visible light spectrum.

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.

Unpacking pecking orders to get the gist of web gab

A USC Information Sciences Institute system identifies alpha chatterers in online communities, enabling the extraction of statistically correct answers. The method integrates speech act analysis, lexical similarity, and poster trustworthiness to create links for interpretation.

Study compares treatment options for patients with brain metastases

Researchers compared WBRT plus SRS to SRS alone in patients with limited brain metastases. The study found that SRS alone was associated with increased brain tumor recurrence but not worsened neurologic function or increased risk of death. Frequent monitoring of brain tumor status is recommended for this treatment option.

Increased sensitivity to nerve signals keeps diabetes at bay

Researchers found that mice lacking pancreatic beta cell M3 receptors developed impaired glucose tolerance and reduced insulin release. In contrast, mice with increased M3 receptors showed improved glucose tolerance and insulin release, becoming resistant to developing symptoms of diabetes.

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.

Green tea and the 'Asian Paradox'

Research suggests that green tea's polyphenolic EGCG offers protective effects against cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Regular green tea consumption has been linked to improved gastrointestinal function, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and potential tumor prevention.