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Science News Archive March 2006


Page 15 of 18

The world's fastest measurements of molecular vibrations

Researchers have made the fastest measurements of molecular vibrations, using a new technique that detects UV photons emitted by molecules under laser pulses. The results show atomic nuclei moving at varying speeds in different isotopes, providing insights into molecular dynamics.

Some heart patients vulnerable to mental stress

Researchers found that a third of patients without signs of reduced blood flow during exercise testing had temporary changes in heart rhythm or restricted blood flow when role-playing stressful situations. This phenomenon may indicate more severe coronary artery disease in these patients.

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.

Smallest Triceratops skull ever found provides clues to dinosaur's growth

The newly discovered Triceratops skull provides valuable insights into the dinosaur's growth patterns, suggesting that its horns and frill had a purpose beyond sexual display. The fossil, estimated to be around three years old, shows significant changes in the development of its frill and horn shape from juvenile to adult stages.

CPSC cites NIST research in Mattress Safety Advance

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has adopted a new federal standard for mattresses, setting a maximum heat release rate to reduce the risk of flashover. The standard is expected to save an estimated 270 lives and prevent 1,330 injuries annually.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Simple test could predict major complications in sickle cell patients

A recent study found that elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels can define a subgroup of sickle cell patients at risk for serious complications such as pulmonary hypertension and leg ulcerations. Patients with high LDH values had reduced survival rates compared to those with lower LDH values.

How to grow a bigger brain

Researchers found that fish raised with environmental features, such as small stones, had larger brains and a more developed cerebellum than those without. The study's findings could impact the design of hatcheries for breeding fish to restock wild populations.

Protein receptor cools passion of 'kiss and run' nerve cells

A team of neuroscientists has identified a specific molecular mechanism that targets the machinery causing fusion process, allowing for controlled release of neurotransmitters instead of an all-or-none release. This discovery has important implications for treating neurological conditions and may lead to new drugs.

SAGE launches research journal focusing on women, girls, and crime

The journal will focus on empirical research and theory related to women and girls in the criminal justice system, including research on female offenders and victims. It aims to demonstrate the gendered nature of crime and responses to crime, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of female criminality.

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.

Depression, anxiety in girls linked to higher body mass index in women

Research suggests that depression and anxiety disorders in girls and women are associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and greater weight gain over time. Women with a history of depression were found to weigh more and experience faster yearly weight increases than those without the condition.

Studies suggest new targets for tuberculosis treatments

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives within immune cells, revealing a sophisticated protein-cleaning mechanism that could be targeted by new anti-TB drugs. This discovery may lead to effective treatments for TB and potentially eradicate the disease from infected individuals.

Scan of human genome reveals evidence of more than 700 recently evolving genes

Researchers found widespread evidence of evolution in all populations studied, with signals of positive selection detected in genes related to metabolism, skin pigmentation, and brain development. The study identified over 700 recently evolving genes, including the lactase gene, which enabled Europeans to digest milk into adulthood.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New cell imaging method identifies aggressive cancer cells early

Researchers developed an automated technique to track and analyze protein NuMA in breast tissue, identifying a pattern between normal and malignant cells. The new imaging tool aims to determine cancer subtypes, predict tumor behavior, and guide personalized treatment.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Dying of excitement

A mutation in the EAAT2 gene, which regulates glutamate levels in the brain, is associated with elevated plasma glutamate and increased risk of post-stroke neurological problems. Stroke patients with the mutated allele had higher plasma glutamate levels and more severe neurological outcomes than those with the normal allele.

Stowers scientists demonstrate mechanism of vertebral formation

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a key family of transcription factors, the Snail proteins, that play a crucial role in controlling vertebral formation. This discovery provides new insights into the process of embryonic segmentation and may hold potential for understanding cancer progression.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Mother's depressive symptoms contribute unfavorably to parenting practices

A study found that nearly 18% of mothers experience depression in early infancy and that maternal depressive symptoms have an unfavorable impact on active engagement with the child. Mothers with depressive symptoms were less likely to play with their infants daily and show them books compared to those without symptoms.

Selection tool could revolutionize hiring, online dating

A new selection tool using 'synthetic validity' could revolutionize hiring by streamlining processes, saving businesses billions of dollars annually. This system has also been applied to online dating, aiming to create more precise matches with better long-term results.

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.

Tomorrow's endangered species: Act now to protect species not yet under threat

A new study identifies areas with potential species extinction risk, highlighting the need for proactive conservation efforts. Researchers found that many species currently deemed safe could leapfrog into high threat categories, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable species before they become endangered.

Scientists find brain function most important to maths ability

Researchers identify specific brain function responsible for counting 'how many' versus 'how much', a major finding in understanding dyscalculia. The discovery could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of the learning disability, similar to recent breakthroughs in dyslexia.

Study of 2004 tsunami forces rethinking of giant earthquake theory

The study found that the 2004 earthquake was caused by rupture of a 1,000-mile stretch of the megathrust, spanning up to 93 miles at the surface. This has global implications for understanding earthquake hazards and may require reassessment of subduction zones previously thought to be at low risk.

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.

Flu in the subtropics

Researchers in Hong Kong found that flu outbreaks increase hospital admissions for heart conditions, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. Influenza was responsible for 11.6% of respiratory disease admissions, comparable to temperate countries.

New NSF aircraft to probe hazardous atmospheric whirlwinds

The HIAPER aircraft will fly over treacherous whirlwinds, known as rotors, in the California Sierra Nevada range. Scientists will study the rotors' structure and evolution to improve forecasters' ability to predict when and where they occur.

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.

Reducing teens' intake of sugary drinks

A randomized controlled trial led by Cara Ebbeling and David Ludwig found that a six-month beverage-focused intervention reduced sugary drink intake in teens by 82% and resulted in significant weight loss. The study suggests that making noncaloric beverages available to adolescents can have a substantial impact on body weight.

New study confirms the ecological virtues of organic farming

A new Stanford University study found that organic fertilizers produced less environmental harm than synthetic chemicals, reducing nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming also promoted the growth of beneficial denitrifying bacteria, which converted excess nitrates into harmless gases.

World's oldest ship timbers found in Egyptian desert

Researchers discovered ancient ship timbers at Wadi Gawasis site, dating back approximately 4,000 years, indicating a 2,000-mile round-trip voyage to Punt, a southern Red Sea trading center. The findings confirm the Egyptians had the naval technology to travel long distances by sea.

Mexico City field campaign to study megacity pollution

Scientists will analyze air and aerosol pollutants using aircraft, ground stations, and satellite observations. The goal is to understand the impact of urban pollution on regional and global climate, ecosystems, and visibility.

Active inbreeding avoidance in wild capuchin monkeys

A 14-year study of wild capuchin monkeys reveals that fathers almost never mate with their daughters, despite alpha males siring most offspring from unrelated females. This suggests the evolution of sophisticated behavioral barriers to prevent inbreeding within individual populations.

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.

Mining the human genome for signs of recent selection

Researchers analyzed genetic data from three distinct populations and found roughly the same number of signals of positive selection within each population. The study also identified previously known sites of recent adaptation, such as the lactase gene, which enabled the digestion of milk to continue into adulthood.

Understanding the actions of others requires the frontal cortex

Researchers used Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to test frontal cortex role in non-language tasks. Participants struggled with understanding others' actions after left frontal cortex stimulation, suggesting its importance for social cognition and communication.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Crystal structure library gets a 'data lift'

The NIST Structural Database has been upgraded to improve the quality of its crystal structure data, ensuring accurate results for materials analysis. The database now includes standardized data and additional fields for enhanced analysis capabilities.

Depressed older adults more likely to become cognitively impaired

A study found that depressed older adults are more likely to develop cognitive impairment within six years, with those experiencing moderate to high depression facing nearly twice the risk. The researchers discovered no correlation between depression and vascular disease, suggesting alternative mechanisms for the association.

Training improves sound localization in ferrets

Researchers trained adult ferrets to localize sounds despite obstructed hearing, finding that frequency of training was crucial for improvement. The study showed that the brain can adapt to abnormal spatial cues rapidly with intensive training, suggesting potential benefits for patients with hearing disorders.

Nanoparticles create biocompatible capsules

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to stabilize lipids and create biocompatible capsules. These capsules can be used for drug delivery, enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and biosensors, offering new possibilities for health and agricultural applications.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Electrons flying 'backwards' in Saturn's sky

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research discovered 'anti-planetary' electron rays on Saturn that fly away from the planet, similar to those observed on Earth. These findings suggest a fundamental process underlying polar lights, which were previously only seen on our planet.

New open-source software to remove ID from patient reports

A new open-source software tool successfully removed over 98% of unique identifiers from pathology reports, including name, address, and social security numbers. The developers found that hospital-specific customization may be necessary to achieve optimal performance.

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.