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Science News Archive 2007


Page 102 of 203

From the corner of the eye: Paying attention to attention

Researchers distinguish between two classes of brain cells with distinct roles in visual attention and highlight mechanisms by which they mediate attention. They found that neurons respond more strongly when attention is directed to the stimulus in their receptive fields, with narrow-spiking cells firing more frequently under attention.

The new 'look' of superconductivity

Researchers at Ames Laboratory have observed two-dimensional equilibrium patterns in lead samples when in its superconducting state, below 7.2 Kelvin. These complex patterns differ from the long-held textbook model proposed by Lev Landau and represent a significant contribution to the field of superconductivity.

Which is the chattier gender?

A study of nearly 400 university students found women spoke an average of 16,215 words per day, while men averaged 15,669. The difference was not statistically significant, and individual variations were large.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research ends debate over benefits of butterfly defenses

Research reveals that butterfly mimicry benefits both species involved, as predators avoid eating the most unpalatable species but still learn to distinguish between them. The study provides insight into how insects evolve to resemble one another and change their behavior.

NIEHS researchers identify enzyme critical in DNA replication

DNA polymerase epsilon plays a primary role in replicating leading strand of DNA in bakers yeast, influencing genome stability and responses to environmental stress. The discovery advances understanding of DNA replication in higher organisms like humans.

Do women really talk more than men?

A study published in Science debunks the popular stereotype that females use more words than men, revealing both sexes use an average of 16,000 words per day. The research used a digital voice recorder to track daily interactions over eight years and analyzed transcripts from nearly 400 university students.

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.

International AIDS society conference, Sydney

The International AIDS Society conference in Sydney drew a record number of 5,000 delegates and featured a new biomedical prevention track, reflecting increasing interest in microbicides and other innovative approaches.

Holograms make for better vision tests

Researchers developed a one-step test using holograms to diagnose astigmatic error, a key factor in prescribing glasses. The new technique is simpler and faster than traditional methods, which involve multiple lenses and complex processes.

How pain distracts the brain

Researchers identified the lateral occipital complex as a region affected by both working memory load and pain, but found that pain influences visual processing through the rostral anterior cingulate cortex. This modulation affects accuracy in recognizing images.

Chemical in brain acts like a fuel gauge

Researchers at USC have found that norepinephrine transmits a 'low blood sugar' message from the hindbrain to the paraventricular hypothalamus, triggering the release of energy stores to replace missing sugars. This discovery provides new insights into glucose sensing mechanisms in the brain and may hold potential for treating diabetic...

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.

Challenges to development of an AIDS vaccine

HIV's uniformly fatal outcome and absence of natural immunity pose significant hurdles for vaccine design. The authors call for increased funding for research and clinical trials to address these challenges and accelerate progress in finding an effective AIDS vaccine.

Why liver cancer is more prevalent in males than in females

Research at University of California, San Diego reveals that male mice produce more IL-6 in response to liver injury, leading to a higher incidence of liver cancer. The study suggests therapies targeting IL-6 production or estrogen-like compounds may reduce liver cancer risk in males.

Cancer on the agenda of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency

Cancer is a major cause of disease and mortality worldwide, requiring a strong political signal for alliance and concerted actions. The Round Table on Health Strategies in the European Union will focus on creating capacity building for effective policies and programs to address cancer.

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.

South Asian Scots have increased risk of heart attacks

A recent study by the University of Edinburgh found that South Asian Scots are more likely to suffer a heart attack than the rest of the Scottish population. The research, which linked census data to hospital discharge records, revealed an 80% higher incidence of heart attacks among South Asian women and a 45% higher incidence among men.

Soil particles found to boost prion's capacity to infect

A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that soil particles can increase the infectious nature of rogue proteins causing CWD. Binding to common soil minerals like montmorillonite significantly increases oral transmissibility, with a nearly 700-fold difference observed.

Etravirine effective at HIV supression: DUET trials 1 and 2

A new NNRTI etravirine has been shown to be effective in suppressing HIV viral load in treatment-experienced patients with documented resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The DUET trials 1 and 2 found that 56% and 62% of patients achieved viral loads below 50 copies/mL, respectively.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Coaching computer canines in clambering

Researchers at USC are training a new breed of robotic dog, called LittleDog, to navigate challenging terrain. After 15 months of experimentation, the dogs can now move, albeit slowly, and will be trained to run faster in the next phase of the study.

UF scientists work to develop simple bladder cancer test

Researchers identified promising biomarkers in urine samples, including one linked to liver and ovarian cancer. The goal is to create a simple, fast, and noninvasive test for early detection, potentially avoiding painful procedures.

Stanford researchers find brain pathway of depression in rats

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a unifying principle explaining how different causes and treatments for depression converge. Changes in electrical signal flow through the brain circuit appear to be the cause of depression-related behavior.

Wesley Research Institute study targets pharmacists to help diabetes sufferers

A new study is providing community pharmacists with education and advice on controlling blood glucose levels through individual glucose meter uploads. The project aims to determine whether lifestyle advice from pharmacists improves glycaemic control and potentially reduces the burden of Type 2 Diabetes on healthcare systems.

Stevens joins IDS Scheer's Innovation and Education Network

Stevens Institute of Technology has joined the IDS Scheer Innovation and Education Network, allowing for the application of its academic research to industry. The network aims to generate a constant stream of ideas for innovations and support education initiatives in Business Process Management (BPM).

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.

Study finds wives have greater power in marriage problem-solving behavior

A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that wives exhibit greater situational power and domineering behaviors during problem-solving discussions in marriage. The study of 72 married couples revealed that wives were more likely to draw favorable responses from their husbands, indicating a healthy marriage dynamic.

New drugs which target different steps in HIV replication cycle

Researchers analyze success of HIV entry inhibitors, highlighting need for new classes due to increasing resistance and toxicity concerns. The study concludes that blocking HIV entry by fusion inhibitors and coreceptor antagonists holds major promise for developing a new antiretroviral drug class.

Birds take cues from their competitors

A new study reveals that female birds of two migrant flycatcher species can acquire a novel preference for nesting sites based on the apparent attraction of competing resident tits. This finding suggests that individual animals use information and make decisions, even from other species.

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.

AIAA to present awards at 43rd Joint Propulsion Conference

The AIAA will present several awards at the upcoming conference, including the Wyld Propulsion Award to Frederick Boorady for his contributions to liquid propulsion technologies. The Ground Testing Award will be given to Frank Steinle for his work in experimental aerodynamics and ground testing.

MU researchers make discovery in molecular mechanics of phototropism

Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia made a groundbreaking discovery in the molecular mechanisms of phototropism, which is crucial for plant growth towards or away from light. The study focused on the protein NPH3 and its phosphorylation, finding that it plays a key role in regulating phototropic signaling.

Prion propagates in foreign host

Researchers have successfully propagated a prion from one organism into another, expanding our understanding of these infectious proteins and their role in fatal neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery opens up new avenues for studying prion propagation and highlights the need to search for additional prions.

Fossil DNA illuminates life

Researchers found genetic material from plants and insects in ancient ice cores, contradicting previous theories about southern Greenland's climate. The discovery provides evidence of forest cover and mild winters, dating back around 450,000 years.

Study advances vCJD prion detection

Scientists have developed a method to amplify vCJD prions from human brain tissue extracts, enabling recognition by existing detection methods. This breakthrough could aid in confirming whether someone is infected with variant CJD, crucial for preventing further disease spread through infected blood donations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Insight into neural stem cells has implications for designing therapies

Adult neural stem cells give rise to three major brain cell types, but are specified to produce specific subtypes of neurons. The discovery suggests that creating specific neuron types may require replacing combinations of different neuronal types for effective reestablishment of neural function.

Novel genetics research advances possibility of HIV vaccine

Scientists have discovered how the HIV virus evades the human immune system, revealing a predictable pattern of mutations that can inform the design of an effective vaccine. The study's findings hold tremendous promise for global HIV efforts and could complement smaller functional studies with population-based approaches.

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.

Fame sells

A study by Erik Hunter and Per Davidsson found that celebrity involvement is key to a product's success compared to traditional endorsement marketing. Celebrity entrepreneurs add value to products, making them more appealing to consumers.

Chickens also orient themselves by the Earth's magnetic field

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered that domestic chickens possess a magnetic sense of direction, orienting themselves by the Earth's magnetic field. This ability is thought to have evolved before migration and may be common to all birds.

New 'asthma gene' could lead to new therapies

A study of over 2,000 children found a genetic marker on chromosome 17 linked to an increased risk of childhood onset asthma. The discovery provides a new molecular pathway for targeted treatments and could lead to improved management of the disease.

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.

Alternative medicines need to be considered in diabetes management

Research reveals nearly half of people with diabetes use alternative therapies, which can interact with conventional medications and affect blood sugar levels. Healthcare professionals must be included in discussions about these therapies to document their use and identify potential problems.

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.

Complementary therapy for infertile women may reduce chances of pregnancy

A study by Dr. Jacky Boivin found that women using complementary therapies had a lower pregnancy success rate and were more negatively affected by their fertility problems than non-users. The researchers suggest that women may use complementary therapies for stress reduction, but further research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

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.

UNH researchers prove existence of new type of electron wave

Researchers at UNH have successfully proven the existence of a new type of electron wave on metal surfaces called acoustic surface plasmons. This discovery has significant implications for various fields including nano-optics, high-temperature superconductors, and chemical reactions on surfaces.

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.

Stem cell procedure successfully treats amyloidosis patients

Researchers from Boston University Medical Center successfully treat patients with immunoglobulin-light chain amyloidosis who did not respond to initial treatment. A tandem approach of high-dose chemotherapy and blood stem cell transplantation shows improved overall survival and quality of life for these patients.

Many insomniacs turn to valerian and melatonin to help them sleep

A study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 5.9% of respondents used valerian and 5.2% used melatonin to treat insomnia. However, a clinical practice review committee did not find beneficial effects for these supplements in treating insomnia symptoms.

Periodontal bacteria found in amniotic fluid

Researchers discovered periodontal bacteria, including P. Gingivalis, in the amniotic fluid of 30% of pregnant women with threatened premature labor. The presence of these bacteria may pose a risk to both mothers and babies.

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.