Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive July 2007


Page 8 of 16

Fedoroff, of Penn State, to receive National Medal of Science

Nina V. Fedoroff, a renowned researcher in life sciences and biotechnology, is among eight scientists named to receive the 2006 National Medal of Science. Her work focuses on understanding gene regulation by small RNA molecules and developing mechanisms for plants to withstand environmental stressors.

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.

Protecting HIV patients from Hepatitis B virus

A study from the University of Alberta found that administering HBV vaccine intradermally to HIV-infected individuals who failed to respond initially shows promise, with 50% producing protective levels of anti-HBs. However, this approach is not recommended due to limited success rates.

New ink sampling technique taking a bite of out time

Researchers at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center are developing a library of forensic ink profiles using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) mass spectrometry. The new technique allows for faster and more detailed analysis of inks, enabling forensic scientists to differentiate between inks like never before.

Sequencing method yields fuller picture

Researchers infer complete chromosome sequences from existing data using a statistical method that exploits genetic mutations in organisms with high variability. The study confirms the conserved function of junk DNA and its potential role in regulating gene function.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

UCLA researchers show that culture influences brain cells

Researchers used TMS to measure mirror neuron activity in response to American and Nicaraguan gestures, finding higher activity when observing shared culture. This study suggests culture shapes brain's neural mechanisms, influencing behavior and potentially informing motor skill and language learning.

Gruber Cosmology Prize awarded to discoverers of dark energy

The Gruber Cosmology Prize has been awarded to Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt, and their teams for discovering the accelerating expansion of the universe, dominated by mysterious dark energy. The breakthrough was made possible through innovative techniques using distant Type Ia supernovae as standard candles.

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.

Case closed -- MIT gumshoes solve 'throbbing' oil mystery

An MIT team has solved the case of the throbbbing oil drop, explaining how evaporation-induced variations in surface tension cause a periodic expansion and contraction. The mechanism, which involves three interfaces between oil, water, and air, has implications for environmental engineering and could be applied to biological systems.

Better sleep may put Huntington's disease sufferers back on track

Researchers found that daily treatments of Alprazolam and chloral hydrate improved learning, arousal, and regular sleep patterns in HD mice. The study suggests that restoring normal sleep-wake activity could slow cognitive decline, improving quality of life for patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New particle explains odd behavior in cuprate superconductors

Physicists at University of Illinois discover a new fundamental particle, boson, that arises from strong electron interactions and explains the puzzling behavior of high-temperature superconductors. The particle has a charge of 2e but is not composed of two electrons.

Universal flu vaccine being tested on humans

Scientists are testing a universal flu vaccine that targets all 'A' strains of the virus, offering broad and lifelong protection. The vaccine has shown promising results in laboratory animals and is now being administered to a small group of healthy people in Phase I clinical trials.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New study examines effectiveness of tailored health messages

A new study by Dr. John Updegraff and colleagues found that tailored health messages are more effective when matching an individual's motivational orientation, leading to favorable attitudes and behavior change. Strong messages create more positive outcomes than weak ones, particularly for approach-oriented individuals.

Commentary highlights impact of food-cancer drug interactions

Researchers suggest taking oral targeted cancer therapies like lapatinib with food to increase absorption and reduce dosage, resulting in significant cost savings. This approach could cut the needed dose of lapatinib by at least 60% and lower its monthly cost from $2,900 to $1,740.

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.

Monkeys don't go for easy pickings

Primates use cognitive abilities to select food sources based on resource quality and social group needs. The study found that white-faced saki monkeys traveled four times further than predicted distances to choose fruit-rich sites, prioritizing the group's dominance and competition.

Study finds hereditary link to premenstrual depression

A new study has identified a specific genetic variation linked to severe premenstrual depression in women. The study found that four genetic variants in the estrogen receptor alpha gene were more common in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, suggesting a hereditary link to the condition.

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.

SMS your ECG to ER

A wearable cardiac telemedicine system allows post-cardiac patients renewed mobility by recording periodic ECGs and transmitting them via SMS. This device can give patients a greater chance of receiving life-saving treatment within the golden hour period.

Ability to listen to 2 things at once is largely inherited, says twin study

A twin study published by the NIH/NIDCD found that a person's ability to process multiple sounds simultaneously is largely inherited. The researchers discovered that identical twins were more similar in their dichotic listening abilities, with a strong genetic component responsible for up to 73% of the variation.

Foxes get frisky in the far north

A recent study by the University of Alberta reveals that some Arctic foxes engage in polyandry, where females have multiple male mates, and multiple paternity, leading to increased genetic variation. This finding challenges previous notions of monogamous mating habits in canid species.

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.

The origin of human bipedalism

Researchers found human walking is 75% less costly than chimpanzee quadrupedal and bipedal walking. This energy savings could have given early hominids an edge in foraging for food, potentially driving the evolution of bipedalism.

Study shows no change in sense of taste after tonsil removal

A study of 65 tonsillectomy patients found no ongoing dysfunction in their sense of taste after surgery. Despite average ratings of taste and smell decreasing post-surgery, none reported persistent problems, suggesting other factors like pain or discomfort may influence ratings.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Surgical technique helps to reanimate paralyzed faces

Researchers report successful outcomes for a surgical technique called temporalis tendon transfer, which helps reanimate facial paralysis with high patient satisfaction rates. The procedure resulted in improved form and function, with movement in mouth muscles identified in all patients after treatment.

Wobbly polarity is key to preventing magnetic avalanches on disk drives

Physicists have discovered that correcting a typo in an e-mail requires dozens of bits of information, each forcing its polarity to align up or down. The researchers found that the spin precession effect, where magnetic fields exert forces on neighboring spins, can lead to avalanches if not properly damped.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Penn researchers identify new combination therapy that promotes cancer cell death

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine identified a combination therapy that selectively eliminates cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The therapy combines TRAIL and sorafenib, reducing tumor size in mice with few side effects, demonstrating its potential effectiveness on human colon cancers.

ASTRO names leading head and neck surgeon honorary member

Randal S. Weber, a renowned otolaryngologist and head and neck surgeon, has been chosen as an Honorary Member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO). Dr. Weber's contributions to promoting multidisciplinary approaches in treating patients with head and neck cancers have earned him this prestigious honor.

6 out of 10 doctors aren't frustrated that patients can't lower cholesterol

A survey of 750 doctors from 10 countries found that only 47% of their patients reached cholesterol goals, but 61% deemed this acceptable. Doctors preferred prescribing statins and lifestyle changes over other approaches. Key findings showed significant variation in treatment recommendations across countries.

Nano propellers pump with proper chemistry

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago created a theoretical blueprint for assembling a nanoscale propeller with molecule-sized blades. The propeller's efficiency in pumping liquids is highly sensitive to its chemical and biological composition, finding that hydrophobic blades pump more water while hydrophilic blades become ...

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.

Older women with memory problems at increased risk for restless nights

A study published in the American Academy of Neurology found that older women experiencing memory loss are more likely to have sleep disturbances. The nearly 25% of women who experienced cognitive decline were twice as likely to experience sleep disturbances as those without memory problems.

Poor sleep associated with cognitive decline in elderly women

Women who experienced cognitive decline were more likely to have disturbed sleep patterns, according to a study. The researchers found that it's not the total amount of sleep that matters, but rather how well it's quality, suggesting a potential link between poor sleep and cognitive decline.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

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.

New research provides hope for childhood cancer sufferers

A new study demonstrates that ABT-737 can enhance the combined toxicity of common drugs against leukemia cells, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The results provide hope for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a common form of childhood cancer.