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Science News for October 26, 2007


NIST demos industrial-grade nanowire device fabrication

Researchers at NIST have developed a method to selectively grow nanowires on sapphire wafers, allowing for the creation of transistors and other circuit elements with high accuracy. This technique has the potential to enable industrial-scale production of nanowire-based devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateOct 26, 2007

Obesity-related hormone is higher in children with Down syndrome

A study found that children with Down syndrome have significantly higher body mass index and percentage of body fat compared to their siblings. Leptin levels also correlate with these differences, suggesting a genetic predisposition to leptin resistance in individuals with Down syndrome.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 26, 2007
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.

World's hottest chile pepper discovered

Researchers have identified Bhut Jolokia as the world's hottest chile pepper, boasting an impressive 1 million Scoville heat units. This variant of chile pepper from Assam, India, outperforms the previous record holder, Red Savina, with its intense heat concentration.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateOct 26, 2007
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dealing with stress as a treatment for alcohol abuse

Researchers at the University at Buffalo are investigating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in treating alcohol dependence. The four-year study aims to develop an increased ability to cope with stress and enhance psychological well-being among alcohol-dependent individuals.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateOct 26, 2007

UD researchers race ahead with latest spintronics achievement

Researchers at the University of Delaware successfully transport an electron's spin a marathon distance through a silicon wafer, confirming its potential for spintronics. The finding opens doors to cheaper, faster, and lower-power processing and storage of data.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 26, 2007

Video shows buckyballs form by 'shrink wrapping'

Buckyballs start as distorted graphite sheets that shed loosely connected threads and chains until they form perfectly spherical shapes. Researchers used electron microscope video and computer simulations to capture the 'shrink-wrapping' process.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 26, 2007

The coevolution of parochial altruism and war

SFI researchers Samuel Bowles and Jung-Kyoo Choi suggest that altruistic behavior towards fellow group members may have evolved together with hostility towards outsiders. The study found that the combination of these traits enabled survival, as they promoted group conflict, which in turn contributed to their success.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2007
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Cell pathway, disease linked to histone action

Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a key cell-signaling pathway regulating cell growth and patterning in tadpoles. The study found that modification of histone protein H2A influences normal cell pathways and cell growth.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNature·DateOct 26, 2007

Removal of uterus increases risk of urinary incontinence

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that hysterectomy significantly increases the risk of urinary incontinence, with the highest likelihood noted within five years of the removal of the uterus. Women who had a hysterectomy before menopause or after multiple deliveries were particularly at risk.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 26, 2007

Red hair and freckles...

Scientists discovered that at least one percent of Neanderthals in Europe had red hair, a finding based on genetic analysis. This rare trait was linked to the mc1r gene mutation, causing lighter skin and more freckles.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2007
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.

CAST rolls out biofuel commentaries in New Orleans

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has introduced two new commentaries on biofuel byproducts and ethanol production, highlighting the potential risks of invasive pests in dedicated feedstock crops. The commentaries aim to provide a process to quantify and minimize this risk.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateOct 26, 2007

Emergence of recombinant forms of HIV: dynamics and scaling

A new model of HIV dynamics accurately predicts the emergence and growth of recombinant forms of the virus in infected individuals. This framework also establishes scaling relationships between the prevalence of these resistant strains and overall infection extent.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 26, 2007

Huge numbers willing to go under knife to alter their appearance, study finds

A study by UCLA scientists found that 48% of women and 23% of men are interested in cosmetic surgery, with 31% of women reporting feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. The researchers were surprised to find no correlation between body image and interest in surgical alteration.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateOct 26, 2007

Penn State receives mine emergency training grant

Penn State has received a $135,000 Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grant to establish a training program for 1,000 miners and 1,120 others. The program will include interactive simulations and training materials to enhance miners' ability to survive mine emergencies.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 26, 2007

Attenuation of NASH by stimulation of free fatty acid metabolism

The study found that TCPOBOP stimulation of CAR induced genes involved in fatty acid microsomal omega-oxidation and beta-oxidation pathways, reducing hepatic steatosis. This research offers a potential pharmacologic treatment for NASH by enhancing hepatic fatty acid oxidation.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 26, 2007
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.

The largest colonic lipoma to date

A case of a giant submucosal lipoma located in the descending colon is presented, highlighting key findings such as abdominal pain, bleeding per rectum, and change in bowel habits. The study suggests that colonic malignancy should not be ruled out in patients with significant symptoms.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 26, 2007