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Science News Archive 2008


Page 119 of 240

Iowa State researchers win R&D 100 Award for ethanol project

Researchers have created a microbe-based solution to clean up leftovers from ethanol production, saving producers millions in energy costs. The technology can recycle 80% of the organic material, reducing waste and producing valuable co-products worth $400 million annually.

Improving swine waste fertilizer

Swine waste fertilizer can be improved by altering phosphorus levels in the diet, resulting in slower phosphorus accumulation in soil. This approach reduces excess nutrients that can pollute the environment.

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.

$1.85M US Army contract continues biologically-inspired system security research

A team led by Professor Richard Ford is awarded a $1.85M contract to continue researching biologically-inspired tactical security infrastructure (BITSI) for military computing and disaster relief operations. The project aims to build computers that can protect themselves when under attack, using biological systems as inspiration.

The way to a virus' 'heart' is through its enzymes

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding the replication of bluetongue virus, a major economic threat to farming. The 'heart' of the virus lies in its enzymes, which are crucial for initiating and sustaining infection.

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.

Elevated level of certain protein associated with increased risk for diabetes

Researchers discovered a strong association between elevated fetuin-A levels and the development of type 2 diabetes in older adults. The study found that higher fetuin-A levels were associated with a significantly increased risk of diabetes, with the strongest association seen in the third highest quartile of fetuin-A levels.

Can tomatoes carry the cure for Alzheimer's?

Researchers have developed a plant-derived vaccine against Alzheimer's disease using transgenic tomatoes expressing human beta-amyloid protein. The study showed a strong immune response in mice, but the potency of the vaccine needs to be increased.

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.

Does a gene variant make women more prone to alcoholism?

A study by the University of Bonn and Karolinska Institute found that a specific gene variant in women's endorphin metabolism is altered more often in female alcoholics than in healthy women. In mice, endorphins play a crucial role in ethanol consumption, particularly among females.

UAB joins elite brain cancer research group

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has joined a national consortium working to improve treatment and survival for patients with glioma, a type of malignant brain tumor. The Ivy Genomics-Based Medicine Project will use advanced molecular profiling and testing to identify personalized treatments for patients.

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.

Superfast muscles in songbirds

Researchers discovered that European starlings and zebrafinches control their songs with the fastest-contracting muscle type yet described. These songbirds can alter volume and frequency of their songs up to 250 times per second, providing precise control over their vocalizations.

The ECNP consensus statement on bipolar depression

The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology consensus statement highlights differences between unipolar and bipolar depression in diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment. The statement aims to optimize pharmacotherapy and clinical outcomes for patients with bipolar depression.

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.

Do we think that machines can think?

Researchers investigate how humans perceive humanoid robots and attribute mental qualities, finding increased brain activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Participants enjoyed interactions more when robots displayed human-like features, suggesting a link between human-robot interaction and mentalizing.

Argyrin: Natural substance raises hope for new cancer therapies

Scientists have discovered a chemical mechanism by which argyrin destroys tumours and prevents protein breakdown, leading to reduced tumour growth and no side effects. Researchers are now working to optimize the molecule for clinical testing in the near future.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Protein on 'speed' linked to ADHD

Researchers found a genetic change in the dopamine transporter protein that makes it behave as if amphetamine is present, leading to altered dopamine signaling and contributing to ADHD symptoms. The altered function supports a role for dopamine signaling in the disease.

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.

MIT reports finer lines for microchips

Researchers at MIT have achieved a significant advance in nanoscale lithographic technology, enabling the creation of finer patterns of lines over larger areas. The new technique has the potential to lead to commercialization of many new nanotechnology inventions that have languished due to manufacturing limitations.

UNC study ties ending moderate drinking to depression

A new UNC study reveals that stopping moderate drinking may lead to health problems, including depression and reduced brain capacity. Treatment with antidepressant drugs can prevent the development of depression and restore brain function.

Orange County research program aims to improve severe trauma survival rates

The Orange County Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium is conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of hypertonic saline solution in treating victims of severe traumatic injury. The study, which includes UC Irvine and other local hospitals, aims to improve survival rates from cardiac arrest and severe trauma.

Patients unaware of link between smoking and bladder cancer

A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds that more than three-quarters of bladder cancer patients are unaware of the link between smoking and bladder cancer. Quitting smoking can decrease the risk of developing bladder cancer by 40% within four years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Will our future brains be smaller?

Researchers from the University of Bristol found that mammals have two decision-making systems: a fast-but-inaccurate sub-cortical brain and a slow-but-accurate outer cortex. The study suggests that the older system may still be beneficial in modern situations, potentially preventing atrophy and smaller brains in future humans.

Super-fast vocal muscles control song production in songbirds

Researchers found that songbirds control their songs with superfast muscles that can produce work at frequencies over 100 Hz, a 100 times faster than human blink rate. This discovery suggests these muscles are more common than previously thought and provide precise control of song modulations.

Improving computer memory, solar cells goal of UH chemist

Lubchenko aims to crack the mystery of electrical phenomena in amorphous materials using 'old-fashioned' math, as direct computer modeling and existing theoretical approaches have been unsuccessful. His research could lead to affordable solar batteries and expand the speed and capacity of computer memory.

How the malaria parasite hijacks human red blood cells

Researchers discovered eight genes encoding proteins required for the malaria parasite to hijack and remodel human red blood cells. The proteins play a major role in the development of malaria, which kills millions of people annually. Understanding these proteins may lead to new therapeutic approaches, including drugs or live vaccines.

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.

Deep sequencing study reveals new insights into human transcriptome

The study found that 34% of polyadenylated transcripts mapped to non-annotated genomic regions, indicating a large number of novel gene candidates. Additionally, the researchers identified 94,241 splice junctions, with 4,096 novel variants, highlighting exon skipping as the most prevalent form of alternative splicing.

Older workforce requires variety of recruitment strategies

A new Penn State study found that a variety of recruitment strategies are used to recruit and retain older workers, including employee incentives and flexible work schedules. Employers can benefit from tapping into the experience and knowledge of baby boomers and other older workers.

Stepping up to the challenge: A tall order

Researchers studied skyscraper run-ups to understand how athletes perform under high-intensity conditions, revealing the importance of anaerobic energy metabolism in maintaining speed. The findings suggest that top performers can maintain their pace by strategically dosing their initial effort.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Trans-fatty acids and insulin sensitivity

Researchers found that rats on diets enriched with industrial or natural trans-fats showed no significant changes in insulin or glucose responses. The study also confirmed these findings in cell culture studies, indicating that muscles can utilize trans-fatty acids without increasing the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Insect warning colors aid cancer and tropical disease drug discovery

Researchers found that brightly colored beetles and butterfly larvae are significantly more common on plants with compounds active against certain diseases, such as breast cancer and malaria. This discovery could speed up drug discovery and provide insight into the ecological relationships between tropical-forest plants and insects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Leading worldwide cause of cardiovascular disease may be modified by diet

A new study suggests that increasing dietary intake of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium may lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Potassium, in particular, has been shown to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health, particularly in populations with low sodium consumption.

Duckweed genome sequencing has global implications

Researchers sequenced duckweed's genome to unlock its ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and alleviating world hunger. The plant can extract pollutants from wastewater, producing biomass faster than any other flowering plant.

New study finds that some plants can adapt to widespread climate change

A new study by Syracuse University and the University of Sheffield found that certain plant species can adapt to long-term climate changes in Northern England's grasslands. The experiment, which spanned 13 years, revealed that these plants can respond to slow-paced environmental shifts, thriving in their existing location.

Scientists discover new reefs teeming with marine life in Brazil

Researchers have discovered a new reef structure off Brazil's coast that harbors an abundance of fish and unique species found only in Brazil. The newly mapped reef is more abundant in marine life than previously known reefs, posing conservation challenges due to over-fishing, coastal development, and climate change.

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.

UIC in NIH-funded islet transplantation study for type 1 diabetes

Researchers at UIC are testing new approaches to islet transplantation to improve insulin independence and glucose control for adults with difficult-to-control type 1 diabetes. The study aims to find the most effective combination of anti-rejection drugs to maximize islet engraftment and reduce toxic side effects.

Also in the July 8 JNCI

Researchers found that reducing iron blood levels in men with peripheral arterial disease is associated with a decreased incidence of cancer. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, suggests that iron catalyzes the production of free radicals that damage cellular components, including DNA.

IVF does not increase risk of developmental disorders in children

A study by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology found that IVF treatment does not lead to increased risk of cerebral palsy or other neurodevelopmental disorders in early infancy. However, sub-fertility itself may be associated with less-than-optimal neurological conditions.

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.

Protein marker for schizophrenia risk

Researchers found a protein marker for schizophrenia risk in immune cells, with alpha defensin levels significantly elevated in patients and discordant twin pairs. This discovery could lead to the development of a simple blood test to evaluate schizophrenia risk.