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Science News Archive 2008


Page 198 of 240

$2.1 million NIH grant advances U-Iowa child health research

The University of Iowa has received a five-year, $2.1 million NIH grant to continue its mentorship project for junior faculty members in pediatrics. The program trains clinicians to study the underlying mechanisms of conditions such as prematurity and heritable disorders.

Study raises caution on new painkillers

A new class of painkillers that block the TRPV1 receptor may interfere with brain functions such as learning and memory, according to a recent study. The researchers found that the receptor regulates neural mechanisms involved in establishing memory pathways in the brain.

UTSA receives $822,000 from Kleberg Foundation to enhance scientific research

The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $822,000 gift from the Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to support the purchase of three high-powered electron microscopes. These microscopes will form the nucleus of a groundbreaking research unit, enhancing scientific research capabilities across various disc...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Regular low dose aspirin cuts asthma risk in women

A large study published in Thorax found that regular low-dose aspirin use cuts the risk of developing asthma among women by 10%. The Women's Health Study involved over 40,000 female healthcare professionals and monitored their health for around 10 years.

Extra vitamin D in early childhood cuts adult diabetes risk

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplements in early childhood lower the risk of developing type 1 diabetes by around 30%. Higher doses and more regular supplementation were associated with a greater reduction in risk.

Copolymers block out new approaches to microelectronics at NIST

NIST researchers have improved manipulation of block copolymers, a crucial step in creating tiny dots that can be used as electronic components. They developed accurate measurements of thin film polymeric nanostructure and new insights on how to control self-assembly.

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.

Early bird doesn't always get worm, UNC researcher finds

A study of Lincoln's sparrows reveals that first-laid eggs are less likely to hatch, while older siblings have an advantage in terms of resources and competition. This finding challenges the common assumption that younger chicks are more vulnerable due to size disparities with their peers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

York investigates evolving 'swarm' robots

The project aims to develop an artificial immune system that can protect individual robots and the larger collective organism from faults. By sharing information and energy, the robots form a single artificial life-form with enhanced capabilities, such as rescuing earthquake victims.

Astronomers find grains of sand around distant stars

Researchers have found evidence of small, sandy particles orbiting a newborn solar system at a distance similar to the Earth's orbit around the sun. The discovery sheds light on how Earth-like planets may form and offers new opportunities for studying the chemical composition of these particles.

New lab test predicts risk of kidney injury after surgery

A simple laboratory test measures a biomarker called NGAL to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) risk up to three days before symptoms appear. The test has been shown to be highly accurate in identifying patients at risk of AKI and may enable timely treatment to prevent or improve outcomes.

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.

AACR-Bardos Awards for Undergraduate Students announced

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) provides financial support to 10 undergraduate students through the AACR-Thomas J. Bardos Science Education Awards for Undergraduate Students. The program allows students to present research, learn from educational sessions and symposia, and network with experts in the field.

Rivers great and small can fight pollution, if given chance

A national study found that tiny organisms like algae and bacteria can remove nitrate from stream water, improving water quality. Streams that meander naturally through complex channels are more efficient at filtering pollutants than engineered streams.

Single-crystal semiconductor wire built into an optical fiber

A team from Penn State University and the University of Southampton created a single-crystal semiconductor inside an optical fiber, overcoming performance degradation between fibers and devices. The new device enables faster and more efficient electronic signals, opening up potential for next-level applications in various fields.

LLNL researchers create tool to monitor nuclear reactors

Researchers have developed a cubic-meter-scale antineutrino detector that can quickly and precisely monitor the operational status and thermal power of nuclear reactors over hour-to-month-time scales. This new tool provides a direct measurement of reactor performance, enabling nonproliferation efforts by detecting fissile material inve...

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.

Study helps explain fundamental process of tumor growth

Researchers discover that the Warburg effect, a unique metabolic process in cancer cells, is essential for tumor growth. The M2 form of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) plays a critical role in this process, enabling cancer cells to rapidly proliferate and produce energy through anaerobic glycolysis.

Healthy rivers needed to remove nitrogen

A national study found that healthy streams can filter out 40-60% of added nitrogen within 500 meters, while denitrification accounts for about 19%. Maintaining healthy riparian areas and complex stream channels is essential to prevent eutrophication.

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.

Obesity chokes up the cellular power plant

Finnish research reveals clear changes in gene-networks and mitochondria function in obese individuals, associated with pre-diabetic changes and increased insulin release. Mitochondrial inefficiency may maintain obesity state.

ETH Zurich researchers test high-speed WLAN network

Researchers from ETH Zurich have successfully tested high-speed WLAN network using MIMO technology, increasing data transfer rates up to four times higher than existing networks. They developed efficient decoding algorithms for multi-antenna systems, enabling practical implementation in complex networks.

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.

Streams natural filters, if not overloaded

Researchers found that streams can remove up to 90% of nitrate pollution through denitrification and algal uptake, with effectiveness greatest in healthy streams not overloaded by human activities. Streams play a crucial role in reducing eutrophication problems in lakes and coastal waters.

Preschoolers benefit from daycare program to prevent obesity

A preschool-based intervention program helped prevent early trends toward obesity and instilled healthy eating habits in multi-ethnic 2- to 5-year-olds. The program, which included menu modifications, education, and family-based activities, was effective in reducing junk food consumption and increasing fruit and vegetable intake.

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.

The yin and yang of genes for mood disorders

Researchers investigated how inheriting different combinations of gene variants impact depression risk in normal subjects. They found that the SLC6A4 serotonin transporter gene interacts with the BDNF gene to regulate emotion regulation system development, revealing individual genes are not isolated risks.

Inhaled tuberculosis vaccine more effective than traditional shot

A new aerosol version of the most common TB vaccine administered directly to the lungs via oral mist provides significantly better protection against TB in experimental animals. The vaccine could offer a safer, more consistent treatment option with reduced need for refrigerated storage.

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.

Quitting smoking in pregnancy boosts chances of easygoing child

Research on over 18,000 UK babies found that mothers who quit smoking during pregnancy had the most easy-going infants. The study suggests that quitting smoking may boost a child's temperament and reduce behavioral problems. Heavy smokers had more difficult children with lower scores for positive mood.

Protein deficiency leads to faster fat burning in mice, study shows

Scientists develop a new, lean mouse model by crossing mice deficient in protein kinase C beta (PKCB) with the C57 black mouse. The hybrid mice have less fat distribution, less fat tissue overall, and increased ability to burn fat, suggesting a potential strategy for treating obesity and disorders associated with excess weight.

ORNL study finds rivers play part in removing nitrogen

Researchers found that tiny organisms filter nitrate from stream water, with the most effective removal occurring when nitrate enters small healthy streams and travels throughout the network. Streams and rivers can help prevent nitrate pollution from reaching lakes and coastal waters, where it can cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

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.

Gene therapy could save kids from a lifetime of eating cornstarch

A gene therapy treatment has been developed to restore a missing liver enzyme in people with glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD-Ia). The treatment has shown promising results in animal studies, with protected blood glucose levels for up to a year. Further research is needed to test the safety and efficacy of the treatment in humans.

A protein that triggers aggressive breast cancer

Researchers discovered that SATB1 protein promotes tumor growth and metastasis in breast cancer. High levels of SATB1 expression are associated with poor prognosis, and reducing SATB1 can prevent the formation of invasive cells.

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.

Royal corruption is rife in the ant world

Scientists have discovered that ants deliberately spread their offspring with 'royal' genes to avoid detection and maintain an unfair advantage in queen selection. This genetic cheating undermines the notion of egalitarianism in ant societies, revealing a complex web of conflict and cooperation.

Bird brains suggest how vocal learning evolved

Researchers found that bird brain structures for singing and learning are embedded in areas controlling movement, indicating a possible evolutionary link between vocal learning and motor control. This discovery may also shed light on human language origins, with spoken language possibly emerging from pre-existing motor pathways.

Which came first, social dominance or big brains? Wasps may tell

A study of a tropical wasp species found that males' larger brain regions were associated with dominant behavior and vision-based mating opportunities. The research supports the 'social brain hypothesis,' which suggests that large human brains evolved in response to complex social interactions.

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.

The fight against obesity -- a new insight

Scientists at Maastricht University have discovered that mitochondrial uncoupling occurs naturally in human skeletal muscle cells when exposed to mild cold. This process can increase energy consumption, potentially leading to new obesity treatments. Further research is needed to identify the proteins responsible for uncoupling.

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.

Grappling with grammar

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) have impaired grammar processing, but compensate by using neural circuitry associated with vocabulary and world knowledge. This finding offers new hope for sufferers of SLI and suggests a need for focussed and specialised help.

USC researchers find benefit for lymphoma patients in combined PET-CT scanning

Researchers at the University of Southern California found that combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) imaging yields greater accuracy when evaluating response to radiation therapy. This method helps identify complete responders and reduces the need for unnecessary chemotherapy treatments.

Other highlights in the March 11 JNCI

A study of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing survivors found that radiation exposure in utero and early childhood increases the risk of adult solid cancers. Individuals carrying a rare genetic variant of AKAP9 gene also have an increased risk of breast cancer.