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Science News Archive 2008


Page 66 of 240

NWO modifies the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme

The NWO has made significant changes to the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme, increasing grant sizes and reducing institutional contributions. The new scheme offers more flexibility for lecturers, allowing them to submit proposals with less paperwork, while also promoting multidisciplinary research and knowledge utilisation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA's dirty secret: Moon dust

Researchers are studying the effects of lunar dust on the respiratory system and developing technologies to clean it from space suits. The powdery grey dirt is formed by micrometeorite impacts that can wreak havoc on equipment, but its unique properties also make it susceptible to magnets.

Foam reactor is 10 times more energy efficient

The new foam reactor design has a large surface area per reactor volume, increasing production efficiency. It outperforms traditional packed bed designs by 10 times in terms of energy efficiency.

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.

$4.8M NIH grant aids interstitial cystitis research

University of Iowa researchers are investigating the roles of the pituitary gland and sympathetic nervous system in interstitial cystitis inflammation. The study aims to identify potential causes of the painful bladder condition, which affects over 1 million Americans.

Lava flows reveal clues to magnetic field reversals

Ancient lava flows from Tahiti and western Germany have provided insights into past patterns of the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that a second magnetic field source in the shallow core may play a role in determining how and whether the main field reverses direction.

Wetlands restoration not a panacea for Louisiana coast

A recent white paper by leading coastal scientists suggests that wetlands restoration projects may not provide long-term storm protection for the Louisiana Coast. The researchers argue that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of such initiatives in reducing storm impacts.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Looking for water on Mars

Researchers at Decagon Devices Inc. successfully measured thermal properties of Martian regolith using a short, fat needle technique, expanding understanding and accuracy of climate models. The study's findings have potential applications in improving commercial thermal properties sensors on Earth.

9 prestigious grants for the Netherlands

The Netherlands has secured 9 European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grants for Physical Sciences and Engineering, ranking third in the country. The winners include researchers from prominent Dutch institutions such as Radboud University Nijmegen, Leiden University, and Delft University of Technology.

No oxygen in Eastern Mediterranean bottom-water

The study of Eastern Mediterranean bottom-water without oxygen reveals that climate change may contribute to the formation of organic-rich beds. These deposits can sequester large quantities of CO2 and be converted into oil over time.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Naval Research Laboratory's HICO-RAIDS experiments ready for payload integration

The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) and Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) are integrated for launch on the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle in September 2009. The payload will provide characterization of the coastal environment and global remote sensing of the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere.

MU researcher finds new method to create cancer drugs

A University of Missouri researcher has developed a new method to create cancer drugs that can be tailored to individual tumors, increasing effectiveness and reducing waste. The new method uses two-stage radioactive decay to produce nearly 100% of the intended radioactive isotope.

Carbon sinks: Issues, markets, policy

The symposium explores carbon sequestration methods, including forest management, agriculture, and ocean carbon capture. Experts discuss the importance of addressing legal and regulatory challenges to ensure effective carbon sinks.

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.

Expanding communities mean less green space

A Dutch study finds that expanding communities and municipalities leads to a 'dilution' of citizen protests, with densely populated areas experiencing more opposition against disappearing green spaces. Concerned citizens are often well-educated and personally invested in the areas affected.

The making of Dig It! the Secrets of Soil exhibit

The Dig It! exhibit showcases soil samples from each US state, including Texas's Houston Black soil, which is featured in the exhibition. The exhibit has attracted over 300,000 visitors since its opening and will travel to multiple locations across North America.

Don't forget the vitamin A when working with its carrier protein

A study found that vitamin A's carrier protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP), was significantly lower in obese subjects than nonobese subjects. This suggests a potential link between RBP and insulin resistance in obesity. Further research is needed to determine the role of apo-RBP, an unbound form of RBP, in mediating insulin signaling.

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.

Advice from research: Market visiting rights to Antarctica

The rapid growth of tourism in Antarctica poses significant challenges, including environmental impact and lack of funding for monitoring. Marketable visitor rights are proposed as a solution to manage demand and generate revenue for enforcement and monitoring purposes.

Researchers study how pistachios may improve heart health

Researchers found that pistachio diets can beneficially affect cardiovascular disease risk factors in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that pistachios may decrease CVD risk profile through effects on Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD) and other bioactive substances.

An ethical argument: Include pregnant women in research

Leading bioethicists argue that pregnant women should be included in research due to the potential risks and benefits. Studies have shown that excluding pregnant women from research can lead to a lack of effective treatment options for pregnant women with chronic diseases.

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.

Good research, low costs

The study designs a trial to identify differences between groups with high statistical power while minimizing costs. A small number of schools are included in the trial, allowing for more precise analysis and better understanding of how interventions affect pupils within each school.

UW science photo takes second in national contest

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student Jenna Eun's accidental photo 'Polymazing' won second place in the Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge, showcasing a surprising physical phenomenon that emerges in nature. The image, taken under a microscope, reveals how hydrogel absorbs water and causes a material to buckle.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Crime definition and control are central to the transnational condition

The article explores the concept of transnational crime and its relationship with global governance. Critical criminology provides valuable insights into the role of crime definition and control in shaping the transnational condition, highlighting the need for democratization and the dangers of increased policing powers.

Study reveals homeowner perceptions in fire-prone areas

A US Forest Service study reveals that most homeowners in fire-prone areas have taken steps to protect their homes, but barriers such as financial constraints and physical limitations persist. The study also found that residents are concerned about fires and think they know how to reduce the threat.

October 2008 GEOLOGY and GSA TODAY media highlights

Researchers discover single mode of fossilization for soft tissues preserved in Burgess Shale-type deposits, using carbon isotope analysis. Hydrothermal circulation models reveal variations along slow-spreading mid-ocean ridges affect site distribution.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Galloping and breathing at high speed

A team of researchers has developed a pacemaker to stimulate the muscles that control breathing in horses. This technology may also benefit humans with laryngeal paralysis or those who undergo laryngeal transplants. The study's findings provide insights into the coordination of movement and breathing in equines.

Women do not recover their muscle strength as fast as men

Researchers found that women's muscle strength was 30% lower when compared to before casting, while men regained 99% of their strength within a week. The study suggests that hormonal differences may contribute to slower recovery times in women.

Hospital patients are discharged earlier on busier days

A new study in the RAND Journal of Economics examined how hospital admission and discharge behavior is affected by fluctuations in demand. The results show that patients are discharged earlier when hospitals face high demand, a finding that suggests hospitals may be influenced by capacity constraints to make admission decisions.

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.

Published ENT surgical innovations fall drastically

A recent study has found that the number of cases of surgical innovation published in otolaryngic medical journals has decreased significantly since the late 1980s. The researchers attribute this decline to increased barriers in obtaining research approval and possible shifts towards basic research.

Social class dictates cancer risk

A study analyzing English cancer patients found that cervical and lung cancer rates are higher among poor people, while breast and melanoma rates are higher in wealthier groups. Smoking is strongly associated with socioeconomic status and contributes to the higher incidence of lung cancer in deprived groups.

Deactivating a cancer growth promoter

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered three phosphatases that deactivate cancer-promoting molecule SRC-3. This finding provides a new target for cancer treatment and may lead to more effective drugs with fewer side effects.

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.

Reducing work commutes not easy in some cities, study suggests

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that some US cities make it harder to reduce commuting miles than others. Cities with sprawling suburbs like Las Vegas and Miami showed promise, while cities with compact geography, such as the Northeast Rust Belt, faced more challenges.

Pigs bred with cystic fibrosis provide model to mimic human disease

Researchers at the University of Missouri have successfully produced pigs born with cystic fibrosis, mirroring the exact symptoms of humans with the disease. The pigs, carrying only one copy of the mutated gene, are being studied to potentially develop treatments for the fatal lung disease.

Women recover muscle strength more slowly than men

A recent study by Ohio University researchers found that women's muscles require longer and more intensive rehabilitation after bed rest and cast immobilization. Women lose around 30% less muscle strength within one week of cast removal compared to men, suggesting different rates of muscular strength-building may be the cause.

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.

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.

From 12 years onward you learn differently

Research reveals that children aged 8-9 and adults process negative feedback differently than those aged 12-13. Eight-year-olds learn primarily through positive feedback, while twelve-year-olds use it to learn from their mistakes more efficiently. Adults do the same, but with improved efficiency.

Oldest known rocks discovered

Researchers at the Carnegie Institution have discovered Canadian bedrock over four billion years old, making it 250 million years more ancient than previously discovered rocks. The findings provide crucial clues to the earliest stages of our planet's evolution and chemical composition similar to volcanic rocks in geologic settings.

Researchers develop new model for cystic fibrosis

A new pig model for cystic fibrosis has been developed, closely mirroring the disease in human infants. The study's findings suggest that this model will aid in understanding the disease and may speed up the discovery of new treatments.