Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2008


Page 81 of 240

NYU receives $490k NSF grant to promote women in the sciences

New York University has received a $490,000 NSF grant to support female faculty at all levels and broaden participation of women in science through research, workshops, and training seminars. The initiative aims to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers.

Titanium work surfaces could cut food poisoning cases say scientists

Researchers found that titanium coating can reduce the attachment of bacteria like E. coli to food contact surfaces, making them easier to clean and reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The study suggests that hygienic surfaces with comparable scratch sizes retain bacteria poorly, which can be achieved through titanium coatings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bacteria stop sheep dip poisoning fish and bees

Researchers found 8 types of bacteria that can degrade synthetic pyrethroids in sheep dip tanks, potentially preventing soil and river contamination. These microorganisms could be added to prevent environmental pollution.

UCLA study finds medical student diversity has educational benefits

A new UCLA study found that white students educated in racially diverse environments show greater sensitivity and feel more prepared to meet the healthcare needs of underrepresented minority populations. The research also explores attitudes towards access to healthcare and plans to provide care in underserved areas.

Community-based diabetes prevention program shows promise

A community-based diabetes prevention program using the YMCA as a vehicle for education and lifestyle intervention has shown promising results. Participants achieved significant weight loss and improvements in cholesterol levels, suggesting the potential for widespread dissemination of evidence-based strategies.

Fuel-saving designs improve efficiency of hydraulic systems

The new valveless design reduces fuel consumption by up to 40 percent, and incorporating microstructured surfaces improves performance by up to 57 percent. These innovations aim to increase the efficiency of hydraulic pumps and motors in heavy construction equipment.

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.

New drug hope for cystic fibrosis patients

A new drug therapy called VX-770 has shown promising results in improving the quality of life for cystic fibrosis patients. Early trials have demonstrated a 50% decrease in sweat salt concentration and a 10% increase in lung function, offering new hope for this devastating disease.

Physicists harness effects of disorder in magnetic sensors

Researchers have discovered a way to make magnetic sensors capable of operating at high temperatures, overcoming the limitations of conventional sensors. By introducing slight degradation or impurities into indium antimonide samples, scientists can recreate the effect that was previously observed only at low temperatures.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Molecular biologist honored with $250,000 Heinz Award

Dr. Joseph DeRisi receives the Heinz Award for his pioneering work in viral detection platforms, including the ViroChip that detects new viruses and characterizes malaria parasites' life cycles. His open access approach to science enables free sharing of research and software.

UIC leads multi-center study to evaluate blood flow and stroke risk

A multi-center study led by UIC aims to assess blood flow and stroke risk in patients with first-time symptoms caused by 50% or greater blockage of the arteries leading to the back of the brain. The study will compare blood flow of patients who had a stroke since their initial symptoms with those who did not have a stroke.

Real-world behavior and biases show up in virtual world

Researchers at Northwestern University found that avatars in virtual worlds respond to social cues, revealing racial biases, similar to real-world behavior. The study employed door-in-the-face and foot-in-the-door techniques to demonstrate the effects of social influence on avatar behavior.

US hospitals 'flunk' colon cancer

A Northwestern University study found that over 60% of US hospitals do not comply with the recommendation to examine 12 lymph nodes after colon cancer surgery, leading to improved survival rates when more nodes are checked.

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.

Photos reveal Myanmar's large and small predators

Researchers from WCS have gathered data on Myanmar's tiger and smaller carnivore populations using remote camera traps, revealing estimates of 7-70 tigers in the Hukaung Tiger Reserve. The study also confirms the existence of 18 smaller carnivores across various habitats.

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.

Scavenger birds chew the fat

A study found that bearded vultures choose bones with the highest fat content for their consumption and delivery to their young. This finding has significant implications for conservation efforts, as it suggests that providing the most nutritious bones in feeding programs can aid in the expansion and breeding of this endangered species.

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.

Bilingual children more likely to stutter

Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests that bilingual children are significantly more likely to stutter and find it harder to lose their impediment than monolingual children. Children who exclusively spoke one language before the age of 5 had a higher recovery rate from stuttering by the age of 12.

Climate: New spin on ocean's role

Researchers found massive swirling structures called gyres in the Southern Ocean, trapping pollutants and nutrients. These features play a crucial role in pumping heat poleward, moderating the planet's extremes in climate.

Mental health news briefs from the Journal of Health and Social Behavior

The September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior reports findings on mental health and household crowding, barriers to care, workplace dynamics and caregiving. Women in crowded homes are more likely to be depressed than men, while white men attach greater stigma to mental health care.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Safety study indicates gene therapy for blindness improves vision

A safety study on gene therapy for a rare form of blindness has shown promising results, with three patients regaining some vision. The treatment involves delivering a gene called RPE65 to the retina using an adeno-associated virus, and has been found to be fully safe with no adverse effects beyond routine postsurgical soreness.

Out of Africa: UH trains first class of 'homegrown' oil geophysicists

The University of Houston has trained its first class of 'homegrown' oil geophysicists in Africa, addressing a critical shortage in the petroleum industry. The program, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, provided a comprehensive education in petroleum geophysics and prepared students for jobs in the oil industry.

DOE JGI extends the capabilities of the Integrated Microbial Genome System

The U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has updated the Integrated Microbial Genome System with new microbial genomes, improving its capabilities for analyzing metagenomic data. The system now includes tools for exploring gene cassettes conservation and examining functional annotation of genomes.

Catching the blood cell bus gives fatal yeast infection a clean getaway

Scientists discovered that Cryptococcus yeast cells hide inside macrophages and use them as vehicles to travel through the body before attacking and spreading. This new escape mechanism allows the yeast cells to evade antifungal drugs and the immune system, making fatal infections harder to treat.

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.

Study examines golf-related eye injuries in children

A study of 11 pediatric patients treated for golf-related eye injuries found that most injuries occur during unsupervised play or with other children wielding golf clubs. The authors recommend close adult supervision, protective eyewear for children learning to play golf, and secure storage of golf equipment.

Carbon molecule with a charge could be tomorrow's semiconductor

Researchers at Virginia Tech have created a new class of stable molecules that could revolutionize the field of molecular semiconductors. The discovery involves replacing one atom in a carbon fullerene with nitrogen, creating a unique electronic bond that could improve the sensitivity of MRI and NMR technologies.

'Healthy' individuals may be at risk for heart disease

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found a correlation between non-subcutaneous fat and calcified plaque in the arteries, increasing cardiovascular event risk. The study suggests targeting non-subcutaneous fat may be key to preventing heart disease.

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.

Study examines lung cancer among lifelong nonsmokers

A new study by the American Cancer Society found that lung cancer death rates among never-smokers are highest among men, African Americans, and Asians in Asia. The review analyzed data from over 630,000 individuals and found that the incidence of lung cancer among lifelong nonsmokers is similar to brain and nervous system cancers.

Common painkillers lower levels of prostate cancer biomarker

Common painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen appear to lower a man's PSA level, the blood biomarker used to gauge prostate cancer risk. However, the study does not prove a direct link between the medications and reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Enzyme detectives uncover new reactions, products

Brookhaven researchers modified a desaturase enzyme to produce three new products, including two variations of an allylic alcohol and a fatty acid with two double bonds. The discovery expands the potential for engineering designer plant oils as biofuels and raw materials.

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.

Fathers need their children

According to sociologist Germain Dulac, every father must see his child once in a while, regardless of the relationship. The researcher found that regular contact between fathers and children is beneficial for both parties, including support groups that help dads stay involved.

Golden rods

Researchers developed a novel method to produce gold nanorods using an ionic liquid, eliminating the need for cytotoxic additives. This approach allows for efficient conversion of light energy into heat, making it suitable for photoinduced hyperthermia treatments.

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.

The truth about cats and dogs

A Tel Aviv University study found that two-thirds of cat-dog households reported a positive relationship, while aggression was observed in 10%. Cats and dogs can learn to read each other's body signals, suggesting they may have more in common than thought.

Researchers receive grant to study ways of preventing heart disease

A team of researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine has been awarded a $9.3 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate blood lipoproteins and their role in preventing coronary heart disease. The study aims to identify molecular events regulating cholesterol transport in blood.

Genetic variants associated with vitamin B12

Researchers at Harvard School of Public Health have discovered a common genetic influence on vitamin B12 levels in the blood, suggesting a new way to approach the biological connections between an important biochemical variable and deficiency-related diseases. The study found that a gene variant associated with higher B12 levels may pr...

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Brush your teeth to reduce the risk of heart disease

Researchers have discovered a link between gum disease and heart disease, suggesting that controlling gum disease could reduce the risk of heart attacks. The study found that heat shock proteins produced by bacteria can initiate atherosclerosis, a condition that causes "furring" of the arteries.

Montrealers 3 minutes away from a video lottery terminal

A concentration of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in underprivileged Montreal neighborhoods poses a risk to public health due to easy access. Researchers Éric Robitaille and Patrick Herjean found that over 96% of Park Extension residents can walk to a VLT within three minutes.

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.

UK children's physical activity levels hugely overestimated

Research reveals UK children's physical activity levels are 6 times lower than reported national data, with actual levels at 24 minutes a day. Only 3% of boys and 2% of girls meet the recommended daily amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Memory enhanced by sports-cheat drug

Researchers have discovered that the blood-boosting effects of erythropoietin are not related to its impact on cognition. Instead, EPO directly influences neurons in the brain, improving memory and cognitive function. The findings may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

New paper sheds light on bacterial cell wall recycling

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have made significant discoveries about bacterial cell wall recycling. The study reveals that a specific enzyme, M1tB, plays a crucial role in breaking down the cell wall, leading to pro-inflammatory events associated with bacterial infections.

Compost heap bacteria could provide 10 percent of UK transport fuel needs

Researchers have developed a new strain of bacteria that can convert waste plant fibre into ethanol, providing a potential solution to the UK's transport fuel needs. The process is energy-efficient and uses agricultural waste materials, offering greater environmental benefits than traditional biofuels.

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.

Dartmouth researchers advance cellulosic ethanol production

Researchers at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering have developed a thermophilic bacterium that can produce ethanol from cellulosic biomass without adding enzymes. This discovery brings the US closer to alternative fuel production and offers significant environmental benefits.