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Science News Archive August 2008


Page 16 of 17

Extinction threat growing for mankind's closest relatives

A comprehensive review of the world's 634 kinds of primates found almost 50% at risk of extinction, with habitat destruction and hunting being major threats. Conservationists highlight successes in helping targeted species recover, but stress the urgent need for reforestation to protect remaining populations.

Human brains pay a price for being big

Research suggests that schizophrenia may be a by-product of human brain evolution, driven by increased metabolic demands. The study found molecular mechanisms involved in the evolution of human cognitive abilities and identified changes in gene expression and metabolite concentrations in both healthy humans and individuals with schizop...

A new look at how memory and spatial cognition are related

Researchers discovered that the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex are not essential for path integration, a key aspect of spatial cognition. The study used memory-impaired patients to test this theory, finding they performed similarly to controls when tracking their start location within short-term memory.

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.

Memory, depression, insomnia -- and worms?

Researchers have discovered a new way that organisms sense light, which may lead to insights into human sensory perception. The study found that exposing paralyzed worms to ultraviolet light restored normal movement levels in the animals.

Great white's mighty bite revealed

Researchers calculated the great white's bite force to be up to 1.8 tonnes, making it more than 20 times harder than a human. The team also estimated the bite force of the extinct giant shark Carcharodon megalodon at 10.8-18.2 tonnes.

Psychiatrists shift away from providing psychotherapy

A recent study found that the provision of psychotherapy by US psychiatrists declined significantly between 1996 and 2005, with a decline in both office-based visits and the percentage of patients receiving therapy. This shift is attributed to reimbursement policies favoring brief medication management visits over psychotherapy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The school bully -- does it run in the family?

Research reveals that children raised by authoritarian parents are more prone to act out bullying behavior, while those from nurturing families are less likely to bully. The study also found that middle-income families are less likely to produce bullies than high- or low-income families.

First national study of diving-related injuries

A nationwide study found that approximately 6,500 children are treated for diving-related injuries annually, with most common injuries occurring at heights under 1 meter. The largest age group affected was 10- to 14-year-olds, who were twice as likely to experience head or neck injuries.

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.

Researchers explain odd oxygen bonding under pressure

Under high pressure, oxygen molecules interact through their outermost electron clouds, increasing interactions and changing orbital locations. This leads to the formation of molecular clusters like (O2)4 at pressures about 10,000 times atmospheric, with potential applications in new materials and technologies.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Maternal deaths following cesarean delivery can be reduced

Maternal death rates in the US remain constant, but a study suggests reducing cesarean-related deaths by implementing thromboprophylaxis can lower mortality. The risk of death attributable to cesarean delivery is approximately 2/100,000 procedures, which can be significantly reduced with universal thromboembolism prophylaxis.

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.

Memory, depression, insomnia -- and worms?

A new study has identified a key molecular sensor in worms that allows them to respond to ultraviolet light, which may provide insights into nerve cell communication and learning. The discovery could potentially lead to new treatments for conditions such as depression and sleep disorders.

Research exposes new target for malaria drugs

A study has identified a specific region of the PfEMP1 protein as crucial for attaching to placental walls, which could lead to new drug targets to prevent malaria-related complications during pregnancy. Researchers hope that mimicking this binding domain with pharmaceuticals may help develop immunity in women living in endemic regions.

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.

Saving our bees

Ecologists assess the impact of human activity on bee populations and explore alternatives with native bees serving as 'biological insurance.' A study found that areas with extreme fragmentation have smaller bee populations and fewer species.

Climate change and species distributions

Rising temperatures can lead to an increase in dry, desert-like conditions, affecting species' survival and natural resources. Climate change scientists warn that individual species indicate wider changes at the biome level, potentially altering ecosystem services for humans.

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.

Key to virulence protein entry into host cells discovered

Researchers from Virginia Tech have identified a region of virulence proteins that enables them to enter the cells of their hosts, suppressing the immune system and allowing infection to progress. The discovery may lead to new approaches for blocking infections by both oomycete and malaria parasites.

Why the slow paced world could make it difficult to catch a ball ...

A recent study published in PNAS found that the human brain's perception of fast-moving objects is biased by the slow-paced world around us. This affects our ability to catch balls and make decisions in high-speed environments, with implications for road safety and robotic vision systems.

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.

Caltech scientists awarded $20 million to 'Power the Planet'

A $20 million award from the NSF will help Caltech scientists, led by Harry Gray, advance their research on developing nanoscale materials for solar-fuel power plants. The project aims to create efficient catalysts for the oxidation of water to oxygen.

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.

New prognostic model for traumatic brain injury

Researchers created a new prognostic model for traumatic brain injury using patient characteristics from the IMPACT database, including age, motor component of Glasgow coma score, and pupillary reactivity. The model also includes haemoglobin and glucose measurement, providing a more comprehensive prediction of outcomes.

UGA researchers win $9.2 million stem cell grant from NIH

The University of Georgia has been awarded a $9.2 million grant to explore the molecular underpinnings of human embryonic stem cell differentiation, aiming to identify genetic and protein modification patterns that accompany this process.

Eating fish may prevent memory loss and stroke in old age

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that eating broiled or baked tuna and other fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent silent brain infarcts, which are associated with dementia and stroke. The risk was lower for those who ate these types of fish regularly.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

1 in 10 children using cough, cold medications

Researchers found that at least one cough and cold medication was used by 10.1% of US children in a given week, with exposures to decongestants and antihistamines being the highest. The study also revealed that the use of these medications declined from 12.3% in 1999-2000 to 8.4% in 2005-2006.

Long-term HIV treatment may reduce risk for atherosclerosis

A study published in the journal AIDS has found that long-term antiretroviral therapy for HIV may offer protection against atherosclerosis. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study measured coronary artery calcification in nearly 950 HIV-positive and HIV-negative men, finding CAC scores were almost 60% lower in those on HAART.

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The USPSTF recommends against routine prostate cancer screening for men over 75 due to insufficient evidence. In contrast, the task force found that chronic illness is common among uninsured Americans, affecting an estimated 11.4 million adults with conditions like cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

Tevatron experiments double-team Higgs boson

The Tevatron experiments have excluded a mass of 170 GeV for the Higgs boson with 95% probability, restricting possible masses and demonstrating sensitivity to potential signals. The combined data allows experimenters to cross-check and confirm results, improving their chances to observe the Higgs.

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.

Stanford study uses genetic evidence to trace ancient African migration

Researchers used a genetic technique pioneered at Stanford to analyze Y chromosomes from men in Tanzania and southern Africa. They discovered a novel mutation shared by some men in both locations, implying a common ancestor, and found that pastoralists first tended sheep and cattle in southern Africa around 2,000 years ago. This new ge...

A first in integrated nanowire sensor circuitry

Scientists have created the world's first all-integrated sensor circuit based on nanowire arrays, combining light sensors and electronics made of different crystalline materials. The method can be used to reproduce numerous devices with high uniformity.

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.

Certain HIV treatment less effective when used with anti-TB therapy

A study published in JAMA Network found that patients receiving rifampicin-based anti-tuberculosis therapy are more likely to experience virological failure when starting nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy. In contrast, efavirenz-based ART was associated with similar virological suppression rates regardless of tuberculosis status.

World's smallest snake found in Barbados

The Leptotyphlops carlae is the world's smallest known snake species, with adults measuring just under four inches in length. This tiny threadsnake was discovered by Blair Hedges in a forest fragment on Barbados and is believed to be rare due to habitat destruction.

Bulging prison system called massive intervention in American family life

A University of Washington study reveals a massive intervention by the US prison system on American families, disproportionately affecting black males. The research found higher rates of infertility, infectious diseases like TB and HIV/AIDS, and increased migration to rural areas among black inmates.

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.

Toxic drugs, toxic system: Sociologist predicts drug disasters

A sociologist's analysis reveals that new prescription drugs are twice as likely to harm patients as to provide benefits superior to existing drugs. The study identifies institutional flaws in the FDA's review process, including under-funding and industry influence.

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.