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Science News Archive August 2008


Page 2 of 17

Study says eyes evolved for X-Ray vision

Research reveals that animals with forward-facing eyes have an advantage in dense environments, gaining X-ray vision. This allows them to visually survey a greater region around themselves, aiding in hunting and maneuverability.

Caterpillar, Inc. funds USC 'print-a-house' construction technology

Researchers at USC's CRAFT center have developed a system to automate concrete building, with Caterpillar funding. The Contour Crafting process uses specialized concrete and has already built six-foot walls, paving the way for future research on design, robotics, and other issues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Feats of strength begin a lizard's day

Male Jamaican anole lizards use visual displays to mark their territory, including push-ups, head bobs, and dewlap extensions, to warn other males away. This behavior helps avoid physical confrontations and establishes dominance before dawn and dusk, when these lizards are most active.

Robots learn to follow

Researchers at UC Davis developed a control system that allows robots to pick up on cues and predict where leaders are going, enabling them to follow accurately around corners. The system uses behavioral cues such as head turns and incorporates them into decision-making processes.

Memory trick shows brain organization

A new study published in Neuron reveals that the perirhinal cortex can contribute to forming memories by creating simple associations between items. This finding expands our understanding of how brain areas involved in memory formation are organized, potentially leading to new insights into memory disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Risk of fracture is significantly higher in HIV-infected patients

A large study has found a significant increase in fracture rates among HIV-infected patients compared to non-infected controls. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, reveals that nearly 3% of HIV patients experienced fractures, with risks increasing with age.

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.

Magmatically triggered slow earthquake discovered at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

A team of researchers has discovered a slow earthquake triggered by the 2007 dike intrusion at Kilauea Volcano, demonstrating the connection between magmatism and earthquake faulting. The study used satellite and GPS data to track the movement of magma and show how it triggered the slow earthquake on Kilauea's south flank.

Treadmill exercise retrains brain and body of stroke victims

Research shows that walking on a treadmill can significantly improve mobility and health in stroke survivors even years post-stroke. Brain scans reveal increased metabolic activity in areas associated with walking, suggesting the brain's ability to rewire and recover through exercise.

Heart disease risk of low-dose radiation exposure cannot be ignored

A recent study published in The Lancet found a statistically significant association between low-dose radiation exposure and cardiovascular disease. Researchers suggest that radiation can cause damage to blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, especially among individuals with certain non-cancer diseases.

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.

Explosives go 'green'

LLNL scientists have successfully added unique green solvents to an explosive called TATB, improving crystal quality and chemical purity. This breakthrough aims to create safer explosives with reduced violent reactions.

Addressing the inequalities of health: A new and vital mandate

The WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health advocates for a new global agenda to address health inequities. The report calls for action-oriented policy responses, including improving daily life conditions and addressing power and money distributions.

'Pristine' Amazonian region hosted large, urban civilization, study finds

Researchers discover ancient urban civilization in the Amazon, with clusters of 150-acre towns and smaller villages organized in spread out 'galactic' patterns. The settlements were heavily influenced by historic human activity, contradicting long-held stereotypes about early Western versus New World settlements.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Life under the laser

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a novel technology using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to detect and track single molecule binding to A3-adenosine receptors. This allows for real-time observation of receptor activity within living cells, shedding light on potential anti-inflammatory drug targets.

Ceramic material revs up microwaving

Researchers have developed a ceramic material that heats up in the microwave without causing damage, allowing for faster cooking times. The material, made from petalite and magnetite, can retain heat for up to 15 minutes, enabling innovative food preparation methods.

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.

Why are flies so hard to swat? Chock it up to good planning

Researchers identified flies' planning behavior, which occurs approximately 100 milliseconds earlier than previously known components of the escape response. The study found that flies carefully position their center of mass relative to jumping legs to propel themselves away from threats.

Location, location, location important for genes, too

Researchers at Ohio State University's Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered that mice can develop normally with just one of the four E2f genes. The study suggests that the location and timing of gene activity play a crucial role in development, contradicting previous assumptions about cancer-causing gene regulation.

Unexpected large monkey population discovered

A report by Wildlife Conservation Society reveals a large population of threatened monkeys, including 42,000 black-shanked douc langurs and 2,500 yellow-cheeked crested gibbons, in Cambodia's Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area. The populations have remained stable since 2005 and are estimated to be the largest known in the world.

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.

Tiny 3-D ultrasound probe guides catheter procedures

A novel 3D ultrasound probe guides catheter procedures with clearer real-time images, eliminating x-ray radiation and contrast agent risks. The device is portable and provides continuous imaging, enabling wider range of interventional procedures.

Breaking harmful bonds

Brandeis scientists have identified a catalyst that efficiently breaks the carbon-fluorine bond, rendering it harmless to the environment. This breakthrough finding could lead to large-scale reactions to convert environmental pollutants into reusable or destroyable products.

Biophysical method may help to recover hearing

Scientists have created a biophysical methodology to retune functioning regions of the ear to recognize frequencies associated with damaged areas, which could remedy even substantial hearing loss. The method uses modifications that enable remapping of frequencies without losing auditory information.

Study shows more genes are controlled by biological clocks

Researchers at the University of Georgia discovered that 25% of genes in Neurospora crassa are under control of the biological clock, a much higher rate than previously reported. This finding has significant implications for understanding various biological processes, including cell cycling and ribosome biogenesis.

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.

UC team studies link between Parkinson's disease and depression

A team of University of Cincinnati researchers is studying the relationship between depression and Parkinson's disease to gain insight into possible treatments. In pilot models, they found that stress-induced depression exacerbates problems with movement and causes brain cells to die faster.

HIV patients at greater risk for bone fractures

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that HIV-infected patients have a higher prevalence of fractures compared to non-HIV infected patients. The study analyzed data from over 8,500 HIV-infected patients and more than 2 million non-HIV infected patients, revealing a significant increase in fr...

Crystals improve understanding of volcanic eruption triggers

Researchers have discovered that studying crystal formation in volcanoes can reveal the timing between magma movement and eruptions. This technique allows scientists to better understand individual volcano behavior, helping inform civil defense decisions.

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.

New beta-blocker to offer hope to heart and lung sufferers

A new drug development project aims to create a modified beta-blocker that targets the heart without affecting lungs, benefiting hundreds of thousands of heart patients with respiratory conditions. The treatment has the potential to become the general medicine of choice for all heart patients due to its reduced side effects.

Rapid changes in key Alzheimer's protein described in humans

A study found that recovery from brain injury increases amyloid beta levels in patients, with better neurological status correlating to higher levels. The findings suggest a new understanding of the connection between brain injury and Alzheimer's disease.

Chronic stress alters our genetic immune response

Researchers found that chronic stress alters the genetic immune response by changing the pattern of gene expression in monocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the body's immune response. This altered response can lead to increased inflammation and contribute to the risk for illnesses like depression, heart disease, and diabetes.

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.

Ancient mother spawns new insight on reptile reproduction

Scientists discovered a 75-million-year-old pregnant turtle fossil with a nest of 26 eggs in the badlands of Alberta, Canada, shedding light on ancient reptile reproduction. The fossilized eggs are found to have extremely thick and hard shells that may have evolved to protect them from desiccation or predators.

Cocaine-induced brain plasticity may protect the addicted brain

A recent study found that cocaine-induced brain plasticity may actually defend the brain during excessive drug use, potentially limiting maladaptive behavioral responses. The research identifies MEF2 as a key regulator of structural synapse plasticity and suggests that increasing spine density in the NAc may be a compensatory mechanism.

Not all fat is created equal

A recent study published in the journal Diabetes found that fat tissue in obese patients has impaired cellular function, leading to increased risk of insulin resistance and related conditions. The researchers discovered significant differences in the cellular structure and function of fat cells between lean and obese individuals.

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.

UCI scientists discover minimum mass for galaxies

Researchers analyzed light from small galaxies to determine their masses, finding all dwarf galaxies had the same mass - 10 million times the mass of the sun. This discovery reveals a fundamental property of dark matter, a key component of the universe.

Genetic predisposition may play a role in anxiety disorders

Researchers identified genes that show statistical association with specific anxiety disorders, such as panic disorder and social phobias. The study found that environmental factors can trigger an anxiety disorder more easily in people with a genetic predisposition.

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.

Newly-defined factors may prevent postpartum smoking relapse

A University of North Carolina study finds that strong social support, internal belief systems, and concrete strategies for dealing with temptations are crucial for women to remain smoke-free postpartum. In contrast, easy access to cigarettes, reliance on cigarettes to cope with stress, and low self-esteem can lead to relapse.

Study examines use of opioids

A recent study found that over 10 million Americans use opioids, with 4 million using them regularly, reflecting a need to strike a balance between opioid misuse and chronic pain control. Opioid regular use increased with age, decreased with education level, and was more common in females and non-Hispanic whites.

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.

NSF approves $1.3M for OSU and OU microbes hunt

Researchers will study four groups of bacteria at a sulfur spring in southwestern Oklahoma to understand their metabolic capabilities and ecological role. The grant also funds an educational outreach component to engage high school students in the project.

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.

Potential new targets for antidepressant medications

A new study suggests that blocking the corticotrophin releasing factor-1 (CRF1) receptor and the vasopressin-1B (V1B) receptor may retain their efficacy in treating depression, even when neurogenesis is disrupted. The researchers found that restoration of the stress axis may be key to how these new antidepressant approaches work.

New role for natural killers!

Scientists at the University of York have discovered a new role for Natural Killer cells, which can make diseases worse in certain cases. The research suggests that these cells produce chemicals that inhibit immune responses, leading to potential breakthroughs in treating chronic infections and cancer.

ASTRO selects pediatric oncologist as 2008 honorary member

Dr. Evans, a pioneering figure in pediatric oncology, has been recognized by ASTRO for her groundbreaking work on neuroblastoma staging and patient care. She has also co-founded the Ronald McDonald House and received numerous awards for her dedication to cancer research.

Young type-2 diabetic men suffer low testosterone levels, study shows

A study published in Diabetes Care found that young men with type-2 diabetes have significantly lower levels of testosterone, which can impact fertility, muscle development, and increase the risk of heart disease. The study also highlights the potential clinical implications of low testosterone in these individuals.

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.

NIAID describes challenges, prospects for an HIV vaccine

Researchers identify key areas of focus, including broadly neutralizing antibodies and innate immune responses, to develop an effective HIV vaccine. The authors express cautious optimism about the potential development of a vaccine, citing the need for significant scientific understanding of HIV disease.