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Science News for August 26, 2008


Men defy stereotypes in defining masculinity

A large international study of over 27,000 men found that being seen as honorable and respected is more important to their idea of masculinity than physical attractiveness or sexual performance. Men value good health, family life, and relationships with their partner, regardless of age or nationality.

SourceIndiana University·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateAug 26, 2008

Why do eyelids sag with age? UCLA study answers mystery

A UCLA study found that fat expansion in the eye socket is the primary cause of baggy lower eyelids with age, contrary to long-held theories. The researchers suggest incorporating fat excision into treatments for patients seeking to address this common complaint.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·DateAug 26, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Prominent German biologist wins EMBO Communication Award

Axel Meyer, a prominent German evolutionary biologist, has won the 2008 EMBO Award for his efforts to communicate complex scientific topics to the general public. He is recognized for his concise and opinion-strong articles on current issues like brain drain and science funding.

SourceEMBO·DateAug 26, 2008

'Perfect pitch' in humans far more prevalent than expected

A new test for perfect pitch reveals that many non-musicians have the ability to recognize pitches without musical training. The study found a surprising number of people who unconsciously identified notes even when transposed, indicating true perfect pitch.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

NASA renames observatory for Fermi, reveals entire gamma-ray sky

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed the entire gamma-ray sky, discovering pulsars in our galaxy and powerful processes near supermassive black holes. The telescope's first all-sky image shows glowing gas, blinking pulsars, and a flaring galaxy billions of light-years away.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 26, 2008

Research examines variations of rare lung disease

Researchers at University of Cincinnati are studying variations of rare lung disease Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) to better understand its manifestations and develop more effective treatments. The study will compare patients with and without pulmonary hypertension to identify key differences in symptoms.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 26, 2008

Utah steps into the heavens

The University of Utah is joining the third Sloan Digital Sky Survey to map distant galaxies, understand galaxy evolution, and discover planets with suitable environments for life. The survey will also help scientists test theories about dark energy and explore the mysteries of the universe.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateAug 26, 2008

History of nonmelanoma skin cancer is associated with increased risk for subsequent malignancies

A study found that individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer are at two-fold increased risk of developing subsequent cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The association was strongest in younger participants, suggesting a possible inherited predisposition to cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Study points to potential new use for Viagra

Researchers at Queen's University have found a new approach to regulating enzymes involved in blood clotting, potentially leading to novel treatments for heart attacks and strokes. The study targets the enzyme PDE5, which is also used in Viagra, and shows its selective inhibition could prevent platelet activation.

SourceQueen's University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2008

Study of islands reveals surprising extinction results

A study by UC Santa Barbara researchers found that human colonization of islands has led to a significant increase in biodiversity, with native species making way for new, exotic plants and animals. The research suggests that ecosystems may be oversaturated, leading to potential extinctions.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2008
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Trouble quitting?: A new Pitt-Carnegie Mellon smoking study may reveal why

A recent study from University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that smokers who aren't craving a cigarette often underestimate their future urge to smoke, leading them to make decisions they may regret. This 'cold-to-hot empathy gap' can lead to increased nicotine cravings when motivation is low.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 26, 2008

UBC scientist unveils secret of newborn's first words

New research suggests that babies' early language skills are rooted in the brain's ability to recognize repetition patterns. The study found increased brain activity in response to words with repeating syllables, indicating a possible hard-wired mechanism for language acquisition.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 26, 2008

Stick with simple antibiotics for pneumonia to avoid super bugs, says researcher

A recent study by University of Melbourne researcher Dr. Patrick Charles found that only 5% of community-acquired pneumonia cases required broad-spectrum antibiotics, while most were caused by easy-to-treat bacteria or respiratory viruses. The study suggests that current Australian guidelines for prescribing antibiotics are appropriate...

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

High levels of uric acid may be associated with high blood pressure

A study by Baylor College of Medicine found that reducing uric acid levels in teens with high blood pressure lowered blood pressure to normal in most cases. Allopurinol, a medication typically used for gout, showed promise as a potential treatment for high blood pressure.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateAug 26, 2008

ABC-transporters expressed on endothelial cell membranes efflux anti-HIV drugs

Researchers discovered ABC-transporters expressed on vascular endothelial cells, which decrease the intracellular concentrations of anti-HIV drugs like saquinavir and zidovudine. Inhibiting these transporters with verapamil or MK-571 increases drug retention, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy to improve HAART efficacy.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateAug 26, 2008

Bone parts don't add up to conclusion of Palauan dwarfs

A team of researchers from the University of Oregon refutes claims of Hobbit-like little people living in Palau, citing evidence of normal-sized hunters and gatherers. The study analyzed skeletal remains and cultural data dating back to around 3,500 years ago, finding no evidence of insular dwarfism or reduced stature population.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Medication slows progression of myopia in children

A study published in the Journal of AAPOS found that pirenzepine gel can slow the rate of progressive myopia in children, with an average increase of 0.58 diopters over two years compared to 0.99 diopters in the placebo group. The treatment was generally safe and effective, with only mild side effects reported.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus·DateAug 26, 2008

Angiotensin inhibitors and receptor blockers linked to lower risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer

Researchers found a significant association between ACE inhibitor and ARB use and reduced incidence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell cancers in U.S. veterans. The study revealed a 39% relative reduction in basal cell cancer and 33% relative reduction in squamous cell cancers among users compared to non-users.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 26, 2008

Protein misprediction uncovered by new technique

A new approach, MisPred, uses five principles to identify suspect proteins with abnormal or incomplete annotations in public databases. The majority of errors are attributed to the absence of expected signal peptides and domain integrity violations.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Bioinformatics·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Satisfaction and regret after radical prostatectomy procedures studied

A new study published in European Urology found that patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy experienced higher levels of dissatisfaction and regret, particularly African-American patients. Longer follow-up periods were also associated with increased regret.

SourceElsevier·JournalEuropean Urology·DateAug 26, 2008

Uninsured patients receive unpredictable, rationed access to health care

A study by University of Illinois Chicago found that uninsured patients receive inconsistent care across public, for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals. The research analyzed financial reports, surveys and staff practices, revealing significant differences in how institutions ration uncompensated care to self-pay patients.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalMedical Care·DateAug 26, 2008

Java gives caffeine-naive a boost, too

Women who don't drink coffee can experience a significant caffeine boost, improving mental alertness and heart rate, according to new research. The study found that consuming a large cup of coffee had more than enough caffeine to induce these changes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalNutrition Research·DateAug 26, 2008

More aortic chest aneurysms being treated with less-invasive stents

Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms are increasingly being treated with stent grafts, which require minimal incision and rapid recovery. A recent study found that patients receiving stent grafts had significantly lower complication rates compared to those undergoing open chest surgery.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Molecular cubes in the sunlight

Researchers have developed a manganese-containing complex that effectively catalyzes the photooxidation of water, a crucial half reaction in the photocatalytic splitting of water. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of a photoelectrochemical cell that produces pure hydrogen and oxygen from water and sunlight.

SourceWiley·DateAug 26, 2008

How do galaxies grow?

Astronomers study massive galaxies in clusters to understand their growth. The team observed four galaxy groups and found that three of them have a bright companion galaxy, indicating merging systems.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Also in the Aug. 26 JNCI

A novel multi-arm trial design could test several therapies simultaneously, speeding up cancer drug development. A natural chemical called candidaspongiolide inhibits protein synthesis and kills cancer cells through an unusual biochemical pathway.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 26, 2008

New LIDAR system sees the sky in 3-D

A new LIDAR system developed by EPFL will provide continuous data on atmospheric humidity for Western Switzerland's weather forecasting headquarters. The system offers excellent spatial and temporal resolution, outperforming traditional LIDAR systems in stability and reliability.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateAug 26, 2008
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.

Scientists unmask brain's hidden potential

A long-term study found that sudden vision loss leads to rapid changes in the visual cortex, enabling it to process touch. The brain's adaptability was revealed to be greater than previously thought, with potential implications for other sensory losses and brain injuries.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 26, 2008

GLAST Observatory renamed for Fermi, reveals entire gamma-ray sky

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revealed its first all-sky map in gamma rays, showcasing the glowing gas of the Milky Way and pulsars in unprecedented detail. The telescope's high-energy capabilities will enable discoveries of new pulsars and reveal powerful processes near super-massive black holes.

SourceDOE/US Department of Energy·DateAug 26, 2008