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Science News Archive August 2008


Page 3 of 17

Sticks and stones: A new study on social and physical pain

A study published in Psychological Science found that socially painful experiences can be revisited through memory recall, causing increased emotional pain. In contrast, physically painful events tend to fade with time. The study's findings suggest an evolutionary aspect of human brain development, particularly in the cerebral cortex, ...

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.

First gene associated with dry macular degeneration found

A study has identified the first gene associated with severe dry macular degeneration, a condition that can lead to blindness. The researchers found that individuals with a specific genetic variant may be at risk if treated with an experimental therapy called RNA interference.

Black raspberries slow cancer by altering hundreds of genes

Researchers found that freeze-dried black raspberry powder restored activity to 460 genes in animals with esophageal cancer, many associated with cell proliferation and death. The study identified 53 genes important for early cancer development, which may be targeted by chemoprevention agents.

Campus diversity important predictor of interracial friendships

A new study found that campus racial and ethnic diversity is a key predictor of interracial friendships. The study controlled for prior experiences and attitudes, showing that exposure to greater diversity leads to more cross-group friendships across all students.

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.

ETH Zurich-administered fund ends scientific anonymity

A new wiki links every word to its corresponding author, allowing readers to know sources and authors receive due credit. This resolves the uncertainty of authorship in first-generation wikis, enhancing collaborative publishing with reputation systems.

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.

No-take zones offer no boost for bleached reefs

A team of scientists found that current protection zones are ineffective in preventing coral reef collapse due to climate change. New areas need to be established to focus on escaping or recovering regions, while managing the entire system is crucial for long-term survival.

Why is Greenland covered in ice?

Research suggests that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are the primary cause of Greenland's ice formation, contrary to competing theories. The study uses computer climate and ice-sheet models to show that a decline in CO2 levels led to the long-term growth of the Greenland ice sheet.

Pre-school age exercises can prevent dyslexia

Researchers at the Academy of Finland's Centre of Excellence in Learning and Motivation Research have found that pre-school age exercises can significantly reduce reading and writing difficulties in children. The study suggests that training should focus on phonetics, mathematics, and information technology to aid learning.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Teens making poor choices when it comes to riding in vehicles

A study by Meharry Medical College found that teen passengers are less likely to buckle up, with only 42% always wearing a seatbelt. The researchers recommend upgrading state laws to require all teens to wear seatbelts, and developing community-based interventions to address the issue.

Genetic link to dry macular degeneration found

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that offers protection against age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in adults over 50. The study identifies a functional link between toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and geographic atrophy, a type of dry AMD.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NSF makes award to study path of pollutants to the dinner table

Clemson University environmental chemist Cindy Lee receives NSF funding to investigate how PCBs cycle through fish and other organisms before reaching consumers. Her research aims to track the changes in PCB behavior and determine their impact on human brain development.

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.