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Science News for December 19, 2008


Mayo Clinic study finds increased risk of pneumococcal disease in asthma patients

A recent Mayo Clinic study found adults with asthma are seven times more likely to develop invasive pneumococcal diseases, a serious and potentially fatal condition. The researchers recommend including asthma as an indication for pneumococcal vaccination in adults, which could significantly reduce instances of this disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateDec 19, 2008

New research program for energy innovations

The partnership aims to explore innovative solutions in transportation using $200,000 annual grants for two years. Researchers from both institutions will work together to achieve commercialization and attract external funding.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateDec 19, 2008

Men sexually abused in childhood 10 times more likely to contemplate suicide

A recent study by researchers at the University of Bath has found that men who were sexually abused as children are up to ten times more likely to contemplate taking their own lives. This increased risk is attributed to societal stigma and lack of confiding in others, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalThe British Journal of Social Work·DateDec 19, 2008
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.

2 Brookhaven Lab physicists receive Presidential Early Career Award

Physicists Mickey Chiu and Hooman Davoudiasl were awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for their innovative research in quantum chromodynamics and theoretical particle physics. Their work aims to understand the substructure of protons and address fundamental problems in the Standard Model.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateDec 19, 2008

Trends in sexual behaviors similar for teens who take few health risk and those who take many

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that teen sexual risk behaviors are similar among youth with few and those with many non-sexual health risks. Despite differences in overall health risk levels, trends in sexual behavior were remarkably consistent across both groups.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateDec 19, 2008

New one-of-a-kind technology will fly on 2 NASA missions

University of Idaho engineers have developed unique new technology that will be used in NASA's Landsat Data Continuity Mission and Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission. The technology includes advanced data compression and channel coder algorithms, increasing science data return and protecting data fidelity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 19, 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.

Prenatal alcohol exposure damages white matter, the brain's connective network

A recent study used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to assess white-matter microstructure in youth with and without histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. The findings show that alcohol can damage the microstructural integrity of fetal cerebral white matter, particularly in the frontal and occipital lobes, which are relevant for ...

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 19, 2008

ESC statement on the control of type 2 diabetes

A study published in JAMA found that a diet high in low-glycemic foods, such as nuts and beans, improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes. The ESC recommends structured lifestyle advice for diabetes management, suggesting it may be as effective as some drug interventions.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalJAMA·DateDec 19, 2008

Earth not center of the universe, surrounded by 'dark energy': UBC cosmologists

A team of UBC researchers found that a mysterious force known as dark energy is responsible for the acceleration of the Universe, contradicting a theory that suggested the Earth was near the center of a giant void. The study used data from various sources, including the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe satellite.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 19, 2008
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.

Abrupt climate shifts may move faster than thought

A new US government report suggests that abrupt climate changes could occur within decades, with rapid sea level rise and severe droughts predicted. The report synthesizes the latest evidence on four specific threats for the 21st century, including melting of polar ice sheets and acceleration of seaward flow.

SourceColumbia Climate School·DateDec 19, 2008

Unusual microbial ropes grow slowly in cave lake

Researchers found a previously unknown form of biofilm in an oxygen-deficient lake within the Frasassi cave system in Italy. The unique microbial ropes grow slowly due to limited energy availability, and are composed of bacteria and archaea species.

SourcePenn State·DateDec 19, 2008

Shame on us: Shaming some kids makes them more aggressive

Research suggests shaming children with high self-esteem can increase their aggressive behavior, contradicting traditional views that low self-esteem underlies aggression. Narcissistic individuals with high self-esteem are more vulnerable to shameful events and may react defensively.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalChild Development·DateDec 19, 2008

Arizona State University geographer receives presidential science award

Paul M. Torrens, an associate professor at Arizona State University, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for his work on crowd behavior modeling using 3-D computational modeling. His research has been recognized as a pioneer in the emerging field of geosimulation.

SourceArizona State University·DateDec 19, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Prophylactic antibiotics, air quality control and barrier isolation combined reduce mortality

A combination of prophylactic antibiotics, barrier isolation, and air quality control measures significantly reduces mortality risk in immunocompromised cancer patients. The intervention shows a 40% reduction in all-cause mortality at 30 days post-treatment, with improved survival only seen when antibiotic and anti-fungal prophylaxis a...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2008

Carnegie Institution wins grant to preserve historic photos

The Carnegie Institution has been awarded a $9,400 grant to preserve and enhance access to a collection of historic photographs spanning five decades from 1904 to the 1950s. The collection includes thousands of images important to the history of geophysics, atomic physics, and astronomy.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateDec 19, 2008

CAT scan reveals inner workings of volcano island

A team of researchers used seismic waves to create CAT-scan-like images of the Soufriere Hills Volcano's internal structure. The study found an elongated magma chamber that fills with magma, causing it to decompress and resulting in greater eruptions than expected.

SourcePenn State·DateDec 19, 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.

Eating at buffets plus not exercising equals obesity in rural America

A study published in Preventive Medicine found that rural Americans who regularly eat at buffets and engage in low physical activity are more likely to be obese. The research also highlights the importance of community-friendly transportation and access to healthy foods in reducing obesity rates.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateDec 19, 2008
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.

Caltech scientists create titanium-based structural metallic-glass composites

Researchers from Caltech have developed new titanium-based structural metallic-glass composites that are lighter, less expensive, yet still maintain their toughness and ductility. The breakthroughs could significantly improve the performance of aerospace structures.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2008

Study compares the racial consciousness of black and Asian-Americans

A new study by political scientists Jane Junn and Natalie Masuoka compares the racial consciousness of black and Asian-Americans, revealing that Asian Americans are less attached to their racial identity. The research explores how factors such as state-sponsored racial classification, immigration policy, and racial stereotypes influenc...

SourceAmerican Political Science Association·JournalPerspectives on Politics·DateDec 19, 2008