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Science News Archive February 2008 - Page 15


Page 15 of 19

Elderly more likely to deny smoking when asked, says Case Western Reserve University researcher

A study published in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved found that elderly adults are more likely to deny smoking when asked. Researchers used biomarkers like cotinine to validate self-reported nicotine use, revealing a significant discrepancy between true smokers and those who denied it.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved·DateFeb 7, 2008

deCODE links closer kinship with reproductive success

The study found that couples related at a third cousin level have the highest number of offspring, with an average of 4.04 children and 9.17 grandchildren. The correlation holds true across different eras and urbanization levels, suggesting a biological basis for the association.

SourcedeCODE genetics·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2008

Lower-income neighborhoods associated with higher obesity rates

Researchers found that lower-income neighborhoods are associated with higher obesity rates due to limited access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities. The study highlights the importance of neighborhood-level services and structures in influencing weight-related behaviors.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateFeb 7, 2008

New cause identified for necrotic enteritis in chicken

Researchers have reidentified the main cause of necrotic enteritis in chickens as Clostridium perfringens, producing extracellular toxins that attack the bird's intestines. The discovery of a new toxin, NetB, has led to hope for the development of effective vaccines within two years.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 7, 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.

CIESE awarded $500K grant from Edison Venture Fund

The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) received a $500,000 grant to create global and systems engineering curriculum modules for high school students. The project aims to introduce concepts and skills of global and systems engineering to approximately 700 teachers and at least 100 schools across the US a...

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateFeb 7, 2008

Knee brace generates electricity from walking

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a wearable mechanism that captures energy lost during walking to generate electricity. The device, which works similarly to regenerative braking in hybrid vehicles, has shown promise in powering devices with minimal user effort.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2008

Comatose locusts may help relieve migraines

Researchers at Queen's University have found a link between locusts' reaction to stress and human migraines. The study shows that the locust's coma-like state is similar to what happens in people during a migraine, suggesting an evolutionary connection.

SourceQueen's University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 7, 2008

The trouble with hybrids

Researchers question the environmental sustainability of hybrid vehicle technology, citing its high cost and potential to slow the adoption of more innovative technologies like fuel-cell cars. The study suggests that the current craze for hybrids may be a red light for climate change and emissions reduction efforts.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Automotive Technology and Management·DateFeb 7, 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.

Nature Conservancy study raises major questions on biofuels

A new Nature Conservancy study finds that converting land for biofuel crops results in significant carbon emissions and worsening the problem of global warming. The study analyzed various benefits of using biofuels as alternatives to oil but found they fall short of the carbon losses, leading to a 'carbon debt'.

SourceNature Conservancy·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2008

Wind patterns could mask effects of global warming in ocean

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that natural variability in the Earth's atmosphere is masking the overall effect of global warming in the North Atlantic Ocean. Heat stored in the North Atlantic has a complex pattern, suggesting that natural changes in the atmosphere also play a role.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2008

Gene variant predicts medication response in patients with alcohol dependence

A specific gene variant associated with a better response to naltrexone in treating alcohol dependence has been identified, according to a large-scale analysis of the COMBINE Study. Patients carrying the variant experienced significantly improved clinical outcomes compared to those without it.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism·JournalArchives of General Psychiatry·DateFeb 7, 2008

Researchers decode genetics of rare photosynthetic bacterium

The researchers' successful sequencing of the cyanobacterium's genome has revealed its genetic secrets, shedding light on how it produces chlorophyll d and absorbs far-red light. This discovery holds potential for plant research and could lead to the development of crops that can harness a wider range of light spectrum.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 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.

Slow-motion video study shows shrews are highly sophisticated predators

A recent study by Vanderbilt University reveals that shrews, despite their small size, employ highly developed hunting strategies. The researchers discovered that these tiny mammals can detect water movements, identify prey shapes using their whiskers, and utilize their sense of smell underwater.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2008

VEGF-B helps nerve cells cheat death without unwanted side effects

New research reveals VEGF-B's protective effects on nerve cells without inducing angiogenesis, providing new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases. VEGF-B treatment has shown to inhibit brain cell death in mouse models of stroke and ocular neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2008

What gives us fingertip dexterity?

A USC biomedical engineer examines the intricate circuitry between hand manipulation skills and specialized neural circuits in the brain. The study found that the human nervous system employs a time-critical strategy for tapping and pushing, which is necessary for executing fine finger movements.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateFeb 7, 2008

Coral reefs may be protected by natural ocean thermostat

A new study finds evidence of an ocean 'thermostat' regulating sea-surface temperatures in the Western Pacific Warm Pool, protecting coral reefs from severe warming. This discovery lends support to a long-debated theory that naturally warm waters may be more resistant to climate change.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 7, 2008

Team treatment for depression cuts medical costs

A team approach to treating depression in older adults reduces total healthcare costs, with patients receiving IMPACT care having lower average costs over a four-year period. The cost-effectiveness of the IMPACT model makes it an attractive option for health organizations, which have already implemented it to improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateFeb 7, 2008
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.

Carnegie Mellon receives $1.85 million

Carnegie Mellon will lead a team to develop and promote a regulatory structure for the safe and economical capture, transport and deep geological sequestration of CO2. The grant is part of a $100 million Climate Change Initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner economy.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateFeb 7, 2008

Eat up all of your Brussels sprouts -- unless you're an aphid

New research shows that aphids feeding on low-quality Brussels sprouts are smaller and fewer in number, leading to a ripple effect throughout the food chain. This has significant implications for the structure and diversity of ecosystems, highlighting the importance of plant quality in shaping ecosystem function.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 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.

Scientists rebuild ancient proteins to reveal primordial Earth's temperature

Researchers reconstructed proteins from ancient bacteria to measure the Earth's temperature over billions of years, revealing a massive cooling period between 500 million and 3.5 billion years ago. This study provides insight into how life adapted to the changing environment during the Precambrian period.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2008

Urban ecology: taking measure of the coming megacity's impact

Researchers address questions about future city shape and population growth's effects on the environment, highlighting cities as substantive ecosystems with complex human-environmental interactions. Cities' growing footprints contribute to global biodiversity loss, climate change, and resource depletion.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 7, 2008

Quality schooling has little impact on teenage sexual activity

A study found that socio-economic factors and school catchment areas have a greater impact on reported sexual experience among teenagers than classroom discipline. Despite sex education efforts, schools' social organization and culture play little role in influencing pupils' behavior.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateFeb 7, 2008

Sleep duration may play important role in childhood obesity

A study published in Obesity found that children who slept less were more likely to be overweight or obese. The researchers analyzed data from 17 studies and found that for every additional hour of sleep, the risk decreased by 9%.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalObesity·DateFeb 7, 2008

Team-based approach improves diabetes care

The ACP and ACPF Diabetes Initiative has seen statistically significant improvements in clinical measures, including a nearly 50% reduction in office visits for diabetes patients. The team-based approach has also led to increased awareness of high-quality diabetes care among physicians.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·DateFeb 7, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

World's best analysts compete to win Edelman Prize in operations research and analytics

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has announced six finalists competing for the 2008 Franz Edelman Award, recognizing outstanding operations research-based projects that transform companies, industries, and lives. The finalists include teams from Western Europe, federal agencies, and a Fortune 500 company.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·DateFeb 7, 2008

Europe's Columbus laboratory leaves Earth

Columbus, a state-of-the-art European research facility, has been successfully deployed to the International Space Station (ISS) via NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis. The laboratory will enable astronauts to conduct extensive scientific experiments in various fields, including life sciences and space science.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·DateFeb 7, 2008
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Researchers give new hybrid vehicle its first test drive in the ocean

A new hybrid vehicle, powered by the heat differences in the ocean, has successfully completed its first oceanic test drive. The 'thermal glider' harvests heat energy to propel itself across thousands of kilometers of water, offering a virtually unlimited energy source for propulsion.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·DateFeb 7, 2008

Asian women at risk for arterial defect

Researchers identify Asian women as a high-risk group for congenital aneurismal fistulas, which can cause heart attack and sudden death. Hypertension is a common risk factor, and treatment involves surgery or coil insertion to prevent rupture.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalCongenital Heart Disease·DateFeb 7, 2008

'Good bacteria' in women give clues for slowing HIV transmission

Research suggests that beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus in the vagina can reduce HIV virus levels in genital secretions, making it harder for the virus to spread. The study found a link between Lactobacillus production of hydrogen peroxide and lower vaginal HIV levels.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·DateFeb 7, 2008

Accelerometer backpacks aid study of gliding behavior in the 'flying' lemur

A team of researchers used miniature backpacks with accelerometers to study the gliding behavior of Southeast Asian colugos, also known as flying lemurs. The findings show that colugos push off from trees more forcefully for long jumps but quickly reach terminal velocity and land with reduced impact forces.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateFeb 7, 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.

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 7, 2008

VEGF-B has been shown to inhibit apoptosis in retinal cells and brain cells in mouse models of injury and stroke, suggesting its potential as a new treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy is also identified as a virulence-associated trait and survival mechanism for the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2008

First documented case of pest resistance to biotech cotton

A bollworm species has evolved resistance to biotech cotton's Bt toxin in the US, contradicting predictions of rapid pest resistance. The findings confirm the effectiveness of refuge strategies to delay resistance evolution.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 7, 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.

Brain study suggests way to measure, treat autism

Researchers have discovered characteristic patterns of brain activity in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that reflect an inability to perceive themselves as social creatures. The study found that individuals with ASD exhibit diminished perception of self in social interactions, similar to those playing against a computer.

SourceCell Press·DateFeb 6, 2008

Racing ahead at the speed of light

Physicists at RHIC have developed a way to measure subtle fluctuations in particle beams and send corrections ahead to smooth out scattering. This technique, called stochastic cooling, aims to recreate the conditions of the early universe, potentially saving time and money.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateFeb 6, 2008

Transparent fish to make human biology clearer

Researchers have developed a transparent zebrafish that allows direct observation of internal organs and processes like tumor metastasis and blood production. The study reveals cancer cells' ability to 'home' to specific locations, enabling scientists to better understand disease progression.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 6, 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.

PET outperforms CT in characterization of lung nodules

A multi-institutional study found PET more reliable than CT in characterizing lung nodules as malignant. PET's superior specificity led to correctly classifying 58% of benign nodules misclassified on CT.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateFeb 6, 2008

Researchers discover new battleground for viruses and immune cells

Scientists have discovered that immune cells confront viruses just inside the lymph node, not deep within the organ. This breakthrough could help design effective anti-virus vaccines against deadly viruses like HIV. The study sheds light on how the immune system operates during a viral infection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 6, 2008

MIT applies engineering approach to studying biological pathways

By analyzing yeast cells' responses to periodic salt bursts, MIT researchers developed a simple model that captures the dynamics of a critical cellular pathway. This approach provides an alternative way to study intricate biological systems without requiring extensive computational simulations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 6, 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.

Imaging study reveals rapid formation of Alzheimer's-associated plaques

Researchers used advanced imaging to examine brain tissue in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, finding that amyloid plaques can develop in as little as a day and neuronal changes appear soon afterwards. The study provides new insights into the timing of brain changes associated with Alzheimer's dementia.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 2008

Rare examination reveals adolescent reaction to Iraq War

A 2004 survey of 1,000 Iraqi adolescents found that those exposed to the Iraq War reported higher self-esteem levels compared to Palestinian youth. The study suggests that indirect threats to their social identities may contribute to this phenomenon.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Adolescence·DateFeb 6, 2008

New study suggests link between environmental toxins and early onset puberty in girls

A new study suggests that exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as mycoestrogens like zearalenone, may contribute to the early onset of puberty in young girls. The research found elevated levels of zearalenone in six out of 17 girls with central precocious puberty (CPP), a condition characterized by premature sexual development.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateFeb 6, 2008
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New hope for hepatitis C sufferers

Scientists at the University of Adelaide are developing new vaccines and treatments to combat hepatitis C, a virus affecting over 170 million people worldwide. The five-year project aims to identify antiviral proteins and improve treatment options, offering hope for those suffering from the disease.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateFeb 6, 2008

Tattooing improves response to DNA vaccine

Researchers have found that tattooing is a more effective way of delivering DNA vaccines than intramuscular injection, producing stronger humoral and cellular immune responses. This method could have a role in routine vaccination of cattle or delivering therapeutic vaccines to humans.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalGenetic Vaccines and Therapy·DateFeb 6, 2008

High blood pressure pill cuts risk of Parkinson's disease

A study of 7,374 participants found that those taking calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure had a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The medication was shown to cut the risk by 23% compared to non-users, but not other high blood pressure medications.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 6, 2008

Dry season brings on measles in sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers found a strong seasonal fluctuation of measles transmission rate in Niamey, Niger, which can help predict annual outbreaks. Vaccinating at least 95% of children with two doses of the measles vaccine is crucial to controlling the disease, particularly in areas with high birth rates and limited access to healthcare.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateFeb 6, 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.

Rice scientists make breakthrough in single-molecule sensing

Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in single-molecule sensing by demonstrating simultaneous optical and electronic measurements of the same molecule. The new technology allows for mass-produced single-molecule sensors with high sensitivity at room temperature.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 6, 2008