Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 20, 2008


Using ground-penetrating radar to observe hidden underground water processes

Researchers present applications of radar technology for exploring water beneath the surface, addressing soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and pollution. GPR-derived dielectric permittivity is used as a surrogate measure for soil water content, providing high-resolution subsurface images.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalVadose Zone Journal·DateMar 20, 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.

Infection with a mutated HIV strain results in better survival

A recent study found that infection with a mutated HIV strain is linked to improved survival in people who are newly infected. The researchers identified two specific mutations, A146X and T242N, which were associated with lower viral loads and higher CD4+ counts.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 20, 2008

Do attractive women want it all?

A new study reveals that attractive women's preferences for partners are influenced by their own physical attractiveness, calibrating their standards across multiple characteristics. Women seek a balanced combination of good genes, resources, parenting proclivities, and emotional commitment in their partners.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEvolutionary Psychology·DateMar 20, 2008

Arthritis drug tocilizumab effective in trials involving both adults and children

The anti-arthritis drug tocilizumab has been proven effective in two separate trials involving both adults and children. In the adult trial, patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis showed significant improvements in signs of RA. In the pediatric trial, children and young adults with systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arth...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 20, 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.

Adolescents with chronic insomnia report 'twofold to fivefold' increase in personal problems

A recent study found that adolescents with chronic insomnia are more likely to experience drug use, depression, and school work difficulties. The study, which involved over 3,000 teenagers, also suggests that primary care settings may be an effective venue for screening and early intervention of adolescent insomnia.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 20, 2008

Texas A&M scientists say early Americans arrived earlier

A team of researchers, led by Ted Goebel and Michael R. Waters, revises the timeline of early American arrival, proposing a 15,000-year-old migration from Alaska. New data synthesizes genetic, archaeological, and skeletal evidence to explain the complex process of peopling America.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Children with healthier diets do better in school

A new study published in the Journal of School Health reveals that children with healthier diets outperform their peers academically. The research found students with higher fruit and vegetable intake and lower fat consumption were less likely to fail literacy assessments.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·JournalJournal of School Health·DateMar 20, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The crisis in Kenya: 1 conflict among others

In Kenya, ethnic violence linked to land tenure claims has led to a fierce situation of fire and fighting, particularly in the Rift Valley. The Majimbo ideology, built on regional homogeneity, justifies political supremacy and local land tenure, leading to xenophobic feelings.

SourceInstitut de recherche pour le développement·JournalJournal of Eastern African Studies·DateMar 20, 2008

Joslin researchers discover new effect for insulin

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have found that insulin inhibits a master gene regulator protein, SKN-1, which controls the Phase 2 detoxification pathway. Increased SKN-1 activity increases lifespan, providing potential insights into increasing resistance to chronic diseases and influencing longevity.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalCell·DateMar 20, 2008

APIC launches first national C. difficile prevalence study

The APIC Research Foundation's first national C. difficile prevalence study aims to gain a better understanding of the spread of this virulent pathogen, which causes diarrhea and serious intestinal conditions. The study will provide the first national estimate of C. difficile infection in U.S. healthcare facilities.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·DateMar 20, 2008

Tiny buckyballs squeeze hydrogen like giant Jupiter

Researchers at Rice University discovered that tiny carbon capsules called buckyballs can hold up to 8% of their weight in hydrogen, surpassing the federal target of 6%. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient storage and use of hydrogen in fuel cells and cars.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 20, 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.

Money buys happiness when you spend on others: UBC and Harvard research

A UBC study and Harvard research found that spending money 'pro-socially' on gifts for others or charitable donations leads to greater reported happiness. The researchers used a nationally representative sample of Americans to test their theory that how people spend their money is at least as important as income earned.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Physicists team up to learn how quantum mechanical states break down

Researchers at Ames Laboratory and Microsoft Station Q studied nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond to understand decoherence, a process destroying quantum coherence. They discovered that environmental interference can be regulated by applying a moderate magnetic field, gaining insight into the decoherence process.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 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.

Research shows Earth's earliest animal ecosystem was complex and included sexual reproduction

Researchers discover ancient organism with multiple reproductive strategies, including sexual reproduction, dating back to the Neoproterozoic era. The findings suggest that ecosystems were complex and interconnected hundreds of millions of years ago, providing insights into early life evolution and potential extraterrestrial life.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Yale scientists show that a microRNA can reduce lung cancer growth

Researchers at Yale University and Asuragen, Inc. found that the microRNA let-7 substantially reduced cancer growth in multiple mouse models of lung cancer, indicating a direct role for miRNAs in cancer progression. The study introduces a new paradigm for using miRNAs as effective therapeutic agents to treat human cancer.

SourceYale University·JournalCell Cycle·DateMar 20, 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.

UC San Diego chemists find important contributor to smog

A chemical reaction in the atmosphere above major cities is a significant contributor to urban ozone and smog, according to UC San Diego chemists. This new mechanism involves reactions between water vapor and NO2, producing OH radicals that attack hydrocarbons and form nitrogen dioxide.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 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.

A genetic study of Latin Americans sheds light on a troubled history

A recent molecular analysis of ancestry across Latin America has revealed a marked differentiation between regions, demonstrating a 'genetic continuity' between pre-and post Columbian populations. The research shows that mostly Native and African women and European men contributed genes to the subsequent generations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

Rare cosmic rays are from far away

Scientists confirm 1966 prediction that most energetic particles in the universe rarely reach Earth at full strength due to cosmic microwave background radiation. The GZK cutoff is a suppression of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays, suggesting they come from galaxies beyond 150 million light years away.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 20, 2008

JCI table of contents: March 20, 2008

Researchers have identified a crucial role for antibodies in protecting against nontyphoidal strains of Salmonella bacteria, which causes fatal infections in African children. Meanwhile, a study on HOXB4 gene therapy found that early precursors can cause leukemia in large animals, highlighting the need for extreme caution in human trials.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 20, 2008
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Bullying threatens nurses' health and careers

A study found that bullying in nursing workplaces leads to declining patient care quality and increased health problems among nurses. Author Dianne Felblinger recommends implementing zero-tolerance standards to prevent such incidents.

SourceBlackwell Publishing Ltd.·DateMar 20, 2008

New research provides genetic clue to Parkinson's disease

A genetic clue has been uncovered for Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder affecting millions worldwide. GIGYF2 mutations have been found to be directly linked to the development of Parkinson's in people with a family history of the disease.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

SIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences launches

The SIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences (SIIMS) focuses on conceptually new ideas in imaging science, combining mathematics and applications. The journal aims to shape the future of this exciting area by reporting fundamental advances.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences·DateMar 20, 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.

'Jumping gene' may contribute to a premature aging syndrome

Researchers have discovered a fusion protein that may contribute to Cockayne syndrome, a debilitating disorder marked by premature aging and neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the CSB gene's continued expression of CSB-related proteins or protein fragments plays a crucial role in the disease's development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

Counselors should target discrimination and be advocates for transgender clients

A new study by University of Oregon doctoral students calls on psychologists and vocational counselors to not only treat but also act as advocates for their transgender clients. The research highlights the need for social advocacy work, improving antidiscrimination policies, and providing resources to address workplace difficulties.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of Career Development·DateMar 20, 2008

Nanoscience will change the way we think about the world

The review article reveals that nanominerals exhibit a range of physical and chemical properties depending on size and shape, influencing earth systems in complex ways. This shift in understanding has significant implications for fields like environmental science and geology.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Motor neuron disease and toxic substances: Possible link?

A team of University of Michigan scientists has identified a possible link between genetic mutations and toxic substance exposure in the development of motor neuron disease. The study found that abnormal protein changes caused by organophosphate exposure may contribute to the disease, offering new leads for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 20, 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.

A stronger heart with flavonoids

A study by Catholic University - Campobasso confirms flavonoids' beneficial effects on human health, particularly on the heart. The research found that rats fed an anthocyanin-rich diet were more resistant to myocardial infarction.

SourceCatholic University - Campobasso·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMar 20, 2008

Plant gene clusters for natural products

Researchers have identified a plant gene cluster that produces a triterpene compound, previously unknown in plants. The study reveals how plants can assemble beneficial gene clusters to produce valuable natural products.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalScience·DateMar 20, 2008

Mantis shrimp vision reveals new way that animals can see

Researchers have discovered that mantis shrimp can perceive circular polarized light, a previously unknown visual system. This ability is thought to be used for sex-specific communication and may provide a private channel of communication unavailable to predators and competitors.

SourceCell Press·DateMar 20, 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.

Eye test peers into heat-related multiple sclerosis symptoms

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a new tool to study the mysterious link between body temperature and multiple sclerosis symptoms. By tracking eye movements, they found that as body temperature rises, eye movement disorders worsen in people with MS.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNeurology·DateMar 20, 2008

Molecular science could further improve leukemia survival, say St. Jude researchers

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are investigating two areas of molecular science that hold promise for improving the survival and quality of life of ALL patients, including adolescents and adults. Gene-expression profiling and pharmacogenetics may help identify targets for future therapy and reduce toxicity.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalThe Lancet·DateMar 20, 2008
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.