Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2008 - Page 14


Page 14 of 19

Alarming growth in expected CO2 emissions in China, finds UC analysis

A new analysis by UC economists reveals China's CO2 emissions growth rate is 11% annually, surpassing previous estimates. The study predicts a significant increase in carbon emissions, overshadowing pledged reductions by developed countries.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·DateMar 10, 2008

The hand can't be fooled, study shows

A study published in Psychological Science found that our grasp reflects the real size of objects, not their apparent size, even when they appear distorted through optical illusions. This supports the two visual systems hypothesis, which suggests that our brain has two separate systems for processing images and controlling actions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 10, 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.

Amphibians respond behaviorally to impact of clear cutting

A MU study found that salamanders and frogs evacuated clearcut areas more often than entered, suggesting a behavioral response to habitat changes. This response could improve the chances of amphibian survival in forestry practices.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Applications·DateMar 10, 2008

Pain in fibromyalgia is linked to changes in brain molecule

A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that pain levels in patients with fibromyalgia decreased when glutamate levels went down. This suggests that glutamate may play a role in the disease and could be used as a biomarker of disease severity, leading to potential new treatments.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMar 10, 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.

Microscopic 'astronauts' to go back in orbit

Researchers will study how germs change when exposed to space, potentially leading to new strategies for prevention and treatment of diseases. The experiment aims to confirm earlier results on Salmonella's increased virulence in space.

SourceArizona State University·DateMar 10, 2008

Cardiac effects associated with breast cancer treatment appear lower with dose-dense chemotherapy

A new study has demonstrated a lower risk of cardiac toxicity with dose-dense chemotherapy in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients. The regimen, which administers standard doses of chemotherapy agents more frequently, pairs safely with trastuzumab and resulted in only 1.4% cardiac events after 28 months of follow-up.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 10, 2008

March/April 2008 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Patients prioritize thorough examination ($40.87), followed by seeing a physician who knows them well, over other aspects of patient-centered care. Research suggests that local communities can develop tailored strategies to retain patients by improving services and customer service.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMar 10, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Domestication of the donkey

Researchers found evidence of donkey domestication around 5,000 years ago in Egypt, with skeletal remains showing joint wear and signs of load carrying. The study suggests that the process of domestication may be slower and more complicated than previously thought.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2008

Workman Lab characterizes novel regulator of chromosome function

The Stowers Institute's Workman Lab has characterized a novel histone acetyltransferase protein complex called ATAC, which plays a crucial role in regulating chromosome functions. The study provides insight into the ATAC complex's functions and its potential link to human diseases such as developmental defects and cancers.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 10, 2008

How do infections and toxins launch a cell's self-destruct and alarm system?

A study by the University of Washington researchers found that infections and toxins can activate caspase-1, an enzyme involved in both beneficial apoptosis and harmful pyroptosis. This activation leads to inflammation and can be detrimental to vital tissues, but also plays a role in resistance to infection.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2008
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Researchers confirm discovery of Earth's inner, innermost core

Researchers have created a three-dimensional model describing the seismic anisotropy and iron crystal texture within Earth's innermost core. The study revealed an inner inner core with a diameter of approximately 1,180 kilometers.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateMar 10, 2008

Physicists and engineers search for new dimension

The Virginia Tech group is exploring the possibility of an extra dimension, curled up like the universe at the Big Bang. They plan to detect small primordial black holes that produce radio pulses using a new Transient Array radio telescope.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateMar 10, 2008

Injection of human umbilical cord blood helps the aging brain

Injecting human umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC) into aged laboratory animals rejuvenates the hippocampus region of their brains by reducing inflammation and increasing neurogenesis. This study presents a potential cell therapy approach to improve brain function in aging individuals.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalBMC Neuroscience·DateMar 10, 2008

Snakes vault past toxic newts in evolutionary arms race

Researchers found that snakes in some areas have developed extreme resistance to tetrodotoxin, a toxin produced by poisonous newts. This means that the newts' toxicity levels are no longer effective against these snakes, allowing them to thrive and even dominate the populations.

SourceStanford University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 10, 2008

Mouse model for mesothelioma reproduces human disease

Scientists have established a mouse model for human malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer originating from the mesothelial lining of the pleural cavity. The model closely resembles human MM, allowing researchers to study disease onset, progression, and test new therapeutic strategies.

SourceCell Press·DateMar 10, 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.

Finally, the 'planet' in planetary nebulae?

Researchers at the University of Rochester found that planets or low-mass stars orbiting dying stars create breathtaking objects in the sky. The study explores how these companions shape planetary nebulae through spiral waves and magnetic fields, producing striking shapes like the Dumbbell Nebula.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 10, 2008

Measurement technique probes surface structure of gold nanocrystals

A new technique, nano-area coherent electron diffraction, has been developed to study the atomic structure of gold and other nanocrystalline materials. The technique reveals striking differences in surface atoms' arrangement compared to bulk crystalline surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 10, 2008

New NIST detector can 'see' single neutrons over broad range

Researchers developed a new optical method to detect individual neutrons with improved efficiency, promising better measurements and new physics tests. The Lyman alpha neutron detector (LAND) has the potential to detect both single and large numbers of neutrons.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateMar 10, 2008

Micronesian Islands colonized by small-bodied humans

Fossilized remains of small-bodied humans found in Palau, Micronesia, share characteristics with Homo sapiens and H. floresiensis, but not all features match. The discovery provides insight into the process of island dwarfism in human populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 10, 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.

Long-term muscle improvements shown in gene therapy study in mice

Researchers have successfully treated mice with a gene responsible for making follistatin, a protein that inhibits myostatin, leading to long-term improvements in muscle mass and strength. The therapy has potential for older patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who often lose treatment options once muscles degenerate.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2008

INL-led team achieves nuclear fuel performance milestone

A team of researchers from INL and partner institutions has successfully improved coated-particle nuclear fuel performance by reaching a burnup of 9% without any fuel failure. The breakthrough increases the efficiency of the reactor system, reducing fuel requirements and waste generation.

SourceDOE/Idaho National Laboratory·DateMar 10, 2008

Malignant tumor or benign cyst?

Researchers have developed a new test combining biomarkers HE4 and CA 125 to assess ovarian cancer risk. The test shows high sensitivity and specificity in predicting epithelial cancer, accurately stratifying patients as high or low risk.

SourceFujirebio Diagnostics·DateMar 10, 2008
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Disease leads to vision loss more often in blacks

A study published in Neurology found that black patients are 3.5 times more likely to experience severe vision loss and nearly five times more likely to become legally blind compared to non-black patients. This increased risk may be attributed to other factors such as higher body mass index, low blood iron, and higher brain pressures.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateMar 10, 2008

Late treatment with letrozole can reduce breast cancer recurrence risk

Treatment with letrozole initiated one to seven years after stopping tamoxifen therapy cuts the risk of breast cancer recurrence in half and metastasis by 60%. The chance that a new tumor develops in the unaffected breast is also significantly reduced. These findings suggest aromatase inhibition can still offer preventive benefits.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 10, 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.

Marine bacteria's mealtime dash is a swimming success

Researchers at MIT demonstrated that marine bacteria, specifically P. haloplanktis, use their rapid swimming abilities to locate and exploit tiny nutrient patches in the ocean. This behavior has global implications for the oceans' health during climate change and could impact the carbon cycle.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2008

Outlook improves for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma over past decade

The study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program and found that non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients showed significant improvements in five- and 10-year survival rates, with increases ranging from 26.8 to 27.1 percentage points across all age groups and tumor subtypes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateMar 10, 2008

New purdue facility aims to improve NASA moon rocket engine

Purdue researchers use a new hydrogen facility to study fundamental processes in hydrogen-oxygen engines, improving cooling efficiency and reducing costly overhauls. Accurate heat flux measurements enable more precise computational models, leading to better design performance and cost savings.

SourcePurdue University·DateMar 10, 2008
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.

Are existing large-scale simulations of water dynamics wrong?

Researchers found that smaller spatial resolutions are necessary for accurate modeling of soil water dynamics, especially at large scales. The critical limit for grid resolution can be estimated using soil water retention characteristics, and is typically on the order of decimeters or millimeters.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·JournalVadose Zone Journal·DateMar 10, 2008

HPV vaccine reduces abnormal pap test results

The HPV vaccine GARDASIL has been shown to reduce abnormal Pap test results by 43% in women, preventing the development of cell changes that lead to cervical disease. This reduction also translates to fewer invasive procedures like cervical biopsies, with a 42% decrease observed in GARDASIL recipients.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·DateMar 10, 2008

Oregon study raises questions on synthetic progestins

Researchers found that MPA decreased endothelial function in premenopausal women, raising questions about long-term effects on cardiovascular health. The study suggests that exposure to synthetic hormones may reduce blood vessel flexibility, potentially leading to heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·DateMar 9, 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.

Scientists determine structure of brain receptor implicated in epilepsy and PMT

Researchers identified the detailed structure of a GABA receptor type implicated in conditions like epilepsy and pre-menstrual tension. The discovery provides hope for developing drugs to block or stimulate the receptors, potentially leading to new treatments for these conditions.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalMolecular Pharmacology·DateMar 9, 2008

New discovery at Jupiter could help protect Earth-orbit satellites

A new discovery at Jupiter could help protect Earth-orbiting satellites by understanding how electrons are accelerated within the planet's magnetic field. The research found that very low frequency radio waves can accelerate electrons up to high energies inside Jupiter's magnetic field, similar to the way they do on Earth.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 9, 2008

Experts call for community mobilization to curb youth violence

Community mobilization is a key approach to prevent and reduce youth violence, according to experts. Studies from diverse communities show that collaborative partnerships, cultural appropriateness, and community ownership are essential factors in successful community mobilization.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 9, 2008

Controversial shoulder surgery for first-time dislocation proven effective long-term

A study released by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that arthroscopic surgery is successful in young, athletic patients with a high failure rate of conservative methods. The study evaluated 39 patients over an average of 11.7 years and found excellent shoulder function and activity level maintenance.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateMar 8, 2008
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New TB test means quicker and easier diagnosis for patients

A new blood test, ELISpot-Plus, in conjunction with a skin test, can rule out tuberculosis infection within 48 hours, providing a much quicker result than existing methods. This combination enables doctors to diagnose TB more accurately and begin investigating other possible explanations for patients' symptoms.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2008
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.

New stem cell technique improves genetic alteration

A new stem cell technique has been developed by UC Irvine researchers, which blends two existing methods to improve cell survival rates and increase the efficiency of inserting DNA into cells. This approach is up to 100 times more efficient than current methods at producing human embryonic stem cells with desired genetic alterations.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalStem Cells·DateMar 7, 2008

WMAP reveals neutrinos, end of dark ages, first second of universe

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) has revealed a sea of cosmic neutrinos permeating the universe and provides evidence that the first stars took more than half a billion years to create a cosmic fog. The new data also places tight constraints on the burst of expansion in the universe's first trillionth of a second.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 7, 2008

Lombardi Cancer Center's Toretsky awarded prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Fund Award

Jeffrey A. Toretsky, a pediatric oncology physician and researcher at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, has received a prestigious Clinical Scientist Award in Translational Research from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The award will support his research to identify molecular mechanisms of EWS-FLI1 and develop ...

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateMar 7, 2008

Dr. Mei receives 2008 Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award in Neurosciences

Dr. Lin Mei received the 2008 Mathilde Solowey Lecture Award for his groundbreaking research on neural circuitry formation and synaptic plasticity. His studies have revealed potential causes of schizophrenia and seizures, as well as new treatment targets for psychiatric diseases.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMar 7, 2008

On a 'roll': MIT researchers devise new cell-sorting system

Researchers at MIT have devised a simple and inexpensive method for sorting different types of cells, which could lead to low-cost tools for diagnosing diseases like cancer. The new device relies on the way cells interact with a surface by rolling along it, allowing specific types of cells to be separated.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 7, 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.

Computers explain why pears may become brown during commercial storage

A computer model developed by researchers at the Catholic University of Leuven can predict the oxygen concentration inside pears, leading to a better understanding of internal browning. The model suggests that extremely low oxygen concentrations in the core of the pear can lead to cell death and browning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 7, 2008

Scientists believe photograph depicts wolverine in California

A photograph taken by a wildlife biology student in 2008 may depict a California wolverine, sparking further analysis and investigation. The animal's presence has not been confirmed since the 1920s, but forest service scientists believe it is a rare sighting.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·DateMar 7, 2008