Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive May 2008 - Page 16


Page 16 of 22

Both boys and girls negatively affected by sexual harassment

Girls were harassed more frequently than boys, but both sexes suffered negative effects from a school climate that tolerates girl's harassment. The study found a link between the climate and feelings of safety, withdrawal from school, and lowered self-esteem in both girls and boys.

SourceWiley·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateMay 12, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NIH grant to support Translational Research Center for PCOS

A new Translational Research Center for PCOS will be established at VCU, focusing on genetics and pharmacogenomics to identify risk factors and optimal treatment. The center aims to bring research discoveries from the laboratory bench quickly to clinical care, improving outcomes for women with PCOS.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·DateMay 12, 2008

What's the difference between a human and a fruit fly?

Scientists have developed a new way to estimate the total number of protein interactions in organisms, revealing that humans have approximately 10 times more protein interactions than fruit flies. This study contradicts previous comparisons based on gene numbers, which suggested that humans and fruit flies are relatively similar.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Think before you drink, says university research

Researchers plan to reduce binge drinking by providing workplace information and employee commitments, with a focus on raising awareness of health effects. They will follow up with employees to assess long-term behavior change.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateMay 12, 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.

When following the leader can lead into the jaws of death

A study by Ashley J. W. Ward and colleagues found that groups of fish only follow leaders when a threshold number of fellow group members perform a particular behaviour, reducing the risk of non-adaptive following. This quorum response is also relevant to human decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 12, 2008

Carnegie Mellon engineering researchers automate analysis of protein patterns

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a software toolbox that can automatically analyze protein patterns in human tissues. This tool can help identify biomarkers useful for cancer diagnosis and therapy, enabling a better understanding of how cells work and advancing disease detection.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateMay 12, 2008

Borrowers who complete homeownership education programs make better refinancing decisions

A study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management found that borrowers who complete homeownership education and counseling programs are more informed about when to refinance. The effectiveness of these programs varies by type, with intensive classroom-based instruction showing significant impacts on borrowing behavior.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateMay 12, 2008

Study: Kids think eyeglasses make other kids look smart

A study found that young children tend to associate glasses with intelligence and honesty, but not attractiveness. The findings suggest that media portrayals may be reinforcing stereotypes among young children.

SourceOhio State University·JournalOphthalmic and Physiological Optics·DateMay 12, 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.

NOAA reports coastal waters show decline in contaminants

A 20-year study by NOAA reveals a positive trend in reducing contaminant levels in U.S. coastal waters, despite ongoing concerns about metals and industrial chemicals. The report highlights decreasing trends for pesticides like DDT and industrial chemicals PCBs, but notes continued issues with oil-related compounds and flame retardants.

SourceNOAA Headquarters·DateMay 12, 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.

Fish diet to avoid fights

Research found that subordinate fish go on a diet to avoid provoking fights, maintaining social hierarchy in coral reef groups. This discovery challenges traditional views on dominant individuals retaining their position through size and intimidation.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 11, 2008

Key step in the 'puncture' mechanism of cell death revealed

Researchers at Melbourne's Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a key step in the 'puncture' mechanism of cell death, which drives apoptosis. The discovery has important implications for the development of drugs that can regulate cell death, with potential applications in cancer and degenerative disease treatments.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMay 11, 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.

Mutant gene causes epilepsy, intellectual disability in women

A mutated gene has been discovered as the key behind epilepsy and mental retardation specific to women, thanks to new research at the University of Adelaide. The study found that women carry both a 'good' and 'bad' gene, while men only carry the bad gene, leading to the condition affecting only females.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 11, 2008

A new gene trigger for pregnancy disorder identified

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have identified a new gene trigger for preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy disorder affecting 5% of pregnancies worldwide. A steroid molecule, 2-ME, may serve as both a diagnostic marker and therapeutic supplement for the treatment of preeclampsia.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2008

Female concave-eared frogs draw mates with ultrasonic calls

A new study reveals that female concave-eared torrent frogs emit high-pitched chirps spanning audible and ultrasonic frequencies to signal their interest. Males respond instantaneously, with impressive accuracy in localizing the sound, a feat shared only by elephants, humans, barn owls, and dolphins.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2008

Scientists dig deeper into the genetics of schizophrenia by evaluating microRNAs

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered a previously unknown alteration in microRNA production linked to schizophrenia. By modeling mice with the same chromosome 22q11.2 deletion as humans with schizophrenia, they found that abnormalities in microRNAs can lead to synaptic and behavioral deficits.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 11, 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.

Is divorce bad for the parents?

A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that British adult children help their elderly parents according to their needs, rather than past behavior. Parents with health problems are 75% more likely to receive help from their children.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 11, 2008

Human aging gene found in flies

Researchers have identified a key human aging gene in fruit flies, revealing its role in DNA instability and genome rearrangement. This breakthrough enables the use of fruit flies as a powerful model system to study the effects of aging on human health.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalAging Cell·DateMay 11, 2008

Fruit fly avoidance mechanism could lead to new ways to control pain in humans

Researchers have discovered a timing mechanism in the brain of fruit fly larvae that controls their avoidance of food and could lead to new pain relief methods. This mechanism has counterparts in mammalian models involved in psychological processes such as food response, anxiety suppression, and pain perception.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 11, 2008

UV lotion lights the way to cleaner facilities

A Canadian team found that up to a third of hospital patient toilets were not properly cleaned, leaving C. difficile spores lingering in loo surfaces. The use of UV lotion helped detect contamination in toilets and commodes used by patients with diarrhoea, highlighting the need for improved cleaning protocols.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Infectious Diseases·DateMay 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.

Suspected cause of type 1 diabetes caught 'red-handed' for the first time

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified dendritic cells carrying insulin fragments as a key player in the development of type 1 diabetes. The discovery sheds light on how an immune system attack can destroy the islets of Langerhans, leading to insulin deficiency and the disease.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 9, 2008

How body size is regulated

A meta-analysis of over 26,000 participants found two known genes and 10 new ones related to human growth, influencing body size by approximately 3.5cm. The study also revealed connections between microRNA let-7 and other genes, as well as effects on chromatin structure.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 9, 2008

Researchers uncover mechanism of action of antibiotic able to reduce neuronal cell death in brain

Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University found an antibiotic that can reduce neuronal cell death in the brain, which could lead to new therapies for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The discovery was made by identifying how a compound induces neurotransmitter activity in brain cells.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 9, 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.

Hopkins researchers discover new link to schizophrenia

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a link between the BACE1 enzyme and schizophrenia-like behaviors in mice lacking this enzyme. The study found that these mice exhibited deficits in social recognition and other schizophrenia-like traits, which improved with treatment with antipsychotic drug clozapine.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 8, 2008

Young people are intentionally taking drink and drugs for better sex

A study found that young Europeans drink and take drugs as part of deliberate sexual strategies. A third of males and a quarter of females reported using substances like cocaine, ecstasy, or cannabis to enhance sexual arousal or prolong sex. However, these behaviors were linked to increased risk-taking and regretful experiences.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateMay 8, 2008

TU Delft demonstrates for the first time how light squeezes through small holes

Researchers at TU Delft have mapped the process of light passing through small holes, promising a significant improvement in Terahertz microscopy and microspectroscopy. The study confirms the Bouwkamp model and reveals that sufficient light can pass through even tiny holes, enabling measurements near the hole.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 8, 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.

Tomato stands firm in face of fungus

Researchers found a small protein secreted by some fungal strains can suppress tomato disease resistance genes, but a third gene targets this protein, rendering the plant fully immune. The study provides a new strategy for durable disease control based on resistance gene combinations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 8, 2008

OCAST funds OSU projects with commercial viability

OSU researchers received grants for projects with potential for commercially successful products, including noise-reducing aircraft composites and biosensors detecting objects like DNA and pesticides. The funding aims to accelerate technology development through collaboration between businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations.

SourceOklahoma State University·DateMay 8, 2008

Study identifies molecular response of cartilage to injury

A microarray screening study revealed significant gene expression changes in adult human joint cartilage after injury. The study identified the Wnt-16 signaling pathway as a key player in the molecular response, which may be relevant to osteoarthritis progression.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateMay 8, 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.

Keeping yields, profits and water quality high

Researchers found that diversified, low-external-input farming systems can achieve high crop yields and profitability while reducing synthetic fertilizer and herbicide use. The study's results suggest that large reductions in agrichemical use are compatible with high crop yields and profits.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalAgronomy Journal·DateMay 8, 2008

What's bugging locusts?

A team of scientists led by Iain Couzin found that cannibalistic interactions are responsible for locusts' collective motion. The behavior, observed in immature locusts, leads to the formation of large mobile groups called bands that devour vegetation and eventually precede flying swarms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 8, 2008

New cancer gene found

Researchers at the OU Cancer Institute have identified a new gene called RBM3 that causes cancer. The gene is vital for cell division in normal cells but leads to increased tumor formation when overexpressed in cancerous cells.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalOncogene·DateMay 8, 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.

Study offers novel insight into cardiac arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death

Researchers developed a genetic model of LQTS that mimics human arrhythmia, revealing underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The study could lead to the development of new treatments for fatal arrhythmias, particularly in pre-menopausal women who are more sensitive to certain medications.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 8, 2008

Skin flaps deliver cancer-fighting therapy, ASPS study reveals

A new delivery technique using skin flaps and gene therapy reduces tumor volume by 79% in rats. The treatment allows for the production of therapeutic proteins directly at the tumor site, avoiding liver damage caused by traditional intravenous administration.

SourceAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateMay 8, 2008
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Study finds link between birth order and asthma symptoms

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that four-year-olds with older siblings are more likely to experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing. Children with at least two older siblings were 50% more likely to be hospitalized for breathing problems.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·DateMay 8, 2008

Warming up for magnetic resonance imaging

Researchers have developed a new MRI technique that combines high temperatures with hyperpolarized xenon to create a supersensitive diagnostic system. The method, called Hyper-CEST MRI, allows for faster and more selective imaging of specific target molecules, such as tumors in human subjects.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateMay 8, 2008

Programmed death boosts business

Researchers suggest adopting apoptosis to restructure businesses, eliminating malfunctioning processes. This approach can prevent commercial decay and protect organizations from demise.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Management Practice·DateMay 8, 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.

Virus mimics human protein to hijack cell division machinery

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) uses a viral protein to modify tumor-suppressing proteins in human cells, evading cellular control and leading to uncontrolled cell growth. This discovery provides new insights into how viruses cause cancer and could lead to potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateMay 8, 2008

Modern ceramics help advance technology

Researchers explored the critical role of piezoelectric materials in advancing technology, leading to breakthroughs in cell phone technology and ultrahigh resolution ink-jet printing heads. The study highlights the potential applications of PZT thin film materials for various devices, including motion sensors and optical mirrors.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Ceramic Society·DateMay 8, 2008