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Science News Archive November 2008


Page 3 of 20

December 2008 Geology and GSA Today media highlights

The article discusses recent geological findings, including rapid exhumation of ice-covered rocks in Southeast Alaska, a 9-degree warming in Greenland 14,700 years ago, and the onset of biomineralization in skeletal metazoans. It also presents a newly recognized eastern extension of the Nile deep-sea fan.

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.

Meteorite hits on Earth: There may be a recount

A researcher has discovered a tool that can reveal hundreds of hidden meteorite craters using aerial forest surveys. The technology was tested on a crater near Whitecourt, Alberta, and shows great potential for finding more undiscovered sites globally.

Tiny protein provokes healthy bonding between cells

A team of researchers found that a tiny protein called alpha-catenin is essential for forming strong bonds between cells. Cancer cells with dysfunctional alpha-catenin can break free and spread the disease, but scientists may be able to develop therapies to repair or replace this protein and prevent cancer's progression.

Physicists receive patent for improved cancer therapy device

The new device would deliver more precise and less costly proton radiation to cancerous tumors with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The Brookhaven scientists are seeking industrial partners to license and commercialize the technology.

Disclosure of medication can save a patient's life

A study published in the Academy of General Dentistry reveals that stopping antiplatelet medications before dental procedures increases the risk of permanent disability or death. Dentists can help patients by discussing treatment risks and benefits with their physicians.

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.

Inhaled corticosteroids raise pneumonia risk for lung disease sufferers

Researchers found that inhaled corticosteroid drugs increase the risk of pneumonia by a full third in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study suggests that the treatment may be more harmful and pose a greater risk to some individuals, particularly those with weakened immune systems.

Climate change wiped out cave bears 13 millennia earlier than thought

Scientists have revised the timeline of cave bear extinction, dating it back 27,800 years. The new findings suggest a link between climate change and food supply loss, leading to the demise of these massive mammals. Researchers found no evidence of human involvement in their disappearance.

Major teaching and learning research program draws conclusions

The Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP) has drawn conclusions after nine years of investigations across all sectors of education. Key findings include the importance of genuine engagement, developing skills to become autonomous learners, and the positive impact of group work on pupil performance.

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.

Life is a highway: Study confirms cars have personality

Researchers found that people see human facial features in car front ends and attribute personality traits to them, similar to how humans perceive facial expressions. The study also linked perception of cars to their physical structure, enabling the creation of a car with specific characteristics.

Heart pumps: High cost, high mortality in an emerging technology

A study at Duke University Medical Center found that ventricular assist devices (VADs) have high hospital costs and high early death rates among Medicare recipients. The study analyzed data on nearly 3,000 patients who received a VAD between 2000 and 2006, finding that only half were alive one year later.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Drink brewed tea to avoid tooth erosion

A study published in the Academy of General Dentistry journal found that brewed tea has a lower erosive effect on teeth compared to soft drinks and acidic juices. The study suggests that drinking brewed tea can help prevent tooth erosion, which can wear away the enamel and lead to irreversible damage.

Are there careers in mathematics outside of academia?

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) has published a brochure on applied mathematics and computational science careers outside of academia. The brochure answers questions about career opportunities and features profiles of professionals at top companies like Google, IBM, and NSA. It aims to increase interest in mat...

Research-based undergraduate course expands beyond Washington University

The Genomics Education Partnership (GEP) has expanded its research-based undergraduate course beyond Washington University, reaching students at historically black and Hispanic-serving institutions. Students work with in silico tools to analyze DNA sequence data, improving their understanding of genomics and its applications.

NIST 'stress tests' probe nanoscale strains in materials

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a way to measure low levels of stress in semiconductor devices as small as 10 nanometers across. By combining two techniques - electron back scattered diffraction and confocal Raman microscopy - they resolved the long-standing disagreement between two widely used methods of stress measurement.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Synthetic virus supports a bat origin for SARS

Researchers have generated a synthetic SARS-like bat coronavirus that is infectious in cultured cells and mice, identifying pathways by which a bat coronavirus may have adapted to infect humans. The findings provide a model approach for rapid identification, analysis, and public health responses to future natural or intentional virus e...

Improvement seen regarding disparities for liver transplantation

A recent study found that racial disparities in liver transplantation have decreased since the introduction of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score system. In contrast, sex-based disparities persist, with women being less likely to receive a liver transplant within three years of listing.

Do you know you're having a stroke?

A Mayo Clinic study found that most stroke patients do not identify their symptoms correctly, leading to delayed medical attention. The delay can result in further damage and reduced recovery outcomes.

Adiponectin is a metabolic link between obesity and bone mineral density

Researchers discovered adiponectin is a metabolic link between obesity and reduced bone mineral density. Adiponectin levels were lower in obese humans and mice compared to lean controls. Higher levels of adiponectin impede bone development, leading to weaker bones and increased risk of fractures.

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.

Why C is not G: How we identify letters

A study by Daniel Fiset and colleagues reveals that line terminations are the most important feature for recognizing both uppercase and lowercase letters. The researchers used the 'Bubbles' technique to evaluate which areas of each letter were crucial for recognition.

Solar-powered sea-slugs live like plants, prof says

Researchers have discovered that sea slugs can survive and thrive using a process similar to photosynthesis, harnessing solar power from tiny organelles called plastids. The slug's ability to retain these plastids allows it to convert sunlight into food, enabling it to make its own sustenance like plants.

Halas wins high-profile national security award

Naomi Halas, a renowned nano-optics expert, has been awarded a $3 million grant by the Department of Defense for her research on engineered nanophotonics. This breakthrough work could lead to innovations in super-efficient solar power collectors and next-generation camouflage.

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.

Proteins strangle cell during division

Researchers discovered a new mechanism for cell division in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, revealing three proteins that form a band-like structure over the cell equator. This unique process could lead to new insights into ESCRT proteins and their role in protein transport within cells.

New economic woes hit boomers, seniors hardest

Experts warn that retirement accounts lost 18% of value between 2007-2008, and housing prices fell by 4-20% in the same period. The current financial crisis affects those planning to spend down assets in retirement.

Health care reform: No revolution in sight

A new study of 21 countries reveals that public attitudes toward government involvement in health care vary widely, but ultimately support a role for the state in ensuring access. The findings suggest that any major overhaul of health care systems is unlikely due to cultural and historical factors.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Los Alamos observatory fingers cosmic ray 'hot spots'

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have identified two distinct regions with an excess of cosmic rays, challenging nearly a century-old understanding of galactic magnetic fields. The Milagro observatory recorded over 200 billion cosmic-ray collisions, revealing statistically significant peaks in specific regions of the sky.

Europe cores in EUROCORES: Ocean drilling in EuroMARC

The European Science Foundation's EUROCORES programme enhances European leadership in international marine coring expeditions. The project investigates ocean dynamics, sediment fluxes, and hydrothermal processes to reconstruct sea-level changes and environmental shifts.

Putting a green cap on garbage dumps

Growing plants and trees on landfills can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by four to five times. Phytocapping also cuts the cost of landfill remediation in half and provides biodiversity corridors. The technique uses a layer of top soil and dense vegetation to trap methane and water.

Phycology in China

Phycologists and algal biotechnologists in China are addressing pressing issues in algae research, including resource exhaustion and environmental impact. The country's largest seaweed cultivation industry has become a crucial driver of innovation and growth in the field.

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.

Mineral oil contamination in humans: A health problem?

The presence of mineral oil in edible oils and foods exceeds recommended safety limits, raising concerns about human health. Analytical campaigns are underway to address this issue and provide toxicological data for improved safety evaluation.

Flies may reveal evolutionary step to live birth

Researchers discovered a Seychelles fly species that lays larvae instead of eggs, potentially revealing an evolutionary step to live birth. The study found that these flies' eggs hatch quickly and develop advanced structures, suggesting a unique reproductive strategy.

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.

Mothers' mental games increase depressive symptoms in daughters

A new study found that African American adolescent girls whose mothers used psychological control, such as guilt trips and withdrawn affection, reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. In contrast, boys showed no such effect. The researchers suggest a need for parents to strike a balance between giving children autonomy and guidi...

Milagro detects cosmic ray hot spots

The Milagro collaboration has discovered two nearby regions with an unexpected excess of cosmic rays, suggesting the presence of high-energy particle acceleration near Earth. This finding is the second recent study indicating a source of galactic cosmic rays relatively close to our planet.

Joslin researchers identify new source of insulin-producing cells

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified pancreatic progenitors that can form into insulin-producing cells after birth or injury, contradicting earlier studies. This finding offers new hope for treating and potentially curing diabetes through replacement therapy.

Panamanian termite goes ballistic: Fastest mandible strike in the world

The Panamanian termite has recorded the fastest mandible strike ever, with footage showing a soldier termite's jaws striking an invader at speeds of up to 70 meters per second. This rapid strike is thought to be due to the termites' need to store energy in their mandibles to generate force.

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.

Sperm size isn't everything

Research challenges the idea that longer sperm are faster due to drag from their heads. Streamlining and tail shape may be more important factors in determining sperm performance.

Superglue from the sea

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a synthetic version of sandcastle worm glue, which has shown promise in repairing shattered bone fragments. The glue performs 37% as well as commercial superglue in lab tests and may be used to align small bone fragments in joints and the face before they heal.

Transfusions increase clot risk in hospitalized cancer patients

Researchers found blood transfusions in hospitalized cancer patients increased venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) rates, comparable to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). This study highlights the need for cautious use of transfusions and exploration of ways to reduce clot risk in cancer patients.

New research helps explain genetics of Parkinson's disease

Parkin protein prompts neuronal survival by clearing damaged mitochondria. Researchers found that Parkin translocates to mitochondria upon damage, sending them to autophagosomes for degradation. This process prevents damaged mitochondria from triggering cell death.

Ameobas: Keeping it in the family

In a breakthrough study, researchers discovered that social amoebas form multi-cellular organisms with genetically similar 'kin' to ensure survival. By aggregating based on genetic similarity rather than true kinship, cells can increase their chances of reproducing and passing on their genes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Prion switching in response to environmental stress

In response to environmental stress, yeast cells trigger a protein-misfolding mechanism that reveals hidden genetic variation, allowing them to adapt and evolve rapidly. This 'prion switching' enables cells to digest previously inaccessible materials, such as certain nutrients and antibiotics, without prior genetic mutation.