Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive November 2008


Page 5 of 20

Exercise helps overweight children reduce anger expression

A new study finds that regular aerobic exercise significantly reduces anger expression and aggressive behavior in overweight but otherwise healthy children. The 10-15 week afterschool exercise program improved the children's ability to control their anger and aggression, according to the Pediatric Anger Expression Scale.

Scientists shed light on evolution of gene regulation

Researchers at Penn State have discovered that not all DNA segments bound to the GATA1 protein are conserved across mammals, challenging previous assumptions. They found that 45% of these segments retain their identical form in other species, suggesting purifying selection maintains most regulatory regions.

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.

Researchers identify new leprosy bacterium

Researchers have discovered a new species of leprosy-causing bacteria, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, which attacks skin vasculature and leads to extensive skin death. The finding could account for geographical and individual variation in the disease's severity.

Scripps research team defines new painkilling chemical pathway

Scripps researchers develop first definitive study of 2-AG's activity after discovering MAGL-specific inhibitor JZL184, reducing pain in mice and inducing effects associated with cannabinoid receptors. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for chronic pain, obesity, anxiety, and depression.

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.

'Wiring' in the brain influences personality

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that the brain's 'wiring' plays a significant role in shaping personality traits and behavior. Individuals with well-developed neural connections between the ventral striatum and hippocampus tend to be more open to new experiences and seek out challenges.

Melatonin may save eyesight in inflammatory disease

Research suggests melatonin therapy may prevent ocular inflammation in uveitis, reducing symptoms and protecting the blood-ocular barrier. Melatonin treatment has anti-inflammatory effects, potentially benefiting patients with chronic uveitis.

The physics of golf balls

Researchers use supercomputers to model air flow around golf balls, optimizing dimple size and pattern for lower drag. The study reveals the physics of a flying golf ball with unprecedented detail, paving the way for future improvements in ball design.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Teaching the teachers

Researchers propose a new model to improve existing standards by capturing the multi-dimensional experience of new teachers, highlighting the importance of emotional and relational aspects in their development. The study found that support from colleagues and availability of teaching materials are key factors in job satisfaction.

Spinning into the future of data storage

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have improved their understanding of how magnetic information is lost in devices similar to hard drive read-heads. The findings, published in Nature Materials, could lead to the development of more efficient and powerful data storage technologies.

Old-fashioned friendliness trumps incentives among supply chain partners

A recent study published in Management Science found that social preferences, such as status and reciprocity, play a significant role in shaping the behavior of supply chain partners. When these preferences are taken into account, partnerships can become more collaborative and mutually beneficial, leading to improved overall performance.

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.

Scientists honored for contributions to cancer fight

Four Americans, including US Senators Edward Kennedy and Mina Bissell, are being honored with the American Cancer Society's Medal of Honor for their outstanding contributions to cancer research and control. The recipients have made significant impact in funding, legislation, and awareness campaigns.

Los Alamos scientists see new mechanism for superconductivity

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have proposed a new explanation for superconductivity that doesn't rely on phonons. By introducing quantum fluctuations and pressure changes, they observed a quantum critical point where electrons pair up in a previously undescribed state of matter.

The 2009 AAAS/Science dance contest winners are announced

The 2009 AAAS/Science dance contest selected four winners, each expressing their Ph.D. thesis in a unique dance form. The winning scientists are Sue Lynn Lau, Miriam Sach, Vince LiCata, and Markita Landry, whose research spans from vitamin D to single molecule measurements.

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.

Med school discovery could lead to better cancer diagnosis, drugs

A Florida State University research team has discovered a crucial new layer of regulation in the cell division cycle, which could lead to better cancer diagnosis and treatment. The findings highlight the importance of Cdc14 protein enzyme in ensuring correct timing and order of cell-cycle events.

Hairspray is linked to common genital birth defect, says study

Women exposed to hairspray at work during pregnancy have more than double the risk of having a son with hypospadias, according to a new Imperial College London study. Taking folic acid supplements in the first three months of pregnancy may reduce this risk by 36%.

Understanding Europe's topography

The EUROCORES programme TOPO-EUROPE explores Europe's changing topography, combining solid Earth and climate scientists to understand past, present, and future changes. The project aims to refine sea level estimations and inform geological surveys on geothermal energy, seismic hazards, and slope instabilities.

Study of ancient and modern plagues finds common features

A study by NIAID authors identifies common determinants of disease emergence across time and place, including international trade, poverty, and climate change. The research highlights the need for a better understanding of these factors to prepare for future emerging diseases.

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.

UBC researchers develop breakthrough technique to unlock the secret of plasmas

UBC researchers have developed a new class of ultracold plasma made from molecules, which promises to revolutionize our understanding of plasmas and their properties. The technique creates plasmas three orders of magnitude denser than those made with trapped atoms, allowing for higher levels of correlation and potentially leading to ne...

Scripps research scientists identify blood component that turns bacteria virulent

Researchers have identified a key chemical, bicarbonate, that signals Bacillus anthracis to become lethal, offering a potential target for new antibacterial treatments. The study builds on earlier observations of the bacterium's response to host conditions, confirming bicarbonate as the essential component for virulence gene expression.

Molecular memory a game-changer

Researchers at Rice University have developed a graphene-based memory device that can store large amounts of data in a two-dimensional array. This technology increases storage capacity by a factor of five and consumes virtually no power.

UC Davis scientists receive $4 milllion biodiversity grant

The five-year, $4 million grant will support biodiversity field surveys, screen microbes and plants for applications to human health and energy needs. The research aims to conserve endangered species and develop local conservation efforts in Indonesia's tropical forests.

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.

Fall babies: Born to wheeze?

Children born four months before the height of cold and flu season have a greater risk of developing childhood asthma than children born at any other time of year. The study found that birth timing is independently linked to asthma development, with autumn babies facing the highest risk.

Long-term antibiotics reduce COPD exacerbations, raise questions

A year-long study found that long-term use of a macrolide antibiotic reduced COPD exacerbations by 35% in patients with moderate to severe disease. The treatment also decreased the severity and duration of exacerbations, but its benefits are offset by concerns about growing antibiotic resistance.

Household exposure to toxic chemicals lurks unrecognized, researchers find

Researchers found that women were surprised and puzzled by the number of contaminants detected in their homes, despite growing awareness of environmental pollution. The study highlights the need for sociologists to collaborate with life scientists to examine the personal experience of environmental problems.

'Fish technology' draws renewable energy from slow water currents

A University of Michigan engineer has created a machine called VIVACE that converts slow-moving ocean and river currents into clean, renewable power. The device works by creating vortex-induced vibrations in the water, which are then converted into mechanical energy and electricity.

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.

New study data: JANUVIA (sitagliptin)

A new study shows JANUVIA (sitagliptin), a diabetes medicine, effectively lowers blood glucose levels in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and is not associated with hypoglycemia. The study found that advanced age can contribute to the risk of hypoglycemia, which is why this treatment is beneficial for older patients.

Putting an end to turbulence

Researchers from Max Planck Institute and Technical University discover that turbulent flows in pipes will inevitably become laminar, with the transition taking many years. This finding could help save energy in applications like oil pipelines.

Race guides neighborhood evaluation, study says

Researchers found that white participants rated neighborhoods with black residents more negatively than those with white residents or a mix of both. The study's findings demonstrate the ongoing impact of racial stereotypes on social perceptions and neighborhood evaluations.

Sea level rise alters bay's salinity

Researchers from Penn State and University of Maryland studied Chesapeake Bay's salinity changes due to sea-level rise. They found an increasing trend in salinity, supporting the hypothesis that climate change is impacting the Bay's ecosystem.

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.

Where there's wildfire smoke, there's toxicity

A new study analyzing particulate matter from Southern California wildfires confirms that the composition of smoke posed more serious potential threats to health than is generally realized. The study found that fire emissions produce a significantly larger aerosol in size, making it easier for particles to penetrate indoor structures.

Certain skills are predictors of reading ability in young children

Researchers found that differences between pre-K reading-disabled children and their peers diminished by pre-first grade, except for phonological awareness. Phonological awareness skills distinguished the groups at Pre-K and Pre-1, suggesting this skill is a strong predictor of reading disability.

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.

Lactic acid found to fuel tumors

Researchers found lactic acid is an important energy source for tumor cells and discovered a way to destroy hard-to-kill cells by preventing lactate delivery. Blocking lactate transport kills oxygenated cells that starve hypoxic cells, offering a novel approach to treating tumors.

Oh, what a feeling!

Researchers found that training individuals to read body language, facial expressions, and voice tone in others resulted in significant gains in emotional perception. This skill is crucial for successful social communication and helps overcome chronic social difficulties or isolation. The training regime, known as self-instruction trai...

Brain reorganizes to adjust for loss of vision

A new study shows that brain activity increases in the visual cortex when patients with macular degeneration focus on using other parts of their retina to compensate for their loss of central vision. The brain reorganizes its neural connections to process information from other parts of the eye.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Employee engagement dependent upon conditions created by employer

The study examines the meaning of employee engagement, which involves positive feelings about the job and motivation. The authors conclude that employers must create conditions that respect employees' energy and facilitate engagement through fair treatment, creating a feeling of trust and safety.

NISS-USDA Cross-Sector Initiative creates Research in Residence Program

The program aims to develop advanced statistical methodologies for implementing USDA surveys and analyzing survey results. Four focus areas have been identified: multivariate imputation, new design and estimation methodologies, automated editing and imputation methods, and statistical multi-source predictive models.

Pregnant women who do aquarobics have easier deliveries

A recent study published in Reproductive Health found that pregnant women who attended water aerobics classes had shorter labor durations and lower rates of analgesia requests compared to those who did not participate. The research suggests that moderate water aerobics during pregnancy may improve maternal and fetal health outcomes.

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.

JCI table of contents: Nov. 20, 2008

Researchers identified a potential new target for anticancer therapeutics by showing that well-oxygenated tumor cells use lactate as a fuel source, which is released by hypoxic tumor cells. Inhibiting this protein MCT1 disrupts the symbiotic relationship between tumor cell types and leads to decreased tumor growth in mice models.

Queen's secures £25M for UK's cyber safety

Queen's University Belfast is set to become the UK's lead center for developing technology to counter malicious cyber-attacks. The £25M investment will fund a new Innovation and Knowledge Centre, the Center for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), which will create secure infrastructure to safeguard electronic information.

2-part gift expands clinical nurse leader program and creates endowment

The Medical College of Georgia has received a $1.27 million two-part gift from the Helene Fuld Health Trust to expand its clinical nurse leader program and create an endowment for nursing scholarships. The gift will partner with Macon State University and Georgia Southwestern University to offer advanced degrees in nursing.

NRL scientists study cracks in brittle materials

Researchers used computer modeling and experimentation to investigate how cracks grow at low speeds in silicon, finding rearrangements of atoms associated with ductile materials can occur near the crack tip. This instability can lead to macroscopic changes in the path of the crack, leaving behind ridges on the crack surface.

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.

Supercontinuum generation and soliton dynamics milestone achieved

A team of researchers has successfully generated two resonant dispersive waves on both sides of the emitting soliton, a major breakthrough in supercontinuum generation. The unique fiber design allows for efficient and compact femtosecond lasers, opening up new applications in frequency combs.