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Science News Archive October 2008


Page 21 of 24

Visualizing election polls

Researchers have developed a new, animated, and interactive way to analyze opinion data using radial charts that change in real time as users ask questions. The software is designed to make it easy for news reporters and citizens to easily visualize poll results by demographic characteristics.

Children aware of white male monopoly on White House

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that most elementary school children are aware of racial and gender biases in the US presidency. Children attribute the lack of diversity to discrimination, with some believing it's due to prejudice or skills gaps.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Form of Crohn's disease traced to disabled gut cells

Research finds disabled gut cells linked to Crohn's disease, with altered genetic activity leading to increased hormone production. The study suggests a potential role for autophagy and Atg16L1 in Paneth cell function, shedding light on the complex mechanisms behind the inflammatory bowel disorder.

A little exercise goes a long way for severely obese

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that severely obese individuals who exercised just one hour a week reported better overall-quality of life and improved ability to perform daily tasks. Even small amounts of physical activity can lead to significant improvements in quality of life, regardless of weight.

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.

Mental barriers hamper obese women's efforts to get exercise

A study by Temple University researchers found that obese women face significant mental barriers to exercise, including feeling self-conscious, fearing injury, and having perceived poor health. These aversions can significantly hinder their ability to engage in physical activity and adhere to a weight loss plan.

Corner stores capture kids on morning commute

Researchers found that 70% of students bought food or drink on their commute to school, spending $3.00 a day. The study aims to make corner store snacks healthier and involve kids in the process.

How much are you really exercising?

Temple University researchers found that obese women reported their activity levels most accurately compared to overweight and normal weight women. The accuracy of estimates increased with education and participation in physical activity over time.

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.

Landmark discovery of 'engine' that drives cell movement

Researchers at the GSK-IMCB Group in Singapore have made a groundbreaking discovery about how cells move, revealing a complex of three proteins that regulate the myosin network within a cell. This finding has significant implications for understanding various diseases, including cancer growth and developmental biology.

Duke researchers show reading can help obese kids lose weight

A study by Duke researchers found that obese girls aged 9-13 who read an age-appropriate novel experienced a significant decrease in their BMI scores. The novel, Lake Rescue, included healthy lifestyle guidance and positive messages, leading to a -0.71% decrease in BMI compared to a control group.

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.

Singing to females makes male birds' brains happy

A study found that male birds' brains are activated in 'reward' areas when they sing to attract females, similar to the brain response to addictive drugs. This suggests that social interactions, like courtship, can activate the same brain reward circuits as natural and artificial rewards.

Medical student gender and self-confidence

A new study found that female medical students consistently report decreased self-confidence and increased anxiety, particularly over issues related to their competency. Female medical students appeared less confident in their interaction with patients, a finding that has important implications for medical education.

UT Southwestern selected as study center for National Children's Study

The National Children's Study will follow 100,000 children from birth to age 21, examining the effects of environmental and genetic factors on asthma, birth defects, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. The study, authorized by Congress in 2000, is being conducted by a consortium of federal agencies, including NIH institutes and the CDC.

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.

World's biggest computing grid launched

The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid has combined the power of over 140 computer centers from 33 countries to analyze and manage 15 million gigabytes of LHC data annually. This massive distributed computing system will enable 7,000 scientists worldwide to analyze data and uncover secrets about the physical universe.

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.

Newly identified cells make fat

Scientists have discovered an important fat precursor cell that may explain how changes in fat cells lead to obesity. The discovery could also shed light on conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Study unveils structural details of enzyme vital to DNA repair

Researchers have discovered how the Mre11 protein bridges diverse molecular architectures at DNA breaks, resolving paradoxes about its function. The findings offer new strategies for targeting this enzyme in cancer therapies, particularly when combined with other inhibitors of DNA repair.

Study: Government accommodates rich and poor alike

Researchers found that people's preferences on how the federal government should spend its money are overwhelmingly similar across socioeconomic groups. The study concluded that the government acts on all income groups because it can't tell the difference or to represent public views as a whole.

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.

4 Stevens professors receive top Bright Idea Awards

Four Stevens Institute of Technology professors have received the Bright Idea Award for their groundbreaking research papers, with Christine V. Bullen, Ann C. Mooney, Patricia J. Holahan, and Peerasit Patanakul recognized for their work in Information Technology, Project Management, and Conflict Resolution.

Oklahoma researchers support biodiversity in biofuels production

Researchers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University advocate for a science-based approach to address the environmental consequences of cellulosic ethanol production. They suggest exploring multiple species, such as native grasses and hay meadows, to create a stable and diverse biofuels industry.

Professor H. Quynh Dinh awarded a Honda Initiation Grant

Stevens Institute of Technology professor H. Quynh Dinh has been awarded a $50,000 Honda Initiation Grant to develop methods for detecting patterns in vector fields. The grant aims to improve engine design and traffic management through collaborations with researchers in automotive and ocean engineering.

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.

Bee swarms follow high-speed 'streaker' bees to find a new nest

A team of researchers discovered that bee swarms are guided by high-speed streaker bees, which fly through the top half of the swarm at high speeds. The team filmed swarming bees with high-definition cameras and analyzed over 3500 frames to build a picture of the insects' flight directions.

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.

Researchers find household insecurity associated with food insecurity, poor health

A study found that households experiencing energy insecurity are more likely to face food insecurity, leading to negative health outcomes, hospitalizations, and developmental risks in infants and toddlers. Researchers also emphasized the need for healthcare providers to consider household energy security when making treatment decisions.

Shift in bald eagle diet linked to sea otter decline

A new study reveals that the decline of sea otters in Alaska's Aleutian Islands has led to a shift in bald eagle diet, from fish to seabirds. This change highlights the extraordinary complexity of marine ecosystems and the far-reaching impacts of population shifts in keystone species.

Survey confirms parents' fears, confusion over autism

A national survey reveals that nearly one in four parents believe vaccines cause autism, leading to fewer vaccinations and a growing number of measles infections. The study's findings highlight the lingering fear and confusion surrounding vaccines, despite overwhelming scientific evidence debunking the link.

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.

Egalitarian revolution in the Pleistocene?

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the first egalitarian societies may have appeared tens of thousands of years ago, driven by the social brain hypothesis. The research uses a complex mathematical model and large-scale numerical simulations to explore how alliances can emerge in groups, leading to a phase transition toward...

Decline in Alaskan sea otters affects bald eagles' diet

Bald eagles adjust their foraging tactics in response to the decline of Alaskan sea otters. Sea otters play a crucial role in maintaining kelp forest ecosystems, which provide food and habitat for many fish and invertebrates. As otter populations decrease, bald eagles shift their diet from kelp-forest fish to birds.

More research needed to make good on biofuel promise, experts say

A team of international scientists urges more comprehensive research on cellulosic biofuels to avoid environmental pitfalls. The study highlights the need to consider water use, nutrient runoff, greenhouse gas emissions and soil degradation when producing these fuels.

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.

Discovery of natural compounds that could slow blood vessel growth

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have identified over 100 human protein fragments that can slow or stop the growth of cells making up new blood vessels. These compounds, known as antiangiogenesis peptides, could lead to treatments for diseases such as cancer, macular degeneration, and rheumatoid arthritis.

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.

When seeing IS believing

A study by Adam Galinsky and Jennifer Whitson found that individuals seek to regain control by perceiving connections between unrelated events, leading to superstitions and conspiratorial thinking. Restoring a sense of control can normalize perceptions and behavior.

Changes needed in way the United States Conducts military interventions

The RAND Corporation report suggests delegating spending authority to the field level and requiring cross-agency experience for civilians and military officers. The report also emphasizes building success through career-wide training, enhancing foreign culture knowledge, and promoting long-term relationships with local counterparts.

Wielding microbe against microbe, beetle defends its food source

A beetle uses a bacterium to protect its fungus from a competing mite, producing a novel antibiotic with potential for treating fungal diseases and cancer. The discovery highlights the importance of symbiotic relationships between insects and microbes in their survival.

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.

Where you live matters when you're seriously ill

A new report card shows that the Midwest leads in palliative care access, while Southern and for-profit hospitals struggle. States like Vermont, Montana, and New Hampshire earned top grades for their palliative care programs, while Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi received F's.

NIST/CSM sensor could help avert pipeline failures

A prototype sensor developed by NIST and CSM can detect tiny amounts of hydrogen accumulation in coated pipeline steel. The sensor's measurement sensitivity is exceptional, allowing it to identify levels below 1 ppm, significantly earlier than conventional analytical techniques.

Coastlines could be protected by invisibility cloak

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a metamaterial structure that guides water through concentric corridors, reducing wave overtopping and damage to coastal defenses. The 'invisibility cloak' technology shows promise in protecting land from natural disasters such as tsunamis.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.