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Science News for September 26, 2008


MU scientists go green with gold, distribute environmentally friendly nanoparticles

A University of Missouri research team led by Kattesh Katti developed a method to create gold nanoparticles without producing synthetic chemicals, resulting in a 100-percent green process. The new procedure uses gold salts submerged in water with soybeans to generate uniform-sized nanoparticles that are stable and free from toxic waste.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalSmall·DateSep 26, 2008

NWO modifies the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme

The NWO has made significant changes to the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme, increasing grant sizes and reducing institutional contributions. The new scheme offers more flexibility for lecturers, allowing them to submit proposals with less paperwork, while also promoting multidisciplinary research and knowledge utilisation.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 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.

NASA's dirty secret: Moon dust

Researchers are studying the effects of lunar dust on the respiratory system and developing technologies to clean it from space suits. The powdery grey dirt is formed by micrometeorite impacts that can wreak havoc on equipment, but its unique properties also make it susceptible to magnets.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateSep 26, 2008

Tsunami invisibility cloak, dark energy v. the void, sorting nanotubes with light, and more

Physicists have made groundbreaking discoveries in various fields of research. Researchers created an 'invisibility cloak' for ocean-based structures to withstand tsunamis. Meanwhile, a team at Oxford University proposed that dark energy may be an illusion and instead, we live in a unique void in the universe. Additionally, scientists ...

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 26, 2008

Conaway Lab identifies novel mechanism for regulation of gene expression

The Conaway Lab identifies a new way in which the proteasome helps regulate gene expression through its interaction with the chromatin remodeling complex INO80. This mechanism involves the deubiquitinating enzyme Uch37, which can remove protein tags from other proteins.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 26, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Foam reactor is 10 times more energy efficient

The new foam reactor design has a large surface area per reactor volume, increasing production efficiency. It outperforms traditional packed bed designs by 10 times in terms of energy efficiency.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 2008

$4.8M NIH grant aids interstitial cystitis research

University of Iowa researchers are investigating the roles of the pituitary gland and sympathetic nervous system in interstitial cystitis inflammation. The study aims to identify potential causes of the painful bladder condition, which affects over 1 million Americans.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateSep 26, 2008

Lava flows reveal clues to magnetic field reversals

Ancient lava flows from Tahiti and western Germany have provided insights into past patterns of the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that a second magnetic field source in the shallow core may play a role in determining how and whether the main field reverses direction.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2008

Wetlands restoration not a panacea for Louisiana coast

A recent white paper by leading coastal scientists suggests that wetlands restoration projects may not provide long-term storm protection for the Louisiana Coast. The researchers argue that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of such initiatives in reducing storm impacts.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateSep 26, 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.

Penn biophysicists create new model for protein-cholesterol interactions in brain and muscle tissue

Researchers created a new model of behavior for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, showing that cholesterol is essential for its structure and function. The findings have broad implications for pharmacology and may shed light on recent data indicating low cholesterol's harmful effects on brain cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2008

Looking for water on Mars

Researchers at Decagon Devices Inc. successfully measured thermal properties of Martian regolith using a short, fat needle technique, expanding understanding and accuracy of climate models. The study's findings have potential applications in improving commercial thermal properties sensors on Earth.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·DateSep 26, 2008

9 prestigious grants for the Netherlands

The Netherlands has secured 9 European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grants for Physical Sciences and Engineering, ranking third in the country. The winners include researchers from prominent Dutch institutions such as Radboud University Nijmegen, Leiden University, and Delft University of Technology.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 2008

No oxygen in Eastern Mediterranean bottom-water

The study of Eastern Mediterranean bottom-water without oxygen reveals that climate change may contribute to the formation of organic-rich beds. These deposits can sequester large quantities of CO2 and be converted into oil over time.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 26, 2008
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.

Naval Research Laboratory's HICO-RAIDS experiments ready for payload integration

The Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO) and Remote Atmospheric and Ionospheric Detection System (RAIDS) are integrated for launch on the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle in September 2009. The payload will provide characterization of the coastal environment and global remote sensing of the Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateSep 26, 2008

MU researcher finds new method to create cancer drugs

A University of Missouri researcher has developed a new method to create cancer drugs that can be tailored to individual tumors, increasing effectiveness and reducing waste. The new method uses two-stage radioactive decay to produce nearly 100% of the intended radioactive isotope.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·DateSep 26, 2008

Carbon sinks: Issues, markets, policy

The symposium explores carbon sequestration methods, including forest management, agriculture, and ocean carbon capture. Experts discuss the importance of addressing legal and regulatory challenges to ensure effective carbon sinks.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateSep 26, 2008
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

News from the October 2008 Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Studies found that women who habitually diet before pregnancy tend to gain more weight during pregnancy and have higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adequate dietary fiber intake is essential for preventing cardiovascular disease and other health issues.

SourceAmerican Dietetic Association·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateSep 26, 2008

Expanding communities mean less green space

A Dutch study finds that expanding communities and municipalities leads to a 'dilution' of citizen protests, with densely populated areas experiencing more opposition against disappearing green spaces. Concerned citizens are often well-educated and personally invested in the areas affected.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 2008

The making of Dig It! the Secrets of Soil exhibit

The Dig It! exhibit showcases soil samples from each US state, including Texas's Houston Black soil, which is featured in the exhibition. The exhibit has attracted over 300,000 visitors since its opening and will travel to multiple locations across North America.

SourceSoil Science Society of America·DateSep 26, 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.

Don't forget the vitamin A when working with its carrier protein

A study found that vitamin A's carrier protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP), was significantly lower in obese subjects than nonobese subjects. This suggests a potential link between RBP and insulin resistance in obesity. Further research is needed to determine the role of apo-RBP, an unbound form of RBP, in mediating insulin signaling.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateSep 26, 2008

Advice from research: Market visiting rights to Antarctica

The rapid growth of tourism in Antarctica poses significant challenges, including environmental impact and lack of funding for monitoring. Marketable visitor rights are proposed as a solution to manage demand and generate revenue for enforcement and monitoring purposes.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 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.

Researchers study how pistachios may improve heart health

Researchers found that pistachio diets can beneficially affect cardiovascular disease risk factors in a dose-dependent manner. The study suggests that pistachios may decrease CVD risk profile through effects on Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD) and other bioactive substances.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateSep 26, 2008

An ethical argument: Include pregnant women in research

Leading bioethicists argue that pregnant women should be included in research due to the potential risks and benefits. Studies have shown that excluding pregnant women from research can lead to a lack of effective treatment options for pregnant women with chronic diseases.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalInternational Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics·DateSep 26, 2008

Good research, low costs

The study designs a trial to identify differences between groups with high statistical power while minimizing costs. A small number of schools are included in the trial, allowing for more precise analysis and better understanding of how interventions affect pupils within each school.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateSep 26, 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.

New way to make malaria medicine also first step in finding new antibiotics

Researchers have developed a way to produce an antimalarial compound cheaply, which could make treating malaria less expensive. This process could also lead to the discovery of new antibiotics as bacteria are harnessed to produce compounds with antibiotic properties.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateSep 26, 2008

UW science photo takes second in national contest

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student Jenna Eun's accidental photo 'Polymazing' won second place in the Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge, showcasing a surprising physical phenomenon that emerges in nature. The image, taken under a microscope, reveals how hydrogel absorbs water and causes a material to buckle.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2008

Argonne scientists peer into heart of compound that may detect chemical, biological weapons

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a new compound that could potentially detect chemical and biological weapons over long distances. The compound, (A)ZrPSe6, was made possible by the unique beamline of the Advanced Photon Source, allowing scientists to analyze its remarkable properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 26, 2008
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.