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Science News for September 7, 2008


Dirty air brings rain -- then again, maybe not

A new study suggests that air pollution can both increase and decrease rainfall, depending on local environmental conditions. The research, led by Prof. Daniel Rosenfeld of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that aerosol particles in the air can affect cloud formation and precipitation patterns.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience·DateSep 7, 2008

Calculating how breast cancers will respond to tamoxifen

Australian scientists identified four groupings of genes related to breast cancer cell behavior and their impact on tamoxifen treatment. This discovery could help clinicians predict which women will respond well to anti-oestrogen therapies.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 7, 2008

How plants fine tune their natural chemical defenses

Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that only a few mutations in an enzyme can shift the output of plant compounds, allowing them to adapt to changing environments. This finding has implications for developing environmentally friendly fungicides and pesticides, as well as new flavors and fragrances.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateSep 7, 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.

A new 'Pyrex' nanoparticle

Researchers have developed a new method to fabricate borosilicate glass nanoparticles with increased stability, overcoming limitations of current nanoparticle materials. These nanoparticles could enable applications in diagnostic tests, targeted drug therapy, photonic devices, ultrasonic microscopy, and chemical filtration membranes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 7, 2008

Living sensor can warn of arsenic pollution

Scientists have discovered a living sensor bacteria that can thrive in cold temperatures and clean up arsenic contamination. The discovery also opens up possibilities for developing an arsenic biosensor to warn of pollution escapes into watercourses or drinking water supplies.

SourceMicrobiology Society·DateSep 7, 2008

As easy as 1, 2, 3: Number sense correlates with test scores

A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found a strong correlation between children's ability to estimate the number of objects in a group and their performance in school math. The study suggests that this basic 'number sense' is related to formal mathematics learned in school.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature·DateSep 7, 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.

Experts meet on need for new rules to govern world's fragile polar regions

The need for international cooperation and regulation is growing in response to climate change, overfishing, pollution, and other impacts on polar ecosystems. The conference aimed to identify priorities for law-making and research, as well as offer advice to decision-makers on protecting the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

SourceUnited Nations University·DateSep 7, 2008