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Science News Archive 2009


Page 173 of 277

Fallow deer become hoarse in the hunt for a mate

During peak mating season, male fallow deer produce groans to attract mates and repel rivals, leading to vocal strain and hoarseness. Their call structure breaks down as they call repeatedly, causing physical exhaustion and weight loss.

Quality measures improve outcomes more than hospital volume alone

A new study finds that following quality measures has a greater impact on patient outcomes than hospital volume for coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients treated by surgeons and hospitals with high adherence to six quality standards have better post-operative results, regardless of their volume, the research team found.

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.

MIT: Climate change odds much worse than thought

A new analysis by the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model suggests that climate change could be twice as severe as initially estimated, with a median probability of surface warming of 5.2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The study found that improved economic modeling and newer data on emissions are contributing to this increased risk.

Genetic factors may predict depression in heart disease patients

A recent study found that genetic variations involving endothelial dysfunction and platelet aggregation contribute to depressive symptoms in individuals with heart disease. Researchers discovered a significant association between one marker within the vonWillebrand factor gene and depressive symptoms.

Capsules encapsulated

Scientists have created a microcontainer that can hold thousands of individual 'carrier units' - a 'capsosome'. These are polymer capsules with embedded liposomes, combining the advantages of both systems. The capsosomes were produced by several steps and demonstrated successful transport of an enzyme model cargo.

Microscopic manufacturers produce eco-friendly plastics

Researchers have developed new processes using microorganisms to convert organic waste into biodegradable plastics. These bioplastics can be produced at rates up to three times faster than existing processes and have potential applications in various industries.

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.

Electronic monitoring and mapping enables malaria management

A GIS-driven digital map pinpointed malaria outbreak hotspots in Madhya Pradesh, leading to a 5% reduction in cases. The system enabled timely preventive action and dynamic data updating, highlighting the effectiveness of electronic monitoring and mapping in malaria management.

Exposure to 2 languages carries far-reaching benefits

A Northwestern University study found that bilingual participants mastered nearly twice the number of words as monolinguals when learning an invented language. The research suggests that early exposure to two languages carries far-reaching benefits, making bilingual individuals better language learners in general.

Plant Min protein sits tight and rescues E. coli

A plant MinD protein has been found to rescue the oscillating cell division of E. coli by localizing to its polar regions without oscillation. This finding suggests that the conserved Min proteins between bacteria and plants have different functions.

UnMASCing diseases of the brain

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have identified a set of brain proteins responsible for various neurological disorders. These proteins are found to be defective in molecular machines that control communication between nerve cells and learning processes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists discover area of brain that makes a 'people person'

Researchers found that a specific region of the brain, orbitofrontal cortex and ventral striatum, is associated with higher levels of social reward dependence and emotional warmth. This discovery may help understand why some people are more sociable than others.

Beetles drive groundbreaking conservation project

A £400,000 project is using flour beetles to experimentally evaluate the impact of inbreeding on population viability. The research aims to identify which reproductive traits are affected by inbreeding and how they can be managed or reversed to rescue endangered populations.

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.

Next generation of health care workers train through medical simulation

Medical simulation training at MU's Russell D. and Mary B. Shelden Clinical Simulation Center emphasizes lessons in patient safety and quality of care. The program integrates students from various healthcare backgrounds to interact and understand each other's roles, reducing the risk of errors.

Low-income breast cancer patients skipping hormonal therapy, increasing their risks

A study by Duke University Medical Center found that only 64% of low-income women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer filled any prescriptions for hormonal therapy within 12 months after diagnosis. The researchers also discovered that 40% of the women stopped taking their medication regularly, and 20% stopped using it altogether.

Risk of facial fractures in motor vehicle crashes decreasing

The study found a decrease in facial fracture incidence over the years, likely due to advancements in vehicle safety features. Individuals restrained with seat belts alone or with airbags were less likely to sustain facial fractures, highlighting the importance of restraint use in injury prevention.

100 reasons to change the way we think about genetics

The study found that non-genetic variation acquired during an organism's life can be passed on to offspring through epigenetic means, affecting traits such as eye outgrowths and reproductive hormones. This phenomenon has significant implications for the study of evolution, heredity, and development.

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.

Web-based consultations may reduce referrals to dermatologists

A web-based system allowing general practitioners to confer with specialists about skin conditions has been shown to reduce referrals to dermatologists by approximately 20%. The study found that in-person consultations were preventable for 39% of patients who received teledermatologic consultations, compared to 18.3% in the control group.

Leading virologist says to expect the unexpected with influenza

World-renowned virologist Professor Albert Osterhaus emphasizes the importance of preparedness in the face of swine-origin flu. He stresses that there is room for improvement in influenza vaccine production and that adequate stockpiles of antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines are crucial for effective treatment.

New lead on malaria treatment

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered a natural compound that can stop malaria parasite growth, interacting with the parasite's MetAP2 protein. The compound, fumarranol, was found to be less toxic than existing medications and showed promise in treating malaria in mice.

Arctic river deltas may hold clues to future global climate

Researchers explore Arctic river deltas as a potential source of information about past and future climate change. The sediments deposited in these delta regions can record data on sea level, productivity, storminess, and human factors affecting sediment delivery, providing valuable insights into the global carbon cycle.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study: Smoking bans do not cause job losses in bars and restaurants

A study examining employment trends in Minnesota cities with different types of clean indoor air policies found no significant economic effect on bar and restaurant jobs. Despite this, the researchers conclude that comprehensive public health policies are still beneficial for protecting employees from secondhand smoke exposure.

Quick test for prostate cancer

Researchers have developed a new 3-minute test that measures the level of citrate in fluid samples from the prostate gland to detect prostate cancer. The technique uses light energy and can provide an accurate way to screen and diagnose the disease, particularly in its early stages.

Computer simulation captures immune response to flu

Researchers have developed a new computer simulation model that captures the human immune response to influenza type A, predicting treatment design and pandemic preparedness. The model reveals that drugs and vaccines targeting dendritic cell presentation of antigens have a significant impact on patient outcomes.

New tool for next-generation cancer treatments using nanodiamonds

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a Nanofountain Probe that can precisely deliver tiny doses of drug-carrying nanomaterials to individual cells. The tool enables targeted cancer treatments and improves drug delivery by reducing side effects and increasing targeting accuracy.

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.

Computer model predicts brain tumor growth and evolution

Researchers created a mathematical formula that incorporated equations describing tumor evolution and growth, predicting oxygen consumption rates and cell growth. The computational model was validated with human brain tumor samples and successfully mimicked natural biological tumors.

How glucocorticoid drugs protect the heart

Researchers found that glucocorticoids induce production of PGD2, which protects rodent hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury. Synthetic glucocorticoids may be more beneficial for humans following a heart attack than traditional ones.

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.

Cosmology's best standard candles get even better

A new method has been found to accurately determine the intrinsic brightness of Type Ia supernovae, enabling better cosmic distance measurements. This breakthrough uses a spectroscopic ratio and eliminates uncertainty caused by intervening dust or host galaxy type.

Women more susceptible to harmful effects of smoking

A new study suggests that women may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of smoking due to smaller airways and gender differences in metabolism. The research analyzed data from a Norwegian case-control study, including 954 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 955 controls.

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.

LSHTM wins 2009 annual Gates Award for Global Health

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has won the 2009 Gates Award for Global Health, recognizing its commitment to leadership and cutting-edge research in resource-poor settings. The award will enable the school to expand its distance learning programme and provide scholarships.

Double trouble for water life

Excess phosphorus and nitrogen from human activities harm aquatic life and ecosystems; a dual nutrient strategy is needed to tackle both issues. The study highlights the need to consider the entire freshwater-marine continuum for effective nutrient control.

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.

Lettuce gets a healthy suntan

Plant physiologists use UV LEDs to create darker, redder lettuce rich in antioxidants, potentially improving human health. The effect is most noticeable at specific wavelengths and increases with light intensity.

Study: Potential criminals deterred by longer sentences

A new study found that former prisoners are less likely to return to jail if they expect longer sentences for future crimes. The study used Italy's Collective Clemency Bill as a natural experiment, measuring the deterrent effect of prison sentences on recidivism rates. Results show that even small increases in expected sentence length ...

Researchers make discovery in colon cancer prevention

A new study finds that individuals with low levels of the 'Celebrex gene' are resistant to Celebrex treatment for colon tumor prevention. High levels of colonic 15-PGDH expression are necessary for Celecoxib to prevent colon tumors.

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.

Cohesin jigsaw begins to fit

New research on cohesin binding patterns in fission yeast reveals that features thought to differentiate cohesin behaviour between organisms collectively define its overall behaviour. This suggests that cohesin's mechanisms of action might be more similar between organisms than previously thought.

Special protein helps maintain an efficient brain

Researchers discover synaptotagmin-IV (Syt-IV) regulates synaptic plasticity, keeping connections between nerve cells optimal for learning and memory. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Summer haze cools southeastern US

Researchers discovered that sweltering summers in the southeastern US can lead to a cooling haze due to the mixing of manmade pollutants with natural compounds from forests and vegetation. This effect was found to be significant enough to outpace carbon dioxide emissions' warming effects by 2-to-1.

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.

Scientists discover neurons that 'mirror' the attention of others

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered neurons that mirror the attention of others, which may contribute to social deficits in autism and other disorders. The attention-mirroring neurons were found in the parietal lobe, a part of the brain dedicated to eye movements and attention.

Why does eczema often lead to asthma?

Scientists discovered that a substance secreted by damaged skin can trigger asthmatic symptoms in mice exposed to eczema-causing agents. Early treatment of skin rash and inhibition of the trigger substance may block asthma development in young patients with eczema.

Frail elderly disaster

Researchers suggest 'age-responsive' actions should be integrated into risk assessments and disaster response plans to minimize harm to frail elderly people. The team proposes strategies to address the unique needs of this vulnerable group, including evacuation plans and shelter locations.

New tool isolates RNA within specific cells

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a new method to isolate RNA from specific cells using a chemically modified gene from Toxoplasma gondii. This approach allows for precise study of gene expression and cellular differences, opening up new avenues for research in development, neurobiology, and disease studies.

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.