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Science News Archive 2009


Page 241 of 277

New clues to healing arthritis caused by traumatic injury

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a strain of laboratory mice with 'superhealing' powers that resist inflammation and arthritis after a knee injury. The study revealed the mechanisms of post-traumatic arthritis and could lead to therapies for this condition, which affects younger people.

Scientists mine drugs database for new diabetes treatment

Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a cheap and efficient method to discover new drugs for type 2 diabetes. They identified a small molecule called Ned-19, which plays a crucial role in insulin secretion, representing a brand new target for diabetes drugs.

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.

Secrets behind high temperature superconductors revealed

Researchers found oxypnictides exhibit similarities with copper-oxide high temperature superconductors, both emerging from magnetic states. This discovery may lead to designing new superconducting materials and resolving the underlying physics behind high temperature superconductors.

NC State study finds genes important to sleep

A new NC State University study reveals that fruit flies have a genetically wired sleep pattern, with males sleeping more during the day and females having more frequent bouts of sleep. The research identified 1,700 genes associated with sleep variability, shedding light on how these genes may influence human sleep.

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.

A safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for metastatic esophageal cancer

Researchers found that oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine provided a safe, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer. The combination showed significant clinical benefits, including partial responses in 43.8% of patients and a median overall survival of 10.0 months.

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.

Computerized mobile health support systems

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute developed mobile sleep lab for home use, recording vital functions while sleeping. The device provides objective feedback on physical exercise levels, helping patients with heart problems and cardiovascular disease manage their conditions.

New approach to dental visits may ease kids' fears

A new study found that a specially designed sensory environment can reduce anxiety levels in children during dental visits, even for those with developmental disabilities. The adapted setting reduced anxious behavior by an average of 55% compared to traditional dental offices.

Study indicates how we maintain visual details in short-term memory

A study by John T. Serences and colleagues found that the visual cortex actively 'thinks' about specific features of an object during short-term memory, allowing for the maintenance of relevant details. This suggests that observers have top-down control over which features are stored in their online mental workspace.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Forget the freezer: Research suggests novel way to control water behavior

Researchers found a new way to control water behavior by confining it to narrow spaces, leading to the discovery of an 'ice sandwich' phase consisting of mobile water between two layers of frozen water. This breakthrough could advance scientific endeavors in energy sources, pharmaceuticals, and self-cleaning surfaces.

Laser treatment clinical trial misses primary endpoint

A clinical trial of laser therapy for stroke patients found that those with moderate to moderately severe strokes experienced significant improvement, with a 9.7% absolute gain in treated patients. However, the treatment did not significantly reduce overall stroke disability, missing its primary endpoint.

Green, black tea can reduce stroke risk

A new UCLA study found that drinking at least three cups of green or black tea a day can significantly reduce the risk of stroke. The study suggests that the antioxidant compounds in tea, such as EGCG and theanine, may be responsible for this effect.

When should prostate-specific antigen testing be stopped?

Research suggests that discontinuing routine PSA screening in elderly men (75+ years old) with low PSA levels may not increase undetected lethal disease rates. Instead, it could avoid unnecessary treatments and reduce diagnostic costs. Men over 75 with PSA < 3ng/ml have a low risk of developing high-risk prostate cancer.

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.

In brief: New prognostic indicator for patients with IPF

Researchers found that a baseline threshold VO2max of 8.3 ml/kg/min can predict mortality in IPF patients, with those below the threshold having a higher risk of death. The study suggests VO2max as a more robust and clinically usable predictor than other measures.

Decoding short-term memory with fMRI

Researchers at the University of Oregon and UC-San Diego used fMRI to identify specific information people store in short-term memory. They found that brain activity patterns can predict what someone is remembering based on visual details.

Exacerbations in COPD: One thing leads to another

New research shows individual COPD exacerbations increase repeat likelihood, driving disease progression. Patients may be 'brittle' during a subsequent eight-week period, requiring close monitoring and follow-up to prevent further exacerbations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

If it's hard to say, it must be risky

A new study by Hyunjin Song and Norbert Schwarz found that people tend to classify difficult-to-pronounce items as risky, whether they are desirable or undesirable risks. This suggests that the ease of processing a product's name can influence risk perception.

How we think before we speak: Making sense of sentences

Recent experiments using brain waves have shown that our brains rapidly draw upon a wide range of information to understand unfolding sentences. Key findings include the rapid classification of speakers based on their voice and social stereotypes.

Young smokers increase risk for multiple sclerosis

A study by American Academy of Neurology reveals that young smokers are 2.7 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than non-smokers. Early smoking is identified as a key environmental factor that can be avoided to reduce the risk of the disease.

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.

NASA's Swift spies Comet Lulin

Comet Lulin is releasing a great amount of gas, making it an ideal target for X-ray observations. Swift's UVOT detects hydroxyl molecules, revealing a cloud spanning nearly 250,000 miles, while the XRT sees X-rays from the comet's atomic cloud.

iPoint 3-D -- using fingers as a remote control

The iPoint 3D system uses hand and finger recognition to control devices without physical contact, suitable for use in living rooms, offices, hospitals, and more. This innovative technology enables users to interact with displays and appliances using gestures only.

Open access to scientific papers may not guarantee wide dissemination

A new study finds that open access articles experience a 12% increase in usage compared to commercial formats, but have only a small positive impact on attention. Open source publications benefit researchers in developing countries with limited access to research funding and libraries.

Study finds life-saving trend among seagulls

Researchers found that seagulls watch and mimic their neighbors' behavior during rest periods, indicating a life-saving trend. This study suggests animals don't act independently but cue on reactions from other members of their group.

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.

New York, Florida schools win awards at national student competition

Farnsworth Middle School from New York won the Best Communications System Award with its efficient PED system, while St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School from Florida took third place. The Future City Competition promotes technological literacy and engineering among middle school students.

Gene therapy shows promise as weapon against HIV

A new study found that gene therapy can be developed as a potentially effective treatment for HIV, reducing viral load and preserving the immune system. The technique involves delivering genes to cells to prevent viral replication, with promising results in a clinical trial involving 74 HIV-positive adults.

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.

Mating that causes injuries

Researchers found that males' mating organs with barbs cause severe injuries to females, but also increase fertilization success rates, outcompeting males with shorter barbs

Knowledge of genetics improves uncertain medication

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a model to calculate the appropriate dose of Waran before treatment starts. The study used data from 5,700 subjects across four regions to identify two genes, VKORC1 and CYP2C9, which can predict dosage needs for patients of European, African, and Asian origin.

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.

NASA's Fermi telescope sees most extreme gamma-ray blast yet

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the most extreme gamma-ray burst yet, emitting energies 3,000 to 5 billion times that of visible light. The burst, GRB 080916C, occurred at a distance of 12.2 billion light-years away and is believed to be powered by an exotic massive star running out of nuclear fuel.

NASA-funded carbon dioxide map of US released on Google Earth

A new carbon dioxide map of the US has been released on Google Earth, showing hourly and geographic emissions data for various fossil fuel sources. The map is an unprecedented inventory of CO2 emissions from different types of fossil fuel, offering insights into climate change.

Biophysical sciences program receives $2 million training grant

The University of Chicago's Biophysical Sciences program has received a $2 million training grant to provide intensive interdisciplinary training for graduate students. The program, led by Adam Hammond, aims to produce scientists conversant across disciplines and able to combine multiple methods in new ways.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Shorter wait means longer life for kidney transplant candidates

A new study found that patients waiting for a kidney transplant who receive care at centers with shorter wait times tend to live longer. The research analyzed data from nearly 109,000 patients and found that waiting time had the strongest effect on survival, with patients at centers with long waits having a higher risk of death.

MIT research could help predict red tide

Scientists at MIT explain how thin layers of single-celled organisms form at sea and can trap phytoplankton, leading to harmful algal blooms. This research brings the scientific community closer to predicting these events and has implications for other ecological phenomena.

A revolutionary new model for Alzheimer's disease

Scientists have discovered a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease by uncovering the normal function of a brain protein. The discovery suggests that the disease stems from an imbalance in signaling between neurons, rather than toxicity from amyloid plaques.

People at high risk of stroke less aware of stroke warning signs

A new study reveals that people at high risk of stroke are less aware of the five warning signs, including sudden weakness, vision disturbance, and confusion. Researchers found significant disparities in knowledge among different demographics, highlighting the need for targeted educational campaigns.

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.

Gene to reduce wheat yield losses

Scientists from the US and Israel have discovered a new gene that provides resistance to stripe rust, a fungal disease responsible for significant wheat yield losses. The novel gene has been found in wild wheat and is absent in modern varieties, offering a potential solution to devastating disease outbreaks.

Anti-aging pathway enhances cell stress response

Researchers at Northwestern University identified a key molecular relationship between SIRT1 and heat shock factor 1 that helps protect cells from damage. By activating this pathway, it may be possible to manipulate lifespan and treat age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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.