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Science News Archive 2009


Page 266 of 277

The breakdown of barriers in old cells may hold clues to aging process

Researchers at the Salk Institute found that stable proteins within the nucleus's control structures can become damaged with age, leading to impaired function and contributing to cellular aging. This discovery provides new insights into the aging process and may lead to novel approaches for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The total package: A skillful, compassionate doctor

A new study demonstrates that training physicians in humanism fosters better communication skills, which are crucial for high-quality patient care. The research, conducted at five diverse medical schools, reveals a link between humanistic values and improved outcomes.

I quit, we quit -- what works better for smokers?

A study from the University of Bath found that smokers who used a support group were more than twice as likely to quit smoking compared to those using a pharmacy-based service. The researchers also discovered that both types of services are cost-effective, with the pharmacy-based service being less costly to deliver.

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.

Tiny lasers get a notch up

Researchers discovered that adding a small notch to the disk edge provides a single outlet for laser light to stream out, increasing the speed of computers and telecommunication networks. The optimal geometry and boundary pumping parameters can aid in designing better-collimated microlasers.

STDs disrupt genetic bottleneck that usually constrains HIV infection

Researchers found that prior STD infections can lead to a genetic bottleneck in HIV transmission, allowing multiple viral variants to spread. The study suggests that the genital mucosa provides a natural barrier against infection, which can be compromised by inflammatory genital infections.

Genetic interactions are the key to understanding complex traits

Researchers discovered that just four genetic variants in three yeast genes account for nearly 90% of the genetic contribution to sporulation efficiency. The findings suggest that transcription factors may harbor significant variations and point to the need for better statistical models and tools to understand genetic interactions.

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.

Tree deaths have doubled across the western US

A recent study led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that tree death rates have more than doubled over the last few decades in old-growth forests of the western United States. The increase is widespread, affecting various forest types, elevations, and tree species.

Growing years cut short for toddlers from poor families

A University of Montreal study found that children from poor families are more likely to be shorter than their peers, regardless of genetic factors. The researchers concluded that economic policies should support parents with young children to ensure they have sufficient resources to cover basic needs and promote normal development.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New urine test detects common cause of kidney transplant failure

A new urine test can detect polyomavirus nephropathy, affecting up to 9% of kidney transplant recipients, allowing for early diagnosis and treatment. The noninvasive test measures viral aggregates in the urine, offering a faster and more affordable alternative to invasive kidney biopsies.

Light-speed nanotech: Controlling the nature of graphene

Researchers have discovered a new method to control graphene's properties by growing it on different surfaces. The results show that the chemistry of the surface plays a key role in shaping the material's conductive properties, allowing for the creation of either metallic or semiconductor graphene.

Political variables do not improve the performance of trading rules

A new study in The Financial Review finds that political variables do not improve the performance of trading rules, contradicting previous research. The study analyzed monthly U.S. data from 1953 to 2003 and used widely used statistical model-selection criteria, finding limited economic benefits from using political variables.

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.

Hope for a rabies eradication strategy in Africa

A team of scientists found distinct subspecies of rabies virus in African countries, indicating limited movement between localities. With a progressive strategy, neighboring countries can work together to eliminate rabies from sub-Saharan Africa.

Researchers cooking up new gelled rocket fuels

A team of engineers and food scientists is working on a five-year project to create gelled rocket fuels that can improve the safety, performance, and range of rockets. The gels are designed to have a consistency similar to orange marmalade and can be throttled up and down for more precise control.

Semiconducting nanotubes produced in quantity at Duke

A Duke University-led team of chemists has successfully grown exclusively semiconducting carbon nanotubes, paving the way for manufacturing reliable electronic nanocircuits. The achievement paves the way for high-current field-effect transistors and sensors, offering reduced heat output and higher frequency operation.

New understanding of the origin of galaxies advanced

Researchers propose a new theory that galaxies formed primarily through cold gas streams, challenging the prevailing view of galactic mergers. Computer simulations suggest these streams led to efficient star formation in massive disks, driving the creation of spiral galaxies.

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.

PNNL helps protect first responders

The Department of Homeland Security has accepted PNNL to test and evaluate commercially available radiation detectors through its new GRaDER program. This will ensure emergency responders have the best tools available to detect radiation.

US experts call for rethink of trend to bar smokers from employment

The trend of barring smokers from employment is being questioned by US experts, who argue that such policies can have serious consequences for smokers' health and well-being. The authors suggest that these policies may lead to discrimination against smokers and limit their job opportunities.

Off the shelf maps help mitigate volcanic hazards

A team of volcanologists developed a new program to quickly and accurately predict areas at high risk for lethal hazards from volcanic eruptions. The program uses existing GIS data to create maps that outline potential surge damage, enabling decision-makers to evacuate or put people on high alert.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Termite insecticide a potent greenhouse gas

A UCI study finds that sulfuryl fluoride stays in the atmosphere nearly 10 times longer than previously thought, with potential to trap heat near the surface. The insecticide's global warming potential surpasses carbon dioxide from 1 million vehicles annually.

Key to the success of invasive ants discovered

Researchers discovered how invasive ants cooperate to form massive supercolonies, allowing them to expand territory and evade native enemies. The study reveals that these traits develop when populations grow and adapt to new habitats.

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.

Verdict: Supermassive black holes not guilty of shutting down star formation

A team of Yale University astronomers discovered that galaxies stop forming stars before their central supermassive black holes reach their most powerful stage. The study found no bright AGN at the centers of star-forming galaxies, suggesting that the shutting-down process occurs earlier in the AGN's lifetime.

New data show much of Antarctica is warming more than previously thought

A new study reveals that most of Antarctica has been warming at a rate comparable to the rest of the world, contrary to previous findings on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The research used satellite data and weather station measurements to estimate temperature trends and found that West Antarctica warmed more than East Antarctica.

Cosmic rays detected deep underground reveal secrets of the upper atmosphere

Scientists have discovered a strong correlation between cosmic-ray data and stratospheric temperature, allowing for the detection of major weather events such as Sudden Stratospheric Warming. This study has the potential to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling by providing a new tool for monitoring atmospheric conditions.

The global impact of climate change on biodiversity

New research found that tropical insects have shifted their habitats by an average of 67 meters over the past 42 years due to climate change, posing a major threat to global biodiversity. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for the impacts of climate change on these crucial species.

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.

Topical treatment wipes out herpes with RNAi

A topical treatment using RNA interference (RNAi) has been shown to effectively prevent herpes virus transmission in mice, disabling key genes necessary for the virus's replication and host cell infection. The treatment can be applied up to a week before or after exposure, making it a promising approach for preventing sexually transmit...

When less attention improves behavior

A study published in Cortex found that reducing attentional resources enhances memory accuracy in confabulating patients. By dividing their attention between tasks, these patients showed significantly reduced false-memory levels.

Industrialization of China increases fragility of global food supply

A recent study by the University of Leeds found that China's agricultural stability is fragile and vulnerability to drought has increased with urbanization. The country's reliance on low-quality land for high-profit crops poses a significant threat to global food supply, particularly for developing nations.

UC Davis study links smoking with most male cancer deaths

A recent UC Davis study found that smoking is linked to over 70% of cancer death burden among Massachusetts men in 2003, surpassing previous estimates. The study suggests that increased tobacco control efforts could save more lives and improve health outcomes.

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.

Spin-polarized electrons on demand

Researchers at PTB have developed a single electron pump that injects precisely spun electrons into a semiconductor structure. This breakthrough enables the manipulation of individual spins for information processing, with potential advantages in speed and energy efficiency.

Study: Sometimes 100 cents feels like it's worth more than a dollar

A study found that participants cooperated more often when playing for a higher numeric reward, such as 300 cents, rather than an equivalent economic value. This challenge traditional assumptions about decision-making and has implications for fields like politics and finance.

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.

New clinical equation accurately measures kidney function in children

A new formula estimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using demographic variables and biochemical markers, providing a valuable tool for pediatricians to monitor kidney function. The equation was found to be comparable with more complicated tests and superior to other recently published equations.

BUSM researcher solves mystery of 9-month-old

A 9-month-old breast-fed infant was diagnosed with rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency after presenting with seizures and a bulging soft spot. The case study published in the New England Journal of Medicine highlights the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in infants, particularly those who are solely breast-fed.

Chemical come-on successfully lures lovesick lampreys to traps

Researchers at Michigan State University have successfully lured lovesick lampreys to traps using a synthetic chemical version of the pheromones used by males to attract females. The pheromone, called 3kPZS, is potent and only requires tiny concentrations to be effective.

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.

People left out in the cold may act heatedly toward others

A new study found that people who experience social rejection tend to see others' actions as hostile and behave hurtfully. Those in control groups did not react in the same way, suggesting emotional response may not play a role in aggression.

Trust me, I'm a journalist

A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that individuals with high trust in mass media tend to be healthier. Young, married, and highly-educated women reported the highest levels of health, while those in Turkmenistan had the lowest opinion of their own wellbeing.

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.

Cell transplantation and diabetes: New sites, new devices

Researchers explore alternative anatomical sites for islet transplantation, including the pancreas, to improve engraftment potential and patient safety. Bioartificial pancreas engineering and encapsulation technologies are also being developed to overcome challenges in current transplantation methods.

Researchers genetically link Lou Gehrig's disease in humans to dog disease

A recent study has genetically linked Lou Gehrig's disease in humans to a similar disease in dogs called degenerative myelopathy. The researchers discovered that dogs with this disease have the same genetic mutation as humans with ALS, paving the way for using them as animal models to help identify therapeutic interventions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Trends in health tourism, buying and selling of health services

The article explores the growing trend of health tourism and global healthcare trade, highlighting the benefits and concerns surrounding cross-border e-health services, private healthcare abroad, foreign direct investment in healthcare, and migration of healthcare professionals. Key findings include the increasing demand for low-cost m...