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Science News Archive 2009


Page 35 of 277

Faulty body clock may make kids bipolar

Research found four alterations in RORB gene associated with pediatric bipolar disorder, linking circadian rhythm abnormalities to the condition. The study suggests that clock genes may be important candidates for further investigation into bipolar disorder's molecular basis.

New nano color sorters from Molecular Foundry

Researchers have engineered bowtie-shaped devices that focus and sort light in tiny spaces, enabling the creation of ultrafast detector arrays. By introducing asymmetry, scientists can control the plasmonic properties of these devices to produce filters with specific colors or energies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Longevity tied to genes that preserve tips of chromosomes

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered a link between longevity and genes that maintain telomere length. The study found that individuals with long telomeres were more likely to have inherited genes that enabled effective telomerase production, potentially protecting against age-related diseases.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New evidence that dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress

A clinical trial found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate daily for two weeks reduced stress hormone levels and corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances. This study provides strong evidence for the potential benefits of dark chocolate in reducing emotional stress.

Trimming US health care spending will require new approaches, study finds

A study by RAND Corporation suggests that slowing US healthcare spending will require new approaches, including changing payment methods for doctors and hospitals. The most promising option is bundling payments for medical care, which would encourage providers to eliminate unnecessary care and improve quality.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New research center to focus on cardiac safety and innovation

The University of Rochester Medical Center has launched a new center to improve cardiac safety and understand cardiac arrhythmias. The center will utilize a vast database of ECG data to develop novel methods and technologies to predict cardiac arrhythmias.

Energy-saving powder

Researchers at Max Planck Institute create a novel catalyst that efficiently converts methane to methanol, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough could help address global natural gas shortages and support the chemical industry.

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.

Why can't chimps speak?

A UCLA/Emory study discovered significant differences between the human and chimp versions of the FOXP2 gene, which may explain why humans developed language while chimps did not. The research provides insight into the evolution of the human brain and may lead to new drug targets for disorders characterized by speech disruption.

Nobel laureate claims the 2010 Herbert Tabor Lectureship

Phillip A. Sharp has been awarded the 2010 Herbert Tabor Lectureship for his groundbreaking research on small RNAs, RNA interference, and its potential to revolutionize biology and generate new therapeutics. Sharp's work builds on his landmark discovery of RNA splicing in 1977, which earned him a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Treatment to improve degenerating muscle gains strength

A study demonstrates the effectiveness of a gene delivery strategy producing follistatin, which inhibits myostatin, in non-human primates, showing pronounced increases in muscle size and strength. The treatment is well-tolerated and has long-term effects, paving the way for potential clinical trials.

Aisle placements affect grocery sales, UB research shows

Researchers found that aisle placements can influence sales across product categories as much as price or display. Stores placing cross-category items like chips and soda facing each other in the same aisle saw a 9% increase in weekly sales. This benefits both retailers and consumers.

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.

Exoplanets clue to sun's curious chemistry

Astronomers have discovered that Sun-like stars with planetary systems tend to have lower levels of lithium than those without planets. The study, which analyzed 500 stars, found that planet-bearing stars had less than 1% of the lithium present in other similar stars.

Vibrations key to efficiency of green fluorescent protein

University of California, Berkeley chemists use ultrafast laser pulses to study green fluorescent protein's structural changes during fluorescence. The study reveals the importance of vibrational oscillations in proton transfer reactions, shedding light on how GFP captures and emits light.

New brain findings on dyslexic children

Research from Northwestern University's Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory confirms that children with developmental dyslexia have trouble tuning into relevant auditory signals. The study suggests that poor readers who struggle with processing sound in noisy environments may benefit from simple strategies to enhance their listening skills.

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.

A motley collection of boneworms

Researchers have discovered up to 15 species of boneworms in Monterey Bay, which feed on dead whales and exhibit unique life cycles. The worms' ability to adapt to different environments and find food sources has led scientists to estimate their evolutionary origins, suggesting they may date back to the time of dinosaurs.

Scientists decipher the formation of lasting memories

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. The study found that signalling via the nogo receptor 1 plays a key part in this process, enabling the conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones.

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.

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.

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.

Health care accounts for 8 percent of US carbon footprint

A new study reveals that the healthcare industry in the US accounts for nearly 10% of the country's total carbon dioxide emissions, despite only accounting for 16% of the nation's gross domestic product. Hospitals and pharmaceutical industries are among the largest contributors to this environmental impact.

Ethics guide for rural MDs

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has launched a handbook for rural health care ethics, addressing the gaps in resources for regional clinicians. The guide covers case studies and personal ethical challenges faced by healthcare professionals in rural settings.

Skunk's strategy not just black and white

Researchers found that skunks' distinctive black-and-white coloration is not enough to deter predators, but rather it's the combination of color and body shape. In areas where skunks are common, predators avoid animals with similar shapes or colors, highlighting a stronger learning component in prey recognition.

A pain in the neck

Research by Temple University's Judith Gold suggests that excessive texting among college students can lead to neck and shoulder pain, a condition typically associated with prolonged computer use. The study uses infrared cameras and motion analysis to track the body's position during texting simulations.

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.

Gender-based pay gaps among US faculty

A new study published in Psychology of Women Quarterly found a significant gender-based pay gap among US faculty members, with women earning an average of 30% less than men. The study analyzed salaries at a large American university and controlled for factors such as education level, experience, and rank.

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.

People with less education could be more susceptible to the flu

A new study by University of Michigan researchers found that people with less education are more likely to get H1N1 and the flu vaccine may be less effective in them. The study suggests that lower socioeconomic status can make it harder for adults of all ages to fight off new infections.

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.

Foreign subtitles improve speech perception

A new study found that foreign subtitles can enhance second-language listening ability, particularly when the subtitles are in the same language as the film. English subtitling was associated with improved recognition of both familiar and unfamiliar words, while Dutch subtitling reduced this effect on new materials.

Warm-blooded dinosaurs worked up a sweat

A study suggests that many dinosaurs were probably endothermic, athletic animals due to their high energy requirements during walking and running. This trait may have enabled them to thrive in various habitats, including colder regions, allowing them to cover the entire Mesozoic landscape.

Implications of past forecasting errors often underestimated

Researchers found that managers tend to downplay the significance of their past forecasting mistakes when predicting future earnings. This underestimation can influence how investors respond to new forecast announcements, contributing to persistent price drift after an earnings announcement. Further study is needed to determine if this...

Improving security with face recognition technology

University of Miami engineer Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb develops state-of-the-art systems for 3-D face and ear biometric identification, surpassing conventional shape matching methods in computational efficiency. His techniques achieve high recognition rates, including 100% accuracy when combining facial and ear data.

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.

Green heating and cooling technology turns carbon from eco-villain to hero

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new adsorption technology that makes carbon a key material in green heating products, reducing domestic fuel bills and CO2 emissions. The technology can create heat pumps that are up to 20 times smaller than previously possible, with potential savings of 30% or more.