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Science News Archive April 2009 - Page 9


Page 9 of 24

The price of pain and the value of suffering

Researchers found that demand for pain relief is almost completely dependent on recent past pain experience and available cash. The study's results suggest that the value of pain relief is flexible and cannot be predicted by individual behavior, with significant economic implications.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 22, 2009

IUPUI study reports inherited impulsivity predicts alcoholism

A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that genetic predisposition to impulsivity is a trait predictive of alcoholism. The study used selective breeding to produce mice with high and low alcohol-preferred genes, which demonstrated that predisposition to impulsivity is predictive of alcoholism.

SourceIndiana University·DateApr 22, 2009

PDAs, more education help doctors follow cholesterol treatment guidelines

A new study suggests that patients with high cholesterol receive better care when physicians use a variety of tools, including PDAs, to learn and apply clinical practice guidelines for treating the condition. This multifaceted strategy improved guideline adherence by reducing over-treatment and increasing appropriate treatment decisions.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateApr 22, 2009
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.

Measuring snow with a bucket, a windmill and the sun?

The USGS has developed an energy-efficient system to measure snowfall in remote areas of Maine, using a bucket, small windmill, and solar panels. This innovative solution helps predict floods from spring snowmelt and saves lives by providing accurate information.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·DateApr 22, 2009

Researchers identify missing target for calcium signaling

A team of researchers has discovered a missing trigger for calcium signaling in cells, which controls muscle contraction, nerve-cell transmission, insulin release, and other essential functions. The study found that two-pore channels (TPCs) cause the release of calcium when stimulated by NAADP, and are located in lysosomes and endosomes.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2009
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.

Pain relievers ibuprofen and naproxen may delay -- not prevent -- Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that heavy NSAID use increased the risk of dementia by 66% among study participants. Despite initial findings suggesting a potential preventive effect, this new study indicates that NSAIDs only delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 individuals and followed them for 12 years.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 22, 2009

Reef boom beats doom

Coral reefs in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have recovered rapidly from a devastating bleaching event in 2006, thanks to an exceptional combination of ecological mechanisms. Asexual reproduction played a vital role in the recovery process.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 22, 2009

Science Chicago a world-class success

The Science Chicago program is raising awareness about the significance of science in everyday life, offering opportunities for people of all ages to learn and have fun with science. The initiative features various activities, including Science Works!, Science Saturdays, LabFests! and Jr. Science Cafes.

SourceScience Chicago·DateApr 22, 2009

Animals that seem identical may be completely different species

DNA analysis reveals two distinct species of worm that resemble each other in appearance, leading to a reevaluation of the Earth's biodiversity. The discovery could have significant consequences for laboratory testing and our understanding of environmental toxins.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateApr 22, 2009

Blood transfusions and outcomes

A comprehensive review of medical literature by experts found no evidence supporting beneficial effects from blood transfusions. Studies show associations with higher rates of complications like heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure, highlighting the need for restricted practice and safer storage methods.

SourceHealthStar PR·DateApr 22, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists identify host factors critical to dengue virus infection

Researchers have identified 116 host factors essential for successful dengue infection in fruit flies, with at least one also necessary for mosquito infection. The study opens doors to new ways to prevent or treat the disease, which infects millions globally each year.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateApr 22, 2009
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.

Financial barriers to attending college affect academic goals in young students

Young students from low-income families who were told about need-based financial-aid opportunities performed better academically and planned more study time. However, this positive effect was limited for those with lower grades, highlighting the importance of early exposure to financial aid information.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 22, 2009

Continent-sized radio telescope takes close-ups of Fermi active galaxies

Astronomers have used the world's biggest radio telescope to study the brightest galaxies that NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope can see. The team found a correlation between active galaxies with the brightest gamma-ray emission and those with the fastest jets.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 22, 2009

Remembrance of things past influences how female field crickets select mates

Research by UC Riverside biologists reveals that female field crickets learn to recognize attractive male characteristics through song, influencing their mate selection. This finding underscores the importance of social effects in models of evolution, suggesting that insects possess complex cognitive capacities.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

UT Southwestern researchers probe kidney damage, protection in lupus

UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a link between immune cell malfunction and kidney damage in lupus patients. They also found that certain genes, such as kallikreins, appear to protect the kidneys from immune attack, suggesting potential new treatments for the disease.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateApr 21, 2009

Our penchant for rarity could threaten conservation efforts

A study published in PLOS ONE found that people are more attracted to rare species, leading to longer download times and increased attempts to access them. This perceived value of rarity poses a threat to conservation efforts, particularly in the context of ecotourism and exotic pet trade.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 21, 2009

Plants could override climate change effects on wildfires

A new study found that changes in vegetation can override climate change effects on wildfire frequency. Plant types and abundance play a significant role in determining an ecosystem's flammability. In some cases, vegetation changes were more influential than climate shifts, leading to fewer fires.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalEcological Monographs·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

What's protected, what's not?

The Protected Areas Database – United States (PAD-US) is a national inventory of protected lands in the US. The database contains information on over 22,000 highly protected areas, covering 15% of the country's land area.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·DateApr 21, 2009

Study suggests transfer of poor health from mother to child in India

A Harvard study found an association between a mother's height and her child's risk of death, being underweight, and having anemia. Children born to mothers shorter than 4 foot 9 inches were 70% more likely to die than those whose mothers were at least 5 foot 3 inches tall.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·DateApr 21, 2009

Ability grouping in elementary school hampers minority students' literacy

A new study by University of Illinois professor Christy Lleras found that ability grouping in elementary school impairs the literacy of lower-grouped minority students, while having little effect on higher-grouped minority students. The practice creates larger achievement gaps among minority students and exacerbates inequality.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAmerican Journal of Education·DateApr 21, 2009

Increasing Antarctic sea ice extent linked to the ozone hole

Researchers from British Antarctic Survey and NASA found that the ozone hole has strengthened surface winds around Antarctica, leading to greater flow of cold air over the Ross Sea. This resulted in a small increase in sea ice extent in West Antarctica, contrary to the expected effects of greenhouse gas increases.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 21, 2009
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Emotional health affects exercise patterns in breast cancer patients

A study of 227 breast cancer patients found that those with greater depressive symptoms and lower emotional quality of life were less likely to exercise as part of their recovery. Despite initial increases, physical activity declined over time, suggesting the need for future interventions to support long-term engagement.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsycho-Oncology·DateApr 21, 2009

ACP releases new resource to help patients managing high blood pressure

The American College of Physicians has released a guidebook and DVD to assist patients in managing high blood pressure, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. The resource provides information on causes, risk factors, and lifestyle changes to control hypertension.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·DateApr 21, 2009

Natural protein may halt colorectal cancer's spread

Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discovered that CXCL12 can prevent colorectal cancer cells from adhering to underlying proteins, leading to programmed cell death. The study suggests a potential mechanism for slowing cancer spread and improving patient prognosis.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·DateApr 21, 2009

New 167-processor chip is super-fast, ultra energy-efficient

The AsAP chip, designed by the University of California - Davis team, offers breakthrough speeds with low power consumption. It can perform half a trillion operations per second at slower speeds than common digital signal processing chips.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalIEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

EPA's P3 award winners celebrate a green future

The EPA P3 award winners are recognized for their sustainable designs, including integrated aquaculture systems and solar thermal combined cycles. These projects demonstrate the potential for economic growth and environmental sustainability to coexist.

SourceU.S. Environmental Protection Agency·DateApr 21, 2009

Lip-reading computers can detect different languages

Scientists at the University of East Anglia have created lip-reading computers that can accurately identify different languages spoken by individuals. The technology uses statistical modelling of lip motions and was tested on a group of bilingual and trilingual speakers, achieving high accuracy rates across multiple languages.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

Ultrasound imaging now possible with a smartphone

Researchers have successfully coupled USB-based ultrasound probe technology with smartphones, enabling compact, mobile medical imaging devices. This innovation has far-reaching implications for global healthcare, particularly in developing countries where access to medical imaging is limited.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateApr 21, 2009

New treatment shows promise against recurrent gynecologic cancers

A new combination of chemotherapy drugs, topotecan and docetaxel, has produced clinical benefit for patients with recurrent gynecologic cancers. The treatment showed an unusually high proportion of women experiencing clinical benefit, with a median survival time of 18.5 months.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateApr 21, 2009

Dark hair? Don't burn? Your genes may still put you at risk for melanoma

Research identifies genetic variants in MC1R as associated with increased melanoma risk in people with dark hair. The study found that these variants were more common in those who did not typically burn easily from the sun, suggesting a complex relationship between genetics and melanoma risk.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

Translating the conversation between the brain and blood vessels

Researchers Francois Abboud and Ann M. Schreihofer have unraveled how the brain regulates blood pressure and flow through communication with blood vessels. Their work has led to clinical advances, including a pacemaker-like device to lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateApr 21, 2009

World's brightest X-ray machine comes online at SLAC

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) produces the world's brightest X-ray laser, allowing researchers to capture molecular details with unprecedented resolution. This technology has far-reaching implications for medicine, energy research, and other fields.

SourceStanford University·DateApr 21, 2009

Louse infestation calibrates immune system regulation

Researchers studied louse infestation's effect on immune activity in wild wood mice, finding reduced readiness to mount an immune response. This suggests a potential immunosuppressive effect of the parasite, supporting the idea that modern human populations have heightened immune responsiveness due to reduced exposure to parasites.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

Mouse model provides a new tool for investigators of human developmental disorder

Scientists have created a mouse model of Wolf-Hirschorn Syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by physical abnormalities and developmental delays. The model, which mimics the disease's effects on cardiac valves and facial structures, offers a valuable tool for researchers studying human development and disease.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateApr 21, 2009

LSUHSC student awarded top national honor for diabetes research

A LSUHSC student has developed a groundbreaking treatment for diabetes using ACE2 gene therapy, which improves pancreatic beta cell function and restores glucose stability in diabetic mice. The award recognizes the student's outstanding research contributions to the field of endocrinology and metabolism.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·DateApr 21, 2009
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.

Too much or too little sleep increases risk of diabetes

Researchers at Université Laval found that people who sleep too much or not enough are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Approximately 20% of those with long and short sleep duration developed type 2 diabetes, compared to only 7% among average sleepers.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalSleep Medicine·DateApr 21, 2009

Walnuts may prevent breast cancer

A study by Elaine Hardman found that walnut consumption can reduce breast tumor incidence in laboratory mice. Walnut consumption delayed tumors by at least three weeks, with molecular analysis showing increased omega-3 fatty acid intake contributing to the decline.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateApr 21, 2009

Exercise protects against damage causing leakage in the blood-brain barrier

A study published at Experimental Biology 2009 found that regular exercise prevents the disruption of the blood-brain barrier caused by methamphetamine use. The study showed that exercising mice were protected from increased oxidative stress and permeability in the brain, while sedentary mice experienced damage.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateApr 21, 2009

Witnessing violence affects kids' health

Exposure to community violence in school-aged children disrupts their normal cortisol production pattern, leading to physiological symptoms and potential long-term negative health effects. The study found a link between stress symptoms and cortisol levels, highlighting the need for healthcare providers to monitor these children's health.

SourceSpringer·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateApr 21, 2009