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Science News for December 18, 2009


Data indicates rising adoption of technology in Canadian clinical trials

According to a study by Dr. Khaled El Emam, approximately 41% of Canadian clinical trials have moved away from paper records, with industry-funded trials being more likely to use electronic data capture tools. Pediatric trials also showed increased adoption of technology.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateDec 18, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Caltech scientists discover fog on Titan

Researchers found evidence of fog at Titan's south pole, using Cassini data to isolate clouds and prove an active methane hydrological cycle. The discovery provides insight into Titan's atmosphere and its potential for liquid methane and ethane on the surface.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 18, 2009

Alcohol outlets lead to specific problems among youth and young adults

A new study finds that alcohol-related injuries among underage youth and young adults are shaped by the density and types of alcohol outlets in neighborhoods. Off-premise outlets, such as take-out establishments and bars, are linked to higher injury rates, including accidents, assaults, and traffic crashes.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 18, 2009

Skull bone may hold the key to tackling osteoporosis

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered fundamental differences between skull and limb bones that could lead to new osteoporosis treatments. The study found significant variations in gene activity and behavior between the two types of bone cells.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 18, 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.

Doctors' bedside skills trump medical technology

Researchers found that physicians' bedside exams did a better job than CT scans in predicting which patients would need to return to the operating room to treat complications such as bleeding. The low-cost, simple exam appears to be superior to routine CT scans in determining return to the operating room.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateDec 18, 2009

Texas A&M physicist sees through the opaque with 'T-rays'

Researchers have developed a new technology called 'T-rays' that can penetrate through opaque dry materials without causing harm. This breakthrough could lead to new security measures, such as detecting weapons or drugs concealed on a human body, as well as medical applications, including material studies and biology.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 18, 2009

Fear of lawsuits may prompt some doctors to overprescribe antibiotics

A new study suggests that medical liability concerns may be driving doctors to overprescribe antibiotics in healthcare settings. The research found a strong correlation between antibiotic use and attorney density in European countries, but no such link with physician density.

SourceNew York Medical College·JournalAmerican Journal of Therapeutics·DateDec 18, 2009

Postural sway among abstinent alcoholics can be improved up to a point

A new study finds that alcoholics can improve their postural sway with prolonged sobriety, but the improvement may not fully erase the problem of instability. Researchers found that stabilizing factors such as turning on a light or walking with feet apart can help improve standing stability in sober alcoholics.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 18, 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.

Bioactive glass nanofibers produced

A team of researchers has developed a new method to produce bioglass nanofibers, which can be used to regenerate bone tissue. The laser spinning technique allows for the production of flexible and continuous nanofibers with a nanometric structure, enabling the proliferation and spread of bone cells.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 18, 2009

Research project yields better understanding of the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis

A team of researchers has made a breakthrough discovery about the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis, understanding its special relationship with pH levels inside cells. By regulating acid-base balance, the protein controls salt transport and cell survival, offering hope for developing new therapies to restore function.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 18, 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.

Bourbon versus vodka: Bourbon hurts more the next day, performance is the same

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that bourbon causes worse hangovers, but impairment in task performance is similar to vodka. Researchers recruited heavy drinkers and tested their sleep patterns, self-report symptoms, and neurocognitive measures after consuming bourbon or vodka.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 18, 2009

What's his name again? How celebrity monikers can help us remember

Researchers at Université de Montréal discovered that recalling celebrity faces decreases with age, but accessing biographical knowledge via their name remains unaffected. This semantic memory test could become a crucial tool to identify individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalCanadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement·DateDec 18, 2009

Minority elders continue to face health care, employment disparities

A new newsletter highlights health care utilization patterns among older Asian minorities and perceived job discrimination among older workers. The Gerontological Society of America emphasizes the need for research to resolve barriers in seeking health care for minority elders.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateDec 18, 2009
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.

The how and why of freezing the common fruit fly

Scientists are studying the physical processes of ice formation in insects to understand why some survive freezing while others don't. The research found that insects that freeze at consistently higher temperatures have adaptations that allow them to control ice formation, implying cellular or biochemical level adaptations.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 18, 2009

How the daisy got its spots ... and why

Researchers explore the development and morphology of insect-mimicking spots on the flower petals of a South African beetle daisy. The study found that these spots are composed of three types of epidermal cells, each spanning four fused petal lobes, and are influenced by UV reflectivity and anthocyanin pigment.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateDec 18, 2009

Tiny whispering gallery

Researchers at Washington University have developed a sensor that can detect and measure single nanoparticles using an ultra-high-Q microresonator. The sensor exploits the phenomenon of whispering-gallery mode resonance, where the light wave interacts with the particle on the ring's surface.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 18, 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.

Disordered eating may affect 10 to 15 percent of women

A study from Université de Montréal and Douglas Mental Health University Institute found that 10-15% of women experience maladaptive eating behaviors, which can lead to binge eating, bulimia, and excessive exercise. The study also revealed a link between problematic eating habits and self-rated health.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateDec 18, 2009

Disparity in use of implantable devices to prevent sudden death in heart failure patients

A study published in the December 2009 issue of HeartRhythm found that only half of eligible heart failure patients received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) to prevent sudden cardiac death. The study also revealed wide variations in ICD use, with certain patient groups more likely to receive the devices.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Medical Center·JournalHeartRhythm Case Reports·DateDec 18, 2009
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Researchers discover new ways to treat chronic infections

Researchers at Binghamton University identified three key regulators required for biofilm formation, which could lead to new treatments for chronic infections. Biofilms are implicated in over 80% of chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases, and conventional antimicrobial treatments are often ineffective.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateDec 18, 2009

Added sugar in raisin cereals increases acidity of dental plaque

Research suggests that commercially marketed raisin bran cereal causes significantly higher levels of acid in dental plaque than plain bran flakes or unsweetened raisins. Conversely, unsweetened raisins do not increase plaque acidity when added to bran flakes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Pediatric Dentistry·DateDec 18, 2009