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Science News Archive February 2009


Page 7 of 24

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can breastfeeding reduce multiple sclerosis relapses?

A study of pregnant women with MS found that those who breastfed exclusively had lower relapse rates than those who did not or stopped early. Women who delayed starting MS treatments to breastfeed also experienced faster return of menstrual periods.

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.

New initiative to tackle leading killer of children

The Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) initiative aims to study the causes of pediatric pneumonia in five to ten countries, using modern diagnostics and methods to guide vaccine and treatment development. This effort could help prevent many pneumonia deaths and develop tools to tackle even more cases.

A useful method to diagnose chest pain with foregut symptoms

Researchers found that spasm of the esophageal smooth muscle may trigger myocardial ischemia, leading to chest pain. The combination of these tests is significant for differential diagnosis, especially with foregut symptoms, and is cost-effective for patients from developing countries.

New 'bubble' targets only cancer cells

Researchers have developed a new drug delivery technology that targets cancer cells specifically, leaving surrounding healthy cells intact. The technology utilizes tiny bubbles containing therapeutic drugs to deliver medication directly to cancer cells, enhancing treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects.

Bacteria in urinary tract infections caught making burglar's tools

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that bacteria causing urinary tract infections produce compounds called siderophores to steal iron from their hosts. These tools provide a potential way to target bad strains of bacteria for eradication without affecting good strains. The discovery could lead to new treatment...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Proteasome inhibition affects epigenetic mechanisms

Chronic ethanol feeding inhibits nuclear proteasome activity, altering epigenetic mechanisms and gene expression. Proteasome inhibition also affects the remethylation pathway, leading to decreased histone acetylation and increased betainehomocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) enzyme.

Cleaning the atmosphere of carbon: African forests out of balance

Researchers discovered that African forests are increasing in tree carbon stocks by an amount equal to the weight of a small car each year. This suggests that extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could be acting as fertilizer, but other factors like human occupation and past disturbance may also be at play.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Fruit flies sick from mating

Researchers found that fruit fly females' genes are activated similarly to an immune reaction when they mate, leading to a heightened defense system. The cost of mating is also revealed to be high, as females produce fewer offspring due to male harassment and toxic sperm fluid.

More reasons to hate humidity: It expands global warming, prof says

Climate scientist Andrew Dessler explains that warmer temperatures lead to higher humidity, causing additional warming through the water vapor feedback mechanism. This process is responsible for significant predicted warming over the next century, with potential devastating long-term consequences.

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.

Study shows ultrasound and tPA effective for stroke

A new experimental therapy combining ultrasound and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has shown to be more effective than tPA alone in treating ischemic stroke, according to a recent study. The treatment, which involves tiny gas-filled microspheres activated by ultrasound waves, helped restore blood flow and improve patient outcomes.

Pitt researchers create atomic-sized one-stop shop for nanoelectronics

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a nanoscale one-stop shop for electronics that can yield transistors two nanometers in size. This breakthrough has potential applications for high-density memory devices, sensors and computer processors, and could pave the way for more advanced technologies.

Indoor air pollution increases asthma symptoms

A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that indoor particulate matter pollution is associated with a significant increase in asthma symptoms among children. Fine particles were also linked to an increase in wheezing and respiratory issues.

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.

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.

Academics to brief new US administration on tackling poverty

New research methods developed by Dr Peter Davis aim to better understand the complex realities of chronic poverty, affecting millions worldwide. The conference in Washington DC will engage policymakers and stakeholders from the US and internationally to formulate a policy agenda to address this issue.

How Volvox got its groove

Researchers discovered that ancestors of Volvox algae transitioned to multicellularity at least 200 million years ago. This finding provides insights into the evolution of complex life forms, highlighting the importance of cooperation among cells in overcoming conflicts that hinder collective growth and reproduction.

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.

Incidence rates of cervical cancer linked to deprivation

A new study published in BMC Public Health found that cervical cancer incidence varies among geographical areas in Southeast England, with higher rates in more deprived areas. The research analyzed data on 2,231 cases of cervical cancer diagnosed between 2001 and 2005, revealing dramatic variations within regions.

Physical activity guidelines are too confusing, say researchers

Researchers at the University of Bath found that around nine out of ten men could be categorized as active or sedentary depending on which guidelines were followed. This inconsistency in physical activity guidelines may prevent people from taking the message that being active can make a huge difference to their health.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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