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Science News for January 23, 2009


Scientists use lasers to measure changes to tropical forests

A new study uses airborne technology to track changes in Big Island tropical forests, revealing how climate and invasive species affect carbon stocks. The research finds that fast-growing invaders decrease biomass levels, while slower-growing species increase biomass stocks.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·JournalEcosystems·DateJan 23, 2009

Only about one of ten unemployed workers obtain COBRA coverage

Only about one-tenth of unemployed workers secure COBRA coverage, leaving millions at risk due to unaffordable premiums. Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected, with limited public coverage options, and policymakers should consider expanding Medicaid eligibility to provide critical support.

SourceCommonwealth Fund·DateJan 23, 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.

Oklahoma State University researchers make breakthrough against poxviruses

Researchers at Oklahoma State University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how poxviruses evade the human immune system. By unlocking the structure of a key protein, they may be able to design medications to stop the viruses from blocking immune signals.

SourceOklahoma State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2009

Blocking toxic effects could make clot-buster safer

Scientists at Emory University School of Medicine have found a way to block the toxic effects of tPA, a life-saving clot-busting drug used in acute stroke treatment. By blocking LRP1, a molecule that transmits inflammation signals triggered by tPA, the researchers were able to soften the drug's impact on the brain.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJan 23, 2009

Feeling your words: Hearing with your face

Researchers find that stretching facial skin during speech affects perceived sound, linking production and perception. The study contributes to understanding the relationship between speech perception and production.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 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.

ARDS mortality is unchanged since 1994

Mortality rates for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have remained relatively stable since 1994, with a benchmark mortality of 40-45% according to a comprehensive review of major studies. The findings highlight the need for effective therapeutic interventions for this highly lethal syndrome.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2009

Tension in the nanoworld

A team of researchers at CIC nanoGUNE and Max Planck Institutes developed a non-invasive method to map strain fields in semiconductors using scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM). The technique resolves nanoscale material properties with 20 nm spatial resolution.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 23, 2009

Video games linked to poor relationships with friends, family

A new study at Brigham Young University found that young adults' video game use is associated with poorer relationships with peers and parents. The study, which analyzed data from 813 college students, suggests that excessive gaming may lead to decreased social interaction and relationship quality.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateJan 23, 2009

Professor's history of modern meteorology receives major honor

Kristine C. Harper's 2008 book, 'Weather by the Numbers: The Genesis of Modern Meteorology,' has received international acclaim from atmospheric science librarians. The book explores the transformation of meteorology from an art to a scientific discipline, highlighting the development of numerical weather prediction and its impact on w...

SourceFlorida State University·DateJan 23, 2009

Research elucidates way lungs fight bacteria and prevent infection

Lung airway epithelial cells initiate an immune response to inhaled bacteria by signaling white blood cells to move into the lungs. Researchers have identified a way to inhibit proteases and restrict junctions between cells, reducing inflammation and allowing optimal white blood cell response.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateJan 23, 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.

Nurses with a second degree could impact workforce

A New York University study suggests that registered nurses with a second degree are an efficient solution to the current nursing shortage. Second degree nurses tend to be older and more motivated, having coping advantages over newer graduates, which can lead to better job satisfaction and retention rates.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Professional Nursing·DateJan 23, 2009

Crib-side studies help struggling newborns go home without feeding tubes

A new strategy developed at Nationwide Children's Hospital is helping premature infants and newborns with severe swallowing difficulties learn to feed on their own. The approach involves individualized, crib-side studies that use advanced sensors to capture the rhythm of muscular contractions throughout the aero-digestive tract.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateJan 23, 2009

A crystal clear view of chalk formation

Researchers found that stable nanoclusters of calcium carbonate form in water with a small quantity of dissolved calcium carbonate, not as previously thought. This discovery may help explain the structure of biominerals and provide insights into coping with lime scale in washing machines.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 2009

Gene's past could improve the future of rice

A Purdue University researcher used a process focusing on one gene to trace the evolutionary history of domesticated rice, discovering genetic variation over millions of years. By comparing domesticated plants to wild rice species, scientists can identify valuable genes for desirable traits like branching and increased plant size.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 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.

Cancer-causing gene discovery suggests new therapies

Researchers have discovered a novel way in which the Myc oncogene accelerates cancer by directly affecting protein production, suggesting a new strategy to halt cancer's progression. Drugs like Rapamycin may help treat cancers where Myc is overactive.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2009

How natural oils can be hydrogenated without making unhealthy trans fats

Researchers at UC Riverside have designed a catalyst that allows for the production of partially hydrogenated oils while minimizing the formation of trans fats. By controlling the shape of platinum particles, they achieved higher selectivity and reduced the creation of harmful trans fats.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 23, 2009

Telemedicine can dramatically improve child sexual assault examinations in rural areas

A study published in Pediatrics found that telemedicine can significantly improve the quality of child sexual assault examinations in rural communities. The use of videoconferencing allows experts to guide local doctors, comfort children, and enhance the collection of forensic evidence. As a result, many physicians changed their examin...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJan 23, 2009

Research identifies in-flight emergencies

A recent study found that fainting was the most common in-flight medical emergency, accounting for 53.5% of cases. The researchers also highlighted the need for standardization in reporting in-flight emergencies, citing poor data quality as a major issue.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateJan 23, 2009

UCI behind world's first embryonic stem cell study in humans

A therapy developed at UC Irvine will become the world's first embryonic stem cell treatment tested in humans, targeting patients with acute spinal cord injury. The U.S. FDA has approved a clinical trial led by Geron Corp., which aims to restore electrical conduction and mobility in paralyzed individuals.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateJan 23, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Plasmonic whispering gallery microcavity paves the way to future nanolasers

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Cal Tech have created a high-Q surface-plasmon-polariton whispering-gallery microcavity, enabling ultra-small device fabrication and strong light enhancement. This innovation paves the way for future nanolasers with applications in photonics and optical microchips.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2009

Sleep disordered breathing and obesity: independent effects, causes

A study found that sleep apnea is strongly associated with decreased glucose metabolism and pancreatic function, independent of body fat. Another study linked chronic intermittent hypoxia from sleep apnea to liver disease progression in severely obese patients.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2009

UTSA receives $1.2 million gift from Kleberg Foundation

The University of Texas at San Antonio has received a $1.2 million gift to purchase an aberration-corrected electron microscope, one of only two worldwide. This instrument will aid researchers in developing new cancer therapies and treatments, while also advancing research globally across various disciplines.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateJan 23, 2009

NAU research ties tree mortality trends to climate warming

Research by Northern Arizona University ties tree mortality to climate change, with a significant increase in death rates across the western US. The study, led by Phillip J. van Mantgem and Nathan L. Stephenson, analyzed long-term data from over 6,000 trees and found that regional warming is a key factor contributing to this trend.

SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 2009