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Science News for July 10, 2009


Study suggests preseason shoulder strength may determine injury severity for baseball pitchers

A study suggests that preseason shoulder strength can predict injury severity in baseball pitchers, with weak points in prone internal rotation, external rotation, and supraspinatus strength linked to increased risk of injury. The findings highlight the importance of targeted strength training programs to prevent serious injuries.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 10, 2009

Losing sight of people in a crowd can spell disaster, warns new report

The reports emphasize the need for a systems approach that considers both technical and sociological/psychological factors in crowd management. This includes training and familiarization with new systems, as well as involving front-line personnel in decision-making. The findings also highlight gaps in knowledge and areas where further ...

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateJul 10, 2009

Down Under dinosaur burrow discovery provides climate change clues

Paleontologist Anthony Martin's discovery of dinosaur burrows in Victoria, Australia, suggests that burrowing behaviors were shared by different species across hemispheres and spanned millions of years. The findings indicate that small ornithopod dinosaurs may have dug into river banks to survive extreme environments.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalCretaceous Research·DateJul 10, 2009

Green industrial lubricant developed

A team of researchers has developed an environmentally-friendly lubricating grease based on ricin oil and cellulose derivatives, providing a 100% biodegradable alternative to traditional industrial lubricants. The new formula offers improved environmental performance and is easier to process than conventional greases.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJul 10, 2009
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New role discovered for molecule important in development of the pancreas

A protein called Pdx1 plays a previously unknown regulatory role in the development of immature endocrine system cells, ultimately giving rise to pancreatic islet cells. This discovery may facilitate beta-cell growth in labs and lead to new therapies for diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 10, 2009

PNNL scientist garners early career presidential award

Alexandre Tartakovsky's research on subsurface flow aims to clean up buried nuclear or toxic contaminants and store carbon dioxide from fossil fuels underground. His models help researchers trap contaminants and transform them into harmless minerals.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 10, 2009

A matter of density, not quantity

A team led by Rustem F. Ismagilov demonstrates that the density of bacteria, not their absolute number, drives quorum sensing, a process previously thought to require large groups of cells.

SourceWiley·DateJul 10, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Oklahoma professor selected for most prestigious award

Amy Cerato, a University of Oklahoma assistant professor, has been selected for the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. She is being recognized for her research on designing robust foundations in marginal soils, which could save the US billions annually by repairing infrastructure built on expansive soil.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateJul 10, 2009

GOES-O satellite reaches orbit and renamed GOES-14

The NASA-operated GOES-O satellite reached its geosynchronous orbit at 89.5 degrees west longitude on July 8, 2009, after a series of maneuvers to raise its perigee to approximately 22,300 miles above the Earth. The solar array was successfully deployed on July 9, and all spacecraft subsystems reported nominal performance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2009

New technique can fast-track better ionic liquids for biomass pre-treatments

Researchers have developed a new technique to track solubilization during an ionic liquid pretreatment of biomass, enabling rapid evaluation of various ionic liquids. The method uses auto-fluorescence and visualization techniques to monitor cellulose and lignin during the process.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateJul 10, 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.

Environmental manganese good in trace amounts but can correlate to cancer rates

Researchers found groundwater manganese positively associated with total cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer death rates, while airborne manganese concentrations inversely associated with these cancers. Manganese exposure may worsen cancer rates due to increasing environmental levels.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalBiological Trace Element Research·DateJul 10, 2009

New oral agents may prevent injury after radiation exposure

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered new compounds that can be given orally to prevent radiation-induced injuries, including kidney, lung, skin, and intestinal tract damage. The EUK-400 series, which are synthetic antioxidants, protect tissues against damage caused by free radicals.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry·DateJul 10, 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.

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory arrives at Kennedy Space Center

The Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft has arrived at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla., where it will undergo final testing before its anticipated November launch. The mission aims to study the sun in unprecedented detail and its effects on Earth, collecting 1.5 terabytes of data daily.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2009