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Science News Archive July 2009


Page 9 of 23

Electronic nose created to detect skin vapors

Researchers at Yale University developed a system to detect human skin vapors, revealing fatty acids as primary attractants for mosquitoes. The technology also enables dogs to identify their owners by detecting unique skin compounds.

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.

When children have breathing problems

A study by UFZ researchers found that air pollution caused by industry has more severe effects on children's health than vehicle exhaust fumes. The research revealed that around a quarter to a third of children in industrial areas experience respiratory problems, compared to half as many in suburban and rural areas.

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.

Rice University wins stimulus funding for physics building

Rice University has received $11.1 million in federal stimulus funding to construct the Brockman Hall for Physics, a new research facility supporting fundamental and applied physics research. The building will enable Rice to remain on the cutting edge of physical science research with state-of-the-art facilities.

Early rice harvests ease annual famine in Bangladesh

Research by the International Rice Research Institute has led to early rice harvests, reducing famine in northwest Bangladesh. The new methods allow farmers to plant rice earlier and use shorter-duration varieties, improving food security and reducing monga.

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.

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.

Are we what our mothers ate?

Research suggests that maternal nutrition, protein intake, and fat levels before conception can lead to epigenetic changes that affect fetal development and increase the risk of diseases later in life. Studies have shown that diet before pregnancy can cause abnormal growth, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems in offspring.

Corn yield stability varies with rotations, fertility

Research suggests that corn yield stability improves when rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy; dairy manure applications can support continuous corn in high-yielding years but hinder it in low-yielding years. Synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure negatively impact continuous corn yields.

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.

Screening for childhood depressive symptoms could start in second grade

A University of Washington study found five distinct patterns for depression symptoms in children, with some showing no or few symptoms in second grade. The researchers identify different risk factors for boys and girls, highlighting the importance of early intervention to prevent mental health concerns during adolescence.

Reducing p38MAPK levels delays aging of multiple tissues in lab mice

Research by Singapore and NC researchers found that reducing p38MAPK levels delays aging of multiple tissues in lab mice. The study also discovered that partial inactivation of p38MAPK improves proliferation and regeneration of islet cells without affecting tumour suppressor function.

Genetic tests advertised directly to the consumer

The American College of Clinical Pharmacology warns of the lack of supervision in direct-to-consumer genetic testing, emphasizing the need for clinical pharmacologists to educate patients on potential risks and limitations. Effective government regulation and professional guidance are crucial to ensure safe and informed decision-making.

Ovary removal may increase lung cancer risk

A new study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that women who experienced non-natural menopause are at almost twice the risk of developing lung cancer compared to women who experienced natural menopause. The increased risk was particularly observed among women who had both their ovaries surgically removed.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Iowa State University researchers develop process for 'surgical' genetic changes

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new technique for making genetic changes in plant genes, allowing for targeted manipulations with high efficiency. This process harnesses homologous recombination to precisely introduce DNA at predetermined locations, enabling faster and safer gene editing for various crops.

Our brain looks at eyes first to identify a face

A study by Matthias S. Keil found that the brain extracts key information for facial identification primarily from the eyes, while the mouth and nose are secondary. The analysis suggests that faces are responsible for the brain's resolution preference, with a optimum resolution of around 30x30 pixels.

1 gene that contributes to breast cancer's aggressive behavior identified

Researchers at Genome Institute of Singapore identify RCP as a novel breast cancer promoting gene that functionsally contributes to aggressive breast cancer behaviour. Over-expression of RCP is positively correlated with cancer recurrence in patients, and silencing the gene significantly diminishes tumour formation and metastasis.

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.

Students embed stem cells in sutures to enhance healing

Johns Hopkins students have developed a way to embed patient-derived stem cells in sutures to speed up healing and improve outcomes for orthopedic injuries. The technology has great promise for treating debilitating tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries that affect thousands of young and middle-aged adults annually.

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.

Study offers insights into failed HIV-1 vaccine trial

A study by Dan Barouch and colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found no correlation between Ad5 neutralizing antibodies and T-cell immune responses. The researchers suggest using rare serotype vectors to develop HIV-1 vaccines that are not suppressed by baseline vector-specific neutralizing antibodies.

Studies shed light on preserving fertility among cancer patients

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in preserving fertility among cancer patients, including the development of lab-grown eggs and a new understanding of cellular mechanisms that can help restore fertility. These advancements offer hope for young cancer patients who are struggling to preserve their reproductive options.

PNNL wins 2 R&D 100 awards for human health, renewable energy advances

PNNL has won two R&D 100 Awards for its PowerPuck technology, which harnesses environmental heat to create sustainable electrical power. The laboratory also developed an ultrasensitive ESI-MS Source & Interface, increasing sensitivity in human health studies and enabling precise measurements of chemical compounds.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Professional lobbyists: Pragmatic operatives or just another partisan resource?

A new study by Gregory Koger and Jennifer Nicoll Victor found that professional lobbyists in Washington, DC are highly partisan, giving most of their campaign donations to one preferred political party. The research analyzed over 1,200 lobbyists and found that only 6.3% gave at least 40% of their donations to both parties.

Statistician emerges from numerical vortex with econometrics prize

Wei Biao Wu and Xiaofeng Shao's article, 'A limit theorem for quadratic forms and its applications,' presents a new statistical method for analyzing time series data. The researchers used a physical dependence measure to characterize time-series dependence, deviating from traditional approaches.

NIST awards $55.5M in grants for new university research facilities

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded grants totaling over $55.5 million to four universities to construct new scientific research facilities. These facilities will support academic research across various topics, including fundamental physics research, nanotechnology, aquaculture, and marine ecology.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Pacific tsunami threat greater than expected

A new study suggests that future tsunamis could reach a scale far beyond the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, killing up to 35 people directly and causing extensive damage. The research indicates that rupture of an even larger area than previously thought could create an even bigger tsunami.

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.

Tension in axons is essential for synaptic signaling, researchers report

Tiny membrane-bound compartments called vesicles rely on axon tension to dump neurotransmitters into the synapse. The researchers found that axons need tension to keep vesicles clustered near the synapse, essential for neuronal signaling. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanism behind this process.

Caltech-led team shows how evolution can allow for large developmental leaps

A Caltech-led team demonstrates how partial penetrance enables evolution to make large developmental leaps by allowing genetic mutations to have varying effects on different organisms, leading to twin spores in bacteria that normally produce only singletons. This process involves random fluctuations and noise working alongside partial ...

New breast cancer-promoting gene identified

A new gene, RCP, has been identified as a potential breast cancer-promoting gene, with overexpression causing tumor cell characteristics and metastasis. Targeting RCP may provide a way to inhibit the known tumor-promoting pathway through activation of the RAS signaling pathway.

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.

Testing relativity in the laboratory

Researchers have developed a new class of metamaterials that mimic celestial mechanics, allowing for the study of gravitational lensing and chaos in a lab setting. This breakthrough enables scientists to study relativity phenomena, such as gravitational lensing, in a controlled environment.

UCI scientists discover ozone-boosting chemical reaction

Researchers find that nitrogen oxides combine with hydrochloric acid to create chlorine atoms, speeding up smog formation and contributing to corrosion indoors. This phenomenon should be added to atmospheric models to better predict air pollution levels.

Heart disease: Research off the beating patch

Researchers at the University of Arizona's Sarver Heart Center have developed a delivery system to introduce living, healthy heart muscle cells into damaged areas of the heart. The new approach uses a patch made from microscopically thin fibers that serve as a scaffold for the cells to adhere to.

Genes that let creepy-crawlies survive a deep freeze

Researchers have identified a suite of genes involved in controlling the extreme survival mechanism of Arctic springtails against freezing temperatures. These genes are activated during cold-induced dehydration and play roles in trehalose production, heat shock proteins, and tissue remodeling.

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.

Sea lamprey jettison one-fifth of their genome

The sea lamprey's genome is extensively reorganized during development, with growing embryos discarding millions of units of DNA. This process reveals a dynamic and flexible genome that challenges traditional views on vertebrate genome stability.

Chasing tiny vehicles

A research team has used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to follow magnetic nanoparticles as they transport genes or drugs into target cells in real-time. The study reveals bottlenecks in nanoferry transport and provides insights into optimizing existing systems, potentially leading to breakthroughs in gene therapy.

Immunotherapy linked to lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

Research published in Neurology suggests that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by targeting beta-amyloid plaques. The study analyzed data from over 847,000 patients and found a 42% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's among those who received IVIg.

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.