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Science News Archive June 2009


Page 1 of 26

OJ worse for teeth than whitening says Eastman Institute researchers

Researchers at the Eastman Institute found that acidic fruit juices like orange juice decrease tooth enamel hardness by up to 84%. Whitening products have no significant effect on enamel hardness. Poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of acidic drinks can lead to severe tooth erosion.

Genetic analysis reveals secrets of scorpion venom

Researchers have discovered nine novel poison molecules in the venom of the Scorpiops jendeki scorpion, expanding knowledge of scorpion venoms. The study found ten known types of poisons with diverse modes of action, offering a rich resource for drug development.

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.

Computational scientist receives prestigious honor

Franco Brezzi, a prominent figure in computational mathematics, has been awarded the 2009 John von Neumann Lecturer honor by SIAM. His work on numerical stability and stabilization techniques has significantly advanced our ability to simulate complex physical phenomena.

A bird's eye view of art

A study published in Animal Cognition found that pigeons use both color and pattern cues to judge the beauty of art, similar to humans. The birds were trained to recognize 'good' paintings and could discriminate between different textures, such as watercolor and pastel.

Peer pressure plays major role in environmental behavior

A Michigan State University study suggests that social norms significantly impact Chinese citizens' decisions to participate in conservation programs like Grain to Green. The research found that when neighbors enroll in the program, it encourages others to do so as well.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study provides greater understanding of lyme disease-causing bacteria

Researchers analyzed joint fluid samples from patients with Lyme arthritis, identifying bacterial strains and finding correlations between OspC typing and clinical outcomes. The study suggests that certain B. burgdorferi genotypes, particularly RST1, may induce a more marked immune response leading to persistent joint inflammation.

Spanish scientists develop echo-location in humans

Researchers have successfully developed echolocation in humans, allowing blind individuals to identify objects and navigate their surroundings. The technique involves producing specific tongue clicks to detect echoes, with results showing potential for practical applications beyond aiding the visually impaired.

Bad medicine

A commentary in JAMA explores how US healthcare's emphasis on providing services can lead to direct and indirect harm. The authors argue that this focus can cause excessive healthcare use and spending, diverting resources away from education and environmental quality.

Imaging study shows decrease in empathic responses to outsiders

Researchers found that perceiving others in pain activates a part of the brain associated with empathy and emotion more if the observer and the observed are the same race. This study confirms an in-group bias in empathic feelings, which has significant implications for understanding real-life social behaviors and interactions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Biomarkers' ability to improve prediction of cardiovascular risk is modest

A study of biomarkers found that measuring known biomarkers slightly improves the ability to predict future heart attacks or strokes in healthy individuals. However, this improvement is not significant enough to change preventive therapies. The study suggests that new technologies may lead to personalized cardiovascular risk prediction.

Single-thawed embryo transfer after PGD does not affect pregnancy rates

Researchers have found that transferring a single embryo at a time after preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and freezing at the blastocyst stage results in comparable pregnancy rates to those for non-biopsied embryos. This approach can reduce multiple pregnancies and their associated complications.

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.

Anti-biotech groups obstruct forest biotechnology

The development of genetically modified trees is being obstructed by anti-biotech groups and regulations that prioritize process over product. Researchers argue that a regulatory environment focused on scientific case-by-case assessments is necessary to unlock the full potential of forest biotechnology.

Caregivers may benefit from adult day care

Adult day care can help alleviate caregiver stress by lifting responsibility for a few hours, promoting sleep and well-being in those cared for. The study will assess the impact of day care on caregivers' health and stress levels over three years with 180 participants.

New lab-on-a-chip measures mechanics of bacteria colonies

Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to study biofilms' mechanical properties, which could lead to designing medical equipment that is more difficult for bacteria to adhere to. The new device measures resistance to pressure and found elasticity and strain hardening responses in bacterial colonies.

Your own private global warming

Researchers found that Antarctic species are already near their upper temperature limit, making them vulnerable to ecological imbalances. Smaller individuals can tolerate higher temperatures, while active predators fare better than sessile species, potentially disrupting the food chain and leading to greater ecosystem damage.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Cosmetic surgery appeals to men, women with appearance-based rejection sensitivity

A study found that individuals sensitive to rejection based on their physical appearance are more likely to be interested in cosmetic surgery. The study, conducted by researchers at the University at Buffalo, examined the role of appearance-based rejection sensitivity among men and women's interest in cosmetic surgery. Participants who...

Reduced ovarian reserve associated with increased risk of trisomic pregnancy

A recent study found that women with diminished ovarian reserve are at increased risk of trisomic pregnancy, regardless of age. The study analyzed data from 19,840 women undergoing fertility treatment in the Netherlands and found a history of ovarian surgery, low egg retrieval, or menopausal status to significantly increase trisomy risk.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Discovery may provide new treatments for alcohol dependence

A new brain mechanism involving ghrelin has been discovered, which could lead to the development of new therapies for alcohol dependence. The study found that blocking ghrelin's actions in the brain reduces alcohol's effects on the reward system.

Intense heat killed the universe's would-be galaxies, researchers say

The study found that intense heat from early stars and black holes evaporated gas from small clumps of dark matter, rendering them barren. This natural explanation for galaxy formation supports the view that cold dark matter is the best candidate for the mysterious material believed to make up most of the universe.

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.

Finding solutions to the chronic nursing shortage

A $2 million research chair has been launched at the University of Western Ontario to tackle the growing nursing shortage in Canada and the US. The Chair will focus on optimizing nurses' scope of practice and educating new graduates for optimal role functioning in evolving healthcare environments.

Using the Internet to help young smokers quit

The University of Illinois Chicago is leading a five-year study to increase demand for evidence-based, Internet-based smoking cessation treatment among young adults. The project aims to develop interactive, Internet-based ads and evaluate their effectiveness in motivating young smokers to use the stop smoking program www.BecomeAnEx.org.

Zooming in to catch the bad guys

A new video 'perfection tool' from Tel Aviv University can enhance raw video images to identify suspects, improving the odds of locating terrorists or identifying criminal suspects. The tool uses algorithms to stabilize images, allowing objects that are really moving to be distinguished from chaotic atmospheric changes.

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.

Princeton professor to receive prestigious prize in mathematics

Weinan E, a professor at Princeton University, will be awarded the Ralph E. Kleinman Prize for his exceptional work on stochastic partial differential equations and turbulence. He is recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between mathematics and applications, with an impact on various fields such as materials science and physics.

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.

Super-size deposits of frozen carbon threat to climate change

New research reveals that permafrost in the Arctic contains over 1.5 trillion tons of frozen carbon, exceeding previous estimates by a factor of two. Thawing of this carbon can lead to massive releases of greenhouse gases, further exacerbating climate change.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome: New light on its causes and its effect on brothers

Researchers found that mothers with elevated blood pressure during pregnancy increased the risk of PCOS in their daughters, while a family history of cardiovascular disease in either parent was also linked to an increased risk. Brothers of women with PCOS are also at greater risk of developing insulin resistance or diabetes.

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.

Risky business: Stressed men more likely to gamble

New research published in PLOS ONE found that men under stress are more likely to engage in risky behavior, including gambling, while stressed women tend to moderate their choices. The study used the Balloon Analogue Risk Task to assess participants' risk-taking tendencies.

New statistical technique improves precision of nanotechnology data

A new statistical analysis technique, sequential profile adjustment by regression (SPAR), has been developed to improve the precision of nanotechnology data. By identifying and removing systematic bias, noise, and equipment-based artifacts, SPAR can reduce experimental errors and increase confidence in measurements.

Risk of tuberculosis from arthritis medication examined

A new study examined cases of TB associated with anti-TNF therapy and found that the risk of TB is higher for patients receiving anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy. The study also showed that the risk of TB was higher during the first year of anti-TNF treatment, favoring the reactivation of latent TB.

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.

Current search for heart disease treatment may not be fruitful

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that C-reactive protein, a commonly used marker for coronary heart disease risk, may not cause the disease. Researchers found no association between genetic variations in the gene coding for C-reactive protein and coronary heart disease risk. Ho...

Neural stem cell differentiation factor discovered

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt identified a soluble Notch inhibitor, EGFL7, which blocks neural stem cell self-renewal and promotes differentiation into neurons. The findings offer potential medical applications in tissue development and neurodegenerative diseases.

Stirred, not shaken: Bio-inspired cilia mix medical reagents at small scales

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a prototype that mixes tiny volumes of fluid or creates a current to move small particles, speeding up biomedical reactions. The device uses flexible rubber structures with fingers that mimic biological cilia, overcoming obstacles faced by previous teams.

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.

Rotator cuff treatment provides immediate tendonitis relief

A new minimally invasive procedure has been shown to provide immediate symptom relief for patients with rotator cuff tendonitis. The treatment uses ultrasound-guided percutaneous therapy to break up calcium deposits and restore mobility. Results showed significant improvement in pain and mobility, even at long-term follow-up.

July 2009 Geology and GSA Today media highlights

Research highlights the role of large igneous provinces (LIPs) in shaping Earth's surface, while also uncovering new climate oscillation patterns. Experts analyze topographic metrics to understand hillslope evolution, resolving long-standing debates over porphyroblasts and neptunian eruptions.

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.

NASA and NOAA's GOES-O satellite successfully launched

The NASA and NOAA GOES-O satellite has successfully launched into space, enhancing weather forecasting and monitoring environmental events globally. The satellite will be renamed GOES-14 after a 24-day orbit adjustment and will provide vital data to the United States.