Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 6, 2009


Evidence of earliest known domestic horses found in Kazakhstan

Researchers discovered evidence of earliest known domestic horses in Kazakhstan, which were both ridden and milked. The findings suggest horse domestication began around 5,500 years ago, earlier than previously thought, and had a significant impact on society.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateMar 6, 2009

Bristly spheres as capsules

Scientists have produced amphiphilic hybrid particles consisting of water-insoluble inorganic nanoparticles at the core surrounded by bristle-like layers of hydrophilic polymer chains. The nature of these aggregates depends on the density of polymer

SourceWiley·DateMar 6, 2009
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Brain tumors: New therapy surprisingly successful

Researchers at Bonn University discovered a critical improvement in treating glioblastoma, the most aggressive and common brain tumor. The combination of two drugs increased average survival time to 23 months, with some patients surviving over four years. Further investigations are needed to optimize this therapy.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 6, 2009

Blood test predicts chance of dementia

Researchers developed a blood test to measure progranulin levels, predicting the risk of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in patients. A shortage of progranulin leads to brain cell death, causing FTD, and this test can detect it before symptoms appear.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 6, 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.

Both Latino and non-Latino women likely to accept HPV vaccination for selves and children

A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that both Latino and non-Latino women are more likely to accept HPV vaccination for themselves and their children than previously reported. The main motivator for these women is the prevention of cancer, with no association between vaccine acceptance and income or education level.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalGynecologic Oncology·DateMar 6, 2009

UConn chemists find secret to increasing luminescence efficiency of carbon nanotubes

Researchers at the University of Connecticut have discovered a way to increase the luminescence efficiency of single-walled carbon nanotubes, which could lead to breakthroughs in medical imaging and biological sensors. By wrapping a chemical 'sleeve' around the nanotube, they were able to reduce exterior defects and enhance its ability...

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalScience·DateMar 6, 2009

SIAM wins ASAE's 2009 Associations Advance America Award of Excellence

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics received an Award of Excellence from the American Society of Association Executives for organizing the Moody's Mega Math Challenge. The challenge inspires high school students to solve real-world problems using computation and modeling skills, with no financial barriers for participation.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateMar 6, 2009

Molecule tracking reveals mechanism of chromosome separation in dividing cells

A team of University of Washington scientists has uncovered the basis for the strong yet dynamic attachment of spindle fibers to kinetochores, a site on each chromosome that mechanically couples to spindle fibers. This discovery sheds light on how chromosomes are accurately and evenly divided during cell division.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCell·DateMar 6, 2009
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.

Tools for more accurate dosage of drugs against HIV/AIDS and malaria

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new method to describe and quantify relationships between dose, concentration, and effectiveness of drugs against HIV/AIDS and malaria. The study found that genetic differences can influence efavirenz metabolism and that reducing daily doses can minimize undesired effects.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateMar 6, 2009

Love handles put the squeeze on lungs

A recent study has found a strong association between high waist circumference and decreased lung function. The research, analyzing over 120,000 participants, revealed that abdominal obesity is independently associated with impaired lung function, even when accounting for other factors such as smoking history and body mass index.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 6, 2009

Giving doctors the complete picture

A new clinical support tool developed by Martin Were and Michael Weiner significantly improves communication between doctors, resulting in better implementation of medical recommendations. The tool reduces errors and saves healthcare dollars by decreasing delays in care and prioritizing specialty treatment.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMar 6, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rice psychologist explores perception of fear in human sweat

Research by Denise Chen reveals that human sweat contains emotional meanings, particularly in ambiguous situations, and modulates vision to detect fear. The study found that exposure to 'fearful' sweat biases women towards interpreting facial expressions as more fearful, especially when emotions are unclear.

SourceRice University·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 6, 2009

'Holy powder' ingredient makes membranes behave for better health

Researchers found that curcumin acts as a disciplinarian, inserting itself into cell membranes and making them more orderly. This improves cells' resistance to infection and malignancy by controlling information flow through the membrane.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 6, 2009

Survey: Few physicians support private banking of umbilical cord blood

A survey of US and Canadian pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant physicians found that only 50 out of thousands of transplants involved privately banked cord blood. The respondents generally recommended against private cord blood banking unless a family member is at risk for a blood disease requiring a stem cell transplant.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMar 6, 2009

If plants could talk, what would they say?

The event reveals the fundamental connection between humans and plants, showcasing how plant toxins have led to effective medicines. The Festival of Social Science celebrates British social science research, with a focus on the often-overlooked role of plants in our daily lives.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMar 6, 2009
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.