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Science News Archive November 2009


Page 12 of 24

Imaging techniques may help predict response to head and neck cancer treatment

A study found that combining positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scans six to eight weeks after chemoradiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer can identify patients who will respond to treatment. The test also showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting residual disease and distant metastases.

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.

Sleep deprivation negatively affects split-second decision making, study shows

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers found that moderate sleep deprivation can lead to a decline in information-integration thought processes, critical for quick decisions. This affects individuals who shift from an automatic process to a more controlled approach, leading to negative effects on performance.

Bladder cancer risks increase over time for smokers

A new study found that smoking is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, which progresses over time. The study showed that even smoking fewer cigarettes per day for more years may be more harmful than smoking more cigarettes per day for fewer years.

Medical establishment prevents nurses from assuming new roles

A new study published in Recherches Sociographiques found that Quebec nurses are still underutilized and lack decision-making power. Physicians continue to hold significant influence over nursing roles, despite advances in training and education for specialized nurse practitioners and oncology nurse navigators.

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.

Investigating muscle repair, scientists follow their noses

Scientists have found that odor-detecting tools in the nose, specifically MOR23, aid muscle cells' repair process. The receptor regulates cell migration and adhesion to form long fibers, offering potential new treatments for muscular dystrophies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Playing active video games can equal moderate intensity exercise

Research suggests that active Wii sports and Wii fit activities can increase energy expenditure to levels comparable to moderately intense exercise. The study found that some activities, such as boxing and single-arm stand, require high energy expenditures of up to 5.6 METs.

American College of Medical Informatics inducts new Fellows

The American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) has inducted 11 new Fellows, including Riccardo Bellazzi and Andre Kushniruk, for their significant contributions to medical informatics. The ceremony honored Morris F. Collen, a pioneer in the field.

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.

Tiny bubbles clean oil from water

A University of Utah engineer has developed a new method to remove oil sheen from polluted water using tiny bubbles created by pressurizing ozone gas. This method, which targets the oil sheen and other pollutants, could be used to clean wastewater discharged into coastal waters and soil contaminated with heavy metals.

MIT scientists pinpoint origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh drinking water

Researchers pinpoint the origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh's drinking water to ponds excavated for village construction and irrigated agriculture. The study suggests that these ponds mobilize organic carbon, leading to arsenic dissolution in groundwater, with rice fields acting as a buffer but also contributing to arsenic levels.

Warmer means windier on world's biggest lake

Researchers found a significant increase in wind speed and current strength on Lake Superior, but a decrease in chlorophyll levels due to temperature stratification. This affects the lake's ecosystem and may impact airborne pollutants and nearby communities.

Researchers find potential treatment for Huntington's disease

Researchers found that normal synaptic activity protects the brain from misfolded proteins associated with Huntington's disease, while excessive extrasynaptic activity enhances their deadly effects. Low doses of Memantine successfully treated Huntington's disease in a mouse model by preserving normal synaptic electrical activity.

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.

NIST demonstrates 'universal' programmable quantum processor

Physicists at NIST demonstrate the first universal programmable quantum information processor using two qubits, capable of running any program allowed by quantum mechanics. The processor stores binary information in beryllium ions and can perform 160 different processing routines, making it 'universal'.

Tiny particles can deliver antioxidant enzyme to injured heart cells

Researchers developed microscopic polymer beads that can deliver an antioxidant enzyme into the heart, reducing dying cells and improving heart function after a simulated heart attack. The enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), soaks up toxic free radicals produced during a heart attack.

Today's children decide their school and career path early

Children as young as 11 can predict their future educational and career choices, according to a new study. The research highlights the importance of providing advice and information to children during secondary education to increase post-16 participation.

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.

Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes

Researchers have identified five new gene regions associated with early-onset inflammatory bowel disease, including one involved in the T-helper 17 pathway. The findings may lead to personalized medicine by targeting the IL27 cytokine's action.

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.

Early cooling in cardiac arrest may improve survival

A recent study found that rapidly cooling a person in cardiac arrest can significantly improve survival rates and neurological outcomes. The early cooling method, known as RhinoChill, was shown to be safe and effective in minimizing brain damage during the critical period of cardiac arrest.

Climate variability and dengue incidence

Research published in PLoS Medicine found associations between local rainfall and temperature with cases of dengue fever, but no significant link with El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Large outbreaks occur every few years in many tropical countries, with temperature and rainfall varying strongly on an annual scale.

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.

Berkeley researchers take the lead out of piezoelectrics

Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered a lead-free alternative to piezoelectric materials, bismuth ferrite, which enhances the piezoelectric effect under epitaxial strain. The study demonstrates reversible phase changes in thin films of bismuth ferrite, opening up new possibilities for devices and applications.

Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane

Researchers at UC Berkeley discover that the cytoskeleton plays a critical role in pairing and recombining chromosomes during meiosis. By forming bridges between chromosomes and patches on the nuclear membrane, the cytoskeleton helps ensure homologous chromosome pairing, a crucial step in sex cells' development.

Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit

Research found that couples who use thoughtfulness and reasoning during conflicts show lower stress-related protein levels, suggesting a potential health benefit. The study measured cytokine levels before and after marital discussion tasks and found a correlation between cognitive word use and reduced inflammation.

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.

Can thinking of a loved one reduce your pain?

Researchers at UCLA discovered that simply looking at photos of a partner can reduce pain, suggesting a strong emotional link. The study also found holding hands with a loved one can further decrease physical discomfort.

Awareness of racism affects how children do socially and academically

A new study found that children develop an awareness of racial stereotypes early on, leading to damaging biases in social interactions and academic performance. Awareness of these biases can negatively impact standardized test results, particularly for African American and Latino youths.

Youths see all parental control negatively when there's a lot of it

A new study found that young people generally favor one type of parental control over another but become indifferent when parents are overly controlling. The researchers argue that adolescents may respond poorly to highly restrictive behavioral control, similar to psychological control.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Does modernization affect children's cognitive development?

A cross-cultural study found that children from communities with more modern resources performed better in certain areas of cognitive functioning. The researchers argue that these differences reflect the cognitive skills valued and promoted in each community rather than a direct correlation to intelligence.

Satellite imagery confirms Ida's low is finally moving away from the east coast

Satellite imagery and weather data indicate that Ida's coastal low pressure area has moved away from the US east coast, with its western edge passing over the easternmost part of the country. The system is expected to continue moving southeastward, leaving behind significant flooding in eastern Virginia and northeast North Carolina.

Shape perception in brain develops by itself

A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that the brain's ability to understand shapes is innate and develops without exposure to modern geometric objects. African tribal people and Western college students both showed greater sensitivity to non-accidental properties of objects, indicating a universal sense of geometry.

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.

Fat collections linked to decreased heart function

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered a link between fat accumulation around the heart and aorta, as well as within the liver, and decreased cardiac pumping function. Measuring body mass index (BMI) does not accurately predict the amount of unwanted fat in these areas.

Study offers tips on taming the boogie monster

Researchers identified coping strategies for children to manage their fears, with preschoolers benefiting from positive thinking and older children focusing on reality. The study's findings can help parents better support their children in dealing with fears, particularly those of imaginary creatures.

Ethnic pride may boost African-American teens' mental health

Research suggests that young people's feelings of ethnic pride rise during the 7th-8th grade years, improving their mental health regardless of self-esteem levels. A sense of pride in one's ethnic group serves as a buffer against certain mental health problems, especially for boys.

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.

'Cross-talk' mechanism contributes to colorectal cancer

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health have identified a critical link between two signaling pathways that contribute to the development of colorectal tumors. The study reveals how CRD-BP binds to and increases GLI1 messenger RNA, leading to cancer-promoting gene activation.

When preschoolers ask questions, they want explanations

A new study explores why preschoolers ask so many 'why' questions, concluding that they're motivated by a desire for explanation. Children are more satisfied when receiving explanatory answers, which leads to further conversation and engagement.

Sponges recycle carbon to give life to coral reefs

A marine sponge species recycles carbon from dissolved organic material, sustaining the diverse ecosystems of coral reefs. This process involves rapid cell turnover and shedding, allowing other reef residents to consume the recycled cells, thereby supporting the reef's complex food web.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Study reveals why certain drug combinations backfire

Researchers found that antibiotic drugs can alter bacterial cell gene expression levels, leading to increased survival. The study suggests that antagonistic drug pairings can slow down the evolution of antibiotic resistance by restoring cellular equilibrium.

Goddard team develops new carriers for space station

The Goddard team designed and built five ExPRESS Logistics Carriers (ELCs) to deploy experiments in space without a separate satellite. The ELCs will also serve as parking fixtures for ISS hardware, streamlining future missions.

Paradoxical protein might prevent cancer

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a paradoxical protein that stimulates stem cell division but prevents cancer growth. The study suggests a potential new treatment using the drug imatinib to prevent colon cancer in high-risk patients.

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.