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Science News Archive November 2009


Page 17 of 24

NASA's GOES Project offers real-time hurricane alley movies

The NASA GOES Project provides real-time satellite animations of the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, offering a panoramic view of hurricanes in HDTV wide-screen format. The animations display several weather regimes simultaneously, including easterly winds, daily thunderstorms, and prevailing westerly winds.

Elsevier sponsors 2009 Semantic Web Challenge

The 2009 Semantic Web Challenge recognized four outstanding applications that demonstrated practical applicability to real-world issues. The winners were awarded cash prizes sponsored by Elsevier, promoting the dissemination of knowledge from academia to society.

CSHL study shows that some malignant tumors can be shut down after all

A new study from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has found that certain types of aggressive tumors lacking p53 protein can be stopped in their tracks when TAp63, a sister protein, steps in. Researchers were able to shut off tumor growth by increasing TAp63 levels, which induced senescence and prevented cancer cell division.

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.

Well-traveled wasps provide hope for vanishing species

Scientists tracked the movement of pollen between African fig trees using genetic tests and field work. The research found that trees pollinated by similar insects can survive if isolated through deforestation due to their increased resistance to forest fragmentation.

NASA satellites see Ida spreading out before landfall

Tropical Storm Ida is expected to make its official landfall during the early morning hours on Tuesday, November 10. The storm has weakened, with cold thunderstorm cloud tops not as cold as they were when Ida was a hurricane.

Darwin meets Facebook

Natural historians can now share and manage their data using the Scratchpads platform, which serves over 1100 users across 100 sites. The system allows users to create virtual workbenches to study aspects of organisms, promoting biodiversity informatics approaches.

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.

Sniffing out memories

Researchers found that the first association between a smell and an experience leaves a lasting impression in the brain. After one week, they could predict which associations would be remembered based on brain activity alone.

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.

Improving university-community research partnerships

A study at Tufts University found that training local leaders in research practices, especially human subjects protections, improves university-community relationships. Community-based participatory research partnerships strengthened the ability of local organizations to seek additional funding and conduct independent research.

Yoga boosts heart health

A study published in International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics found that yoga practitioners exhibit higher heart rate variability compared to non-practitioners. This suggests a strengthening of parasympathetic control, indicative of better autonomic function and a healthier heart.

Computerized support keeps prominence of name brand drugs at bay

A study found that computerized alerts can reduce the prescription of heavily marketed sleep medications by 23.3% compared to generic equivalents. The alerts provided additional information on co-payments and patient education, leading to a change in clinician behavior.

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.

Study: Credit crisis, debt load a double whammy for investment

A University of Illinois study found that firms with heavy long-term debt that came due during the recent credit crisis slashed investment more than three times as much as companies whose paybacks dodged the meltdown. This can have a ripple effect on the overall economy, leading to reduced employment and profits in the future.

Amyloid beta protein gets bum rap

Researchers found that low doses of amyloid beta protein improved learning and memory in healthy mice, while blocking the protein caused learning impairment. The study suggests that the optimal amount of amyloid beta is crucial for maintaining cognitive function.

FDA-approved drugs eliminate, prevent cervical cancer in mice

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison used two FDA-approved drugs to eliminate and prevent cervical cancer in mice. The drugs, which block estrogen's ability to bind to cells, cleared precancerous growths and prevented cancer onset in mice with HPV-positive lesions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Teenage obesity linked to increased risk of MS

A study published in Neurology found that teenage women who are obese may be more than twice as likely to develop multiple sclerosis as adult women compared to female teens who are not obese. Weight during adolescence, rather than childhood or adulthood, is critical in determining the risk of MS.

Researchers complete draft genome sequence for cassava

A team of researchers completed the first draft of the cassava genome, which contains an estimated 95% of cassava genes. The availability of this sequence enables the development of a genome variation database to aid farmers in improving cassava resistance to CBSD.

New transparent insulating film could enable energy-efficient displays

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a new use for a chemical compound that can be transformed into a thin film insulator, blocking electricity flow but inducing large electric currents. The material, called solution-deposited beta-alumina, has important applications in transistor technology and e-book readers.

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.

Findings show nanomedicine promising for treating spinal cord injuries

Purdue researchers have discovered a new approach for repairing damaged nerve fibers in spinal cord injuries using copolymer micelles, which not only deliver drugs but also directly repair axons. The treatment boosts axon recovery from 18% to 60%, showing promising results for treating spinal cord injuries.

Scientists visualize how bacteria talk to one another

Researchers developed a tool to visualize bacterial communication, revealing that chemical signals function simultaneously in interspecies interactions. This approach may aid in understanding microbial interactions with human cells, leading to novel immune system modulators and anti-infectives.

Developmental delay could stem from nicotinic receptor deletion

Researchers found a gene deletion in chromosome 15 associated with significant learning and behavioral problems, including developmental delay, mental retardation, and epilepsy. The study suggests that the nicotinic receptor plays a crucial role in these conditions.

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.

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.

Air pollution increases infants' risk of bronchiolitis

A new study found that air pollution increases the risk of bronchiolitis in infants, with higher exposure levels associated with a significant increase in risk. The research analyzed data from nearly 12,000 infant diagnoses and found that traffic-derived air pollutants were linked to an increased risk of bronchiolitis.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

AIBS publishes Darwin articles open access

Two peer-reviewed articles by Kevin Padian and James T. Costa explore common inaccuracies and insights into Darwin's life and work, shedding light on creative scientific thinking and the origins of his theory

We spend more on products with detailed nutritional information

Researchers from Spain found that people are willing to pay more for breakfast biscuits with detailed nutritional labels compared to those with minimal information. The study analyzed 400 personal interviews and concluded that brand impact plays a significant role in influencing consumer choices.

Possible help in fight against muscle-wasting disease

Researchers at the University of Oregon and University of Rochester discovered a compound that reverses genetic defects in RNA leading to type 1 myotonic dystrophy. The compound, pentamidine, disrupts complexes formed by expanded repeats and protein molecules, allowing proper splicing errors to be rescued.

Nitrogen loss threatens desert plant life, study shows

A new Cornell study finds that rising temperatures cause nitrogen to escape from desert soils, leading to decreased plant life and soil fertility. The researchers warn that this could exacerbate air pollution and contribute to further desertification.

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.

A 'Blue Revolution': the key to future food security

The world will need a 'Blue Revolution' to address the massive pressure on its water resources due to population growth, changing diets, and climate change. Investments in water can reduce poverty and improve agricultural productivity by refurbishing irrigation systems and promoting rainfed agriculture.

New finding suggests prostate biopsy is not always necessary

Researchers found that parathyroid hormone can elevate PSA levels in healthy men, leading to unnecessary biopsies and treatment. The study aims to refine the prostate cancer screening test to better differentiate between those who need a biopsy and those who may be spared.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NHLBI stops enrollment in study on resuscitation methods for cardiac arrest

A large clinical trial testing two resuscitation strategies found both equally successful; no additional benefit from using an impedance threshold device during CPR. The study involved approximately 11,500 participants and stopped enrollment early based on preliminary data suggesting no significant improvement in survival rates.

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.

Local health investigation sheds light on gastroschisis birth defect

Researchers found a significant increase in gastroschisis births in Washoe County from April 2007 to April 2008, with case mothers more likely to report infections and recreational drug use before pregnancy. The cluster appears to have subsided, but further investigation is needed to understand the underlying causes.

'Dropouts' pinpoint earliest galaxies

Researchers used a custom-made filter to find 22 early galaxies and confirmed the age of one at 787 million years post-Big Bang. The findings suggest that reionization likely began during this era, with star-formation rates significantly lower than expected.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

UWM study explores why women leave engineering careers

A new UWM study investigates the factors influencing career decisions among women with engineering degrees, focusing on self-confidence, work-life balance, and workplace climate. The POWER survey aims to design effective policies for increasing women's retention in engineering careers.

Babies with an accent

Researchers found that French infants produce rising crying tones and German babies cry with falling intonation, suggesting early exposure to language-specific intonation patterns. This study suggests that the sense of hearing develops before other senses and influences a child's ability to learn their mother tongue.

Biologists, educators recognize excellence in evolution education

Professor Leonard C. Yannielli receives 2009 Evolution Education Award for his work promoting accurate understanding of biological evolution in the classroom and community. He has developed innovative instructional materials and organized discussions on evolution, working to educate colleagues across academic disciplines.

Psychiatric impact of torture could be amplified by head injury

A recent study found that head injuries can amplify the psychological impact of torture on survivors, with structural brain changes and more severe depression symptoms reported in those who experienced both. The research suggests that physical effects may help explain why standard therapies often don't work for torture survivors.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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