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Science News Archive November 2009


Page 2 of 24

Early intervention for toddlers with autism highly effective, study finds

A comprehensive new study has found that early intervention programs for very young children with autism are effective in improving IQ, language ability, and social interaction. The Early Start Denver Model, a novel approach combining ABA teaching methods with relationship-based approaches, was tested on 48 diverse toddlers with autism.

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.

Biology of emergent Salmonella exposed

Researchers have characterised a new multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella Typhimurium causing life-threatening disease in Africa. The new strain, ST313, is resistant to several antibiotics and may spread from person to person, predominantly affecting individuals with weakened immune systems.

Seeing family for the holidays? Scientists discover how the stress might kill you

Researchers found that the nervous system controls regulatory T cells, which help end an immune response, and that breaking this link can lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus and arthritis. The study shows that stress from everyday events like seeing family around the holidays can negatively affect the immune system.

Study: Believers' inferences about God's beliefs are uniquely egocentric

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that religious individuals tend to rely on their own beliefs when inferring what God might believe, but are less constrained when reasoning about others' beliefs. This suggests a unique egocentric bias in believers' thinking about God's views.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Spinons -- confined like quarks

Scientists have observed a phenomenon known as confinement of spinons in a condensed matter system, where individual particles behave like quarks. The researchers used neutron scattering experiments to study the crystal and magnetic structure, finding evidence for the confinement idea.

Caltech scientists explain puzzling lake asymmetry on Titan

Researchers suggest that the planet's oblong orbit exposes different areas of Titan to varying amounts of sunlight, affecting precipitation and evaporation cycles. This leads to an uneven distribution of lakes in the northern and southern polar regions.

New study finds men and women may respond differently to danger

A recent study using fMRI found that men tend to process emotional stimuli in terms of required action, while women focus on the feelings engendered by these stimuli. Women showed stronger activation in the left thalamus when viewing negative images, indicating a stronger neural circuit for identification of emotional stimuli.

Scientists get up close to bacteria's toxic pumps

Researchers are gaining insights into how Gram-negative bacteria infect host cells and spread antibiotic resistance. The crystal structure of the outer membrane part of type IV secretion systems has been revealed, offering potential targets for novel antibiotics.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Deciding to have a baby is an easier step for public sector workers

A study by Dr. Tiziana Nazio found that public sector workers are more likely to have children due to the relative security of employment, flexible hours, and career progression linked to seniority. In contrast, men's careers do not directly influence their decision to have children, but rather the pattern of women's careers and househ...

Study shows new brain connections form rapidly during motor learning

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, found that new brain connections form quickly within one hour of training, leading to long-lasting memories. The study used mice with genetically altered fluorescent proteins to visualize changes in individual brain cells.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Diabetes cases to double and costs to triple by 2034

The number of Americans living with diabetes will nearly double from 23.7 million in 2009 to 44.1 million in 2034, and spending on diabetes will almost triple, rising from $113 billion to $336 billion. This growth is expected to add a significant strain to the healthcare system.

Wide heads give hammerheads exceptional stereo view

Researchers discovered that hammerhead sharks have an exceptional stereo view and depth perception due to their unique head shape. The study found that the scalloped hammerhead had a massive binocular overlap of 32 degrees, while the bonnethead shark had a respectable 13-degree overlap.

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.

Artificial refuges created to save the reptiles of Doñana

Researchers in Spain found that artificial refuges significantly improved reptile populations and diversity in Doñana National Park. The study suggests that landscape rehabilitation programs should prioritize the availability of refuges for wildlife.

Marine ecosystems get a climate form guide

The report highlights concerns such as ocean warming, acidification, changes in current strengths, productivity, and species distribution. It offers adaptation responses to inform policymakers, scientists, and the community.

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.

NASA's Fermi telescope peers deep into a microquasar

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected high-energy gamma-rays from the enigmatic binary system Cygnus X-3, a genuine microquasar. The system's unique properties and strong emission across various wavelengths offer new insights into how high-energy particles are accelerated and move through jets.

School closure could reduce swine flu transmission by 21 percent

A survey of eight European countries found that school closures significantly reduce illness transmission, with a 10% decrease in contacts. Closing schools may have a greater impact on disease transmission during a pandemic, potentially reducing transmission by up to 21%.

Ecologists sound out new solution for monitoring cryptic species

Researchers have created a method using microphone arrays to estimate bird population density from recorded sounds, which may also be applied to tracking whales and dolphins. This innovative approach eliminates the need for observers to count birds, providing a more accurate index of abundance.

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.

Knockouts in human cells point to pathogenic targets

Researchers developed a genetic screen for human cells to pinpoint specific genes and proteins used by pathogens. The study identified new genes essential for host-pathogen interactions, including those involved in diphtheria and E. coli infections.

Building real security with virtual worlds

Computer science researchers at University of Maryland create virtual worlds using advanced modeling and prediction techniques to analyze military and policy actions. These virtual worlds allow defense analysts to predict the most likely outcomes of different courses of action, enabling them to make informed decisions.

Tactile input affects what we hear: UBC study

A University of British Columbia study found that air puffs directed at the skin can bias perception of spoken syllables, causing mishearing. The researchers suggest that tactile information plays a significant role in speech perception, similar to how our brain processes visual cues.

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.

Nanowires key to future transistors, electronics

Scientists at IBM and Purdue University have successfully created ultrasmall transistors using semiconducting nanowires with sharply defined layers of silicon and germanium. This breakthrough could lead to faster computing and more powerful computer chips.

RNA on the move

Scientists at EMBL have visualized the molecular mechanism responsible for oskar mRNA transport in Drosophila. By combining immunofluorescence with electron microscopy imaging, they defined a hierarchy of RNA particle assembly. This breakthrough sheds light on development and neuronal function, including synaptic plasticity and learnin...

Plasma produces KO cocktail for MRSA

Researchers have developed two prototype devices to combat drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA. One device can disinfect human skin safely and quickly, while another can target infested chronic wounds for quicker healing.

Hyperactivity associated with shorter nights for young boys

A large-scale study of over 2,000 children found that hyperactive boys who got less sleep were more likely to have adverse family conditions and shorter sleep duration. In contrast, children who slept persistently for at least 11 hours had lower hyperactivity scores.

Ecological speciation by sexual selection on good genes

A mathematical model demonstrates that disruptive ecological selection can trigger positive feedback between mate choice and ecological diversification, ultimately eliminating gene flow between species. This process can lead to the evolution of specialized ecotypes without divergent mating preferences, a departure from previous studies...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Peat fires drive temperatures up

The study found that peatland fires in Indonesia released up to 900 million metric tons of CO2 in 2006, equivalent to 16% of deforestation worldwide emissions. Peatlands store enormous amounts of organic carbon, and human activities like drainage and deforestation make them vulnerable to fire.

Physician-scientist proves stem cells heal lungs of newborn animals

A team of scientists led by Dr. Bernard Thébaud has demonstrated that stem cells protect and repair the lungs of newborn rats, boosting the power of healthy lung cells and preventing further damage. This research offers real hope for a new treatment for babies with chronic lung disease.

When roots lose contact

Researchers found air gaps in roots that formed during dry periods, which partially refilled after irrigation. However, older parts of the taproot showed limited re-establishment of contact, raising concerns about severe drought's impact on plant nutrition.

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.

Research sheds light on workings of anti-cancer drug

Scientists have discovered the molecular mechanism of action of tetrathiomolybdate, a copper-sequestering drug effective in treating Wilson disease and certain cancers. The study reveals that the drug inhibits copper traffic within cells by sequestering copper chaperones and their cargo in clusters.

Some patients diagnosed with HIV experience improved outlook on life

A new study finds that approximately 31% of patients with HIV report an improved quality of life after diagnosis. The main factors associated with this improvement are optimism and spirituality, while lower levels of these traits can lead to a perceived decline in quality of life.

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.

Medical students regularly stuck by needles, often fail to report injuries

A recent study published in Academic Medicine found that medical students are commonly stuck by needles and often fail to report the injuries. The survey also showed that many medical students were reluctant to report their own safety concerns due to fears about clinical evaluations or time involved in making a report.

Copenhagen is a beginning, not the end

The Copenhagen Climate Change meeting is a critical beginning, not an end, according to Lancet Editor Dr Richard Horton. He emphasizes the need for concerted high-level political negotiations to address climate change.

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.

Researchers discover biological basis of 'bacterial immune system'

A team of scientists has discovered how bacteria defend themselves from viruses and other invaders, unlocking opportunities for targeted antibiotics, gene function studies, and stable bacterial cultures. The CRISPR-Cas system, a dynamic duo of RNA and proteins, recognizes and neutralizes invader RNAs.

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.

NIH teams with Lancet to address public health impacts of climate change

The NIH has partnered with The Lancet to address the public health impacts of climate change through four case studies on household energy, transportation, electricity generation, and agricultural food production. These studies demonstrate that cost savings from improving health can offset the cost of addressing climate change.