Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2009


Page 17 of 27

Researchers to model the life cycles of successful virtual teams

A team from Florida State University is studying patterns of collaboration in diverse, virtual teams using the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory as a case study. The goal is to create a model for efficient, interdisciplinary virtual teams that can turn short-term collaborations into long-term partnerships.

Micropatterned material surface controls cell orientation

Researchers controlled cell orientation on a micropatterned surface based on a delicate material technique. The study used photolithography to generate a surface with cell-adhesive stripes in an adhesion-resistant background, allowing for semi-quantitative description of cell orientation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tropical Storm Nepartak becoming extra-tropical at sea

Tropical Storm Nepartak is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm, developing frontal qualities in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The storm's circulation will soon fade as it continues to speed northeast, with dry air in the mid-levels of the atmosphere contributing to its transformation.

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.

How to win by concession and avoid unproductive conflict

A new study published in Economic Inquiry explores how potential losers can use small concessions to successfully appease expected winners, but only under specific conditions. The researchers found that appeasement can be a good plan when choice is possible, and trade should be chosen over conflict.

Nitrogen mysteries in urban grasslands

Researchers in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study found that urban grasslands retain a significant amount of nitrogen, with losses typically less than 40% of applied fertilizer. This surprising result suggests that these ecosystems have considerable capacity for nutrient retention, contrary to concerns about environmental impacts.

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.

Conservation targets too small to stop extinction

A recent study has shown that conservation targets are often too small to prevent extinction due to global climate change and habitat loss. Populations of endangered species require at least 5000 mature individuals to persist, highlighting the need for more effective conservation management.

Bosses who feel inadequate are more likely to bully

New research from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Southern California found a direct link between supervisors' self-perceived incompetence and aggression. The study challenges previous assumptions that abusive bosses are solely driven by ambition.

Penn State to collaborate with Cyprus on research project

Researchers will catalog digitized images and artifacts, building tools for online searches of ancient Cyprian artifacts. The project aims to preserve artistic and cultural heritage in Cyprus, with potential benefits for other ancient cultures.

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.

UNC awarded $6.2 million renewal grant by NIH Rare Diseases Research Network

The University of North Carolina has secured a five-year, $6.2 million renewal grant to continue its work in the National Institutes of Health's Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. This funding will enable the discovery of rare disease-causing gene mutations and define early adverse clinical events in infant and childhood studies.

Can social networking help consumers get healthier?

Researchers found that online communities facilitate learning by transforming individual experiences into usable knowledge, enabling individuals to become empowered patients who make informed decisions about their health. However, the value of these communities depends on how individuals choose to act on the information they receive.

Like humans, monkeys fall into the 'uncanny valley'

Researchers found that macaque monkeys react with revulsion when viewing nearly human-like images, supporting theories of an evolutionary basis for the uncanny valley. The study indicates that the brain mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are likely biological adaptations.

Emission capture study funded for paper industry

A feasibility study on new carbon capture and storage technology has been funded for the $140 billion pulp, paper and paperboard industry. The study aims to assess the potential for safely storing CO2 in deep underground basalt formations.

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.

Study examines mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery rates

A study found that breast-conserving surgery was offered to the majority of patients, with surgeons' recommendations and patient preferences playing key roles. The study suggests that increased patient involvement in breast surgery decisions is associated with greater probability of mastectomy.

Milestone discovery in cell behaviors

A team of international molecular scientists has discovered a fast mechanism by which cells communicate changes, such as location during cancer spread, to adjacent cells. This discovery sheds light on cell behavior and could lead to the development of new drugs for diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease.

Mezey to receive GSA's 2009 Doris Schwartz Award

Mathy Mezey, a renowned gerontological nurse researcher, received the 2009 Doris Schwartz Gerontological Nursing Research Award from the Gerontological Society of America. She is recognized for her sustained efforts in developing geriatric competencies and educational tools.

Pitt researchers find candidates for new HIV drugs

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered compounds that interact with Nef protein, which plays an essential role in AIDS progression. These compounds also inhibit HIV replication and may slow disease progression.

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.

HSPH professors elected to Institute of Medicine

Sue Goldie and Ichiro Kawachi, two Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty members, have been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Their work focuses on developing models that link disease biology to population outcomes, with a focus on women's health and social determinants of health.

Cell death occurs in the same way in plants, animals and humans

An international research team has discovered a common genetic program for programmed cell death in plants and animals, which is evolutionarily related and functions similarly. This finding highlights the importance of comparative studies across different species to understand fundamental cellular mechanisms.

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.

Rip currents pose greater risk to swimmers than to shoreline

Researchers at Stony Brook University found that rip currents at East Hampton Village Beach lasted on average a little over one minute, posing a risk to swimmers. The study's findings suggest that seismometers can be used to measure wave patterns that may lead to rip currents.

Microchips result in higher rate of return of shelter animals to owners

A recent study by Ohio State University found that microchipped animals were reunited with their owners in almost three out of four cases. The return-to-owner rate for cats was 20 times higher and for dogs 2 1/2 times higher than for all stray cats and dogs, highlighting the effectiveness of microchip technology in pet reunification.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Nanotech protection

Canadian engineers warn that current safety equipment may not be sufficient to protect workers from nanoprotection risks. The growing field of nanotechnology manufacture poses unknown hazards, and urgent research is needed to develop appropriate protective measures.

AGU journal highlights -- Oct. 13, 2009

Research papers published in Geophysical Research Letters highlight a surge in Arctic ozone-destroying gas levels and the discovery of lunar subsurface features. Climate models are also being revised to account for ozone variations, improving our understanding of atmospheric interactions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Herbivory discovered in a spider

A newly discovered spider species, Bagheera kiplingi, has been found to feed predominantly on plant food, defying the traditional predator-prey paradigm. The research revealed that this Central American jumping spider exploits a co-evolutionary mutualism between ants and acacia shrubs, allowing it to thrive in a unique ecological niche.

Intensive care procedure saves lives: Swine flu study

A new report shows that doctors in Australia and New Zealand used ECMO to treat critically ill patients with H1N1, saving 54 out of 68 patients' lives. The study found that prolonged life support treatment was effective in severe cases, and survival rates were high despite the severity of symptoms.

Inhibiting the cellular process autophagy makes mice leaner

A new study reveals that inhibiting autophagy in mice leads to an increase in brown fat cells and a reduction in body mass. The researchers conclude that autophagy has a crucial role in regulating the formation of distinct fat cell types, providing a potential avenue for treating obesity.

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.

Researchers identify workings of L-form bacteria

A study published in PLoS ONE identifies the genetic mechanisms behind L-form bacteria formation and survival. Researchers found that three groups of mutants with varying degrees of defect in L-form growth were linked to pathways related to cell envelope stress, DNA repair, iron regulation, and outer membrane biogenesis.

The first neotropical rainforest was home of the Titanoboa

The discovery of Titanoboa, the largest snake to have ever existed, reveals that Neotropical rainforests flourished during warm periods, with temperatures up to 3-5°C warmer than today. The fossil rainforest's plant diversity was lower than expected, suggesting it may have been recovering from mass extinctions.

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.

Supervised strength training is more effective

A new study from the University of Gothenburg found that supervised strength training improves athletic performance by 50% compared to unsupervised exercises. The research also showed a significant reduction in injuries among athletes receiving personalized, supervised training programs.

Important defense against stomach ulcer bacterium identified

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified a protein called MUC1 as an important part of the body's defense against Helicobacter pylori. Genetic variations in MUC1 molecules may contribute to why some people are more ill than others with stomach ulcers and stomach cancer.

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.

New old drug fights colon cancer

A Tel Aviv University drug based on an older generation antibiotic shows promise in treating colon cancer by suppressing polyp growth and repairing genes. Preclinical studies have shown a 80% reduction in polyp size and a 30% increase in mouse lifespan.

No such thing as 'junk RNA,' say Pitt researchers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered tiny strands of RNA, previously considered 'junk,' that are actually very stable molecules with potential roles in cellular processes. The findings could lead to new types of biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as new therapeutic targets.