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Science News for October 30, 2009


Typhoon Mirinae already raining on the Philippines

Heavy rainfall is already affecting sections of central and northern Philippines due to Typhoon Mirinae's approach. The storm's strong convection and thunderstorms bring moderate to heavy rainfall over eastern sections.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 30, 2009

MedImmune to present 4 abstracts on RSV and influenza at 47TH Annual IDSA Meeting

MedImmune to present four abstracts on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza prevention at the 47th Annual IDSA Meeting. The studies highlight innovative healthcare solutions for respiratory infections in children. Abstracts focus on prophylaxis, postmarketing evaluation, whole genome transcriptional analysis, and antibiotic use

SourceEdelman Public Relations, New York·DateOct 30, 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.

For gay and straight men, facial attraction operates similarly

A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior found that gay men are most attracted to the most masculine-faced men, while straight men prefer the most feminine-faced women. This suggests that regardless of sexual orientation, men's brains are wired for attraction to sexually dimorphic faces.

SourceHarvard University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateOct 30, 2009

Say yes to a clinical trial; it may be good for your health

A study of 2332 patients with chronic heart failure found that participation in clinical trials was associated with improved survival rates. The study suggests that being prepared to take part in a trial may be a marker for better compliance and acceptance of treatment.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure·DateOct 30, 2009

New dinosaur species from Montana

A new species of ankylosaur, Tatankacephalus cooneyorum, has been discovered in central Montana, providing insights into the evolution of armored dinosaurs. The fossil features a protective armor and horn-like plates, showcasing the complexity of these prehistoric creatures.

SourceBuffalo Museum of Science·JournalCanadian Journal of Earth Sciences·DateOct 30, 2009

Contracts foster trust, but flexibility is needed, research says

Research published in MIS Quarterly found that detailed Service Level Agreements can increase trust and commitment between clients and vendors. The study suggests that overly specific clauses can actually reduce trust, emphasizing the need for flexible negotiation processes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalMIS Quarterly·DateOct 30, 2009
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.

This is your brain on fatty acids

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that palmitate marks NMDA receptors for activation, strengthening long-term memory circuits. This reversible process offers possibilities for manipulating memory, potentially enhancing or erasing it.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateOct 30, 2009

Inconspicuous leaf beetles reveal environment's role in formation of new species

Graduate student Scott Egan and his adviser Daniel Funk found that maple and willow leaf beetles diverging into two new species due to ecological habits promoting speciation. The study shows hybrids' lower fitness reduces genetic exchange opportunities between beetle types, pushing groups toward distinct species.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 2009

1 disease, not 1 demographic

A recent study by Grace X. Ma found that cancer screening rates differ greatly across Asian subgroups in the US, with some groups facing significant barriers to care due to language and cultural differences. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address these disparities.

SourceTemple University·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Behavior·DateOct 30, 2009

New analyses of dinosaur growth may wipe out 1/3 of species

A new study reveals that two recently named dinosaurs may actually be juvenile or subadults of already known taxa, wiping out a third of named species. The research analyzed three dome-headed dinosaurs and found that their bizarre head ornaments changed dramatically with age and sexual maturity.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 30, 2009

Lessons from oil industry may help address groundwater crisis

A new analysis by Oregon State University researchers highlights the scope of the US groundwater crisis, which threatens drinking water for half the world's population. Experts say lessons from the oil industry could help manage this crisis through techniques like unitization and maximizing water value.

SourceOregon State University·DateOct 30, 2009
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Heavy metals accumulate more in some mushrooms than in others

Researchers found significant differences in heavy metal accumulation depending on mushroom species, with Chanterelles having high levels of lead and neodymium. The study suggests that the type of substrate plays a crucial role in metal accumulation, highlighting the need for further research into edible mushrooms

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalBioMetals·DateOct 30, 2009

Jumping on the bandwagon

The US Department of Homeland Security's new multi-band radio technology aims to improve communication among first responders during emergencies. The radios can work on five frequency bands currently used by state and local first responders, as well as four exclusive federal government bands.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateOct 30, 2009

Media availability: The role of biomedical research in malaria eradication

Malaria eradication remains an elusive goal despite progress in controlling the disease, requiring multiple activities, interventions, and approaches. Scientists must adapt their strategies to address changing parasite behavior and distribution, developing new tools and interventions to keep ahead of emerging challenges.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateOct 30, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

November 2009 Geology and GSA Today highlights

This November 2009 GSA Today article features research on microbial mats as evidence for early life, sag pond deposits that reveal seismic activity, and the formation of ooids in ancient sediments. Hillslope weathering patterns are also explored in relation to climate change.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateOct 30, 2009

HyBIS explores the Casablanca seamount

The Casablanca Seamount dive revealed a geologically interesting terrain with vertical descents and massive lava flows. The area hosted various marine life, including sponges, corals, lobsters, and fish species.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·DateOct 30, 2009

Harvesting energy from nature's motions

Researchers at Duke University created a non-linear device that can convert a range of vibrations into electricity, improving efficiency over traditional linear devices. This technology has the potential to power small electronic devices, such as pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators, and even sensors in ocean buoys and spacecraft.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 30, 2009
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Progress made on Group B streptococcus vaccine

A Phase II clinical study found that a vaccine candidate can cause a modest but sustained reduction in genital and gastrointestinal GBS bacterial colonization. The vaccine was also found to be safe and well-tolerated, eliciting a strong immune response.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateOct 30, 2009

UAB earns $2.1 million grant to boost math teacher readiness

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has received a $2.1 million National Science Foundation grant to provide professional development programs for middle-school math teachers and research their impact. The program aims to improve teacher performance, energize classrooms, and get students excited about math.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·DateOct 30, 2009

Drug shows promise in treating dangerous complication of erectile disorder

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have discovered a potential treatment for priapism, a condition characterized by persistent and painful penile erections. The FDA-approved drug PEG-ADA has been shown to relieve symptoms and prevent a major complication in pre-clinical studies.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateOct 30, 2009

AIP awards Industrial Physics Prize

Robert Street has been recognized by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) with a $10,000 Prize for Industrial Applications of Physics. He developed flat-panel digital X-ray detectors, which have replaced traditional film X-ray machines in many medical applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateOct 30, 2009

Health information not communicated well to minority populations, MU researcher finds

Research at the University of Missouri found that individuals with disabilities and limited English proficiency experience significantly lower health literacy rates than the general population. Effective communication strategies, such as training medical students and using telehealth communications, can help address these disparities.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalDisability and Health Journal·DateOct 30, 2009
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Donor race may impact kidney transplant survival

A recent study published in the American Society of Nephrology's Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition found that kidney transplant survival rates vary by donor race, with non-black recipients experiencing lower survival rates when transplanted with black donors.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateOct 30, 2009

Angry faces: Research suggests link between facial structure and aggression

A recent study found that a person's facial width-to-height ratio can be used to predict their tendency towards aggression. Volunteers rated the aggressiveness of male faces and found high correlation between the rating and the face's WHR, suggesting that subtle differences in face shape may affect personality judgments.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 30, 2009

Sight gone, but not necessarily lost?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found that cells in the retina can remain alive for many months and recover some or all normal function even without a proper blood supply. The study suggests that restoring blood supply to deprived regions of the retina may restore visual function.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell·DateOct 30, 2009
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Asia's biggest 'tiger' unviels promise for wild tigers

China's new initiatives aim to replace 'paper tigers' with real conservation efforts, including improved policing of tiger trade and awareness-raising campaigns. The International Tiger Coalition welcomes China's engagement and recognizes the country's crucial role in wild tiger conservation.

SourceWorld Wildlife Fund·DateOct 30, 2009

Breakthrough in fight against Hendra virus

A breakthrough in the fight against Hendra virus has been achieved with the development of a treatment that shows great potential to save lives. The treatment, administered after exposure to Nipah virus, protected animals from disease in a model.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 30, 2009

'Technology' plays large role in wealth inheritance

Researchers analyzed data from 43 estimates of family wealth inheritance to find that technologies producing a society's livelihood are key factors in financial inequality. In contrast, hunter-gatherer societies exhibit lower levels of economic inequality due to the transferability of wits and social connections.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2009
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.

Unlocking mysteries of the brain with PET

Researchers used PET scans to identify neuroinflammation in the brains of schizophrenics and migraine sufferers, shedding light on the underlying causes of these conditions. The findings have the potential to transform diagnosis and treatment options, particularly for schizophrenia.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateOct 30, 2009

'Mindful' teaching combats classroom burn-out

A book by Dennis Shirley and Elizabeth MacDonald offers a new approach to supporting teachers, drawing on small group discussions, journal writing, and meditation. The authors argue that mindfulness can help teachers lead themselves and their students to a more satisfactory classroom experience.

SourceBoston College·DateOct 30, 2009

Short heels make elite sprinters super speedy

Research by Stephen Piazza and Sabrina Lee found that elite sprinters' Achilles tendons translate 25% less than non-sprinters. Despite this mechanical disadvantage, sprinters still possess a powerful push-off due to slow-contracting muscles producing greater forces.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 30, 2009

Iranian scholars share Avicenna's medieval medical wisdom

The Canon of Medicine, written by the Persian scholar Avicenna, contains detailed information on respiratory diseases remarkably similar to those used today. The article highlights Avicenna's work on respiratory diseases and conditions, including herbal and non-herbal treatments, which are still valid with modern science.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease·DateOct 30, 2009
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.

Immunotherapy demonstrates long-term success in treating lymphoma

A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of immunotherapy using specialized white blood cells to prevent or treat EBV-lymphoma in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The therapy achieved sustained complete remission in 85% of treated patients and long-term protection for up to nine years.

SourceAmerican Society of Hematology·JournalBlood·DateOct 30, 2009

SMU Geothermal Lab awarded $5.25 million DOE grant

The SMU Geothermal Lab has been awarded a $5.25 million grant by the US Department of Energy to provide data for the National Geothermal Database. The project aims to expand geothermal production in the US, providing critical information on Enhanced Geothermal Systems and oil & gas resources.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·DateOct 30, 2009

Researchers develop innovative imaging system to study sudden cardiac arrest

A new optical system can simultaneously image electrical activity and metabolic properties in the heart, providing a platform for testing new treatments for arrhythmias. The system could lead to a better understanding of the relationship between metabolic disorders and heart rhythm disturbances.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateOct 30, 2009
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.