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Science News Archive October 2009 - Page 25


Page 25 of 27

Brazilians judge facial beauty differently than North Americans

A study of health professionals and citizens in Brazil found that the low position of the nasal root is considered most beautiful, followed by regular positioning. The research highlights the importance of understanding regional beauty standards for facial plastic surgery.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 4, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Addition of whole-brain radiation therapy to standard radiosurgery results in worse learning and memory function for patients with brain tumors

Patients with brain tumors treated with WBRT plus SRS experience significant decline in learning and memory function compared to those receiving SRS alone. The study concludes that SRS alone combined with close clinical monitoring is the preferred treatment strategy for patients newly diagnosed with one to three brain metastases.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateOct 4, 2009

Minimally invasive procedure effective for treating snoring

Researchers found radiofrequency ablation to be effective in reducing primary snoring symptoms, with a significant improvement after two treatment sessions. The procedure showed low postoperative complication rates and high patient satisfaction rates, offering a minimally invasive option for treating snoring.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 4, 2009

Understanding a cell's split personality aids synthetic circuits

Researchers at Duke University discovered that some bacteria exhibit bistability, allowing individual cells to respond differently to external commands. This phenomenon enhances the efficiency of synthetic circuits, which could produce proteins, chemicals, or deliver targeted drugs.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateOct 4, 2009
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.

Many patients with sleep apnea also suffer from GI tract conditions

Research reveals that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients often have additional gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions. A study of 42 adult OSA patients found pathological GI findings in 83.3% of cases, with hiatus hernia being the most common condition.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 4, 2009

Team finds a better way to watch bacteria swim

Scientists have created a new approach to studying bacterial swimming, using optical traps, microfluidic chambers and fluorescence to track Escherichia coli movement. The method allows researchers to trap bacteria and modify their environment without hindering movement, providing insights into the mechanics of bacterial swimming.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 4, 2009

Photodynamic therapy effective for certain head and neck cancers

A study presented at the AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting found that photodynamic therapy is effective in treating certain types of head and neck cancers. The treatment, which combines medications with a specific light therapy, can achieve organ preservation and cancer cure for superficially spread but not deeply infiltrated cancers.

SourceAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateOct 4, 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.

Graphite mimics iron's magnetism

Researchers found that graphite exhibits permanent magnetic behavior due to interlayer coupling of grain boundary regions, forming 2D networks. This discovery opens up new possibilities for spintronics and biosensor applications in carbon-based materials.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 4, 2009

Global death toll: 1 million premature babies every year

The new White Paper reveals an estimated 13 million babies worldwide were born preterm in 2005, with one million deaths attributed to preterm birth. Premature births face serious lifelong health risks and contribute significantly to global healthcare costs.

SourceMarch of Dimes Foundation·DateOct 4, 2009

UNC study pinpoints gene controlling number of brain cells

A UNC study found that the GSK-3 gene plays a crucial role in regulating the balance between neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Deleting this gene led to an overabundance of proliferating stem cells, resulting in fewer mature neurons. This discovery has implications for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 4, 2009

Study: The new buzz on detecting tinnitus

A new study uses magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect the site of perception of tinnitus in the brain, allowing physicians to target specific areas with treatments. The imaging technique reveals activity in both hemispheres of the brain for patients with bilateral tinnitus, providing hope for future interventional strategies.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateOct 3, 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.

The state of America's leadership

A new comprehensive survey of White House Fellows, a group of over 600 prominent leaders, reveals significant differences between America's leadership cohort and the general public. The study found greater confidence in institutions like the Supreme Court and scientific community, but less confidence in education and organized labor.

SourceRice University·DateOct 2, 2009

Where's the science? The sorry state of psychotherapy

A new report calls for reform of clinical psychology training programs and accreditation system to ensure mental health clinicians use evidence-based treatments. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for PTSD with fewer side effects, yet many psychologists do not use it.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateOct 2, 2009

Super Typhoon Melor crossing Guam this weekend

NASA's AIRS instrument captured icy clouds of Super Typhoon Melor, revealing powerful thunderstorms and wind speeds reaching 132mph. Residents are warned of damaging winds extending hundreds of miles from the storm's center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 2, 2009
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 finds racial segregation a strong factor in learning disparities

A study by Emory University sociologist Dennis Condron found that racial segregation in schools is a strong factor in learning disparities between black and white children. The study revealed that black students' reading and math skills fall behind those of their white peers due to school segregation.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 2, 2009

Researchers identify gene with possible link to infertility in mice

A Virginia Commonwealth University study identified a key gene regulating ovarian follicle development in mice, which may help understand human fertility issues. Female mice lacking the Smad-3 gene showed reduced ability to respond to FSH stimulation, leading to infertility.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateOct 2, 2009

NEDD9 protein supports growth of aggressive breast cancer

Researchers found that NEDD9 protein is required for aggressive breast cancer growth, and its absence limits the appearance of metastatic breast cancer. The study suggests that NEDD9 could serve as a biomarker for aggressive forms of breast cancer.

SourceFox Chase Cancer Center·JournalCancer Research·DateOct 2, 2009

Where religious belief and disbelief meet

Researchers found that devout Christians and nonbelievers use the same brain regions to judge the truth of religious and nonreligious propositions. The study also found increased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) when contrasting belief and disbelief, regardless of content.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 2, 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.

Women's soccer -- get fit while having fun

A two-year study of 100 untrained adult women reveals that playing soccer improves maximal oxygen uptake, muscle mass, and physical performance compared to running. The study also shows that soccer's fixed time and place make it easier for women to stick to their training than running.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports·DateOct 2, 2009

Physicists observe magnetism in gas for the first time

Researchers observed magnetic behavior in an atomic gas, cooled to near absolute zero, and found it became ferromagnetic when repulsive forces were increased. The discovery may change textbooks on magnetism, showing that a gas of fermions can exhibit magnetic properties without a crystalline structure.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateOct 2, 2009
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Aspirin misuse may have made 1918 flu pandemic worse

A new study suggests that high aspirin dosing levels during the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic may have contributed to increased mortality. Autopsy reports from 1918 support this theory, as they show signs consistent with aspirin toxicity and viral causes of death.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateOct 2, 2009

Case Western Reserve University discovers Merkel cell originates from skin, not the neural crest

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that Merkel cells, responsible for touch perception, originate from the skin, contradicting previous speculation. The study's results provide significant insights into the development and function of Merkel cells, which may hold implications for understanding Merkel cell carcinoma.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalDevelopmental Biology·DateOct 2, 2009

Teenagers and ACL: Tears common and additional surgery likely

A new study published in JBJS found that teenagers and young adults are more likely to need subsequent knee surgery after ACL reconstruction. The study analyzed over 70,000 patients and found that those under 20 years old had an 82% increased risk for additional ACL surgery.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateOct 2, 2009
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.

New findings show a quick rebound from marine mass extinction event

A team of researchers found that some microscopic marine organisms recovered within a century after the mass extinction, contradicting previous estimates of millions of years. This discovery suggests that the atmosphere cleared quickly, allowing ecosystems to recover from the impact's effects.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 2, 2009

University of Oklahoma organization awarded 3 grants worth $3 million

The University of Oklahoma Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms has been awarded three separate grants worth nearly $3 million to enhance severe weather prediction, improve wildfire management and predict tropical cyclones. The grants will focus on next-generation supercomputing, improved model resolution and advanced data assi...

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateOct 2, 2009

Princeton paleomagnetists put controversy to rest

Researchers used ancient volcanic rocks to determine Earth's magnetic field was structured like today's two-pole model, resolving a long-standing debate. This finding may lead to better understanding of historical continental movement and its impact on climate.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 2, 2009
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.

The amazing maze of maize evolution

Dr. Marina Dermastia and colleagues discovered similarities between maize and teosinte kernel development, overturning previous assumptions about domestication. The team found traits like programmed cell death, sugar flow control, and endoreduplication that are common to both crops, suggesting they evolved independently.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateOct 2, 2009

UMCES researchers launch freshwater marsh study

A three-year research study is examining how freshwater marsh ecosystems react to global environmental change. The study will focus on the formation of marshes and their sensitivity to changes in water levels, biodiversity, and sediment deposition, with results aimed at preventing unintended destruction and restoring degraded marshes.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·DateOct 2, 2009

University of Washington receives $25 million to create Northwest Genomics Center

The University of Washington has received $25 million to launch the Northwest Genomics Center, a new large-scale genomics center focused on medical sequencing. The center will explore genetic connections to heart, lung, and blood diseases, with a goal of understanding disease susceptibility and resistance.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·DateOct 2, 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.

Black rat does not bother Mediterranean seabirds

A recent study found that only one species of seabird, the European storm petrel, is severely impacted by cohabitation with invasive black rats on Mediterranean islands. The presence of rats has led to a 68% risk of extinction for procellariiforme seabirds.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalBiological Invasions·DateOct 2, 2009

Genetic conflict in fish led to evolution of new sex chromosomes

Researchers mapped the sex chromosomes of cichlid fish from Lake Malawi and identified a mechanism for evolving new sex chromosomes. A genetic conflict over color patterns led to the emergence of new sex determining functions, resulting in distinct sex chromosomes among related species.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateOct 1, 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.

A thermometer for the Earth

The Optical Soil Dipstick (OSD) measures soil health through a small hole in the surface of the earth, providing information on pollution, water needs and crop condition. The device could help solve the mystery of global warming's effects on farming and water resources.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateOct 1, 2009

The eScience revolution

The eScience revolution aims to hasten scientific discovery by providing a toolkit for scientists and educators to access and interpret vast amounts of data. Semantic Web technology enables computers to provide meaning to words, linking users to related information and facilitating collaboration between experts and non-experts.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateOct 1, 2009

New approach for the treatment of malignant brain tumors

A new approach to treating malignant brain tumors has been discovered, with chemotherapy alone proven to be just as effective as traditional radiation therapy. The study identified a key gene mutation called IDH1 that predicts a better prognosis for patients, regardless of treatment.

SourceHeidelberg University Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateOct 1, 2009

NIH grants $152 million in Institutional Development Awards

The National Institutes of Health is awarding up to $152 million over five years to fund Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) in nine IDeA-eligible states. These awards aim to expand research opportunities and increase the number of competitive investigators, promoting the developmen...

SourceNIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)·DateOct 1, 2009

Coal-mining hazard resembles explosive volcanic eruption, study shows

Coal outbursts in underground mines are among the major killers, but scientists have long been investigating their precise mechanism. New research suggests that coal outbursts occur through a process similar to explosive volcanic eruptions, driven by high gas pressure inside coal.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalGeology·DateOct 1, 2009
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.

Antidepressant and placebo are equally effective in child pain relief

A new study by the American Gastroenterological Association found that antidepressant amitriptyline is as effective as a placebo in treating child pain-predominant gastrointestinal disorders. The study involved 83 children and showed that both amitriptyline and placebo were associated with excellent therapeutic response.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateOct 1, 2009

Entomological Society of America names 2009 award winners

The Entomological Society of America has recognized outstanding achievements in entomology through its 2009 awards. Notably, Dr. Shripat T. Kamble received the Honorary Member award, while Dr. Timothy D. Paine was honored with the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology.

SourceEntomological Society of America·DateOct 1, 2009

£1 million award to address honeybee decline

A £1 million research project will investigate the decline of honeybees, exploring how disease and food supply affect bee survival in farmed landscapes. The team aims to build a predictive model to improve honeybee health and mitigate the impact on food security.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateOct 1, 2009
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.

Combination of PET/CT tests can expedite diagnosis of lung cancer in a fast-track setting

A combination of PET/CT tests expedited diagnosis of lung cancer in a fast-tracked setting, demonstrating high sensitivity and accuracy. Researchers evaluated 114 patients and made accurate diagnoses for 92%, with malignancy detected in 84%. This approach allows for timely treatment initiation without delays.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateOct 1, 2009

Smoking during pregnancy puts children at risk of psychotic symptoms

A recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry has linked maternal tobacco use to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms in children. The research, conducted on 6,356 adolescents, found that smoking during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of psychotic symptoms, particularly in those whose mothers smoked heavily.

SourceCardiff University·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 1, 2009

In amoeba world, cheating doesn't pay

In a study published in Nature, researchers found that cooperative amoebas can evolve genetic defenses against cheaters, preserving collective behavior. The Dictyostelium discoideum mutants discovered by the Rice-Baylor team demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist cheater cells and maintain altruistic traits.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateOct 1, 2009