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Science News for September 2, 2009


Methane gas likely spewing into the oceans through vents in sea floor

Scientists believe methane trapped under ocean may be escaping faster than previously thought through sea floor vents. The release could have significant implications for understanding the Earth's carbon cycle and global warming.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering·DateSep 2, 2009

A unique gateway to timely legal and financial information

The LEX-INFO portal provides access to up-to-the-minute data on legal, taxation, and financial topics. It features a timeline-based organization system, allowing users to quickly access the most current information and connect with relevant case law and expert advice.

SourceEUREKA·DateSep 2, 2009

Narrow-band imaging increases specificity of early lung cancer detection

Research published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that narrow-band imaging bronchoscopy increases lung cancer detection specificity and can serve as an alternative method. The study confirms its efficiency by comparing it with white light and auto-fluorescence imaging.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateSep 2, 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.

Greenlighting a greener world

Professor Christian Wetzel is working to develop efficient green LEDs to bridge the gap in color technology. His goal is to produce true white LEDs and enable widespread adoption of energy-efficient lighting solutions.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateSep 2, 2009

New study shows those blinded by brain injury may still 'see'

Researchers found that a patient blinded on one side of his brain could still avoid obstacles in his non-damaged visual field, suggesting ancient visual pathways bypass the main visual areas. These primitive pathways work in real-time and do not access memories, with important implications for rehabilitation.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2009

Research recommends compromise when choosing conservation site

University of Illinois researchers found that prioritizing sites closer to people can increase financial support for conservation. The study suggests compromising on ecological value for locations near human populations can improve outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateSep 2, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists from Bonn cool gas by laser bombardment

Researchers at the University of Bonn have demonstrated a method for cooling gas using laser bombardment, which works under pressure. The technique allows for rapid refrigeration capacities, enabling the creation of new states of matter and potentially leading to the development of mini fridges.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2009

Deaths from unintentional injuries increase for many groups

A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found a significant increase in deaths from unintentional injuries, particularly among middle-aged white women and men. The death rate from falls increased by 38% for white men and 48% for white women 65 and older.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 2, 2009

UC San Diego to develop ocean observing cyberinfrastructure

The University of California, San Diego will receive $32 million to develop the Ocean Observatories Initiative's cyberinfrastructure. The system will enable near-real-time access to ocean data, transforming ocean science research and education.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateSep 2, 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.

Hedgehog trial results suggest antitumor activity in basal cell skin cancer

A Phase I clinical trial tested GDC-0449, a Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor, and demonstrated tumor shrinkage and limited side effects in patients with locally-advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma. The study's results suggest a durable clinical benefit, offering hope for patients with advanced skin cancer.

SourceScottsdale Healthcare·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 2, 2009

Humans causing erosion comparable to world's largest rivers and glaciers

A new study published in Nature Geoscience finds that human activities such as large-scale farming can cause erosion at rates comparable to the world's largest rivers and glaciers. This is contrary to previous scholarship, which suggested that glaciers were more erosive than rivers.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 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.

Secrets of the 4 chambers revealed by reptile hearts

Scientists have identified a genetic link in reptile hearts that sheds light on the evolution of the four-chambered heart. The study reveals that the transcription factor Tbx5 plays a crucial role in forming the heart, with warm-blooded embryos showing clear restriction to the left side of the ventricle.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2009

Avastin dramatically improves response, survival in deadly recurrrent glioblastomas

A Phase II study shows Avastin significantly increases response rates, progression-free survival times and survival rates in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. The treatment was found to be effective both alone and in combination with chemotherapy, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 2, 2009

Diesel exhaust is linked to cancer development via new blood vessel growth

Researchers at Ohio State University found that diesel exhaust exposure induces the growth of new blood vessels in mice, suggesting a link between diesel fume exposure and cancer. The study's results show that even normal tissue can develop tumors after short-term exposure to diesel exhaust.

SourceOhio State University·JournalToxicology Letters·DateSep 2, 2009

YouTube videos yield clues to brain injury symptom

Researchers at the University of Kentucky have identified a visible response to head trauma called the 'fencing response,' which can indicate damage to brainstem regions. This finding has immediate value for coaches and trainers, as it provides an objective cue to assess whether an athlete should return to play after a blow to the head.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise·DateSep 2, 2009
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.

Vitamin C deficiency impairs early brain development

Research at University of Copenhagen suggests that vitamin C deficiency in pregnant and breast-feeding women may lead to impaired mental development in new-born babies. Guinea pigs subjected to moderate vitamin C deficiency have reduced hippocampal neurons and spatial memory impairments.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateSep 2, 2009

Boron-based compounds trick a biomedical protein

Researchers at the University of Oregon have successfully demonstrated that specially synthesized boron compounds can be accepted by biologically active enzymes. This breakthrough could lead to new drug design strategies and boost boron's expanding use in medicine.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 2, 2009

A breath of fresh air could improve drug toxicity screening

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has developed a new way to culture liver cells for drug toxicity screening, using a high-oxygen environment and serum-free medium. This method significantly improves the function of cultured liver cells, enabling them to predict the clearance rates of drugs with high accuracy.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2009

Study reveals seismic shift in methods used to track earthquakes

Scientists have developed a new method to monitor underground movements using earthquake data, allowing for comprehensive mapping of the Earth's seismic activity. This breakthrough increases the number of locations that can detect seismic activity and enables monitoring from far deeper within the Earth.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Geoscience·DateSep 2, 2009

Hospital infections cost $1 billion in lost bed days

A new study by Queensland University of Technology found that hospital infections cost the Australian healthcare system over 850,000 lost bed days annually. Reducing these rates could release up to 150,158 bed days, allowing for an estimated 38,500 additional admissions.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalHealthcare Infection·DateSep 2, 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.

Keeping the suicidal soldier alive

Researchers have developed a predictive tool to detect at-risk soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The study shows that fMRI can be used to forecast which soldiers might be vulnerable to stress psychopathology in the future.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 2, 2009

Study: Torture reports rose despite UN convention

A new study published in The Journal of Legal Studies found that government use of torture increased worldwide between 1985 and 2003, contradicting international norms. Despite over 75% of countries signing the UN Convention Against Torture, torture reports remained common in 69% of nations.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Legal Studies·DateSep 2, 2009

Study casts new light on research of controversial scientist Paul Kammerer

A new study re-examines Kammerer's experiments and finds remarkable resemblances to newly discovered aspects of epigenetics. Kammerer's data shows consistency with current epigenetic mechanisms, providing new biological arguments in favor of the authenticity of his midwife toad experiments.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part B Molecular and Developmental Evolution·DateSep 2, 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.

DNA mutations linked to diabetes

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found epigenetic DNA mutations in muscles of diabetics that reduce expression of PGC-1α gene. This could explain how environmental factors influence disease development.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 2, 2009

Dead ahead: Similar early warning signals of change in climate

Researchers found that similar symptoms occur in many systems as they approach a critical state of transition, indicating 'tipping points' for abrupt changes. These early-warning signals are observed in ecosystems, financial markets, and human physiology, highlighting the potential for catastrophic bifurcations.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateSep 2, 2009

University of Hawaii at Manoa astronomer finds giant galaxy

Astronomers have discovered a giant galaxy surrounding the most distant black hole ever found, 12.8 billion light-years from Earth. The galaxy is as large as the Milky Way and harbors a supermassive black hole with at least a billion times more matter than our sun.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 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.

HPV vaccine could prevent breast cancer: Australian research

Researchers at the University of New South Wales found high-risk HPV strains in 39% of ductal carcinoma in situ and 21% of invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer specimens. The study suggests a causal role for HPV in many breast cancers, establishing the possibility of preventing some breast cancers by vaccination against HPV.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateSep 2, 2009
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.

Trash or treasure? Discarded US computers often get a second life

A study found that at least 85% of computers imported into Peru are reused, rather than going directly into recycling. The US is the source of up to 76% of used computers imported to Peru, challenging the widespread belief that e-waste is mainly about dumping unusable junk.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateSep 2, 2009

Rise in weight-loss drugs prescribed to combat childhood obesity

A new study finds that thousands of children and adolescents are using off-license weight-loss drugs, with most stopping use before benefits can be seen. Researchers highlight the need for more support and awareness about potential side effects to prevent misuse.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateSep 2, 2009

Sustainable fertilizer: Urine and wood ash produce large harvest

Researchers found that urine-based fertilizer alone can produce four times more tomatoes than non-fertilized plants, while combining with wood ash reduces acidity in acidic soils. This innovative approach provides a low-cost and chemical-free method for increasing crop yields.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2009
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Believing is seeing

Researchers found that initial thoughts about others' emotions bias subsequent facial expression perception and memory. Participants who initially interpreted faces as angry remembered them expressing more anger, while those who interpreted them as happy remembered less anger.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 2, 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.

Why solitary reptiles lay eggs in communal nests

Female reptiles lay eggs in communal nests, defying their solitary nature. The behavior is common among 255 lizard species and many snake and alligator species, with potential advantages including reduced nesting costs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Quarterly Review of Biology·DateSep 2, 2009

UAB researchers find possible use for the vine that ate the South

Researchers found that kudzu root's isoflavones, particularly puerarin, improve regulation of metabolic syndrome contributors. The substance regulates glucose in the blood by steering it to beneficial places like muscles, away from fat cells and blood vessels.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateSep 2, 2009

NOAA scientists map fish habitat and movements at Gray's Reef Marine Sanctuary

Researchers tracked fish movements through telemetry to better understand their life histories, including habitat preferences and vulnerability to fishing. The study found that certain fish gravitate to specific bottom types, such as limestone ledges, which can help prioritize reef areas for management.

SourceNOAA Headquarters·JournalBulletin of Marine Science·DateSep 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.

New computer models aim to classify, help reduce injury accidents

Researchers developed computer models to classify injury reports based on specific words or phrases, identifying key causes of injuries. The models achieved high accuracy rates, comparable to human coders, and have the potential to lead to automated report coding programs.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInjury Prevention·DateSep 2, 2009

NIAID funds clinical trials that address the problem of antimicrobial resistance

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched two new clinical trials to investigate the optimal use of antimicrobial drugs in various clinical settings. The trials aim to determine if shorter treatment durations can be effective while reducing the risk of bacterial resistance.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateSep 2, 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.

Surviving sepsis program -- increased compliance gets results

A 'surviving sepsis' program improved patient outcomes by increasing compliance with guidelines and reducing in-hospital mortality. The study found a significant improvement in intensive care unit patients, with a notable 45% risk reduction for death.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCritical Care·DateSep 2, 2009

6 NTU projects awarded NRF grants

Six NTU projects have received funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for research and innovation in wireless sensing, power converters, photonic micro electromechanical systems, electro-generated chemi-luminescence, antenna solutions, and anti-reflective coatings. The funded projects aim to develop core technologies for s...

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateSep 2, 2009

Buyer beware: Estrogen supplements not as effective as claimed

New research from Purdue University raises concerns about estrogen supplements claiming to improve bone health in postmenopausal women. While some plant-derived isoflavones show modest effects, many supplements lack efficacy or are less effective than current treatments for osteoporosis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Endocrinology and Metabolism·DateSep 2, 2009

Chimpanzees develop 'specialized tool kits' to catch army ants

Chimpanzees in the Congo have developed specialized tool kits to forage for army ants, showcasing a rare example of multiple tool use. The research suggests that these 'sustainable' harvesting techniques allow chimpanzees to reduce ant aggression and revisit the same food source.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Primatology·DateSep 2, 2009
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.

NTU professor bags inaugural award honoring women in science

Assoc Prof Lam has won a S$20,000 fellowship to support her research on self-assembling biomolecules for sensing applications. The award recognizes her contributions to the advancement of science and research in Singapore, building on her expertise in understanding and designing materials.

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateSep 2, 2009

Resident duty-hour reform associated with increased complication rate

A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that resident duty-hour reform has led to an increase in perioperative complications for hip fracture patients, especially in teaching hospitals. The study also noted longer hospital stays and increased costs.

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

Breakthrough in bubble research at Bath

Ruggero Gabbrielli's new structure is composed of four different shapes that fit together, closer to natural foam structures than previous solutions. His method uses a partial differential equation and has sparked international interest among mathematicians and physicists.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhilosophical Magazine Letters·DateSep 2, 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.