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Science News for September 25, 2009


Yale engineers track bacteria's kayak paddle-like motion for first time

Researchers at Yale University have observed and tracked E. coli bacteria moving in a liquid medium with a motion similar to a kayak paddle. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, provides new insights into bacterial movement and may lead to breakthroughs in preventing bacterial migration and sickness.

SourceYale University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 25, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

High-tech nuke detectors check Puget Sound small vessels for WMD

The pilot demonstration evaluated radiation detection sensors and protocols for small vessel maritime environment. Small vessels, including recreational boats and commercial vessels, are screened for radiological materials using portable hand-held sensors and boat-mounted systems.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateSep 25, 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.

Mechanism for potential Friedreich's ataxia drug uncovered

A Scripps Research team has identified histone deacetylase 3 as the key enzyme target for a potential Friedreich's ataxia drug. The findings could lead to treatments for related conditions like Huntington's disease and improve understanding of the disease.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateSep 25, 2009

Infant pain, adult repercussions

Researchers at Georgia State University discovered that infant pain can lead to altered brain processing of pain in adulthood. Infants who spent time in the NICU show increased opioid levels and decreased mu and delta opioid receptors, affecting pain medication efficacy.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalFrontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience·DateSep 25, 2009

How would Einstein use e-mail?

A Northwestern University study reveals that Albert Einstein and other famous writers followed a similar pattern of correspondence, writing in cycles and adhering to a circadian cycle. The research, published in Science, demonstrates the universality of human behavior patterns across different activities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateSep 25, 2009

Social background weighs heavily on teenage diet

A new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council reveals that teenagers' attitudes towards diet and weight are shaped by their social class. Middle-class families expect their children to develop a good body shape for adult life, while working-class families prioritize everyday concerns over future health. The findings hi...

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateSep 25, 2009

Insulin boost restores muscle growth in elderly

Researchers at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have found that increasing insulin levels can restore impaired muscle-building processes in elderly individuals. This breakthrough suggests a novel approach to addressing age-related muscle loss and has implications for developing new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalDiabetologia·DateSep 25, 2009
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Great Tits eat bats in times of need

Researchers observed Great Tits eating hibernating Common Pipistrelle bats in a Hungarian cave during harsh winters. The birds used the sounds made by the bats to locate them, and could capture and eat them in as little as 15 minutes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiology Letters·DateSep 25, 2009

NIH fellowship recipient to study disease ecology

Camille Harris is studying the ecological impacts of forest disturbance on LaCrosse Virus dynamics using experimentally logged forest plots. Her research aims to understand how logging influences mosquito vector distributions and resulting disease dynamics.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateSep 25, 2009

Prototype developed to detect dark matter

A team of researchers has developed a scintillating bolometer, a device that detects light and heat produced by dark matter particles. The device was tested at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory in Spain and performed excellently, proving its viability as a detector for dark matter.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalOptical Materials·DateSep 25, 2009
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.

NSF funds state's first imaging system for UAB microscale research lab

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has been awarded $431,200 to acquire a highly-specialized X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy System with micro-scale-imaging capabilities. This will enable researchers to visualize surface chemical composition and bonding capabilities of newly designed materials.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·DateSep 25, 2009

Young adults visit doctors least at an age when risky behavior peaks

A recent study found that young adults are less likely to use ambulatory or preventive care, even though their mortality rate is more than twice that of adolescents. Young adults, especially black and Hispanic males, underuse ambulatory medical care and infrequently receive preventive care.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateSep 25, 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.

Certain cancers more common among HIV patients than non-HIV patients

HIV-infected patients are at higher risk for certain non-AIDS-defining malignancies such as anal, lung, Hodgkin's, melanoma and liver cancer. Researchers found a 60% increase in the incidence of these cancers among HIV-positive patients compared to those without HIV.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes·DateSep 25, 2009

Does Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy prevent gastric cancer?

A recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology investigated whether Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy prevents gastric cancer. The research team found that younger patients with successful eradication had significantly lower incidence rates, while no overall prevention was observed for all patients.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateSep 25, 2009

Body's immune system response to dental plaque varies by gender and race

A study published in the Journal of Dental Research found that dental plaque accumulation led to increased neutrophil activity in black males, but not in other groups. This response may indicate a higher risk for infections and heart disease in these individuals.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateSep 25, 2009

Ants vs. worms: New computer security mimics nature

A new computer security approach, called 'swarm intelligence,' uses digital ants to search for threats in large networks, adapting to changes and attracting human operators to investigate. This method promises to transform cyber security by rapidly responding to emerging threats and improving overall defense.

SourceWake Forest University·DateSep 25, 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.

US needs nearly $200 million more on climate-related health research

A recent commentary suggests that the US should spend more on researching the impact of climate change on public health due to current underfunding. The analysis highlights the need for increased funding to address heat-related deaths, diarrheal diseases, and other health issues exacerbated by global warming.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateSep 25, 2009