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Science News Archive 2010 - Page 69


Page 69 of 283

Low testosterone linked to Alzheimer's disease

A study by Saint Louis University scientist John E. Morley found that low testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older Chinese men. The study, which analyzed data from 153 participants, also revealed elevated ApoE 4 protein levels and high blood pressure as additional risk factors.

SourceSaint Louis University·DateOct 5, 2010

A tracking device that fits on the head of a pin

Researchers have developed nano-sized optical gyroscopes that can fit on the head of a pin, improving rotation rates and accuracy in smartphones and medical equipment. These devices will enable enhanced tracking capabilities, including GPS system improvements and navigation for small capsules within the body.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Air pollution alters immune function, worsens asthma symptoms

A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that exposure to air pollution suppressed immune system regulatory T cells, leading to increased severity of asthma symptoms and lower lung capacity. The research suggests a potential long-term effect of polluted air on children's health.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateOct 5, 2010

New fossil suggests dinosaurs not so fierce after all

A new species of dinosaur, Sarahsaurus, discovered in Arizona challenges conventional wisdom about dinosaurs' spread across the world. The fossil suggests that dinosaurs took advantage of a natural catastrophe to move into North America, rather than overpowering other species.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Shortfalls in carotenoid intake may impact women's health

A new report by The Nutrilite Health Institute found that only about a third of American women meet their fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, leading to potential health issues. Older women have higher total carotenoid intakes compared to younger women after accounting for caloric differences.

SourceWeber Shandwick Worldwide·DateOct 5, 2010

Traveling for treatment: The case for and against

A new study led by the University of York will assess the motives behind medical tourism, including consumerism and patient decision-making. The research aims to establish the economic impact of medical tourism and its potential benefits for the NHS.

SourceUniversity of York·DateOct 5, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Volcano fuels massive phytoplankton bloom

A 2008 Kasatochi volcano eruption sparked a record-breaking phytoplankton bloom in the North Pacific Ocean, with iron-laden ash from the eruption taking up only a modest amount of atmospheric CO2

SourceUniversity of Victoria·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 5, 2010

Doppler radars help increase monsoon rainfall prediction accuracy

Researchers used Doppler weather radar data to improve forecast models for monsoon systems, reducing landfall error from 200km to 75km. This enhancement can better prepare people for heavy rains and catastrophic floods in coastal areas of India.

SourcePurdue University·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateOct 5, 2010

Neuroscience research may help patients recover from brain injury

A new study published in PLOS ONE suggests that the way the brain processes second-stage learning could be mimicked therapeutically to help people with impaired memory formation. The researchers discovered a new mechanism of learning that is independent of the NMDA receptor, which is currently essential for learning and memory.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

UW-built device reveals invisible world teeming with microscopic algae

A new device, SeaFlow, detects and tracks microscopic algae that take up 50% of the world's ocean carbon dioxide. This discovery challenges traditional knowledge of ocean ecosystems and highlights the importance of monitoring phytoplankton communities for global carbon cycle understanding.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

October 2010 issue of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America

Research reveals a causal relationship between rainfall and earthquakes, with variations in rainfall affecting pore-fluid pressure at depth and triggering earthquakes. Ground motion patterns in the Santa Clara Valley are also studied, revealing complex geological structures that influence seismic wave propagation and amplification.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateOct 5, 2010

The effects of hydrogen on growing carbon nanotubes

Researchers used transmission electron microscopy to study the effects of increasing hydrogen concentrations on iron metal catalysts. They found that too much hydrogen causes fibers with thick walls, instead of nanotubes, or no growth at all.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 5, 2010

New findings about wind farms could lead to expanding their use

Researchers have found wind farms' effects on local temperatures and proposed strategies for mediating those effects, increasing the potential to expand wind farms. The study identified two possible mediation strategies: low-turbulence rotors or locational deployment in regions with natural mixing in the atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2010

Study: Small firms need more access to credit during financial troubles

Research by University of Illinois finance professors Murillo Campello and Heitor Almeida finds that small firms face higher costs of financing when economic conditions worsen. They often re-invest profits before paying off creditors, leading to increased debt and potential financial distress.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

For future chips, smaller must also be better

Researchers have successfully made tiny high-frequency capacitors using a complex mineral, paving the way for high-frequency microwave applications. The capacitors, made from barium strontium titanate, exhibited excellent microwave properties up to 40 GHz.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 5, 2010

Light drinking during pregnancy does not harm child's behavioral or intellectual development

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found no increased risk of socioemotional difficulties or cognitive deficits at 5 years of age for children born to mothers who light drank during pregnancy. Children born to light drinkers were 30% less likely to have behavioral problems than those whose mums had a...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateOct 5, 2010

The world is full of darkness, reflected in the physiology of the human retina, Penn researchers say

Penn researchers found retinal ganglion cells responding to darkness are more numerous and clustered than those seeing light, reflecting the natural world's darker spots. This suggests brain separation of retinal circuitry into off and on mosaics, allowing for structural adaptation to natural scenes.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Mice with human body's defenses

Researchers generated mice with a human immune system using human stem cells, allowing them to produce human monoclonal antibodies. This breakthrough could simplify the study and treatment of diseases.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 5, 2010

Oldest evidence of dinosaurs found in Polish footprints

The discovery of ancient dinosaur footprints in Poland pushes the timeline for the emergence of dinosaurs by 5-9 million years. The oldest evidence, Sphingopus footprints, dates back to 246 million years ago and provides insight into the evolution of bipedal dinosaurs.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·DateOct 5, 2010

Neanderthals had feelings too, say University of York researchers

Researchers at the University of York found that Neanderthals exhibited deep-seated commitments to the welfare of others, including prolonged care for injured individuals. The study proposes a four-stage model for human compassion, with ancient humans developing empathy towards each other dating back six million years.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalTime and Mind·DateOct 5, 2010

Sociologists find lowest-paid women suffer most from motherhood penalty

Research by Michelle J. Budig and Melissa J. Hodges finds that low-paid women experience the largest earnings penalty from having children, ranging from 4-15% per child. The study also highlights the importance of policies aimed at reducing the motherhood penalty to address the gender pay gap.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateOct 5, 2010

Finasteride reduces symptoms and disease progression associated with enlarged prostates

Long-term finasteride use has been shown to reduce disease progression and improve urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The treatment also reduces the risk of acute urinary retention and surgical intervention, making it an effective option for men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Microfluidic devices advance 3-D tissue engineering at Stevens

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a new method to generate three-dimensional tissue models for studying bacterial infection of orthopedic implants. The microfluidic devices mimic the human body's conditions, allowing for realistic bone tissue growth and analysis of antibiotic delivery.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalTissue Engineering·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Planet Neptune not guilty of harassment

Researchers found binary systems in the Kuiper Belt would be destroyed by Neptune's interaction, contradicting previous assumptions. The study suggests the region formed near its present location and remained undisturbed over the age of the solar system.

SourceUniversity of Victoria·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateOct 5, 2010

Persistently noisy workplace more than doubles heart disease risk

Research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that workers exposed to loud noise at work are twice as likely to have serious heart problems as those in quiet workplaces. Workers under 50, particularly men and smokers, were at greater risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateOct 5, 2010

UNH researcher helps identify key reproductive hormone in oldest vertebrate

Researchers have identified the first reproductive hormone of the hagfish, a gonadatropin, which plays a crucial role in regulating sex steroid hormones and reproduction. This breakthrough helps unravel the mystery of hagfish reproduction, shedding light on their unique evolutionary position as the oldest living vertebrate.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 5, 2010

Anti-tumor drugs tested by microfluidic device

A microfluidic device developed in Hong Kong enables non-invasive testing of anti-tumor drugs by subjecting cancerous cells to different concentration gradients. The device integrates a previously validated analysis method that quantifies cell apoptosis in real-time, allowing for precise control and reduced costs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateOct 5, 2010
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.

Europa's hidden ice chemistry

Researchers found that water and sulfur dioxide react as ice with surprising speed and high yield at temperatures hundreds of degrees below freezing. This unexpected reaction could revamp current thinking about Europa's chemistry and geology, potentially leading to new discoveries on the moon and other icy bodies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 4, 2010

It's time to phase out codeine

Experts advocate for phasing out codeine due to its significant risks and unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Morphine, its active metabolite, is proposed as an alternative, offering more predictable metabolism and cost savings.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 4, 2010

Life threatening breathing disorder of Rett syndrome prevented

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered a way to prevent intermittent episodes of breath holding associated with Rett syndrome by increasing levels of aminobutyric acid and stimulating serotonin receptors. This breakthrough has significant implications for alleviating symptoms in patients with this debilitating disease.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2010

An eye for an eye

Researchers analyzed killings and rocket attacks between Israel and Palestine, finding that each side's attacks lead to violent retaliation from the other. This challenges claims of a one-sided conflict, suggesting both Israelis and Palestinians play a role in perpetuating violence.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2010
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.

Aeras-led research consortium receives FDA support

The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation has received a $362,102 grant from the US FDA to develop new biological and immunological biomarkers for TB vaccine development. The project aims to evaluate four mycobacterial growth inhibition assays and identify T-cell immune responses associated with protective vaccines.

SourceAeras·DateOct 4, 2010

Using cassava to address vitamin A deficiency

A naturally occurring variant of cassava has been found to accumulate high levels of provitamin A carotenoids, offering a potential solution to vitamin A deficiency in sub-Saharan Africa. Transgenic approaches can also be used to increase the enzyme phytoene synthase, leading to increased carotenoid synthesis and biofortification of co...

SourceAmerican Society of Plant Biologists·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateOct 4, 2010

School-based program reduces risky sexual behaviors in South African teens

A six-session school-based program in South Africa reduced rates of unprotected sex and sex with multiple partners among sixth-graders. The intervention also had a positive impact on HIV/STD prevention behaviors, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions for young adolescents.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateOct 4, 2010

The sky is falling (less) onto Puget Sound

A region-wide study found that toxic pollution falling onto Puget Sound's waters has significantly decreased since 1991, with some pollutants decreasing by as much as 99%. However, industrial areas like Tacoma still have high air-deposited contamination levels, with the Port of Tacoma site recording the highest deposition rates.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateOct 4, 2010

New approach to underweight COPD patients

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed a new equation to calculate energy requirements for underweight COPD patients, leading to more accurate nutritional approaches. The study found that this method can help patients stop losing weight and even gain weight.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease·DateOct 4, 2010
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.

Technology transfer and postdoc entrepreneurs

A study published in the International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development found that postdoctoral researchers see technology transfer as important but few are actively preparing for self-employment. Initial wealth was a distinguishing factor among those who were self-employed.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Knowledge-Based Development·DateOct 4, 2010

Walnuts, walnut oil, improve reaction to stress

A diet rich in walnuts and walnut oil may improve blood pressure responses to stress by lowering resting blood pressure and inflammation. The study found that adding flaxseed oil did not further lower blood pressure.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateOct 4, 2010

Mayo Clinic finds upper, lower body gain weight differently

Researchers found that increased abdominal fat increases the risk of metabolic disease, while fat gain in the thighs lowers the risk. The study challenges the concept that the number of fat cells remains stable in adults and suggests a potential protective effect of lower-body fat cells.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2010

Vaccinations should continue as influenza pandemics epidemics wane

A new computer model predicts that vaccination can mitigate subsequent-wave mechanisms and reduce infection rates even when an epidemic appears to be waning. The model identified four potential mechanisms for a 'third wave' and showed that initiating vaccination earlier, increasing speed, and prioritizing subgroups can significantly re...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 4, 2010
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.

First-of-its-kind study finds alarming increase in flow of water into oceans

A new study reveals an alarming increase in the flow of freshwater into the world's oceans, driven by global warming and accelerated evaporation. The research, led by UCI, uses satellite records to track water volume flowing from continents to oceans, finding a 18% rise in freshwater input since 1994.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2010

Interactive video games can cause a broad range of injuries

Researchers found that interactive gaming devices are associated with higher rates of injuries, particularly among younger children and bystanders. The study highlights the need for supervision when playing video games, especially interactive ones.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateOct 4, 2010

An intelligent system for maritime surveillance has been created

The intelligent system uses data fusion software to integrate radar and AIS sensor capabilities, providing real-time monitoring of ships in a given maritime route. The prototype can monitor up to 2,000 identifiable vessels with a second refresh time, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for secure maritime traffic management.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·DateOct 4, 2010

Mechanism involved in addictions and some forms of obesity discovered in U of A lab

A University of Alberta research team has found a mechanism underlying both addiction and obesity, which could lead to new treatments for these diseases. The study revealed that dopamine plays a key role in the formation of spatial memories in the brain, and its release is associated with feelings of reward.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 4, 2010
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.

Census of Marine Life celebrates 'decade of discovery'

The Census of Marine Life has completed a ten-year initiative to describe ocean life distribution and diversity, with UAF scientists contributing significantly. New species have been discovered in the Arctic Ocean and coastal regions, shedding light on climate change impacts.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·DateOct 4, 2010