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Science News for April 23, 2010


Return of top predators is key to ecological future

Cristina Eisenberg's new book highlights the importance of top predators in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Research shows that keystone predators like wolves, cougars, and bears play a critical role in controlling population growth and preventing overgrazing.

SourceOregon State University·DateApr 23, 2010

New computational method to uncover gene regulation

Scientists developed a new computational model to identify targets of regulator genes in the human genome. The method combines biochemical and probabilistic modeling to uncover physical models of cell regulation, offering promise for improving understanding of biological systems.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

$1.7 million keeps McGill on edge

The McGill University researchers will be working on various projects, including cancer research and bone degeneration, using the new funding. The Canada Foundation for Innovation's investment will help develop Canada's global reputation as a place where outstanding research and training is being conducted.

SourceMcGill University·DateApr 23, 2010

Project fruit fly: What accounts for insect taste?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein in sensory cells of fruit flies that allows them to detect and avoid noxious chemicals. The discovery opens up new possibilities for controlling insect pests and protecting crops.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 23, 2010

Major funding boost for International Barcode of Life project

The International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project has received a significant funding boost, totaling $80 million from Canadian agencies. The new funding will support the expansion of DNA barcode data and informatics platforms to facilitate species identification and discovery.

SourceInternational Barcode of Life·DateApr 23, 2010

Complete revascularization improves outcomes for CAD patients

A retrospective study found that complete revascularization significantly improved outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), with a 3-year mortality rate of 6.6% compared to 14.8% in those with incomplete revascularization. The study also revealed that advanced medical therapy may contribute to improved mortality rates.

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateApr 23, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Passwords are passé but biometrics are not mobile

Researchers warn that biometric logins may not be secure on the go due to mobile device limitations. Biometric technology uses fingerprints, voice recognition, or typing patterns for authentication.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Marketing and Retailing·DateApr 23, 2010

Helping the NRC look below the surface

USDA ARS scientists collaborated with NRC experts to model radioactive material movement in the vadose zone. They found that gaps in fine-material layers significantly affect tracer transport in soils and shallow groundwater.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateApr 23, 2010

Personality may influence brain shrinkage in aging

Researchers found that volunteers high in neuroticism traits had lower volumes of gray matter in the frontal and medial temporal brain regions compared to those high in conscientious traits. This association suggests that personality may influence the rate of brain aging.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateApr 23, 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.

Seismic activity in intraplate regions -- Midwest US

Researchers investigate seismic activity in the Midwest US, shedding light on causes of intraplate earthquakes. The study reveals insights into stress within fault zones and the impact of glacial rebound on earthquake frequency. Key findings also highlight correlations between mantle density structures and topographic uplift.

SourceSeismological Society of America·DateApr 23, 2010

Cyclone 24S now all grown up and renamed Tropical Storm Sean

Cyclone 24S was renamed Tropical Storm Sean as it matured, going through two numbered nicknames before receiving its human name. It showed strong thunderstorms with cloud tops as cold as -63°F, and forecasters predict further intensification over the next 12-24 hours.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 23, 2010

Forecasting rates of overweight

A study published in Medical Decision Making predicts that adult US obesity rates will remain stable over the next 10 years. However, certain groups such as black young adults, children aged 6-9, and black children are projected to experience rising overweight rates.

SourceSAGE·JournalMedical Decision Making·DateApr 23, 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.

Is there a micro-supercapacitor in your future?

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have created micro-supercapacitors with high energy storage densities, potentially replacing batteries in portable devices. The new technology integrates supercapacitors into microfabrication processes, enabling faster and longer-lasting energy storage.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 23, 2010

Making its predators tremble: Multiple defenses act synergistically in aspen

A study on trembling aspen found that phenolic glycosides and extrafloral nectaries are distributed together in the same leaves, contradicting previous assumptions. The presence of extrafloral nectaries is positively correlated with higher levels of chemical defenses, suggesting a complex relationship between these defense mechanisms.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateApr 23, 2010
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.

Subtle changes in PTEN tumor suppressor gene can determine cancer susceptibility

A new study reveals that even slight reductions in PTEN expression can significantly increase cancer susceptibility in specific tissues, implying that environmental factors like diet and carcinogens may drive tumor development. This finding has implications for the development of diagnostic tests targeted to these gene alterations.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 23, 2010

Prostate cancer: Risk increases with the number of affected family members

Researchers found that men with multiple affected relatives have a substantially increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The study suggests that doctors should urgently recommend early detection screenings for men with several affected relatives, particularly if they have been diagnosed at a young age.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalEuropean Urology·DateApr 23, 2010