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Science News for April 9, 2010


Wireless nano sensors could save bridges, buildings

Researchers propose using wireless nano sensors to monitor structures for early crack detection and structural damage. The feasibility study suggests these sensors could improve safety by detecting problems before they become critical.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity·DateApr 9, 2010

Evacuating 70,000 sports fans in less than an hour?

A new simulation software called SportEvac is being developed to help stadiums evacuate large crowds quickly and safely. The software uses 3D virtual models of stadiums and simulates the behavior of thousands of people and cars in various scenarios.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateApr 9, 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.

Rewiring of gene regulation across 300 million years of evolution

Researchers discovered that transcription factor binding sites are not conserved across 300 million years of evolution. Despite this, these proteins still regulate liver-specific genes in vertebrates. This study highlights the plasticity of gene regulation and its implications for disease mechanisms.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2010

More benefits found from mild exercise in critically ill patients

Critically ill patients experience reduced muscle weakness, delirium and hallucinations when introduced to mild exercise programs, with recovery times speeding up by 2-3 days. Patients can exercise while attached to life support equipment, including mechanical ventilators.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·DateApr 9, 2010

Hospitalists key to success of health care reform

A leading hospitalist argues that hospital medicine can address fundamental problems in payment and delivery systems, improving access for millions of uninsured Americans. Hospitalists will be key in shaping the future of the American healthcare system, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 9, 2010

Deciphering the mysteries of an ancient seafloor Goliath

Scientists uncover clues to unlocking the origin and triggering mechanism of massive underwater volcanic eruptions, shedding light on Earth's geologic record. The study of Shatsky Rise, a 145 million-year-old supervolcano, provides insights into the processes of volcanism and plate tectonics.

SourceTexas A&M University·DateApr 9, 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.

Developing countries devoting more domestic spending to health, but international health aid is partly replacing, not supplementing, this spending in some settings

A new study reveals that developing countries are increasing their own health spending, but international aid is sometimes replacing this funding in low-income countries. Channelling aid through NGOs can actually increase government health spending, highlighting the need for better transparency and accountability.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 9, 2010

Dirty waters

The US Department of Homeland Security is developing portable water purification systems to address the global issue of dirty water, which claims over a million lives annually. Several companies are participating in the SECURE program, creating self-contained and self-powered systems that can be used in emergency situations.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateApr 9, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

M. D. Anderson zeroes in on better way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients using a common complete blood count test. The study found that combining the minimal residual disease indicator and absolute lymphocyte count provides better results than MRD alone, identifyin...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateApr 9, 2010

Most women unaware of risk for debilitating fractures

A recent international study on osteoporosis in women has found that most postmenopausal women are not aware of their actual risk of debilitating bone breaks. The study, which involved over 60,000 women aged 55 and older in 10 countries, highlights the need for public education about osteoporosis risk factors and treatment.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateApr 9, 2010

Primary care physicians nationwide face clinical ethical conflicts with religious hospitals

A study found that nearly one in ten primary care physicians experience conflicts with religious hospitals, with younger and less religious physicians more likely to face these issues. Most physicians feel they should refer patients to another institution if clinical judgment conflicts with hospital policy.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 9, 2010

Honest deer every year

A study published in BMC Biology found that male fallow deer vocalizations contain accurate information about their competitive abilities, which change dynamically with age. The researchers also discovered that the deer's vocal identity changes substantially from one year to the next.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateApr 9, 2010
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.

Scientists uncover new species of human ancestor

The discovery of Australopithecus sediba, a 1.9 million-year-old human ancestor, has shed new light on human evolution. The fossilized remains, found in South Africa, exhibit features of both earlier bipedal apes and more recent Homo species.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2010

Cell phones that protect against deadly chemicals? Why not?

A new initiative called Cell-All aims to equip cell phones with sensors capable of detecting deadly chemicals. The technology uses a chip costing less than a dollar and can alert the user and authorities in under 60 seconds, reducing false positives and improving response time.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateApr 9, 2010

Therapeutic effect of fermented milk on chronic gastritis

Research published in World Journal of Gastroenterology found that fermented milk with Streptococcus thermophilus CRL 1190 exhibited therapeutic effects on chronic gastritis, particularly by modulating the immune response and increasing the thickness of the gastric mucus gel layer. This natural alternative may offer a potential treatme...

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 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.

PANDAS don't like stress

A new study found that stress can aggravate the impact of prior streptococcal infection on symptoms of Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The researchers identified a link between psychosocial stress and worsening tic and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity in children with Tourette syndrome and OCD.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 9, 2010

Arizona's mammoth hunters -- out with a whimper or a bang?

A team of researchers from the University of Arizona revisited evidence pointing to a cataclysmic event that wiped out North American megafauna, including mammoths and Dire wolves. The study found no conclusive link between an extraterrestrial impact and the extinction of these species.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 9, 2010

Launch of Europe-wide recommendations for preventing type 2 diabetes

A new Europe-wide strategy for preventing type 2 diabetes has been developed, recommending lifestyle changes such as weight loss and increased physical activity to prevent the disease. The guidelines aim to halve the incidence of type 2 diabetes by implementing evidence-based prevention programs across European countries.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·DateApr 9, 2010

Endoscopic resection of a large ileal lipoma

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology reports successful endoscopic resection of a large ileal lipoma using the modified endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) technique. The procedure, combined with endoscopic unroofing, allowed for complete removal of the lesion without complications.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 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.

Perioperative chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

A study comparing preoperative and postoperative chemoradiotherapy to surgery alone in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma found significant differences in overall survival and progression-free survival. Perioperative chemoradiotherapy maximizes long-term survival, but increases toxicity.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 2010

Why we need a world social health insurance

Scientists argue that a 'Global Fund for Health' would improve transparency and efficiency in international health aid. The current system masks variances, making it difficult to accurately trace health funding.

SourceInstitute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 9, 2010

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis causes dysphagia in older patients

DISH is a common but often unrecognized systemic disorder that can lead to mechanical esophageal dysphagia in older adults. A recent study concludes that DISH should be considered an important cause of dysphagia among older adults, although it should not be accepted as the sole cause without ruling out other possible causes.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 2010

Leukemia-related protein 16 and colorectal carcinoma

Research found a significant association between high LRP16 expression and early disease progression or death in patients with colorectal cancer. The study suggests that LRP16 expression may serve as a molecular marker for predicting prognosis.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 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.

Cellulosic ethanol: Expanding options, identifying obstacles

ARS scientists have developed a method to access and ferment almost all plant sugars in wheat straw, boosting ethanol output by 93 gallons per ton. However, they also found that certain bacteria can infect ethanol plants, causing yield decreases of up to 27%.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateApr 9, 2010

Closing in on a carbon-based solar cell

Indiana University chemists have developed an unusual solution to create large, stable graphene sheets by attaching a 3D bramble patch to each side. This allows for the creation of uniform-sized graphene sheets that can efficiently absorb sunlight, paving the way for cheaper and more sustainable solar cells.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 9, 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.

Empathy and violence have similar circuits in the brain

The study reveals that brain regions involved in empathy, such as the prefrontal cortex, overlap with those regulating aggression and violence. This suggests that promoting empathy may inhibit violent behavior by stimulating opposing neural circuits.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalRevista de Neurología·DateApr 9, 2010