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Science News Archive August 2010


Page 19 of 23

Redefining sexual discrimination

A study finds that gender harassment, even without unwanted sexual advances, leads to negative personal and professional outcomes for women. Women who experience gender harassment report lower satisfaction with their jobs, higher stress, and poorer overall well-being.

Virginia Tech to build new supercomputer

HokieSpeed is expected to deliver 35 times better peak performance and 70 times better power efficiency than System X, Virginia Tech's previous supercomputer. The instrument will enable researchers to perform in-situ visualization for rapid data analysis, making complex problems tractable.

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.

A built-in source for new heart cells

Researchers have devised a three-ingredient molecular cocktail that transforms fibroblasts into beating heart cells, potentially solving the issue of cardiac muscle regeneration in heart disease. The cocktail, tested on mice, shows promise in producing new cardiac muscle cells more efficiently than induced pluripotent stem cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A little adversity bodes well for those with chronic back pain

A new study found that individuals with chronic back pain who experienced some lifetime adversity reported less physical impairment and disability. The researchers speculate that this may be due to the development of psychological and social resources that help tolerate adversity.

H1N1 flu virus used new biochemical trick to cause pandemic

Researchers discovered that the H1N1 flu virus used a novel amino acid location to adapt to human cells, allowing it to spread efficiently. This finding provides new insight into the biology of flu viruses and reveals a genetic marker for predicting future pandemics.

Social ecology: Lost and found in psychological science

Research suggests that economic systems influence cooperation and trust, with societies prioritizing cooperation experiencing higher levels of trust and cooperation. Climate also impacts behavior, with violent-crime rates increasing during warmer months and prosocial behaviors enhanced by sunny weather.

Chew on this: 6 dental myths debunked

A review article debunks common dental myths, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet in preventing tooth decay, osteoporosis, and gum disease. Carole Palmer, a professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, outlines how nutrition affects oral health in children, teenagers, expectant mothers, adults, and elders.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

AIAA award winners to be honored at conferences in Anaheim

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will honor the winners of AIAA technical and literary achievement awards for their outstanding contributions in space science and technology. The award recipients include Harvey Berger, Michael Gass, STS-125 Team, STPSat-1 Team, Wanda Austin, and J. D. Hunley.

High levels of carbon dioxide threaten oyster survival

Research suggests that high CO2 levels can lead to reduced growth, shell hardness, and increased mortality in juvenile oysters. The study's findings highlight the vulnerability of oysters to ocean acidification, which may have cascading effects on marine ecosystems.

Simon Singh wins maiden Leelavati Award

Physicist-turned-author Simon Singh has won the Leelavati Award for his outstanding contributions to public outreach in mathematics. The award, named after a 12th-century Indian mathematician, carries a citation and cash prize of one million Indian rupees.

Studies offer encouraging data on preventing Crohn's disease recurrence

Two studies found that infliximab and certolizumab pegol can effectively maintain remission of Crohn's disease for up to 18 months. Continuous therapy was more effective than interrupted therapy in preventing disease recurrence. Lower doses of infliximab also showed promise in maintaining intestinal mucosa integrity.

Human embryonic stem cells purified in new, rapid technique

Researchers at UCSF have successfully purified one type of human embryonic stem cell using a novel, high-throughput strategy that avoids genetic engineering. The technique links two existing technologies and enables the separation of pure stem cells from teratoma-forming cells at a rate of about 25,000 cells per second.

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.

Researchers unlocking the secrets of cross-species rabies transmission

A study published in Science reveals that molecular sequence data can be used to quantify cross-species transmission rates, with bats being the most common source of human infections. The analysis found that rabies viruses are more likely to jump between closely related bat species than distant ones.

Computer scientists build 'pedestrian remover'

Researchers developed a proof-of-concept system that removes pedestrians from urban scenes in Google Street View, exploring how computer vision can preserve privacy in public environments. The system replaces pedestrians with an approximation of the actual background behind each pedestrian.

Economic status, genetics together influence psychopathic traits

Researchers found that children with a specific serotonin transporter gene variant are more likely to exhibit psychopathic traits if they grow up poor. These traits include lack of empathy, arrogance, and deceitfulness. The study suggests that socioeconomic environment influences the expression of this genetic trait.

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.

Human embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed cells virtually identical

Researchers found that human embryonic stem cells and reprogrammed cells exhibit very few differences in gene expression signatures and are nearly indistinguishable in their chromatin state, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. This study suggests that reprogrammed cells may indeed hold clinical promise ascribed to them earlier.

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.

Laser may reduce prostate surgery's sexual side effects

A pilot study published in the Journal of Endourology suggests that CO2 laser technology used with robotic prostate cancer surgery may preserve sensitive nerve areas necessary for erections and urinary continence. The technology, known as BeamPath, was found to be easy to manipulate and accurate.

UofL receives $3.15 million grant from Helmsley Charitable Trust

The University of Louisville has received a $3.15 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to support its cancer research program in Owensboro. The funding will be used to create new faculty positions and expand the research program, with a focus on developing plant-based pharmaceuticals.

Power plant waste to be used to clean up Gulf oil spill

Researchers from UCF develop specially treated flyash as a cleaning agent for oil spills, preserving energy-generating capabilities. The innovative process absorbs oil and can be reused, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution.

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.

Simplifying computer power behind phones, medical devices

Chapman's research aims to simplify the development of portable applications, enabling medical equipment manufacturers to create advanced software for embedded multicore processors. The collaboration has led to the creation of open-source training material and graduate courses introducing UH students to multicore programming.

Hebrew University researchers identify gene related to chronic pain

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified a gene associated with chronic pain susceptibility in humans. They found that genetic variants of Cacng2 were significantly associated with chronic pain in breast cancer patients after breast removal surgery, suggesting a potential link between genetics and pain perception.

Scientists unlock secret of rabies transmission in bats

A recent study led by Daniel Streicker analyzed hundreds of rabies viruses from 23 North American bat species, providing estimates of cross-species transmission (CST) frequency. CST occurs only once for every 72.8 transmissions within the same species, with factors like geographic range and genetics influencing its likelihood.

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.

Bats facing regional extinction from rapidly spreading disease

A new infectious disease, white-nose syndrome, is killing millions of bats and predicted to cause regional extinction of the little brown myotis. The disease affects hibernating bats and disrupts their hibernation, causing them to wake early and lose critical fat reserves.

UK cancer fund is not the victory for patient groups that some believe

The UK government's £50 million emergency cancer fund is under fire for its potential to favor patients based on geographical location rather than medical need. The Lancet Editorial argues that this policy undermines the principles of evidence-based medicine and rational healthcare resource allocation.

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.

A 'crystal ball' for predicting the effects of global climate change

By comparing different species and environments, researchers can identify environmental optima and tolerance limits for predicting climate change effects. Tropical porcelain crabs, despite being heat-tolerant, live near their thermal tolerance range and have limited ability to adapt to warmer temperatures.

Federal grant invests in nanostructured 'super' materials

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has launched a Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing with a $1.2 million federal grant to scale up the production of nanostructured metallic materials, which could revitalize foundries and metal-casting businesses.

Humans imitate aspects of speech we see

Researchers at UC Riverside found that people who lipread a silent face articulate words sound like the person speaking, rather than their own words. This suggests that our brains are primed by speech articulation and can imitate speech patterns even when we're not actively listening.

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.

Brown University awarded $15.5-million math institute

The Institute for Computational and Experimental Research in Mathematics (ICERM) will leverage internationally recognized programs to create long-term research programs and scholarly conferences. The institute aims to solve new problems of critical importance and benefit to society through collaboration with industries.

Global tropical forests threatened by 2100

A new study projects that only 18% to 45% of plants and animals in global tropical forests may remain as we know them today by 2100. Conservation efforts can focus on reducing deforestation pressure to help species adapt to climate change or enhance their ability to move with it.

Falls the leading cause of injury among older adults in China

A new study reveals falls as the leading cause of non-fatal injuries among older adults in China, with 70% of injuries occurring at home or on the street. The divorced and widowed elderly are identified as high-risk groups for injury, highlighting the need for targeted prevention programs.

Nurses will test method for determining if it's dementia or delirium

Researchers aim to improve nurses' assessment skills to better detect delirium in patients with dementia, reducing drug treatments and improving outcomes. The five-year project will integrate electronic medical records and provide decision-making support to encourage evidence-based practices.

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.

New findings promising for 'transformation optics,' cloaking

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new approach to overcome the fundamental limitation of metamaterials, which could enable breakthroughs in transformation optics. By placing dye between two layers of silver, they were able to amplify light and reduce absorption, promising applications such as ultra-powerful microscopes,...

Childhood personality traits predict adult behavior

A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science reveals that childhood personality traits are a strong predictor of adult behavior. Researchers found consistent patterns across four decades, with verbally fluent children displaying interest in intellectual matters and adaptable children behaving cheerfully.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Supply and demand

Scientists at EMBL have identified IRPs as key proteins ensuring iron balance in cells. In a study, they found that IRPs are required for mitochondrial function and that their dysfunction leads to iron deficiency and cellular damage.

Marfan, a 'look-alike' disorder, or neither?

Researchers developed lists of physical features to aid in early detection of Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, which can be life-threatening if left untreated. These lists are reliable without imaging tests and can help doctors spot the disorders during a physical exam.

St. Michael's receives prestigious grants to study trauma

Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital will study traumatic brain injuries in sports, vulnerable groups, and motor vehicle collisions. The hospital aims to improve care for rural Canadians lacking access to trauma centers during the critical 'golden hour'.

NIST nanofluidic 'multi-tool' separates and sizes nanoparticles

A NIST-developed nanofluidic device separates and measures nanoparticles of different sizes, offering a faster and more economical approach to nanoparticle sample preparation. The device's tailored resolution and surface chemistry enable the sorting of complex nanoparticle mixtures.

These crocs were made for chewing?

The newly discovered Pakasuchus kapilimai boasts mammal-like teeth and a land-based lifestyle, blurring the lines between crocodiles and mammals. This ancient find supports the idea that crocodiles were more diverse in the past, dominating ecological niches in the Southern Hemisphere.

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.