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Science News Archive August 2010 - Page 7


Page 7 of 23

Who are you calling 'hipster'? Consumers defy labels and stereotypes

A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers can demythologize their consumption practices to distance themselves from unfavorable labels. Consumers who identify with products like indie goods find ways to retain their tastes without being labeled as hipsters.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 24, 2010

Researchers study cinnamon extracts

A study by USDA researchers suggests that a water-soluble cinnamon extract can improve antioxidant variables and decrease fasting glucose levels in people with prediabetes. The extract showed significant improvements, with a correlation between antioxidant status and blood glucose reductions.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of the American College of Nutrition·DateAug 24, 2010

Alcohol dependence damages both episodic memory and awareness of memory

A new study found that individuals with alcohol dependence not only experience impaired episodic memory but also a distorted perception of their own cognitive abilities. This distortion leads to an overestimation of memory capacities and a failure to recognize actual memory deficits.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateAug 24, 2010
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

True causes for extinction of cave bear revealed

An international team of scientists has found that the decline of the cave bear started 50,000 years ago due to human expansion and competition for land. The study analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences from 17 new fossil samples and compared them with modern brown bears.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateAug 24, 2010

No laughing matter: Laughter can play key role in group dynamics

A study from North Carolina State University found that laughter can be used strategically to control communication and affect group dynamics in serious settings. Laughter was used by jurors to release tension and acknowledge errors, facilitating the decision-making process.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalSmall Group Research·DateAug 24, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Did ancient coffee houses lay the groundwork for modern consumerism?

Early modern Ottoman coffeehouses offered patrons a space for transgressive pleasures, challenging state and religious authority. The establishments fostered the formation of a new consumer subject, resisting state prescriptions and constructing self-ethics.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 24, 2010

Moderate drinking: Health benefits or not?

A new study confirms an association between moderate drinking and reduced mortality among older adults, but notes that the health benefits are complicated by underlying risks such as prior problem drinking and socioeconomic status. The study followed 1,824 older adults for 20 years and found that controlling for confounding factors sub...

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateAug 24, 2010

New nuclear breast imaging technologies associated with higher cancer risks

Two newer breast imaging technologies, BSGI and PEM, have been approved for clinical use despite higher cancer risks. The lifetime risk of radiation-induced cancer from BSGI and PEM exams are significantly higher than digital mammography, with estimated risks ranging from 20 to 30 times higher.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateAug 24, 2010
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.

Will cardiovascular disease prevention widen health inequalities?

A review of population strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease concludes that screening and treating high-risk individuals may be ineffective in reducing health disparities. Instead, policy interventions to limit risk-factor exposure across populations appear cheaper and more effective.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 24, 2010

Swimming upstream: Molecular approaches to better understand male infertility

Using yeast as a model organism, researchers at Penn identified novel histone modifications key to gamete formation and potential biomarkers of human male infertility. The study reveals the importance of epigenetic processes in sperm formation, which may lead to fertility problems.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 24, 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.

Study compares risk with 2 diabetes drugs

A new study published by the American Heart Association compares the risks of diabetes drugs rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, finding that patients taking either medication have a similar risk of heart attack, heart failure, or death. The study included over 36,000 patients and followed them for 33 months.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 24, 2010

Plants give up some deep secrets of drought resistance

A team of Wisconsin researchers has identified the protein targets in cells of a key hormone that controls how plants respond to environmental stresses such as drought. The study's findings could help underpin the development of new crop plant strains capable of thriving in hotter, dryer climates.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2010

Math from the heart: Simulating stent design and coating

Suncica Canic develops computer models to simulate stent interactions with blood and cells, improving stent compatibility and reducing complications. Her research aims to help doctors choose the right stents for their patients and optimize stent design for specific procedures.

SourceNIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences·DateAug 23, 2010

Good vibrations: New atom-scale products on horizon

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a way to control the piezoelectric effect in nanoscale semiconductors called quantum dots. This enables the development of incredibly tiny new products with potential applications in solar power and nanoelectronic devices.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 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.

Researchers gain focus on a bug with bifocals

The larvae of the sunburst diving beetle have been found to possess bifocal lenses in four of their twelve eyes, allowing for efficient switching between close-up and distance vision. This discovery has implications for biomedical engineering and imaging technology, with potential applications for humans.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 23, 2010

Understanding cancer using the fruit fly

Researchers use fruit flies to study protein modifications that can contribute to cancer development. The study aims to unravel the role of enzyme San in tissue proliferation and cancer growth.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·DateAug 23, 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.

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that local fishermen exposed to oil clean-up efforts two years prior showed persistent airway injury, including increased prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and biomarkers of pulmonary oxidative stress. The study suggests even short-term exposure to oil sediments may have detrimental health effects.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 23, 2010

ORNL scientists help explain graphene mystery

Researchers used quantum molecular dynamics and transmission electron microscopy to discover an intermediate step in the cleaning process. Electron irradiation prevented loop formation, allowing for efficient edge cleaning and improving graphene's suitability for electronics.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 23, 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.

Cost of prostate cancer care varies with initial treatment choice

A new analysis found that prostate cancer treatment choices significantly impact long-term care costs. Watchful waiting had the lowest initial and five-year total costs, while hormonal therapy plus radiation and surgery were associated with higher costs.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer Biology & Therapy·DateAug 23, 2010

UCLA study identifies genetic variation linked to lupus in Asian men

A recent study by UCLA researchers has identified a genetic variation linked to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Asian men. The findings suggest that this variation on the X chromosome enhances an immune response, increasing the risk of developing lupus in men compared to women.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2010

Researchers connect APC protein to autism and mental retardation

A protein called APC plays a key role in synapse maturation, and dysfunction prevents the synapse function required for typical learning and memory. Mutations in genes related to neuroligin and neurexin are associated with autism, but little was known about their mechanisms at the synapse.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·DateAug 23, 2010

Alcohol intake increases certain types of breast cancer

A study published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that alcohol consumption is more strongly related to the risk of lobular carcinoma than ductal carcinoma, and more strongly related to hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer than hormone-receptor-negative breast cancer.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 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.

Sensor important to understanding root, seedling development

A new biosensor developed at Purdue University can detect auxin movement in real-time, allowing scientists to better understand how the plant hormone regulates root growth. The sensor uses nanomaterials to create an electrical signal that measures auxin concentration, enabling instantaneous and continuous measurements during root growth.

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateAug 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.

Cactus genes connect modern Mexico to its prehistoric past

A team led by Fabiola Parra has successfully traced the domesticated Gray Ghost Organ Pipe (Stenocereus pruinosus) to its living ancestral species in Mexico's Tehuacán Valley. Genetic analysis reveals evidence of artificial selection, increasing genetic diversity among cacti grown using traditional methods.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalAnnals of Botany·DateAug 23, 2010

Sign language speakers' hands, mouths operate separately

A new study on British Sign Language found that signers make different mistakes in the sign and in mouthing, indicating separate brain processing for hand and lip movements. Researchers suggest that this suggests the signer is processing two languages simultaneously.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 23, 2010

Disasters especially tough on people with disabilities, mental disorders

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that disasters disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities and mental disorders, with significant barriers to housing, transportation, and disaster services still present two years after Hurricane Katrina. Researchers recommend case managers knowledgeable about ...

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalRehabilitation Psychology·DateAug 23, 2010

Health diagnosis made simpler

Researchers at Arizona State University have created a new device that simplifies health diagnosis by detecting diseases quickly and at lower costs. The Integrascope uses superhydrophobic surfaces and LEDs to focus light on tiny particles, allowing for rapid detection of infectious agents or proteins in patient samples.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Precedings·DateAug 23, 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.

Antibiotic may reduce stroke risk and injury in diabetics

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia found that daily minocycline treatment can help diabetics avoid strokes or minimize damage by reducing blood vessel remodeling. This could benefit diabetics who are already at increased risk for bleeding and stroke damage.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·DateAug 23, 2010

Body clock drugs could ease psychiatric disorders and jet lag

Researchers have successfully used a drug to reset the body clock of mice, opening up possibilities for treating psychiatric disorders, jet lag, and shift work-related health impacts. The drug works by inhibiting casein kinase 1, a key molecule in the circadian clock mechanism.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2010

Study offers historic buildings protection from climate change

Engineers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a forecasting method to predict damage caused by weather to historic and modern masonry buildings. This allows conservationists to estimate the impact of long-term climate change on stonework and brickwork, determining the most suitable preservation plan.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·DateAug 23, 2010
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Diabetes can cause a sugar coating that smothers body's immune defences

Research found high glucose levels can form a 'sugar coating' that blocks immune receptors, increasing the risk of chronic bacterial and fungal infections in diabetes patients. This can lead to increased risks of viral infections like influenza and inflammatory conditions like cardiovascular disease.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalImmunobiology·DateAug 23, 2010

Lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding development of new medicines

The Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) Consortium is a worldwide scientific community working together to discover and develop new drugs. Key findings include the development of a comprehensive map of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome, paving the way for a potential new drug for tuberculosis.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 23, 2010

A cluster bomb for cancer care

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a nano-sized vehicle that can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into cancer cells while avoiding interaction with healthy cells. This technology has the potential to increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutic treatments while reducing their debilitating side effects.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalBiomaterials·DateAug 23, 2010
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Powerful new way to control magnetism

Scientists at Rutgers University discovered a material where an electric field controls the overall magnetic properties, leading to ultra-dense data storage. The effect could revolutionize small-scale magnetic bits and potentially lead to more dense storage devices than current terabyte discs.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 23, 2010

Alcohol-based hand disinfectants improve business productivity

A study published in BMC Infectious Diseases found that alcohol-based hand disinfectants significantly reduced incidences of absenteeism due to common colds, fever, and cough. Hand disinfection also reduced on-the-job-productivity-losses and increased workplace health levels.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Infectious Diseases·DateAug 23, 2010

New study: More than 20,000 sledding injuries each year

A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found an average of over 20,000 sledding-related injuries treated in US hospital emergency departments each year. The most common injuries were fractures and cuts/bruises, with a high risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) during collisions.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateAug 23, 2010
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.