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Science News Archive December 2010


Page 12 of 21

Estrogen alone is effective for reducing breast cancer risk

A study published at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium found that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen alone can reduce breast cancer risk in certain women. The analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trials showed a significantly reduced breast cancer incidence in subsets of wom...

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.

Fahrenheit -459: Neutron stars and string theory in a lab

A team of scientists at Duke University has measured the viscosity of an ultra-cold gas, confirming its potential as a scale model for exotic matter and high-temperature superconductors. The results also provide insight into predictions made using string theory.

Study examines effect of water-based and silicon-based lubricant

Researchers at Indiana University found that using lubricant during sex significantly increases women's ratings of sexual pleasure and satisfaction. The study also showed that water-based lubricants are associated with lower rates of genital pain and fewer genital symptoms overall.

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.

Cholera strain evolves new mechanism for causing disease

Researchers identified a new protein (vopE) involved in causing diarrhea and found that the bacteria requires T3SS to cause disease. The study reveals a second pathogenic mechanism used by non-O1, non-O139 strains of Vibrio cholerae.

Cholera strain in Haiti matches bacteria from south Asia

A recent study found that the cholera strain in Haiti matches bacterial samples from South Asia, contradicting earlier assumptions of its Latin American origin. The researchers believe the strain was introduced into Haiti through human activity, raising hopes for control measures such as vaccination and rapid screening.

Gene hunters tackle crop diseases

Scientists have sequenced the genomes of parasitic water fungus and water molds that cause late blight in potatoes, tomatoes, and downy mildew in cruciferous vegetables. The analysis reveals that some sections of the genome are slow to evolve, allowing for resistance genes to be targeted.

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.

Look: What your reaction to someone's eye movements says about your politics

Researchers found that liberals consistently move their attention in response to gaze cues, while conservatives do not. This suggests that liberals tend to be more responsive to others and are influenced by social interaction, whereas conservatives value personal autonomy and are less likely to be swayed by external cues.

Key protein discovered that allows nerve cells to repair themselves

A team of scientists led by Melissa Rolls has discovered a key protein controlling the layout of microtubules in dendrites, allowing neurons to regenerate after severe injury. The research provides new insights into the process of nerve cell regeneration and potential avenues for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Making Internet faster

A EUREKA-backed project, TRAMMS, aimed to solve Internet bottlenecks by monitoring traffic over three years. The team gained insight into user behavior and accurately measured network traffic, enabling service providers to avoid bottlenecks and improve web browsing quality.

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.

Nano squid skin: DOD awards $6M for metamaterials research

The project aims to unlock the secrets of nature's best camouflage artists, specifically cephalopod skins, to create adaptive and responsive materials. The team will investigate light sensing and use it to regulate skin patterns, colors, and contrasts.

States now fund majority of human embryonic stem cell research

According to a recent study in Nature Biotechnology, states in the US are now funding more human embryonic stem cell research than the federal government. The extent of this funding varies significantly between states, with some prioritizing this research over others.

Platinum and blue light combine to combat cancer

Scientists at the University of Warwick have discovered a new platinum-based compound that can be activated by normal visible blue or green light, leading to a highly potent cancer treatment. The compound is up to 80 times more effective than existing platinum-based anti-cancer drugs.

Industry collaboration enhances academic science, sociologist finds

New research by James Evans highlights industry's role in advancing academic science by encouraging novel discovery and exploring previously unexplored biological processes. Industry-funded work tends to stray from theoretical hubs, whereas government-funded studies cluster around related themes and theoretical hubs.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Better batteries from the bottom up

Rice University researchers have developed microbatteries with nanowire 'hearts' that can store more energy and charge faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The batteries employ vertical arrays of nickel-tin nanowires encased in a PMMA polymer, which insulates the wires and allows ions to pass through.

Immune system changes linked to inflammatory bowel disease revealed

Scientists at Virginia Tech have discovered key molecular events in the immune system that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. The study identifies peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma as a crucial regulator of inflammation and offers potential targets for repurposed drugs and naturally occurring compounds.

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.

Gene knockout shows potential for diabetes-related heart failure

Researchers found that silencing the TLR4 gene can prevent hyperglycemic cardiac apoptosis in diabetic mice, highlighting the potential clinical use of siRNA-based therapy. The study demonstrated that TLR4 plays a critical role in cardiac apoptosis and that its silencing can suppress apoptotic cascades.

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.

There's a new 'officer' in the infection control army

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a new regulatory protein, GAKIN, that oversees the activity of CARD11, a key player in immune cell activation. This finding presents opportunities to develop new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer by targeting hyperactive immune cells.

Computer-based program may help relieve some ADHD symptoms in children

A new study suggests an intensive computer-based working memory training program can alleviate some ADHD symptoms in children. The five-week program showed significant changes in attention, organization, and working memory skills. Parents reported improvements in ADHD symptoms, and the results were evident four months after treatment.

Charging makes nano-sized electrodes swell, elongate and spiral

Researchers observed electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries contorting and fatten as they become charged with electricity. This study suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for improving battery performance.

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.

Scientists begin 5-month study of cloud life cycles

A team of atmospheric scientists will gather data from clouds at four different elevations on Mount Werner for five months. The data will help improve climate models by verifying the accuracy of measurements used in computer simulations.

IU study: When to end a run

A study by Indiana University found that runners who continue despite exhaustion change their form, increasing the risk of injury. The study showed that at the end of a normal run, runners' mechanics start to change when they reach fatigue levels, typically indicated by RPEs between 13-15.

Simulations aim to unlock nature's process of biomineralization

Hendrik Heinz, a University of Akron researcher, is using advanced simulations to understand organic-inorganic bonding. His work aims to develop new composite materials and devices, such as bone replacement and sensing systems, by harnessing nature's biomineralization process.

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.

Avant-garde music offers a gateway to artificial intelligence

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a system that analyzes and responds to the complex musical structures of improvised avant-garde performances, using interconnecting elements of cognition such as perception/action, reasoning, decision-making, planning, and memory.

Supercomputing research opens doors for drug discovery

A new technique developed at ORNL allows supercomputers to sift through massive molecular databases and identify potential drug candidates. This breakthrough could lead to diverse and innovative classes of drugs by processing millions of molecules a day.

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.

Massive gene loss linked to pathogen's stealthy plant-dependent lifestyle

A recent study has shed light on the genetic code of a plant pathogen that causes downy mildew disease. The analysis revealed massive gene loss in the pathogen, which is essential for its stealthy lifestyle, and could lead to new ways to investigate how these pathogens wreak havoc and prevent billions of dollars of losses for farmers.

Evolutionary arms race between smut fungi and maize plants

Scientists have identified new genes in smut fungi that play a crucial role in infecting maize plants. The study reveals an evolutionary arms race between the plant and parasite, with each side developing new molecules to outsmart the other.

Tiny protozoa may hold key to world water safety

A new technology using tiny protozoa to detect toxins in water sources may provide unprecedented assessment of the world's water supplies. The Swimming Behavioral Spectrophotometer (SBS) can detect chemicals, pesticides, and biological warfare agents with near-instant feedback.

Genome of barley disease reveals surprises

Researchers discover parasites within the fungus help it adapt and overcome plant defenses, leading to rapid evolution and devastating impact on agricultural yield. The study could lead to significant advances in developing new agricultural techniques for protecting cereal crops from infection.

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.

UCLA researchers find that Medicaid-funded ADHD treatment for children is failing

A study by UCLA researchers found that Medicaid-funded ADHD treatment for children yielded poor quality care, with few follow-up visits and inadequate medication use. The study suggests areas for improvement in ADHD care, including better alignment of clinical severity with provider type and increased use of stimulant medication.

'1-drop rule' appears to persist for biracial individuals

Harvard researchers found that biracials are consistently perceived as belonging to their lower-status parent group, with only 68% needed to be white for a black-white biracial to be seen as white. Further studies aim to understand why this persistence of the 'one-drop rule' occurs

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.

A double block of blood vessels to starve cancerous tumors

A new type of VEGFR-3 blocking antibody has been developed to inhibit angiogenesis in cancerous tumors. The antibody was shown to be effective even at high concentrations of the growth factor, and combining it with another inhibitor provided synergistic inhibition.

EU project to build Electric Solar Wind Sail

The EU-funded ESAIL project aims to develop the laboratory prototypes of key electric sail components. A full-scale electric sail is estimated to produce a continuous thrust of one newton while weighing only 100 kg.