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Science News Archive December 2010


Page 18 of 21

Gold and silver nano baubles

Scientists in Mexico and the US have synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles just 25 nanometers in diameter, which could have potential applications as catalysts, drug-delivery agents, and quantum dots. The analysis reveals multiple layers of shells within each particle, with some blending or alloying of metals.

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.

Virtual training gets real

The ImREAL project aims to create a simulated learning environment that responds to users' behavior and adapts accordingly. Researchers will develop intelligent tools to encourage trainees to detect subtle differences in communication and social cues across cultures.

New public health goals tackle obstacles to breastfeeding success

The US Department of Health and Human Services has set ambitious targets to improve breastfeeding rates in the country. The Healthy People 2020 goals aim to increase the percentage of Baby Friendly Hospitals and workplaces that accommodate working mothers, as well as reduce formula supplementation during maternity hospital stays.

The gene-environment enigma

A study by Washington University School of Medicine reveals that genes alone do not predict disease risk, as environment interacts with DNA in complex ways. The research found that genetic variants have different effects in different environments, making it challenging to make accurate predictions.

AGU journal highlights -- Dec. 3, 2010

Recent AGU research highlights increased flood fatalities in Africa due to population trends, not climate change, as well as lake warming caused by climate change. The study also found that the ozone hole affects upper-atmosphere temperature and circulation, while solar wind contains more oxygen than previously thought.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Anesthetic gases heats climate as much as 1 million cars

A recent study by chemists from University of Copenhagen and NASA found that anesthetic gases have a significant impact on the climate. One kilo of anaesthetic gas affects the climate as much as 1620 kilos of CO2, with three commonly used gasses having global warming potentials ranging from 210 to 1620 times that of CO2.

Fear of being envied makes people behave well toward others

New research in Psychological Science found that the fear of being the target of malicious envy motivates people to act more helpfully toward those they think might be jealous. This fear encourages prosocial behavior, such as sharing resources with others.

Improvement needed for mastectomy outcome reporting

A review of 134 studies on breast reconstruction found inconsistent reporting and a lack of standardization in outcome assessment. The authors highlight the need for non-clinical factors such as patient-reported outcomes to be incorporated into outcome assessment.

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.

New report summarizes key themes in American doctoral education

The new report presents a statistical overview of the U.S. doctoral education system, showcasing trends and changes in the number of international students pursuing a doctorate at U.S. universities. The report aims to inform improvements in the U.S. doctoral education system, emphasizing the need to revitalize America's STEM pipeline.

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.

Researchers create new high-performance fiber

Researchers developed a new high-performance fiber with superior strength and toughness, surpassing Kevlar. The fiber was created by combining carbon nanotubes with a polymer and testing its properties using in-situ electron microscopy.

Assessing positive outcomes of phase III trials

Phase III trials should aim to find clinically important differences in survival outcomes, rather than just statistically significant ones. Pharmaceutical companies often prioritize minimal but detectable differences that are feasible within trial constraints.

WHOI website will take viewers deep into the Gulf

Scientists are using Alvin and Sentry to explore the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico, searching for signs of impact from the 2010 oil spill. The expedition aims to map the seafloor, collect samples, and document the effects on deep-ocean communities.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

UT Southwestern researchers uncover culprits in life-threatening clotting disorder

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified the molecular mechanisms underlying antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a potentially life-threatening condition that causes blood clots. The study's findings suggest that targeting specific proteins may lead to new therapies for APS and its associated pregnancy complications.

Smashing fluids: The physics of flow

The study used an extensional rheometer to measure flow properties of complex fluids, revealing intriguing effects depending on concentration and velocity. At high speeds, the fluid can fracture like a solid, behaving like a jammed system with clusters locking together.

Network will speed, streamline mental health research

The Mental Health Research Network aims to make research faster, less expensive, and more relevant to real-world healthcare. By analyzing data from 10 million people in 12 states, researchers hope to find effective methods for detecting, treating, and preventing mental disorders.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Graptolite fauna indicates the beginning of the Kwangsian Orogeny

The study identifies the early Katian Age as the commencement of the Kwangsian Orogeny, a significant event in South China's geological evolution. Continuous Ordovician sections in Yongxin and Chongyi Counties display a continuous graptolite sequence, indicating a sharp facies change from deep-water black shales to shallow-water clastics.

Data mining depression

Researchers develop system to analyze patient data, therapist interactions, for better understanding of depression causes and prevention strategies. The approach balances individual differences with observed similarities in behavior and response to treatment.

What can ice reveal about fire?

Scientists studied ice cores to find evidence of biomass burning fluctuations in Southern Hemisphere. Biomass burning trends differ from Northern Hemisphere records, suggesting changes for climate models.

Effect of 6 mT SMF on phagocytosis depends on macrophage differentiation degree

A study by Dini et al. investigates the effect of 6 mT Static Magnetic Field (SMF) on phagocytosis in human macrophages, finding that it depends on the degree of macrophage differentiation. The results suggest that moderate intensity SMF can modify cell surface morphology and influence fluid-phase endocytosis and phagocytosis.

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.

'Watchful waiting' has a new set of eyes

A new technology uses metabolic imaging to rapidly assess prostate tumor presence and aggressiveness in real-time. The initial results validate preclinical research linking tumor metabolism speed to growth aggressiveness.

Researchers find mathematical patterns to forecast earthquakes

Researchers from Universidad Pablo de Olavide and Universidad de Sevilla have found patterns of behavior before an earthquake occur on the Iberian peninsula. The team used clustering techniques to forecast medium-large seismic movements with a sensitivity rate of 90%.

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.

Light touch brightens nanotubes

Rice University researchers found that adding tiny amounts of ozone to single-walled carbon nanotubes decorates them with oxygen atoms, enhancing their near-infrared fluorescence intensity and shifting the wavelength. The process is simple enough for a physical chemist to do, and lab tests showed stable fluorescent properties for months.

Forget your previous conceptions about memory

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that brain disruptions cause confusion between memories, leading to false remembering. This insight could lead to new treatments reducing memory confusion and improving daily functioning for patients.

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.

Genetic mutations associated with increased PSA and prostate cancer

Researchers have identified genetic mutations associated with elevated PSA levels in men diagnosed with prostate cancer, offering potential new biomarkers for disease monitoring. The study's findings suggest that sequencing of selected mitochondrial regions could provide valuable information for prognosis.

Evanescent wave imaging of adsorbed protein layers

Scientists have successfully visualized adsorbed protein layers using evanescent wave imaging, demonstrating its potential for monitoring protein adsorption. The study optimized conditions by applying a polarized beam and incorporating a surface-enhanced medium, leading to significant increases in image contrast.

Low-status leaders are ignored

A new study from Rice University found that players are more likely to imitate high-status leaders and ignore low-status leaders in a repeated public-goods game. Contributions from followers with low-status leaders dropped off even as their leaders increased their contributions, showing the importance of leader status on cooperation.

New insights about Botulinum toxin A

A new study found that botulinum toxin A causes muscle weakness in muscles far removed from the injection site, even after repeated use. The study also reveals muscle atrophy and loss of contractile tissue in non-injected limbs.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

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.

Set of specific interventions rapidly improves hospital safety 'culture'

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a set of specific interventions can lead to rapid improvements in hospital safety culture. The program, which includes training for local staff and executive buy-in, resulted in significant increases in positive safety attitudes among hospital workers.

From toxicity to life: Arsenic proves to be a building block

A bacterium isolated from Mono Lake has been found to use arsenic as a building block for its growth and survival. The new finding has significant implications for the origins of life research and could redefine our understanding of what constitutes life.

Better imaging from bench to bedside

The Euro-BioImaging project will develop a comprehensive plan to construct and operate a set of complementary imaging infrastructure facilities across Europe. This will enable scientists to access state-of-the-art imaging technologies, receive training, and facilitate the translation of basic results to medical applications.

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.

Scientists map changes in genetic networks caused by DNA damage

Researchers used differential epistasis maps to study how genes interact in response to stress by DNA-damaging agents. The genetic network was found to completely reprogram itself, revealing functional relationships that would go undetected using other approaches.

Physicist Franz Pfeiffer receives 2011 Leibniz Prize

Physicist Franz Pfeiffer's research on X-ray phase-contrast imaging has immense potential for applications in medicine and industry. His approach enables improved image contrast with lower doses of radiation, leading to better diagnostic success in tumor detection.

Teenage great white sharks are awkward biters

Researchers found that adolescent great whites struggle with capturing and killing large marine mammals due to their weak jaws. However, they can maintain high bite forces using a unique jaw muscle arrangement, a trait common among successful predators.

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.

Strange discovery: Bacteria built with arsenic

Researchers found a strain of bacteria that can grow and produce life using arsenic in place of phosphorus. The discovery suggests that arsenic is being incorporated into the bacterial cells, replacing phosphorus in DNA, RNA, and proteins.