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Science News Archive December 2010 - Page 8


Page 8 of 21

Preteen conduct problems leads to teenage serious violence and delinquency

A new Université de Montréal study examines early indicators of a criminal lifestyle in preteens. The findings reveal that children with conduct disorders are six times more likely to sell illicit drugs, nine times more likely to join a gang, and eight times more likely to be arrested.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateDec 15, 2010

UNH space physicist honored as American Geophysical Union Fellow

Eberhard Möbius, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, has been recognized as a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union for his exceptional scientific contributions to space plasma physics. His work on pickup ions in the solar wind and the development of state-of-the-art instrumentation have far-reaching applications in gala...

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·DateDec 15, 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.

Opportunity leads to promiscuity among squirrels, study finds

Research by University of Guelph scientists reveals that female squirrel behavior is driven by opportunities for mating, rather than genetic influences. The study found that females tend to mate with multiple males in a single heat cycle, despite potential risks such as increased energy expenditure and predator exposure.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalBiology Letters·DateDec 15, 2010

Scientists decode secrets of a very common virus that can cause cancer

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a major pathway that infected cells use to root out Epstein-Barr virus infections, which can cause cancer in people with compromised immune systems. The study found that two enzymes play a critical role in mediating this response and preventing unchecked cell growth.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateDec 15, 2010

Insight offers new angle of attack on variety of brain tumors

A new research paper published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reveals a genetic mutation that leads to abnormal metabolic processes in gliomas, potentially leading to targeted therapies. The study shows that almost all tumors with IDH mutations have the same methylation pattern.

SourceBrown University·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 15, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers discover compound with potent effects on biological clock

A team of researchers from the University of California - San Diego discovered a molecule dubbed 'longdaysin' with the most potent effects on the biological clock, slowing it down by more than 10 hours in larval zebra fish. The compound could be used to treat severe sleep disorders or quickly reset jet-lagged travelers' clocks.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 15, 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.

Cilantro ingredient can remove foul odor of holiday chitlins

Scientists have discovered that cilantro's (E,E)-2,4-Undecadienal compound effectively eliminates the strong smell of chitlins. The ingredient can suppress odor at very low concentrations, equivalent to about 10 drops in an Olympic-size pool.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 15, 2010

Software improves understanding of mobility problems

A new software tool visualizes biomechanical data to help professionals understand and address mobility challenges. This improves diagnostic, therapeutic, communication, and education procedures, leading to better-designed products and healthcare strategies. The tool has the potential to enhance quality of life for older people.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateDec 15, 2010

Close proximity leads to better science

Researchers found that papers with authors in the same building were cited 45% more than those in different buildings. The closer first and last authors are located, the more impactful the paper is, according to a new Harvard study.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 15, 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.

Seaweed as biofuel? Metabolic engineering makes it a viable option

A University of Illinois research team has developed a strain of yeast that can efficiently ferment galactose, a key component of seaweed, making it a viable option for biofuel production. The discovery improves the economic viability of marine biofuels by increasing fermentation rates and reducing production costs.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering·DateDec 15, 2010

p53 determines organ size

A study published in PLoS Biology found that p53 determines organ size by regulating tissue growth. The protein's activation in response to stress leads to a coordinated reduction in the growth of healthy tissues, allowing damaged areas to repair themselves.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 15, 2010

Fabric softener sheets repel gnats

A recent study published in HortScience found that Bounce fabric softener sheets can repel adult gnats, with a mean proportion of fungus gnat adults collected being significantly lower in sample compartments containing dryer sheets. The study attributed the effect to volatile compounds such as linalool and beta-citronellol.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateDec 15, 2010

New colonoscopy skills assessment tool developed for trainees

A new colonoscopy skills assessment tool, MCSAT, was developed to evaluate cognitive and motor skills in trainees. The tool provides a standardized method to assess individual progress and establish normal learning curves.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateDec 15, 2010
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.

University of Toronto computer scientist awarded 2010 Steacie Prize

Aaron Hertzmann, a professor at the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science, has received the 2010 Steacie Prize for his exceptional contributions to computer graphics and machine learning research. His work focuses on applying machine-learning techniques to resolve complex problems in computer graphics.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateDec 15, 2010

The AVE pollutes 29 percent less than traditional trains

A study by the Spanish Railways Foundation found that high-speed trains, such as the AVE, consume 29% less energy and produce 31kg less CO2 per passenger compared to traditional trains. The main advantage of high-speed lines is not in reducing fossil fuel consumption, but in attracting passengers who would otherwise travel by air or car.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateDec 14, 2010

The effects of Alcoholics Anonymous on women returning from prison

A new study found that attending Alcoholics Anonymous at least once a week increased the chance of a positive outcome for incarcerated women returning to the community. The research also showed a significant decrease in alcohol-related consequences and overall drinking days among those who attended AA regularly.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 14, 2010

1 tale told is 2 tails gained

Researchers from Arizona State University are studying Anolis lizards to understand their ability to regenerate tissues, with potential applications in treating human osteoarthritis and spinal cord injuries. The team is using molecular methods and the lizard's genome sequence to identify key genes involved in regeneration.

SourceArizona State University·DateDec 14, 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.

Study finds prayer can help handle harmful emotions

A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison sociologist Shane Sharp found that prayer can help victims of violent relationships cope with their emotions and find comfort through venting and positive self-perceptions. Prayer also serves as a useful distraction, allowing individuals to momentarily escape from anxiety and feelings of anger.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·DateDec 14, 2010

Unique case study on Alzheimer's disease

A Swedish case study reveals how Alzheimer's disease progresses, with high amyloid plaque levels at early stages and declining brain energy. The discovery sheds light on the role of nicotinic receptors and neuroinflammation in the disease, offering new insights for diagnosis and treatment.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalBrain·DateDec 14, 2010

Robot arm improves performance of brain-controlled device

A new study improves brain-machine interface control by adding a robotic arm providing kinesthetic information, enhancing the design of 'wearable robots' for paralyzed patients. This approach may help spinal cord injury patients operate computers and robots using only their thoughts.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·DateDec 14, 2010

Environmental pharmaceutical contamination removed by Octolig

Scientists successfully removed amoxicillin, a top five US-prescribed drug, and other substances like nitrates and dyes from water samples using Octolig. The process has implications for reducing environmental contamination and point-source pollution.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalJournal of Technology and Innovation·DateDec 14, 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.

Anatomy of a shopping spree: Pretty things make us buy more

Consumers who purchase luxury items with unique design elements are more likely to experience aesthetic incongruity resolution, where they make additional purchases to match the item. This can lead to a larger financial expenditure than initially anticipated.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateDec 14, 2010

Once upon a time in the Intensive Care Unit ...

Research led by McGill University Health Centre found that nearly 70% of parents reported feeling closer to their babies after reading to them in the NICU. The practice also encouraged parents to continue reading at home, with those who read to their child in the NICU three times more likely to do so.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateDec 14, 2010
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Fighter pilots' brains are 'more sensitive'

A new study reveals that fighter pilots exhibit superior cognitive control, accuracy, and response to distracting information. Their brains also show distinct structural alterations in white matter connections, which may be linked to expertise in certain aspects of cognition.

SourceUniversity College London·DateDec 14, 2010

New combo lung cancer therapy improves survival over single-line treatment

A combination therapy of entinostat and erlotinib showed improved survival rates in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and elevated E-cadherin levels. The treatment was more effective than using erlotinib alone, leading to a large improvement in survival for patients with high E-cadherin expression.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateDec 14, 2010

Marine biotech industry could grow by 12 percent per year

Marine biotechnology has the potential to address critical future challenges such as sustainable food and energy, new drugs and health treatments, and industrial materials. The European Science Foundation predicts that with the right actions taken now, Europe could become a global leader in marine biotech by 2020.

SourceEuropean Science Foundation·DateDec 14, 2010

Making wafers faster by making features smaller

Researchers developed a new intense 13.5-nm light source using tin and lithium plasmas, which can reduce feature size by an order of magnitude, resolving the fundamental limit in semiconductor manufacturing. The technology has shown promising results, with tin plasmas producing twice as much emission as lithium plasmas.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 14, 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.

Zebrafish provide new hope for cancer treatment

Researchers used zebrafish to track the behavior of cancer cells and immune cells, discovering that cancer cells produce hydrogen peroxide to attract immune cells. This co-option of the immune system allows tumors to grow and spread, but blocking this interaction can prevent tumor formation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateDec 14, 2010

Handling holiday shipping peaks through robot-human cooperation

Scientists from Technical University of Munich are investigating how robots can help workers pack large TV sets, reducing costs and improving competitiveness. The CustomPacker project aims to create a safer and more efficient packaging station through human-robot cooperation.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateDec 14, 2010

Tackling the erosion of a special river island

A team of researchers led by David Furbish from Vanderbilt University is studying the erosion of Locke Island, which has been alarmingly eroding away since the 1970s. The island's difficulties began when the east bank of the river adjacent to it collapsed, causing a landslide that pinched down the channel flowing around the island.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateDec 14, 2010

Researchers discover new signaling pathway linked to inflammatory disease

Researchers have identified a key inhibitory role for the IL-1 signaling pathway in the human innate immune system, revealing its impact on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. The study suggests that certain drugs used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may be harmful to IBD patients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateDec 14, 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.

Special section on stigma in Perspectives on Psychological Science: Group differences, not deficits

This special section of Perspectives on Psychological Science explores how psychologists can avoid stigmatizing groups by framing individual and group differences as strengths. Experts discuss the importance of challenging biases and stereotypes in research, teaching, and advocacy to promote a more inclusive field of psychology.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateDec 14, 2010

Research leads to fewer yellowjackets on Christmas trees

Researchers found that mechanical shaking was more effective than manual shaking in removing yellowjacket queens from Christmas trees. The study also showed that pre-harvest insecticide sprays can be 100% effective in killing yellowjacket queens, even after heavy rainfall.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of Economic Entomology·DateDec 14, 2010

Scripps scientists see the light in bizarre bioluminescent snail

Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered a unique defense mechanism in the clusterwink snail, which uses its shell to scatter and spread bright green bioluminescent light. The study found that this diffused light may be used to create an illusion of a larger animal, deterring predators.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateDec 14, 2010
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.

CSHL scientists identify elusive neuronal targets of deep brain stimulation

A new study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets the same class of neuronal cells known to respond to exercise and Prozac, leading to an increase in new neurons in the hippocampus. The targeted area, anterior thalamic nucleus, may provide a guide for designing better treatments.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalJournal of Comparative Neurology·DateDec 14, 2010

Drug use and discrimination among Phoenix area Mexican heritage youth

A study of 1,106 Mexican heritage youth found that perceived ethnic discrimination and acculturation stress increase with age and lead to higher risks of alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. The study suggests that prevention programs should address discrimination and encourage effective coping strategies for young people.

SourceSociety for Prevention Research·JournalPrevention Science·DateDec 14, 2010

New asthma research breaks the mold

Scientists have discovered that many people with asthma actually had the mould growing in their own lungs. A study by University of Leicester researchers found that 6 out of 10 people with asthma who were allergic to a common mould grew the mould from their sputum, leading to fixed narrowing of the airways.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateDec 14, 2010

Fast food and sweets advertised when children watch television

A Swedish study reveals that children are exposed to an average of 50 TV adverts for food per week, dominated by fast food and sweets. The research suggests a link between food advertising and unhealthy food choices among children.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 14, 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.

Optical water quality assessment

A USGS study assessed the McKenzie River in Oregon, measuring optical properties to understand dissolved organic carbon and its impact on drinking water quality. The results indicated that sources of dissolved organic carbon originated upstream and were linked to human activity.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateDec 14, 2010

UT researcher finds power and corruption may be good for society

Researchers Francisco Úbeda and Edgar Duéñez found that moral corruption and power asymmetries are necessary for overall societal cooperation. Without law enforcers, individuals have less incentive to cooperate, while without power and corruption, law enforcers lose their motivation to do their job.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalEvolution·DateDec 14, 2010

Champion hydrogen-producing microbe

The cyanobacteria Cyanothece 51142 produces hydrogen gas at a rate roughly 10 times higher than its nearest competitors due to its unique genetic makeup and metabolic processes. This ability allows the microbes to survive on air, water, and sunlight alone.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 14, 2010

Tiny channels carry big information

Researchers have fabricated 2-nm nanochannels that significantly enhance ion transport, improving power density and practical energy density of fuel cells and batteries. The smaller geometry and stronger hydration force are expected to further enhance ion transport in even smaller hydrophilic nanotubes.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 14, 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.

The effects of spirituality in Alcoholics Anonymous on alcohol dependence

A new study shows that attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings increases spirituality, leading to better alcohol outcomes and improved recovery rates. The research suggests that spirituality is an important factor in the multi-faceted recovery from alcohol-use disorder, but it's not the only method used.

SourceAlcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research·DateDec 14, 2010

Scientists identify how virus triggers cervical and mouth cancer

Scientists have discovered how the human papilloma virus (HPV) triggers cancer in the cervix and mouth, potentially leading to new treatments. The study found that HPV activates a protein called Cdc42, which is already implicated in various cancers, including tumour spread.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateDec 14, 2010

HEA funding for student study

Medical students and doctors face challenges accessing and incorporating evidence into their practice as the available evidence base grows. A new HEA-funded mini-project will explore decision-making processes about where to obtain information, aiming to improve clinical time management and patient care.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·DateDec 14, 2010
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.

Rationalization measures are the main cause of poor work environment

A study published in Applied Ergonomics reveals that rationalization measures often harm physical and psychosocial work environments. However, research suggests that dialogue-based leadership with employee involvement can mitigate these effects. By prioritizing active involvement, employee well-being, and fair treatment, management can...

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalApplied Ergonomics·DateDec 14, 2010