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Science News for February 10, 2010


Benefits of badger culling not long lasting for reducing cattle TB, says study

A new study published in PLoS ONE suggests that badger culling is unlikely to be a cost-effective way of helping control cattle TB in Britain. The research found that the benefits of repeated widespread badger culling disappear within four years after the culling has ended, resulting in significant financial losses for farmers.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 10, 2010

Diabetes drug ups risk for bone fractures in older women

A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women with type 2 diabetes who take thiazolidinediones are at a higher risk for developing bone fractures. Women over 65 years old were shown to be particularly susceptible, with a 50% increased risk after one year of treatment.

SourceHenry Ford Health·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 10, 2010
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.

Many veterans not getting enough treatment for PTSD

A study found that over 50,000 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans received a new PTSD diagnosis, yet fewer than 30% completed the recommended 10-12 weekly sessions. Factors such as age, sex, and rural residence also affected treatment outcomes.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateFeb 10, 2010

Researchers discover first genes for stuttering

A study has identified three genes associated with stuttering in volunteers from Pakistan, the US, and England. Mutations in these genes have been linked to other metabolic disorders, suggesting a possible inherited component to stuttering.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2010

Tracing natural hazards by taking Earth's pulse

Researchers aim to improve understanding of earthquake mechanisms and volcanic eruptions using highly complex calculations on supercomputers. The QUEST project will provide a more detailed picture of the Earth's internal structure, enabling better modeling of earthquake scenarios.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·DateFeb 10, 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.

Alternative futures of a warming world

Researchers develop new climate modeling process that considers greenhouse gas emissions, projections of the Earth's climate, impacts of climate change, and human decision-making. The approach will influence the next international scientific assessment and provide tools for policymakers to deal with a shifting climate.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2010

USDA scientists sequence genome of grass that can be a biofuel model crop

The USDA has completed sequencing the genome of Brachypodium distachyon, a wild grass similar to switchgrass, which will aid in developing more resilient and efficient biofuel crops. The study's findings may lead to improved disease resistance, drought tolerance, and cell wall composition for better ethanol production.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2010

Making the case for the social sciences

The report highlights the impact of social science research on policies addressing crime prevention, education, and re-employment, as well as healthy diets and child wellbeing. A panel of MPs will discuss the challenges facing the future of social science research and its role in bridging evidence gaps.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateFeb 10, 2010
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.

Blood clotting finding may lead to new treatments

Researchers at Imperial College London have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to new treatments for conditions like deep vein thrombosis and haemophilia A. The study found that factor VIII, a key protein in blood clotting, is produced by lung blood vessels rather than just the liver.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 10, 2010

Study reveals a need to evaluate and regulate 'electronic cigarettes'

A study published in Tobacco Control found that electronic cigarettes fail to deliver nicotine, with participants experiencing no significant increase in nicotine levels or heart rate. The research emphasizes the need for regulation and labeling of these products to protect consumers' welfare and rights.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalTobacco Control·DateFeb 10, 2010

Self-control impaired in type 2 diabetics

Researchers found that patients with type-2 diabetes struggled with impulse control, particularly resisting high-fat food cues. Cognitive impairment of impulsivity control was the primary explanation for this inability, contributing to chronic lifestyle-related diseases.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBioPsychoSocial Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Fingerprinting' method reveals fate of mercury in Arctic snow

Researchers developed a new approach to track mercury's movement through Arctic ecosystems using a 'fingerprint' method. The study confirmed mass-independent fractionation occurs during sunlight-driven reactions in snow, allowing for the estimation of mercury loss and retention.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 10, 2010

APA announces draft diagnostic criteria for DSM-5

The American Psychiatric Association released proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The revisions include new categories for learning disorders and autism spectrum disorders, as well as the addition of dimensional assessments to evaluate symptom severity...

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·DateFeb 10, 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.

fMRIs reveal brain's handling of low-priority ideas

A study published in PNAS found that genetics plays a role in the brain's back-burner setup for low-priority ideas. The default-mode network is linked to genetic factors, with over 40% of variance in functional connectivity under genetic control.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2010

2010 FEBS/EMBO Women in Science award honors Ingrid Grummt

Ingrid Grummt, a renowned geneticist, has been awarded the 2010 FEBS/EMBO Women in Science Award for her groundbreaking work on transcriptional regulation. The award recognizes not only her scientific achievements but also her commitment to mentoring and inspiring future generations of women in science.

SourceEMBO·DateFeb 10, 2010

Short-term radiation therapy successful on breast cancer

A three-week course of accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation has been shown to be as safe and effective as the standard five-week regimen for women with early-stage breast cancer. The study, led by Dr. Tim Whelan, found that patients treated with this accelerated therapy had a low risk of side effects and recurrence of ...

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2010

New genome sequence will aid study of important food, fuel crops

The new genome sequence will aid in the development of improved varieties of wheat, oats, and barley, as well as switchgrass for biofuel production. The genome information is freely available to researchers worldwide, providing a valuable model for studying grasses.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 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.

Bowel disease link to blood clots

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of blood clots, even when not hospitalized. A new study found that IBD sufferers who manage their flare-ups outside the hospital environment are 16 times more likely to develop a blood clot than non-sufferers.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 10, 2010

Waking the dead

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have successfully reconstructed an ancient human genome from a 4,000-year-old hair sample found in Greenland. The team's findings provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup and traits of the Inuk people, who were among the first to settle the New World Arctic.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2010

Predicting prognosis and treatment response in a subset of pancreatic cancer patients

A study by UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that specific histone modifications can predict prognosis and response to treatment in pancreatic cancer patients. The findings suggest that low levels of these modifications are associated with poor survival, while high levels may indicate a favorable response to chemotherapy.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 10, 2010

Migraine may be linked to heart disease

A recent study published in Neurology found that people with migraine are at an increased risk of heart attack and other risk factors for heart disease. The study involved 6,102 participants with migraine and 5,243 without, and found that those with migraines were nearly twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to those without.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 10, 2010
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.

Intense sweets taste especially good to some kids

Children's response to intense sweet taste is linked to their family history of alcoholism and self-reported depression levels, revealing individual differences in liking for sweetness based on biology.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalAddiction·DateFeb 10, 2010

Supra-glacial lakes focus of study

Researchers studying supra-glacial lakes on the Greenland ice sheet seek to understand their role in shaping the ice sheet's topography. The lakes form when melting water collects in pools in the lower levels of the ice sheet, and drain rapidly through cracks in the ice.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 10, 2010

Mother bats expert at saving energy

A new study reveals that wild female bats switch between clustering and torpor to minimize energy expenditure, with torpor use increasing post-lactation. This flexible strategy allows for optimal thermoregulation despite environmental changes.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateFeb 10, 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.

PCs around the world unite to map the Milky Way

The MilkyWay@Home project uses volunteer computers from around the world to study dwarf galaxy movements and provide new details on dark matter. The project, which began in 2006, has surpassed one petaflop of computing speed and is the fastest computing project on the BOINC platform.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateFeb 10, 2010

Racial discrimination in Union Army pensions detailed by new study

A recent Brigham Young University study found that the Pension Bureau approved applications from uninjured white veterans at twice the rate of approval for uninjured black veterans. Black veterans faced significant challenges verifying their chronic illnesses, leading to lower approval rates.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 10, 2010

Eczema in early childhood and psychological problems

A prospective birth cohort study of 5,991 children found that early childhood eczema was associated with increased risk of psychological abnormalities and emotional problems at age 10. Children with persistent eczema beyond the first two years were more likely to develop mental health issues.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateFeb 10, 2010

MDC researchers develop new tool to investigate ion channels

Researchers at MDC developed a system to investigate ion channel function in mammals and block them with neurotoxins. They used genetic engineering to deliver toxin genes into neurons, enabling long-lasting investigation of ion channels and blockade of chronic pain.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Methods·DateFeb 10, 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.

Scientists discover origin of HIV transmission among male partners

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have discovered that HIV RNA in seminal plasma is transmitted during sex, not HIV DNA. This finding has significant implications for developing prevention strategies, including vaccines and microbicides to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted HIV.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 10, 2010

A face is more than the sum of its parts

Acquired prosopagnosia sufferers process faces as a whole, rather than in parts, according to new study findings. This 'locally restricted, serial processing style' is inefficient for certain types of information, hindering real-life face recognition.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateFeb 10, 2010

Burden of HIV/TB infections increasingly falling on Hispanic community

A recent study found that the majority of TB-HIV co-infection cases in San Diego are now among Hispanics, highlighting a significant shift in the disease's ethnic makeup. The results emphasize the need for targeted binational prevention efforts to address the widening health disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateFeb 10, 2010

Researchers find how brain hears the sound of silence

A University of Oregon team has isolated an independent channel in the brain's auditory cortex that deals specifically with shutting off sound processing at appropriate times. This finding supports an emerging theory that a separate set of synapses is responsible for both processing sounds and their disappearance.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 10, 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.

Soothing infants with food focus of childhood obesity study

Researchers study how parents use feeding to soothe infant distress, exploring its relation to rapid weight gain in infancy and subsequent childhood obesity. The study examines the role of genetics and dopamine in the brain's reward system, potentially linking parent feeding practices to increased energy intake.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 10, 2010

Migraine may double risk of heart attack

A new study found that migraine sufferers are at a doubled risk of heart attack compared to those without migraines. The research also reveals an increased likelihood of stroke and high cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 10, 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.

Selective brain damage modulates human spirituality

Research finds that selective brain damage, particularly in parietal regions, can modulate human spirituality and religious attitudes. The study identified a causative link between specific brain lesions and changes in self-transcendence, a personality trait reflecting spiritual feeling and behavior.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 10, 2010