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Science News for February 17, 2010


New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures

Scientists have developed a simple and cheap way to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures, eliminating the need for refrigeration. The method involves mixing vaccines with sugars and drying them on membranes, preserving the active part of the vaccine and allowing it to be shipped at normal temperatures.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 17, 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.

Hopkins scientists discover how protein trips up germs

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a key protein, TRPV2, that plays a crucial role in helping macrophages capture and destroy germs. The protein helps macrophages bind to bacteria more effectively, which enables the immune system to clear infections more efficiently.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Extreme jets take new shape

Researchers found that gamma rays originate closer to one light year from black holes than expected, and the jet curves as it travels away from the black hole. This new understanding of blazar jets requires a rethinking of their structure and poses challenges for theorists trying to construct such jets.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 2010

What is in-store slack? Consumers often plan for unplanned purchases

A study found that shoppers often expect to buy unplanned items and have a mental budget that leaves room for unexpected expenses. The researchers discovered that consumers with high impulsivity tend to overspend when they shop in aisles with little in-store slack.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateFeb 17, 2010

Listen to the natives for better moose monitoring

The Cree people's centuries-old method of rotating hunting territories and killing only adult animals ensured stable moose populations. Modern authorities' reliance on aerial surveys and statistics led to a severe decline in Zone 17's population, but the traditional approach was initially disregarded.

SourceEuropean Science Foundation·DateFeb 17, 2010

Oregon State trains graduate students to be better TAs

The program, launched in a year ago, provides weekly seminars on topics such as creating a good syllabus, working with students who have disabilities, and dealing with academic dishonesty. Graduate student Sarah Eddy credits the program for her win of the 2009 OSU Frolander Outstanding GTA award.

SourceOregon State University·DateFeb 17, 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.

Obama's Promise Neighborhoods Initiative

The initiative, modeled after Harlem Children's Zone, combines public charter schools and community services to help disadvantaged individuals gain financial security. Recent research suggests that similar results can be achieved independent of community investments, but additional evidence is needed to measure long-term impacts.

SourceWiley·JournalCity and Community·DateFeb 17, 2010

A new type of genetic variation could strengthen natural selection

Scientists have discovered a new type of genetic variation that suggests natural selection can act on gene networks, maintaining alternative states within a single species. This finding may be crucial for understanding how pathogens adapt to new stresses and could provide significant advantages in the battle against diseases.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 2010

Training birth attendants in developing countries increases babies' survival

A study conducted in six countries showed that training birth attendants in newborn care and resuscitation significantly increases a baby's survival rate. The intervention resulted in a 30% reduction in stillbirths and a 15% decrease in perinatal mortality, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide each year.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

Don't worry, be happy! Positive emotions protect against heart disease

A major new study published in the European Heart Journal found that people who are usually happy and content have a lower risk of heart disease than those who tend to be unhappy. The study suggests that increasing positive emotions may help prevent heart disease, but more clinical trials are needed.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateFeb 17, 2010

Researchers chart genomic map spanning over 2 dozen cancers

A large-scale study reveals over 100 genomic sites with missing or duplicated DNA in tumors, uncovering novel cancer genes and genetic abnormalities shared across multiple cancers. The study highlights the importance of common genomic alterations in driving cancer growth.

SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protein found to be key in protecting the gut from infection

A signaling protein, GM-CSF, plays a vital role in fighting bacterial infections and inflammation in the intestinal tract. Its deficiency is linked to increased susceptibility to persistent gut infection, severe inflammation, and disease duration.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 17, 2010

New intervention helps Latino parents of asthmatic children quit smoking

A new study suggests that clinically-based smoking cessation programs may not be enough to help Latino smokers with asthmatic children kick the habit. Researchers found that a culturally-tailored intervention providing feedback on secondhand smoke exposure was more effective in helping these parents quit smoking.

SourceLifespan·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Life's smallest motor, cargo carrier of the cells, moves like a seesaw

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made the closest look yet at kinesin protein's structural changes as it ferries molecules within cells. The high-resolution snapshots show kinesin moving up and down like a seesaw, propelled by an energy-giving compound called ATP.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2010

Wall, war, wealth: 30 years in science

The study examines the effects of geopolitical change on scientific production over the last 30 years. Asia's share of world scientific output grew by 155% and China has shown spectacular progress, catching up with the US in natural sciences and engineering by 2015.

SourceScience-Metrix·DateFeb 17, 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.

New assay helps track termites and other insects

A new assay developed by USDA researchers can safely and reliably mark termites and other insects over vast acreage, allowing for their movements to be tracked. The method uses egg white, cow milk or soy milk proteins and has been shown to be effective in tracking the desert subterranean termite.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalInsectes Sociaux·DateFeb 17, 2010

Shopping karma: Cultural factors affect consumer satisfaction

A study found that consumers who believe in karma have higher expectations and a long-term orientation, decreasing the importance of momentary happiness. In India, 64% believed in karma compared to 10.5% in China.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateFeb 17, 2010
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.

Duke scientists image brain at point when vocal learning begins

Researchers track changes to individual dendritic spines in juvenile male songbirds' brains as they learn from adult tutors. The study finds that hearing a tutor song rapidly stabilizes previously dynamic synapses, providing a foundation for learning new behaviors.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 2010

Permafrost line recedes 130 km in 50 years

Researchers measure permafrost retreat with natural hummocks called 'palsas.' The James Bay region's permafrost has retreated 130 km north in 50 years due to climate change. Pallas will disappear if warming trend continues.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalPermafrost and Periglacial Processes·DateFeb 17, 2010

Flu-induced stress response is critical for resistance to secondary infection

Research reveals that flu-induced stress response is critical for resistance to secondary infection, involving increased production of glucocorticoids to control inflammation. The study found that mice without GCs were better able to suppress secondary bacterial infections, but lacking GCs led to a lethal excessive inflammatory response.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateFeb 17, 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.

New method makes vaccines stable at tropical temperatures

Scientists at Oxford University have developed a new method to make vaccines stable at tropical temperatures using Nova Bio-Pharma Technologies' patented HydRIS system. This technology has the potential to revolutionize vaccination efforts, particularly in the developing world where infectious diseases kill millions of people every year.

SourceGravitas PR·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

UAB-led study shows simple steps could reduce stillbirths by up to 1 million

A UAB-led study found that training birth attendants in essential newborn-care techniques reduced stillbirths by over 30% globally. The train-the-trainer program improved perinatal mortality rates, particularly among low-cost interventions such as neonatal resuscitation and kangaroo care.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

Researchers discover second protective role for tumor-suppressor

ATM senses DNA damage, ordering repairs or cell death, while also responding to oxidative harm outside the nucleus. This discovery reveals a potential way to activate tumor-suppressors without damaging DNA.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 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.

Stillbirths drop dramatically after newborn-care training in developing countries

A basic three-day newborn care training regimen reduced the rate of stillbirths by 23% to 15.9 per 1,000 deliveries, with improved outcomes among births attended by midwives and traditional birth attendants. The study, funded by NIH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tracked over 120,000 births in six developing countries.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 17, 2010

Chubby birds get there faster

Researchers found that fat garden warblers, like those studied in Italy, take significantly shorter breaks during migration. They typically move on by nightfall, while thin birds wait for nearly two days to replenish their fat reserves. This study highlights the importance of ecologically-intact resting grounds for migratory birds.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 17, 2010

Laboratory research team awarded AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize

A team of researchers led by Bruce Macintosh has won the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize for their groundbreaking discovery of multiple planets orbiting a distant star. The study, published in Science, provides new insights into the detection and characterization of exoplanets.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·DateFeb 17, 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.

Projection shows water woes likely based on warmer temperatures

A Purdue University researcher projects that Midwestern states like Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan will face more winter and spring flooding, as well as dry summer and fall seasons, if average temperatures rise by 2070. The study suggests a 28% increase in precipitation in these states during the same period.

SourcePurdue University·DateFeb 17, 2010

Stiff party competition, modest salaries good for state government, study shows

A national study spanning 120 years found that vigorous two-party competition provides the best guarantee for meaningful governance, while modest salaries for lawmakers add a second protection against narrow-interest legislation. The research examined 13 states and found that larger party control leads to more parochial legislation.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateFeb 17, 2010

Random fluctuations give rise to odd genetic phenomenon

Researchers found that random fluctuations in gene expression can cause some individuals to express a trait even if they have the mutated gene. This phenomenon is controlled by specific fluctuations in mRNA production and appears to be influenced by environmental factors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 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.

Helmets must be part of skiing and snowboarding culture, doctors urge

Head injuries are a common cause of hospital admissions and death in skiing and snowboarding, with 120,000 people in North America affected annually. Helmets can reduce the risk by up to 60%, according to research. Doctors recommend integrating helmets into ski culture through public awareness campaigns and role modeling.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 17, 2010

New research on multiracial adoption questions current practices

A new study suggests that transracial adopted children of mixed race need early and ongoing experiences within their origin's cultural communities to build healthy cultural identities. The research emphasizes the importance of culturally grounded relationships over cultural artifacts in identity development.

SourceWiley·JournalFamily Process·DateFeb 17, 2010

February 2010 Lithosphere highlights

The February issue of Lithosphere highlights the evolution of the northwestern Red Sea, with two main tectonic events contributing to its formation. The study also explores the Fish Lake Valley fault in eastern California and the incision of major rivers into the Tibetan Plateau's bedrock.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateFeb 17, 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.

Obesity -- mild or severe -- raises kidney stone risk

A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that obesity in all forms increases the risk of developing kidney stones. The researchers found that obese individuals had a higher incidence of kidney stones compared to non-obese individuals, with no difference in risk between mild and severe obesity.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Drug for advanced kidney cancer shrinks tumors prior to surgery

Researchers found that sorafenib therapy can reduce large kidney tumors by up to 40% prior to surgery, making patient recovery less challenging. The study's results suggest a promising new treatment option for patients with advanced kidney cancer.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 17, 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.

New USC institute to target dirty marine diesel

A new institute will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving combustion efficiency in marine diesel engines, which emit significant pollutants. The research aims to produce lab-scale prototype technology that can be scaled up for testing in full-size engines.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateFeb 17, 2010

Study supports alternative anti-seizure medication following acute brain injury

A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute supports the use of Keppra as an alternative to Dilantin for preventing seizures in patients after a brain injury. Patients treated with Keppra had fewer side effects and better long-term outcomes compared to those receiving Dilantin.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalNeurocritical Care·DateFeb 17, 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.

Majority of Marylanders without advance medical directives

A new report by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 66 percent of Marylanders without advance medical directives may face deficiencies in end-of-life care across the US. The results indicate a disconnect between what people want for their medical decisions and their actions to ensure those preferences are carried...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·DateFeb 17, 2010

Caltech researchers presenting at AAAS Meeting

At the AAAS Meeting, Caltech researchers presented on various topics including linear colliders, climate change, and earthquake science. Caltech's Alice Huang will be installed as the next president of the AAAS. Researchers discussed the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its implications for our understanding of time.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Sorting the drivers from the passengers in the cancer genome

Researchers developed a method to distinguish driver mutations from passenger mutations in cancer genomes by analyzing deletions at known tumour suppressor genes and fragile sites. The study found at least one in nine genes can be removed without killing human cells.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·DateFeb 17, 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.

Can mobile phones help people 'EatWell?'

Researchers at Georgia Tech are testing a mobile phone system called EatWell to encourage healthy eating habits. The system uses audio stories to connect community members and promote peer support, with surprising results showing that participants felt a sense of community despite limited interaction.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 17, 2010

Genome sequencing of 3 parasitoid wasp species

The genome sequencing of three parasitoid wasp species offers new insights into the genetic mechanisms of evolution and their importance in controlling agricultural pests. The study identifies key genes responsible for venom production and reveals that these proteins have important physiological effects on host cells.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalScience·DateFeb 17, 2010

Computer simulation of protein malfunction related to Alzheimer's disease

A computer simulation of protein malfunction related to Alzheimer's disease was created by researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and University of Stockholm. The model shows that ApoE4 loses its functional structure in the presence of Amyloid beta, but not ApoE2 and ApoE3 forms.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 17, 2010

U-M researchers find key interaction that controls telomeres

Researchers at U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center found a third protein, TIN2, that overrides Fbx4 by binding to TRF1, stabilizing it and keeping telomere length in control. This finding could lead to developing a drug to block Fbx4, impacting all cancer types.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 17, 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.