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Science News for January 6, 2010


Seeing with your hands? Hand amputation may result in altered perception around the hands

A study in Psychological Science reveals that hand amputation distorts visuospatial perception of the action space. Participants with amputations underestimated distances relative to their intact limbs. The research suggests losing a hand may 'shrink' the action space, leading to permanent spatial perception distortions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 6, 2010

A negative phys ed teacher can cause a lifetime of inactivity

A negative physical education experience during childhood can have a lasting impact on a person's attitude towards physical activity. Research by University of Alberta professor Billy Strean highlights the importance of creating a fun and playful environment for young athletes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalQualitative Research in Sport and Exercise·DateJan 6, 2010

Immune responses to tetanus vaccine unchanged for RA patients on rituximab

Researchers found that RA patients treated with rituximab in combination with methotrexate had the same immune response to the tetanus vaccine as those treated with methotrexate alone. However, patients on rituximab had a reduced response to the pneumonia vaccine compared to those on methotrexate alone.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJan 6, 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.

Dana-Farber researcher awarded national science distinction

Kai W. Wucherpfennig, a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researcher, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to immunology and T-cell activation in human autoimmune disease. The AAAS Fellowship recognizes his distinguished efforts to advance science and its applications.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·DateJan 6, 2010

Fewer headaches on the horizon thanks to latest guidelines

The International Headache Society has published new research guidelines to stimulate more research into headache treatment and reduce health risks associated with treatment. The guidelines focus on episodic and chronic tension-type headaches, aiming to identify more effective treatments and improve clinical trial safety for patients.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalCephalalgia·DateJan 6, 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.

Canine compulsive disorder gene identified in dogs

A genetic locus on chromosome 7 has been linked to canine compulsive disorder, a condition characterized by repetitive behaviors. The neural cadherin-2 gene, CDH2, is involved in mediating synaptic activity and neuronal adhesion, suggesting a possible connection to human obsessive-compulsive disorder.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 6, 2010

UV LED therapy shows promising results in preventing focal seizures

Researchers discovered that UV LED light can reduce seizure-like activity in rat epilepsy models by releasing gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural neurotransmitter. The study suggests that this technique could be translated to human focal epilepsy, offering an alternative treatment option.

SourceWiley·JournalEpilepsia·DateJan 6, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Getting a grip on school timetables

Researchers in Brazil develop a GRASP heuristic for efficient school timetabling, solving the NP-hard problem by balancing teacher preferences, student schedules, and resource constraints. The algorithm improves solution quality and reduces building time.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Operational Research·DateJan 6, 2010

Setting the record straight on weight loss

A recent study by Research Australia suggests that relying solely on fat oxidation for weight loss is ineffective. The research found that mice genetically altered to burn fats in preference to carbohydrates still converted unburned carbohydrates into stored fat, ultimately leading to the same weight and body composition as normal mice.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 6, 2010

Cell phone exposure may protect against and reverse Alzheimer's disease

A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease suggests that long-term cell phone exposure may protect against and even reverse Alzheimer's disease. The research found that electromagnetic waves generated by cell phones erased brain deposits of beta-amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, in mice.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·DateJan 6, 2010

'Nanodragster' races toward the future of molecular machines

Scientists developed a nanodragster that can outperform previous nano-sized vehicles and address limitations in controlling small molecule motion. The new vehicle features improved wheels and axle design, enabling better agility and potentially paving the way for more advanced molecular machines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalOrganic Letters·DateJan 6, 2010

Study: US biofuels policies flawed

A new policy paper questions the economic, environmental and logistical basis for billions of dollars in federal subsidies and protectionist tariffs for domestic ethanol producers. The report highlights the environmental threats posed by current biofuels policy and challenges claims that ethanol use lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceRice University·DateJan 6, 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.

Scientists reveal Milky Way's magnetic attraction

Scientists have discovered that the Milky Way's magnetic field is significantly stronger than initially believed, with a strength of at least 10 times greater than the rest of the galaxy. This finding has important implications for various astronomical data calculations and theories, including star formation and cosmology.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2010

Old antidepressant offers promise in treating heart failure

Researchers have found an antidepressant, clorgyline, can blunt and reverse muscle enlargement and weakened pumping function associated with heart failure. The drug blocks the action of enzyme monoamine oxidase-A and stops its breakdown of a key neurohormone, norepinephrine.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCirculation Research·DateJan 6, 2010

Unraveling kidney cancer

Researchers sequenced over 100 kidney cancer samples, identifying mutations in genes controlling gene expression and chromatin structure. The study reveals genetic complexity in ccRCC, providing insights into diagnosis and treatment options.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 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.

Study finds H1N1 virus spreads easily by plane

A new study predicts that the H1N1 virus can spread quickly on planes, particularly in crowded economy classes. Researchers used mathematical modeling to estimate potential infections during long-haul flights and found that two to five infections could occur on a five-hour flight.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJan 6, 2010

MIT neuroengineers silence brain cells with multiple colors of light

Neuroscientists at MIT have developed a powerful new class of tools that can reversibly shut down brain activity using different colors of light. These 'super silencers' exert exquisite control over the timing of shutdown, allowing researchers to study neural circuits and potentially treat disorders such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2010

Team finds link between stomach-cancer bug and cancer-promoting factor

Researchers have found that Helicobacter pylori directly activates an enzyme in host cells associated with several types of cancer. Chronic H. pylori infection is a known risk factor for gastric cancer, and the discovery may lead to new treatments for this devastating disease.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 6, 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.

Most earthlike exoplanet started out as a gas giant

Researchers discover CoRoT-7b, an earth-like planet, is believed to be the rocky remains of a Saturn-sized gas giant. Computer models reveal that the planet's mass loss and tidal migration led to its transformation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 6, 2010

Study examines interval colorectal cancer despite surveillance colonoscopy

Researchers found that nine cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed over 7,626 person-years of observation, with most cancers detected at early stages. The study highlights the importance of close follow-up for patients with a history of advanced adenoma.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJan 6, 2010

Study investigates immune system alterations in the brain

Researchers used a special peptide to modify laboratory mice's immune systems, reducing characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease. Anti-inflammatory cells were recruited, dampening the local inflammatory response and boosting plaque-degrading enzyme action.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJournal of Neurochemistry·DateJan 6, 2010

Fancier fakes: Makers of bogus prescription drugs pose new challenges

Counterfeiters are using advanced technology to create fake prescription drugs, including small amounts of real active ingredients and holograms. Law enforcement is responding with new security approaches, but these measures only last around 18 months before counterfeiters can produce new mimics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 6, 2010

MMS study probes mystery of loop current in eastern Gulf of Mexico

A new MMS study examines the Loop Current and its effects on the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, revealing a connection between upper- and lower-layer currents and water mass characteristics. The research provides valuable insights for improving forecasting and predicting the impact of the Loop Current on oil and gas operations.

SourceBureau of Ocean Energy Management·DateJan 6, 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.

Camera traps yield first-time film of tigress and cubs

Camera traps in the Sumatran jungle have captured images of a rare female tiger and her cubs, providing unique insight into their behavior. The tigress and her cubs were seen stopping to sniff and check out the camera trap, giving researchers valuable information about their habitat and population.

SourceWorld Wildlife Fund·DateJan 6, 2010

Study examines calorie information from restaurants, packaged foods

Researchers at Tufts University analyzed the calorie content of restaurant dishes and packaged foods, finding that publically available data is often 18% less accurate than their own analysis. This discrepancy could lead to significant weight gain and undermine health initiatives.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJournal of the American Dietetic Association·DateJan 6, 2010

Quantum simulation of a relativistic particle

Researchers at University of Innsbruck simulate Dirac equation using calcium ion, demonstrating Zitterbewegung and antiparticle behavior. The experiment provides a proof-of-principle for simulating relativistic quantum systems.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2010

Iowa State physicists beginning to see data from the Large Hadron Collider

Physicists at Iowa State University are starting to see real data from the Large Hadron Collider, a multibillion-dollar particle accelerator. The team is analyzing the data from the ATLAS experiment's silicon pixel detector, which uses 80 million pixels to make precise measurements of particles created in high-energy collisions.

SourceIowa State University·DateJan 6, 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.

How people work ... and the fingerprint mystery

Researchers investigate how our bodies function, including why we chew food to create a firm blob for safe swallowing. Fingerprints are also examined, with tests suggesting they may aid grip and skin flexibility, but the true purpose remains unknown.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateJan 6, 2010

High antiretroviral therapy adherence associated with lower health care costs

Researchers found that higher antiretroviral therapy adherence was associated with lower direct health care costs for HIV-infected adults in South Africa. This decrease in costs is largely attributed to reduced hospital use, saving a median monthly health care cost of $85 per patient.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 6, 2010

Multiple patient samples of an analyte improve detection of changes in clinical status

Researchers developed a mathematical methodology to reduce biologic variation in laboratory results, improving the sensitivity of detecting physiologic changes. By using multiple paired sets of patient data, they found a substantial decrease in the difference necessary to achieve a given confidence interval.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalArchives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·DateJan 6, 2010
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

All sustainable transportation subsidies shouldn't be created equal, experts say

Researchers Steven Skerlos and James Winebrake argue that government subsidies for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) should be tailored to specific locations and consumer characteristics. They found that PHEVs are most effective in areas with low-carbon fuel production, high driving volumes, and poor air quality.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnergy Policy·DateJan 6, 2010

Nitric oxide-releasing wrap for donor organs and cloth for therapeutic socks

Scientists have developed a new bandage that slowly releases nitric oxide, increasing blood flow and regulating body functions. The material is made from zeolites embedded in a water-repellent polymer and has potential applications in therapeutic socks for diabetic patients and organ preservation.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJan 6, 2010