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Science News Archive July 2010


Page 16 of 23

Why (smart) practice makes perfect

A study by neuroscientists at USC found that volunteers practicing a challenging arm movement with related tasks showed better retention of the skill. The prefrontal cortex was necessary for consolidating the memory, while constant practice focused on a single task did not retain the skill as well.

New guideline: MRI better than CT scans at diagnosing stroke

A new guideline recommends using diffusion MRI scans instead of CT scans for diagnosing acute ischemic stroke within 12 hours. MRI scans are found to be more accurate in detecting stroke damage and identifying severity, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.

JCI online early table of contents: July 12, 2010

A study published in JCI Online found that targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells in the pedunculopontine nucleus may alleviate gait disorders and falls in Parkinson's disease patients. Meanwhile, another study suggests that blocking TIM-1 protein could provide therapeutic benefits for asthma patients.

Pain, dry mouth may play role in sleep quality of head and neck cancer patients

A recent study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that head and neck cancer patients with poor sleep quality had more symptoms of chronic pain and complaints of dry mouth related to radiation treatments. The researchers suggest that reducing these factors may be warranted to improve sleep hygiene and enha...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New vitamin D guidelines from Osteoporosis Canada

The new guidelines recommend daily supplements of 400 to 1000 IU for adults under 50 without osteoporosis, increasing to 800-2000 IU for those over 50. Canadians can safely take daily vitamin D supplements up to 2000 IU without medical supervision.

Discovery points to new approach for diabetes therapy

Researchers at Oregon State University have found that stimulating the production of fatty acid elongase-5 enzyme in mice can cure mild diet-induced diabetes. The study suggests a new approach to diabetes therapy, with potential applications for human treatment and management of related conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Pediatric clinical studies appear prone to bias, Hopkins review shows

A Johns Hopkins review of nearly 150 randomized controlled trials on children found that 40-60% of the studies failed to minimize risk for bias or properly describe those measures. The study urges pediatricians to critically read studies, asking how researchers reached conclusions and whether analysis was unbiased.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Engineering could give reconstructive surgery a facelift

Topology optimization enables creation of patient-specific, case-by-case designs for tissue-engineered bone replacements in facial reconstruction. The technique accounts for variables like blood flow and chewing forces to optimize structure and function.

The brain of the fly -- a high-speed computer

Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology successfully establish conditions for decoding fly brain's motion vision mechanisms. They use fluorescence molecules and state-of-the-art microscopes to observe nerve cell activity, revealing that L2-cells transform data and relay information about light intensity reductions to subseq...

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.

High-performance engineering used to design facial bone replacements

Scientists use topological optimization to create experimental 3D structures for facial bone replacement, which can withstand chewing forces and facilitate speaking and swallowing. The team plans to grow bone around these lightweight structures using tissue engineering techniques.

Larger head size may protect against Alzheimer's symptoms

A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.

Disruption of circadian rhythm could lead to diabetes

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that disrupting two genes controlling circadian rhythms can lead to diabetes. The researchers discovered that mice with defective CLOCK and BMAL1 genes developed pancreatic cells unable to release sufficient amounts of insulin, leading to diabetes.

Obstructive sleep apnea linked with later risk of heart disease

Research from the Sleep Heart Health Study found that severe obstructive sleep apnea raised the risk of heart failure and coronary heart disease in men. Men with the most severe OSA faced a 58% higher risk of developing heart failure and a 68% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease compared to those without OSA.

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.

Experimental obesity drug avoids brain effects that troubled predecessors

A second-generation anti-obesity drug has shown promise in reducing body weight in rodents without causing psychiatric side effects. The drug targets peripheral tissues and organs, avoiding significant brain exposure. This finding raises the prospect of reviving CB1 receptor blockade for fighting obesity and related diseases.

Krause to receive GSA's 2010 Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Award

Krause received the award for his book 'Aging in the Church: How Social Relationships Affect Health,' which explores the relationship between church-based social support and physical/mental health outcomes. The GSA recognized his work as state-of-the-art thinking in aging and life course development.

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.

Staggering tree loss from 2005 Amazon storm

The study reveals that a single squall line killed between 441 and 663 million trees across the Amazon basin, equivalent to 23% of annual carbon accumulation. The region near Manaus experienced up to 80% tree mortality in affected plots.

Weight loss reduces hot flashes in overweight and obese women

A new study found that overweight and obese women with hot flashes can reduce their symptoms by losing weight through diet or exercise. Half of the participants reported improvements in hot flashes after six months, with those in the active weight loss group twice as likely to see an improvement compared to the control group.

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.

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly

A study by Dr. David J. Llewellyn found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a higher risk of substantial general cognitive decline and new problems with mental flexibility. The research involved over 850 older adults, showing that those with severe vitamin D deficiencies were 60% more likely to experience cognitive decline.

Colorectal cancer screening in Canada is cost-effective

A study by researchers from the University of British Columbia and Dalhousie University found that colorectal cancer screening can reduce mortality by 39-83% and incidence by 26-81%. Regular screening, such as fecal tests or colonoscopies every ten years, is recommended for average-risk individuals.

Plant 'breathing' mechanism discovered

A study by Carnegie Institution scientists reveals that radiation drives stomatal response, rather than just humidity. This breakthrough has significant implications for weather forecasting, climate change research, and agriculture.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Online learning supplements watershed program

Researchers found that online learning modules increased participant understanding of key concepts by 30% and retention rates remained high after two months. Participants valued the supplement to hands-on classes, but preferred face-to-face interaction with experts.

UCI to get $4.7 million to fight malaria in Southeast Asia

The University of California, Irvine will lead a groundbreaking malaria field research project in China, Myanmar, and Thailand with $4.7 million federal funding. Researchers aim to develop broader results by working with transient populations and Chinese residents near the Myanmar border.

For speediest athletes, it's all in the center of gravity

Researchers argue that differences in body types among blacks and whites, including the location of their center of gravity, contribute to racial disparities in athletic performance. The study found black sprinters are 1.5% faster than whites due to a higher center of gravity.

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.

Adolescent vision screenings may miss farsightedness and astigmatism

A recent study found that traditional vision screening methods for adolescents often fail to detect hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. The researchers used a comprehensive eye examination to assess 2,353 year 7 students and found that no reliable cutoff point could be established for detecting these conditions.

Fungi's genetic sabotage in wheat discovered

Scientists have discovered how fungi subvert a single gene in wheat, triggering programmed cell death, which protects plants from pathogens. Researchers also developed DNA molecular markers to rapidly screen commercial cultivars for the gene, allowing for its elimination through selective breeding.

'Dawning of a new age' in bacteria research

Researchers at Loyola Medicine have discovered protein acetylation, a common molecular reaction in bacteria that affects protein function and gene regulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding bacterial physiology and developing new drugs to combat harmful bacteria.

AOSSM presents prestigious research awards at annual meeting

The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) presents eight research awards and two grants to recognize innovative studies in orthopaedic sports medicine. This year's award recipients include researchers who have made significant contributions to the field, with highlights including studies on platelet-rich plasma, exte...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

MIT researchers create fibers that can detect and produce sound

Researchers at MIT have developed fibers that can detect and produce sound, opening up new possibilities for wearable microphones and biological sensors. The fibers use a piezoelectric material to convert vibrations into electrical signals, allowing for high-resolution sensing applications.

Enhancer of prostate cancer risk located in gene desert

A genetic variant associated with increased expression of oncogene MYC has been identified in a gene desert, increasing prostate cancer risk. The study showcases a new protocol for studying cancer-risk variants in gene deserts and highlights the importance of regulatory sequences in controlling gene expression.

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.

Canada needs a policy for rare disease treatment

The lack of a policy in Canada hinders treatment accessibility for rare diseases, where pharmaceutical companies may hesitate due to small markets. The authors propose defining rare diseases and developing patient registries as short-term solutions.

New evidence shows low vitamin D levels lead to Parkinson's disease

A new study reveals that low vitamin D levels can predict the development of Parkinson's disease, with individuals having the lowest levels being three times more likely to develop the condition. Researchers are calling for public health authorities to consider raising the target vitamin D level above the current recommended level.

Open golfers should putt with a 'Quiet Eye'

Researchers at the University of Exeter found that using the Quiet Eye technique can significantly improve putting accuracy in golfers. This method involves focusing on a specific spot on the ball for up to 3 seconds before and during the stroke. By doing so, golfers can reduce pressure and increase their chances of sinking crucial putts.

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.

Origin of key cosmic explosions still a mystery

Scientists investigate white dwarf remnants and binary systems to understand supernovae origins. However, the search for accreting white dwarfs yields few results, leading researchers to reconsider their theories.

Anti-cancer effects of broccoli ingredient explained

Researchers found that sulforaphane, a broccoli compound, reduces prostate cancer risk by affecting cells lacking the PTEN gene. In these cells, sulforaphane inhibits tumor growth and competitiveness. This study suggests potential therapeutic applications of sulforaphane.

Avatars as lifelike representations and effective marketing tools

Researchers found that avatars can portray lifelike and accurate depictions of their creators' personalities within virtual worlds. The study used Second Life as its model, where community members form impressions based on avatar traits, which may accurately match the true personality behind the avatar.

1 in 4 not covering coughs, sneezes

Research presented at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases found that less than 5% of people covered their mouth using recommended methods during the H1N1 pandemic. Medical students observed a low prevalence of respiratory hygiene behaviors in public areas, with most people covering their mouths with their hands.

Researchers witness overnight breakup, retreat of Greenland glacier

Researchers from NASA and the Byrd Polar Research Center report that a 7 square kilometer section of the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier broke up on July 6 and 7, with the calving front retreating nearly 1.5 kilometers in one day. This event is unusual due to its rapid detection and fine detail.

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.

Low vitamin D levels associated with cognitive decline

Researchers found that low vitamin D levels are associated with cognitive decline in older adults, particularly in executive function. The study, which assessed 858 adults over six years, showed a 60% increased risk of substantial cognitive decline among those with severely deficient vitamin D levels.

Study: Diversity of grieving among Alzheimer's caregivers

A new study from the University of Michigan found significant variations in emotional reactions among black, white, and Hispanic caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. The research suggests that racial and ethnic differences play a crucial role in shaping their grieving experiences.

Archaeology find sheds new light on family pets

A University of Leicester archaeologist has discovered a bone belonging to a late 19th-century tortoise from Stafford Castle, providing the earliest archaeological evidence for pet tortoises. This find sheds light on the changing attitudes towards family pets in British society during the late 19th century.

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.