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Science News for July 21, 2010


Penn collaboration leads to simpler method for building varieties of nanocrystal superlattices

A team of chemists, physicists and materials scientists at the University of Pennsylvania created a new method to rapidly grow centimeter-scale membranes of binary nanocrystal superlattices by crystallizing a mixture of nanocrystals on a liquid surface. The study demonstrates a new way to control nanocrystal size, shape and concentration.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·DateJul 21, 2010

Brain scans may help guide career choice

Researchers used MRI scans to investigate the neurological basis for performance on vocational guidance tests, finding that gray matter correlates differ between broad and narrow test types. This study provides a basis for investigating whether brain scans can provide unique information for vocational choice.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Research Notes·DateJul 21, 2010

Idaho STEM gets million dollar boost

The University of Idaho is launching a new STEM Educational Research Initiative, supported by a four-year, $1.2 million funding from the Micron Technology Foundation. The initiative aims to identify and address root causes of why Idaho students may not perform well in STEM fields and develop programs to overcome those barriers.

Lack of insurance coverage remains obstacle to wider colorectal cancer screening with CT colonography

A recent study found that a significant number of patients are willing to undergo computed tomography colonography (CTC) for colorectal cancer screening, but are hesitant to pay out-of-pocket fees. The study suggests that CTC availability could improve screening rates if insurance coverage were more widely available.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateJul 21, 2010

Research links recreational pool disinfectants to health problems

A recent study by University of Illinois researchers found that the application of disinfectants in recreational pools can lead to adverse health outcomes. The study suggests that brominating agents should be avoided as disinfectants, and that a combination of UV treatment with chlorine is the best method to treat pool waters.

Data mining made faster

A University of Utah computer scientist has devised a new method to simplify and speed up data mining, allowing for the analysis of high-dimensional data. The new approach can handle larger datasets than previous methods, making it useful for various applications in natural and social sciences.

Black hole jerked around twice

Astronomers discovered a giant black hole with its spin axis pointing in a different direction after two collisions with smaller galaxies. The observations suggest that the black hole was jerked around twice, creating cavities and radio jets.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 21, 2010

Toronto homeless report barriers to health care

A new study reveals that 17% of Toronto's homeless population has unmet health care needs, with women and those with dependent children facing significant barriers. The study highlights the importance of primary care providers and access to healthcare for vulnerable populations.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 21, 2010

Nitric oxide does not prevent poor lung development or increase survival of preterm infants overall, but black babies did better than non-black

A randomized controlled trial found that nitric oxide treatment did not improve overall survival or reduce poor lung development in preterm infants. However, black babies showed a higher survival rate compared to non-black babies. The study suggests that ethnic origin may affect the response to nitric oxide treatment.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 21, 2010

Stars just got bigger

Scientists have discovered a star with a mass of 265 solar masses in the Large Magellanic Cloud, exceeding previous records. This finding raises questions about the formation process of such massive stars and their role in shaping the universe.

SourceESO·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 21, 2010

High-resolution imaging expands vision research of live birds of prey

Researchers have developed a non-invasive imaging tool to study the retina of live birds of prey, producing detailed images for the first time in history. The new spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system shows unprecedented three-dimensional information about the retina's layers and structure.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJul 21, 2010

Antibiotics for the prevention of malaria

Researchers found that administering antibiotics to mice infected with malaria prevents the disease and induces long-term immunity. The treatment targets the apicoplast, a bacterial organ necessary for parasite reproduction, allowing the immune system to develop robust protection.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 21, 2010

Primitive frogs do a belly flop

A new study reveals that primitive living frogs evolved jumping before perfecting their landing techniques, leading to distinctive belly flop landings. This evolutionary split may have contributed to the frogs' inability to swim synchronously and resulted in unusual anatomical features.

SourceSpringer·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateJul 21, 2010

How do you make the perfect sled dog?

Researchers identified the genetic contributions of various breeds to Alaskan sled dogs' performance. The study found that Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky traits are associated with enhanced endurance, while Pointer and Saluki contribute to speed, and Anatolian Shepherd improves work ethic.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Genetics·DateJul 21, 2010