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Science News Archive June 2010


Page 16 of 24

Spinal cord stimulation may benefit Parkinson's patients

Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital tested spinal cord stimulation in a single patient with Parkinson's disease, finding that low-frequency SCS worsened symptoms while high-frequency SCS improved motor function. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential benefits of this approach for PD patients.

Comic book moms are nutrition heroes to guide migrant family health

A new comic book aims to promote healthy lifestyles among migrant families, particularly Latina mothers. The 'Small Changes Big Results' comic book offers practical tips on nutrition and exercise, targeting a high percentage of overweight or obese children in these communities.

Moon whets appetite for water

Scientists have found a much higher water content in the Moon's interior, with concentrations ranging from 64 parts per billion to 5 parts per million. The research suggests that water was preserved from the hot magma present when the Moon formed 4.5 billion years ago.

Hand study reveals brain's distorted body model

Researchers found that brain's representation of hands is out of sync with reality, with fingers perceived as shorter and hands fatter. The findings may be relevant to psychiatric conditions involving body image.

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.

JCI online early table of contents: June 14, 2010

Research on prion disease found that structural differences affect transmission between species, while gene therapy showed promise in nonhuman primates. Additionally, the protein periostin was discovered to promote heart valve degeneration by inducing angiogenesis and MMP production.

Cost concerns prevent many cancer survivors from getting medical care

A new study found that 18% of U.S. cancer survivors, or over two million individuals, are not getting one or more needed medical services because of financial worries. Cancer survivors under 65 were more likely to delay or forgo all types of medical care than their peers without a history of cancer.

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.

Use of unproven mammography tool soars with Medicare coverage

A study by UC Davis researcher Joshua Fenton found that use of computer-aided detection (CAD) in mammography screenings surged after Medicare began covering its cost. The prevalence of CAD increased from 5% to 27% between 2001 and 2003, despite uncertainty over its clinical impact on breast cancer outcomes.

Findings provide new therapeutic route for rare kidney disease

Researchers at the University of Leeds have found a protein, CLC-5, that plays a crucial role in treating Dent's disease, a rare genetic disorder causing kidney stones and failure. The study reveals that faulty CLC-5 delivery impairs endocytosis, leading to vitamin and hormone loss.

Straw residue helps keep nitrogen on the farm

Research found that adding straw residue to hairy vetch cover crops can reduce legume nitrogen losses, but may lower crop yields. The study revealed that straw residue reduced soil inorganic nitrogen content by an average of 7.3% compared to treatments with only legume residues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reinventing the wheel -- naturally

A Duke University engineer, Adrian Bejan, argues that animal movement is like a natural wheel, distributing stresses uniformly. As animals evolve to move better, they develop fewer legs, allowing them to rise higher with each stride and increase their speed.

Does pasture irrigation increase groundwater contamination?

Researchers in New Zealand studied transport of microbes from cow pastures into groundwater supplies and found little to no transport due to spray irrigation application. Spray irrigation was shown to significantly reduce the risk of microbial contamination of groundwater, contradicting previous findings on flood irrigation.

Sequence and structure key to prion disease transmission

A study by Adriano Aguzzi and Christina Sigurdson found that the local structure of PrPC protein influenced prion transmissibility between different species. The researchers identified a molecular switch controlling interspecies prion disease transmission in mice, providing new insight into food safety risks associated with BSE.

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.

Delayed arrival of TB-fighting T cells

A new study reveals that certain T cells delay their arrival to fight tuberculosis-causing bacteria, reducing the immune response. Regulatory T cells activate at the same time as effector T cells, hindering the body's ability to combat TB.

High yield crops keep carbon emissions low

A new report found that high-yield crop varieties developed during the Green Revolution have helped keep greenhouse gas emissions at bay, avoiding nearly 600 billion tons of CO2. The study estimated that agricultural research has averted carbon dioxide emissions at a cost of about $4 per ton of CO2.

Can mental activity protect against memory problems in MS?

A new study published in Neurology found that mentally active lifestyles may reduce the negative effects of brain damage on learning and memory in people with multiple sclerosis. Participants with enriching lifestyles showed better scores on tests of learning and memory despite higher amounts of brain damage.

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.

GOES-15 Solar X-Ray Imager makes a miraculous first light

Scientists and engineers from NASA and NOAA worked together to recover the Solar X-Ray Imager instrument on GOES-15, which finally came online on June 3. The team conducted long-duration turn-on tests and successfully captured several test solar images after overcoming a challenging recovery process.

Study of severe asthma using CT scans

Researchers at the University of Leicester have found that CT scans can monitor progression of severe asthma and check how it responds to treatment. The study suggests that CT-derived measures of structural changes in lungs and airways may be used as a non-invasive marker for asthma.

Many clinicians may be screening for cervical cancer too frequently

Clinical guidelines recommend screening low-risk women every three years after age 30, but most primary care clinicians advocate for more frequent testing. Annual Pap testing has helped decrease cervical cancer burden, but cost-effectiveness models suggest overuse may increase costs with little improvement in outcomes.

Carnivorous mammals track fruit abundance

Researchers found that carnivores can track yearly differences in rowan fruit abundance and prefer the most productive trees. They also helped disperse seeds by picking up fallen fruit, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between carnivorous mammals and plants.

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.

Getting to the root of nutrient sensing

Plants perceive nutrient availability through NRT1.1 nitrate transporter stimulation, inducing lateral root growth in nitrate-rich patches. This mechanism regulates root branching by controlling auxin accumulation, demonstrating a connection between nutrient and hormone signaling during organ development.

Taking aim at metastatic lung tumors

A recent study uses genomic analysis to understand complex cellular signals driving lung cancer's deadly spread. The research identifies specific molecules linked to non-small cell lung cancer's (NSCLC) invasive and metastatic processes, providing a basis for effective therapies.

Study: Adults take their physical activity on the road

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that adults' moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked to neighborhood characteristics such as residential housing density and connected streets. Most physical activity occurs within a 1-kilometer buffer zone around their homes.

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.

Online ads can get too close for comfort says new study

A new study published in Marketing Science found that combining eye-catching pop-up graphics with targeted ads can lead to a decrease in consumer recall and purchase plans. The study suggests that high-visibility ads are more effective for consumer recall, while content-linked ads promote higher purchase intentions.

A manifesto to make innovation deliver for development

A new manifesto calls for a radical change in the global innovation agenda to address poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality. The report recommends policies to increase transparency, accountability, and inclusive innovation, with diverse stakeholders involved.

How bacteria make syringes

Researchers elucidated the basic principles of bacterial transport channel assembly, a mechanism used by pathogens to deliver virulence factors. The discovery opens doors to developing anti-infective drugs that can target this process before antibiotics, offering a major advantage in infection treatment.

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.

Widely used class of blood pressure medications linked to increased cancer risk

A meta-analysis of publicly available data from randomised trials found that patients taking ARBs had a significantly increased likelihood of new cancer diagnosis compared with patients in control groups. The study also found a modestly increased risk of lung cancer among ARB users, but no significant excess in cancer deaths.

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.

Should the results of individual genetic studies be disclosed to participants?

Researchers generally agree that genetic variation findings should be shared with participants if clinically significant, but confidence levels vary across disciplines and conditions. The study highlights the complexity of this issue, suggesting that factors beyond scientific robustness influence researchers' decisions on disclosure.

Scientists locate oil plume extending toward Dry Tortugas

A team of researchers from the University of Miami and NOAA successfully located a 23-mile long oil plume off Florida's Treasure Coast, heading towards the Dry Tortugas. Using advanced models, satellite images, and shipboard observations, they identified the oil slick and its potential pathway.

Pumping up the heat for a climate-friendly future

A new high-temperature heat pump technology has been developed to tap into geothermal energy sources, providing a renewable and inexhaustible energy supply. The system uses waste water from geothermal wells, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions in European towns.

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.

New microbial genetic system dissects biomass to biofuel conversion

A new microbial genetic system has been developed to dissect biomass to biofuel conversion, allowing for the efficient extraction of sugar molecules from biomass polymers. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the functional significance of specific enzymes and understand how microorganisms carry out the complex process of pla...

Are dead cancer cells feeding cancer's spread?

UAB researchers are investigating the role of inactivated DNA left behind after breast-cancer treatment. They aim to understand how this altered DNA activates cancer's deadly spread, a process called metastasis. The study could lead to improved prevention and treatment for millions of cancer patients.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

NASA's Aqua Satellite saw oil slick in sunglint on June 10

The NASA Aqua satellite captured an image of the thickest part of the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico on June 10, 2010. The MODIS instrument revealed a sun-glint effect where the oil slick appeared nearly white due to smooth water surfaces.