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Science News for June 25, 2010


Quantifying human behavior one MoCap data point at a time

Scientists are developing a database of human emotion and behavior by collecting digital representations from actors. The USC CreativeIT Database will help predict patterns in human behavior, leading to potential applications in addiction treatment, customer care, and global security.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateJun 25, 2010

How not to blow up a molecule

Researchers found that shorter pulse lengths produce fewer higher charge states in nitrogen molecules, reducing damage. This phenomenon, known as frustrated absorption, prevents outer valence electrons from being stripped, safeguarding molecule integrity.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 25, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Aggressive action to reduce soot emissions needed to meet climate change goals

Researchers found that eliminating soot pollution from diesel engines and coal sources would provide the world with an additional eight years to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This study aimed to standardize estimates of soot's contribution to global warming, emphasizing the need for further research.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2010

Ingredient in red wine may prevent some blinding diseases

Researchers found that resveratrol inhibits formation of damaging blood vessels in the eye, a potential preventive therapy for blinding diseases. The compound's novel pathway could become a new target for therapies for eye disease and other problems related to abnormal angiogenesis.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 25, 2010

Soil-borne pathogens drive tree diversity in forests, study shows

Research led by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scientists finds that soil-borne pathogens drive species diversity and explain patterns of tree abundance. The study's findings suggest that certain tree species are more susceptible to pathogens, which prevents rare species from becoming abundant.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee·JournalNature·DateJun 25, 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.

Biodiversity's holy grail is in the soil

Researchers found that adult trees harbor pests and diseases that harm seedlings of their own species more than others, leading to stabilizing mechanisms that maintain diversity. The study suggests that plant interactions with soil biota are powerful enough to explain co-existence and abundance patterns in tropical forests.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalNature·DateJun 25, 2010

If we build 'walkable' neighborhoods, will people walk?

Researchers found that while municipal employees and public health officials believed walkable neighborhoods could promote healthy lifestyles, developers were skeptical about individual responsibility. The study also revealed a surprising lack of concern for access to affordable healthy food options in neighborhood design.

SourceUniversity of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation·JournalHealth & Place·DateJun 25, 2010

GOES-13 captures 2 major hurricanes: Darby trailing Celia

The GOES-13 satellite captured images of two major hurricanes, Celia and Darby, with Celia being a Category Five hurricane and Darby a Category Three. The storms appear to be chasing each other, with Hurricane Celia having the larger eye.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 25, 2010

Large-scale genomic analysis of prostate cancer unveiled

A comprehensive genomic analysis of prostate cancer has identified key alterations in the androgen receptor pathway and defined subsets of low- and high-risk disease. The study provides valuable resources for cancer research and may lead to the creation of a genetic-based test to determine which tumors require aggressive treatment.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center·JournalCancer Cell·DateJun 25, 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.

A life-changing partnership

Researchers discovered a novel protein complex that regulates around 4000 genes in Drosophila, with implications for human biology. The Non-Specific Lethal (NSL) complex helps MOF bind to promoters and determine gene expression in both sexes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 25, 2010

Mechanism that may trigger degenerative disease identified

Researchers discovered a key regulator of spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal by manipulating the STAT3 protein. This process may be linked to degenerative diseases in humans, highlighting the importance of understanding stem-cell activity in disease prevention and treatment.

SourcePenn State·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateJun 25, 2010

Expecting Tropical Depression Alex in the Caribbean

System 93L in the western Caribbean has become better organized, leading to a higher chance of forming Tropical Depression Alex. Forecasters expect heavy rainfall and gusty winds affecting the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 25, 2010

Vitamin D and mental agility in elders

A study found that vitamin D levels were associated with better cognitive performance in elderly individuals receiving home care. Those with sufficient vitamin D blood levels performed better on executive function tests, suggesting a potential link between vitamin D and mental agility.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateJun 25, 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.

Points system used in football matches encourages dirty play

A study by the University of Oviedo has shown that the change in the points system used to reward wins in European leagues led to an increase in dirty play. The researchers found a significant rise in red cards issued to teams winning matches during the 95/96 season.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Sports Economics·DateJun 25, 2010

Tropical biodiversity is about the neighbors

A massive study at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found that rare species of trees are more sensitive to their own species neighbors than common species. This interaction plays a crucial role in determining which organisms thrive in tropical forests.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·DateJun 25, 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.

Really smart card project scoops EUREKA 2010 Innovation Award

The ONOM@TOPIC project developed advanced prototypes for new-generation e-ID cards and SIM devices, utilizing Near Field Technology to enable wireless data exchange. These innovations led to the creation of a global standard, IAS-ECC, now used in various European e-government programs.

SourceEUREKA·DateJun 25, 2010

Wet era on early Mars was global

New research suggests that liquid water existed all over Mars during its early history, with studies of minerals found in craters revealing a global alteration by water. The discovery provides clues about the planet's potential habitability and suggests sites for future landers.

SourceEuropean Space Agency·JournalScience·DateJun 25, 2010

Chromosomal variations found in early passage female embryonic stem cells

Female human embryonic stem cells show variations in X chromosome inactivation as early as five passages, suggesting culture conditions can impact cell safety. The study's findings may have implications for cancer development and disease treatment, prompting further research on uniforming X chromosome inactivation patterns.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 25, 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.

Psychotropic medications can cause birth defects

A study published by University of Copenhagen researchers found that psychotropic medications were associated with serious side effects such as birth deformities, low birth weight, and premature birth. Psychostimulants like Ritalin and antidepressants like Prozac were linked to over half of the cases.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBMC Research Notes·DateJun 25, 2010

Answer to what ended the last ice age may be blowing in the winds, paper says

A team of researchers proposes a chain of events linked to the melting of northern hemisphere ice sheets, which reconfigured planet's wind belts and led to rapid southern hemisphere warming. This shift triggered a series of cold spells in Greenland and Europe, but also amplified global warming by resetting the planet's thermostat.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalScience·DateJun 25, 2010

Testing the best-yet theory of nature

Researchers tested the spin-statistics theorem, which dictates whether particles are fermions or bosons. They found no evidence of forbidden transitions, strengthening the theory and ruling out photons behaving like fermions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 25, 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 ISHLT cardiac allograft vasculopathy standardized nomenclature

The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation has developed a standardized nomenclature for cardiac allograft vasculopathy, which will benefit heart transplant patients. The new classification system defines four levels of CAV severity, allowing for more accurate treatment options and improved patient outcomes.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·DateJun 25, 2010

Wining and dining your way to better eyesight

Researchers found resveratrol inhibits pathogenic new blood vessel growth, a central role in various cancers and eye disease. The compound may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to treat these diseases.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 25, 2010

Rushing too fast to online learning?

A new study by Northwestern University researchers suggests that online classes may have negative consequences for lower-performing and language minority students. The study found modest evidence that live-only instruction results in higher learning outcomes than internet instruction, particularly for relatively low-achieving students.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateJun 25, 2010

July 2010 Geology and GSA Today highlights

Scientists present new data estimating motion of the Sagaing fault and study river deposits to understand flood frequency and magnitude. Researchers also explore enigmatic volcanism and find evidence for cryogenic origin of brine in southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJun 25, 2010
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Fung to receive GSA's 2010 Baltes Foundation Award

Dr. Helene Fung, a Chinese University of Hong Kong associate professor, is the recipient of the 2010 Baltes Foundation Award for her work on goal changes across adulthood and their impacts on social relationships, emotional regulation, and cognition. The award recognizes her efforts to promote psychology and aging research in China.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateJun 25, 2010

Bird flu: In the plumage the secret of virus spread success

Researchers found that preen oil gland secretions support a natural mechanism for AIV concentration, facilitating virus diffusion in nature. This discovery has important implications for avian influenza virus surveillance and prevention strategies.

SourceUniversità di Bologna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 25, 2010

WSU breaks ground on school for global animal health building

The new School for Global Animal Health will support scientific staff with two floors of research laboratory space and an administrative wing. The facility aims to reduce zoonotic diseases through vaccination and strategic interventions in animal populations and the environment.

SourceWashington State University·DateJun 25, 2010

New diagnostic test for bladder cancer

Researchers have developed a novel assay to test for multiple tumor markers in bladder cancer using custom-designed MLPA with multiple short synthetic probes. The study found paired tumor and urine samples showed identical marker patterns, suggesting this assay may be used for non-invasive diagnosis.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateJun 25, 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.

Tips from the American Journal of Pathology

Researchers have made significant discoveries in the fields of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, revealing new insights into the role of neutrophils and hyperploidy. A study found that neutrophils contribute to atherosclerosis, while another discovered that hyperploid neurons are more prone to cell death in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJun 25, 2010

Down with jet lag

Researchers found that individual organs' internal clocks synchronize with the external time at varying speeds, leading to discoordination of physiological processes. The adrenal gland plays a key role in this adaptation, and manipulating corticosterone production can help rodents recover from jet lag faster.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 25, 2010