Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for March 10, 2010


World crude oil production may peak a decade earlier than some predict

A new study predicts that world conventional crude oil production will reach its peak in 2014, years earlier than anticipated. The study, published in ACS' Energy & Fuels, uses a revised version of the Hubbert model to account for individual production trends and provides a more realistic forecast.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnergy & Fuels·DateMar 10, 2010

PEGylated dendrimers: a novel mechanism of drug delivery

Researchers have developed PEGylated Polylysine dendrimers as a novel mechanism of drug delivery, targeting either the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The technology offers improved treatment options for diseases such as cancer, HIV, and lymphatic conditions worldwide.

SourceMonash University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateMar 10, 2010

Prehistoric response to global warming informs human planning today

Researchers studying ancient human responses to climate change in the Arctic and Kamchatka regions provide insights into how societies adapt to environmental changes. Their findings can inform governments, scientists, and NGOs on how relationships between humans and their environments may shift due to global warming.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateMar 10, 2010
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.

Breast cancer incidence among Iraqi women profiled

A recent study has found that breast cancer is affecting premenopausal women in Iraq, with a significant proportion presenting with advanced stage cancer. The study also highlights the importance of early detection and treatment, as only 32% of women detected a lump on self-examination sought medical advice within the first month.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateMar 10, 2010

Scientists solve puzzle of chickens that are half male and half female

Scientists have identified a new phenomenon called cell autonomous sex identity (CASI) that explains why some birds appear male on one side and female on the other. This discovery sheds light on the sexual development of birds and may have implications for behavior, disease susceptibility, and poultry production.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2010

Pediatric sports injuries: the silent epidemic

Recent studies highlight the growing trend of pediatric sports injuries, particularly in gymnastics and ACL injuries. Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes, while awareness and prevention are essential to addressing this silent epidemic.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 10, 2010
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Novel stroke treatment passes safety stage of UCI-led clinical trial

A new treatment to restore brain cells damaged by stroke has passed the safety stage of a clinical trial led by UC Irvine neurologist Dr. Steven C. Cramer. Patients showed no ill effects after receiving sequential growth factors that encourage neuron creation in stroke-damaged areas of the brain.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·DateMar 10, 2010

NoMix toilets get thumbs-up in 7 European countries

People in seven European countries show positive attitudes toward NoMix toilets, which separate urine from feces to reduce pollution and conserve resources. The innovative technology is well-accepted, with 80% of users expressing support and many willing to use it at work or home.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 10, 2010

Texas earthquake study cites 'plausible cause'

Researchers found a plausible cause for small earthquakes in North Texas linked to the operation of a saltwater injection disposal well. The study suggests that fluid injection may have affected tectonic stress, reactivating faults and generating quakes.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalThe Leading Edge·DateMar 10, 2010
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New drug candidate reduces blood lipids

A clinical trial conducted by researchers from Karolinska Institutet found that eprotirome, a thyroid-hormone-like substance, effectively reduces blood cholesterol levels in patients who have already received statins. The trial showed significant reductions in harmful blood fats, up to 30% lower than those of patients receiving a placebo.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 10, 2010

Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog's site fidelity may lead to further decline

Research on the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog reveals strong site fidelity, but also highlights the negative impacts of a changing climate and introduced non-native trout. The study found that frogs with strong site fidelity are returning to lakes that dry up or have reduced breeding success due to predation by invasive trout.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Research Station·JournalCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences·DateMar 10, 2010

UOG projects on aphids, compost and noni funded

The University of Guam's T-STAR program is funding research on aphids, compost and noni to enhance tropical agriculture and public health. The projects aim to improve soil quality, reduce the spread of banana bunchy top virus and ensure shelf life of noni botanical supplements.

SourceUniversity of Guam·DateMar 10, 2010
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.

Exploiting the architecture of cancers may lead to their destruction

Researchers have found a way to enhance drug delivery to solid tumors by temporarily breaking down blood vessel walls, allowing drugs to reach the tumor more efficiently. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for previously intractable solid cancers.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateMar 10, 2010

TU Delft improves production of chemicals from wood waste

Researchers at TU Delft have discovered a way to break down harmful by-products in wood waste, enabling the production of biochemicals and biofuels without costly methods. This breakthrough paves the way for using wood waste as a sustainable raw material.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 2010

The smell of salt air, a mile high and 900 miles inland

Scientists found nitryl chloride levels comparable to those in marine air near Boulder, Colo., indicating a global source of the pollutant. Chloride from coal burning and other non-coastal areas may contribute to smog formation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2010

Study explores belief in rumor that Obama is Muslim

A University of Georgia study found that media exposure had no effect on correcting the misconception that Barack Obama was a Muslim during the 2008 presidential campaign. Approximately 20% of Americans believed this despite news stories and fact-checking efforts.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of Media and Religion·DateMar 10, 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.

ATV and motocross sports -- high velocity toys merit caution

New studies reveal a 140% increase in ATV-related spine injuries among US children between 1997 and 2006. Additionally, multi-rider ATVs are associated with higher incidence of open fractures and primary limb amputations compared to single-rider vehicles.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 10, 2010

Osteoporosis drug improves healing after rotator cuff surgery

A study by Hospital for Special Surgery found that Forteo can enhance tendon to bone healing, leading to better repair results. The researchers used a rat model to test the effects of Forteo on rotator cuff surgery and achieved promising results, including improved tissue organization and strength.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·DateMar 10, 2010

Research points to way to improve heart treatment

A University of Iowa study suggests a way to improve heart treatment by targeting key heart-related mechanisms with drugs that maintain the positive effects of calmodulin kinase II while reducing its negative effects. The findings aim to prevent unwanted calcium activity and related molecular problems that lead to cell overload and death.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 10, 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.

A huge step toward mass production of coveted form of carbon

Scientists have developed a simple method to produce high-quality graphene on commercially available silicon carbide wafers. This breakthrough enables mass production of graphene, a material with unique electronic properties that could replace silicon in electronics devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 10, 2010

Research streamlines data processing to solve problems more efficiently

Researchers at NC State University developed a new analytical method to process large amounts of information efficiently. The algorithm allows for targeted collection of relevant data, minimizing errors and reducing data storage needs.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering·DateMar 10, 2010

Gastric bypass surgery increases risk of kidney stones

A new study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that gastric bypass surgery can increase the risk of developing kidney stones in patients. The researchers discovered significant changes in urine composition, including elevated oxalate levels and low citrate levels, which can lead to stone formation.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateMar 10, 2010

Breakthroughs in treatment of spine and back conditions

Three new studies presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons detail advances in back care and treatment options for specific back and spine conditions. Patients who seek treatment during the first six months of symptoms respond better to treatment, with surgery offering advantages over non-surgical treatment regardless o...

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 10, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Youth baseball throwing arm injuries are rising dramatically

Studies found that a five-minute stretch after play can help young players avoid throwing-arm pain and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, reviewing and adhering to youth baseball throwing guidelines is crucial in preventing elbow injuries, including osteochondral lesions, which are common among pitchers.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateMar 10, 2010

First whole genome sequencing of family of 4 reveals new genetic power

The study found that comparing the genomes of an entire family increases accuracy, identifies rare genetic variants, and helps understand disease-linked genes. This approach has the potential to revolutionize genetic research, enabling scientists to diagnose and treat individual family members more effectively.

SourceInstitute for Systems Biology·JournalScience·DateMar 10, 2010

Confidence is key to gauging impressions we make

Researchers found that people who are confident in their judgments of how others perceive them tend to be accurate, while those who doubt themselves are less so. This 'calibration' enables individuals to make informed decisions and pursue the next step after a first impression.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateMar 10, 2010
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

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.

Plant hormone increases cotton yields in drought conditions

A naturally occurring plant hormone, cytokinins, has been found to increase cotton yields during drought conditions. Commercially produced cytokinins stimulate the growth of the main plant stem and branches, promoting cell division and growth.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateMar 10, 2010

Tumors may respond to extreme and moderate heat

Researchers have found that tumors can be treated with extreme heat or moderate heat using ultrasound techniques, showing promise for a new cancer therapy option. Hyperthermia has been shown to increase radiation damage and enhance chemotherapy treatments.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateMar 10, 2010

Risk for patients in the intensive care unit clearly reduced

A study published in Intensive Care Medicine found that the AiDKlinik drug information system significantly reduces serious events resulting from drug interactions in ICU patients. The system, which includes over 64,000 drugs, helps physicians minimize adverse reactions by 43% and critical events like arrhythmia by up to 80%.

SourceHeidelberg University Hospital·JournalIntensive Care Medicine·DateMar 10, 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.

K-State's elementary education program receives national honor

The program has a 99% and 98% pass rate on national teaching exams, with graduates receiving valuable field experience at professional development school sites before graduation. K-State joins prestigious programs nationwide, including Michigan State and Arizona State University, in recognizing high-quality teacher education.

SourceKansas State University·DateMar 10, 2010
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.

Doctors are failing to lower heart patients' cholesterol adequately

A study of 25,250 patients in Germany found that only half received correct cholesterol targets, with women being more likely to be incorrectly targeted. The researchers estimate that following guidelines could prevent 50-80 fewer heart attacks and deaths per 1000 patients over 10 years

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateMar 10, 2010

Mysterious cosmic 'dark flow' tracked deeper into universe

A new study led by Alexander Kashlinsky at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center reveals that a collective motion dubbed the 'dark flow' persists to much greater distances -- as far as 2.5 billion light-years away.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 10, 2010

Physicians click their way to better prescriptions

A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that e-prescribing significantly improves ambulatory medication safety. The research discovered a nearly seven-fold decrease in prescribing errors among doctors who adopted e-prescribing compared to those using traditional paper-based prescriptions.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 10, 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.

Low strengthens into Hubert, making landfall in Madagascar

Tropical Storm Hubert has strengthened into a low pressure system making landfall in eastern Madagascar with maximum sustained winds near 39 mph. The storm is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the capital city and surrounding areas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 10, 2010

Scientific breakthrough in genetic studies of animal domestication

Researchers at Uppsala University have made a breakthrough in understanding the genetic transformation of wild species into domestic chickens. The study reveals two significant selective sweeps, one affecting the TSHR gene and another involving the TBC1D1 gene, which are linked to changes in reproduction timing and glucose uptake in mu...

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2010

GenY workers want their cake and to eat it too

A study of GenY workers found they prioritize leisure, salary, and status, but not necessarily values related to helping others or making friends. In contrast, previous generations placed more emphasis on these aspects.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Management·DateMar 10, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Why surprises temporarily blind us

New research from Vanderbilt University reveals that our brains coordinate goal-directed and stimulus-driven attention when surprised. The inferior frontal junction plays a primary role in coordinating these two forms of attention, which may limit our conscious perception during unexpected events.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 10, 2010

New methods needed to ID cardiac catheterization candidates

A new study finds that nearly 60% of chest pain patients without prior heart disease have no significant coronary artery disease, highlighting the need for improved identification methods. The study suggests re-evaluating patient selection processes, including history taking and risk factor assessment.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 10, 2010

Galaxy study validates general relativity on cosmic scale, existence of dark matter

A galaxy study confirms the validity of general relativity on a cosmic scale, with the existence of dark matter as the most likely explanation for observed phenomena. The study rules out alternative theories of gravity, including tensor-vector-scalar gravity and f(R), which fail to predict the observed galaxy clustering and distortion.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2010

Quantum walk

A team of physicists at the University of Innsbruck successfully demonstrates a quantum walk in trapped ions, with up to 23 steps. This process differs from classical random walks, allowing quantum particles to spread faster and potentially aiding in understanding natural phenomena like energy transport in plants.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 10, 2010
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.

Movement disorder symptoms are lessened by an antibiotic

University of Alabama scientists find that ampicillin enhances the normal function of torsinA protein in cells affected by dystonia and Parkinson's disease. The drug restored normal movement to mice and improved cellular protection against stress, leading to potential new treatments for these debilitating conditions.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateMar 10, 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.

90Q: A curious short-lived 'tropical' cyclone in the southern Atlantic

A rare tropical cyclone system formed off Brazil's coast, exhibiting tropical storm-force winds before weakening and moving away from the area. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite captured images of the system, which is now expected to be absorbed by a mid-latitude cold front in the next couple of days

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 10, 2010

Conquering the chaos in modern, multiprocessor computers

A team of researchers has developed a way to get modern, multiple-processor computers to behave in predictable ways by automatically parceling sets of commands. This allows well-behaved programs to run faster than on single processors, while also reducing errors and improving overall system reliability.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateMar 10, 2010