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Science News Archive March 2010


Page 25 of 27

Prestigious Sloan Fellowship awarded to McGill astrophysicist

McGill University astrophysicist Matt Dobbs has been awarded a prestigious Sloan Research Fellowship to investigate cosmic microwave background radiation and shed light on the universe's fundamental structures. The $50,000 two-year award supports Dobbs' research on the origins and evolution of the universe.

Developing web technologies to share secure information

Researchers are developing a standard policy language to achieve flexible and dynamic Web security when sharing information with different agencies, countries, and organizations. This technology aims to facilitate the exchange of information between entities using different languages to express their security constraints.

Alzheimer's-associated protein may be part of the innate immune system

Research suggests that amyloid-beta protein, a primary component of Alzheimer's plaques, is an antimicrobial peptide part of the innate immune system. A-beta inhibits the growth of certain pathogens and its accumulation may be triggered by chronic activation of the innate immune system.

First signal received by future telescope

The first antenna of the Australia Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope has received its first radio signals, paving the way for further development. The successful test demonstrates the feasibility of ASKAP's innovative design and sets a promising stage for the future telescope's scientific discoveries.

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.

'Distributed energy' has power to save billions

A new report by CSIRO outlines the potential of distributed energy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Distributed energy systems can provide local generation, efficiency, and demand management, offering an immediate and cost-effective response to climate change.

People with prediabetes not taking adequate precautions to avoid diabetes

A new study reveals that only half of US adults with prediabetes report trying to lose weight or exercise more, highlighting a need for increased awareness and prevention measures. The researchers also found that adults with prediabetes are more likely to be male, older, and have lower educational attainment.

Artificial bee silk a big step closer to reality

Researchers at CSIRO Australia have successfully produced hand-drawn threads of artificial honeybee silk, rivalling the strength of natural silk. The breakthrough is a significant milestone towards developing biomimetic materials for various industries.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study finds delay in referrals for older women with ovarian cancer

Researchers found that GP referrals for gynaecological investigation were delayed for older women with suspected ovarian cancer. Women over 70 years old had a 20-week wait for referral, while those aged 75-79 years had a peak wait of 24 weeks. The discrepancy may be due to differences in data recording and GPs' motivation.

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.

Eliminating junk foods at schools may help prevent childhood obesity

A San Francisco State University study found that eliminating sugary beverages and junk foods from schools significantly reduced the rate of overweight children among fifth-grade boys and seventh-grade students. The study showed that governmental policies can shape food behaviors and influence obesity trends in entire student populations.

Only the beautiful need apply

A new study finds that undergraduate women who join a sorority are more likely to experience self-objectification, higher levels of bulimic attitudes, and increased body shame. Sorority membership may exacerbate pre-existing problematic attitudes and behaviors.

How estrogen feeds breast tumors

Researchers found that estrogen inhibits MLK3, a protein that causes normal cell death, leading to uncontrolled growth of cancer cells and resistance to chemotherapy. This discovery could lead to new cancer-fighting drugs.

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.

Combination therapy more effective for enlarged prostate

A recent study from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that combination therapy yielded better results than individual drugs in treating enlarged prostate. The treatment, which combined dutasteride and tamsulosin, reduced the risk of BPH progression by 25% and PSA levels by 50%.

Exercise counters negative effects of weight regain, researchers find

Researchers at University of Missouri found that exercising during weight regain maintains improvements in metabolic health and disease risk. The study, led by Tom R. Thomas, indicates that exercise can counter negative effects of weight regain on conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Ethnic minorities are better educated but have less job prospects

A new study published in Oxford Economic Papers reveals that ethnic minorities in Britain are better educated than their white peers, but face lower employment probabilities. The research shows significant wage disparities between British-born ethnic minority individuals and their white peers, particularly for men.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Small molecule with high impact

Researchers at HZI have discovered a new adjuvant, c-di-IMP, that enhances immune responses and provides long-lasting protection. The molecule has been shown to stimulate important effector mechanisms in mice, making it a promising candidate for improving existing vaccines.

NASA's Fermi probes 'dragons' of the gamma-ray sky

Astronomers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope found that less than a third of gamma-ray emission arises from black-hole-powered jets. The study suggests that alternative explanations, such as particle acceleration in normal star-forming galaxies and dark matter, may be responsible for the extragalactic gamma-ray background.

Baby monkeys receive signals through their mother's breast milk

Researchers found that higher-energy milk from heavier mothers with previous pregnancies led to more confident, active, and curious infants. In contrast, lower-energy milk was associated with less confident and less active infants when separated from their mother.

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.

Even the boss doesn't follow the doctor's orders

A study of corporate executives found that only 68% took their cholesterol-lowering medication as prescribed. Executives who took statins were twice as likely to meet their cholesterol goals and achieved better outcomes than those who didn't take the medication, even sporadically.

Virginia Tech's David Dillard receives international adhesion science award

David A. Dillard has received the 2010 Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science from the Adhesion Society, credited with exceptional insight and research on bonded systems. His work focuses on developing test methods, analysis procedures, and durability studies for adhesive joints under various environmental conditions.

Extremes of sleep related to increased fat around organs

A recent study by Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that both too little and excessive sleep can be hazardous to health, especially for young minority women. Short sleep duration of five hours or less per night was associated with large increases in visceral fat around organs.

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.

Study: People sometimes less trusting when in a good mood

A study found that people in positive moods are more likely to follow cues and stereotypes when evaluating trustworthiness. This occurs because happy individuals are less motivated to process information, leading them to rely on pre-existing expectations rather than new data.

Children with insomnia may have impaired heart rate variability

A recent study published by the American Heart Association found that children with insomnia and shorter sleep duration have impaired modulation of heart rhythm during sleep. This impairment can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in young children, highlighting the importance of healthy bedtime habits for their overall...

'Stepping up' asthma treatment in children leads to improvement

A new study found that increasing dosage or adding asthma drugs to low-dose inhaled corticosteroids improves asthma control in 98% of children. LABA shows the highest response rate, but individual patients require personalized treatment due to factors like Asthma Control Test score, eczema, and ethnicity.

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.

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.

Modern man found to be generally monogamous, moderately polygamous

Researchers analyzed genomic data from African, Asian, and European populations to estimate breeding sex ratios, finding that modern humans tend towards monogamy but exhibit polygamous tendencies over evolutionary history. The study's novel method of analysis provides new insights into the genetic population structure of humans.

Mother's milk turns on the heat

Researchers discover that mother's milk induces liver production of FGF21, a molecule that activates brown fat to increase body temperature. This phenomenon may have far-reaching consequences for metabolic health in adulthood.

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.

Mercurial tuna: Study explores sources of mercury to ocean fish

Researchers found that coastal and open-ocean fish have distinct mercury signatures, ruling out the idea that they pick up methylmercury by eating contaminated coastal fish. Instead, they suggest that mercury is deposited into the open ocean and undergoes methylation in low-oxygen microenvironments.

Cocaine-related deaths rise in warm weather

Researchers found that accidental overdose deaths from cocaine use rose significantly when ambient temperature exceeded 24 degrees Celsius. The number of cocaine-related overdose deaths continued to climb as temperatures increased, due to cocaine's effect on core body temperature and cardiovascular system.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Political corruption has impact on social trust

A new study by Georgia State University professor Sean Richey found that residents of states with more government corruption have less trust in the general public. Increases in corruption before a survey were taken lead to decreases in belief that government officials and ordinary citizens are trustworthy.

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.

Popular nanoparticle causes toxicity in fish, study shows

A Purdue University study has found that nanosilver, a bactericidal agent, is toxic to fish and can cause malformations even at low concentrations. Researchers detected nanoparticles as small as 30 nanometers inside fish embryos, highlighting the need for further testing on environmental release levels.

Moderate drinking before trauma leads to more flashbacks

New research at UCL suggests that moderate alcohol consumption before a traumatic event can lead to increased recall of the traumatic experience, resulting in more frequent flashbacks. In contrast, high levels of alcohol consumption may disrupt both types of memory, leading to fewer flashbacks and reduced overall memory for the event.

Evolutionary Synthesis Center wins 5-year, $25M, renewal from NSF

The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent) has been awarded a $25 million 5-year grant from the NSF to continue its cutting-edge research in evolutionary biology. The center plans to expand its programs and add new initiatives, including graduate fellowships and international research partnerships.

HRT and cataract risk; smoking and uveitis

Researchers found that postmenopausal women using HRT had a higher risk of cataract removal compared to those who never used the therapy. Additionally, smoking was linked to an increased risk of uveitis, a serious eye disease causing inflammation in the middle layer of the eye.

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.

A new generation of rapid-acting antidepressants?

Researchers found that scopolamine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, reduced symptoms of depression within three days. The study also showed that participants experienced full symptom remission by the end of the treatment period.