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Science News Archive March 2010


Page 9 of 27

Cracking the plant-cell membrane code

Researchers have discovered 65,000 unique relationships between proteins and plant-cell membranes in Arabidopsis, a relative of the mustard plant. This breakthrough using high-throughput screening technology will aid in understanding protein interactions to develop better crops and medicines.

Replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat may cut heart disease risk

A new study by Harvard researchers found that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 19%. Increasing polyunsaturated fat consumption as a replacement for saturated fats may significantly reduce the rate of heart attacks and cardiac deaths in the population.

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.

Our eye position betrays the numbers we have in mind, new study

Researchers at the University of Melbourne used eye-tracking technology to predict the next chosen number based on participants' vertical and horizontal eye position. The study found that a leftward and downward change in eye position indicated smaller numbers, while a rightward and upward movement forecast larger numbers.

Height loss in postmenopausal women may indicate spinal fracture

Researchers discovered a link between height loss and vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. The study found that patients with a height loss of at least 4 cm were more likely to have an existing vertebral fracture. This suggests that measuring height loss could be an accurate method for detecting spinal fractures.

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.

Walnuts slow prostate tumors in mice

A study by UC Davis researchers found that consuming walnuts can significantly slow prostate cancer growth in mice. The walnut diet resulted in smaller tumors and reduced levels of the protein IGF-1, which is associated with prostate cancer.

Learning about riparian areas from photographs

Scientists use repeat photography to study riparian areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of experiential learning in understanding spatial and temporal variability. Participants found that using photographs enhanced their understanding of these concepts, especially climate change impacts.

Radiotherapy can cause lasting vascular disease

New research from Karolinska Institutet found that radiotherapy can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life due to sustained inflammation in arteries. The study suggests that post-radiotherapy changes in gene expression may be the cause of this increased risk, which can appear years after treatment.

Racial disparities diminish in specialized cancer centers

African American patients with similar treatment settings as white counterparts show reduced mortality rates, highlighting the impact of institutional factors on cancer outcomes. The study suggests that where patients receive care may partly explain observed racial disparities.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Overcoming tumor resistance to anti-cancer agent TRAIL

Researchers have discovered that blocking Mcl-1, a protein inhibiting Bak activation, enables TRAIL to activate Bak and kill resistant tumor cells. This strategy has potential for improving the efficacy of anti-cancer treatment.

Dormant microbes promote diversity, serve environment

A new study published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences found that dormancy is crucial for maintaining microbial diversity in natural communities. Researchers used a mathematical model and molecular tools to investigate how dormancy affects biodiversity, especially in lakes.

Secret to healing chronic wounds might lie in tiny pieces of silent RNA

Scientists have discovered that a tiny piece of RNA in cells lowers protein production needed for skin cell growth, suggesting new treatment strategies for chronic wounds. Researchers used an experimental drug to silence the RNA segment and saw increased protein levels and skin-cell growth.

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.

E-waste trade ban won't end environmental threat

Primitive recycling processes used in developing countries contaminate air, water, and soil with pollutants like dioxins and toxic cyanide. Alternative solutions, such as paying recyclers not to recycle or promoting repair and reuse, are proposed to address the growing e-waste problem.

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.

Motherhood appears to protect against suicide

A study of 1,292,462 Taiwanese women over 20 years found that motherhood protects against suicide, with a significant decrease in mortality rates. The study confirms Emile Durkheim's hypothesis that parenthood is protective against suicide, particularly among women with multiple live births.

Seeing a bionic eye on medicine's horizon

Researchers at Tel Aviv University are developing a new retinal implant technology that can stimulate cell growth in the retina, potentially leading to improved vision. The technology uses electrodes to merge retinal nerves with nano-sized carbon tubes, allowing for the growth of living neurons on a synthetic structure.

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.

How strong is your booze?

A new portable device can determine the strength of alcoholic drinks rapidly and easily, using a simple infrared sensor. The technique has been shown to be just as accurate as traditional lab-based methods and can be used in developing countries.

Process in big-screen plasma TVs can produce ultra-clean fuel

Researchers have developed a GlidArc reactor that uses electrically-charged clouds of gas to produce super-clean fuels from waste materials. The process can be done at a low cost and using common materials, making it an attractive alternative for producing biofuels.

How did gambling become legitimate?

A new study explores how casino gambling went from a stigmatized practice to a thriving industry, with regulation changes and media language playing key roles. Regulatory actions in 1976, 1988, and 1999 led to shifts in public discourse, with discussions focusing on wealth and poverty.

How will tree diseases react to climate change?

A new literature review synthesizes information on climate change, pathogens, and forests to inform land managers. The study reveals that climate change generally leads to reductions in tree health and improves conditions for certain damaging pathogens, such as Phytophthora and Red Band Needle Blight.

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.

Memory may decline rapidly even in stage before Alzheimer's disease

A study of 1,158 participants with mild cognitive impairment showed rapid memory and thinking skill declines compared to those without cognitive problems. The decline in skills was twice as fast for those with mild cognitive impairment than those without, while four times faster for those with Alzheimer's disease.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Healthy food makes consumers feel hungrier when choices are limited

A recent study by Stacey Finkelstein and Ayelet Fishbach found that individuals who choose healthy food options feel hungrier if there are no other choices available. The researchers also discovered that this effect is not present when consumers have the freedom to make their own choices.

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.

Consuming street art: Reclaiming public places

A study in Journal of Consumer Research explores how street art initiates conversations about the search for common space and democratization of art. Various stakeholders have different reactions to street art, but it rejuvenates public spaces while talking back to corporate logos.

Children with autistic traits remain undiagnosed

A recent study found that undiagnosed children with autistic traits display repetitive behaviors and social interaction impairments comparable to clinically diagnosed children. This highlights the need for expanded support services for these children, as they are often overlooked due to a gender bias in diagnosis.

Chicken house attics can be tapped to warm broilers

A study by the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service found that the air in broiler house attics can be as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than outside, reducing the need for heating fuel. This technology uses ceiling inlets to circulate solar-heated attic air within the chicken houses.

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.

Combining weight-focused counseling, medication helps women quit smoking

A randomized trial found that combining cognitive behavioral therapy addressing weight concerns with the medication bupropion was more effective than counseling alone in helping women quit smoking. The study showed improved abstinence rates and reduced relapse among women receiving the specialized counseling plus bupropion therapy.

Alcohol in moderation is good for sick hearts too

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that moderate alcohol consumption significantly reduces the risk of death from any cause in people who have previously suffered from ischemic vascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 16,000 patients and found a 20% risk reduction, comparable ...

Modern medicine conquers witchcraft

In Ghana, large-scale intervention programs have convinced people to trust medical explanations for diseases like HIV/AIDS, overcoming traditional beliefs in witchcraft. The success of long-term health initiatives in Northern regions has shown that education and community engagement can lead to better health outcomes.

New alloys key to efficient energy and lighting

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new quaternary alloy semiconductor nanowire material that can be used to create more efficient photovoltaic cells and light-emitting diodes. The alloy, which has a wide range of band gaps, can also be used to produce colors for displays.

Women caught up in 'rug rat race'

College-educated mothers in the US are spending more time coordinating and driving their children to organized activities, trading nine hours of leisure time per week. The phenomenon, dubbed 'the rug rat race,' is linked to increased competition in college admissions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sandia to break ground for new computational laboratories building

The new facility will enhance computational and modeling efforts in combustion research, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists. The CRCV building will support high-fidelity numerical simulations and expand access to massive datasets, expanding the collaborator base and ties with experimental programs.

Scans of brain networks may help predict injury's effects

Researchers link differences in brain network harm to impairment in stroke patients, offering a new predictive tool for clinicians. This approach, known as resting-state functional connectivity, may help determine treatment and assess its effects.

Giant 'microscope' trained on glass transition

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an electrostatic levitation chamber to study the glass transition, a phase transition from liquid to solid. The 'microscope' uses neutrons as a probe to observe atoms in suspended drops of liquid as they cool and solidify.

Digging for data with Chemlist and ChemSpider

The study compared two chemical name dictionaries and found that automatic curation with Chemlist outperformed manual curation with ChemSpider. The Chemlist dictionary achieved a higher recall and better F-score, while ChemSpider's precision was higher after filtering and disambiguation.

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.

Sea creatures' sex protein provides new insight into diabetes

Researchers discovered NG peptides in marine animals, similar to the mutant gene causing diabetes insipidus, providing new understanding of a rare form of diabetes. The discovery could help explain symptoms and treatment for around 10,000 people in the UK.

Chest X-rays can help predict which H1N1 patients are at greatest risk

A new study found that chest x-rays can predict which H1N1 patients are likely to become sicker. Abnormal findings in the periphery of both lungs were associated with poor clinical outcomes. The study's findings suggest that chest x-rays may help clinicians better identify high-risk patients who require close monitoring.

Dangerous custodians

Research suggests that microglia, immune cells in the brain, play a significant role in neuron loss during Alzheimer's disease. Stressed nerve cells secrete chemical messengers that attract microglia, leading to inflammation and elimination of neurons.

Infertility increases a man's risk of prostate cancer

A new study published in Cancer suggests that infertile men are 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with high-grade prostate cancer than fertile men. The research found no association between the number of children a man has and his risk for prostate cancer, but rather focused on male fertility as a potential risk factor.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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