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Science News Archive November 2010


Page 18 of 27

Cassini's CIRS reveals Saturn is on a cosmic dimmer switch

Saturn's southern hemisphere emits more energy than its northern one, with variations seen in the planet's seasons and years. The Cassini CIRS instrument reveals Saturn is not losing power evenly, providing a new understanding of the planet's internal heat source.

New research from Psychological Science

Researchers discovered that when a person's personality matches the prevalent personalities of others in a culture, it enhances positive effects on self-esteem and well-being. Additionally, social threats induce bodily freeze-like behavior in humans, while cultural differences in spatial representations affect time perception.

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.

Undergraduates' low-cost ultrasound system wins Gates Foundation grant

A team of University of Washington undergraduate students has developed a low-cost ultrasound system that uses a modular design and off-the-shelf parts. The system aims to improve access to maternal healthcare in developing countries, where an estimated 1,000 women die each day from childbirth-related mortality.

Menopausal hormone therapy may increase risk of ovarian cancer

A study analyzing European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition data found that current hormone therapy use increases the risk of ovarian cancer by 29%. The risk did not differ by type or duration of hormone therapy, suggesting a potential long-term hazard.

Novel metamaterial vastly improves quality of ultrasound imaging

Researchers have developed a three-dimensional metamaterial that captures evanescent sound waves, allowing for super-resolution acoustic imaging. The device, mounted on an ultrasound probe, can resolve image features as small as one-fiftieth of the wavelength of the sound waves.

Cooling may benefit children after cardiac arrest

A large-scale multicenter study is evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic hypothermia in extending survival and reducing brain injury in infants and children after cardiac arrest. The treatment has shown promise in adult cardiac arrest patients and newborns, but its use in pediatric cases is still untested.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New way of detecting concealed radioactive material

University of Maryland researchers developed a scheme to detect concealed radioactive material without searching containers one by one. The concept uses gamma-ray emission from the material ionizing the surrounding air, facilitated by high-power, coherent terahertz or infrared radiation.

Recommendation letters may be costing women jobs, promotions

A study at Rice University found that female candidates are described in more communal terms, which can negatively impact their hiring chances. The researchers suggest that traditional gender schemas contribute to these biases, highlighting the need for increased awareness of subtle discrimination in academia and management roles.

Rogue gene hijacks stem cells to jumpstart human cancer

Researchers identify FOXM1 as a key player in initiating human cancer by exploiting the self-renewal property of stem cells, leading to excessive cell growth and pre-cancerous conditions. The study aims to translate these findings into molecular diagnostic tests and anti-tumour drugs.

New assessment tool helps shed light on lupus in kids worldwide

A new assessment tool, SMILEY, helps shed light on the quality of life of children with lupus around the world. The study found that parents and children perceive the disease differently, with Asian countries reporting a better quality of life than Europe or South America.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Text messaging improves health of Kenyans with HIV: UBC researcher

A new study finds that weekly SMS check-ins increase the likelihood of patients with HIV having undetectable viral loads, leading to better health outcomes and reduced transmission. The text-message support system showed a 12% increase in undetectable levels among participants.

Quantum computers a step closer to reality thanks to new finding

Researchers have discovered a way to correct for errors in quantum computers, allowing them to work with a quarter of faulty or missing qubits. The findings bring scientists one step closer to designing and building real-life quantum computing systems that could revolutionize fields like drug design and code-breaking.

New NIH data show gains in COPD awareness

The number of aware COPD cases increased from 65% in 2008 to 69% in 2010, with smokers and nonsmokers showing significant gains. Despite progress, up to 30% of Americans are still unaware of the disease, which claims over 120,000 lives annually.

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.

New research finds number talk is important before preschool

Frequent parent-child interactions about numbers are crucial for developing young children's mathematical knowledge. Research shows that high-frequency number talk by parents predicts better performance on standardized tests. Encouraging parents to engage in effective number-talk with their children may positively impact school achieve...

Ecologists get fish eye view of sexual signals

Researchers developed a model to mimic the stickleback's visual system, allowing them to determine what 'colors' the fish see. The results show that females can assess the quantity of carotenoids in males' signals, which is linked to his parenting ability.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Views on health disparities fueled largely by political ideology

A new study by Michigan State University sociologist Harry Perlstadt finds that political ideology plays a larger role in shaping public perception of health disparities than previously thought. The research highlights the importance of understanding how the public perceives health disparities to inform health care reform strategies.

How the dragon got its 'snap'

Researchers use snapdragon flower as model to study genetic and chemical cues that shape biological structures, revealing key role of genes in controlling cell growth and orientation. The study also suggests evolutionary tinkering played a role in shaping complex forms.

A love game: Fish courtship more complex than thought

Researchers at Monash University discovered that male Australian desert goby fish are strategic in their courtship, adapting to the frequency of female encounters. When females are scarce, males become less discriminating and court any female they find, regardless of size.

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.

Hyper-texting and hyper-networking pose new health risks for teens

A study presented at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting found that excessive texting among teens is linked to poor health behaviors. Hyper-texting, defined as texting over 120 messages per day, was associated with a 40% higher risk of trying cigarettes and a 90% higher risk of having multiple sexual partners.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

BGI researchers sequenced the human methylome at single base-pair resolution

The study sequenced the human methylome from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, identifying allele-specific methylation differences associated with gene expression. The findings suggest that parental gene imprinting may be more common than previously thought, with implications for understanding human health and disease.

Myth of a germ-free world: A closer look at antimicrobial products

Research by Arizona State University's Rolf Halden found that triclosan and triclocarban persist in wastewater sludge, soils, and natural water environments, posing risks of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. These chemicals are also linked to endocrine disruption and selective pressure on microorganisms, increasing the likelihood o...

Concern over traumatic brain injury in youth offenders

A new study reveals young offenders have a significantly higher rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) than expected in society. TBI was also linked to greater violence in offending and mental health problems. Researchers emphasize the need for brain injury assessment in offender management.

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.

Long-term statin use is unlikely to increase cancer risk

Researchers analyzed data from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort and found that long-term statin use was not associated with overall cancer incidence or increased risk of common types of cancer. Instead, it was linked to lower risks of melanoma, endometrial cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

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.

Bilingual benefits reach beyond communication

Research reveals bilinguals outperform monolinguals in tasks requiring distraction-blocking and task-switching, potentially leading to improved cognitive outcomes. Bilingualism may also protect against age-related cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease.

Exercise may reduce risk of endometrial cancer

A study found that physical activity reduces the risk of endometrial cancer, even among overweight women. Women exercising for 150 minutes per week had a 34% lower risk compared to inactive counterparts.

Overcoming the IVF baby blues

Research from Tel Aviv University finds that stress and anxiety are major contributors to IVF-related depression. Hormone therapy plays a lesser role in inducing depression during IVF treatment.

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.

MicroRNA controls mammary gland development in mice

A team of scientists has found that microRNAs, tiny ribonucleic acid molecules, play a crucial role in mammary gland development in mice. The absence of these molecules resulted in the complete failure of duct development in the mammary glands of mice.

What do the UK uplands mean to you?

The Sustainable Uplands project gives UK uplands a voice through ouruplands.co.uk, highlighting their diversity and importance. The platform showcases video-clips, written accounts, and artwork from various stakeholders, including farmers, landowners, and policy-makers.

How well does clot-busting drug work in stroke patients?

A study published in Archives of Neurology found that stroke patients who show improvement within one hour of receiving rt-PA are more likely to have a favorable outcome three months later. Researchers followed 120 patients and found that 68.2% had a favorable outcome, compared to 29.6% for those who did not show early improvement.

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.

Jefferson awarded multi-million dollar NIH grant

Researchers will test culturally relevant intervention, behavior activation (BA), to prevent cognitive decline in older African-Americans with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The 24-month study aims to demonstrate that BA can boost public health efforts and encourage active lifestyles.

Very few eligible young women opt to take HPV vaccine

Despite strong evidence of its effectiveness, only one-third of eligible young women complete the recommended three-dose regimen for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Persistent infection with certain HPV types may lead to cervical cancer.

Parents should talk about math early and often with their children

Research suggests that frequent conversation about numbers in early childhood can significantly impact later mathematics achievement. The study found individual differences in mathematical knowledge by preschool, and parents' number talk played a crucial role in these variations.

New class of 'dancing' dendritic cells derived from blood monocytes

Scientists at Rockefeller University have discovered a new class of dendritic cells, called monocyte-derived dendritic cells, that can be derived from blood monocytes. These cells have been shown to have the same functional properties as classical dendritic cells and are promising for therapeutic uses in humans.

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.

Probiotics shorten diarrhea episodes

A systematic review found that probiotics shortened diarrhoea episodes by around a day and reduced the risk of prolonged episodes by 59% in patients with diarrhoeal diseases. No serious adverse effects were reported.

New method for simple fabrication of microperforated membranes

Researchers have developed a simple method to fabricate free-standing polymer membranes with precisely patterned holes, opening up potential applications in microfluidics. The technique uses photolithography and prepolymer, allowing for easy fabrication of membranes with accurate sizes and shapes.

UC Riverside receives Gates Foundation grant to fight malaria

Professor Eamonn Keogh will use the grant to develop automatic insect sensors that can detect and classify mosquitoes at a low cost. The project aims to understand mosquito movement to combat malaria, which kills nearly one million people worldwide each year.

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.