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Science News Archive November 2010


Page 20 of 27

Vacuum arcs spark new interest

Scientists model vacuum breakdown to understand its implications for applications, including particle accelerators and fusion reactors. A new model reveals that the breakdown arc is triggered by an electric field tearing apart the metal surface, leading to extremely damaging effects.

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.

Fish gelatin: Ultra-high-tech biomedical uses ahead?

US Department of Agriculture researchers have created strong yet pliable films made from a blend of gelatin from Alaskan pollock skins and polylactic acid. These films may be used in tissue-engineering labs to produce semi-synthetic tissue for bone and cartilage repair, potentially speeding up recovery times.

Nanogenerators grow strong enough to power small conventional electronics

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed nanogenerators that can harness mechanical energy from the environment to power small electronic devices. The devices, which use an array of tiny nanowires, can generate up to three volts and 300 nanoamps, enough to drive commercial displays, light-emitting diodes, and laser diodes.

Children find their own way to solve arithmetic problems

Research suggests that children with learning difficulties can develop an understanding of arithmetic by using their own intuitive strategies such as number blocks and drawings. This approach has been shown to benefit nearly all pupils, including those with learning difficulties.

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.

March of Dimes honors scholar in perinatal bioethics

Anna R. Brandon, PhD, was honored by the March of Dimes for her research on ethical barriers to perinatal mental health research. Her work aims to improve access to evidence-based treatment for pregnant women, ensuring they receive safe and effective care during pregnancy.

PIT(-1)ting good and bad outcomes against each other in breast cancer

A study by Roman Perez-Fernandez and colleagues found that high levels of Pit-1 expression in breast tumors with lymph node involvement are associated with tumor spread to distant sites. This discovery may help predict patient outcomes for those with lymph node-positive breast cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Anti-gout drug may decrease risk for colorectal adenoma progression

Researchers found that allopurinol reduced levels of Ki67 biomarker in normal tissue but not in adenoma tissue. The study suggests allopurinol may have some activity against colon carcinogenesis, providing a potential background for a large trial to reduce adenoma recurrence.

Vapor rub relieves cold symptoms for children, helps them sleep better

Researchers from Penn State College of Medicine found that vapor rubs containing menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oils effectively relieve night-time cough and congestion symptoms in children, improving their sleep quality. The study also showed significant relief for parents' sleep, with no reported side effects.

Researchers to explore why there is a high risk of second stroke

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center are exploring the mechanisms of stroke recurrence in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The MoSIS trial aims to identify causes of strokes in these patients, which is estimated to occur in 25% within two years of initial stroke.

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.

UC Santa Cruz leads work on first major upgrade for LHC

Physicists at UC Santa Cruz are developing a new particle detector called the Insertable B Layer (IBL) to upgrade the ATLAS detector at the LHC, improving sensitivity in Higgs boson searches and enabling new physics discoveries. The IBL will be installed in 2015 and use advanced technology to withstand higher radiation doses.

Discovery of an anti-inflammatory substance

A team of scientists from Kiel University, along with international colleagues, has identified interleukin-27 as a key player in counteracting inflammation. This discovery could lead to new treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases.

Statins did not reduce colorectal cancer in WHI analysis

A study analyzing data from the Women's Health Initiative found that statin use did not lower the risk of colorectal cancer among postmenopausal women. Researchers identified no association between statin use and reduced risk for colorectal cancer, tumor location, stage, grade or histology.

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.

Gefitinib may have chemopreventive benefits in pancreatic cancer

A study published in Cancer Prevention Research found that gefitinib reduced pancreatic tumor incidence by 77% in mid-dose group and 100% in high-dose group. The compound also showed potential in preventing precursor lesions, with 67.6% of mice free of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms at 100 ppm dose.

Soy may stop prostate cancer spread

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that a soy-based drug can prevent the movement of prostate cancer cells from the prostate to the rest of the body. The experimental treatment, genistein, has shown beneficial effects on human subjects with localized prostate cancer in a recent phase II study.

Soy isoflavones may modify risk of breast cancer

A study found that high soy isoflavone intake was associated with a 30% decreased risk of invasive breast tumors and a 60% decreased risk of grade 1 tumors. In premenopausal women, the highest isoflavone intake reduced the risk of stage I disease, tumor size, and stage 2 breast cancer by significant margins.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Do not abandon new cigarette warning labels

Health Canada's decision to cancel plans for new cigarette warning labels may result in increased smoking rates and a surge in smoking-related illnesses and deaths. Warning labels are an effective communication strategy that deter smokers and non-smokers alike, with international guidelines recommending large pictorial warnings.

Zebrafish reveal exquisite workings of the brain

The study reveals the discovery of superficial interneurons, a type of inhibitory neuron that blocks communication about large stimuli, allowing small prey to be detected. The findings provide insights into the neural basis of tracking prey and offer new perspectives on brain function.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Taming thermonuclear plasma with a snowflake

Researchers at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have made significant progress in reducing thermal plasma-wall interaction challenges for fusion energy devices. A new 'snowflake' divertor concept successfully reduced plasma-material interface heat load and erosion, extending component lifetime.

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.

Play with your kid, for their mental health's sake

A new study suggests that spending quality time with children, such as reading and teaching organizational skills, can foster better psychological health in adulthood. The study's findings support the importance of strong interpersonal connections and social skills developed during childhood.

Getting to know the sun advances fusion research

Scientists successfully generated plasma current using Coaxial Helicity Injection, producing 1 million amperes of current with 40% less energy. This method eliminates the need for a solenoid in tokamaks, simplifying the device and optimizing its efficiency.

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.

Brain bleeding is common with aging, UCI study finds

Researchers at UCI studied postmortem brain specimens from 33 individuals aged 71-105 and found cerebral microbleeds in 22 cases. The incidence rate is higher than previously reported MRI studies, suggesting age-related changes in blood vessel leakiness.

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.

Fat sand rats are SAD like us

Researchers found that Fat Sand Rats exhibit symptoms of depression when exposed to short light hours, similar to those experienced by humans with Seasonal Affective Disorder. The rats responded well to common SAD therapies, including bright light exposure and medications, suggesting a viable animal model for studying affective disorders.

Chemoprevention biomarker for breast cancer identified

Duke University researchers identified a possible biomarker to measure breast cancer chemoprevention trial progress, allowing for smaller trials with fewer patients. This biomarker could indicate increased risk of breast cancer and be prevented by drugs targeting specific molecular signals.

Climate change: Water reservoir glacier

A recent study by Innsbruck glaciologists and climatologists reveals regional differences in the contribution of glaciers to water supply, with high-mountain communities dependent on glacier melt but relatively low population density. The research highlights the need for a differentiated discussion on climate change's impact on water a...

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.

Plasma as a fast optical switch

Scientists have observed relativistic transparency in plasma, allowing it to act as a fast optical switch. This phenomenon enables the flow of light through previously opaque material in less than a tenth of a picosecond.

Study sheds light on aromatase inhibitor joint pain syndrome

Researchers identified advanced stage cancer as the key factor predicting joint pain in breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitor therapy. The study also found that tenosynovitis, inflammation of tendon sheaths, was present in some symptomatic subjects, but no correlation with depression or autoimmune markers was observed.

New DNA repair pathway

UC Davis researchers have identified a new inducible pathway for repairing DNA damaged by oxygen radicals, which could lead to a better understanding of the causes of some cancers. The discovery involves an enzyme called NEIL1 that detects and repairs aberrant bases before changes in the genome become permanent.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

UNC scientists identify cellular communicators for cancer virus

Researchers at UNC identify cellular communicators for cancer virus, revealing a new mechanism by which the Epstein-Barr virus manipulates cells and induces uncontrolled growth. The study shows that infected cells can produce altered exosomes that enter recipient cells, changing their growth patterns.

APHA 2010: Study finds funding for substance abuse in Indiana lacking

A recent study by Indiana University found that the state spends significantly more on health care-related consequences of substance abuse compared to its prevention initiatives. This means that for every dollar invested in treatment and intervention programs, only a small fraction is dedicated to preventing substance abuse.

California pistachios: Dietitian and Mother Nature approved

Research shows that consuming in-shell pistachios slows consumption, allowing hunger cues to be activated, reducing overall calorie intake. Pistachios are a great snack for weight management due to their high protein and fiber content, making them a green and sustainable choice.

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.

November/December 2010 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A study of adolescents found that less than 2% met annual preventive care visit recommendations, highlighting the need for better access to care. Meanwhile, a survey of family physicians revealed that many refer patients elsewhere for vaccines due to inadequate payment and lack of participation in federally-funded programs.

Were our tetrapod ancestors deaf?

Researchers studied the closest living relative of tetrapods, the African lungfish, and found that they lack sensitivity to airborne sound. The inner ear's structure suggests a high vibration sensitivity but limits hearing to very low frequencies, implying that early tetrapod ancestors were probably deaf to airborne sound.