Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for November 5, 2010


ERC advanced grant for Professor Zandbergen's 'nanolaboratory'

Henny Zandbergen receives EU funding to develop 'NanoElectrical Measurements in a Transmission Electron Microscope' (NEMinTEM) equipment and methods. This technology enables real-time measurements of electrical characteristics of nanostructures, paving the way for groundbreaking research.

SourceDelft University of Technology·DateNov 5, 2010

Stevens Professor Hongbin Li receives AFRL contract to develop MIMO Radar

Dr. Hongbin Li receives a three-year AFRL contract to study distributed radar systems and improve object detection, developing networked radar capabilities with high spatial resolution and accuracy. The goal is to combine software and hardware for efficient data communication and achieve better bandwidth from multiple radar sensors.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·DateNov 5, 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.

Specialization builds trust among Web users

Researchers found that participants trusted specialized technology more than general websites and recommendation agents, with cumulative interaction increasing trust. The study suggests mental shortcuts, such as heuristics, contribute to the perception of expertise and trustworthiness in labeled e-commerce tools.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Studies·DateNov 5, 2010

Infants' hemodynamic responses to happy and angry facial expressions

Researchers used NIRS to investigate infants' hemodynamic responses to happy and angry faces, finding that positive expressions elicited continuous neural activation, while negative expressions triggered more rapid decreased activity. The study suggests hemispheric lateralization of facial expression processing develops by 6 months.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalNeuroImage·DateNov 5, 2010

NASA extends TIMED mission for fourth time

The NASA Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission has been extended for the fourth time to study the upper atmosphere. The mission will focus on differentiating between human-induced and naturally occurring changes in this atmospheric region, allowing scientists to understand long-term trends.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 5, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UNC team discovers promising target for new pancreatic cancer treatments

A UNC research team has identified RGL2 as a critical protein in the KRAS signaling pathway, which could lead to the development of effective pancreatic cancer treatments. The team's findings suggest that blocking this pathway may hold promise for halting the growth of pancreatic tumors.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 5, 2010

$2.7 million research award to aid nursery, floriculture industry

Virginia Tech receives a $2.7 million grant to study integrated management of zoosporic pathogens and irrigation water quality for a more sustainable green industry. The project aims to develop biologically based control methods and best management practices to recycle irrigation water safely.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateNov 5, 2010

2008 Wenchuan earthquake: a landmark in China's history

The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a magnitude 7.9 rupture, resulted in over 80,000 fatalities and left four million homeless. The event showcased China's capability to demonstrate its earthquake science program to the global community.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateNov 5, 2010
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.

Real-time physician electronic alerts reduce unnecessary blood testing in elderly patients

A Kaiser Permanente study shows that electronic alerts can significantly reduce unnecessary D-dimer tests for elderly patients, resulting in a 69.7% decrease in orders. The alerts, which explain the test's inaccuracy in older adults, were implemented in eight primary care clinics and maintained throughout the study period.

SourceGolinHarris International·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateNov 5, 2010

Overweight children have different eating patterns than normal weight children

A recent study found that overweight children in Norway consume more healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and fish, but also drink more juice and sugary soft drinks than their normal-weight counterparts. The research highlights the importance of balancing food choices with physical activity to manage weight gain.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 5, 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.

Chefs can create reduced-calorie restaurant foods

According to Penn State researchers, 72% of chefs surveyed said they could trim off 10% of calories from meals without customers noticing a difference in taste. Adding water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help reduce calorie counts while maintaining nutrient intake.

SourcePenn State·JournalObesity·DateNov 5, 2010

New statistical model moves human evolution back 3 million years

A new statistical model reevaluates the timeline of human evolution, suggesting divergence from chimpanzees occurred around 8 million years ago. The revised estimate improves upon previous findings by accounting for gaps in the fossil record and incorporating DNA evidence.

SourceField Museum·JournalSystematic Biology·DateNov 5, 2010

Understanding diabetes at the molecular level

Scientists have identified a crucial protein complex called TORC 2 that plays a significant role in insulin signaling and is linked to both diabetes and cancer. The study found that activating this complex is essential for cells to take up sugar from the blood, and that it may hold potential as a new target for treating type II diabetes.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2010

'Prima donna' protein doesn't work well in pairs

Researchers find that kinesins, powerful cargo-moving proteins, struggle to coordinate their efforts when paired, leading to inconsistent cargo transport. This discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms governing intracellular transport and its link to neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateNov 5, 2010
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.