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Science News Archive November 2010 - Page 19


Page 19 of 27

New brief tool to screen for cognitive impairment in elderly patients

A new screening test, Sweet 16, can detect dementia in elderly patients more rapidly, providing an alternative to the Mini-Mental State Examination. The tool has been shown to accurately characterize mental status without influencing patient education or sociodemographic factors.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 9, 2010

Portable microwave sensors for measuring vital signs

Researchers have developed a non-invasive technique using microwaves to measure vital signs, such as heart rate and stress levels. The system detects changes in reflected waves caused by body movements, allowing for near-real-time monitoring.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateNov 9, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Improving soil for better lawns and gardens

USDA researchers are developing constructed soils to build better, less-costly sports fields, raingardens, and lawns on degraded land. The most promising mixture includes quarry byproducts and composted chicken litter, which reduces rain runoff and erosion.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalJournal of Soil Science and Environmental Management·DateNov 9, 2010

Global warming reduces available wind energy

A study by Diandong Ren finds that rising global temperatures decrease wind speeds, reducing the power output of wind turbines. This means that more wind turbines are needed to achieve the same amount of energy production, highlighting the need for a switch to renewable energy sources earlier.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateNov 9, 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.

Timely depression diagnosis critical to maintain health of elderly

Researchers at the University of Missouri have found a series of indicators associated with elderly depression beyond mood changes, including verbal aggression, urinary incontinence and weight loss. These findings suggest that timely diagnosis and treatment can improve quality of life for nursing home residents.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Gerontological Nursing·DateNov 9, 2010

Business getting the most from research

A survey of UK businesses found that they partner with researchers for service development, human resource management, training, and marketing. Academics also engage in a wide range of knowledge exchange activities, but face constraints such as lack of time and resources.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateNov 9, 2010

Foucault, revisited

Researchers from Argentina have successfully created a new type of Foucault pendulum that is smaller and more efficient than traditional devices. The new pendulums, which are designed to be compact enough to fit in a lobby or classroom, use advanced techniques to reduce the elliptical drift of the pendulum and improve precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateNov 9, 2010

Oil will run dry before substitutes roll out

A new University of California, Davis study suggests that the global oil supply will run dry within 90 years, far before replacement technologies are ready. The forecast is based on market capitalizations and dividend payments from publicly owned oil and alternative energy companies.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateNov 9, 2010
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.

Owzat! Bushcrickets' big secret revealed

Researchers found Tuberous Bushcricket produces large testes but less sperm per ejaculate, defying traditional thinking. The study suggests males use larger testes to mate repeatedly without exhausting their sperm reserves.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBiology Letters·DateNov 9, 2010
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 can improve treatment adherence in HIV patients

A trial in Kenya found that using text messages to help patients adhere to their treatment improves absolute adherence rates by 12% and numbers achieving viral load suppression by 9%. Patients who received SMS support were more likely to report adherence to ART.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 9, 2010

Poll analysis: Americans have conflicting views about spending on public health system

A majority of Americans supports increased spending on public health in general, but there is a partisan divide and divisions within specific areas. Meanwhile, most people believe the US is not spending enough on improving and protecting public health, and many see long-term savings from measures to improve health and prevention.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 9, 2010

Home exposure to tobacco carcinogens high in children of smokers

A study by the American Association for Cancer Research found that 90% of children exposed to a smoker at home had detectable levels of tobacco carcinogens in their urine. The researchers also discovered a direct correlation between cigarettes smoked per day and tobacco metabolites in the children.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateNov 9, 2010
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.

Undetected high blood pressure associated with more deaths from heart attacks

A study by the University of Leicester found that undetected high blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of dying from coronary heart disease. The research reveals that areas with greater deprivation, more smokers, and more people with diabetes have a higher mortality rate from coronary heart disease.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalJAMA·DateNov 9, 2010

Depression linked to altered activity of circadian rhythm gene

A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders suggests that depression is associated with increased activity of the Clock gene, which regulates circadian rhythm. This finding could lead to personalized treatment approaches for people with depression, such as light therapy or antidepressants targeting melatonin.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateNov 9, 2010

New heart pump to provide temporary assist for infants, adults

Researchers have developed a new type of heart pump to improve the survival rate for infants undergoing surgeries to correct univentricular circulation. The innovative 'viscous impeller pump' can be inserted through a catheter and expands to form two cones, spinning at 10,000 rpm to efficiently pump blood.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateNov 9, 2010
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.

DNA reveals origins of first European farmers

A recent genetic study has overturned current thinking on the origins of European farming populations. The research, published in PLOS Biology, found that these early farmers were more closely related to populations living in modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and other parts of the Ancient Near East than to local hunter-gatherers.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 9, 2010

Lab on chip for membrane proteins

A novel lab-on-chip device has been developed to screen sensitive membrane proteins in parallel, utilizing a nano-fabricated chip with 50,000 nanopores. This technology preserves protein structure without organic solvents or solid support, enabling simultaneous analysis and preserving fragile protein function.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 9, 2010

Growth defects in cystic fibrosis may start before birth

A new study found that infants with cystic fibrosis have reduced IGF1 levels compared to healthy infants, suggesting that IGF1 deficits begin early in the course of CF disease. This could lead to new therapies for growth defects in people with CF.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2010
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.

Changing family behavior helps schizophrenic patients avoid relapse

A new Cochrane systematic review found that changing family behavior can help prevent relapses in people with schizophrenia. The study analyzed data from 53 trials involving over 4,700 patients and showed significant benefits of family interventions, including reduced hospital admissions and improved social functioning.

SourceWiley·JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·DateNov 9, 2010

Sick at work and surfing the net? You're not alone -- or are you?

Presenteeism, a measure of productivity loss due to health issues, may be overreported. The University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology suggests a three-year moratorium on studies due to inaccurate calculations and limited data collection methods.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateNov 9, 2010

Children with high blood pressure more likely to have learning disabilities

A new study by University of Rochester Medical Center found that children with high blood pressure are four times more likely to have cognitive problems. Among the study's 201 patients, 101 had hypertension and 18% had learning disabilities, compared to 9% among those without hypertension.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateNov 9, 2010

Using CT, radiologists can pinpoint cause of some strokes

A new study suggests that multidetector computed tomography (CT) can pinpoint the causes of ischemic strokes, potentially reducing treatment delays. The technique detected cardiac sources in 18 of 25 cases and facilitated stroke classification in 83% of patients.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateNov 9, 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.

Breast cancer: Reducing the risk of unnecessary chemo

Researchers have developed an algorithm to predict breast cancer patients with little risk of disease recurrence, potentially eliminating unnecessary chemotherapy. The tool uses gene expression signatures and achieves 87-100 percent accuracy in different patient groups.

SourceNational Research Council of Canada·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 8, 2010

Potential drug therapy for diabetic retinopathy under study

Scientists are exploring the therapeutic potential of (+)- pentazocine in treating diabetic retinopathy. The study aims to determine if the drug can block or promote sigma receptor action and improve retinal health in patients. Researchers also want to know if the drug is effective when given later in the disease process.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateNov 8, 2010
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.

Dangerous chemicals in food wrappers likely migrating to humans: U of T study

Researchers found that polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) used in food packaging are breaking down into perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), including PFOA, and being ingested by people. This study provides valuable evidence to inform policy on the use of PAPs in food contact applications.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateNov 8, 2010
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.

JCI online early table of contents: Nov. 8, 2010

Researchers have identified markers associated with breast cancer outcomes and found a protein linked to tumor spread. Additionally, a new therapeutic target for tumor suppression has been discovered, while gene therapy shows promise for improving wound healing in diabetic patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2010

Vitamins E and C appear to have little effect on age-related cataract

A study of over 11,500 male physicians found that long-term use of vitamins E and C had no significant impact on the development or extraction of age-related cataracts. The researchers concluded that high-dose supplementation with these vitamins has little effect on rates of cataract diagnosis and extraction.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Ophthalmology·DateNov 8, 2010

Scientists unlock the secrets of exploding plasma clouds on the sun

A new study demonstrates that magnetic forces correctly explain the motion of erupting plasma clouds, resolving a long-standing challenge in understanding coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The research uses data from the STEREO twin-satellite mission to validate a theoretical model of CMEs as giant 'magnetic flux ropes'.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 8, 2010

Study examines risk of heterosexual HIV transmission in China

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals a large burden of syphilis infection and high-risk behaviors among male clients of female sex workers in Sichuan province. The study found that 30% of these males practiced consistent condom use, highlighting the need for effective interventions to prevent HIV transmission.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateNov 8, 2010
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.

Starting dialysis earlier may be harmful for some patients

A study found that starting dialysis earlier in advanced kidney disease was associated with a greater risk of death. Patients who began dialysis early had a higher mortality rate compared to those who started later, especially those with lower albumin levels.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 8, 2010

Fat cells reach their limit and trigger changes linked to type 2 diabetes

Research reveals that morbidly obese people's fat cells reach a storage limit, leading to changes in metabolism that may increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. SFRP1 protein production is linked to these changes, which may trigger metabolic syndrome and other health problems.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalInternational Journal of Obesity·DateNov 8, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Simulating black hole radiation with lasers

Scientists have successfully created an optical analogue of Hawking radiation using a laser beam and glass target. This experiment confirms the theoretical predictions of Hawking radiation, which is emitted by black holes but difficult to detect.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 8, 2010

Privacy safeguards in Canadian military insufficient: Updated rules needed

The Canadian medical journal criticizes Canada's military for insufficient privacy safeguards, citing recent breaches and the need for clearer rules. The authors urge General Walter Natynczyk to develop recommendations for improving military privacy protocols.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 8, 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.

Single parenthood doesn't pay off for plants

A new study found that plants that can self-pollinate have higher extinction rates than those relying on external pollinators. This is because they often lack the genetic diversity needed to adapt to changing environments, making them more vulnerable to extinction.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalScience·DateNov 8, 2010