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Science News for October 15, 2010


MSU tasked with educating health-care providers on fish consumption

Michigan State University will educate healthcare providers on safe fish consumption guidelines using a $1.5 million EPA grant. The program aims to identify at-risk patients and provide benefits and potential dangers of eating fish, particularly for children and women of child-bearing age.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 15, 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.

Paper highlights blood pressure risk in overweight children

A study tracking over 1,000 children for 10 years found that increased BMI in overweight children doubles their blood pressure risk. Even a modest weight loss can lead to significant blood pressure reductions, while small increases can heighten the risk of hypertension.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateOct 15, 2010

NJIT professor helps make case in Science for better biodiversity

A group of leading biodiversity scientists, including NJIT's Daniel Bunker, argue that CBD targets must consider ecosystem services for effective conservation. By valuing biodiversity through ecosystem services, nations can better justify and improve biodiversity conservation efforts.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2010

First babies born from genetic screening study

The world's first controlled study of genetic screening for IVF has resulted in the birth of healthy babies, twins in Germany and a singleton boy in Italy. The technique used is comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH), which can accurately predict chromosomal disorders with a 10% error rate.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateOct 15, 2010

Small business success spotlighted by USDA at conference

The USDA is spotlighting the success of ChoiceBatter, a low-oil-uptake batter made from rice flour, developed through its Agricultural Technology Innovation Partnership program. The product has shown significant economic impact in five states and has enabled CrispTek to commercially develop and sell the rice batter.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateOct 15, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Missouri Botanical Garden researcher discover new genus

Researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden have discovered a new genus of tree, Hondurodendron, which is endemic to Honduras and has unique characteristics. The genus was identified through morphological and molecular analysis, and its single species, Hondurodendron urceolatum, has a distinctive fruit resembling a guava.

SourceMissouri Botanical Garden·JournalAnnals of the Missouri Botanical Garden·DateOct 15, 2010

NYU to upgrade structural DNA nanotech facility with $1.6 million NSF grant

New York University has received a $1.6 million National Science Foundation grant to upgrade its Structural DNA Nanotechnology facility, enhancing its experimental capacity and creating a state-of-the-art laboratory setting. The facility will also bolster NYU's competitive edge in the field of structural DNA nanotechnology.

SourceNew York University·DateOct 15, 2010

Study confirms: Whatever doesn't kill us can make us stronger

A new study found that experiencing some lifetime adversity can contribute to the development of resilience, leading to lower global distress, functional impairment, and increased life satisfaction. Researchers analyzed a national sample of 2,398 subjects and discovered a U-shaped relationship between lifetime adversity and outcomes.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateOct 15, 2010

Eat safer: Novel approach detects unknown food pathogens

Researchers developed a novel approach to automated detection and classification of harmful bacteria in food using machine-learning. The method can identify known and unknown classes of food pathogens, improving the ability to detect bacterial contamination in tested samples.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalStatistical Analysis and Data Mining The ASA Data Science Journal·DateOct 15, 2010
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.

Squid studies provide valuable insights into hearing mechanisms

Researchers have made significant discoveries about squid hearing mechanisms, shedding light on how they navigate, sense danger, and communicate with each other. Squid use statocysts to detect sound waves, but their hearing is limited to specific frequencies, which may explain why they are a prolific food source.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 15, 2010

How to weigh a star using a moon

New work by astrophysicist David Kipping reveals that astronomers can calculate a star's mass using its orbiting planet and moon. By measuring the size of the planet and moon relative to the star and their orbital periods, scientists can use Kepler's Laws of Motion to determine the density of the star.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 15, 2010

Oral Cancer Foundation founder named Survivor Circle Award winner

ASTRO recognizes Brian Hill as a cancer survivor who has given back to the community through his nonprofit, The Oral Cancer Foundation. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic tonsil cancer in 1997 but went on to donate $1,000 prize money to benefit the foundation.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 15, 2010
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.

A river ran through it

A study of 36 rivers found that human activities such as droughts and floods alter the length of food chains, particularly eliminating top predators like large-bodied fish. Climate change will exacerbate these effects, making it crucial to factor in the fate of large-bodied fishes in water management.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2010

Grant to fund aging research

Dr. Rodrigue's five-year grant will examine the role of risk factors in shaping brain and cognitive aging, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease and vascular health. The project aims to develop preventive approaches for successful aging.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateOct 15, 2010
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.

Images shed new light on inflammation

Researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered that damaged tissue can release signals that attract white blood cells, leading to inappropriate inflammation. The team used innovative imaging techniques to observe this process in real-time, shedding light on potential new treatments for inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalScience·DateOct 15, 2010

Humidity makes gecko feet stickier

Researchers found that humidity helps geckos grip tighter by softening the surface of their feet, not through microscopic water bridges. The setae's increased softness strengthens contact with surfaces and makes it easier for geckos to peel their feet off.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 15, 2010
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.

New beam source for Brookhaven accelerators

The Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) will produce and accelerate beams with greater versatility than the current system, allowing studies with new kinds of ions previously unavailable to researchers. EBIS can start with positive ions or even neutral atoms, creating ion beams from almost any element.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateOct 15, 2010

£2.4m boost for nano research into global challenges

A new £2.4 million research project aims to develop technologies that can help respond to global health, transportation, energy and climate challenges. The project will focus on improving the fuel efficiency of air and marine transport, as well as developing new techniques for simulating fluid dynamics at the micro and nano scales.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·DateOct 15, 2010

Right foods aid memory and protect against disease

A diet study led by Lund University found that a specific diet high in antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and wholegrain products can improve memory and cognitive function. The diet also significantly reduced blood lipids, blood pressure, and inflammation markers.

SourceLund University·DateOct 15, 2010
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.

BU, Brown and UC Irvine receive $3 million NSF grant

The project will examine the feasibility of extending service-level agreements to cover aspects such as data integrity, information leakage control, and fair market pricing. The team aims to define a viable marketplace for cloud computing resources where users can verify the performance, security and privacy of acquired services.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateOct 15, 2010

Gynecologist disputes findings

A renowned gynecologic oncologist expresses concerns about a major ovarian cancer study, highlighting the need for targeted genetics-based treatments over delayed treatment timing. The study found no significant difference in survival rates between early and delayed chemotherapy groups.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 15, 2010

What did T. rex eat? Each other

A study published in PLoS ONE found that Tyrannosaurus rex had bite marks on its own bones, indicating cannibalism. The research suggests that T. rex may have eaten smaller dinosaurs as well, and that its eating habits were different from those of modern species.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 15, 2010