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Science News Archive October 2010 - Page 8


Page 8 of 25

Offshore wind a 'mixed bag': University of Maryland study

A University of Maryland study assesses the feasibility of developing and operating wind farms in Maryland's Atlantic coastal waters. The study finds that offshore wind holds potential to help meet State Energy Targets, but addresses serious institutional impediments such as radar interference and transmission facility inadequacies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateOct 21, 2010

Simple blood test helps predict chronic kidney disease

A study found that measuring three biomarkers in a single blood sample can improve physicians' ability to identify patients at high risk of developing CKD. The biomarkers included homocysteine, aldosterone, and B-type natriuretic peptide.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 21, 2010
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.

Malaria-transmitting mosquito evolving, NIH grantees find

Researchers funded by NIH have found that Anopheles gambiae is evolving into two distinct species, M and S, with differing traits and behaviors. These emerging species may alter disease transmission patterns, requiring new prevention strategies.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2010

Forensic scientists use postmortem imaging-guided biopsy to determine natural causes of death

A new study uses a combination of computed tomography (CT), postmortem CT angiography (CTA) and biopsy to determine the natural causes of death, with results showing near-identical findings in 18 out of 20 cases. The minimally invasive approach has improved accuracy and reduced the need for traditional autopsy.

SourceAmerican College of Radiology·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·DateOct 21, 2010

Peripheral induction of Alzheimer's-like brain pathology in mice

Researchers at the Hertie Institute of Clinical Brain Research have found that peripheral administration of misfolded protein fragments can induce Alzheimer's-like brain pathology in mice. This discovery provides new clues on the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and may lead to new strategies for prevention and treatment.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 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.

Coccolithophore blooms in the southwest Atlantic

A study led by Dr. Stuart Painter identifies five distinct water masses controlling coccolithophore blooms off the southeast coast of South America, highlighting the region's complexity and productivity. The research cruise measured salinity, chemistry, and nutrient levels, confirming that specific conditions foster bloom formation.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalContinental Shelf Research·DateOct 21, 2010

Study details molecular structure of major cell signaling pathway

Researchers have elucidated the atomic structure of a major cell signaling pathway, revealing how it converts molecular signals into cellular responses. The study's findings have implications for understanding cancer and developing new treatments.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 2010

Promising new 'antigene' therapy

Antigene therapy utilizes a DNA-based drug that attaches directly to specific DNA sequences and is activated by light energy, effectively silencing targeted genes. This approach may offer new hope for treating diseases currently incurable or having limited success.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalOligonucleotides·DateOct 21, 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.

Egg meets sperm: The female side of the story

The study reveals new insights into how the egg interacts with sperm at fertilization, providing potential clues to infertility and potentially leading to non-hormonal contraceptives. The research was conducted by Luca Jovine's team at Karolinska Institutet and has important implications for human reproductive medicine.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateOct 21, 2010

Poor start in life need not spell doom in adulthood

A University of California, Riverside biologist found that adult Trinidadian guppies can mitigate the negative effects of a poor early start through flexible growth and reproductive strategies. This study suggests that adults can compensate for their early conditions through adaptive changes.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateOct 21, 2010

Research looks at stuttering differences in boys, girls

A recent study aims to identify neural reasons for early childhood stuttering, with a focus on sex differences that influence recovery rates. The research seeks to better understand the causes of this speech disorder, which affects about 5% of children during early stages of speech acquisition.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 21, 2010
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Teaching kids to work through trauma

A Tel Aviv University researcher has developed a workshop method to help children develop resilience factors and avoid psychological disabilities from stress. The program improved children's anxiety, social interaction, and academic performance.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateOct 21, 2010

Scientists examine energy trends of communications equipment

A team of scientists at Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs has found that energy efficiency gains in communications equipment are not keeping pace with traffic growth, leading to increased power consumption. The study predicts a seven-fold increase in power per user over the next decade.

SourceOptica·DateOct 21, 2010

Toward a better understanding of future climate in the Sahel

Research scientist Alessandra Giannini wins NSF CAREER award to advance understanding of climate model projections in the African Sahel. She aims to identify mechanisms attributed to natural variability, land use change, or global warming, using data from global models and atmospheric observations.

SourceColumbia Climate School·DateOct 21, 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.

Partners who had powerful faces in college lead profitable law firms

A study found that law firms led by managing partners with powerful faces in college are more profitable. The researchers judged photos of 73 managing partners for dominance, maturity, attractiveness, likeability, and trustworthiness, and found that facial power was a strong predictor of law firm profitability.

SourceSAGE·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateOct 21, 2010

UTHealth receives $11 million NIDA grant

Researchers at UTHealth's Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction will use the five-year, $11 million grant to study the behavioral neurobiology of cocaine dependence. The project aims to translate this knowledge into effective pharmacotherapies for the disorder through novel medications and imaging methodologies.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateOct 21, 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.

Center to study effects of plastics chemicals on children's health

A new research center will study the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates on infant and adolescent development, cognition, and behavior. The center aims to determine if exposure to these chemicals alters hormone signaling and affects sex differences in brain development and behavior.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateOct 21, 2010

Nightshades' mating habits strike uneasy evolutionary balance

A team of researchers led by Boris Igiâ31 and Emma Goldberg found that long-term evolutionary survival favors plants that avoid self-fertilization. This leads to greater genetic diversity among nightshade species. By avoiding self-fertilization, plants can more easily keep beneficial mutations and protect against harmful ones.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalScience·DateOct 21, 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.

Burn injuries rapidly deplete vitamin E

Children with third-degree burns lose almost half of their stored vitamin E in just three weeks, despite receiving high-calorie diets. This rapid depletion may lead to health complications, including peripheral neuropathy.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 20, 2010

CSIRO 'hot rods' old telescope

CSIRO has upgraded a radio telescope at the University of Sydney, boosting its sensitivity and bandwidth to three times more than before. The upgrade demonstrates Australia's technological capabilities and will inform the design of the country's own ASKAP telescope.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateOct 20, 2010

Scripps Clinic nurse to receive 2010 ASTRO Nurse Excellence Award

Elizabeth A. Brunton, a registered nurse at Scripps Clinic, has been recognized with the 2010 ASTRO Nurse Excellence Award for her exceptional patient care and dedication to education. She developed patient education materials and created an orientation program to help patients understand radiation therapy.

SourceAmerican Society for Radiation Oncology·DateOct 20, 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.

Eating mostly whole grains, few refined grains linked to lower body fat

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals who consume several servings of whole grains per day and limit their intake of refined grains appear to have less visceral adipose tissue, a key factor in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The study observed a 10% lower VAT volume in...

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 20, 2010

Clearing the cosmic fog

A European team of astronomers has confirmed that the UDFy-38135539 galaxy is the most remote object identified so far in the Universe. By analyzing its light's redshift, they found that it was seen just 600 million years after the Big Bang, providing valuable insights into the era of reionisation and galaxy formation.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateOct 20, 2010

Measuring changes in rock

A research team developed tools to study supercritical CO2's impact on minerals, which could be affected by stored carbon dioxide. The new high-pressure atomic force microscope can observe changes at the atomic scale, addressing a key question about the feasibility of carbon capture and storage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateOct 20, 2010

GOES-13 sees system 99L organizing tropically

System 99L is showing increased organization in the Caribbean Sea, with improved cloud structure and rainfall patterns. Heavy rainfall is expected for the Cayman Islands and Jamaica over the next couple of days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 20, 2010

A new way to weigh planets

A new way to weigh planets has been developed using radio signals from small spinning stars called pulsars, providing an independent check on previous results. The measurements of planet masses made this new way could feed into data needed for future space missions.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateOct 20, 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.

Going high-tech to probe deeper into oceans

The new IMOS ocean-observing array will use advanced technologies like autonomous floats, marine mammals with satellite tags, and underwater gliders to study the open ocean. This data will help scientists understand how the ocean's physical properties influence the marine ecosystem.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateOct 20, 2010

Exploring Africa's success stories

The African Successes project identifies and analyzes African successes, focusing on economic and political improvements, transparency, and freedom of press. Researchers are studying successful initiatives such as an anti-malaria campaign in Zambia and a cellphone-based money transfer system in Kenya.

SourceBrown University·DateOct 20, 2010

The real 'mommy brain': New mothers grew

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that new mothers' brains grew in areas linked to motivation and behavior, particularly in those who showed intense affection for their babies. The researchers suggest that this growth may be due to hormonal changes after birth, which trigger active brain building.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateOct 20, 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.

Gene therapy may be powerful new treatment for major depression

Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell report that gene therapy to the brain reverses depression-like behavior in mice, with human data backing up the promise of such therapy. Autopsy studies reveal significantly reduced levels of p11 protein in patients with severe depression.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateOct 20, 2010

Cancer: Discovery of a very promising biological marker

Researchers found FSH receptor present in all cancer tumour samples, regardless of type or stage. The discovery highlights the potential of this receptor as a target for anti-cancer drugs and imaging procedures.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 20, 2010
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.

A redeeming role for a common virus

Researchers are conducting a phase II clinical trial using reovirus, a common virus that causes mild symptoms, to target and kill specific tumor cells with KRAS or EGFR mutations. The goal is to exploit the virus's ability to replicate in cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateOct 20, 2010

Yorkshire gets £4 million ($6.3 million) electron lithography facility

Researchers in Yorkshire will gain access to a state-of-the-art electron-beam lithography system to study novel magnetic materials and fabricate high-frequency electronics. The £4 million facility, supported by industrial funding, will enable the fabrication of nanostructures with features less than 10 nanometres in size.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateOct 20, 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.

Link between 2 forms of ALS suggests drug target

A disease mechanism linking hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to the more common sporadic form has been discovered. The findings point to the P38 enzyme as a key factor in disrupting axonal transport, a disruption that results in loss of connectivity and symptoms of ALS long before the neurons actually die.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateOct 20, 2010

Black rice bran may help fight disease-related inflammation

A new study suggests that black rice bran extract can reduce skin inflammation by 32% compared to control animals. Feeding mice a diet with black rice bran also showed a significant reduction in swelling associated with allergic contact dermatitis.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateOct 20, 2010

Dad's weight and diet linked to offspring's risk of diabetes

Researchers found a significant link between paternal weight, diet, and an increased risk of diabetes in offspring through epigenetic changes. The study, published in Nature, showed that high-fat diets in fathers can 'program' metabolic disease in their children.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·DateOct 20, 2010

New equation could advance research in solar cell materials

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new equation that describes the relationship between current and voltage in organic semiconductors, which could enable advanced solar cells, thin OLED displays, and high-efficiency lighting. The equation provides fundamental insights into how charge moves in these materials.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review B·DateOct 20, 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.