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Science News Archive 2011


Page 16 of 311

Breaking oncogene's hold on cancer cell provides new treatment direction

Researchers have developed ways to exploit the addictions of cancers to kill them without harming normal tissues. The study identified SUMOylation as a key biochemical process involved in coping with cancer cell stress, and inhibiting this enzyme may be a therapeutic strategy for myc-driven cancers.

The world's biggest radar laboratory

The ARM Climate Research Facility has deployed 18 new scanning radars to study the lifecycle of clouds. These radars provide unprecedented data on cloud formation, structure, and evolution.

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.

How Salmonella forms evil twins to evade the body's defenses

Salmonella forms two genetically identical types, each with an advantage in infection and evasion. The bacteria's ability to produce flagellin triggers a self-destructive response in immune cells, but restricting production helps it colonize hosts.

Research raises new questions about animal empathy

Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp argues that animals, including rats and mice, have emotional experiences and share core emotional functions with humans. This research could lead to a better understanding of human emotions and develop more effective treatments for psychiatric disorders.

Breakthrough in regulating fat metabolism

Researchers at University of Warwick have found that the CPT1 enzyme has a switch controlling its activity, which can lead to better understanding of individual metabolic rates. This discovery may lead to development of drugs targeting specific patients with conditions like diabetic keto acidosis.

Humility key to effective leadership

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that humble leaders model growth and learning, and legitimize followers' journeys. Humble leaders who admit mistakes, praise followers, and learn from errors tend to have higher-performing organizations.

For Midwesterners, more boxcars mean cleaner air

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that shifting truck-borne freight to trains could significantly improve air quality in the Midwest. The study estimates that reducing truck traffic by just 5% would lead to a 31% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking about 4 million cars off the road.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Paleoclimate record points toward potential rapid climate changes

Research suggests the Earth's paleoclimate history indicates a more sensitive climate than thought, with temperatures far exceeding the Eemian period if global warming is not abated. A 2°C warming target could lead to drastic changes, including multiple meters of sea level rise and significant ice sheet loss in Greenland and Antarctica.

Keeping our beaches safe

A new wireless sensor device can detect high concentrations of E. coli bacteria in under 1 hour and lower concentrations in less than 8 hours. This rapid detection system has the potential to serve as an early warning tool for beach safety, providing a more timely response to fecal contamination.

Study sheds light on cancer burden in Australia

Cancer incidence rates have increased while deaths have decreased in Australia over the past quarter century. The study found that Indigenous Australians face higher death rates due to disparities in cancer diagnoses, treatments, and other illnesses.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Young conservation biologist receives National Geographic's 10,000th grant

Conservation biologist Krithi K. Karanth receives National Geographic's 10,000th grant to study human-wildlife conflicts and habitat destruction in five Indian parks. The project aims to identify risks and consequences for local people and wildlife species like elephants, wild pigs, leopards, and tigers.

Starch intake may influence risk for breast cancer recurrence

Researchers found that increased starch intake was associated with a greater risk of breast cancer recurrence in women. Women who increased their starch intake over one year were at a higher risk for recurring, with changes in starch intake accounting for 48% of the change in carbohydrate intake.

Law enforcement vital for great ape survival

A recent study found that law enforcement guards and non-governmental organization support have a measurable impact on the survival of African great apes. In contrast, national development and high human population density had a negative impact on their existence.

Study challenges decades-old treatment guidelines for anorexia

A new study by UCSF researchers found that adolescents with anorexia nervosa who receive high-calorie diets during hospitalization experience significant weight gain and have a shorter stay. The current conservative approach, which starts with low calorie intake, is not effective in preventing refeeding syndrome.

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.

CAFE standards create profit incentive for larger vehicles

A new study by the University of Michigan finds that CAFE standards can create a financial incentive for automakers to produce larger vehicles, leading to increased carbon emissions. The study suggests that the policy can be adjusted to reduce these unintended incentives.

Freshman women's binge drinking tied to sexual assault risk

A study of 437 young women found that nearly half who never drank heavily in high school admitted to binge drinking by the end of their first college semester. Binge drinking was linked to an increased risk of sexual victimization, regardless of previous drinking habits. Parents are urged to talk with their children about drinking befo...

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.

New energy sources fuel interest from Secretary of the Navy

The Office of Naval Research is exploring alternative energy sources, including fuel cell vehicles and high-efficiency trash disposal technology. The goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy efficiency for the military.

Research could help people with declining sense of smell

Researchers have identified a genetic trigger that promotes the differentiation of olfactory stem cells into sensory neurons in the nose epithelia. This discovery provides potential therapeutic strategies for treating anosmia and other age-related declines in sense of smell.

Why aren't we smarter already? Evolutionary limits on cognition

A new study published in Current Directions in Psychological Science warns that evolutionary tradeoffs limit human cognitive abilities. Research suggests that increasing intelligence comes with problems, such as increased disease risk, and there may be an upper limit to how smart humans can get.

World's first super predator had remarkable vision

Researchers found highly acute vision in Anomalocaris, rivalling that of modern insects and crustaceans. The giant marine predator's compound eyes were exceptionally preserved, with each eye containing over 16,000 lenses.

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.

Barrow physicians chronicle Vladimir Betz in Brain

Physicians at Barrow Neurological Institute have written a biography of Ukrainian anatomist Vladimir Betz, who discovered giant pyramidal neurons known as Betz cells. These cells' function with cortical organization was a turning point in neuroscience, revolutionizing cell fixation and staining methods.

Avatars develop real world skills

New research suggests that virtual worlds can help young people learn and negotiate new situations, developing skills like organisational and cognitive abilities. The Inter-Life project created private islands where participants interacted using avatars, leading to improved engagement and learning outcomes.

Counting atoms with glass fiber

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to detect single atoms using ultra-thin glass fibers, allowing for precise measurement of tiny amounts of substances. The technique enables the control of quantum states without destroying them.

Researchers find best routes to self-assembling 3-D shapes

Material chemists and engineers at Brown University developed algorithms to identify optimal 2-D planar nets for self-folding polyhedra. Experiments confirmed the design principles, allowing for the creation of complex 3-D structures with high yields.

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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Alenga intensifying

Tropical Storm Alenga is strengthening due to warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, with maximum sustained winds reaching up to 63 mph. The storm is forecast to continue intensifying before encountering strong westerly wind shear and weakening.

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.

Short walk cuts chocolate consumption in half

A 15-minute walk can cut snacking on chocolate at work in half, regardless of task difficulty or stress levels. Researchers found that employees who took a short break consumed an average of 15g, equivalent to a small 'treat size', compared to 28g for those who didn't exercise.

Changing order drugs are taken boosts breast cancer survival

A new study found that taking two breast cancer medications together, anastrozole and fulvestrant, significantly extended the lives of women with metastatic breast cancer. Women who received the combination treatment lived over six months longer than those who took the drugs in sequence.

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.

Novel approach to treating breast cancer shows great promise

Researchers at Loyola University Medical Center report positive results from a clinical trial of an experimental drug targeting tumor stem cells. The study found that the drug turned off key genes responsible for making cancer stem cells resistant to conventional drugs.

Novel drug wipes out deadliest malaria parasite through starvation

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel antimalarial agent, BCX4945, which kills the deadliest malaria parasite by starving it of vital building blocks. The study shows promising results in non-human primates, paving the way for more potent therapies against this deadly disease.

The H1N1 flu vaccine protects both pregnant women and newly-borns

A study of 107 pregnant women found that the H1N1 flu vaccine boosted their immune system and protected their newborns via transplacental transfer of antibodies. The results show that the influenza vaccine is safe during pregnancy and recommended for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies.

Better CMT outcome measurement is Wayne State University physician's goal

A Wayne State University physician is working to develop an outcome measurement that accurately reflects Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease progression in children. She aims to identify quality-of-life measures that can track changes in scores over time, enabling the evaluation of treatment effectiveness.

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.

Salk researchers develop safe way to repair sickle cell disease genes

Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a new gene editing technique that uses patients' own cells to correct genetic mutations in the HBB gene, which causes sickle cell disease. The method repairs the beta-globin gene without introducing harmful genes into cells and appears to be more efficient than traditional techniques.

Traumatic injury sets off a 'genomic storm' in immune system pathways

A nationwide research collaborative found that serious traumatic injuries, including major burns, elicit a highly reproducible genomic response in human immune cells, altering around 80 percent of normal gene expression patterns. The study contradicts the widely accepted theory of an initial pro-inflammatory response followed by an ant...

Applied Optics focus issue: Digital holography and 3-D imaging

The Focus Issue on Digital Holography and 3-D Imaging presents recent breakthroughs in digital holography, enabling non-invasive biomedical imaging and applications in structural analysis. Novel techniques such as compressive holography and lens-free tomographic microscopy are showcased, advancing 3-D display technologies.

Those who stay together yawn together

A study published in PLOS ONE found that yawn contagion is linked to social empathy, with family members and close friends triggering the most responses. The researchers identified a pattern of empathy similar to other measures, suggesting that yawn contagion occurs due to our natural inclination to connect with others

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.

US Tox21 to begin screening 10,000 chemicals

The US Tox21 program begins testing 10,000 compounds for potential toxicity using a high-speed robotic screening system. The testing will provide results useful for evaluating the potential health effects of these chemicals and revolutionize the assessment of new environmental chemicals and drug development.

Nipping metastases in the bud

Scientists isolated a protein called periostin that plays a major role in metastasis development. Blocking this protein can prevent the formation of secondary cancers, offering a promising therapeutic option for late-stage cancers.

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.

Shedding light on why it is so 'tough' to make healthier hot dogs

Researchers identified that sausages made with olive oil-in-water emulsion stabilized with casein are slightly tougher due to weak lipid-protein interactions. Adding microbial transglutaminase to the emulsion system can lead to physical entrapment of the oil within the meat matrix, making the sausage even tougher.

New protocols improve detection of microRNAs for diagnosis

A new study provides clear procedures for collecting and analyzing microRNAs, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy. Researchers developed measures to overcome interfering activities and improved the sensitivity of miRNA detection by up to 30-fold, enabling faithful quantitation of miRNA abundance in body fluids.

Humboldt Research Award for Nobel Laureate Aaron Ciechanover

Aaron Ciechanover, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry, has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for his pioneering work on the ubiquitin-proteasome system. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cellular waste disposal and its role in various diseases.

Gene expression in mouse neural retina sequenced

A research group at Brown University has sequenced the entire transcriptome of the mouse neural retina, finding that disease genes are disproportionately highly expressed and have unique sequences. This study provides new insights into the genetic nature of neural diseases.

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.

Lightweight GPS tags help research track animals of all sizes

A study published in PLOS ONE introduces a lighter-weight GPS tag model that enables tracking of animals weighing at least 5.5 pounds, previously inaccessible due to equipment limitations. The team identified optimal deployment strategies for the smaller devices, resulting in successful tracking across a broader range of sizes.