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Science News Archive 2011 - Page 202


Page 202 of 311

Evolutionary conservation of fat metabolism pathways

A study by Salk Institute scientists reveals that insulin activates a factor called SIK3, which promotes lipid storage during daytime feeding hours by blocking fat breakdown programs. This link between glucose metabolism and lipid storage has potential applications in treating metabolic conditions such as obesity and type II diabetes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateMay 12, 2011
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.

Study gives clue as to how notes are played on the genetic piano

Researchers found that a small RNA pathway is required to establish DNA methylation, a process that silences genes. This discovery may lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases by reactivating silenced tumor-suppressor genes.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalScience·DateMay 12, 2011

Sharing musical instruments means sharing germs

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine found that disease-causing germs survive on commonly shared wind instruments for one to two days. To minimize germ growth, instrumentists should have their own instruments and use proper cleaning methods.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Health Research·DateMay 12, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Teens who feel responsible to their parents are more engaged in school

A new longitudinal study found that children who feel more responsible to their parents stay engaged in school and perform better. The study, conducted in the US and China, suggests that parents should communicate to teenagers the importance of acting responsibly as they enter middle school.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

CWRU researchers call for changing how research is done

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University are rethinking participation criteria in biomedical studies to make them more inclusive of people with disabilities. They argue that excluding people with disabilities from research can lead to missing crucial scientific evidence and health-related differences.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Yale researchers explain why cancer 'smart drugs' may not be so smart

Yale researchers have found that a decoy receptor called serum sEGFR might limit the effectiveness of cancer 'smart drugs' like Cetuximab. This could explain why some patients do not respond to these treatments, even though the drug is supposed to target specific cancer cell growth drivers.

SourceYale University·JournalBiotechnology Journal·DateMay 11, 2011

When words get hot, mental multitaskers collect cool

Research by Demaree and Schmeichel found that people with high working memory capacity are better at controlling their emotions after receiving harsh criticism. They use a coping mechanism to make themselves feel better, resulting in less negative emotions.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalEmotion·DateMay 11, 2011

Health reform law will insure nearly all uninsured women by 2014

The Affordable Care Act is expanding health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women, addressing the issue of millions unable to afford needed healthcare. The law includes premium subsidies and new rules protecting women from high costs, aiming to increase access to preventive care and reduce medical debt.

SourceCommonwealth Fund·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Marine lab research tracks pollutants in dolphins and beluga whales

Researchers found that bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales accumulate more chemical pollutants when living and feeding in waters near urbanized areas. POPs were detected in the highest concentrations, with PCBs being the most prevalent pollutant.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMay 11, 2011

Toward a vaccine for methamphetamine abuse

Three new vaccine formulations show potential in preventing long-term relapse and reducing costs associated with methamphetamine addiction. The formulations produce a good immune response in mice, offering a unique approach to treating the highly addictive substance.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 11, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

The secret behind NIST's new gas detector? Chirp before sniffing

The NIST sensor detects many different trace gases at fast rates with high sensitivity, built from off-the-shelf technology for portability and commercial potential. The key is using radiation at terahertz frequencies to rotate gas molecules uniquely for identification and measurement.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Infantile amnesia: Gauging children's earliest memories

A longitudinal study of 140 children aged 4-13 found that younger children's earliest memories changed over time, while older children became more consistent in their recollections. Children who were between 4 and 7 years old showed little overlap between memories recalled at two different ages.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Potential new predictor of male reproductive potential identified

A study published in PLoS ONE found that a shorter anogenital distance may indicate impaired testicular development and function. The research suggests that this non-invasive measurement could be used to evaluate patients with reduced reproductive potential, potentially linking gestational exposures to adult testicular function.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 11, 2011

Brain development goes off track as vulnerable individuals develop schizophrenia

Research studies found that vulnerable individuals with genetic deletions on chromosome 22, known as velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), are at risk for developing schizophrenia. Progressive brain abnormalities emerge during adolescence, including deficits in the volume of temporal cortex gray matter, which predicts psychosis.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Resettlement is a positive move for homeless people

A UK study found that 81% of single homeless people lived independently 18 months after resettlement, with most reporting improved lives and rebuilding their relationships. Help from tenancy-support workers was crucial in the first months of resettlement.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateMay 11, 2011

Blood pressure drug shows some muscle

Researchers discovered losartan improves muscle regeneration and prevents wasting away from inactivity in geriatric mice. The study suggests losartan may have broader clinical applications in protecting against immobilization atrophy in older adults.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Change is the order of the day in the Arctic

Scientific data show alarming changes in Arctic snow, water, ice, and permafrost, posing risks to human populations and the world at large. Climate change could also open up new areas for mineral and oil exploration, but this must be balanced against the enormous challenges it poses.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·DateMay 11, 2011

Serendipity leads to lifesaving discovery

A McGill research team identified two distinct disease-causing mutations in the IRF8 gene, which causes severe immunodeficiency and disseminated BCG infection. These findings led to a successful stem cell transplant that saved the life of a three-month-old baby girl.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Carbon, carbon everywhere, but not from the Big Bang

NC State physicist Dean Lee and colleagues create simulations using effective field theory to calculate low-lying states of carbon-12, confirming the Hoyle state's existence. The research provides a better understanding of 'fine-tuning' in stellar processes that produce essential elements for life.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 11, 2011

Beware of predatory male black bears

Research reveals that lone male black bears are the primary cause of fatal attacks on humans, with a significant increase in attacks linked to human population growth. The study also found that familiarization with humans and previous bear encounters do not necessarily lead to increased attack rates.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Wildlife Management·DateMay 11, 2011

Stay-at-home parents make for a cooperative family of lizards

Researchers found that great desert burrowing skink families construct complex tunnel systems with up to 20 entrances, extending over 13 meters. Multiple generations participate in the process, suggesting a unique insight into lizard evolution and family cooperation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

Human lung stem cell discovered

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have identified a human lung stem cell capable of regenerating damaged lung tissue. The discovery has the potential to offer a new treatment option for those suffering from chronic lung diseases.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMay 11, 2011

Guilt, cooperation linked by neural network

A UA study using economic models backed up by fMRI scans explores the neural bases of guilt aversion and its role in sustaining human cooperation. The findings suggest that a critical neural system processes moral sentiments to sustain trust and reciprocity in complex situations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNeuron·DateMay 11, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Reforesting rural lands in China pays big dividends, Stanford researchers say

China's Sloping Land Conversion Program has helped restore eroded forestland while providing economic gains for farmers. The program has decreased soil erosion by up to 68% and improved the environment, but its economic benefits have been less pronounced, with some families struggling to find new work.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 11, 2011

The urea cycle: An anabolic steroid for diatoms

A team of researchers has identified the urea cycle in diatoms as a key player in recycling inorganic carbon and nitrogen, enabling them to quickly recover from nutrient withdrawal and respond to changes in their environment. The discovery sheds new light on the evolutionary relationships between diatoms, plants, and animals.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMay 11, 2011

Marriage problems related to infants' sleep difficulties

Researchers found that marital instability at 9 months old predicts child sleep problems at 18 months, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This relationship persists even after controlling for factors such as birth order, parents' anxiety, and infant temperament.

SourceOregon State University·JournalChild Development·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

The '$1,000 genome' may cost $100,000 to understand

Advances in technology have reduced sequencing gene costs to $1,000, but analyzing genomic data for personalized medicine remains costly. New trends in bioinformatics, such as commercial drug discovery and collaboration, are helping reduce the burden.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateMay 11, 2011
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.

US, Chinese children differ in commitment to parents over time

A new study found that American children's sense of responsibility to their parents declines in the seventh and eighth grades, while Chinese students maintain their feelings of obligation. This decline coincides with decreases in academic performance.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChild Development·DateMay 11, 2011

Mother and kid goat vocals strike a chord

New research from Queen Mary University of London has found that mother and kid goats can recognize each other's calls shortly after birth, a finding that suggests robust mechanisms of memorization and recognition in goats. This study's results have implications for understanding animal communication and behavior.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateMay 11, 2011