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Science News Archive 2011


Page 248 of 311

Can non-medical factors trigger sick leave?

A Swedish study found that problems in relationships with colleagues and superiors were more frequent in the days leading up to sick leave. Individuals with minor ailments were also more likely to report sick when they expected a stressful workday ahead, highlighting the impact of work environment on behavior when ill.

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.

Newly discovered virus implicated in deadly Chinese outbreaks

Researchers have identified a new virus as the cause of deadly outbreaks in six Chinese provinces, with a mortality rate of 12%. The virus, known as Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus, is transmitted through tick bites and affects humans without causing human-to-human transmission.

European coastal pollution is harmful to seals

A European study found harbour seals in the Elbe estuary have high levels of contamination from industrial activities, dredging, and shipping. This highlights the impact of coastal pollution on marine life.

Nanomodified surfaces seal leg implants against infection

Brown University researchers created two nanoscale surfaces that promote skin cell growth on titanium leg implants, sealing the gap where bacteria can enter. The findings show nearly doubled skin cell density within five days, indicating a complete layer of skin has been formed.

Pre-conception and early pregnancy iron deficiency harms brain

A University of Rochester Medical Center study found that a mother's iron deficiency early in pregnancy can have a long-lasting effect on the child's brain development, even if it's not severe enough to cause anemia. The research suggests that monitoring a pregnant woman's iron status beyond anemia is crucial.

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.

The informant: a jumping gene

Scientists developed a new method, GROMIT, to study gene regulation by employing a jumping gene as an informant. The technique revealed that each regulatory element can control a broader range of genes than previously thought, and expression levels are fine-tuned at the tissue level.

Fault-finding coral reefs can predict the site of coming earthquakes

Researchers used fossil coral reefs and sediment slides to detect historic earthquake patterns, creating an underwater map of the Red Sea floor. This method can be applied anywhere, including Japan and the west coast of the U.S., helping city engineers pinpoint high-risk locations ahead of potential earthquakes.

Capitalizing on corruption: Not all companies harmed by corruption

A new study finds that corruption can help companies develop organizational capabilities to operate successfully in corrupt environments, leading to more success when investing internationally. The study identifies various strategies firms use to capitalize on corruption, including political networking and joint venturing.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Webb sunshield like an umbrella on the shores of the universe

The James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield is a complex system of five layers, each less than half the thickness of paper, working together to create an effective SPF of 1,000,000. The sunshield unfurls like a giant beach umbrella to protect the telescope and instruments from solar heat and light.

Study suggests alternative treatment for bacteria in oysters

Researchers found that exposure to salty water reduces Vibrio vulnificus levels in oysters, potentially providing a low-cost solution to FDA regulations. The study suggests an 'oyster relay' method could be effective in minimizing the presence of the bacterium.

MU researchers use motion sensors to determine equine lameness

A new motion sensor system developed by MU researchers uses sensors on a horse's head, limbs, and tail to detect lameness. This system improves early detection and treatment outcomes for horses with lameness by removing human bias and increasing frequency of motion sampling.

A dose of safflower oil each day might help keep heart disease at bay

A daily dose of safflower oil improved health measures such as good cholesterol, blood sugar, and inflammation in obese postmenopausal women with Type 2 diabetes. The researchers found a significant association between safflower oil supplementation and reduced cardiovascular disease risk.

One fish, two fish … reef fish

Marine biologists from the University of Miami have created a probabilistic survey approach to count reef fish, increasing efficiency and accuracy. This framework can support long-term sustainability of reef resources globally, informing management decisions for coral reefs in various regions.

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.

European guidelines for HIV tropism testing

The European Consensus Group has developed guidelines for HIV tropism testing, which is required before starting maraviroc treatment. The guidelines recommend phenotypic enhanced sensitivity Trofile assay or V3 loop genotypic sequencing for drug-naive patients with toxic side-effects or poor tolerability.

Deciphering developmental disorders

The Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Project collects genomic data from 12,000 children with developmental delays or multiple malformations. The goal is to develop clinical tools to unlock genetic reasons for these conditions, enabling doctors to make rapid diagnoses in up to one in five cases.

Critical thinking: How do children learn who to trust?

A UT Dallas researcher is studying how preschool and elementary-age children evaluate information to solve problems and learn critical thinking. The study aims to combat misleading advertising by understanding how children differentiate between reliable and doubtful sources of information.

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.

Spacebound bacteria inspire earthbound remedies

Research on space-bound bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa could lead to improved treatments for people with compromised immune systems. The study reveals that spaceflight affects common regulators in both disease-causing bacteria.

New technique could help solve mystery of vanishing bees

Ecologists have developed a new method for rearing honey bee larvae in the laboratory, allowing researchers to study the causes of their decline more effectively. The technique, which uses an artificial plastic honeycomb, has shown high survival rates and improved data analysis capabilities.

MARC Travel Awards announced for GSA 26th Fungal Genetics Meeting

The FASEB MARC Program has announced the travel award recipients for the 2011 GSA 26th Fungal Genetics meeting. Three awards totaling $4,950 were conferred to underrepresented minority students and scientists. The program aims to increase diversity in biomedical research.

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.

How the lily blooms

Researchers found that rapid growth and wrinkling at the periphery of petals create stress within the bud, forcing it to open. This contradicts earlier theories about flower blooming, but supports a theory proposed by German literary master Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

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.

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.

Time lived with obesity linked with mortality

A Monash University study has found a direct link between time lived with obesity and the risk of mortality. Participants who experienced medium to long durations of obesity had significantly higher mortality rates compared to those who were never obese.

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.

Men fuel rebound in plastic surgery

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports a significant increase in men undergoing cosmetic procedures, with over 1.1 million procedures performed in 2010. Facelifts and other surgical procedures saw substantial growth, bucking the trend of minimally-invasive treatments.

Primordial soup gets spicier

Researchers have reanalyzed Stanley Miller's 1958 'primordial soup' samples and found a diverse array of organic compounds, including sulfur amino acids. The discovery supports the hypothesis that volcanoes and lightning played a key role in creating the building blocks of life on Earth.

Surprising results in the first genome sequencing of a crustacean

The genome sequence of Daphnia pulex, a small freshwater crustacean, has revealed neurotrophins that suggest the nervous system of crustaceans is more complex than previously believed. This finding may have implications for understanding the impact of climate change on crustacean behavior.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Open-source software designed to minimize synthetic biology risks

A rigorous bioinformatic analysis of the strengths and limitations of a screening protocol method recommended by the federal government was conducted, leading to the development of GenoTHREAT. The software tool helps detect the use of synthetic DNA as bioterrorism agents and is being released in an open-source format.

Unknown animals nearly invisible but yet there

A new DNA study by University of Gothenburg researchers has uncovered over 120 previously unknown bryozoan species in Swedish waters, including a completely new species. The findings shed light on the evolution and relationships of these nearly invisible animals, which are found in marine and freshwater environments.

Princeton engineers make breakthrough in ultra-sensitive sensor technology

Researchers developed a breakthrough sensor using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that boosts faint signals, allowing identification of substances based on reflected light color. The chip's design features uniform rows of tiny pillars made of metals and insulators, significantly boosting the Raman signal.

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.

Could mutant flies give epilepsy sufferers greater peace of mind?

Brown University researcher Robert Reenan has created mutant fruit flies that mimic human epilepsy, with the goal of finding genes that can suppress seizures. By using a unique technique called homologous recombination, Reenan hopes to induce mutations in the flies that may lead to a genetic cure for epilepsy.

Biofilm reorganization: Back to the theoretical drawing board

Researchers used image-analysis methods to analyze microcinematic movies of bacteria forming aggregates, revealing that size matters most in predicting survival. The team found a signaling mechanism within the aggregate itself that trumps neighbor-related factors, contradicting existing theories.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Computerized systems reduce psychiatric drug errors

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that coupling electronic prescription drug ordering systems with computerized adverse event reporting dramatically reduced medication errors in a psychiatric unit from 27.89 to 3.43 per 1,000 patient days over four years. The system's integration of decision support and safety net tools furth...

Chicken soup for the soul: Comfort food fights loneliness

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that people can use comfort food as a social surrogate to combat loneliness. Participants who wrote about eating a comfort food reported reduced feelings of loneliness compared to those who wrote about an unfamiliar food.