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Science News Archive 2011


Page 264 of 311

Dude, you throw like a crybaby!

A UCLA study found that body language is more likely to be judged as masculine when it conveys anger and as feminine when it conveys sadness during baseball tosses. Researchers used technology to disguise the actors' sex and presented videos to observers, who made judgments about their emotions and gender.

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.

Worms strike see-saw balance in disease resistance

Researchers found that C. elegans worms gain resistance to one microbe at the cost of becoming more vulnerable to another, highlighting a see-saw balance between immunity to different diseases across the animal kingdom.

Researchers focus on human cells for spinal cord injury repair

Researchers have discovered that specific human astrocytes derived from stem cells can repair damaged nervous systems and promote locomotor function in spinal cord injured rats. The study reveals the importance of creating beneficial cell types through tissue culture before transplantation, providing a potential new avenue for treating...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Shift work may be associated with decreased risk of skin cancer

A recent study published in JNCI found that shift work may be associated with a reduced risk of skin cancer in women. The researchers analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study and discovered that rotating night shifts were linked to a lower risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Darker-haired women had the lowest risk.

6-month drug regimen cuts HIV risk for breastfeeding infants, NIH study finds

A 6-month daily dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine significantly reduced HIV transmission through breast milk to infants of HIV-infected mothers. The extended regimen achieved a 54% reduction in HIV transmission risk compared to six-week treatment, while preserving health benefits of extended breastfeeding.

Scientists unravel the mysterious mechanics of spider silk

Researchers have uncovered the key to spider silk's incredible strength and toughness, revealing a serial arrangement of crystalline and amorphous subunits that outperforms random structures. This breakthrough may lead to the design of artificial silk fibers with similar properties.

Hospital use of virtual colonoscopy is on the rise, study suggests

A recent study found that hospital use of computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is increasing. In 2008, 17% of hospitals offered CTC, up from 13% in 2005, with many citing a desire to provide alternative screening options for frail patients and those with failed optical colonoscopy.

New hope for lowering cholesterol

A team of researchers has discovered a new enzyme, squalene mono-oxygenase (SM), that plays a key role in cholesterol production. Inhibiting SM may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects than current medications.

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.

Gene variations associated with risk of type 2 diabetes

Research reveals that specific gene variants, particularly IVS5-13insC, are linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in individuals of white European ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic variations could serve as early predictive markers for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Scientists reveal new insights into tendon injury

Researchers found a thin layer of epithelial cells on healthy tendons that prevent adhesion formation. Mice with defective cells developed tendon adhesions, highlighting the importance of tissue surface integrity.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

$46 million boost to UK's biggest study of babies and young children

The £46 million study will track the lives of over 90,000 UK babies and their families, examining factors such as social disadvantage, environmental pollutants, and parenting style. The research aims to understand how biological and environmental influences shape children's health, development, and future life chances.

$1 million USDA grant aims to reduce obesity in preschoolers

The University of Illinois Chicago has received a $950,000 USDA grant to integrate obesity-prevention strategies into programs for low-income families. The program, Hip-Hop to Health, was previously found effective in reducing body mass index in minority children and will now be tested with an additional population.

For alcoholics, new help in abstaining -- without thinking about it

A new study published in Psychological Science finds that a short-term regime called cognitive-bias modification can help heavy drinkers change their impulsive responses to temptation, leading to improved treatment outcomes. The technique involves video-game-like tasks and was found to reduce relapse rates among alcoholics.

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.

Scientists unravel the mysterious mechanics of spider silk

Researchers deciphered the molecular structure behind spider silk's remarkable mechanical properties, discovering that soft amorphous subunits contribute to its elasticity and crystalline subunits determine its maximal toughness. The study's findings may aid in designing artificial silk fibers with improved performance.

UCSF researchers uncover hormone pathway to fatty liver disease

UCSF researchers have discovered a crucial hormone pathway that contributes to the development of fatty liver disease. By disrupting this pathway, they found that fat accumulation in the liver can occur even without alcohol consumption. The study's findings may lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs targeting this pathway.

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 online resource offers teachers wealth of Middle East material

The 'Teaching the Middle East' online resource provides comprehensive and objective teaching materials on topics ranging from prehistory to modern states. It features articles written by University of Chicago faculty, lesson plans, and links to additional resources, aiming to dispel stereotypes and promote understanding.

ASA launches new journal focused on mental health and illness

The American Sociological Association has launched a new journal dedicated to researching the sociology of mental health and illness. The journal features original studies applying sociological concepts to understand the social origins of mental health and illness.

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.

Stem cell study could aid motor neurone disease research

Scientists have discovered a new way to generate human motor nerve cells, helping research into motor neurone disease. This breakthrough enables the creation of different types of motor neurons, allowing researchers to study their vulnerability to disease.

Freedom to choose leisure activities benefits people with autism

A recreation program that allowed autistic adults to choose their own leisure activities improved their communication and social skills, according to Penn State researchers. Participants scored higher on personality tests than a control group, showing significant improvement in recognizing and labeling emotions.

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.

DREADD-ing your next meal

Researchers found that chronic stimulation of AgRP neurons induces weight gain by increasing food intake, while inhibition inhibits food intake. Stimulating AgRP neurons also triggers intense food seeking behavior.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

2011 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award recipients announced

The 2011 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award has been awarded to 12 graduate students from institutes across North America who have made significant contributions to the field of biological sciences. The award recognizes the quality, originality and significance of their research.

Scientists discover genetic switch that increases muscle blood supply

Researchers identified a genetic switch, estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERR gamma), that converts fast twitch fibers into slow twitch fibers with increased blood supply. This discovery offers potential therapeutic avenues for treating critical limb ischemia and other cardiovascular diseases.

Type 2 diabetes linked to single gene mutation in 1 in 10 patients

A multinational study found that a single gene mutation in the HMGA1 gene is responsible for type 2 diabetes in nearly 10 percent of patients of white European ancestry. This defect leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, providing a potential test to predict disease risk and identify effective treatment options.

CROI -- Day 2: Selected highlights of NIH-supported research

Researchers investigated the risks of starting antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with TB, finding that early ART may not reduce AIDS risk for those with fewer than 250 CD4+ T cells. Microbicide studies showed promise with rectally applied tenofovir gel reducing HIV infection risk in men and women.

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.

JCI online early table of contents: March 1, 2011

Studies using DREADD technology found that stimulating AgRP neurons induced weight gain and intense food seeking behavior, while inhibiting these neurons inhibited food intake. In another study, researchers discovered a new mechanism explaining growth hormone's role in fatty liver disease, which may lead to the development of novel tre...

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.

Spotlight on autism research

UK child psychiatrist Sir Michael Rutter reviews the latest scientific developments in autism research, covering clinical features, genetics, environmental factors, and psychological treatments. Despite substantial gains in knowledge, prevention and cure remain major puzzles in autism research.

Solving the riddle of nature's perfect spring

Researchers have discovered the structure of tropoelastin, a key component of elastin that provides elasticity to human tissues. The molecule has near-perfect elasticity, allowing it to stretch up to eight times its original length and return to its shape with no loss of energy.

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.

Study finds nitric oxide does not help sickle cell pain crisis

A new study involving 150 patients with sickle cell disease found that inhaling nitric oxide gas did not improve outcomes, including reducing pain crisis duration or shortening hospital stays. The study's results contradict previous trials suggesting administration of nitric oxide might shorten sickle cell pain crises.

Don't underestimate the power of herbal teas

Researchers from the US Department of Agriculture have found moderate antimicrobial activity and significant antiplatelet-clumping activity in chamomile tea. Peppermint tea has been shown to have strong antioxidant and antiviral actions, while hibiscus tea has lowered blood pressure in pre-hypertensive adults.

Study links vitamin D to lung cancer survival

Researchers found that high levels of CYP24A1 enzyme can predict lung cancer survival, with patients having higher levels experiencing nearly half the survival rate as those with low levels. The study suggests using vitamin D to prevent or delay cancer recurrence after surgery.

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.

NASA's Glory Satellite scheduled for launch March 4

NASA's Glory satellite is scheduled to launch on March 4 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The mission will study the effects of sun particles and aerosols on Earth's climate. The launch also carries three CubeSats, designed and built by university students.

Nitric oxide does not appear to improve treatment of sickle cell pain-attacks

A study published in JAMA found that inhaling nitric oxide gas for up to 3 days did not shorten the time to resolution of painful crises in patients with sickle cell disease. The treatment, which had shown promise in small trials, failed to demonstrate significant benefits in reducing pain duration or hospitalization length.