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Science News Archive 2011


Page 265 of 311

New kind of optical fiber developed

Researchers have developed a new class of optical fibers using zinc selenide, enabling more efficient light manipulation and transmission in the infrared spectrum. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical lasers, countermeasure lasers, and environmental monitoring.

New generation of optical integrated devices for future quantum computers

Researchers from the University of Bristol demonstrated the quantum operation of new components that will enable compact circuits for future photonic quantum computers. These integrated photonic circuits are compact, stable, and low-noise, paving the way for mass production of chips for quantum computers.

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.

New 'frozen smoke' may improve robotic surgery, energy storage

A new carbon material, engineered to be the lightest solid, shows promise in detecting pollutants, improving robotic surgery techniques, and storing energy more efficiently. The material's large surface area allows for great amounts of energy storage, increasing the capacity of lithium batteries.

Emergency mental health lessons learned from Continental Flight 3407 disaster

Mental health responders to the Continental Flight 3407 disaster share key successes and areas for improvement in disaster response planning. Clear relationships among responders, long-lasting mental health referrals, and efficient communication are highlighted as critical components of effective emergency preparedness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Regrets? Study examines how people can cope

A new study from Concordia University found that people who focus on others who are worse off with similar regrets tend to experience fewer physical symptoms and improved emotional well-being. The study, published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, suggests that downplaying others' regrets can be a protective coping mechanism.

Stronger than steel, novel metals are moldable as plastic

Researchers at Yale University have successfully created complex shapes using newly developed bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) that can be blown molded with unprecedented ease and precision. The BMGs are twice as strong as typical steel, making them a promising material for various applications.

Turning bacteria into butanol biofuel factories

Researchers have engineered E. coli bacteria to produce n-butanol, a chemical that could be used as a substitute for diesel oil and gasoline. The new genetically altered E. coli produced nearly five grams of n-butanol per liter, about 10 times better than current industrial microbe systems.

Measuring methane

Researchers developed a non-invasive method to measure methane release from cattle, accounting for up to 77% of emissions at a single point in a paddock. The technique uses open-path lasers and global positioning devices to track animal movements and wind speed.

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.

Answers to a rare and tragic form of epilepsy

A new study reveals that glycogen synthase mistakenly incorporates phosphate molecules into glycogen, leading to the accumulation of 'wrecked' glucose in neurons and the formation of deposits called Lafora bodies. This discovery may lead to a viable therapeutic intervention for Lafora disease, which has no current effective treatment.

Microscope could 'solve the cause of viruses'

Scientists have developed a microscope that can see objects as small as 50 nanometres, beyond the theoretical limit of optical microscopy. This breakthrough enables potential examination of human cells and live viruses for the first time, revolutionizing cell study and biomedicine.

Is March Madness always the same?

A Duke University engineer's theory predicts that dominant teams in March Madness and top-ranked universities share similar hierarchies. The constructal law explains how these systems evolve to minimize imperfections and optimize performance.

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.

Policies to reduce medical residents' fatigue may compromise quality of training

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers suggests that new duty-hour limitations for medical residents may not address the issue of physician fatigue, but rather compromise the quality of their training. The survey found that many residency program directors are concerned that shortened shifts will disrupt patient care and education.

New scientific field will study ecological importance of sounds

Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new scientific field that uses soundscapes to understand ecological characteristics and reconnect people with natural sounds. By analyzing the rhythms of natural sounds, scientists can detect early changes in climate, weather patterns, and pollution.

Shark tracking reveals impressive feats of navigation

Researchers found that tiger sharks can navigate long distances using directed walks, while thresher sharks also exhibit this behavior. Blacktip reef sharks, on the other hand, swim randomly within their small home ranges.

Abundant ammonia aids life's origins

Researchers found large amounts of ammonia in an asteroid, which could have provided a sustained source of reduced nitrogen essential for life. This discovery has significant implications for the origins-of-life theory and the potential for extraterrestrial life.

6 different pathways to adulthood

A longitudinal study identifies six different pathways to adulthood among Finnish university students, shaped by career, partnership, and parenthood transitions. The study reveals that young adults with fast or on-time achievement of age-graded developmental tasks experience higher life satisfaction.

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.

Which symptoms of PTSD do the most damage?

Research identifies four major PTSD symptoms with varying effects on quality of life, challenging common assumptions about the disorder's impact. Symptoms tied to heightened arousal, such as trouble sleeping and irritability, were found to have a significant association with lower quality of life among PTSD patients.

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.

Intensive adherence counseling with HIV treatment improves patient outcomes

A randomized controlled trial found that intensive adherence counseling reduces poor adherence and virologic treatment failure by up to 59%. Counseling also had no significant effect on mortality or CD4 counts. The study suggests that adherence counseling should be implemented in HIV clinics caring for large numbers of patients.

Depressing future for men?

As men lose their primary breadwinner roles, depression and marital conflict are likely to increase. Biological and sociological differences may also make it harder for men to care for young children.

How long do stem cells live?

Researchers created a computer program that predicts the lifespan of hematopoietic stem cells, finding that each cell has a set amount of time for self-renewal. This understanding can improve the safety and efficacy of bone marrow transplants and potentially lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine.

New cell therapy a promising atherosclerosis treatment

Researchers have developed a cell therapy that selectively dampens vascular inflammation induced by LDL, showing substantial protective effects against atherosclerosis. The treatment has been shown to reduce the disease process by up to 70 percent in mouse studies.

Relaxation leads to lower elasticity

Microscopic relaxation processes contribute to macroscopic changes in polymer network properties. Over ten hours, elasticity decreases by about a fifth and remains stable, shedding light on the aging process of elastic polymers.

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.

Gene variants in autism linked to brain development

Researchers identified new gene variants contributing to autism, disrupting brain development and nerve signaling. The study suggests multiple genetic paths to autism, with similar functional roles in the nervous system.

NYU physicists develop potent packing process

New York University physicists have developed a method for packing microscopic spheres that can improve various commercial products, such as pharmaceutical lotions and ice cream. The researchers manipulated the properties of emulsions using statistical mechanics and depletion attraction to create materials with desired properties.

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.

Motivation in their work reduces stress among IT consultants

A study by Gothenburg University found that motivated employees experience less stress in their work environment. The research highlights the importance of managers understanding what motivates their IT consultants to reduce turnover and increase profitability.

University of Miami awarded Howard Hughes Medical Institute experiment grant

The University of Miami has received a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to design and assess an innovative competency-based premedical curriculum. The new curriculum will focus on integrating basic science concepts with clinical cases to teach students critical thinking skills and prepare them for future medical practice.

Mating mites trapped in amber reveal sex role reversal

A 40-million-year-old extinct mite species reveals a reversal of traditional sex roles, where females have partial or complete control over mating. This finding provides insight into the evolutionary advantages gained by females in controlling aspects of copulation.

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.

More evidence that Alzheimer's disease may be inherited from your mother

A new study found that individuals with a mother who has Alzheimer's disease are twice as likely to experience gray matter shrinkage and have more whole brain atrophy compared to those with a father or no family history. The research suggests that inheriting the disease from one's mother may be a significant risk factor.

Gene fuelled transporter causes breast cancer cells to self-destruct

Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a gene delivery system that targets and kills breast cancer cells using an innovative nanoparticle transport system. The iNOS gene forces cancer cells to produce poisonous nitric oxide, leading to cell death or increased vulnerability to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Gay rights movement born in 19th century Germany, scholar says

The modern understanding of homosexuality originated in 19th-century Germany with the Imperial Criminal Code's anti-sodomy law, sparking public inquiry into same-sex eroticism. This led to key components of modern gay rights, including recognizing same-sex attraction as a fundamental aspect of individual biology or psychology.

A grudge match between humanity and death -- who wins?

A recent study by George Mason University psychology professor Todd Kashdan found that mindfulness can neutralize fears of dying and death. Mindful people showed less defensiveness toward others who didn't share their worldview, and were more diplomatic and tolerant when confronted with death-related thoughts.

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.

Research opens door to vaccines that can circumvent maternal antibodies

Ohio State University researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the immune response to vaccination, enabling effective immunization even when maternal antibodies are present. By using a specific type of antibody, known as IgM, they can activate B cells and stimulate an immune response, potentially improving childhood vaccination ...

Increasing processor efficiency by 'shutting off the lights'

Wonyoung Kim's new device can reduce power usage of modern processing chips by shutting off unused parts, enabling longer battery life and lower energy bills. The on-chip voltage regulator also enables faster performance by quickly adjusting power supply.

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.

Blood pressure management: Sleep on it

A study found that daytime sleep can facilitate cardiovascular recovery after mental stress, with participants who slept for at least 45 minutes experiencing lower average blood pressure. The researchers also noted a restorative effect of daytime sleep on sleepiness, with those who slept reporting lower scores.

Health benefits of eating tomatoes emerge

Researchers found that tomatoes contain powerful antioxidants like lycopene, which has greater bioavailability after cooking and processing. Tomatoes also have anti-inflammatory functions and a lower risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cognitive dysfunction.

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.

Researchers reformulate tenofovir vaginal gel for rectal use

Researchers have reformedulated tenofovir gel to make it safe and effective for rectal use, with laboratory tests showing reduced harm to the lining of the rectum and comparable HIV protection. The reformulated gel is now being tested in clinical trials to address concerns about comfort and side effects.

Smartphones -- the grip of death

New research from the University of Bristol's Centre for Communications Research investigates how smartphone grips impact wireless signal strength. Holding a device can lead to a 100-fold reduction in sensitivity and signal fluctuations, impairing service quality.