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Science News Archive 2011


Page 27 of 311

2 NASA Goddard engineers receive prestigious award

Two NASA engineers, Diane Elizabeth Pugel and Steven Scott, received achievement awards for their groundbreaking work on the Orion crew vehicle and thermal-protection system. Pugel's non-destructive testing approach for materials evaluation was recognized as a breakthrough in aerospace engineering.

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.

Integrated 3-D imaging facilitates human face transplantation

Researchers integrated 3-D imaging techniques to better understand facial structure and contours, underlying bone, muscles, nerves, and vessels in face transplantation. This technology allows for customized procedures and real-time user interaction to assess eligibility and plan the surgery.

School-in-a-bag reduces drop-out rates

A study led by London's Institute of Education found that using new teaching methods and community support can significantly reduce school drop-out rates. The project cut drop-out rates by 42% in just a year, particularly among vulnerable children.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Most hospitals miss critical window for heart attack transfer patients

Nationwide study reveals that fewer than 10% of heart attack patients transferred from initial hospital to one offering angioplasty are done within the recommended 30-minute timeframe. This delay increases the risk of death, particularly for STEMI patients who require immediate artery-opening procedure.

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.

Cleft lip corrected genetically in mouse model

Researchers have developed a mouse model that can correct cleft lips, opening up possibilities for prevention and treatment of the condition. The study identified key genes and signaling pathways involved in facial development, including Wnt activity.

Breast cancer type linked to paternal cancer

Research found a significant link between women with lobular breast cancer and fathers with prostate cancer, with the risk of lobular cancer almost doubling when considering family history. The connection was independent of hormone receptor status.

Manipulating serotonin can promote healthy repair in chronic liver disease

Researchers at Newcastle University discovered that manipulating serotonin's actions can tip the balance towards healthy tissue regeneration and block scarring in mouse models of chronic liver disease. This approach targets the 5-HT2B receptor, which instructs scar-forming cells to switch off regeneration.

Neurons grown from skin cells may hold clues to autism

A study using disease-in-a-dish technology has grown neurons from Timothy Syndrome patients' skin cells, revealing defects in brain wiring and cellular calcium regulation. The findings support the link between the genetic mutation and developmental abnormalities, including reduced corpus callosum size.

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.

Singapore scientists lead human embryonic stem cell study

Researchers identified a portion of the genome mutated during long-term culture of human embryonic stem cells, which may compromise their utility for regenerative medicine. The study highlights the importance of understanding genetic changes in hESCs and their potential impact on cell therapy applications.

Research reveals shocking new way to create nanoporous materials

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method to create nanoporous materials, which can be used for water purification and chemical sensors. The collective osmotic shock (COS) process enables the creation of porous structures with realistic industrial cross-over potential.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Counting cats: The endangered snow leopards of the Himalayas

New research published in BMC Research Notes found that snow leopards in the central Himalayas have a much lower population size than previously estimated. Genetic analysis of snow leopard scat samples revealed only 19 out of 71 original samples were actually P. uncia, with most coming from nine individuals.

NIH discontinues tenofovir vaginal gel in 'VOICE' HIV prevention study

The Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic (VOICE) study found that daily use of an antiretroviral-containing oral tablet or vaginal gel was not effective in preventing HIV infection among women. The study will continue to examine the safety and effectiveness of oral Truvada as a preventive measure for women.

Study of flow induced by sine wave and saw tooth plasma actuators

Researchers developed novel plasma actuators using winding-shaped electrodes to induce three-dimensional variations in the shear layer, offering significant flexibility in flow control. These new designs adjusted the plasma-induced flow in the form of a ZNMF jet with streamwise and spanwise vortices.

Great expectations

Researchers outline challenges and potential solutions for synthetic molecular machines to fulfill their promise. The team proposes using metal-organic frameworks to organize molecular switches spatially and temporally.

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.

Researchers decode a puzzling movement disorder

Scientists at the University of Bonn have made a breakthrough in understanding Machado-Joseph disease by studying nerve cells derived from patients' skin cells. The research reveals that electrical activity in these cells triggers protein aggregation, explaining why the disease affects only nerve cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

From modern metropolises to ultra-cold matter

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved 16 new Research Training Groups to enhance early-career researchers in Germany. Four international groups promote cross-border cooperation with Canada, the USA, and Austria. These groups focus on ultra-cold matter, modern cities, cryptography, and other interdisciplinary topics.

Local funding for key women's health research

Research into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes aims to improve the health of thousands of women in Cornwall. The study will investigate factors that increase the risk of diabetes in women with PCOS.

Pregnancy is a drag for bottlenose dolphins

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that pregnant bottlenose dolphins experience significant reductions in swimming speed and adopt a new gait style as they approach delivery. This is due to the extreme physical changes caused by pregnancy, including increased body size and buoyancy.

A how-to guide to slashing California's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

A study by Berkeley Lab scientists reveals the technological steps needed to achieve California's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The findings emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, decarbonization of electricity generation, and electrification of transportation.

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.

Rebuilding the brain's circuitry

Researchers successfully transplanted young neurons into diseased brain circuitry, repairing defective circuits and enabling mice to respond to leptin. This breakthrough suggests new therapeutic approaches for conditions like spinal cord injury, autism, and Parkinson's disease.

The ABCC9 of sleep

A genetic factor regulating sleep duration has been identified in a study of over 4,000 participants. The ABCC9 gene variant affects sleep duration and is associated with metabolic syndrome symptoms. The discovery may explain the underlying mechanisms linking sleep to metabolic health.

Ancient environment found to drive marine biodiversity

A new study reveals that changes in ocean chemistry and sea level have robustly driven marine life evolution over the past 500 million years. The findings suggest a strong connection between environmental proxy records and fossil diversity.

HIV group N case detected outside Cameroon for the first time

A rare type of HIV-infection, group N, has been diagnosed in a man in France who recently travelled to Togo, marking the first detection outside Cameroon. The patient exhibited severe clinical manifestations and early decline in CD4 cell count, but responded well to antiretroviral treatment.

Researchers unlock bacteria's beneficial side

Phosphonic acids are persistent pollutants found in common medicinal products, detergents, and herbicides. Bacteria have been shown to break down these molecules with surprising ease, thanks to the identification of specialized proteins that perform key bond-breaking steps.

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.

Checkmate! RUB researchers outsmart Intel copy protection HDCP

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum successfully exploited a 'man-in-the-middle' attack to bypass HDCP's encryption, demonstrating the system's security weakness. The low-cost hardware solution used had a material cost of approximately €200 and was designed to assess the feasibility of creating an independent hardware solution.

Dantrolene protects neurons from Huntington's disease

Researchers found that Dantrolene, a muscle relaxant, reduces the severity of walking and balance problems in mice with Huntington's disease. The drug prevents calcium-dependent toxicity in laboratory-grown neurons and protects coordination in mice with HD-like disease.

Metabolic defects in mice corrected with transplanted embryonic neurons

Researchers have successfully transplanted immature neurons from healthy mouse embryos into adult mice with a genetic deficiency, restoring leptin signaling and partially normalizing their metabolism. The study demonstrates the potential of neuronal replacement therapy for treating metabolic disorders.

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.

Surprise role of nuclear structure protein in development

Researchers have found that B-type lamins are necessary for proper organ development, but not for the replication and differentiation of embryonic stem cells. Mice deficient in B-type lamins were born with developmental defects, highlighting the protein's importance in tissue organization.

Researchers set to improve paediatric care in Canada

A team of Canadian researchers is working to address a knowledge gap in providing paediatric care for children in rural areas. The Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment methods for common illnesses such as croup.

Mast from classic racing yacht holds one of the keys to sustainable biofuels

A team of international experts has described the detailed structure of cellulose fibres in wood, crucial for developing strong, sustainable composite materials and second generation biofuels. The research reveals that enzymes can bind to specific surface areas on the cellulose fibres, making it easier to break down into glucose.

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.

Keeping one's eyes on the goal -- despite stress

Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum found that beta blockers can prevent the negative effects of stress on goal-directed behavior. Stress affects habit formation and routine behavior, but not when norepinephrine is blocked by beta blockers.

Genetic code of first arachnid cracked

The study reveals unique genes that contribute to the spider mite's resistance to pesticides and its ability to produce silk threads. This breakthrough provides new insights into the evolution of arthropods and offers opportunities for developing more effective crop protection strategies.

Climate sensitivity to CO2 more limited than extreme projections

A new study suggests that global warming from CO2 doubling may be less severe than projected, with climate sensitivity constraints implying less probability of extreme climatic change. The researchers used paleoclimatic data and a more advanced climate model to find that high sensitivity models overestimate cooling.

Stuck in the mud?

A three-year project led by University of Bangor aims to assess how climate change affects the movement of muddy sediments in rivers, estuaries, and seas. The study focuses on the interaction between cohesive muds and sandy sediments, which plays a crucial role in understanding coastal erosion and deposition.

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.

Researchers discover clues to developing more effective antipsychotic drugs

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified the pattern of cell signaling induced by antipsychotic drugs in a complex composed of two brain receptors linked to schizophrenia. This discovery may allow for the prediction of novel compounds' effectiveness and accelerate the development of better antipsychotic drugs.

QUT to study appropriate level of medical treatment for dying patients

A comprehensive three-year study will investigate the reasons behind providing futile medical treatment to dying patients, exploring factors such as doctor concerns about legal liability and family influences. The research aims to identify the extent of this issue, its cost, and suggestions for addressing its causes.

Researchers develop method for advancing development of antipsychotic drugs

A multidisciplinary team at VCU School of Medicine has developed a metric to determine the effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs and advance drug design. The study found that the connection between two brain receptors is critical to how these anti-psychotics work, particularly in signaling through this receptor complex.

Is short stature associated with a 'shortage' of genes?

Researchers discovered a correlation between low-frequency genetic deletions and decreasing height, suggesting that an excess of rare gene deletions may contribute to short stature. The study found that uncommon genetic deletions are associated with short stature in human subjects.

Scientists determine how antibody recognizes key sugars on HIV surface

Researchers reveal how a broadly neutralizing HIV antibody called PG9 disarms the virus by grabbing hold of a sugar at residue 160, along with part of a second sugar and a string of amino acid residues in the V1/V2 region. This discovery may help scientists develop more effective HIV vaccines.

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.

Earth's past gives clues to future changes

Researchers develop three-dimensional model to explain Andes formation, predicting earthquakes and mountain range evolution. The new approach improves predictive power, allowing scientists to forecast tectonic plate behavior.