Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2011


Page 273 of 311

Mimicking photosynthesis path to solar-derived hydrogen fuel

A Penn State materials chemist has developed an artificial system that mimics photosynthesis to produce solar-derived hydrogen fuel. However, the process remains inefficient and expensive due to recombination of electrons and limited lifetime of the system. The researcher aims to improve efficiency by modeling energy pathways and adjus...

Common hip disorder can cause sports hernia

Researchers found that athletes with symptomatic femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) had a higher incidence of athletic pubalgia and sports hernias. Treating the underlying hip condition can resolve symptoms, allowing patients to return to play.

The world’s oldest water?

Deep saline groundwaters in the Witwatersrand Basin show unique chemical signatures that differ from ocean and surface waters, suggesting isolation for a long time. The discovery adds to our understanding of a unique environment with microbial ecosystems that thrive on chemical energy from rock.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Turning to nature for inspiration

Researchers at Northwestern University are developing artificial hair cell sensors that mimic nature's ability to sense vibrations and movement. These biologically inspired sensors have the potential to improve medical device performance, enhance robotic capabilities, and create new consumer goods.

OSU to study farming methods to curb, adapt to climate change

Researchers will investigate how climate change affects cereal crops and develop sustainable farming practices. The study aims to improve the long-term viability of cereal-based farming in the region, reducing carbon footprint and mitigating climate change impacts.

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.

Fountain of youth from the tap

Researchers found a correlation between lithium levels in tap water and lower mortality rates in Japanese municipalities. In experiments with the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, lithium treatment led to increased longevity. The findings suggest that low-dose lithium may have life-prolonging effects in humans.

Research universities play a major role in national security

Research universities, like Penn State, host foreign students and visitors, creating security concerns. The National Security Higher Education Advisory Board fosters communication between higher education, the FBI, and federal agencies to promote understanding and cooperation.

US will no longer dominate science and research

A global shift in research will reposition the US as a major partner but not leader, according to Penn State researcher Caroline Wagner. The US could benefit from this shift by adopting knowledge-sharing policies with emerging global researchers.

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.

Scientists bioengineer a protein to fight leukemia

Researchers have created a bioengineered protein called CD19-L that selectively targets and destroys leukemia cells, including those resistant to chemotherapy. This breakthrough discovery offers new hope for treating childhood leukemia.

Universal flu vaccine study yields success in mice

A new study has successfully trialed a synthetic universal flu vaccine in mice, providing 100% protection against the H3N2 strain and 20% against the highly pathogenic bird flu. The vaccine uses peptides that trigger an immune response to a region of the flu virus present in all influenza A and B viruses.

Bad news/good news

A study by Eric Lambin predicts the world may run out of productive agricultural land by 2050 due to rising global demand and land degradation. However, some developing countries have increased their forest cover while enhancing food production through innovation, sound policy, and good governance.

Europe attracts American researchers

Karolinska Institutet, a leading medical university in Sweden, has attracted top American researcher Juleen Zierath with its high-quality research environment and competitive ERC grant. She focuses on improving diabetes health through clinical research.

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.

Women are better at forgiving

A Spanish study found that women are more empathetic and better at forgiving than men. The research also showed that parents forgive more than children, with lack of bitterness being the key condition for forgiveness.

Biodiversity in danger: Which areas should be protected?

The DOPA observatory combines data on protected areas, species distributions, and socio-economic indicators to generate global environmental indicators and maps. This initiative aims to address anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems and identify new areas for protection.

Pulmonary embolism after knee arthroscopy: Rare but serious

A new study reveals the risk of pulmonary embolism after outpatient knee arthroscopy is .028 percent, with identified risk factors including age, female gender, and cancer history. The study examined data from 374,033 patients undergoing 418,323 procedures between 1997 and 2006.

How nature's patterns form

Researchers studying plant growth discover that universal features exist across various natural systems, including plants and animals. Alan Newell's work focuses on the mathematical models capturing these similarities.

Study links hypoxia and inflammation in many diseases

A University of Colorado study explores the relationship between hypoxia and inflammation, finding that a protein called HIF plays a key role in the body's response to low oxygen levels. The research may help patients who undergo organ transplants or suffer from infections or cancer

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.

Tissue engineering methods earn funding to heal little hearts

Texas Children's Hospital researcher Dr. Jeffrey Jacot receives a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and $450,000 grant to develop tissue engineering therapies using stem cells derived from human amniotic fluid. The goal is to create living heart tissue that can 'patch' or reconstruct hearts with congenital defects.

Juggling languages can build better brains

Research suggests that bilingual speakers outperform monolinguals in certain mental abilities, such as editing out irrelevant information and prioritizing tasks. This 'mental juggling' skill allows bilinguals to better navigate between languages and enhances their cognitive flexibility.

What's new in hip care?

Studies analyzed Medicare beneficiaries who had elective primary THR for osteoarthritis and found the risk of revision was approximately two percent per year for the first 18 months post-surgery. High-performance hips with improved functional capacity are also being developed for active patients, offering more durable implants.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Green chemistry offers route towards zero-waste production

Researchers have developed green chemical technologies to extract valuable chemicals from biomass, reducing waste and increasing product quality. These innovations can be used in various applications, including construction and bioprocessing.

First certified reference material for nanoparticle size analysis

The European Commission Joint Research Centre has developed the world's first certified reference material for nanoparticle size analysis. The material provides a stable benchmark for reliable hazard assessments and process quality control, promoting market confidence and innovation.

Deep brain stimulation helps severe OCD, but pioneer advises caution

Deep brain stimulation therapy has shown promise in reducing symptoms of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for a small subset of patients. After years of research, Dr. Benjamin Greenberg presents the longest-term results of the technique, highlighting its potential to improve symptoms and quality of life.

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.

Back to the roots of the solar system

Two new observations reveal detailed structures in protoplanetary disks of two young stars, including a large gap similar to our solar system's. The images suggest the presence of one or more massive planets sweeping up material from the disk, potentially forming an entire planetary system.

Anti-aging hormone Klotho may prevent complications

Researchers found that Klotho hormone levels are low in patients with chronic kidney disease, which can lead to serious side effects. Restoring adequate Klotho levels improved renal function and reduced vascular calcification in mice with CKD.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Iowa State study examines why innocent suspects may confess to a crime

Researchers at Iowa State University found that innocent suspects may confess to a crime to relieve short-term distress and avoid long-term consequences. In two experiments, participants shifted their admissions to avoid immediate questions, even knowing it increased the likelihood of future consequences.

High-volume hospitals improve orthopedic outcomes

Patients who undergo elective orthopedic surgeries at high-volume hospitals have better surgical outcomes and fewer complications than those at local hospitals. Regionalizers, or patients traveling to regional high-volume hospitals, tend to be younger, white, male, and have private insurance.

$20 million USDA grant to study climate on corn-based cropping systems

Researchers will collect and analyze data on carbon, nitrogen, and water movement to create models and evaluate crop management practices. The goal is to develop scenarios based on different practices and offer training for teachers and scientists to understand climate shifts and agriculture.

What a rat can tell us about touch

Researchers at Northwestern University are studying the rat whisker system to gain a better understanding of how animals perceive touch. By developing models and simulating the rat's behavior, they aim to unlock the secrets of neural processing and potentially create new technologies that can mimic the senses of mammals.

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.

Brown scientists to discuss best practices for the oceans

Two Brown University scientists, Heather Leslie and Leila Sievanen, will discuss the importance of marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based management, and social science inclusion in managing the nation's oceans. Leslie will focus on understanding ocean ecosystems' resilience to variability and climate change, while Sievanen will high...

3 NYU faculty win Sloan Foundation Fellowships

NYU's Robert Fergus, Jinyang Li, and Matthieu Wyart receive $50,000 fellowships to support their innovative work on computer vision, machine learning, and physical systems. The awards recognize the potential of these rising stars in their respective fields.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2011 Annual Meeting tip sheet

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons emphasizes the risks of delayed hip fracture surgery, which can lead to increased medical complications and longer hospital stays. Additionally, researchers highlight high rates of adverse events in patients undergoing partial hip replacement, particularly among Medicare beneficiaries. The s...

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.

Depression symptoms increase over time for addiction-prone women

A new study found that depression symptoms increase over time for addiction-prone women, contradicting the common notion that these disorders are either genetic or caused by environmental factors. The research highlights the complex interplay between biological, social, and community-level factors that influence these disorders.

Experts question aspects of prescribed burning

A group of scientists argue that prescribed burning may cause more problems than it solves, as there is little evidence that Mediterranean-climate plants are fire-adapted. The researchers suggest alternative management practices to prevent increased fire frequency.

Recipe for success

The University of Idaho will lead a five-year, $20 million USDA-funded project to study the impacts of climate change on Pacific Northwest wheat and barley production. The team will focus on cereal production systems and create a region-wide research, outreach, and education network to address complex issues raised by changing climate.

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.

Asthma through the eyes of a medical anthropologist

Asthma affects 8% of Americans and 300 million worldwide, but global variations in diagnosis and treatment have significant implications. Researchers are exploring how cultural factors impact asthma management, including the use of different terms to describe symptoms and varying levels of parental involvement.

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.