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Science News Archive 2011


Page 284 of 311

Popular kids more likely to bully peers

A new study finds that popular adolescents, particularly those in the second tier of popularity, are more likely to engage in bullying behavior. The researchers argue that social status and aggression are linked, with students who occupy the center of the social hierarchy wielding power and potentially deterring retaliation.

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.

Lifestyle affects life expectancy more than genetics

A recent study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine found that lifestyle factors such as not smoking, moderate coffee consumption, and good socio-economic status have a significant impact on life expectancy. The study, which followed men born in 1913, showed that these factors can increase the chances of reaching age 90 by up ...

Can breastfeeding transmit yellow fever after maternal vaccination?

A case report published in Canadian Medical Association Journal details the probable transmission of a vaccine strain of yellow fever virus from an infected mother to her infant through breastfeeding. This supports current recommendations for lactating mothers to avoid vaccination with yellow fever vaccine.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unexpected new mechanism behind rheumatoid arthritis

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg has identified an enzyme called GGTase-I that, when blocked, can lead to chronic inflammation and joint destruction in mice. The study suggests that GGTase-I plays a crucial role in suppressing RAC1 activity, which is behind the development of inflammatory disorders.

Liquids scanner for airport security

A magnetic resonance scanner is being developed for airport security to detect explosives in liquids, a technology originally created to analyze wine quality. The system uses high-frequency radio waves to identify chemical structures, and has shown promise in early tests.

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.

Scientists find new link between genes and stress response, depression

Researchers have discovered a genetic variation linked to lower neuropeptide Y levels, increasing stress sensitivity and emotional processing in key brain circuits. This finding may aid in identifying individuals at high risk of developing major depressive disorder, enabling targeted interventions.

Conceptualizing cancer cells as ancient 'toolkit'

Researchers propose cancer cells employ ancient genetic pathways, a 'toolkit' from 1 billion years ago, to evade control and develop resistance. This concept offers new hope for personalized medicine and potentially reveals clues about life's history.

Processed food diet in early childhood may lower subsequent IQ

A high-fat, high-sugar processed food diet in early childhood may lower IQ, while a healthy diet rich in vitamins and nutrients may boost intelligence. Research based on over 14,000 children found a strong association between dietary patterns in childhood and IQ at age 8.

Where did flowers come from?

Researchers are studying the unique species Amborella to learn about the evolution of flowers and their characteristics, such as drought resistance and fruit maturity. The team hopes to gain insights into how flowers diversified over time and how they respond to global warming.

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.

Cannabis linked to earlier onset of psychosis

A new meta-analysis of over 20,000 patients shows that cannabis use is associated with an earlier onset of psychotic illness by up to 2.7 years, with possible life-long consequences for brain development and mental health outcomes.

Anthropologist: 'Body Worlds' visitors confront bodies but not death

Anthropologist Jane Desmond explores how Body Worlds exhibits tolerate the public display of human corpses, idealizing them as objects of scientific curiosity. The exhibitors promote the display as an advancement in anatomy studies, using de-emotional screens and depersonalization to create a universal experience.

Math may help calculate way to find new drugs for HIV and other diseases

Researchers at Princeton University used mathematical concepts to discover new drugs for HIV and other diseases by calculating physical properties of biological molecules. The technique identified several potential new drugs that were effective against strains of HIV, offering a promising alternative to existing treatments.

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.

Unexpected exoskeleton remnants found in Paleozoic fossils

A team of scientists discovered remnants of a protein-chitin complex in Paleozoic-era arthropod fossils, which could revolutionize our understanding of organic fossilization. The findings were made possible by advanced analytical instruments and suggest that the complex may play a critical role in preserving fossils.

Save messengers -- modified mRNAs open up new therapeutic possibilities

Researchers have developed a new method for treating genetic diseases using modified mRNAs, which can be administered repeatedly without increasing the risk of cancer or severe immune reactions. In mouse models, this technique successfully restored lung function in mice with a congenital lung defect.

Contact with the criminal justice system may be associated with suicide risk

Research finds men and women with contact to criminal justice system have higher rate of suicide compared to general population, even without imprisonment or guilty verdict. Exposure to the justice system is independently associated with elevated suicide risk, particularly among younger individuals with violent charges.

A change of heart keeps bears healthy while hibernating

Research on grizzly bears reveals a complex series of changes in their hearts as they hibernate, including the adaptation of a protein called myosin heavy chain. The left atrium produces more alpha protein, resulting in a weaker beat, to prevent damage from pushing against the stiffened ventricle.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Unappreciated dynamism of blood cell production

Researchers found that hematopoietic stem cells can shift between rapidly dividing and dormant states, suggesting a more equal sharing of blood cell production burden. This adaptability allows cells to respond quickly to life-threatening situations, such as bacterial infections.

Neutron analysis reveals '2 doors down' superconductivity link

Neutron analysis reveals that magnetic interactions responsible for high-temperature superconductivity occur in a next-nearest-neighbor ordering of atoms, not just adjacent ones. This discovery suggests that superconductivity shares a common magnetic origin among different materials.

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.

MARC Travel Awards announced for ABRF 2011

The FASEB MARC Program has awarded 5 travel grants to promote diversity in biomedical research, totaling $8,250. The awards recognize underrepresented minority students and postdoctorates participating in ABRF 2011.

Roaches inspire robotics

Researchers at Tel Aviv University are studying the neurological functioning of cockroaches to design more efficient robots with compact builds. The insects' stable tripod gate movement and ability to adapt to terrain inspire robotics engineers to create faster and more robust robots for future space exploration.

New explanation for heart-healthy benefits of chocolate

Scientists have discovered how chocolate boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), also known as 'good' cholesterol. By enhancing the activity of proteins that attach to genetic material, polyphenols in cocoa increase ApoA1 levels and decrease ApoB levels, leading to improved heart health.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Researchers get a grip on nervous system's receptors

Scientists used single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques combined with wavelet transforms to study the AMPA receptor's behavior. They identified four distinct conformations of the receptor and found that its 'cleft' is constantly opening and closing, exploring space for neurotransmitters.

A second pathway for antidepressants

Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a fluorescent assay that reveals the mechanism of how fluoxetine inhibits TREK1 potassium channels, a key target for antidepressants. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying depression and opens up potential avenues for developing improved treatments.

Risk of cancer increases with exposure to low-dose radiation

A new study found a link between low-dose ionizing radiation exposure from cardiac imaging and therapeutic procedures and an increased risk of incident cancer. Patients who underwent more procedures were more likely to develop cancer, particularly in the abdomen and chest areas.

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 7, 2011

Researchers have developed an approach to identify parasite genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children, offering new understanding of childhood malaria. Additionally, studies found that niacin can inhibit progression of atherosclerosis in mice through its receptor GPR109A expressed by immune cells.

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.

Care home error rate of liquid medicine doses 4 times higher than pills

A recent study published in BMJ Quality and Safety found that care home residents are more than four times as likely to get the wrong dose of medicine when it is in liquid form as they are when given pills/capsules. The study highlights the need for better training and systems to address this issue.

Profiling malaria-causing parasites

Researchers have developed a method to profile malaria-causing parasite P. falciparum, identifying genes associated with severe infection in pregnant women and children. The study aims to provide new understanding of childhood malaria severity.

Bound neutrons pave way to free ones

Researchers at Jefferson Lab have combined data from six experiments to reveal a correlation between the EMC Effect and short-range correlations in bound neutrons. The findings suggest that there is a common cause for both effects, potentially linked to nucleon behavior.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Boston University School of Medicine researchers receive NIMH brain awards

Researchers Pietro Cottone and Michael Silverstein have been awarded the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health Biobehavioral Research Awards for Innovative New Scientists (BRAINS) grant. They will explore mechanisms underlying addictive disorders, stress, and maternal depression using innovative approaches.

Therapy to prevent heart failure more effective in women than men

A new study found that cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) is significantly more beneficial for women than men in preventing heart disease. Women experienced a 70% reduction in heart failure and a 72% reduction in death, compared to 35% and 45%, respectively.

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.

What your TV habits may say about your fear of crime

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln study found that viewers' fears and attitudes about crime are influenced by the type of TV show they watch. Non-fiction documentaries increase fear of becoming a victim, while fictional dramas boost support for the death penalty.

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.

Words help people form mathematical concepts

Researchers found that deaf people in Nicaragua who used self-developed gestures, called homesigns, had difficulty understanding the value of large numbers. In contrast, those who acquired conventional sign language as children were able to learn the meaning of large numbers.

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.

Clay-armored bubbles may have formed first protocells

A team of physicists at Harvard University has demonstrated the formation of semipermeable vesicles from inorganic clay, which could have played a key role in the origins of life. The clay vesicles provide an ideal container for compartmentalizing complex organic molecules.

Reducing the toll of alcohol in Canada

A comprehensive public health approach is needed to address Canada's significant alcohol burden, with population-level policies and targeted interventions recommended. Estimated direct healthcare costs of alcohol in 2002 were $3.3 billion, with per capita sales rising 13% since 1996.

Researchers turn Salmonella into antiviral gene therapy agent

Researchers at UC Berkeley successfully repurposed Salmonella to safely transport virus-stopping enzymes into cells, effectively treating mice infected with cytomegalovirus. The new technique uses a live but weakened bacteria as a vector for the ribozyme that can stop the gene activity of cytomegalovirus.

Larger cities drive growing wage gap between the rich and the poor, study shows

A recent study by Ronni Pavan of the University of Rochester and Nathaniel Baum-Snow found that larger US cities drive growing wage gaps between the rich and poor. The study used U.S. Census data and American Community Surveys from 1980 to 2007, finding that larger metropolitan areas have experienced rapid growth in wages within all sk...

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.