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Science News Archive 2011


Page 67 of 311

Earthquakes generate big heat in super-small areas

Researchers found that fault surfaces in earthquake zones come into contact only at microscopic points between scattered bumps called asperities. This creates intense heating, known as flash heating, which can reach temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

Mile End chic under study

The study found that Mile End's unique blend of industrial architecture, cultural diversity, and public spaces draws designers to the area. However, gentrification concerns arise as heritage preservation efforts and rising rents threaten the neighbourhood's character.

Dialing up fetal hemoglobin dials down sickle cell disease

A study by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute finds that deactivating the BCL11A protein can correct sickle cell disease in mice by activating fetal hemoglobin. The findings provide strong evidence that BCL11A could be a powerful treatment target for sickle cell disease and related blood disorders.

Children prefer cooperation

Research suggests that human children exhibit a strong preference for working together to solve problems, with cooperation rates exceeding 78% compared to 58% for chimpanzees. This finding highlights a potential difference in motivation between humans and our primate cousins.

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.

Fighting pollution to slow climate change

Black carbon particles emitted from human activities contribute to climate change by affecting air quality and public health. Dr. Akua Asa-Awuku will investigate the interactions between clouds and aerosols using the world's largest indoor atmospheric chamber.

Does converting cow manure to electricity pay off?

Researchers confirmed that converting cow manure to electricity on farms is technically possible. However, the economic viability of such projects heavily depends on factors like government grants, subsidies, and premium paid for converted energy.

Lower income dads active in their kids' health

A study from Northwestern University found that lower-income urban dads are involved in their children's health and encourage exercise and healthy eating, but also face challenges in handling emergency medical care. Fathers reported modeling behavior for their kids, such as exercising and playing, to promote healthy habits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tiny fossil fragment reveals giant-but-ugly-truth

A small fossil fragment at London's Natural History Museum has been identified as part of the world's largest toothed pterosaur, reaching a wingspan of up to 7 meters. The discovery provides insight into patterns of evolution among extinct groups and sheds light on why some species achieved giant sizes.

Public reporting hasn't improved transplant centers' care

A recent study found that public reporting of transplant centers' success rates has not improved care for patients, with wide gaps remaining between the best and worst clinics. The new method revealed that gaps persisted after public reporting was introduced in 2001, missing potential improvements in patient outcomes.

Differing structures underlie differing brain rhythms in healthy and ill

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed virtual brain models that reveal structural differences among healthy and ill brains. The models show that complex network connections are associated with normal EEG patterns, while simpler networks are linked to neurological disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

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.

US Army awards $1.5 million for sleep research

The US Army has awarded a $1.5 million cooperative research agreement to Virginia Tech's Arlington Innovation Center for neuroimaging studies of human performance and sleep regulation. The project aims to use advanced imaging techniques to better understand the brain's role in sleep, stress, and mood.

Reversing sickle cell anemia by turning on fetal hemoglobin

Scientists have identified a key player in regulating fetal hemoglobin levels, paving the way for new treatments of sickle cell disease. Silencing a specific protein called BCL11A can reactivate fetal hemoglobin production, effectively reversing the condition in adult mice.

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.

Experimental mathematics

The article discusses how modern computer technology has expanded the ability to discover new mathematical results, enabling the exploration of complex patterns and relationships. Computer simulations have been used to explore various mathematical problems, including Giuga's Conjecture, providing empirical evidence in favor of its truth.

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.

Earlier autism diagnosis could mean earlier interventions

Studies followed children from 6 months to age 3, finding that those who would later develop autism exhibited distinct behaviors at 12 months, including joint attention and imitation issues. Early intervention techniques are being developed to address these signs, with promising early results.

NIH funds development of new broad-spectrum therapeutics

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded five-year contracts totaling $150 million to develop broad-spectrum therapeutics against multiple types of bacteria and viruses. The development focuses on creating products that can be stockpiled to protect the public in bioterror attacks or public health crises.

New ultra-high speed network connection for researchers and educators

The US Department of Energy has activated an ultra-high speed network connection at 100 gigabits per second, enabling researchers to share data up to 10,000 times faster than a typical home Internet connection. This technology has the potential to revolutionize internet innovations and pave the way for widespread commercial use.

Researchers discover hidden genetic influence on cancer

Scientists have uncovered evidence of a powerful new genetic network that drives cancer development and normal growth, involving RNA molecules interacting with each other. The discovery may lead to new therapeutic possibilities by rewiring the crosstalk between RNAs for cancer prevention and therapy.

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.

Nurses boost well-being for cancer survivors

A QUT program trains nurses to provide end-of-treatment care plans for cancer patients, reducing the need for ongoing information and emotional support. The intervention also leads to lower proportions of patients requiring emotional support and improved GP feedback on care plans.

Miscarriage diagnosis guidelines questioned

Research published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that current definitions for miscarriage diagnosis can lead to incorrect diagnoses. The studies also revealed a 20% variation in gestational sac sizes reported by different clinicians, which can cause false conclusions about pregnancy growth.

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.

Association between menopause, obesity and cognitive impairment

A study of 300 post-menopausal women found that obesity was associated with improved cognitive performance, particularly in memory and language tasks. The researchers propose that estrogen released from fat cells may play a protective role in preserving cognition.

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.

In teen drinking it's not who you know, it's who knows who you know

A study published in American Sociological Review found that teenage drinking habits are influenced more by their date's friends than their own. The presence of prior drinking among the friend increases the odds of future binge drinking by 80%, while the date's drinking habits have a lower impact, increasing binge drinking by 32%.

Preventing dangerous nonsense in human gene expression

Researchers identified a strategy of prevention that has evolved to compensate for the inefficiency of NMD by decreasing the frequency of nonsense errors. Human genes preferentially encode codons less likely to be mistranscribed into premature STOP codons, improving robustness to transcriptional errors.

Urgent need for research in the diagnosis of miscarriage

Limited evidence underpins current ultrasound test for miscarriage diagnosis, prompting calls for large-scale study to ensure accuracy. Gaps in existing guidelines and concerns over misdiagnosis highlight urgent need for research prioritization.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers block morphine's itchy side effect

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a specific variant of the opioid receptor that mediates itch and found a way to block it without interfering with pain relief. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for treating opioid-induced itching in cancer, surgery, and chronic pain patients.

Ambitious Hubble survey obtaining new dark matter census

Astronomers use Hubble's unprecedented precision to map dark matter in 25 massive galaxy clusters, challenging previous assumptions about its distribution. The survey's findings suggest that galaxy cluster assembly may have begun earlier than previously thought.

Tests to catch the makers of dangerous 'legal high' designer drugs

Scientists at the University of Strathclyde have developed a new test to identify the manufacturers of designer 'legal high' drugs, including bath salts. The test uses isotope ratio mass spectrometry to reveal the course of a drug's manufacture and trace back its starting materials.

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.

Meerkats recognize each other from their calls

Researchers found that meerkats can distinguish between individual calls in their species, contrary to previous assumptions. Meerkat colonies are highly organized and divide work into three roles, with this vocal recognition ability linked to auditory cues.

Robot biologist solves complex problem from scratch

A team of scientists has successfully demonstrated a computer's ability to analyze raw experimental data from a biological system and derive the basic mathematical equations that describe its operation. This achievement marks one of the most complex scientific modeling problems solved completely from scratch by a computer.

The clock, the spool, and the snake

Researchers at EPFL discover that specific genes, known as Hox, are involved in this process, situated one after the other on the DNA strand. The genes unfold like an old-fashioned computer punchcard, delivering instructions for each new layer of the embryo to be built.

Eating green veggies improves immune defenses

Researchers found that green vegetables stimulate a key immune system function by regulating cell surface proteins in the gut and skin. This helps maintain healthy intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which are crucial for fighting off infections.

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.

Permanently dismal economy could prompt men to seek more sex partners

Research by University of Kansas social psychology professor Omri Gillath suggests that economic hardship can lead men to adopt short-term mating strategies, increasing their chances of reproduction. In low survivability conditions, men become more interested in sex and are more likely to pursue multiple partners.

'Never married' men still more likely to die from cancer

A new study published in BMC Public Health found that never-married men have a significantly higher risk of dying from cancer compared to their married counterparts. The difference in mortality between married and never-married men has increased over the past 40 years, with the gap growing from 18% to 35% for men.

NASA continues critical survey of Antarctica's changing ice

Scientists are flying a suite of scientific instruments over Antarctica's land and sea ice to study changes in key features like Pine Island Glacier. The mission aims to build a record of change and understand how ice sheets contribute to sea-level rise.

Children, not chimps, choose collaboration

A study published in Current Biology found that human children consistently chose to cooperate with others over working alone, whereas chimpanzees showed no such preference. The researchers suggest that this behavioral difference may be rooted in small motivational differences between humans and other species.

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.

Simple genetic circuit forms stripes

Researchers designed a synthetic genetic circuit that creates a striped pattern, using genes from one species of bacterium and inserting them into another. By controlling the rate at which cells move, they can create distinct patterns with concentric rings of crowded and dispersed bacterial cells.

Precision with stem cells a step forward for treating MS, other diseases

Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have improved upon their previous efforts to isolate stem cells for treating multiple sclerosis and rare childhood diseases. The new method resulted in a four-fold increase in myelin coating, making these cells promising candidates for future clinical trials.

Southampton scientists herald significant breakthrough in study of chlamydia

Researchers at the University of Southampton have made a significant breakthrough in understanding Chlamydia trachomatis genetics, enabling the development of new treatments and potentially a vaccine. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for the disease, which is often left untreated due to its asymptomatic nature.

Emulating -- and surpassing -- nature

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a method to build crystalline materials from nanoparticles and DNA, allowing for the creation of new materials with predictable physical properties. The design rules enable controlled crystallization, resulting in a variety of structures with unique properties.

Aggressive piranhas bark to say buzz off

Researchers found that red-bellied piranhas produce three distinct sounds: a barking noise, a drum-like percussive sound, and a softer 'croaking' sound. The fish's swim bladder vibrates in response to muscle contractions, producing these sounds.

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.