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Science News Archive 2011


Page 96 of 311

Turning waste into inexpensive, green fuel

The researchers have received two grants to further develop the steam hydrogasification process that turns waste from food, yards, and other sources into transportation fuels or natural gas. The process has been found to be 12% more efficient and 18% less expensive than other mainstream gasification technologies.

The cause of Earth's largest environmental catastrophe

A new model suggests that Siberian mantle plume contained recycled oceanic crust, leading to exceptional magmatic eruptions and mass extinction. The team's study provides new insights into the origin of the Siberian Traps and their relation to the Permo-Triassic mass extinction event.

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.

Scientists crack sparse genome of microbe linked to autoimmunity

Researchers deciphered the sparse genome of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), a key player in regulating the immune system of mice. The study suggests SFB is genetically distinct from other bacterial genomes, with a unique role in promoting immune responses that protect against infection but also spur inflammation.

Engineers probe mechanics behind rapid-aging disease

Researchers at MIT and Carnegie Mellon used molecular modeling and simulation to study the behavior of lamin A protein tails, finding that mutant protein tails are actually more stable than healthy counterparts. The discovery validates the application of civil engineering methodology to studying diseased cells.

$1.1 million grant targets disparities among medical researchers

A $1.1 million grant aims to boost under-represented students in health-related research, fostering diversity and addressing disparities in cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases. The program will provide mentorship, research training, and financial assistance to 16 students from diverse backgrounds.

Depression and pain increase fatigue in breast cancer survivors

A Spanish research establishes factors associated with tiredness in cancer survivors to improve their quality of life and rehabilitation. More than 66% of breast cancer survivors suffer from fatigue following recovery, caused directly by the disease, physical deterioration or treatment received.

The American Society for Microbiology honors Andrea Endimiani

Andrea Endimiani has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on the impact of drug resistance traits on infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. He has also made significant contributions to understanding the prevalence of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in multiple US cities.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Healthy lifestyle habits lower heart failure risk

Research found that engaging in one healthy lifestyle behavior can decrease heart failure risk, while each additional behavior further reduces the risk. Key findings include: regular physical activity and a diet rich in vegetables lowering risk by 21-33% and 26-27%, respectively.

Separating a cancer prevention drug from heart disease risk

Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have identified a way to keep the cancer-preventive properties of celecoxib while avoiding its risks. The study shows that celecoxib inhibits an enzyme called GSK3 in lung cancer cells, causing apoptosis and disappearance of a protein called c-FLIP.

Patent awarded for 'method and system of controlling airfoil actuators'

Researchers developed intelligent airfoil design that can sense changes in airflow and adjust surface conditions using synthetic jets to reduce fatigue and enhance lift. The technology has potential applications in aerospace vehicles and renewable energy sector, with the goal of improving turbine performance and reducing unsteady loads.

Motor memory: The long and short of it

Researchers found that short-term and long-term motor memory compete against each other, with switching between tasks improving retention. USC scientists' discovery could lead to optimized computer programs for stroke patient rehabilitation.

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.

Researchers crack genetic codes for medicinal plant species

Researchers from across Canada have identified the genetic makeup of 75 medicinal plant species, making them available to scientists and the public online. The discovery has the potential to develop new technologies to re-create plant pathways in microbes, creating effective medicines and chemicals.

Shaping up: Controlling a stem cell's form can determine its fate

New research at NIST finds that controlling stem cell shape can induce specific types of cells, offering a simpler and cheaper alternative to biochemical supplements. The study compared five scaffold designs and found that only one, nanofiber scaffolds, successfully directed stem cells into bone-like structures.

In immune cells, 'super-res' imaging reveals natural killers' M.O.

Researchers used a 'super-res' microscope to study the immune system and found that granules from natural killer cells pass through openings in dynamic cell structures to destroy tumor cells and infected cells. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments for inherited diseases that impair the immune system.

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.

Using lasers to vaporize tissue at multiple points simultaneously

Using a single UV laser pulse, researchers can now zap away biological tissue at multiple points simultaneously. This technique allows scientists to isolate specific cells and observe their shape dictated solely by internal forces. The method has potential applications in developmental biology and bioengineering.

Plant compound reduces breast cancer mortality

Researchers at Helmholtz Association find that phytoestrogens, particularly lignans and their metabolite enterolactone, may help reduce breast cancer mortality. Enterolactone levels are linked to clinical disease progression and mortality risk, with higher levels associated with lower risk.

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.

Henry Ford study links 23 microRNAs to laryngeal cancer

A Henry Ford Hospital study has identified 23 microRNAs specific to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a form of head and neck cancer. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of what causes certain cells to grow and become cancerous tumors.

Does race dictate quality of care?

A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research found that African American patients are less likely to be admitted to high-volume hospitals for total knee replacement surgery, receiving instead lower-quality care. This racial disparity affects access to high-quality arthroplasty care.

Science finding is music to the ears

A study of 74 musicians and 89 non-musicians found that being a musician can delay age-related decline in central auditory processing, allowing older musicians to understand speech in noisy environments as well as younger non-musicians. This advantage was particularly pronounced for older musicians.

Protein found in heart may be target for colon cancer therapies

Researchers have identified a protein that plays a critical role in heart development and may also be a therapeutic target for halting colon cancer metastasis. BVES expression was found to be low in all stages of colon cancer and decreased levels were observed in many other types of epithelial cancers.

Outsmarting algae -- RIT scientist finds the turn-off switch

Researchers have deciphered the structure of an essential enzyme in photosynthetic organisms, a target for algaecide development. This discovery could lead to the creation of compounds that block the enzyme's function, inhibiting algae growth without harming other plant life.

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.

Study finds chronic abnormal brain blood flow in Gulf War veterans

A new study has confirmed that abnormal brain blood flow continues or worsens over time in veterans with Gulf War illness. The research used a novel technique to assess hippocampal regional cerebral blood flow and identified a special MRI procedure to diagnose the condition more accurately.

TheSkyNet launched

TheSkyNet project allows public to contribute spare computing power to radio astronomy data processing. The initiative aims to complement primary data processing work of supercomputing facilities, generating real outcomes for scientific research.

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.

Relation of alcohol consumption to colorectal cancer

A meta-analysis of 22 studies from around the world found a strong association between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The study suggests that even moderate drinking can increase the risk, particularly at higher levels of consumption.

NASA awards $100,000 for space exploration power systems

NASA has awarded a $100,000 grant to Penn State researcher Michael V. Paul for developing non-radioisotope power systems. The project aims to explore sunless solar system missions using metal-combustion engines, which could enable low-cost planetary exploration without relying on radioisotope power sources.

NASA'S Webb telescope completes mirror-coating milestone

The mirrors of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have completed the coating process with a microscopically thin layer of gold, enabling the telescope to observe extremely faint objects in infrared light. This achievement marks another major success story for the Webb telescope mirrors, ensuring even more scientific discovery potential.

Smithsonian conservation team develops new technique for dating silk

The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute has developed a fast and reliable method to date silk using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry. This technique measures the natural deterioration of silk's amino acids to determine its age, providing a scientific clock for estimating silk's age.

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.

Researchers uncover a potential new benefit of pure maple syrup on liver health

A study published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that pure maple syrup improved liver function tests in rats fed a diet with 20% pure maple syrup compared to a control group. The results suggest that maple syrup's polyphenolic antioxidants may help regulate glucose metabolism and reduce liver enzyme levels.

IUD reduces the risk of cervical cancer

A large-scale study has found that intrauterine devices (IUDs) may protect against cervical cancer. The research involved over 20,000 women from different countries and revealed a significant reduction in cervical cancer risk among IUD users.

Primary schoolchildren that sleep less than 9 hours do not perform

A study by the Autonomous University of Barcelona found that children who sleep less than nine hours per night have worse academic skills and cognitive development. Parents are advised to establish a bedtime routine and ensure their children go to bed on time to maintain healthy sleep patterns.

Study predicts sea level rise may take economic toll on California coast

A new study predicts that California beach towns will experience significant economic losses due to sea level rise, with visitor hotspots like Venice Beach facing up to $440 million in tourism revenue losses. The study also found that accelerated erosion could cause up to $540 million worth of damage at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.

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.

Bats adjust their 'field-of-view'

Egyptian fruit bats exhibit sophisticated spatial orientation using echolocation, adjusting their 'field-of-view' by altering sonar beam width and intensity in response to environmental complexity. This adaptability enables them to track targets and avoid collisions in dense environments.

Breakthrough opens new avenues for hep C vaccine

Researchers have identified two weak points in the hepatitis C virus that could be targeted by a new vaccine. The discovery uses next-generation deep sequencing and computer analytics to track changes in the virus after infection, revealing opportunities for effective vaccine development.

The American Society for Microbiology honors Alison Criss

Alison K. Criss, a young investigator at the University of Virginia, receives the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for her outstanding research on bacterial pathogenesis. Her work focuses on the interactions between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and host cells, with implications for understanding bacterial evasion mechanisms.

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.

Primary schoolchildren can be great tutors

A trial of peer tutoring in Scotland's primary schools found that children as young as seven to eight years old can benefit from a twenty-minute weekly session. The boost to school pupils' attainment provided by peer tutoring was equivalent to about three months progress in both maths and reading.

The American Society for Microbiology honors Benjamin P. Howden

Benjamin P. Howden, a leading expert in S. aureus and E. faecium research, receives the award for his groundbreaking work on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and virulence. His research has led to new insights into vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus and reduced linezolid susceptibility.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Breaching the blood-brain barrier

Researchers found that adenosine can modulate the entry of large molecules into the brain, establishing a gateway into the blood-brain barrier. They successfully transported large dextrans and antibodies into the brain using an FDA-approved drug, Lexiscan.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

More evidence that spicing up broccoli boosts its cancer-fighting power

A new study from the University of Illinois found that pairing broccoli with spicy foods containing myrosinase significantly enhances its individual cancer-fighting power. This is achieved by ensuring absorption takes place in the upper digestive system, where sulforaphane can be quickly and effectively released.