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Science News Archive August 2011


Page 13 of 27

UT leads charge to smart grid with NSF-DOE award

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been awarded a five-year, $18 million grant to lead the development of ultra-wide-area resilient electric energy transmission networks. The center aims to create a smart grid system that operates efficiently and reliably over long distances.

Maternal fat has negative impact on embryo development

Research found that embryos exposed to high levels of saturated fatty acids have fewer cells, altered gene expression, and impaired metabolic activity. This study suggests a link between maternal obesity and diabetes and reduced fertility, highlighting the importance of pre-pregnancy health for successful conception.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Kinder, gentler cell capture method could aid medical research

A NIST research team has created a potential solution to capturing cells using electric fields while keeping them alive. Their innovative technique, involving polyelectrolyte and fibronectin layers, reduces cell exposure time and improves long-term function, enabling up to week-long survival rates.

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.

Why spiders don't drop off of their threads

Researchers discovered that a small domain in spider silk proteins is responsible for forming strong threads. The N terminal domain plays a crucial role in designing long threads with great tensile strength.

Life on the wind: Study reveals how microbes travel the Earth

Researchers used computer models to simulate the dispersal of microorganisms in the Earth's atmosphere, finding that smaller microbes can easily travel thousands of kilometers over a year-long period. This study has significant implications for understanding microbial diversity and the potential for disease outbreaks.

Computers will be able to tell social traits from the face

Researchers have developed a computational tool that can determine whether faces are attractive, threatening or dominant with high accuracy. The tool uses machine learning techniques to analyze facial characteristics and was tested on a set of synthetic images, achieving accuracies of up to 96%.

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.

Quantum optical link sets new time records

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have successfully maintained entanglement between two gas clouds of caesium atoms for up to an hour using controlled laser light. This breakthrough enables quantum communication and has potential applications in ultra-precise measurements, including studying human brain activity.

Study shows suburban schools have worked to 'hoard' advantages

A new study by University of Kansas researchers shows that suburban schools have gained advantages over urban schools, perpetuating educational inequality. The researchers argue that a change in federal education policy is necessary to combat this disparity.

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.

Getting inside the mind (and up the nose) of our ancient ancestors

A team of researchers used advanced imaging techniques to study a 400 million-year-old fossilized jawless fish. They found evidence that the brain of early vertebrates was reorganized before the development of jaws, providing new insights into the evolutionary history of vertebrates.

Grant will develop tools to help farmers deal with climate change

A team of researchers from Michigan State University is working on a five-year project to develop tools to help farmers cope with climate variability. The study will focus on corn and soybean growth and profits across 12 states, using models to predict the impact of climate scenarios.

Concerns about efforts to foster the biofuel boom

The US and over 50 countries have integrated biofuels into fuel supply since the 1920s, with government policies relying on corn and other food crops. However, a more realistic view of biofuel potential has emerged, highlighting negative impacts on rural economies and greenhouse gas emissions.

Engineer to measure vehicle emissions on highways

A portable device will be built to map real-time particulate matter concentrations on Southern California highways. This study aims to quantify the highest potential exposure to particulate matter during daily commutes, enabling a better assessment of public exposure to particulate emissions on highways.

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.

Sniffer dogs can be used to detect lung cancer

Researchers have found that sniffer dogs can reliably detect lung cancer by identifying volatile organic compounds in patients' breath. The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, used trained dogs to detect lung cancer with an accuracy rate of 71%, surpassing current detection methods.

Moon and Earth may be younger than originally thought

A new study using lead and neodymium isotopes in lunar rocks indicates the moon is approximately 4.36 billion years old, challenging the long-held estimate of 4.5 billion years old. This finding also has implications for the age of Earth, suggesting it may be younger than previously believed.

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.

Johns Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Center awarded $475,000 project

The Johns Hopkins Wound Center and the Evidence-based Practice Center are conducting an evidence-based review of wound care to determine what is known and unknown about it. This study aims to inform health care providers and patients about effective state-of-the-art wound care treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for six million p...

Parasite-infected rodents attracted to cat odor study finds

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals how the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii alters rodent fear responses to attract them towards cat odors. Infected rodents exhibit increased neural activity in regions associated with sexual attraction, suggesting a link between fear and attraction.

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.

Ambitious goals = satisfaction

A study by University of California, Riverside assistant marketing professor Cecile K. Cho found that people are more satisfied when they set ambitious goals compared to conservative goals. The experiment involved participants setting targets and allocating a budget, with high-goal setters averaging higher satisfaction levels.

New tool allows first responders to visualize post-event disaster environments

The Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping and Integration Toolkit (SUMMIT) enables emergency responders to view and modify accurate models of building damage and other disaster effects in real-time. This enhances the cycle of activities that emergency response teams undertake, improving preparedness and response effectiveness.

NIST tests help ensure reliable wireless alarm beacons for first responders

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed test methods to evaluate the reliability of wireless alarm beacons for firefighters and emergency responders. The tests found that even weak signals can cause delays or failures, making it essential to ensure these devices operate reliably in realistic conditions.

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.

Penn physicists undo the 'coffee ring effect'

Researchers at University of Pennsylvania discovered that changing particle shape can disrupt the coffee ring effect, a ring-shaped stain left after coffee drops evaporate. By using non-spherical particles, they found that it's possible to eliminate this phenomenon and achieve uniform coating deposition.

Arctic ice melt could pause in coming decades

A new study finds that Arctic sea ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to about a decade. Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the behavior of the ice and found that it may temporarily stabilize or slightly increase in extent over the next few decades. However, lon...

Study aims to improve fuel economy by 30 percent

Researchers at University of California, Riverside are developing a comprehensive driver feedback technology to cut fuel consumption and emissions. The project aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 30%, leveraging existing technology and integrating features like trip planning, improved driving efficiency, and periodic reporting.

Change the environment, not the child

A new rehabilitation approach for children with cerebral palsy, called 'context-focused intervention', has been shown to be equally beneficial as traditional child-focused therapy. The study found no significant differences in daily functioning between the two treatment groups.

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.

Man in the moon looking younger

A team of scientists, including Carnegie's Richard Carlson, has estimated the age of a lunar rock sample at 4.36 billion years, significantly younger than earlier estimates of 4.568 billion years. This finding supports the idea that the oldest crusts on both Earth and Moon formed around the same time after a giant impact.

Friendship, timing key differences between US, Eastern European love

Residents of US, Lithuania, and Russia view romantic love through different lenses. While 'being together' is a common requirement, expressions of 'comfort/love' and 'friendship' are more prevalent in the US than Eastern Europe. Americans take longer to fall in love, with over 90% reporting it within a month compared to 58% in the US.

Everyday clairvoyance: How your brain makes near-future predictions

Scientists identified a key brain region and system involved in predicting the near future, which may help diagnose early stage neurological diseases such as schizophrenia and Parkinson's. The study found that participants were more accurate in predicting events within an event but struggled across boundaries.

Study: College students not eating enough fruits and veggies

A recent study by Oregon State University reveals that college students are not meeting the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, with many consuming less than one serving per day. The research highlights the importance of teaching essential life skills such as meal planning and cooking to foster healthy eating habits.

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.

Competitive Scrabble makes you smarter

Researchers found that competitive Scrabble players can develop visual word recognition ability in adulthood, recognizing English words up to 20% faster than non-players. They also showed less reliance on the word's meaning and more on its visual appearance, allowing for efficient recognition of letter sequences.

Human pathogen killing corals in the Florida Keys

A research team has identified human sewage as the source of the coral-killing pathogen that causes white pox disease in Caribbean elkhorn coral. The bacterium, Serratia marcescens, is also a pathogen of humans, causing respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Researchers improving GPS accuracy in the 3rd dimension

Developed by Ohio State University researchers, the software improves GPS vertical accuracy in hazardous regions and can be used to measure glacier melting. Initial tests showed accurate positioning within centimeters of accuracy, with a success rate of up to 97%.

The future of inks, paints and coatings takes shape

The study found that changing particle shape can eliminate the coffee ring effect, resulting in a uniform coating. This discovery has potential commercial applications, enabling new techniques for product coatings and inks.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Research team achieves first 2-color STED microscopy of living cells

A research team from Yale University has successfully achieved two-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy in living cells, overcoming previous challenges in labeling target proteins. The breakthrough enables resolutions of 78 nanometers and 82 nanometers for sequential scans of two proteins in living cells.

Computational method predicts new uses for existing medicines

A new computational method using genomic information predicts new uses for existing medicines, including treating Crohn's disease with prednisolone and inflammatory bowel diseases with topiramate. This approach could improve treatments, save time and money, and provide insights into disease progression and drug mechanisms.

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.