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Science News Archive August 2011


Page 27 of 27

Organic carbon suggests Swedish lakes were less acidified

A new study of Swedish lakes suggests that power station emissions may have played a smaller role in acidifying the lakes than previously assessed. Organic carbon from living organisms has been found to be a significant contributor to lake acidity, and pre-industrial levels were likely even higher.

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.

JCI online early table of contents: August 1, 2011

A recent study confirms that long-term azithromycin treatment is associated with increased infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria, a serious complication in cystic fibrosis patients. The team identified autophagy impairment as the underlying mechanism, highlighting a clinical danger of pharmacological blockade.

Nobel Prize winner's unfinished symphony

Researchers discovered Robert Burns Woodward's notes on organic superconductors, including original scans of his work, and successfully redrawn compounds using modern techniques. The study sheds light on Woodward's ideas for developing an organic superconductor that operates at room temperature.

Study finds exposure to magnetic fields in pregnancy increases asthma risk

A Kaiser Permanente study of 801 pregnant women found a significant link between maternal magnetic field exposure during pregnancy and the development of asthma in their children. Women with high MF exposure were more than three times as likely to have an asthmatic child, highlighting the need for awareness about EMF health effects.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Greenhouse gas impact of hydroelectric reservoirs downgraded

A recent study found that hydroelectric reservoirs emit significantly less carbon dioxide and methane than previously estimated, with an annual emission of 48 million metric tons. The research analyzed 85 globally-distributed reservoirs and concluded that these systems are not major contributors to the greenhouse gas problem.

NIH awards $84 million grant to NYU Langone Medical Center for ISCHEMIA trial

The International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches (ISCHEMIA) will enroll 8,000 patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The study aims to determine whether a routine early invasive strategy is superior to a conservative approach in improving angina-related quality of life.

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.

Man and the last great wilderness: Human impact on the deep sea

The Census of Marine Life project has identified human activities affecting deep-sea habitats, including waste dumping, resource exploitation, and climate change. The study predicts that these impacts will lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption in the short and mid-term.

Seismology tip sheet from BSSA, August issue

Scientists at University of Nevada, Reno observed an upper limit of three on the number of fault jumps through which an earthquake is likely to rupture. This finding helps reduce uncertainties in estimating earthquake sizes in complex fault systems.

Social challenges of synthetic biology examined

The Hastings Center Report examines the social challenges of synthetic biology, including ethical considerations and regulatory implications. Experts discuss guidelines for emerging technologies, highlighting the need for responsible stewardship and balanced analysis.

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.

A simple slice of energy storage

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform sheets of graphite oxide into functional supercapacitors by writing patterns into them with a laser. The devices exhibit good electrochemical performance without the need for chemicals, comparable to existing thin-film micro-supercapacitors.

Some plants duplicate their DNA to overcome adversity

Researchers found that plants like Arabidopsis thaliana can speed up DNA duplication, leading to increased growth and seed production after being grazed. This process allows plants to increase their DNA content, protein production, and cell size, ultimately boosting their reproductive success.

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.

Don't suffer in silence with toe pain

Lesser toe deformities, such as hammer toes and claw toes, can cause significant pain and limit activities. Improper footwear is a common cause, while genetic and neuromuscular conditions also play a role. Nonsurgical treatments like pads and gel sleeves can be effective, but surgery may be necessary for severe cases.

Restoring blood flow

A novel nanostructure mimics vascular endothelial growth factor to promote blood vessel growth, potentially treating conditions like peripheral arterial disease. The nanostructure shows promise in restoring blood flow and has a longer half-life compared to the natural protein, enhancing its potency.

Dr. Joanne Jordan receives Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award

Dr. Joanne Jordan has received the 2011 Distinguished Service to Rural Life Award from the Rural Sociological Society for her outstanding contribution to enhancing rural life and rural people through her work on the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, which improved health outcomes in rural North Carolinians.

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.

Dream screens from graphene

Researchers at Rice University have created a hybrid graphene film that combines conductivity and transparency, potentially replacing indium tin oxide as a transparent conductive coating in displays. The material outperforms ITO in terms of transparency and conductivity, and is environmentally stable.

New composite material may restore damaged soft tissue

Researchers developed a liquid composite material that can restore damaged soft tissue relatively safely and durably. The material, composed of biological and synthetic molecules, was tested in rats and humans, showing promise in facial reconstruction, particularly for soldiers' blast injuries.

The dark side of oxytocin

Recent research reveals oxytocin's role in promoting approach-related emotions, including envy and gloating, which could have implications for psychiatric treatments. Oxytocin's effects on social behavior are more complex than previously thought.

Kids' anxiety, depression halved when parenting styled to personality

A study by University of Washington psychologists found that the right match between parenting styles and child's personality leads to fewer depression and anxiety symptoms. Children with good self-control benefit from more autonomy, while those with trouble regulating emotions need more parental guidance.

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.

Indoor air cleaners ease asthma symptoms in children living with smokers

A Johns Hopkins study found that indoor air cleaners can greatly reduce household air pollution and lower daytime asthma symptoms. However, they did not counter all ill effects of second-hand smoke. The researchers recommend using air cleaners as a temporary tool to achieve a smoke-free environment.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Aug. 2, 2011

The American College of Physicians and three other organizations issue new clinical recommendations for diagnosing and treating stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The guidelines aim to help clinicians diagnose and manage COPD, prevent and treat exacerbations, and improve patient quality of life. In contrast, the risks...

National policy change reduces racial disparity in kidney transplants

A new national transplant policy has sliced in half the racial disparities that have long characterized the allocation of lifesaving organs. The researchers attribute the drop to a 2003 decision by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to change the relative priority given to tissue matching.

The art of magnetic writing

Researchers at ICN2 have developed a new technique to write magnetic data, eliminating the need for cumbersome magnetic fields and providing simple, reversible writing of memory elements. This breakthrough could lead to non-volatile MRAMs, allowing instant power-up and significant energy savings.

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.

Microbial study reveals sophisticated sensory response

A new study demonstrates that even a simple microbe can achieve sophisticated sensory adaptation, allowing its behavior to remain consistent in ever-changing background conditions. Researchers found that E. coli responds to relative changes in sensory inputs rather than absolute concentrations.

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.

Debating the safety of cell phone use

Dr. Devra Lee Davis discusses health risks associated with cell phone use, including brain cancer and long-term implications for young people. She provides recommendations for safe use, such as maintaining distance from the brain and body.

Caregivers and their relatives disagree about care given, received

A study found that caregivers and their relatives with mild to moderate dementia have differing perceptions of care quality. The team's results suggest that adult children underestimate the importance of core values held by their relatives, leading to potential miscommunication as dementia worsens.

Artificial nanoparticles influence the heart rate

Scientists have developed a new heart model to investigate the effects of artificial nanoparticles on cardiac function. Exposure to certain types of nanoparticles led to increased heart rates, cardiac arrhythmia, and modified ECG values typical of heart disease.

Researcher tests promising drug on those with Down syndrome

A clinical trial is underway at the University of Colorado to test a drug that could improve memory and learning in those with Down syndrome. The study, led by Dr. Alberto Costa, aims to enhance brain function and potentially increase hope for those affected.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A new catalyst for ethanol made from biomass

Researchers developed a new catalyst material that converts bio-ethanol into isobutene in one step, reducing costs. This process enables the creation of valuable chemicals such as tire rubber and safer solvents, expanding the applications for sustainably produced bio-ethanol.

Bear bile chemical could help keep hearts in rhythm

Researchers found that a bear bile-derived compound, UDCA, can alter the electrical properties of myofibroblasts to prevent arrhythmia in both fetal hearts and adult hearts after a heart attack. This could lead to new treatments for obstetric cholestasis and post-heart-attack complications.

Taking a fresh look at the weather

Researchers propose a new model, 'wrap up', explaining the evolution of low pressure systems. This model addresses weaknesses in the Norwegian meteorological model, providing a better understanding of severe weather conditions.

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.

School obesity-prevention curriculum can reduce medical costs

A new school-based obesity prevention curriculum has been shown to significantly reduce medical costs associated with obesity and eating disorders. The program, Planet Health, was found to prevent 1 case of bulimia nervosa among girls aged 13-17 in each participating school, resulting in an estimated $34,000 in savings per girl.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

People tend to exaggerate influence of political ads on others

A study by Penn State researchers found that people who view negative political ads perceive the ads as having a greater influence on others than themselves. The experiment showed that both supporters and opponents of a presidential candidate believe the ads affect others more than they are affected by them.

Largest-ever map of interactions of plant proteins produced

The largest-ever map of plant protein interactions has been created, covering 6,205 interactions involving 2,774 individual proteins in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The new network map provides insights into protein functions and compositions, and may help advance efforts to improve crop plants.

Key growth factor identified in T cell leukemia

A study by Andrew Weng and colleagues identifies insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) as a key driver of cancer growth in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blocking the IGF-1 receptor improves survival rates in mice, suggesting a potential new treatment strategy.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New freeze-dry method good for processing fish

Researchers developed a quicker freeze-drying technique that reduces energy and processing time, resulting in freeze-dried salmon cubes with minimal moisture content. These cubes maintain color, rehydrate quickly, and have reduced shrinkage compared to traditional freeze-drying methods.

Project will study the neural basis of psychopathy

A new project led by University of Chicago researcher Jean Decety will use fMRI technology to examine the neural circuitry of criminal psychopaths in prisons. The research aims to identify the brain networks necessary for empathy and develop targeted therapies.