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Science News Archive August 2011 - Page 22


Page 22 of 27

Professor fights disease that destroys vision

Dimitrios Morikis and Lincoln Johnson aim to create new inhibitors of the complement system to treat the disease, which affects over 1.75 million Americans. The researchers will use computational modeling and virtual screening to identify potential treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 8, 2011

Study: Severe low temperatures devastate coral reefs in Florida Keys

A new study reveals that extreme cold temperatures can have a devastating impact on coral reefs, causing widespread death and destruction. The research found that corals depend on symbiotic algae for nutrition, which is inhibited by cold temperatures, leading to a potential net loss of carbon transferred from the algae to the coral.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 8, 2011

Researchers gain new insights into how tumor cells are fed

A study published in The American Journal of Pathology reveals a novel mechanism for pillar formation during intussusceptive angiogenesis in tumors. The researchers found that targeting just one type of blood vessel formation may not be sufficient to slow tumor growth, and instead propose a more tailored approach to anti-tumor therapy.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateAug 8, 2011
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.

When a man's partner is too close to his friends, his sex life may suffer

Researchers found a connection between erectile dysfunction and social networks shared by heterosexual men and their partners. Partner betweenness, where a male partner has weaker relationships with his confidants than his female partner, is linked to increased risk of ED.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalAmerican Journal of Sociology·DateAug 8, 2011

A billion-year-old piece of North America traced back to Antarctica

Researchers found identical lead isotopes in ancient rocks from North America and Antarctica, suggesting a connection between the two continents 1.1 billion years ago. This discovery strengthens support for the SWEAT hypothesis and provides critical clues to the geographic relationships between major continents.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateAug 8, 2011

Rising barriers to primary care send many Americans to the emergency department

A shortage of primary care physicians and limited access to these services are contributing to rising numbers of emergency department visits in the US. The study found that nearly 98% of Americans have health insurance coverage, yet barriers such as wait times and transportation issues remain a major challenge.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tohoku tsunami created icebergs in Antarctica

A NASA scientist and her colleagues observed for the first time that an earthquake and tsunami can break off large icebergs a hemisphere away. The Tohoku Tsunami in 2011 caused massive waves to reach Antarctica, calving off several chunks of ice that equaled about two times the surface area of Manhattan.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalJournal of Glaciology·DateAug 8, 2011

Technology reveals citrus greening-infected trees

Researchers use Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection spectroscopy to identify infected trees with 95% accuracy. The method is faster and cheaper than current DNA testing, but further differentiation between diseases is needed.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalApplied Spectroscopy·DateAug 8, 2011

Walking around is the simplest way to shorten hospital stay

A new study from the University of Haifa found that walking around the ward during hospitalization significantly reduces the length of older patient's stay. The study, which surveyed 485 participants aged 70 and up, found that patients who walked around shortened their hospital stay by an average day and a half compared to those who di...

SourceUniversity of Haifa·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateAug 8, 2011

'Paranoia' about rivals alters insect mating behavior

Male fruitflies experience a prolonged mating period with females after encountering rival males, increasing the length of mating by up to 93% in some species. This 'paranoid' behavior is thought to ensure fertilization before females mate with other males.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalBiology Letters·DateAug 8, 2011
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.

New resource to unlock the role of microRNAs

Researchers have developed a new resource, mirKO, to investigate the role of microRNAs in human health. The resource provides tools to delete specific microRNA genes in mice or cells, allowing researchers to study their significance and biological function.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 7, 2011

Bullying may contribute to lower test scores

Research suggests a bullying climate may play an important role in student test performance and academic success. Schools with severe bullying climates had significantly lower scores on standardized tests.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 7, 2011

UNC-Duke ties lead to collaborative finding about cell division & metabolism

A collaborative study between UNC and Duke scientists reveals that disruptions in protein signals can lead to improper mitochondrial distribution during cell division, resulting in reduced ATP levels. This finding has implications for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateAug 7, 2011
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.

The nanoscale secret to stronger alloys

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered a way to create strong, heat-resistant aluminum alloys by controlling nanoparticle size and shape. The alloy's properties are highly dependent on the uniformity of the nanoparticles and their stability when heated.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 7, 2011

Brain's map of space falls flat when it comes to altitude

Scientists studied brain cells in rats and found that only place cells were sensitive to height, with weak responsiveness. The brain's sense of space is more accurate in horizontal directions, suggesting a flat map of space for altitude.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 7, 2011
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.

Cell-based alternative to animal testing

Researchers developed a cell-based test that can classify chemicals as sensitizing or non-sensitizing, predicting the strength of allergic responses. This alternative to animal testing aims to reduce suffering from skin conditions such as eczema.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Genomics·DateAug 7, 2011

How yeast chromosomes avoid the bad breaks

Researchers found a novel system involving Pch2 and Orc1 proteins protecting yeast rDNA from inappropriate meiotic recombination. This protective repeat-associated heterochromatin makes the DNA segments near its boundary particularly vulnerable to recombination.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateAug 7, 2011

Social networking's good and bad impacts on kids

Research by Dr. Larry D. Rosen highlights both the benefits and drawbacks of social networking for children, including increased narcissism and anxiety, as well as improved empathy and social skills

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 6, 2011
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.

Common irregular heartbeat raises risk of dementia

Atrial fibrillation increases dementia risk by 40-50% through weakening heart function and inflammation, study suggests. Researchers found a link between the condition and cognitive decline in older adults.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 6, 2011

Dealing with the cyberworld's dark side

Cyberstalkers increasingly use technology to torment their victims, causing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and trauma. Researchers also found that students who blamed themselves for cyberbullying were more likely to ruminate and suffer serious stress.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 6, 2011

No treatment is the best treatment -- diarrhea in young foals

Researchers found that diarrhoea is closely linked to changes in faecal bacteria, with the majority of foals developing the condition due to colonisation by E. coli and other bacteria. This suggests that horse breeders should not limit suckling time or use supplements to prevent diarrhoea.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalVeterinary Microbiology·DateAug 5, 2011
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Ocean probes to help refine climate change forecasting

A USC researcher collected samples from floating sediment traps in the San Pedro Basin to study how much carbon is locked up in the ocean. Her findings suggest that the majority of particulate organic carbon falling to the basin floor is marine-derived, acting as a carbon sink taking carbon out of the atmosphere via phytoplankton and l...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalDeep Sea Research·DateAug 5, 2011

Right to remain silent not understood by many suspects

Research suggests that almost 1 million US criminal cases are compromised each year due to a lack of understanding about Miranda warnings. According to psychologist Richard Rogers, defendants often incorrectly believe their silence can be used against them in court.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 5, 2011

What do Facebook and Rembrandt have in common? Everything

The article highlights how Facebook profiles are similar to traditional portraiture, where artists must make rhetorical decisions about representation. The author notes that both Rembrandt's famous works and today's social media profiles strive for mastery over the challenges of representation.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateAug 5, 2011
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.

Sentinel node biopsy safe, effective in head and neck melanomas, U-M study finds

A new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center confirms that sentinel lymph node biopsy is a safe and effective way to determine the status of regional nodal basins for head and neck melanoma patients. The procedure was found to be accurate in identifying cancerous nodes, with only 4% false-negative results.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCancer·DateAug 5, 2011

Human influence on the 21st century climate: 1 possible future for the atmosphere

Researchers have introduced a scenario that assumes action will be taken to limit emissions, showing a lowest cost option to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to less than 40% higher than today. The RCP 4.5 scenario includes nuclear and renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and forest preservation to achieve this goal.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 5, 2011

Scientist urges government ruling on genetically engineered salmon

Purdue University scientist William Muir argues that genetically engineered salmon, AquAdvantage (AA), poses little real risk to the environment or human health. Once assessed and deemed safe, AA salmon should be allowed for production and sale in the US to increase food supplies for a growing world population.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateAug 5, 2011

Is hunting wolves key to their conservation?

Researchers found hunter attitudes toward wolves inconsistent with stewardship, and existing game hunts are not suitable models for a potential wolf hunt. Support for regulated wolf hunting is conditional and varies among respondents.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalSociety & Natural Resources·DateAug 5, 2011
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.

UCLA study shows man-made fat may limit damage to heart attack victims

A UCLA preclinical study found that Intralipid, a man-made fat emulsion, can prevent extensive heart damage and preserve heart function when used during blood flow return after a heart attack. This discovery may introduce a new way to significantly decrease damage to the heart muscle due to reperfusion injury.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalAnesthesiology·DateAug 5, 2011

Did past climate change encourage tree-killing fungi?

A new study suggests that aggressive tree-killing fungi, relatives of modern plant pathogens, played a key role in the demise of ancient conifer forests. The researchers propose that these fungi were triggered by global climate change and contributed to widespread tree mortality during the end-Permian crisis.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalGeology·DateAug 5, 2011

What shapes a bone?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that the shape of jaw bones in human populations is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The study used archaeological jaw bones from two different regions to determine how much of the mandible's shape is plastic, a response to diet, and how much is genetic.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateAug 5, 2011

Michigan State scholar leads effort to reform genetics instruction

A Michigan State University researcher has developed a web-based genetics curricula with the goal of making the subject more engaging and accessible to students starting in fifth grade. The system, supported by a $2.3 million NSF grant, aims to improve students' understanding of genetic-related concepts.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience Education·DateAug 5, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Gazpacho ingredients lose vitamin C during preparation

A new study reveals that gazpacho's vitamin C content and other organic acids decrease significantly after preparation. Peppers and tomatoes have higher levels of these nutrients, while cucumbers contain the lowest amount. The authors suggest consuming gazpacho immediately or preserving it correctly to maintain its antioxidant properties.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Public Health·DateAug 5, 2011

McLean Hospital study shows religious beliefs impact levels of worry

Researchers found that individuals who trust in a benevolent God tend to worry less, while those with negative beliefs report higher levels of worry. The study suggests integrating patients' spiritual beliefs into treatment regimens can improve mental health outcomes.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology·DateAug 5, 2011

Mindless eating: Losing weight without thinking

A consumer psychologist suggests that people can eat healthier without conscious thought by modifying their surroundings. Simple strategies include eating off salad plates, keeping unhealthy foods out of sight, and eating in the kitchen or dining room, leading to weight loss success.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 5, 2011
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.

Weight loss improves sexual health of overweight men with diabetes

A new study reveals that weight loss of 5% improves erectile function, sexual desire, and lowers urinary tract symptoms in obese men with type 2 diabetes. The study found that modest weight loss resulted in rapid reversal of sexual and urinary problems within 8 weeks.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateAug 5, 2011

B-cell discovery suggests why women suffer more autoimmune disease

A team of researchers at National Jewish Health discovered a type of B cell that may contribute to autoimmune disease, particularly in women. These cells produce autoantibodies and are more prevalent in elderly female mice, young and old mice prone to autoimmune disease, and humans with autoimmune diseases.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalBlood·DateAug 4, 2011

Briny water may be at work in seasonal flows on Mars

Seasonal dark features on Martian slopes suggest the presence of salty water, which could indicate a habitable environment. The recurring flows may be formed by fluid seeping down slopes and have characteristics that fit better with briny water explanations.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience·DateAug 4, 2011

Novel DNA-sensing pathway in immune response to malaria

A novel DNA-sensing mechanism plays a role in the innate immune response to Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria. The study identifies an unknown receptor coupling to molecules linked with DNA-mediated type I interferon production, suggesting a broader impact on infectious diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateAug 4, 2011
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.

Targeting innate immunity in malaria

Scientists at UMass Chan Medical School discovered a novel DNA-sensing pathway that contributes to the triggering of an innate immune response in malaria. This pathway leads to the production of excessive type-1 interferon, causing inflammation and fever in patients.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalImmunity·DateAug 4, 2011

Designing diamond circuits for extreme environments

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created microelectronic devices out of thin films of nanodiamond, which can operate at higher speeds and require less power than silicon-based devices. The diamond-based devices are also resistant to radiation damage and can function in extremely high or low temperatures.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateAug 4, 2011

The last 3 million years at a snail's pace

Researchers develop new method to link climatic records with plant and animal responses to climate change, enabling precise dating of archaeological sites. This breakthrough enables detailed analysis of human occupation patterns in Britain during the Ice Age.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2011
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.

Assumptions, not data, dictate opinions about predictive genetic testing in youth

Research suggests that predictive genetic testing in children may have benefits, including identifying individual's inherited vulnerabilities to diseases and enabling early health interventions. However, existing guidelines warn of potential psychological harm, which critics argue is often based on speculation rather than evidence.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Pediatric Psychology·DateAug 4, 2011