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Science News Archive December 2011


Page 19 of 23

Blasting cancer from the inside out

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a radioactive wire that destroys tumors from the inside out, creating an immunity against cancer return. This innovative method, called DARTTM, has shown promising results in pre-clinical trials and is now being commercialized for clinical trials.

With mutation, you can have your cream and eat it, too

A study found that individuals carrying a mutant gene associated with high HDL cholesterol can more efficiently clear triglycerides from their system. This discovery provides new insights into the role of glycosylation in lipid metabolism and has implications for the treatment of heart disease.

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.

Combating counterfeit medicines

Counterfeit medicines pose significant health risks, and experts argue that the World Health Organization (WHO) should play a key role in combating them. The authors propose an international treaty on medicine quality under WHO auspices to address this issue.

Addressing pain and disease on the fly

Researchers at Brandeis University discover that fruit flies use two forms of TRPA1 to sense warmth and chemicals, providing potential solutions for chronic pain and disease control. The study's findings have implications for developing bug sprays and traps to combat mosquito-borne diseases.

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.

New study suggests US presidents often live longer than men of their era

A new study suggests that US presidents tend to outlive their contemporaries by accessing better healthcare and accumulating wealth and knowledge. This disparity in life expectancy is attributed to factors such as improved medical care and higher educational attainment among presidents compared to the general male population.

Solar storms could sandblast the moon

Computer simulations by NASA scientists predict that solar storms and Coronal Mass Ejections can significantly erase the lunar surface, removing a surprising large amount of material. This process, called sputtering, becomes dominant during CMEs due to increased density and velocity.

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.

Elusive ultrafine indoor air contaminants yield to NIST analysis

Researchers at NIST tracked and analyzed ultrafine particles emitted by household appliances, revealing that coagulation, deposition, and ventilation play a significant role in their fate. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of these tiny air contaminants and their impact on indoor environments.

$3 million awarded for research and training

The University of Missouri has received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to train scientists in neutron scattering techniques. The program will focus on three areas of research and provide hands-on training at the university's Research Reactor facility.

Study finds failure points in firefighter protective equipment

Researchers discovered that temperatures and heat fluxes exceeding polycarbonate performance limits can cause lens degradation, exposing firefighters to toxic gases and burns. The study aims to inform efforts to improve the match between standard requirements and real-life conditions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study: Tiger Woods' superstar status hobbled the competition

Research by Northwestern University economist Jennifer Brown found that when Tiger Woods played in a tournament, other golfers' scores were substantially worse compared to tournaments where Woods did not play. This phenomenon, known as the 'superstar effect,' suggests that superstars can be a disincentive to competition.

Baby see, baby do?

Researchers from Concordia University found that infants can differentiate between trustworthy and untrustworthy sources. In a series of experiments, infants were shown to imitate actions from reliable adults more frequently than those from unreliable adults. This study contributes to the understanding of infant cognition and social le...

UK burden of injury is 2.6 times higher than previously thought

A study published in PLOS Medicine estimated that the absolute burden of injury in the UK is much higher than previously estimated, with 1,771,486 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to injury in 2005. The majority of injuries were unintentional, and home was the most frequent location of injury.

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.

Computer simulations shed light on the physics of rainbows

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new method for simulating rainbows, including primary, secondary, and twinned rainbows, using improved models of light interaction with water drops. The study provides an almost complete picture of how rainbows form, shedding new light on their physics.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Random noise helps make signals clearer

A new model shows that stochastic resonance occurs when the potential has sufficiently steep walls, but breaks down otherwise. This phenomenon could contribute to improving image resolution and understanding of biological systems.

Stem cell research in the UK reaches significant milestone

Researchers at King's College London have made a breakthrough in developing xeno-free human embryonic stem cell lines that are suitable for public benefit. The lines will be grown and processed by the UKSCB to provide stem cell stocks for clinical research and treatment.

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.

NASA's TRMM satellite sees the power in Tropical Storm Alenga

Tropical Storm Alenga formed in the Indian Ocean, with NASA's TRMM satellite capturing heavy rainfall rates over 50 mm per hour. The storm is expected to intensify before weakening again as it becomes an extra-tropical storm, moving into a hostile environment.

Olympic success: Intangible benefits worth up to $3.4 billion

A new study reveals Canadians are willing to pay up to $3.4 billion for Olympic success, with intangible benefits vastly outweighing operating costs. The 'Own the Podium' program's benefits were estimated using a nationally representative survey of Canadians.

Most US presidents live beyond average life expectancy

A study by University of Illinois at Chicago demographer S. Jay Olshansky found that most US presidents live longer than expected for men of their same age and era. On average, a president's lifespan was 79.8 years during the first eight presidencies

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.

Scientists discover how brain corrects bumps to body

Researchers identified the primary motor cortex as the key brain area responsible for correcting movement after external knocks, which may help explain why some stroke patients improve while others remain uncoordinated. This finding could support first-stage sensory rehabilitation to rebuild pathways and improve movement skills.

Nervous system activity may predict successful weight loss

A recent study found that resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is a significant independent predictor of weight-loss outcome in overweight or obese subjects. Successful weight losers demonstrated large increases in nerve activity following a carbohydrate test meal.

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.

Researchers find confidence is key to women's spatial skills

Researchers found that boosting a woman's confidence makes her better at spatial tasks like parking and map-reading. A study by the University of Warwick discovered that confidence levels play a key role in women's ability to perform these tasks, suggesting skills can come more easily if a woman feels good about herself.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Parents' views sought on childhood obesity risk

A new UK website aims to raise awareness about childhood obesity prevention and gather parents' opinions on identifying at-risk babies. Research found that healthcare professionals, particularly GPs, need more training on early signs of obesity and providing advice on feeding habits.

Giant super-earths made of diamond are possible

Researchers at Ohio State University found that carbon-rich planets could form with a core and mantle, but these cores would be very carbon-rich and mantles dominated by diamond. This means no geothermal energy, plate tectonics, or magnetic field on such planets.

Ancient dry spells offer clues about the future of drought

New research suggests ancient Meso-American civilizations amplified droughts by clearing rainforests, leading to significant precipitation decline. Ancient dry spells also occurred in the Northeast, with major droughts lasting up to 500 years, hinting at a potential future of severe water shortages.

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.

Dust storms affect subsequent emergency hospital admissions

A new study found that dust storms significantly increase the risk of hospital illnesses for respiratory illness, especially in patients with COPD. The study showed a 5% increase in risk 2 days after a dust storm episode, highlighting the need for timely warnings to avoid air pollution exposure.

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.

Can companies, political groups or organizations have a single mind?

A study by Adam Waytz and Liane Young found that people judge groups as having a collective mind, while attributing individual minds to their members. This 'trade off' affects judgments of responsibility, blame, and moral judgment. The research explores the consequences of this attribution for both groups and individuals.

A more ethical way to compare epilepsy treatments

A new research methodology demonstrates that converting patients from one anti-epileptic drug to another is well-tolerated, effective and safe. The study shows that using historical control groups instead of traditional control groups can address ethical concerns in clinical trials.

Concerns about teen sexting overblown, according to new UNH research

Two UNH studies found that only 2.5% of youth surveyed participated in sexting in the past year, and most cases involving teens were handled thoughtfully by law enforcement without treating them like sex offenders. The studies also revealed that images rarely circulated online, with two-thirds staying on cell phones.

When the heat's on, fish can cope

Researchers discovered that some tropical fish can adjust to higher sea temperatures by transmitting information between generations. This allows them to cope with elevated water temperatures, but may have penalties such as smaller offspring and reduced reproduction rates.

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.

Old recipe making a come back

Baltic scientists have reinvented the centuries-old sourdough bread-making technique, which was used in ancient times, to meet the needs of the modern food industry. The project FERMFOOD found ways to deliver a better flavor, texture and longer shelf life while maintaining dietary fiber and reducing additives.

Defensive measures: Toward a vaccine for Ebola

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a plant-derived vaccine for Ebola that provided strong immunological protection in a mouse model. The vaccine uses a DNA blueprint to convert tobacco plants into living pharmaceutical factories, producing a vaccine molecule that can be easily purified and administered.

Tiny genetic variation can predict ovarian cancer outcome

A tiny genetic variation in the KRAS oncogene can predict ovarian cancer outcomes and response to treatment, with women carrying the variant being three times more resistant to standard chemotherapy. The biomarker also increases the risk of poor outcomes in other types of cancer.

'Double tsunami' doubled Japan destruction

Researchers found that a 'merging tsunami' doubled in intensity over rugged ocean ridges, amplifying its destructive power before reaching shore. This discovery helps explain how tsunamis can cross ocean basins to cause massive destruction at some locations while leaving others unscathed.

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.