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Science News Archive December 2011


Page 22 of 23

Virginia Tech's Rylander wins national biomedical engineering award

Marissa Rylander, a Virginia Tech associate professor, has received the Y.C. Fung Young Investigator Award for her novel research combining nanotechnology, laser therapy, and dynamic imaging to study tumor progression and develop cancer treatments. Her patented 'holey scaffold' device allows for minimally invasive sensing of biological...

Drop in carbon dioxide levels led to polar ice sheet, study finds

A recent study found that a drop in carbon dioxide led to the Antarctic ice sheet's formation, with levels below 600 parts per million triggering cooling and ice sheet initiation. The team pinpointed this threshold in ancient algae samples from deep-sea cores, suggesting carbon dioxide's importance in past and future climate.

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.

HIV uncertainty pushes Malawians to want children earlier

In Malawi, people with uncertain HIV status are more eager to start families than those who know their status. Researchers found that uncertainty about HIV accelerates childbearing in the country due to cultural factors and the desire for a longer life. The study used an innovative method to measure personal uncertainty, where particip...

Swiss scientists prove durability of quantum network

Researchers demonstrate longest-ever deployment of a quantum key distribution network, showing its robustness and reliability when coupled with real-time telecommunications. The SwissQuantum network ran for over 21 months, outperforming traditional encryption methods.

NASA satellite confirms sharp decline in pollution from US coal power plants

Satellite observations confirm a nearly 40% decline in sulfur dioxide emissions from coal power plants since 2005, with a significant reduction in acid rain and health problems. The Clean Air Interstate Rule implemented in 2005 is credited for the decline, with desulfurization devices and pollution credits contributing to the reduction.

Seismology tip sheet for Dec. 2011: BSSA

Scientists have developed procedures to determine earthquake source information for smaller earthquakes in central and eastern North America. This improved catalog provides detailed information on faulting styles and geometry for these regions, contributing to assessing seismic hazards and constraining ground motion.

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.

New 'Achilles' heel' in breast cancer: Tumor cell mitochondria

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University identified breast cancer cell mitochondria as a key target for therapy, showing that off-patent generic drug Metformin can prevent tumor growth and chemotherapy resistance. The study's findings suggest that targeting mitochondrial metabolism could be exploited in personalized cancer medicine.

New insights come from tracing cells that scar lungs

A team of researchers from Duke University Medical Center used genetic lineage tracing to study the origin of fibrotic cells in lung tissue. They found that pericytes, a previously unknown population of cells, are present in fibrotic areas and may play a role in the scarring process.

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.

Serendipitous news reading online is gaining prominence, MU study shows

Internet users often discover news while searching for unrelated information or engaging in social networking activities. Researchers found three contexts where respondents experience incidental exposure to online news: visiting news sites, checking email and social media, or conducting normal internet searches.

New insights into responses of Yellowstone wolves to environmental changes

A study of Yellowstone wolves has improved predictions of how these animals will respond to environmental changes. The research used a new model to compare data on wolf characteristics to environmental conditions, revealing that changes in mean environment conditions impact wolf population size more than variability.

Language may be dominant social marker for young children

Researchers found that for younger white children, language plays a dominant role in defining a person's identity, often surpassing race. In contrast, older white and African American children prioritize racial identity. This study sheds light on the development of social categorization in young children.

Where does my beer come from?

Researchers at the University of Seville have developed a technique to identify beer origins using chemical patterns, distinguishing between German, Spanish and Portuguese beers with high accuracy. The model is based on variables such as aluminium, iron, and polyphenol content, providing valuable insights for the food industry.

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 surface mutation protects against common type of malaria

A mutation on the surface of human red blood cells provides protection against malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax. Research found that the parasite binds less easily to cells expressing a specific variant of the Duffy blood group antigen, reducing the risk of infection.

Plunge in CO2 put the freeze on Antarctica

A recent study found that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels plummeted by 40% before and during the formation of Antarctica's ice sheet 34 million years ago. This confirms the power of CO2 to dramatically alter global climate, with significant falls in the greenhouse gas resulting in global cooling.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Violent video games alter brain function in young men

A study by Indiana University researchers found that playing violent video games for a week can lead to changes in the brain's frontal regions associated with emotion and aggressive behavior. The study, which followed 28 healthy adult males, showed reduced activation in these areas after one week of gameplay.

Studies of patients with cirrhosis uncover limitations in liver cancer screening

Recent studies have uncovered significant limitations in liver cancer screening for patients with cirrhosis, emphasizing the need for enhanced diagnostic procedures. Most patients with cirrhosis prefer surveillance over non-screening, and ultrasonographic screening at different intervals did not improve detection of small liver cancers.

Parental controls on embryonic development?

A recent study published in Developmental Cell suggests that the reach of parental control in embryonic development may be longer than thought. The research found evidence that genetic marks from sperm can be passed on to embryos, influencing gene expression later in development.

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.

Tumor-targeting compound points the way to new personalized cancer treatments

Researchers have developed a new tumor-targeting compound called PU-H71 that can reveal the complete set of aberrant signaling pathways driving cancers in individual patients. This breakthrough method uses the compound to identify abnormal proteins bound to heat shock protein 90, which are crucial for cancer cell growth and survival.

Health gap has grown among young US adults, study finds

A new study by the American Sociological Association found that health disparities among young US adults have grown substantially since 1980. The study suggests that as younger generations grow older and replace previous cohorts, the gap between healthy and unhealthy individuals will continue to widen.

Study debunks 6 myths about electricity in the South

A new study by Duke University and Georgia Tech researchers found that energy efficiency and renewable energy can work together to meet projected growth in the South. The study debunks six common myths about clean energy, including those that claim it cannot meet demand or will increase electricity rates.

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.

Outsiders on the front lines

A new study highlights the perspectives of 20 Israeli women soldiers who've served in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, introducing new themes into women's discourse of protest. The research shows that military service can be a source of symbolic capital for women to legitimize criticism of the military and its actions.

Health gap has grown among young US adults, study finds

Research reveals a growing health disparity among US young adults born since 1980, peaking at middle age before declining in old age. The study attributes the widening gap to factors like income inequality, obesity crisis, and digital divide, which are expected to worsen as younger generations replace older cohorts.

New study finds timely acute care could cut the cost of stroke cost

A new study published in Age and Ageing found that timely acute care immediately after a stroke can significantly reduce the level of disability in survivors, as well as the need for long-term care. The study estimated the total cost of stroke and TIA in Ireland to be €500-€816 million in 2007.

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.

Wastewater system generates energy, produces drinking water

A portable, self-sustaining wastewater treatment system is being developed to reduce the cost of water and fuel for military bases on or near the front lines. The integrated system uses solar power, biological conversion processes, and nano-filtration to break down wastewater and produce methane fuel and drinking water.

Vaccine targeting latent TB enters clinical testing

A new TB vaccine candidate has entered Phase I clinical trials in South Africa to assess its safety and immunogenicity in latently infected adults. The vaccine, SSI H56-IC31, has shown efficacy in pre-clinical studies and holds promise for preventing active TB disease in a vast population.

Salads you can trust -- safe farm practices get major test

A major national initiative aims to create scientific guidelines for safe farming, packing, and storing of fresh produce. The UMD-led project will analyze data from over 200,000 tests to measure pathogen presence in produce, irrigation waters, fertilizers, and transport facilities.

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.

Study: Working moms multitask more and have worse time doing so than dads

A new study reveals that working mothers spend more time multitasking (48.3 hours/week) compared to working fathers (38.9 hours/week). However, the quality of their multitasking experience is significantly different, with working mothers reporting negative emotions and stress when multitasking at home or in public.

Aggression prevents the better part of valor ... in fig wasps

A study of over 60,000 individual fig flowers found that male pollinator fig wasps work together to chew escape tunnels for their females, increasing escape rates. In contrast, non-pollinating parasitic fig wasps, which are driven by aggression, fail to cooperate and have lower success rates.

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.

Vegetables, fruits, grains reduce stroke risk in women

A Swedish study found that antioxidant-rich diets, particularly those high in fruits and vegetables, lower stroke risk in women with and without a history of cardiovascular disease. The study's findings suggest that increasing consumption of such foods may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, key factors in stroke development.

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.

Rise of atmospheric oxygen more complicated than previously thought

The appearance of oxygen in the atmosphere likely occurred through a series of starts and stops over hundreds of millions of years, according to a new study. Oxygen levels gradually rose from 2,500 million years ago, eventually reaching about 1 percent of today's atmospheric level.

Moral dilemma: Would you kill 1 person to save 5?

A study by Michigan State University researchers found that 90% of participants would reroute a runaway boxcar onto tracks with only one person, overriding the moral rule not to kill. The experiment explored how people come to their moral judgments and whether behavior follows suit.

Vaccination with a 1-2 punch effective against TB

Researchers developed a new TB vaccine H56 that reduces clinical disease and prevents reactivation of latent infection when combined with BCG, a current but ineffective vaccine. This breakthrough could lead to improved protection against TB.

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.

Autism Speaks launches 'Visual Supports' tool kit

The new tool kit provides valuable guidance on utilizing pictures and visual supports to facilitate daily communication, social interactions, and adaptation to new situations. It has been found to decrease challenging behaviors and increase compliance and independence in families who use it.

A vaccination against social prejudice

A new study published in Psychological Science found that vaccination and hand washing can reduce bias against stigmatized groups, including immigrants and the obese. The researchers conducted three experiments, which showed that people who felt secure through these measures exhibited less prejudice towards out-groups.

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.