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Science News for December 23, 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.

Cleveland Clinic researcher discovers genetic cause of thyroid cancer

Researchers found three genes linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer, including PTEN, which is a tumor suppressor gene. The study recommends increased surveillance for children with PTEN mutation-causing Cowden syndrome-related disease.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateDec 23, 2011

Pions don't want to decay into faster-than-light neutrinos, study finds

Researchers found that pion decays would produce superluminal neutrinos only if energy and momentum were conserved. However, the OPERA experiment's results cannot be replicated under current physics. The creation of high-energy neutrinos is also supported by observations from IceCube.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 23, 2011

Researchers evaluate conservation of island bird species in the context of climate change

A new study proposes four proactive management options for conservation of island bird species, including captive propagation and vaccination against diseases enhanced by climate change. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance highlights the importance of acting now to prevent long-term survival challenges faced by the island scrub-jay.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalBioScience·DateDec 23, 2011

Millipede border control better than ours

A mysterious line dividing two millipede species in northwest Tasmania reveals a 'border control' mechanism that surpasses human capabilities. The boundary is approximately 230 km long and meets at only one point, with the millipedes rarely entering each other's territory.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateDec 23, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Go to work on a Christmas card

Researchers at Imperial College London found that UK's discarded wrapping paper and Christmas cards can be turned into high-grade biofuel, powering vehicles with lower greenhouse gas emissions. The study suggests that using this technology could provide a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

SourceImperial College London·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateDec 23, 2011

What are emotion expressions for?

The study suggests that facial expressions evolved as a physiological response to threats, but also took on social roles in human evolution. The authors propose the concept of 'exaptation' and 'ritualization,' where original functions changed over time to become social signals.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateDec 23, 2011