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Science News for December 27, 2011


Children don't give words special power to categorize their world

Researchers found that 4- to 5-year-old children do not use words to categorize objects in the world around them. Instead, they rely on more salient features like movement and shape. This challenges conventional thinking on how language affects cognition.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 27, 2011

More information on trial site investigators needed

The study emphasizes the importance of disclosing site investigators' recruitment performance to ensure transparency in multicentre clinical trials. By publishing this information, sponsors can provide insights into potential issues affecting recruitment, enabling a better understanding of treatment outcomes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 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.

To children (but not adults) a rose by any other name is still a rose

Researchers found that young children do not use category labels in the same way adults do, relying instead on the most distinctive feature of an object. This challenges long-held theories about how children mentally organize their world and has implications for teaching and communication with young children.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 27, 2011

Elderly can be as fast as young in some brain tasks, study shows

Research suggests that older adults can be trained to respond faster without compromising accuracy, indicating their cognitive skills are not as impaired as previously thought. In contrast, younger children exhibit slower response times and poorer accuracy compared to adults, improving with age. The study's findings challenge the preva...

SourceOhio State University·JournalChild Development·DateDec 27, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Another potential obstacle to developing an HIV vaccine

Researchers found that individuals with high numbers of Ad5-reactive T cells generated a weaker immune response to HIV vaccines. This finding may impact the efficacy of future vaccines using adenoviruses other than Ad5.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 27, 2011

A new theory emerges for where some fish became 4-limbed creatures

University of Oregon scientist Gregory J. Retallack finds evidence that transitional fossils between fish and amphibians lived in wooded floodplains, not deserts. The new theory suggests limbs and necks evolved to adapt to this habitat, allowing for feeding and navigating obstacles.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalThe Journal of Geology·DateDec 27, 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.

How obesity alters the brain area involved in body weight control

Research has found that obesity is associated with neuronal injury in the hypothalamus, a crucial brain region for regulating body weight. Additionally, turnover of nerve cells in this area is inhibited by obesity, indicating a significant impact on energy balance control.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 27, 2011

Weather deserves medal for clean air during 2008 Olympics

Scientists found that rain and wind contributed significantly to reducing pollution levels in Beijing during the 2008 Summer Olympics. Emission controls implemented by Chinese officials were complemented by natural factors, highlighting the importance of regional-scale controls to achieve long-term reductions.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateDec 27, 2011

Having epilepsy is not linked to committing violent crime

A large Swedish study found that having epilepsy is not directly linked to committing violent crime, contradicting common public opinion. However, individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury were more likely to commit violent crimes after diagnosis.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2011

Perception of inappropriate care frequent among ICU workers

A study of nurses and physicians in ICUs found that perceived inappropriateness of care was common, associated with inadequate decision sharing, communication, and job autonomy. The main reported reason for perceived inappropriateness of care was a mismatch between the level of care and the expected patient outcome.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateDec 27, 2011
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.

Badwater Basin: Death Valley microbe thrives there

Researchers have identified a new type of magnetic bacteria, BW-1, in Badwater Basin that can produce both greigite and magnetite. The discovery may lead to novel applications in drug delivery and medical imaging due to its unique properties.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateDec 27, 2011

Time for a change?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new calendar system that eliminates year-to-year changes, making timekeeping and financial calculations more predictable. The Hanke-Henry Permanent Calendar features a 91-day quarterly pattern, which simplifies interest calculations and reduces economic uncertainty.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalVerge Studies in Global Asias·DateDec 27, 2011

Childhood hypersensitivity linked to OCD

Researchers found a strong connection between compulsive tendencies and hypersensitivity in childhood, with ritualistic behaviors developing as a defence mechanism. A longitudinal study aims to better understand the connection between childhood sensitivities and adult OCD.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·DateDec 27, 2011
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.

JCI online early table of contents: Dec. 27, 2011

Researchers have identified a potential obstacle to developing an effective HIV vaccine: individuals with large numbers of immune cells responsive to the adenovirus used in the vaccine. Additionally, studies have found that obesity is associated with neuronal injury in the brain area crucial for body weight control and may inhibit nerv...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 27, 2011

Targeted blocking of cell death prevents fatal condition septic shock

A new study has discovered a way to prevent septic shock by blocking a specific form of cell death called necroptosis. The approach fully protects mice against the fatal inflammation, offering a potential new target for therapy. Researchers found that eliminating RIPK molecules led to full protection against sepsis.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalImmunity·DateDec 27, 2011

Members of small monkey groups more likely to fight

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that individual monkeys who avoid conflicts prevent large groups from achieving their competitive potential. By defecting, members of larger groups can gain an advantage when defending their territory but not when invading others.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 27, 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.

Oxidative DNA damage repair

The study reveals a DNA repair mechanism that can mitigate oxidative damage, which is linked to various diseases including cancer and Alzheimer's. This discovery holds promise for developing less invasive cancer therapies and early detection tests.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 27, 2011

Unhealthy eating: a new form of occupational hazard?

A new form of occupational hazard is emerging among shift workers, as unhealthy eating patterns exacerbate the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The authors suggest that workplaces must lead the way in eliminating this hazard by promoting healthier habits and making it easier to eat well.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 27, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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