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Science News Archive February 2011


Page 14 of 25

World phosphorous use crosses critical threshold

The world's phosphorous stocks are depleting rapidly, posing a risk of global shortages within the next 20 years. Excess phosphorous from fertilizer use is causing widespread eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human water quality.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Gene that regulates immune system linked to preeclampsia

Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a gene associated with the immune system that is overexpressed in placentas of women with preeclampsia, leading to a better understanding of the disorder. The finding may lead to improved screening and prenatal care for these patients and their babies.

Playtime helps bind generations

A new study from Concordia University and Wilfrid Laurier University confirms that shared leisure time between grandparents and their adult grandchildren is key to forming strong intergenerational relationships. This common activity allows for knowledge sharing, mutual understanding, and the development of empathy.

Culling can't control deadly bat disease

A mathematical model suggests culling will not control the spread of white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus threatening North American hibernating bats. The fungal pathogen occurs in caves and mines where bats live, making contact rates high among colonial bats.

Choosing your neighbors: MBL scientists see how microbes relate in space

A new microscopy technique developed at MBL allows scientists to see the spatial arrangement of up to 28 differently labeled microbes in a single field of view. This technique, called CLASI-FISH, reveals the spatial structure of microbial communities and enables faster and more accurate diagnosis of microbes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Obesity takes heavy toll on knee arthritis

New research reveals obesity significantly impacts knee pain and function, but also improves with weight loss via bariatric surgery. Studies find increased risk of complications after hip and knee replacement surgery for super-obese patients, emphasizing the importance of weight management in treating knee arthritis.

A hunk of a target for treating breast cancer

A study found that protein Hunk plays a key role in the formation of HER2-driven tumors, suggesting it as a potential target for treatment. Inhibiting Hunk may provide a new approach to treating HER2-positive breast cancer.

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 14, 2011

Researchers identify Hunk as a key protein required for HER2/neu-induced mammary tumorigenesis, potentially leading to new treatments for aggressive breast cancer. A new compound, ABT-737, sensitizes human cancer cells to apoptosis in hypoxic regions, offering a potential combination therapy for solid tumors.

The UK is a nation of happy couples

A recent study found that couples who are educated to degree level, have no children, and have been together for less than five years tend to be the happiest. Factors such as age, gender, and employment status also play a significant role in determining relationship happiness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Red wine compound increases anti-tumor effect of rapamycin

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute found that combining resveratrol with rapamycin suppresses tumor growth in breast cancer cells. Resveratrol, a compound in red wine, mitigates rapamycin-induced resistance and promotes anti-tumor activity.

NIH study finds 2 pesticides associated with Parkinson's disease

Researchers discovered a strong link between the use of pesticides rotenone and paraquat and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study found that people who used these pesticides developed the disease around 2.5 times more often than non-users.

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.

Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect

Scientists have discovered that lavender oil has a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections. The essential oil was found to be lethal to dermatophytes and various species of Candida, making it a promising alternative to existing treatments.

Early signs of heart disease in preadolescent children with type 1 diabetes

Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin found that children with type 1 diabetes often develop early cardiovascular disease before puberty, characterized by stiffer blood vessels and vascular inflammation. The study highlights the need for long-term studies to monitor the progression of these changes in young patients.

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.

Total cooperation among people is not viable

Researchers found that people can be categorized into different types based on their cooperation behavior, with around 5% always helping, 35% never helping, and 60% cooperating depending on circumstances. The study suggests that economic incentives are not the primary driver of cooperation, but rather individual motivations and behaviors.

Estrogen reduces aggression in breast cancer

Researchers found that oestrogen can reduce the proportion of breast cancer stem cells, explaining a better prognosis for tumours expressing the oestrogen receptor. This study presents new insights into oestrogen's effect on cancer stem cells and opens doors to developing tools for preventing breast cancer.

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.

Boston Medical Center's CARE Unit receives additional NIH funding

The Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit at Boston University School of Medicine has received $1,886,087 in NIH funding. The grant aims to educate physicians-in-training on substance use screening, assessment, and treatment research, addressing a notable shortage of experts in addiction medicine.

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.

Earliest humans not so different from us, research suggests

A recent study challenges the long-held assumption that early humans were significantly different from modern humans. Archaeologist John Shea found no single behavioral revolution in human evolution, but rather wide variability in toolmaking strategies over time. This research has significant implications for understanding human behavi...

Ancient Mesoamerican sculpture uncovered in southern Mexico

The newly discovered stone monument features a central figure with an elaborate headdress and ornate accessories, dating back to the Early Formative period. The sculpture's design suggests a connection between corn cultivation and religion, supporting the idea of an early association between the two.

Pay attention! Many consumers believe 36 months is longer than 3 years

A study by Mario Pandelaere and colleagues found that consumers tend to perceive larger differences between ratings with higher numbers, not necessarily because of actual quantity. For instance, a 7-year warranty might seem more desirable than an 8-month one due to the arbitrary nature of unit representation.

Tuberculosis in Nunavut: a century of failure

A recent outbreak of tuberculosis in Nunavut, with a population infection rate 62 times the Canadian average, underscores the need for rebuilding trust in public health. The territory's historical legacy of mistreating patients and lack of consistent screening measures have hindered control efforts.

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.

X-rays show why van Gogh paintings lose their shine

Scientists have identified a complex chemical reaction responsible for the degradation of Van Gogh's paintings, which involves the reduction of chromium in chrome yellow pigment. The study suggests that shielding affected paintings from UV and sunlight can help slow down the fading process.

Quest for designer bacteria uncovers a 'Spy'

Scientists discovered a molecular assistant called Spy that helps bacteria produce stable, functional proteins. The 'spy' helper aids in protein refolding and protects unstable proteins from degradation.

Why are vines overtaking the American tropics?

Research finds vines are outcompeting trees in tropical forests across the Americas, posing a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services. This shift has significant implications for climate models, business models relying on tree growth data, and human communities dependent on these forests.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Acid oceans demand greater reef care

A new study finds that coral reefs are more vulnerable to weakening due to ocean acidification and global warming, especially in developing countries. Effective local management efforts can help maintain coral resilience while carbon emissions are stabilized.

Scripps Research study sheds light on RNA 'on/off switches'

Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have discovered a new type of RNA molecule, called riboswitches, that can turn genes on or off in response to cellular energy needs. These findings may have implications for designing new antibiotics against harmful bacteria.

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.

Partnership of genes affects the brain's development

Scientists have discovered a genetic partnership between two proteins that enables nerve cells to connect correctly in the brain. The study suggests that similar mechanisms may play a role in human brain development and could lead to new therapies for developmental disorders.

Mummies' false toes helped ancient Egyptians walk

Researchers recreated ancient Egyptian artificial toes and tested them on volunteers, finding they could help with walking. The toes date from before 600BC, predating the Roman Capula Leg as the earliest known practical prosthesis.

Eating berries may lower risk of Parkinson's

A study published in Neurology found that men who eat berries regularly have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins from berries, were associated with a reduced risk in both men and women.

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.

Gonorrhea acquires a piece of human DNA

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered the first evidence of a human DNA fragment in a bacterial genome, specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This finding offers insight into the bacterium's ability to adapt to its human host and could lead to new strains of the disease.

A guide star lets scientists see deep into human tissue

Scientists can now focus light to a controllable position within tissue, overcoming the challenges of scattering in biological tissues. This breakthrough technology uses an ultrasound guide star and time-reversal mirror to create high-resolution images of objects within tissue.

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.

UCLA Neurology plays key role in assessing stroke rehabilitation

The UCLA Neurology program played a key role in assessing stroke rehabilitation, finding that patients who received physical therapy at home improved their walking ability comparable to those treated in a clinic. Early locomotor training did not seem to matter, with all groups showing similar gains in walking speed and mobility.

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.

Pheromone increases foraging honey bees, leads to healthier hives

A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that applying a naturally occurring pheromone to honey bee test colonies increased colony growth and led to healthier hives. The optimal dose of brood pheromone stimulates foragers to collect more pollen, supporting better nutrition within the colony.

Severely obese women may need to gain less weight during pregnancy

A new study suggests that severely obese women may not need to gain as much weight during pregnancy as current guidelines recommend, without undesirable outcomes. In contrast, obese and non-obese women who gained less weight suffered adverse outcomes, including a higher likelihood of delivering a small-for-gestational-age baby.

Arctic climate variation under ancient greenhouse conditions

Researchers reconstructed Arctic ocean conditions during Late Cretaceous greenhouse periods, finding periodicities matching modern Arctic climate influences. The findings suggest that natural modes of climate variability, such as ENSO and AO/NAO, may remain unchanged under global warming.

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.