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Science News for February 25, 2011


New study shows marine 'networks' can protect fish stocks

Researchers show strong links between South China Sea, West Pacific, and Coral Triangle preserve diversity and resilience of coral reefs. The region's natural resources are closely interconnected, highlighting the need for collective action to protect them.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateFeb 25, 2011

Quick, easy test identifies aggressive type of lung cancer in never-smokers

A new test identifying aggressive lung cancer sub-type in never-smokers may help doctors select the most appropriate therapies. The study found that tumors expressing a protein product called anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are more common in this group, increasing disease progression risk.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalLung Cancer·DateFeb 25, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Floating solar panels

The AQUASUN project develops a new paradigm in energy production by floating solar panels on water, reducing the need for land-based installations. The technology combines solar cells with a cooling system using water to increase efficiency and reduce costs, while maintaining environmental sustainability.

SourceEUREKA·DateFeb 25, 2011
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.

Successful tech transfer leads to more Hawaiian exports

USDA scientists have successfully applied generic irradiation protocols to control quarantine insect pests on fresh commodities, enabling easier and less costly exports of tropical fruits and vegetables from Hawaii. This technology has also been adopted by several countries, including Mexico, India, and Thailand.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateFeb 25, 2011

Storytelling program improves lives of people with Alzheimer's

Researchers found that TimeSlips improves communication skills and positive affect in persons with dementia, promoting rich social interactions and meaningful activities. The program is an easy and affordable activity for long-term care facilities to implement, offering a stimulating alternative to typical activities.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNursing Research·DateFeb 25, 2011

Air Force-funded researcher investigates new material grown from sugar

Researchers have developed a method to create pristine sheets of graphene from regular table sugar, offering potential for lighter, faster and cheaper computer electronics. The technique allows for control over the film's thickness and opens up possibilities for doped graphene applications in various fields.

SourceAir Force Office of Scientific Research·DateFeb 25, 2011

HIV makes protein that may help virus's resurgence

Researchers have identified a protein produced by HIV-1 that drives infected cells out of dormancy and into the cell cycle. This finding sheds light on how HIV reactivates after entering a dormant state and may lead to new treatments for people with HIV infection.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalBlood·DateFeb 25, 2011
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Tweeting teenage songbirds reveal impact of social cues on learning

In a groundbreaking study, teenage male songbirds were found to significantly improve their singing in the presence of females, demonstrating the impact of social cues on learning. This finding has important implications for understanding human language acquisition and motor skill development.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2011

Mission to extra-solar planets approved

The European Space Agency has approved a £400 million mission to study extra-solar planets, led by UCL, to look for signs of life in nearby star systems. The Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory (EChO) will use a 1.2 meter telescope to analyze the atmospheres of habitable planets and search for biomarkers.

SourceUniversity College London·DateFeb 25, 2011

Listening to music is biological

Researchers studied 437 family members aged 8-93, finding a strong link between active music listening, creativity, and genetic variations associated with AVPR1A gene. The study provides molecular evidence of sound's role in social communication and attachment behavior.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Human Genetics·DateFeb 25, 2011

4 faculty receive WUN support for global research partnerships

Four Penn State faculty have been selected to participate in collaborative projects with international partners on various topics, including ocean acidification, earth surface sedimentary flow processes, climate change adaptation, and public health. The partnerships aim to address global issues and promote interdisciplinary research.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 25, 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.

Happy children make happy adults

A new study found that teenagers rated positively by their teachers had higher levels of well-being later in life, including higher work satisfaction and more frequent social activities. Happy children were also less likely to develop mental disorders throughout their lives.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Journal of Positive Psychology·DateFeb 25, 2011

Planning and visualization lead to better food habits

A study published in Psychology and Health found that making a concrete plan and visualizing its execution leads to better food habits. Students who combined planning with visualization increased their fruit consumption twice as much as those who only planned.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPsychology and Health·DateFeb 25, 2011

Hashimoto's thyroiditis can affect quality of life

Researchers found that Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms persist even when thyroid function is normal, affecting quality of life. Women with higher levels of anti-thyroid antibodies experienced more symptoms.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThyroid·DateFeb 25, 2011
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.

Viral infection not responsible for exacerbation of lung disease in most patients

Researchers found no evidence of viral infection causing acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in most patients. Instead, torque teno virus (TTV) was detected in lung fluid samples from a small percentage of IPF patients, suggesting it may be a marker of lung injury rather than a cause.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 25, 2011

Study examines recurrent wound botulism in injection drug users

A new study examines recurrent wound botulism among injection drug users in California, finding that nearly three-quarters of reported cases are linked to this condition. The study highlights the risk of repeated cases despite potentially developing protective immunity against botulism.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 25, 2011

Protein and microRNA block cellular transition vital to metastasis

A newly discovered activity of the p53 gene activates microRNA miR-200c to reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells. The study offers a potential therapeutic strategy for targeting tumor-initiating cells with stem cell characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateFeb 25, 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.

Brain imaging provides window into consciousness

Researchers use fMRI to probe for higher-level cognitive functioning in severely brain-injured patients, finding a wide variation in response capabilities. The study suggests that no bedside exam can accurately assess cognitive function in these patients, highlighting the need for further exploration and understanding.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalBrain·DateFeb 25, 2011

Scientists find increase in microearthquakes after Chilean quake

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found a statistically significant increase in microearthquakes after the Chilean earthquake in February. The study suggests that seismic waves from distant earthquakes can trigger events on the other side of the Earth, with secondary and tertiary waves playing a key role.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 25, 2011
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.

Direct electronic readout of 'artificial atoms'

Researchers have successfully performed energy-state occupancy readouts of artificial atoms using common computer interfaces, enabling the creation of quantum mechanical charge carriers. This breakthrough brings the technology one step closer to practical applications.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 25, 2011

Model for managing asthma in preschoolers leads to dramatic drop in ER visits and hospitalizations

A new asthma management program for preschoolers, developed by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, has shown dramatic results in reducing emergency room visits and hospitalizations. The program, which includes educational activities for parents and children, as well as training for healthcare providers, has led to a ...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateFeb 25, 2011

Heparin a key role player in allergy and inflammatory reactions

Researchers identified heparin as the underlying mechanism that initiates the production of bradykinin, contributing to swelling, anaphylactic, and inflammatory symptoms associated with aberrant mast cell activity. This discovery provides a new strategy for treating allergic diseases by blocking bradykinin or factor XII activity.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalImmunity·DateFeb 25, 2011

Arctic environment during an ancient bout of natural global warming

Scientists have unraveled the environmental changes in the Arctic during an ancient bout of natural global warming. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) led to a 15-metre succession of sediment representing a 170,000-year event, with sea level peaking about 13,000 years into the period.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 25, 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.

Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die

Researchers found alpha cells can harm beta cells through glutamate toxicity, leading to diabetes. A protective protein called GLT1 helps regulate glutamate levels and may offer a new diagnostic test or therapeutic target.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 25, 2011

Overfertilizing corn undermines ethanol

A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.

SourceRice University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 25, 2011
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.