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Science News for February 4, 2011


A loose grip provides better chemotherapy

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new chemotherapy method that targets cancer tumors more effectively by using gold nanoparticles to deliver an anti-cancer drug directly into the tumor. This approach allows for lower doses of toxic chemicals, reducing damage to healthy tissue.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 4, 2011

Working more than 20 hours a week in high school found harmful

A new study finds that working more than 20 hours a week in high school can lead to declines in school engagement, increases in problem behavior, and negligible effects on academics when working 20 hours or less per week. Researchers recommend monitoring and constraining work hours for enrolled students.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 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.

Recipe for family mealtimes calls for 3 ingredients in the right amounts

Research by University of Illinois scientist Barbara H. Fiese found that family mealtimes with three key ingredients - action, behavior control, and communication - can reduce asthma severity and increase quality of life in children. The study suggested specific guidelines for allocating time during mealtimes to each ingredient.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011

The brain knows what the nose smells, but how? Stanford researchers trace the answer

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new technique to trace neural connections in the brain, shedding light on how scent signals are processed. The study found that most nerve pathways heading to higher processing centers originated from one region of the olfactory bulb, explaining how mice direct their innate fear respo...

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateFeb 4, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Peripheral artery disease harder on women

Researchers found women with PAD lose ability to walk short distances and climb stairs sooner than men, despite having less calf muscle. Women are more likely to develop a mobility disability compared to men.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 4, 2011

Children's BMI found to rise the longer their mothers work

A new study found that children's body mass index (BMI) rises with the number of years their mothers worked, especially among children in grades 5 and 6. The researchers suggest that limited time for grocery shopping and food preparation may contribute to this link.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011

Host or foreign -- the body's frontline defense mechanism understood

A collaboration between researchers at the University of Helsinki has cracked the long-standing question of how the human immune system recognizes foreign structures. The key to unlocking this problem lies in the protein-based marking and destruction system called complement, which distinguishes between microbes and own structures.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2011

First stars in universe were not alone

Astrophysicists used computer simulations to find that the first stars could have formed alongside multiple companions. The simulations suggest that these companion stars were born when the gas disks surrounding the first star broke up, giving rise to sibling stars in fragments.

SourceHeidelberg University·JournalScience·DateFeb 4, 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.

Blood-clotting protein linked to cancer and septicemia

Scientists discovered how stressed cells boost thrombin production, a key blood-clotting factor, which may be taken advantage by cancer cells. This process could explain why cancer patients are more likely to suffer from blood clots and septicaemia.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 4, 2011

ParentCorps helps children do better in school

Researchers at NYU Child Study Center developed ParentCorps, a 13-session family series to improve parenting practices and reduce child behavior problems. The program helped parents select evidence-based strategies, leading to better classroom behavior and social-emotional competencies in children.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011

Smithsonian scientists discover 7 new species of fish

Scientists at Smithsonian Institution and Ocean Science Foundation used genetic analysis to identify 10 distinct species of blennies (Starksia) previously thought to be three. The discovery sheds light on the complexity of Caribbean reef life, with widespread species exhibiting geographically restricted ranges.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalZooKeys·DateFeb 4, 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.

Johns Hopkins researchers capture jumping genes

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a significant number of new insertions of retrotransposon insertion polymorphisms (RIPs) in the human genome, expanding our understanding of genetic diversity. The study highlights the importance of retrotransposons in shaping human traits and disease risks.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalGenome Research·DateFeb 4, 2011

Emergency detection systems for senior citizens

A new system developed by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft aims to provide constant companionship to elderly people living alone, identifying potential fall situations through multisensory nodes and adaptive software. The system learns an individual's daily activities and alerts trusted individuals in case of emergency.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateFeb 4, 2011

Review confirms benefits of outdoor exercise

A systematic review by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry has found that exercising outdoors improves mental well-being, with participants reporting greater feelings of revitalisation and positive engagement. However, further research is needed to fully understand the effects of outdoor exercise on physical well-being.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·DateFeb 4, 2011

Experimental blade research at Risoe DTU

The project develops a new experimental platform for testing wind turbine blades and introduces more realistic loading methods to improve design accuracy. New measuring techniques, including optical digital systems and acoustic emission, are also being developed.

SourceRisoe National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, the Technical University of Denmark·DateFeb 4, 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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New induced stem cells may unmask cancer at earliest stage

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully reprogrammed diseased blood cells into pluripotent stem cells, allowing for the observation of leukemia's onset in a laboratory dish. This breakthrough enables scientists to pinpoint the earliest stages of cancer development.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalBlood·DateFeb 4, 2011
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.

Family mealtimes play a role in health of children with asthma

A new study finds that family interactions during mealtime significantly impact the health of children with persistent asthma. Families who engage in meaningful conversations and turn off electronic devices report better health outcomes for their children.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011

Child care quality key for children from disadvantaged homes

A new study finds that children from difficult home and lower-quality child care experience more social-emotional problems. However, high-quality child care may help make up for these challenges by providing a safe emotional space to grow and learn.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011

HPV vaccine works for boys: Study shows first clear benefits

A new study led by UCSF found that the HPV vaccine can prevent 90 percent of genital warts in men when offered before exposure to the four HPV strains covered by the vaccine. The vaccine also showed a nearly 66 percent effectiveness rate in the general population of young men, regardless of prior exposure.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 4, 2011

Top Queen's scientist gets UK recognition

Professor Alan Stitt has received a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award to support his ground-breaking research on vascular stem cells and eye disease treatment at Queen's University. The award aims to retain top researchers in the UK and reflects the excellence of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·DateFeb 4, 2011

Discovery of jumping gene cluster tangles tree of life

A team of researchers at Vanderbilt University has discovered a large cluster of genes that appeared to jump directly from one fungus species to another, significantly strengthening the argument for a mosaic theory of evolution. The finding was made possible by comparing the genomes of nearly 100 species of fungi.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 4, 2011
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.

Social and emotional learning programs found to boost students' skills

A large-scale meta-analysis of school-based social and emotional learning programs found improved social and emotional skills, caring attitudes, and positive social behaviors in students. Students also performed better on achievement tests, with a 11-percentile-point gain in achievement.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011
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.

Tipping points -- the future of the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry is approaching a tipping point due to its lengthy and expensive regulatory system. Smarter regulation could provide the necessary flexibility to respond to new scientific discoveries, leading to more efficient development of innovative products.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateFeb 4, 2011

The quest for the ultimate blue cheese

Scientists at University of Nottingham investigate how microorganisms in blue cheese develop distinctive taste, texture, and smell. They aim to improve quality, consistency, and reduce defects in manufacturing process.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateFeb 4, 2011

Petrol stations pollute their immediate surroundings

Research from the University of Murcia found that petrol stations release airborne organic compounds, including benzene and n-hexane, which can be detected up to 100m away. The study recommends maintaining a minimum distance of 50m between petrol stations and housing.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateFeb 4, 2011

School-based child-parent center yields high economic benefits

A cost-benefit analysis of the Child-Parent Center program found significant economic benefits for disadvantaged children, including increased earnings and savings. The program resulted in higher rates of college attendance and employment in higher-skilled jobs, as well as lower rates of felony arrests and depression.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 4, 2011