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Science News Archive February 2011 - Page 18


Page 18 of 25

Delving into manganite conductivity

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding manganite conductivity by linking it to the Jahn-Teller effect. At ambient pressure, manganites exhibit insulating properties, but applying intense pressure causes them to transition to a metallic state, which conducts electric charges.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 9, 2011

AGU journal highlights -- Feb. 9, 2011

A new study suggests the Arctic Ocean ice may not reach a catastrophic tipping point due to climate change. Microearthquakes could help evaluate potential carbon sequestration sites by detecting fractures in rocks. This technique could pinpoint unknown fractures that could lead to long-term storage of carbon dioxide.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 9, 2011

Tobacco companies expand their epidemic of death

The tobacco industry is expanding its sales in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with Imperial Tobacco and Phillip Morris reporting increases in cigarette sales. The Lancet Editorial criticizes the companies' 'selling, addicting, and killing' business model, describing it as 'morally repugnant'.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateFeb 9, 2011

Challenges for biofuels: New life cycle assessment report from Energy Biosciences Institute

A new life cycle assessment report from the Energy Biosciences Institute identifies seven grand challenges for biofuels, including understanding farmers, feedstock options, and land use, as well as characterizing tailpipe emissions and their health consequences. The report aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the en...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateFeb 9, 2011

Everolimus improves progression-free survival for patients with rare pancreatic cancer

A Phase III trial found that everolimus significantly improved progression-free survival for patients with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, reducing the risk by 65% and increasing median progression-free survival by over six months. Common side effects include stomatitis, rash, diarrhea, fatigue, and infections.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 9, 2011

Understanding patterns of seafloor biomass

A comprehensive database analysis found a strong positive relationship between surface production and organic matter export, driving predicted patterns of seafloor biomass. Seafloor biomass is highest around the poles and equator due to nutrient-rich upwelling waters, while central abyssal plains exhibit consistently low values.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 9, 2011

Detecting pathogens in waterways: An improved approach

A team of USDA scientists has developed a new approach to detecting pathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella bacteria in waterways, achieving lower detection levels than previous methods. The process uses a combination of techniques, including filtration, biochemical testing, and polymerase chain reaction technology, to identify even...

CeBIT 2011: Electronic fitness trainer

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS develop an electronic fitness trainer that collects data on user movements and breathing, providing personalized feedback and advice. The system aims to motivate users towards regular exercise and improve physical well-being, particularly for older adults.

Not just for raincoats

The study reveals a miniature version of the 'water hammer' effect, which causes pressure spikes in water droplets on textured surfaces. This insight could lead to the design of more effective superhydrophobic surfaces for various applications, including energy efficiency improvements.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 8, 2011

In February journal, UC and industry researchers predict future of electronic devices

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and industry experts predict a range of exciting new electronic devices in the near term and beyond. These include color e-readers with high-speed functionality, electronic shelf labels that can be updated in seconds, and flexible screens for new applications like signage and Glow Boards.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of the Society for Information Display·DateFeb 8, 2011

Lower mental health co-pays do not help seniors seek care

A new study published in Medical Care found that even steep reductions in co-pays for outpatient mental health care do not motivate more seniors to seek care. Despite parity legislation and reduced co-pays, participation in mental health services remained unchanged, except for black seniors who saw a slight increase.

SourceBrown University·JournalMedical Care·DateFeb 8, 2011

Figuring out fetal alcohol syndrome in fruit flies

Researchers used fruit flies to study fetal alcohol syndrome, finding that prenatal alcohol exposure can cause developmental problems such as intellectual disabilities and abnormal facial features. The study establishes a new model system for studying FAS, which may lead to the development of new therapies.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·DateFeb 8, 2011

Turning off stress

The study found that three urocortin proteins play a central role in regulating stress responses and shutting down the stress response. Genetically engineered mice lacking these proteins showed impaired recovery from stress, highlighting their importance in returning to normal behavior.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2011

NRL researchers view the sun in 3-D

The STEREO spacecraft provide a 360-degree view of the Sun, allowing NRL researchers to map its entire atmosphere continuously. This capability enables them to study the solar corona and inner heliosphere in unprecedented detail, shedding light on the evolution and structure of the solar atmosphere.

The great tonsil dilemma

A new University of Michigan study suggests that routine analysis of pediatric tonsillectomy specimens may not be worth the money. The analysis rarely leads to the discovery of hidden disease. Pathologists examine tonsillectomy specimens in two ways, but microscopic examination is nearly three times more expensive than visual inspectio...

Childhood cancer research in danger

Despite significant improvements in childhood cancer survival rates, research funding is inadequate and collaboration among countries is limited. The report calls for increased EU funding to support a Europe-wide clinical trials network and the creation of a European Childhood Cancer Epidemiological Registry.

SourceECCO-the European CanCer Organisation·Journalecancermedicalscience·DateFeb 8, 2011

The international digital divide

The study maps global digital divide tiers, revealing four tiers of countries based on ICT access. Developed nations dominate the top tier, while African nations account for most of the lowest tier, indicating significant disparities in computer use and internet access.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Information Systems·DateFeb 8, 2011

Major step taken toward an open and shared digital brain atlasing framework

A new open digital brain atlasing framework, combining Waxholm Space and Digital Atlasing Infrastructure, facilitates the integration of genetic, anatomical, and functional imaging studies. This framework is expected to catalyze both basic and medical neuroscience research by linking genetic studies with large-scale brain structure and...

SourceINCF - International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateFeb 8, 2011