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Science News Archive January 2011


Page 1 of 22

Dogs can accurately sniff out early stage bowel cancer

Research reveals dogs can detect specific odors in breath and stool samples with 95% accuracy for breath test and 98% accuracy for stool test. This method could lead to developing non-invasive tests for early stage bowel cancer detection.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalGut·DateJan 31, 2011

An Olympic gold medal costs a government $55 million

Researchers calculated the price of Olympic gold medals using a model that measures government expenditure in sport and other variables. The study found an inverse relation between the number of sackings and team results in football teams, with more sackings leading to worse results.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·DateJan 31, 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.

Researchers bust bat rabies stereotype

A study by University of Calgary researchers confirms bats are not as disease-ridden as thought, with only one percent of bats infected with rabies regardless of species or location. The study's findings challenge previous estimates and highlight the importance of bats' ecosystem services.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Wildlife Diseases·DateJan 31, 2011

Moderate aerobic exercise in older adults shown to improve memory

A new study led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that one year of moderate physical exercise can increase the size of the brain's hippocampus in older adults. The increased hippocampal size is associated with improved spatial memory function. The researchers also discovered a correlation between increased hippoca...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

The changing roles of 2 hemispheres in stroke recovery

A new study sheds light on the complex process of recovery from aphasia after a stroke, finding that inter-hemispheric coordination plays a crucial role. The research suggests that the involvement of both hemispheres in language functions is not as binary as previously thought.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateJan 31, 2011

Children's genetic potentials are subdued by poverty

A new study reveals that poverty's impact on children's cognitive abilities begins as early as 2 years old. Children from poorer families underperform in school and cognitive tasks compared to their wealthier peers, suggesting an environmental factor is suppressing their genetic potential. Further research aims to understand the specif...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 31, 2011
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.

A diagnostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Research reveals E2F5 is commonly overexpressed in primary human HCC and its knockdown profoundly represses cell growth. Overexpression may contribute to cancer transformation by inducing uncontrollable cell cycle progression.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJan 31, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Specific populations of gut bacteria linked to fatty liver

A new study links specific groups of gut bacteria to the development of fatty liver disease. The researchers found that certain bacterial populations correlated with increased fat in the liver during a restricted choline diet. These findings suggest that individual variations in gut bacteria may play a role in the disease, and could le...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJan 31, 2011

Morning after pill linked to increase in STIs, study shows

A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that areas with pharmacy emergency birth control schemes saw a five percent increase in STIs among teenagers and a 12 percent hike in under-16s. The study also suggests that EBC schemes may be associated with a small increase in teenage pregnancies.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Health Economics·DateJan 31, 2011

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians recommends limiting routine imaging for low back pain due to lack of evidence on its health benefits, recommending only in higher-risk patients. ACP aims to preserve high-value, high-quality care by controlling unsustainable healthcare costs.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 31, 2011
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Road may disrupt migration, ruin Serengeti, study finds

A new study by University of Guelph professor John Fryxell predicts that building a road through the park would cause a 35% reduction in wildebeest herds, as well as direct and indirect effects on other species and ecosystems. Fragmenting the landscape disrupts movement patterns and forage resources, threatening key ecological processes.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 31, 2011

Researchers discover signaling pathway crucial to acute lung injury

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a critical signaling pathway involved in acute lung injury (ALI), which causes 40% mortality with no approved therapy. The study identified HER2 as a promising target for therapy, building on existing breast-cancer medications.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 31, 2011

MIT: Understanding the autistic mind

High-functioning autistic adults tend to blame others for accidents, even if they had good intentions. This challenges the typical understanding of theory of mind and morality in autism.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011
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.

New classification of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

Researchers propose a new classification system for SOD based on anatomy, symptoms, endoscope tests, and radiological imaging. This four-type classification demonstrates significant advantages in guiding diagnosis and treatment in China compared to the conventional Milwaukee criteria.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateJan 31, 2011

Songbird's strategy for changing its tune could inform rehab efforts

Scientists found that songbirds learn to change their pitch by computing the average success of hundreds of performances, a strategy that could guide damaged nervous systems to recovery using simple instructive signals. This phenomenon explains how people learn subtle details like accents and facial cues.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 31, 2011

Hunt for dark matter closes in at Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider's CMS detector has conducted the first full run of experiments, producing energies similar to those present in the Universe's first instants. Researchers are optimistic about confirming or ruling out Supersymmetry as a solution for dark matter, which makes up approximately 25% of the universe's mass.

SourceImperial College London·DateJan 31, 2011

Free radicals in cornea may contribute to Fuchs dystrophy, most common cause of corneal transplants

Scientists have found that free radicals contribute to the damage in patients with Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy (FECD), a hereditary disease impacting nearly four percent of the population over age 60. The discovery holds promise for early and preventative treatments, such as a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and multivitamins.

SourceSchepens Eye Research Institute·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJan 31, 2011
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.

Pitt team grows arteries with most elastic protein reported, big step for living vascular grafts

Pitt researchers have successfully grown arteries with high elasticity using baboon smooth muscle cells, containing 20% of the protein elastin found in natural arteries. The process resembles how it would be used in a patient and has the potential to overcome a major barrier to creating living-tissue replacements for damaged arteries.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

The science of bike-sharing

The new bike-sharing system aims to reduce traffic congestion and alleviate parking shortages, promote fitness, and enable good complementary public transportation. Tel Aviv University's research provides a mathematical model to scientifically manage bike availability, creating a more efficient and user-friendly system.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateJan 31, 2011

Navigating the spheres of assisted death

Experts argue that Canada's assisted death laws should be linked to equal access to palliative care, highlighting a need to address the country's inequitable healthcare system. The Canadian Medical Association Journal commentary emphasizes the importance of optimized palliative care before considering legalization.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 31, 2011

Cells' energy factories linked to damaging inflammation

Scientists discovered that mitochondria, cell energy factories, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) causing uncontrolled inflammation in TRAPS. Blocking ROS may reduce inflammation in this disorder and possibly other inflammatory diseases.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJan 31, 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.

Novel immune system-based gene therapy induces strong responses in metastatic melanoma, sarcoma

A novel form of personalized therapy using genetically engineered anti-tumor immune cells shows promising results in treating metastatic melanoma and synovial cell sarcoma. The technique, called adoptive immunotherapy, resulted in response rates of 45% and 67% in malignant melanoma and synovial cell sarcoma patients, respectively.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 31, 2011

Newly discovered dinosaur likely father of Triceratops

A newly discovered species, Titanoceratops, has been identified as the earliest known member of its family, with an estimated weight of nearly 15,000 pounds and a massive eight-foot-long skull. The discovery suggests that the triceratopsian family evolved over five million years earlier than previously thought.

SourceYale University·JournalCretaceous Research·DateJan 31, 2011

New probiotic combats inflammatory bowel disease

A genetically tweaked probiotic has nearly eliminated colon inflammation in mice with colitis, halting disease progression by 95%. The novel probiotic strain may prove useful in colon cancer, another disease triggered by inflammation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 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.

Ocean fertilization summary for policymakers published

The first summary for policymakers on ocean fertilization reveals the chances of success are low, with only modest amounts of carbon dioxide removed over 100 years. The proposal involves adding iron or nutrients to stimulate growth of microscopic marine plants, which use CO2 to grow.

SourceInternational Geosphere-Biosphere Programme·DateJan 31, 2011

Ants' ecosystem role is 'key'

Research by the University of Exeter reveals that ants have a significant impact on their environment as ecosystem engineers and predators. The study found that ants can increase diversity and density of other animal groups at low densities, but higher densities counteract this effect through increased predation.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJan 31, 2011

High-spending hospitals may save more lives

A new study found that hospital spending is associated with lower death rates for patients with life-threatening conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, and pneumonia. High-spending hospitals had a 19% lower mortality rate compared to low-spending hospitals.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 31, 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.

Argentine ant genome sheds light on a successful pest

The Argentine ant's genome has been mapped, revealing key findings such as the species' keen senses of smell and taste, which may aid in developing targeted control methods. The genome also suggests that the ants have mechanisms to prevent disease, but caution is advised against expecting a quick fix.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

Analysis of bread mold genomes demos 'reverse-ecology' tool

Biologists at UC Berkeley have developed a new 'reverse-ecology' tool that analyzes genomes to identify an organism's adaptive traits. The study, using Neurospora crassa bread mold, found variations in two genome regions linked to natural selection and cold tolerance.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

Pakistan floods last summer could have been predicted

A new scientific study confirms that computer models at a European weather-forecasting center gave clear indications of the impending floods in Pakistan last July. The researchers found that if the information had been processed, forecasters could have predicted extremely accurate rainfall totals and even prevented some flooding.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 31, 2011

Brain pacemakers: A long-lasting solution in the fight against depression

Researchers propose a new target structure for deep brain stimulation to treat depression, with promising results. The method has already shown significant improvement in mood for half of patients with the most severe depression, and may lead to even better success rates with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews·DateJan 31, 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.

Super Bowl losses can increase cardiac death

A new study found that Super Bowl losses are associated with increased cardiac death rates, particularly among older patients. The research revealed a 15% increase in circulatory deaths in men and a 27% increase in women following the loss.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Cardiology·DateJan 31, 2011

Study: African-Americans have better stroke survival rates

Researchers found that African Americans have a lower mortality rate after being hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke compared to whites. They were also more likely to receive aggressive treatment measures during their hospitalization.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 31, 2011

Wild rainbow trout critical to health of steelhead populations

A new Oregon State University study finds that healthy steelhead runs rely heavily on wild rainbow trout populations, with up to 40% of genes from rainbow trout contributing to steelhead gene pool. This highlights the importance of maintaining healthy trout populations to support steelhead health.

SourceOregon State University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateJan 31, 2011
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Poor work ability may predict faster deterioration of health

A 28-year study found that poor work ability in midlife predicted decline in health and functioning, with similar risks among blue- and white-collar employees. The risk of death was higher among blue-collar workers.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 31, 2011

Boys will infect boys, swine flu study shows

Researchers from Imperial College London found that children are about three times more likely to transmit flu to those of the same gender. The study also showed that sitting next to an infected person does not significantly increase a child's risk of catching flu. This comprehensive analysis will help make more accurate models for pre...

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2011

Space Agency investigates novel analog self-steered antennas

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are developing discrete self-aligning flat antennas for satellite broadband and TV, promising to reduce power consumption and weight. The project aims to create a completely self-contained solid-state self-steering antenna that can operate in various frequency ranges.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·DateJan 31, 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.

New approach needed to prevent major 'systemic failures'

Researchers propose a new cross-disciplinary approach to analyze and prevent systemic failures in complex systems. Such catastrophes, including power blackouts and disasters, are often caused by fragility in complex systems due to nonlinear interactions among components.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAIChE Journal·DateJan 31, 2011

Revealing the wiring that allows us to adapt to the unexpected

A new study published in Cortex found that the orbitofrontal cortex plays a central role in an event monitoring system, which allows us to adapt to unexpected events. The brain's response to anticipated and unexpected outcomes is influenced by the potential harm of the outcome.

SourceElsevier·JournalCortex·DateJan 31, 2011

Plants can adapt genetically to survive harsh environments

A Purdue University scientist discovered genetic evidence of how some plants adapt to live in unfavorable conditions. He found that the Arabidopsis thaliana plants with high sodium levels had a weak form of the gene HTK1, which regulates sodium intake distribution to leaves.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 31, 2011
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

If junk DNA is useful, why is it not shared more equally?

Recent research by Farlow and colleagues reveals a fundamental change in understanding the evolution of DNA, suggesting that DNA repair mechanisms may drive intron variation. The study proposes an alternative explanation for the observed range of intron numbers across species, providing a new perspective on the role of junk DNA.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalTrends in Genetics·DateJan 31, 2011

Childhood obesity linked to health habits, not heredity: U-M study

A University of Michigan study found that obese children tend to eat more school meals, watch more TV, and exercise less than their normal-weight peers. The researchers suggest increasing physical activity, reducing screen time, and improving school lunch nutrition can help reverse childhood obesity trends.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Heart Journal·DateJan 31, 2011

Study reveals effective anti-HIV drugs for starting treatment in children with HIV, and shows that delaying switching to second-line drugs does not affect long-term benefit

A new study found that protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are equally effective as initial treatment for children with HIV, delaying switch to second-line drugs does not impact long-term outcomes. Regular monitoring of viral load is crucial to prevent resistance.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 31, 2011

When 2 rights make a wrong: Combating childhood heart disease

A new study has identified seven genes that cause heterotaxy, a condition leading to severe congenital heart disease. The research found that children with this condition have a higher burden of copy number variations (CNVs) on their genomes, which also affect frog models.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 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.

Detecting lethal diseases with rust and sand

Magnetic nanoparticles can detect cervical cancer by trapping antibodies, offering earlier screening and treatment. Similarly, these nanoparticles can detect E. coli infections at lower bacterial cell counts, halting disease spread faster.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanotechnology·DateJan 31, 2011