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Science News for July 29, 2011


Rice scientists build battery in a nanowire

Researchers at Rice University have developed a hybrid energy storage device packed into a single nanowire, which shows promise as a rechargeable power source for nanoelectronics. The devices have good capacity but require further optimization to improve performance.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

AGU journal highlights -- July 29, 2011

Researchers studied sea surface temperatures to understand Earth's temperature trend, finding large variability that could mask anthropogenic warming. Meanwhile, a new study detected ionospheric disturbances caused by the Tohoku earthquake in Japan, with ripples in ionized gas nearly 350 kilometers above the Earth.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

Tropical Storm Don analyzed in 3 NASA satellite images

Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected from Tropical Storm Don as it approaches landfall in southeastern Texas. NASA's satellite images reveal powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops surrounding the storm's center, with rainfall totals reaching up to 5 inches in some areas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 29, 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.

'Wonder material' graphene tapped for electronic memory devices

Researchers have developed a graphene-based device that stores information in ferroelectric material, increasing fidelity and reducing operating voltage. The device's high-speed performance is expected to overcome issues associated with traditional memory devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

Low blood pressure during dialysis increases risk of clots, according to Stanford-led study

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that low blood pressure during dialysis significantly increases the risk of blood clotting at vascular access points. Researchers discovered that patients who experienced frequent episodes of low blood pressure were twice as likely to develop a clotted ...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 29, 2011

UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital opens asthma studies

The hospital is participating in two new studies: one examining new treatments for wheezing in young children with colds and another investigating whether Vitamin D can help adolescents and adults control their asthma. The goal of these trials is to find better treatments for this common and often poorly managed condition.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·DateJul 29, 2011

Hospice improves care for dementia patients and their families

A survey of 538 family members found that hospice care significantly improved the provision of care and support for nursing home patients with dementia and their families. Family members of hospice recipients reported lower levels of unmet needs, pain management concerns, and emotional support needs.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJul 29, 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.

Mattress Firm committed to pancreatic cancer research

Mattress Firm Foundation is committed to raising awareness and funding for TGen's globalCure clinical trials, focusing on funding research and clinical trials. The company has already raised over $400,000 through employee donation programs and online fundraising platforms.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·DateJul 29, 2011

Grapes protect against ultraviolet radiation

Researchers have discovered that certain grape extracts can protect human epidermis cells from UV radiation-induced cell damage and death. The study found that flavonoids in grapes inhibit the formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to a protective effect against UV radiation.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJul 29, 2011

Penn chemists make first molecular binding measurement of radon

University of Pennsylvania chemists have made the first molecular binding measurement of radon, a dangerous radioactive gas. The team measured how well radon binds to a molecule called cryptophane, paving the way for future research on its properties and other noble gases.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Best post-transplant drug regimen identified for patients with new kidneys

A new study found that a combination of two immunosuppressive drugs, tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, led to less organ rejection and better kidney function in patients after kidney transplant. The results suggest that this regimen is the safest and most effective option for long-term success.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 29, 2011

Warmed-up organic memory transistor has larger memory capacity

Researchers found that organic memory transistors retain their on/off states over a wider voltage range when heated, despite initial decreases in memory window. This temperature-dependent behavior could be useful for applications such as temperature sensing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

Motorcycle helmets hard on hearing

Researchers found that the area underneath the helmet and near the chin bar generates significant noise that reaches riders' sensitive eardrums. Future tests aim to design quieter helmets using the findings, which may be used to save riders' ears.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateJul 29, 2011

Physicists report progress in understanding high-temperature superconductors

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have made significant progress in explaining the unusual properties of high-temperature superconductors using a new theory. The theory, known as Extremely Correlated Fermi Liquids, shows remarkable agreement with experimental data from studies of high-temperature superconductors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2011
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

How McCartney and football helped Liverpool in China

The Liverpool pavilion received over 770,000 visitors during the 184-day expo period, with 99% of visitors recommending it to a friend. This exposure led to increased interest from Chinese firms, with 75% of sponsors including China in their business plans and 70% expecting future sales/orders.

SourceSAGE·JournalLocal Economy The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit·DateJul 29, 2011

Solar cells get a boost from bouncing light

A new solar cell design boosts electricity generation by 26% through bouncing light, increasing the potential of dye-sensitized solar cells. The layered structure, consisting of micrometer-scale spheres and nanoscale particles, enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJul 29, 2011

$12 million NIH grant to study acute lung injury

The study aims to investigate the pathobiology of acute lung injury (ALI) and develop novel therapeutic approaches. Researchers will focus on the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in lung cell signaling and inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateJul 29, 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.

Dissecting dyslexia: Linking reading to voice recognition

Research reveals individuals with dyslexia struggle to recognize voices speaking their native language due to phonological impairment. The study's findings suggest that the underlying deficit in dyslexia is linked to difficulty processing spoken language sounds, not reading per se.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJul 29, 2011

Soybean genetic treasure trove found in Swedish village

A study found that North American soybeans have a genetic treasure trove in the form of stress-resistant soybeans from a Swedish village called Fiskeby. The Fiskeby soybeans were highly tolerant to salt, aluminum, drought, high ozone levels, iron deficiency, and toxic soil aluminum.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalField Crops Research·DateJul 29, 2011

Scientists receive funding boost to further research into disease mechanisms of Alzheimer’s

Researchers at the University of Bristol have received a major funding boost to continue their research into the pathological processes underpinning Alzheimer's disease. They have found that neuronal excitability is substantially altered in the model of Alzheimer's disease, leading to changes in action potential generation and waveform.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJul 29, 2011

New findings on therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest in children

Researchers found that rapidly infusing cold IV fluid may not be effective in reducing body temperature quickly in children after a heart attack. This is crucial for minimizing neurological complications caused by cardiac arrest in pediatric patients.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTherapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management·DateJul 29, 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.

REM sleep behavior disorder is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease

Patients with REM sleep behavior disorder experience nightmares and increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. A new study using brain SPECT technology found that dopamine levels in the brain drop quickly in these patients, making it a potential early indicator of disease progression.

SourceIDIBAPS - Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateJul 29, 2011