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Science News for July 31, 2011


RUB researchers decipher the molecular basis of blue-green algae

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully removed a molecular switch in cyanobacteria that prevents premature breakdown of energy reserves. This allows for the use of excess energy for biotechnological purposes, such as hydrogen production.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 31, 2011

National asthma genetics consortium releases first results

A new national collaboration of asthma genetics researchers has identified a novel gene association specific to populations of African descent, including the previously unreported PYHIN1 gene. The study also replicated four other gene associations with asthma risk, offering promising insights into the genetic roots of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 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.

Dissecting the genomes of crop plants to improve breeding potential

Researchers have developed a method to dissect the genomes of polyploid crops like oilseed rape and bread wheat, allowing for predictive breeding. By integrating sequence data from different sources, they created genetic linkage maps that can identify useful genes and accelerate breeding in new traits.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 31, 2011

70 percent of 8-month-olds consume too much salt

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that 70% of 8-month-old babies have a high salt intake, exceeding the recommended UK maximum level. High salt consumption can damage developing kidneys and establish poor eating practices that continue into adulthood.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 31, 2011

Discovery of a new magnetic order

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich and universities of Kiel and Hamburg discovered a regular lattice of stable magnetic skyrmions on a surface, opening up new possibilities for data storage. The tiny formations, made up of just 15 atoms, exist without an external magnetic field and are located on the surface.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 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.

Physics could be behind the secrets of crop-circle artists

Research suggests that physics principles may be used to create complex crop-circle patterns, with some teams reproducing damage using handheld magnetrons and microwaves. Crop-circle artists are believed to use invisible construction lines to design their work, dispelling the need for traditional tools.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateJul 31, 2011

Physicists show that quantum ignorance is hard to expose

Researchers found that a quantum know-it-all can answer questions correctly even with incomplete knowledge of the subject as a whole. The study's findings raise new questions about the nature of quantum ignorance and its implications for emerging technologies like quantum cryptography and computation.

SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 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.