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Science News Archive July 2011


Page 6 of 25

Catching the West Nile virus in action

Researchers track both clinical cases of West Nile Virus and infected mosquito populations to identify 'danger zones' and predict outbreaks. They also analyze the virus's genetic types, dynamics, and mobility to better understand its migration patterns.

Sexual anxiety, personality predictors of infidelity, study says

A new study published in Archives of Sexual Behaviour found that personality characteristics and interpersonal factors are stronger predictors of infidelity than demographic variables. For men, propensity for sexual excitation and concern about sexual performance failure were significant predictors, while women who felt sexually incomp...

Glycans enter mainstream of biomedical science

The University of California, San Diego has received a major $18 million grant to further develop the science of glycobiology. The grant will focus on training scientists fluent in glycan chemistry and biology to study how glycans modulate inflammatory responses and fund collaborative projects.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Diamond impurities bonanza for geologists studying Earth's history

Researchers analyzed over 4,000 mineral inclusions in diamonds to determine when the Wilson cycle of plate tectonics began. The study found that continents started breaking apart and colliding around three billion years ago, leading to the growth of the Earth's continental crust and the distribution of ores and materials.

Shuttle service in cells

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum discovered a new enzyme, Ubp15p, that collaborates with motor proteins to convert the protein transport machinery back into its initial condition. The enzyme detaches a specific signal sequence from a protein, allowing for recycling and reuse.

Climate-change-induced wildfires may alter Yellowstone forests

A team of ecologists models climate change effects on fire occurrence and composition of Yellowstone forests, finding a tipping element that may alter the flora, fauna, and ecosystem quality. The researchers predict frequent fires will become the norm in parts of the landscape by 2050.

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.

Tropical Depression 10W bringing rain to the Philippines

The tenth tropical depression has formed in the western North Pacific Ocean, bringing rains to the central Philippines as observed on infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite. The system is moving northwest at 9 knots and is expected to slowly intensify over the next two days, making landfall northeast of Hong Kong later this week.

Engineering innovation center brings together tools to launch future entrepreneurs

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $10 million grant to launch a national center for teaching innovation and entrepreneurship in engineering. The center at Stanford's School of Engineering will provide resources, including curriculum development, dissemination tools, and industry mentorship, to undergraduate engineering stud...

Study: Climate change to increase Yellowstone wildfires dramatically

A new study by UC Merced professor Anthony Westerling predicts a significant increase in large wildfires in Yellowstone by 2050, leading to changes in forest composition and wildlife habitats. The projected increase could result in fewer dense forests and more open vegetation, with some forests failing to regenerate after repeated fires.

Beetles play an important role in reducing weeds

Researchers found that ground beetles significantly reduce grass weed populations in UK farmland, improving agricultural productivity. By controlling weeds, ground beetles can help farmers reduce herbicide use and increase crop yields.

Artificial lung mimics real organ's design and efficiency

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed an artificial lung that uses air instead of pure oxygen, achieving efficiencies comparable to the genuine organ. The device is a significant step towards creating easily portable and implantable lungs, with potential use in humans within a decade.

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.

Illinois scientists learn startling new truth about sugar

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that sugar decomposes rather than melts, offering new insights into food science and technology. This breakthrough enables food scientists to manipulate sugars for improved flavors and textures, as well as pharmaceutical companies to enhance excipients.

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.

LabBits: News from the Marine Biological Laboratory

Scientists at MBL are investigating how jellies interact with their surroundings, the impact of the Gulf oil spill on animal development, and how fish process sound. Researchers are using a new underwater video camera system to study jelly behavior, while also exploring the potential health effects of the oil spill.

Exploring science through underwater robotics

The WaterBotics program engages kids in solving real-world problems using programmable robots for underwater missions. Students learn key science and engineering concepts, as well as 21st-century skills like teamwork and problem-solving.

Cheer up: A view of how fatty foods makes you feel less sad

A team of researchers discovered that consuming a fat solution attenuated behavioral and nerve cell responses to sad emotion, suggesting a link between gut-brain signaling and emotional state. This finding has significant implications for various mental health conditions, including obesity and depression.

Rare coupling of magnetic and electric properties in a single material

Scientists have found a new mechanism that couples electric and magnetic properties in a material, enabling faster and energy-efficient logic, memory, and sensing technology. This breakthrough could lead to the development of multiferroic materials, which are rare in nature but can display both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Sharper, deeper, faster

A novel imaging technique combines high resolution, high penetration depth, and high imaging speed to capture detailed information from live biological samples without damaging them. The technique uses two-photon excitation in sheet-illumination mode, enabling fast imaging speed and reducing light-induced damage.

Older people find it harder to see the wood for the trees

Researchers found that age-related changes in attention and Gestalt perception hinder older adults' ability to focus on global patterns. The study provides evidence of correlations between healthy aging and declines in visual perception, offering insights into cognitive domains interacting during aging.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Identical virus, host populations coexist for centuries

A scientist has discovered that a viral host can persist and coexist with the same genetic populations of a virus for centuries. The study, published in Science, reveals that DNA viruses and their algal hosts have been preserved in sediments under the Black Sea for thousands of years.

St. Joseph's scientist receives grant for post-partum research

Dr. Robert Garfield, a researcher at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, has received a $100,000 phase 1 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a device that can prevent post-partum hemorrhage, a major cause of mortality in pregnant women worldwide.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Computer program could 'revolutionize the world's health care'

A new computer program aims to create tailored health systems for individuals, providing doctors with instant access to patients' medical history and genetic information. This will enable quick and accurate diagnoses, reducing the risk of deadly side effects from wrongly prescribed medicines.

New insight into a therapeutic approach to treating SMA

New data from two independent research groups provides hope that a therapeutic approach can be developed to treat SMA. Prolactin treatment increases SMN levels, improves muscle movement, and enhances survival in mouse models of severe SMA.

In pregnancy, diabetes-obesity combo a major red flag

A new study finds that type 2 diabetes and obesity independently contribute to higher risks of pregnancy complications. Women with both conditions have poorer outcomes, including preterm birth, blood loss, and prolonged hospital stays.

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.

JCI online early table of contents: July 25, 2011

A study by Lukas Van Oudenhove and colleagues found that a fat solution to the stomach attenuates behavioral and nerve cell responses to sad emotion in humans. This discovery has implications for treating disorders such as obesity, eating disorders, and depression. Additionally, two independent research groups have generated new data o...

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.

Discovery places turtles next to lizards on family tree

A new technique using microRNA analysis resolves an old issue in turtle evolution, placing turtles closer to lizards than crocodiles. The study identified 77 new microRNA families and found evidence of turtle-microRNA similarity with painted turtles.

Children eating more, and more frequently outside the home

A new study found that eating location significantly impacts daily energy intake for children, with foods prepared away from home and fast food fueling increased calorie intake. The percentage of calories from fast food has surpassed schools as the largest contributor to foods prepared away from home.

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.

Predictors of dying suddenly versus surviving heart attack identified

Researchers found that certain traits, such as hypertension and extreme high or low body mass index, are predictive of increased risk of sudden cardiac death. These findings could lead to the development of a risk stratification score to identify patients at greater risk of dying suddenly if they experience a heart attack.

Novel gene increases yeast's appetite for plant sugars

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison identified a new gene, CtAKR, that improves yeast's ability to consume xylose, a key sugar found in plant biomass. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of renewable fuels from biomass crops.

University of Houston student awarded Hogg Foundation Scholarship

Ana Luisa Laws, a University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work student, is one of five students in Texas to receive the Hogg Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship program aims to attract students to mental health careers and support their advanced studies and professional practice.

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.

International conference launches revolutionary South Asia autism network

The International conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities in Bangladesh and South East Asia marked the launch of a revolutionary South Asia Autism Network. The network aims to identify common challenges and form partnerships to develop solutions for autistic individuals in South Asian families and countries.

Study examines screening for pancreatic cancer in high-risk populations

A prospective cohort study found that a tumor marker and targeted endoscopic ultrasound can detect stage 1 pancreatic cancer in high-risk populations more effectively than standard means of detection. The study identified a total of one patient with stage 1 disease among 546 enrolled participants.

10 years later, 9/11 tragedy has wide-ranging psychological impacts

Research examines the long-term psychological effects of 9/11 attacks on Americans, including increased prejudice and anxiety, as well as charitable donations and civic engagement. The study also explores how psychology is helping people understand and cope with the enduring impacts of terrorism.

Heavy metal: Titanium implant safety under scrutiny

Researchers developed a highly sensitive method to determine titanium levels in human blood, establishing a baseline for natural levels and measuring levels in patients with surgical implants. The study found significantly higher titanium concentrations in patients with implants, shedding light on the potential harmful biological effects.

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.

Study exposes habit formation in smartphone users

Researchers found smartphone users engage in 'checking habits' throughout waking hours, triggered by contexts like reading email or browsing social media. These habits can be difficult to change due to their automatic nature.

Global depression statistics

The study found that 15% of the population from high-income countries were at risk of developing depression over their lifetime. Depression was strongly linked to social conditions and more prevalent in high-income countries, where MDEs were elevated by 28%, with France having the highest incidence.

Researchers identify risk factor pathways for PTSS in female and male veterans

The study found that risk factors for PTSD among OEF/OIF male veterans were similar to those observed in Vietnam veterans, but identified novel mechanisms of risk for OEF/OIF female veterans. Family relationships during deployment played a more prominent role in explaining PTSD in female veterans than in male veterans.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Culprits and cures for obesity may reside in our gut

A study by Arizona State University researchers aims to understand the connection between gut microbiota and obesity treatment outcomes. The research focuses on two popular obesity treatments: gastric bypass surgery, which has been shown to alter gut microbial populations.

Universal donor immune cells

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a new form of adoptive cell transfer that overcomes limitations of current therapies. This approach uses a donor pool of immune T cells prepared in advance, which are outfitted with receptors to specifically target and destroy tumors.