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Science News for July 8, 2011


Study reveals how decision-makers complicate choice

A study by Columbia Business School researchers demonstrates 'complicating choice' – the process where decision-makers increase effort for unimportant attributes. This phenomenon is driven by the 'effort compatibility principle', which aims to match expected effort with perceived effort.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateJul 8, 2011

Geothermal industry to get boost from University of Nevada, Reno research

A $1 million University of Nevada, Reno project is providing a catalogue of favorable structural elements and models for geothermal systems to enhance exploration methodologies and reduce the risk of drilling nonproductive wells. The research aims to identify potential geothermal sites in the Great Basin with 3-D imaging.

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Reno·DateJul 8, 2011
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Brain tumor discovery could lead to new treatment

Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have identified a molecular pathway that promotes brain tumor growth in malignant glioma. The study found that existing medications block this pathway and delay tumor growth in animal models, suggesting a potential new treatment option.

SourceLerner Research Institute·JournalCell·DateJul 8, 2011

Gene study offers clues on memory puzzle

Researchers have found that plasticity genes in the brain activate more easily when building on existing knowledge, making it easier to learn about familiar topics. This paradoxical effect may help explain how professionals acquire their knowledge gradually over time.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalScience·DateJul 8, 2011

UCSF team describes genetic basis of rare human diseases

Researchers found that genetic mutations cause rare human diseases by disrupting a protein called Tectonic1, which forms a crucial collar around the base of cilia. This discovery provides new targets for diagnostics and treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 8, 2011

Study shows lace-up ankle braces keep athletes on the court

A study of 1,460 male and female basketball players found that lace-up ankle braces significantly reduced acute ankle injuries by more than three times. The use of braces was effective for both experienced and inexperienced athletes, suggesting a viable option for injury prevention.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 8, 2011

Study offers new clues about hereditary spastic paraplegia

A study from Rice University and Italy's Eugenio Medea Scientific Institute has shed light on the biochemical workings of atlastin, a protein linked to HSP. The research suggests that atlastin plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of long nerve cells affected by HSP.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2011
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Covidien supports NOSCAR US multicenter human trial

The NOSCAR study compares NOTES cholecystectomy to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with approximately 200 patients enrolled. Covidien's funding supports the development of this minimally invasive technique, aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital stays.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJul 8, 2011

How memory is read out in the fly brain

A team of scientists identified the MB-V2 nerve cells as crucial for recalling associative memories in fruit flies. The study showed that these cells receive information from the mushroom body and relay it to other nerve cells, enabling memory 'read-out' and guiding behavior.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 8, 2011

Indoor air pollution linked to cardiovascular risk

Researchers found a significant association between indoor air pollution and increased blood pressure among older women. Exposure to small-particle air pollution can cause premature death and lung disease, while cleaner fuels and stoves could cut cardiovascular risk by up to 22%.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 8, 2011

Children's personalities linked to their chemical response to stress

A study found that children's personalities are linked to their chemical response to stress, with different patterns of hormone production associated with advantages and disadvantages in navigating threatening environments. Doves were more vigilant but prone to anxiety, while hawks were bolder but riskier.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateJul 8, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study demonstrates how memory can be preserved -- and forgetting prevented

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center discovered that specific brain areas orchestrate competition between memories and that transcranial magnetic stimulation can preserve memory by targeting these areas. By applying TMS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex, both memories remained intact.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 8, 2011

A change of heart: Penn researchers reprogram brain cells to become heart cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have demonstrated direct conversion of a non-heart cell type into a heart cell by RNA transfer. This breakthrough approach, called Transcriptome Induced Phenotype Remodeling (TIPeR), offers potential for cell-based therapy for cardiovascular diseases and personalized scre...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 8, 2011

Male smokers less likely to need joint replacement surgery of hip or knee

A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that male smokers had a lower risk of undergoing total joint replacement surgery compared to non-smokers. High body mass index (BMI) and vigorous physical activity were also linked to an increased risk of arthroplasty in men, particularly those over 70 years old.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJul 8, 2011

Drug designer

A new mathematical model predicts the location of mutations that lead to HIV-drug resistance, providing a potential solution to improve anti-HIV drug design. The study suggests that understanding these physical properties and interactions can help develop better strategies for combating the virus.

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·JournalBMC Structural Biology·DateJul 8, 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.

Why patients with epidermolysis bullosa suffer extreme pain

Researchers at MDC discover that a lack of laminin-332 causes tactile stimuli to be perceived as painful, leading to increased sensitivity and branching of sensory neurons. The findings provide new insights into the disease's mechanisms and potential drug targets for therapy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 8, 2011

Researchers closing in on safe treatment for parasitic diseases

Michigan State University researchers are reformulating a decades-old drug to combat two debilitating tropical diseases. The goal is to develop a safe and effective treatment for filarial diseases, which affect millions worldwide. With clinical trials expected to begin in about two years, the team hopes to bring hope to those affected ...

SourceMichigan State University·DateJul 8, 2011

Scientists discover how best to excite brain cells

Researchers found that neurons can prefer multiple signals simultaneously and choose based on competing signals. This discovery could lead to more efficient brain implant design for treating neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJul 8, 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.

Advances in research into Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that vitamin D injections improved the removal of amyloid beta from the brain of mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for preventing Alzheimer's disease. Transporter proteins at the blood CSF barrier also play a crucial role in removing amyloid beta from the brain.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFluids and Barriers of the CNS·DateJul 8, 2011

Nanocrystal transformers

Researchers at Berkeley Lab observed structural transformations within a single copper sulfide nanocrystal, revealing dynamics influenced by defects. The study provides new insights into phase transitions and their relevance to battery performance and solar energy harvesting.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 8, 2011