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Science News for June 10, 2011


Venice to suffer fewer storm surges

A study by CSIRO Australia found that the frequency of extreme storm surge events generated by Adriatic Sea tempests could fall by about 30 percent by 2100. This reduction in extreme events may have beneficial consequences for the conservation of Venice, a World Heritage-listed city built on 117 small islands.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalClimatic Change·DateJun 10, 2011

Prototype demonstrates success of advanced new energy technology

Researchers at Oregon State University have successfully prototyped a new energy technology that captures and uses low-to-medium grade waste heat from various sources. The system achieved an impressive 80% conversion efficiency in turning wasted heat into cooling capability, outperforming current approaches.

SourceOregon State University·JournalApplied Thermal Engineering·DateJun 10, 2011

3-D movie shows, for the first time, what happens in the brain as it loses consciousness

Researchers have created a 3-D movie of brain activity while an individual loses consciousness, revealing a change in electrical activity and communication between brain cells. The findings support a hypothesis that consciousness is formed by neural assemblies, which work efficiently together or not, depending on sensory stimulations.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·DateJun 10, 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.

Analysis finds mortality from all causes higher among hepatitis C-infected

A new analysis found mortality from all causes to be higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, compared mortality rates among 9,378 adults with and without hepatitis C and found a two-fold increased risk of death from both liver- and non-liver related causes.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJun 10, 2011

An egalitarian Internet? Not so, UGA study says

A UGA study examines discussions in over 200,000 participants across 35 newsgroups and finds that popular posters attract most replies, with content sourced from traditional media and blogs.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalCommunication Research·DateJun 10, 2011

NASA sees the low that won't quit: System 94L

System 94L is making slow progress in a north-northeasterly direction, bringing clouds to eastern Cuba and the Bahamas. A 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for the Bahamas as the low approaches, with a northeasterly track expected over the weekend.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 10, 2011

New substances added to HHS Report on Carcinogens

The National Toxicology Program has added eight substances to the HHS Report on Carcinogens, identifying chemicals that may increase cancer risk. These include formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen linked to nasal and other cancers, and captafol, a fungicide with limited evidence of lung cancer.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences·DateJun 10, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

New guidelines for diagnosis and management of hyperthyroid

The new guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for optimal care of patients with hyperthyroidism, including treatment options and patient management strategies. The guidelines are a comprehensive update to previous versions and highlight the latest scientific literature and expert experience.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThyroid·DateJun 10, 2011

Nearby galaxy boasts 2 monster black holes, both active

Astronomers have discovered a second supersized black hole at the heart of the unusual nearby galaxy Markarian 739. The study used NASA's Swift satellite and Chandra X-ray Observatory to find the hidden AGN, which is one of the nearest and clearest cases of a binary AGN. The dual black holes are separated by only 11,000 light-years.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 10, 2011

Two isolates from E. coli outbreak available

Researchers have sequenced two isolates from an E. coli outbreak, providing valuable genomic information to aid in understanding the origins of highly pathogenic strains. The genome annotations reveal unique islands and proteins that may hold clues to virulence or intervention strategies for the new strains.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateJun 10, 2011

U-M researchers find potential new way to fight sepsis

U-M researchers found that attacking specific microRNA molecules can reduce deaths from sepsis. The approach also holds promise for other inflammatory diseases like juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and graft-vs.-host disease.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBlood·DateJun 10, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Shorter sleep durations may increase genetic risks for obesity

A study of 1,811 pairs of twins found that shorter sleep durations were associated with increased expression of genes related to obesity, while longer sleep durations were linked to decreased body mass index. This suggests that genetic influences on body weight may be suppressed by adequate sleep duration.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateJun 10, 2011

Voters have up to 5 times more influence in early primaries

Research by Brown University economists finds that daily polling data responds to returns from primary victories, with early voters having a disproportionate impact on candidate momentum. This can lead to candidates spending more resources in early states, potentially altering the nomination outcome.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateJun 10, 2011

'1-stop' clinic ups mental health, social work visits for veterans

A study found that Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who visited a VA integrated care clinic were more likely to undergo initial mental health and social work evaluations than those visiting standard clinics. The integrated care model increased the rate of initial mental health evaluations, especially for women veterans, younger veterans, ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJun 10, 2011

Ultrathin copper-oxide layers behave like quantum spin liquid

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory found that thin layers of copper-oxide materials exhibit wild electron spin fluctuations, a hallmark of quantum spin liquids. This discovery may be crucial to understanding high-temperature superconductivity.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 10, 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.

Quitlines help smokers quit regardless of recruitment method

Proactive telephone counseling helps increase long-term smoking cessation, with a positive effect on both point prevalence and prolonged abstinence. The study suggests that active recruitment methods do not significantly impact quit rates, contrary to previous assumptions.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 10, 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.

Non-invasive ventilation as a weaning or rescue technique may cut risks in some patients

A study found that non-invasive ventilation used as a weaning technique can shorten intubation time and reduce the risk of post-extubation acute respiratory failure. Additionally, NIV used as a rescue therapy significantly reduces the risk of reintubation and death in patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJun 10, 2011

Clever tool use in parrots and crows

Researchers investigated problem-solving abilities and innovative capacities of kea and New Caledonian crow. The studies revealed that both species employ various tools to achieve food rewards, with the kea mastering compact object tools and the crow using elongated objects like sticks to probe for grubs.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 10, 2011

NASA sees heavy rainfall in Tropical Storm Sarika

Tropical Storm Sarika is bringing heavy rainfall to the South China Sea, with satellite imagery showing strongest thunderstorms south of the storm's center. Infrared satellite imagery reveals a fully exposed low-level circulation center, weakening the storm's circulation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 10, 2011

Social scientists study impact of human adult stem cell research

Researchers found that studying both types of stem cells has become more common, with a growing proportion of papers combining adult and embryonic stem cells. This means that banning either type of research could harm the field overall. The study suggests that federal funding for one area could negatively impact the other.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalCell·DateJun 10, 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.

Johns Hopkins researchers link cell division and oxygen levels

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a direct link between MCM proteins and the oxygen-sensing HIF-1 protein. The study found that MCM proteins mediate crosstalk between cell division machinery and environmental factors, controlling cell growth based on oxygen availability.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJun 10, 2011

Grant funds science career days for Philadelphia public school students

The Academy of Natural Sciences will host two science career days for 800 6th-8th grade students and their teachers, providing hands-on learning experiences with local scientists. The event aims to showcase various STEM career opportunities and help teachers integrate math and science into their curriculum.

SourceAcademy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University·DateJun 10, 2011

USDA-led consortium sequences genome of key wheat pathogen

A USDA-led consortium has sequenced the genome of Mycosphaerella graminicola, a pathogen causing significant yield losses in wheat crops. The sequencing effort may lead to new strategies to control this disease, which affects every wheat-growing area worldwide.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 10, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Can small loans reduce poverty?

A recent study by Yale University economists found that microloans can increase ability to cope with risk and strengthen community ties, but may not lead to increased investment in businesses. The researchers also discovered that awardees' subjective well-being slightly declined, contradicting previous claims.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJun 10, 2011