Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 14, 2011


Researchers record two-state dynamics in glassy silicon

University of Illinois researchers have confirmed that amorphous silicon has two-state dynamics, a characteristic of glass. However, adding hydrogen robs the material of this property and introduces micro-crystalline structure, which significantly affects its behavior.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 14, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Internet could be 10 times faster than it is

The 100GET project successfully increased internet bandwidth capacity from 40GbE to 100GbE, demonstrating the importance of efficient data transfer in meeting growing demand. By leveraging partnerships and innovative technologies, companies involved in the project have created new products, jobs, and patent applications.

SourceEUREKA·DateJun 14, 2011

What gamers want: Researchers develop tool to predict player behavior

A new method developed by North Carolina State University researchers can accurately predict player behavior in online role-playing games, including World of Warcraft. The tool uses data-driven predictive modeling to identify groups of achievements that are closely related and can predict future behavior with up to 80% accuracy.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateJun 14, 2011
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Fluent English speakers translate into Chinese automatically

A new study by Taoli Zhang and colleagues found that Chinese people fluent in English quickly translate Chinese words into English without conscious thought. This suggests a strong connection between languages stored in the bilingual brain.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 14, 2011

Study examines link between teen sex and divorce rate

A University of Iowa study found that women who make their sexual debut as young teens are more likely to divorce, especially if the experience was unwanted or had mixed feelings. This link holds even for those who delay sex until adulthood.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·DateJun 14, 2011

Wired for sound: A small fish's brain illustrates how people and other vertebrates produce sounds

A study of midshipman fish has identified two distinct groups of neurons controlling sound duration and frequency for social communication. The research provides a simplified wiring diagram for understanding how the brain allows vertebrates to produce sounds, revealing an ancestrally shared brain area that originated in fishes.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 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.

New insights on how solar minimums affect Earth

A team of scientists found that solar minimums lead to geomagnetic effects on Earth due to the speed of the solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field strength, and coronal hole placement. Coronal holes caused a decrease in solar wind speed and southward magnetic components, resulting in lower geomagnetic effects.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 14, 2011

New insights into the 'hidden' galaxies of the universe

Researchers found a nearly 20-year-old observation of the faint galaxy ESO 546-G34, which offers insights into the earliest galaxies in the universe. The discovery suggests that small low surface brightness galaxies may have more in common with the first galaxies formed after the Big Bang.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJun 14, 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.

Ancestry plays vital role in nutrition and disease, study shows

African-Americans have a genetic predisposition to convert dietary PUFAs to inflammatory messengers, increasing risk for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The research highlights the importance of personalized nutrition, emphasizing that nutrients may be healthy or harmful depending on individual ancestry.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalBMC Genetics·DateJun 14, 2011

Salivating over wheat plants may net Hessian flies big meal or death

Researchers found that Hessian flies can trigger strong defenses in wheat plants, causing them to release essential nutrients to the insects. However, avirulent larvae can sometimes survive by reversing these defenses, potentially extending the durability of resistance.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Experimental Botany·DateJun 14, 2011

Phosphate sorption characteristics of European alpine soils

Researchers found that European alpine soils generally retain similar amounts of phosphate, ranging from 9-145 mmol kg-1, with aluminum oxide concentration being the key factor. Acidified soils retain more phosphate than non-acidified ones.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalSoil Science Society of America Journal·DateJun 14, 2011

New study supports Darwin's hypothesis on competition between species

A new study provides experimental evidence supporting Darwin's phylogenetic limiting similarity hypothesis, where closely related species are more prone to extinction. The research found that competitive exclusion occurred more frequently and rapidly between closely related microorganism species.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 14, 2011

Scientists pitch in to help keep salad mixes safe to eat

Scientists have identified how E. coli O157:H7 colonizes fresh-cut lettuce, providing new insights for food safety. The bacteria breaks down leaf cells, releasing carbohydrates and antimicrobial compounds that can be used as energy sources.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 14, 2011
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.

New research system uses social media and other tools to gather, analyze expert opinions

Researchers have developed a new method called ExpertLens to gather and analyze opinions from experts and laypeople, leveraging online and social media technologies. The system has performed well in early tests and could have wide application across various fields such as public policy, healthcare, finance, and marketing.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·DateJun 14, 2011

Fear boosts activation of young, immature brain cells

New research by UC Berkeley scientists reveals that fear and emotional experiences lead to stronger memories through the activation of newborn neurons in the hippocampus. The amygdala induces the generation of new neurons, which provide a 'blank slate' for imprinting fearful memories.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJun 14, 2011

Sugar-binding protein may play a role in HIV infection

Researchers at UCLA have discovered a sugar-binding protein called galectin-9 that traps PDI on T-cells' surface, making them more susceptible to HIV infection. This finding may lead to the development of new anti-HIV therapeutics by inhibiting PDI or galectin-9.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2011

Blood pressure changes are age-related

Researchers analyzed data from over 30,000 individuals to identify four phases of blood pressure changes throughout life. The study found that midlife acceleration in blood pressure was more pronounced in men than women due to menopause-related effects, and body mass index had a strong link with blood pressure.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 14, 2011

Sleep problems may be a link between perceived racism and poor health

A study found that perceived racism is associated with an elevated risk of self-reported sleep disturbance, increased by 61% after adjusting for socioeconomic factors. This link may contribute to negative impacts on mental and physical health, highlighting the importance of addressing social environmental stressors.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateJun 14, 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.

Note to dads: Good parenting makes a difference

A new study published in Development and Psychopathology found that quality parenting skills by dads significantly reduces the incidence of risky sexual behavior in their daughters. The study, led by Bruce J. Ellis, showed that girls who receive lower quality fathering tend to engage in more risky sexual behavior in adolescence.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalDevelopment and Psychopathology·DateJun 14, 2011

New research provides clues on why hair turns gray

Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that Wnt signaling, a biological process controlling many processes, is essential for coordinated actions of hair follicle stem cells and melanocyte stem cells. This study suggests manipulating Wnt signaling may be a novel strategy to target graying hair.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateJun 14, 2011

Early French had a taste for beer

A new study reveals archaeobotanical evidence of beer brewing in Mediterranean France, dating back to the 5th century BC. The findings suggest that the French had an early passion for beer brewing, alongside regular wine making.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJun 14, 2011
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

HAART effective for treating HIV-infected children living in DRC

This observational cohort study found HAART markedly improves the survival of HIV-infected children in a severely resource-deprived country. The treatment's effectiveness was comparable to that seen in more affluent settings, addressing a significant need for information on its impact in low-income countries.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 14, 2011

White adolescent girls may be losing sleep from the pressure to be thin

A recent study suggests that pressure to have a thin body may lead to sleep deprivation among white adolescent girls. The pressure from girlfriends and media was found to be significantly predictive of sleep duration for these girls, with the strongest predictor being pressure from girlfriends.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateJun 14, 2011

Money can't buy happiness

A meta-analysis of data from 63 countries found that societal values of individualism are the best predictors of well-being. Higher income and social equality also contribute to higher well-being, but the effect of money on happiness plateaus once basic needs are met.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 14, 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.

E. coli bacteria more likely to develop resistance after exposure to low levels of antibiotics, reports a study in Microbial Drug Resistance

A recent study found that E. coli bacteria are more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics when exposed to low levels of these medications, rather than high concentrations. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the safety of using antibiotics in food animals and highlights the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalMicrobial Drug Resistance·DateJun 14, 2011

Protecting medical implants from attack

Researchers at MIT and UMass have developed a system to protect medical implants from attack by jamming unauthorized wireless signals. The system uses a small transmitter that can be worn like a necklace or watch, and allows authorized users to communicate with the implant while blocking malicious signals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 14, 2011
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.

Copper folds protein into precursors of Parkinson's plaques

Researchers at North Carolina State University have figured out how copper induces misfolding in the protein associated with Parkinson's disease. This finding has implications for both the study of Parkinson's progression and future treatments. The researchers used computer simulations to ferret out the most likely binding scenario, re...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateJun 14, 2011

Stress may lead to better bird parenting

Research at Queen's University found that stressed birds have higher reproductive success and offer better care to their young. Female tree swallows with increased stress hormones fed their nestlings more frequently.

SourceQueen's University·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 14, 2011

WMS issues important new practice guidelines for frostbite prevention and treatment

The Wilderness Medical Society has published evidence-based practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of frostbite. The guidelines emphasize preventing frostbite through measures such as maintaining blood flow to extremities, exercising, and minimizing exposure and heat loss. Treatment options include field-thawing followed ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalWilderness and Environmental Medicine·DateJun 14, 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.

UBC researchers discover molecular mechanism for some anti-arrhythmia drugs

UBC researchers used an innovative method to uncover the molecular mechanism behind some anti-arrhythmia drugs, which control irregular heartbeats. The study found that variations in electrostatic interactions between the drugs and amino acids in the cardiac sodium channel affect their binding and effects.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 2011

Penn State receives $27.3 million NIH grant

The National Institutes of Health has awarded Penn State a $27.3 million grant to support the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, which aims to improve public health through collaborative research and outreach expertise. The grant will focus on children's health, cancer, and behavioral health.

SourcePenn State·DateJun 14, 2011

Unique gene combinations control tropical maize response to day lengths

Researchers discovered four genomic regions that control the photoperiod response in maize, with varying effects from different tropical varieties. This study sheds light on the genetic variation controlling day length response, revealing unexpected diversity and potential for improving maize yields.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJun 14, 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.

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may reduce both tumor growth rates and cancer risk

A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet has been shown to slow the growth of tumors and reduce the risk of cancer in mice. The study found that restricting carbohydrate intake can limit blood glucose and insulin, promoting tumor growth. A low-carb diet also boosted the immune system's ability to kill cancer cells and prevented obesity.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 14, 2011

Screening helps African-American students connect with school-based mental health services

African-American middle school students are more likely to consent to mental health screening and access school-based services. The study found that 71.7% of African-American students referred for screening accessed recommended services, compared to 76.2% of white students.

SourceTeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University·JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal·DateJun 14, 2011
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.

Migration interception practices are a major threat to health

The study highlights the potential health risks associated with migration interception practices, including immigration detention and visa restrictions. Health professionals must engage in discussions about migration and humanitarian protection to consider the broader impact on health and welfare.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 14, 2011

Noninvasive liver tests may predict hepatitis C patient survival

A new study found that non-invasive liver tests can accurately predict the five-year survival rate of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver stiffness measurement and the FibroTest were shown to have high predictive values for overall survival and survival without liver-related death.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJun 14, 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.

Illinois professor John A. Rogers receives $500,000 Lemelson-MIT Prize

Rogers' groundbreaking research combines soft, stretchable materials with micro-and nanoscale electronic components to create devices with diverse practical applications, including solar power and biocompatible sensor arrays. He is recognized for his ability to bridge incongruent fields of work and translate science into products.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateJun 14, 2011

Van Andel Research Institute finding is potential predictor of deadly cancer common in Asia

Van Andel Research Institute scientists found a protein that predicts the spread of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a deadly head and neck cancer common in southern China and Southeast Asia. Higher levels of serglycin correlate with poor prognosis and increased metastasis, suggesting it as a therapeutic target to stop disease progression.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 14, 2011

Learning to count not as easy as 1, 2, 3

Research at the University of Chicago found that preschool children grasp counting only if they understand the value of groups greater than three. Children who are exposed to higher number words acquire an understanding of the cardinal principle before those with limited exposure.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalDevelopmental Science·DateJun 14, 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.

New HIV incidence assays could transform AIDS prevention efforts

New HIV incidence assays have the potential to revolutionize AIDS prevention efforts by offering accurate and efficient methods for tracking recent HIV infections. These innovative tests could help target high-risk populations more effectively, ultimately reducing the spread of HIV.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 14, 2011

New light shed on cell division

A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding the assembly of centromeres in human cells, revealing an essential division of labor among specific proteins. By visualizing these proteins in living cells, they discovered that certain proteins like CENP-A play a crucial role in carrying genetic information to the centromere.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 14, 2011
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

JAMA study points to patient safety risks outside hospital walls

A new JAMA study reveals that adverse events, including major injury and death, occur frequently in private physician offices and outpatient clinics. The researchers found that errors in diagnosis and surgery are increasing in the outpatient setting, driven by advances in minimally invasive surgical techniques.

SourceNewYork-Presbyterian·JournalJAMA·DateJun 14, 2011

Ovarian cancer cells bully their way through tissue

Researchers have found that ovarian cancer cells use brute force to invade surrounding tissues and organs. The study identified key proteins involved in this process, providing a potential target for future treatments.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCancer Discovery·DateJun 14, 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.

Healing times for dental implants could be cut

Dental implant technology could be improved by studying the surface structure at both micro and nano levels. Researchers found that increasing the active surface area and changing conductivity can speed up healing, reducing discomfort for patients.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Biomechanics·DateJun 14, 2011

The surprising connection between 2 types of perception

Researchers found that when people use summary perception to perceive general properties of objects, they are unable to learn relationships between the objects. On the other hand, when there are relationships to be learned, people are worse at perceiving general properties.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 14, 2011

ESC calls for research into vulnerable plaques

The European Society of Cardiology is urging more research into vulnerable plaques and their stabilization. Studies have shown that therapies like statins and anti-platelet drugs can reduce cardiovascular events, while imaging tools and biomarkers may help identify at-risk patients.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalThrombosis and Haemostasis·DateJun 14, 2011

Mount Sinai researchers find potential therapeutic target for controlling obesity

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine discovered a cellular signaling pathway governing fat tissue and vascular smooth muscle differentiation. Elevated PDGFRβ signaling inhibits the formation of fat cells, offering new therapeutic targets for preventing obesity and cardiovascular disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 14, 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.

Making quantum cryptography truly secure

Researchers in Singapore and Norway have created a 'perfect eavesdropper' that exploits an overlooked loophole in quantum key distribution (QKD) to obtain a shared secret key. This discovery highlights the importance of identifying imperfections in QKD implementation to ensure its security.

SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 14, 2011