Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 17, 2011


Poor 'gut sense' of numbers contributes to persistent math difficulties

A study reveals that a poor intuitive sense of numbers can lead to math learning disabilities and difficulty achieving basic math proficiency. Children with math learning disability perform significantly worse on number tasks compared to their peers, highlighting the complexity of determining the underlying causes of math difficulties.

SourceKennedy Krieger Institute·JournalChild Development·DateJun 17, 2011

Tapeworm drug inhibits colon cancer metastasis

Scientists have discovered that niclosamide, a drug previously used to treat tapeworm infections, can silence a gene that triggers colon cancer metastasis. In mouse studies, the compound inhibited the formation of metastases in colon cancer cells.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJun 17, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Madagascar marine resources plundered by international seafood markets

A recent study reveals that international seafood markets are overfishing Madagascar's waters, leading to a decline in key species groups such as shrimp, shark, and sea cucumber. The impact on local food security is significant, with two-thirds of the population facing hunger.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalMarine Policy·DateJun 17, 2011

System 92E looking more like a developing east Pacific tropical storm

System 92E is a low-pressure area in the Eastern Pacific Ocean that has gained organization and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm. Favorable environmental conditions, including warm sea surface temperatures and light vertical wind shear, are contributing to its development.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 17, 2011

Hospitalizing children with normal CT scans after blunt head trauma is not necessary

A large national multi-center study found that most children with minor blunt head trauma and normal CT scans do not require hospitalization for further observation. Children who were hospitalized after normal CT scans did not have subsequent abnormal CT scans or MRIs, and none required neurosurgical intervention.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJun 17, 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.

World Health Organization releases latest Dengue Bulletin

The World Health Organization's latest Dengue Bulletin documents the substantial growth of dengue cases in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The report reveals alarming increases in dengue deaths, with Brazil experiencing a 6.2% rise per year from 1999-2009.

SourceBrandeis University·JournalBulletin of the World Health Organization·DateJun 17, 2011

Shock and recall: Negative emotion may enhance memory, study finds

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that viewing emotion-laden images immediately after taking a test enhances people's retention of the tested material. The finding is counterintuitive, as one might expect negative emotions to hinder learning.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 17, 2011

Not just another brick in the (plant cell) wall

Researchers identified three groups of genes required for extensin production, crucial for root hair growth and nutrient uptake. The study sheds light on the assembly of plant cell wall components regulating growth, with potential applications for sustainable agriculture and forestry.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalScience·DateJun 17, 2011

Etanercept shows promise for treating dermatomyositis

A multicenter pilot study found etanercept successfully weaned patients from steroid therapy, with no significant increase in adverse event rates. Larger studies are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of etanercept for dermatomyositis treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJun 17, 2011
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

US Medicaid drug lists cost more, deliver less

A new study found that US Medicaid's Preferred Drug Lists vary widely from state to state, ignoring international guidelines for safe and effective medications. The WHO Essential Medicines List is not used as a basis for state lists, resulting in patients receiving more expensive and less effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJun 17, 2011

ONR announces technology investments

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced significant investments in technology and education to promote student interest in the sciences. The agency is supporting various partnerships aimed at kindling student enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, with a focus on teacher training and hands-on activities.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateJun 17, 2011

Discovery of a new mechanism of gene control that is associated with cancer

Researchers identify complex mechanism by which Smads regulate genes associated with cancer, revealing process that ensures protein destruction after function completion. The study could serve as foundation for new clinical treatments against cancer and other diseases.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalGenes & Development·DateJun 17, 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.

Early experience found critical for language development

A new study finds that intervening early can help young children develop language, with those placed in better care by 15 months showing language skills similar to biological parents. Early foster care intervention is also crucial for preventing severe language delays.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJun 17, 2011

Father's Day, Mother's Day -- how about Co-Parents Day?

A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that two-parent families, regardless of gender or marital status, are crucial to children's social and academic success. The researchers found that couples who participated in a 16-week program reported higher satisfaction in their marriages and kids were doing better in school.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateJun 17, 2011

Look before you leap: Teens still learning to plan ahead

A new study by Temple University researchers found that teens still struggle to plan ahead, leading to riskier decisions. The study tested 890 individuals between 10-30 years old and showed improvements in impulse control with age, allowing for better problem-solving skills.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJun 17, 2011

Imaging cereals for increased crop yields

Researchers use computerized 3-D models to estimate plant yield based on measurable attributes, enabling rapid and accurate prediction of large numbers of plants' potential yields. The project aims to improve Australian agriculture's efficiency and competitiveness by producing more food for a growing population.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateJun 17, 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.

Restoring memory, repairing damaged brains

Researchers develop a way to duplicate the neural mechanism of learning in rats, restoring memory function. The team's artificial hippocampal system can strengthen internal brain memory and enhance cognitive processes, paving the way for potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateJun 17, 2011

Home learning experiences boost low-income kids' school readiness

A longitudinal study found that children from low-income households who experienced consistently high-quality home learning environments were more ready for school. The quality of their environment over time predicted their readiness skills.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateJun 17, 2011

Scientist analyzes the nucleus of comet Hartley 2

University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist Don Hampton analyzed the comet Hartley 2's nucleus, revealing a dynamic mass of ice and dust emitting gases through cracks. This research provides valuable insights into the composition and unique behavior of comets, shedding light on their role in the solar system's history.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalScience·DateJun 17, 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.

Research forging pathways between South Africa, China and the UK

Researchers from the UK, South Africa, and China are collaborating on 12 Pathfinder projects to address global challenges. The joint data project aims to provide new perspectives on UK issues and tackle topics such as wellbeing, social mobility, and economic growth.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 17, 2011

University of Louisville surgeons perform first prosthetic bypass graft with patient's stem cells at point-of-care

Researchers have successfully performed a new surgical procedure that uses a patient's own stem cells to line man-made bypass grafts, aiming to improve the long-term results of peripheral artery disease treatment. The first three patients enrolled in the clinical trial are doing well and report relief from symptoms almost immediately.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateJun 17, 2011