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Science News Archive June 2011


Page 19 of 28

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.

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.

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.

Meteorite holds clues to organic chemistry of the early Earth

Researchers studied four Tagish Lake meteorites, finding large concentrations of essential biochemistry components like monocarboxylic acids and amino acids. The findings suggest that hydrothermal activity played a crucial role in shaping the chemical diversity of these samples.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research Institute of the MUHC awarded $1.4M grant

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) has been awarded a $1.4M grant to develop Personalized Medicine for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). The project aims to identify new biomarkers and disease predictors to improve diagnosis and treatment options.

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.

Asteroid served up 'custom orders' of life's ingredients

Scientists discovered diverse amino acid amounts in Tagish Lake meteorites, suggesting water alteration played a role in their formation. The findings provide new insights into pre-biotic chemistry on asteroids and may impact our understanding of the origin of life on Earth.

Signaling pathways point to vulnerability in breast cancer stem cells

Breast cancer stem cells can be induced to transition into a mesenchymal and stem cell-like state by signals from breast epithelial cells. Blocking these autocrine signals inhibits the growth of tumors in animal models. The study suggests that targeting these signals could lead to effective treatment for breast cancer.

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.

Cancer protein discovery may aid radiation therapy

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that cyclin D1 helps cancer cells repair DNA damage caused by radiation treatments, making tumors resistant to the therapy. Blocking cyclin D1 levels in cancer cells makes them more sensitive to radiation and certain cancer drugs.

Physicists hit on mathematical description of superfluid dynamics

A team of physicists has devised a theoretical framework that explains the real-time behavior of superfluids made of fermions, a crucial step towards studying neutron stars. The researchers used the world's most powerful supercomputer to simulate complex calculations, shedding light on the properties of these enigmatic objects.

Sport doctors say non-alcoholic wheat beer boosts athletes' health

A study by the Technical University of Munich reveals that non-alcoholic wheat beer can reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and prevent upper respiratory infections in athletes. The 'Be-MaGIC' study found that consuming the test beverage daily reduced infection frequency and severity.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Fragile X protein acts as toggle switch in brain cells

Research reveals how fragile X protein, FMRP, hooks up with microRNAs to switch the production of other proteins on and off. This process is crucial for learning and memory, as neurons need to make new proteins at specific synapses.

Early agricultural piracy informs the domestication of rice

Rice was domesticated at least twice, with substantial gene sharing between the southern and northern varieties, challenging long-held theories. Researchers found that certain traits were borrowed extensively from one another, leading to a reevaluation of rice's origins.

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.

Children eschew the fat if dads aren't lenient

A new Texas AgriLife Research study reveals that fathers' role in childhood obesity is more significant than previously thought. Lenient dads are more likely to allow their kids frequent fast-food restaurant visits, which have been linked to obesity. Fathers need education on nutritional content and taking a responsible parenting role.

Hormone test helps predict success in IVF

A blood test for AMH can help predict IVF success, with women having higher AMH levels yielding more eggs and a higher rate of pregnancy. The study found that women with low AMH levels had an average of six eggs harvested, while those with higher levels had around 20.

The new decade of vaccines

The Lancet's new Series on vaccines highlights four key elements: intensified research, advocacy at the highest level, developing countries' responsibility, and expanded communication of benefits. Experts emphasize the need for $3.7 billion funding to save 4 million lives through immunization programs.

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.

Stretched-out low soaking the Caribbean in GOES-13 satellite imagery

A low-pressure system stretching over the Caribbean Sea is causing heavy rainfall and flooding in various islands. The GOES-13 satellite captured an image of System 94L on June 9, revealing a minimum central pressure of 1001 millibars and cloud cover centered over eastern Cuba and Jamaica.

Discovery may pave way to quitting smoking without gaining weight

A team of scientists has discovered that nicotine suppresses appetite by activating a specific set of neurons in the hypothalamus. The researchers believe this could lead to the development of a drug that helps smokers stay thin and potentially aids non-smokers struggling with obesity.

B vitamins in mother's diet reduce colorectal cancer risk in offspring

Scientists at Tufts University found that mice born to mothers fed a B vitamin-rich diet had fewer intestinal tumors, while those from deficient diets showed more aggressive tumors. The study suggests epigenetic effects of maternal B vitamin intake may protect against colorectal cancer in offspring.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How killer immune cells avoid killing themselves

Scientists discovered that a single amino acid prevents perforin from killing host cells, protecting cytotoxic lymphocytes from destruction. The findings shed light on the immune system's ability to regulate cell death and disease.

A new way to make lighter, stronger steel -- in a flash

Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a new way to make steel 7 percent stronger than any steel on record using a heat-treatment called flash processing. The unique microstructure formed by the process boosts ductility, making it a potential impact-absorber for automotive applications.

Controlling starch in sugar factories

USDA scientists recommend controlling starch buildup in sugar factories by using an intermediate-temperature stable amylase to break down unwanted starch. The solution involves adding diluted concentrated amylase solutions to factory tanks, resulting in improved product quality and reduced costs.

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.

UW-Madison chemists devise better way to prepare workhorse molecules

A team of UW-Madison chemistry professors has devised a novel approach to synthesizing substituted aromatic molecules by utilizing a palladium catalyst. This method enables the efficient production of various aromatic compounds with specific substitution patterns, which will have practical applications in drug companies.

Want better math teachers? Train them better, says MSU scholar

A MSU scholar argues that current teacher-preparation programs for middle-school math instructors are inadequate, leading to a lack of internationally competitive math knowledge. The researcher recommends adopting more rigorous and uniform standards for math teachers to improve US math education.

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.

Mutations in essential genes often cause rare diseases

Researchers found that orphan disease genes encode hub proteins with multiple protein-to-protein interactions vital to cell function. Deleting about 43% of these gene homologs is lethal or causes premature death, highlighting their essential survival role.

Why animals don't have infrared vision

Researchers discovered that light-capturing pigment molecules can be triggered by heat, producing false alarms. The study found that red-sensing pigment triggers false alarms most frequently.

UCSB physicists apply Einstein's theory to superconducting circuits

Researchers at UCSB successfully reproduced the Josephson junction using Einstein's general theory of relativity, a breakthrough that sheds new light on non-gravitational physics. The discovery has significant implications for understanding superconductivity and the development of room-temperature superconductors.

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.

The downside -- and surprising upside – of microcredit

A Yale University study found that microloans in the Philippines led to fewer businesses and lower self-reported well-being among recipients, contrary to initial expectations. However, the practice did provide a buffer against income fluctuations and increased access to informal credit.

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.