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Science News Archive June 2011 - Page 5


Page 5 of 28

Scientists sequence endangered Tasmanian devil's genome

Researchers use genome sequencing and analysis to identify individuals for captive breeding programs, aiming to maximize genetic diversity and prevent extinction. The study provides insights into the impact of European settlement on Tasmanian devil genomic diversity.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2011

UCLA stem cell scientists discover new airway stem cell

Researchers at UCLA have identified a new stem cell that plays a vital role in repairing the large airways of the lungs. The discovery has implications for understanding airway diseases and developing novel cell-based therapies.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalStem Cells·DateJun 27, 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.

Meta-analysis reveals patterns of bacteria-virus infection networks

A meta-analysis of bacterial-virus interactions reveals a nested structure, with hard-to-infect bacteria infected by generalist viruses and easy-to-infect bacteria attacked by both generalist and specialist viruses. This discovery could improve predictions of microbial population dynamics and community assembly.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2011

False negative tests in breast cancer may lead to wrong drug choice

Research at Yale University reveals 10-20% of breast cancers classified as ER negative are actually positive, leading to under-treatment and missed opportunities for effective therapies. A new method for standardizing Estrogen Receptor measurement has been developed, which detects the receptor with higher sensitivity and reproducibility.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJun 27, 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.

University of Houston's Biotech Program gets state grant

The University of Houston's Center for Life Sciences Technology has received a $300,000 state grant to continue and expand its research-based education programs in biotechnology. The grant will support the center's mission to provide innovative interdisciplinary training to aspiring professionals and industry workers.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJun 27, 2011

First patients receive lab-grown blood vessels from donor cells

Researchers have successfully implanted lab-grown blood vessels from donor skin cells into patients, a breakthrough that could improve treatment for kidney dialysis and coronary bypass surgery. The vessels withstood high pressure and frequent needle punctures without rejecting the immune system, paving the way for widespread use.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJun 27, 2011

Multidisciplinary integrated care for seniors gives better quality care

A Dutch study published in CMAJ found that multidisciplinary integrated care in residential care facilities resulted in better quality of care for seniors with complex health needs. The study showed improved functional ability, reduced hospital admissions, and enhanced health-related quality of life among participants.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJun 27, 2011

Baseball cheaters can't hide from the laws of physics

Researchers from Washington State University tested common cheating methods in baseball, finding that corked bats result in slower bounces, while juiced balls have nearly identical coefficients of restitution as contemporary ones. Humidors also curb home run production by reducing ball bounce.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Physics·DateJun 27, 2011
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Cancer diagnosis isotopes from Garching

The German Federal Ministry of Health has awarded funding for efficient production of cancer diagnostic agent technetium-99m at FRM II in Garching. The goal is to increase specific activity and improve packaging processes.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateJun 27, 2011

A little practice can change the brain in a lasting way: Study

A study at McMaster University found that practice can lead to precise and long-lasting changes in the brain's ability to retain information about visual patterns. Researchers observed significant improvements in accuracy rates over time, even when participants were shown new images closely resembling those they had seen previously.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 27, 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.

Related studies point to the illusion of the artificial

Two studies suggest diet soft drink consumption may lead to increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. Diet soda users experienced a 70% greater increase in waist circumference compared to non-users.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateJun 27, 2011

Metal particle generates new hope for H2 energy

Tiny metallic particles produced by University of Adelaide researchers have been found to efficiently split water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar radiation. This process has the potential to produce cheap, clean, and portable hydrogen energy.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateJun 27, 2011

Duke researchers learn how lung fibrosis begins and could be treated

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a possible new treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by targeting the invasive type of cell that leads to lung fibrosis. By reducing the production of hyaluronan and blocking its receptor, they were able to prevent fibrosis in living mice.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJun 27, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quality of hospital care in US territories appears lower than in US states

Hospitals in US territories demonstrate worse performance on core processes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia compared to hospitals in the US. The territories have higher mortality rates and lower performance measures for patients discharged after these conditions.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJun 27, 2011

Disease-resistant oysters call for shift in Bay restoration strategies

A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science researchers suggests that disease-resistant oysters are thriving in the high-salinity areas of Chesapeake Bay, where MSX and Dermo parasites thrive. Restoration efforts should focus on these areas to increase resistance, rather than low-salinity refugia.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateJun 27, 2011

Living antibiotic effective against Salmonella

A new study reveals that Bdellovibrio can reduce Salmonella bacteria by 90% without harming birds. The research confirms the safety and effectiveness of this natural predator as a potential alternative to antibiotics.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 27, 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.

Demonstrating the importance of dynamical systems theory

Researchers used bifurcation diagrams to analyze bursting electrical activity in pancreatic beta cells, finding distinct behavioral patterns under critical parameter regions. Dynamical systems approaches are gaining importance in biology due to their ability to dissect complex systems and understand cell-signaling mechanisms.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateJun 27, 2011

Researchers find a keystone nutrient recycler in streams

In a study published in Ecology, researchers found that banded tetras play a keystone role in nutrient recycling due to their diet composition and excretion rates. This finding highlights the importance of conservation efforts in maintaining ecosystem function.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalEcology·DateJun 27, 2011

Economic cost of weather may total $485 billion in US

Routine weather events like rain and cooler days can have a significant impact on the US economy, affecting every state. The study found that the mining and agriculture sectors are particularly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 27, 2011

Diastolic dysfunction of the heart associated with increased risk of death

A study of 36,261 patients found that diastolic dysfunction was associated with a higher mortality rate, particularly in moderate and severe cases. The researchers suggest that early identification of advanced diastolic dysfunction may lead to earlier interventions and improved outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateJun 27, 2011

Female mate choice enhances offspring fitness in an annual herb

A study found that female plants can control which pollen grains reach their ovules by delaying stigma receptivity, resulting in increased paternal diversity and seed production. This mechanism enhances offspring fitness in the annual herb Collinsia.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJun 27, 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.

July 2011 in GSA Today: Clinker geochronology

Researchers used clinker deposits and U-Th/He isotopic dating to determine the pace of recent evolution in the Powder River Basin. The study found that the basin has experienced increasing incision and topographic relief over the last million years, with rates of up to 0.3 km/million years.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJun 27, 2011

Alzheimer's prevention in your pantry

Researchers discovered a compound in cinnamon bark that can inhibit the development of Alzheimer's disease. The extract, called CEppt, slows down the progression of the disease and breaks up toxic amyloid fibers in the brain.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 27, 2011

NASA sees Tropical Depression Meari about to cross North Vietnam

Tropical Depression Meari is weakening due to wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures as it approaches North Korea, with moderate rainfall observed by NASA's TRMM satellite. The system is expected to fall apart over the Hamgyeong Mountain Range, potentially regenerating in the Sea of Japan

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 27, 2011

Disorderly enzyme is key for antibody diversity

A study by USC researchers reveals that the inefficiency of activation-induced deoxycytidine deaminase is key to generating antibody diversity, a crucial component of the immune system. The enzyme's random process creates mutations in immunoglobulin genes, producing a diverse array of antibodies.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJun 27, 2011

Soluble fiber strikes a blow to belly fat

A new study found that increasing soluble fiber intake can reduce visceral fat by 3.7% over five years and decrease belly fat accumulation rate by 7.4%. Moderate activity, such as vigorous exercise for 30 minutes two to four times a week, is also effective in reducing belly fat.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalObesity·DateJun 27, 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.

Greener disaster alerts

Researchers developed a new software that allows wireless sensor networks to run at much lower energy, improving the efficiency of hurricane and other natural disaster warning systems. The technology also enables environmental monitoring and risk identification.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Sensor Networks·DateJun 27, 2011

Study: Most parents unaware of teen workplace risks

A new study highlights the importance of parental involvement in helping teenagers understand and prepare for workplace risks. The research found that most parents are unaware of the hazards their teens face on the job, but can play a critical role in ensuring good safety standards by asking the right questions.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJun 27, 2011

UCI, French researchers find master switch for adult epilepsy

Researchers have identified a central switch responsible for transforming healthy brain cells into epileptic ones. The discovery marks a dramatic change in understanding how temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) develops, revealing the role of epigenetic mechanisms and a master switch-like protein called NRSF.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJun 27, 2011

Black members of Adventist church defy health disparities, study shows

A recent study conducted at Loma Linda University found that black members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have a significantly better quality of life compared to the average American. They reported lower rates of smoking, drinking, and meat consumption, as well as higher rates of vegetarianism and water consumption.

SourceLoma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center·DateJun 27, 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.

Study reveals possible brain damage in young adult binge-drinkers

A new University of Cincinnati study found that binge drinking among adolescents and young adults can cause cortical-thinning in the pre-frontal cortex, leading to impaired executive functioning. The research also suggests that greater number of drinks per binge is associated with reduced gray matter thickness.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateJun 27, 2011

Researchers share useful lessons learned in evaluating emerging technologies

The NIST researchers developed an evaluative framework called SCORE to assess the performance of systems and their components, providing a unified set of criteria and software tools for emerging technologies evaluation. The framework helps maximize contributions without biasing test results and provides flexibility over time.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Control and Systems·DateJun 27, 2011

Duke team finds new clues to how cancer spreads

A Duke University Medical Center research team has discovered new proteins in blood cells of patients with advanced prostate cancer and metastatic breast cancer. These proteins are associated with embryonic development and may help doctors gauge the progression or response to treatment more accurately.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateJun 27, 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.

Study finds peat wildfire smoke linked to heart failure risk

A US EPA study has found that peat wildfire smoke is associated with a significant increase in emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular effects. The study discovered a 37% rise in ER visits for people experiencing symptoms of heart failure during a period of dense smoke exposure.

SourceU.S. Environmental Protection Agency·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJun 27, 2011

A quiet phase: NIST optical tools produce ultra-low-noise microwave signals

Physicists at NIST generated microwave signals with improved purity and stability using a new optical frequency comb-based system. The apparatus has the potential to improve signal stability and resolution in radar, communications, and navigation systems, as well as certain types of atomic clocks.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 27, 2011

Nearly half of women with advanced breast cancer in the US not receiving life-saving treatment

A new study from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center found that nearly half of women with advanced breast cancer in the US are not receiving life-saving post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), despite evidence-based guidelines outlining its benefits. The study suggests that better strategies, such as requiring compliance for accreditation a...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer·DateJun 27, 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.

Nanowire-based sensors offer improved detection of volatile organic compounds

Researchers have developed nano-sized sensors that detect harmful pollutants at lower concentrations and with greater reliability than traditional commercial gas sensors. The new nanowire sensors operate at room temperature, reducing power consumption and enabling more widespread use.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNanotechnology·DateJun 27, 2011

How cavity-causing microbes invade heart

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center identified a collagen-binding protein allowing Streptococcus mutans to invade heart tissue, causing endocarditis. The discovery may lead to a screening tool to gauge dental patients' vulnerability.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateJun 27, 2011

Team identifies new breast cancer tumor suppressor and how it works

A team of researchers has identified a new breast cancer tumor suppressor called Runx3, which regulates gene expression and targets the estrogen receptor alpha. The study found that Runx3 suppressed breast cancer cell growth and inhibited tumor formation in mice, offering potential benefits for early detection and treatment.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalOncogene·DateJun 27, 2011

Scientists discover dielectron charging of water nano-droplet

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology and Tel Aviv University discovered dielectron charging of water nano-droplets, where excess electrons form doubly negatively charged clusters. The study reveals a water-splitting process resulting in molecular hydrogen liberation and hydroxide anions formation.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·DateJun 27, 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.

Advances in delivery of therapeutic genes to treat brain tumors

New tools and methods enable targeted gene delivery to cells in the central nervous system, offering hope for new treatments. Novel strategies include using stem cells and siRNAs to silence genes involved in neurological diseases.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateJun 27, 2011

2 talks with teens leads to less marijuana use for at least a year

Researchers found that a brief conversation with an adult led to significant reductions in marijuana use among teenagers who frequently used the drug. The program, called Teen Marijuana Check-Up, was shown to decrease usage by up to 20% over a year, setting a promising model for schools and counselors.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateJun 27, 2011

Tiny ring laser accurately detects and counts nanoparticles

A tiny ring laser can detect and count individual nanoparticles with high accuracy, offering a breakthrough in sensing technology. The sensor's effective resolution limit is about one nanometer, making it orders of magnitude more sensitive than earlier passive resonators.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 27, 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.

Cedars-Sinai surgeon shows simple cotton swab slashes

A study by Cedars-Sinai surgeon Shirin Towfigh found that daily probing of wounds with a dry cotton swab after surgery dramatically reduced infections in post-operative incision sites. The technique resulted in significantly shorter hospital stays and better cosmetic healing.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalArchives of Surgery·DateJun 27, 2011