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Science News for May 15, 2011


Next generation gamers: Computer games aid recovery from stroke

Researchers found that computer simulations and cutting-edge techniques used by the film industry can restore lost hand and arm function in stroke victims. The study showed significant improvements in patients who played Plasma Pong, Hammer Task, Virtual Piano, and Hummingbird Hunt games.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·DateMay 15, 2011

Researchers demonstrate autonomous robots able to explore and map buildings

Researchers have developed autonomous robots that can explore and map buildings using a combination of navigation technology, vision-based techniques, and network technology. The robots can transmit detailed floor maps to humans in minutes, which could improve response times to emergencies and enhance safety in confined spaces.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateMay 15, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Splitting water to create renewable energy simpler than first thought?

A team of scientists at Monash University has discovered a manganese-based catalyst that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. The breakthrough uses the common mineral birnessite, which is found in rocks, to create a simple and efficient process for producing clean fuel.

SourceMonash University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 15, 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.

Gene variant linked with development of COPD in men

Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Caucasian men. The study found that variants in the vitamin D receptor gene influence the time to development of COPD, highlighting the potential role of vitamin D metabolic pathways in COPD risk.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 15, 2011

Exotic behavior when mechanical devices reach the nanoscale

A groundbreaking study by Prof. Adrian Bachtold's team has discovered nonlinear damping behavior in nanoscale mechanical devices, which facilitates amplification of signals and dramatic improvements in sensitivity. The findings have profound consequences for the physics of nanoelectromechanical resonators and will enable significant ad...

SourceCatalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 15, 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.

Obesity linked to higher risk of prostate cancer progression

Men who are overweight or obese face a three-fold increased risk of cancer progression and more than a three-fold increased risk of metastases compared to normal-weight men. Obesity is linked to poorer outcomes in prostate cancer patients, regardless of treatment.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateMay 15, 2011

Vitamin D improves exercise outcomes in patients with COPD

A study found that high doses of vitamin D supplementation on top of a standard rehabilitation program improves exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD. However, the treatment did not significantly improve health-related quality of life.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 15, 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.

Tiny variation in 1 gene may have led to crucial changes in human brain

Researchers at Yale University discovered a link between a genetic variation and the formation of brain convolutions, a hallmark of human intelligence. The study found that a deletion of two genetic letters in the LAMC3 gene was responsible for abnormal brain development in Turkish patients.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 15, 2011

Scientists looking to burst the superconductivity bubble

New research reveals that bubbles in the fabrication process of high-temperature superconductor Bi2212 limit its critical current density, blocking connectivity and reducing electrical resistance. Densification of filaments before melting could help eliminate bubble formation and improve material performance.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSuperconductor Science and Technology·DateMay 15, 2011

Researchers identify DNA region linked to depression

Researchers at Washington University and King's College London have independently identified a DNA region on chromosome 3 associated with depression. The region contains up to 90 genes and shows genome-wide significance, suggesting that many genes may be involved in depression.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMay 15, 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.

Winding back the clock with kidney stem cells

Researchers at Monash University have successfully reprogrammed healthy adult kidney cells into embryonic-like stem cells, offering a new approach to modeling genetic kidney disorders and developing personalized medicine. The breakthrough enables the creation of limitless patient-specific stem cell lines for drug testing and disease mo...

SourceMonash University·JournalAmerican Journal of Nephrology·DateMay 15, 2011

CPAP decreases cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients

A large-scale study found that CPAP treatment decreases cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study, which followed 939 patients for six years, also found that untreated severe OSA increases cardiovascular risk in this age group.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 15, 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.

'Master switch' gene for obesity and diabetes discovered

A study published in Nature Genetics reveals that the KLF14 gene acts as a master regulator controlling multiple genes found in fat tissue, influencing metabolic traits such as body-mass index, cholesterol, insulin, and glucose levels. This discovery has great therapeutic potential for treating conditions like obesity and diabetes.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 15, 2011

'Computer synapse' analyzed at the nanoscale

Researchers have analyzed the physical and chemical properties of memristors using highly focused x-rays, providing a detailed insight into their behavior. This study is crucial for understanding how memristors work, which will lead to novel applications in semi-autonomous robots and complex electronic circuits.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateMay 15, 2011