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Science News for May 6, 2011


Study finds livestock-related 'Staph' strain in child care worker

Researchers discovered a novel strain of Staphylococcus aureus, ST398, in an Iowa child care worker who reported no contact with livestock. The finding is an unexpected occurrence in a study examining the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in child day care facilities.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateMay 6, 2011

AGA presents cutting-edge research during DDW

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) will present exciting, cutting-edge data during the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) meeting that will help change the way physicians diagnose and treat GI disorders. AGA researchers will focus on the latest research and clinical advances in gastroenterology.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 6, 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.

Tree rings tell a 1,100-year history of El Niño

A team of climate scientists has found that annually resolved tree-ring records from North America can be used to improve El Niño prediction in climate models. The study shows that the intensity of El Niño events has been highly variable, with decades of strong and weak activity over the past 1,100 years.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 6, 2011

A planet of viruses

A Planet of Viruses delves into the world of viruses, revealing how they've shaped the evolution of life and continue to pose a threat to human health. The book also discusses innovative ways to harness viruses for medical breakthroughs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·DateMay 6, 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.

2 students named Goldwater Scholars, 2 receive honorable mention

University of Houston students Nicholas Eastham and Thomas Markovich have been named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, while Mason Biamonte and Abdulrahman Ibrahim received honorable mentions for their outstanding research work. The scholarships recognize academic merit and provide funding for further research and education.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateMay 6, 2011

Discovery demonstrates potential MS therapy could kill brain cells

Researchers have discovered that a specific type of T-cell can kill neurons, raising concerns about the potential effectiveness of an MS therapy. The study found that these protective T-cells, which are meant to regulate the immune system, can instead cause autoimmune diseases like MS.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateMay 6, 2011

New guidelines for cardiovascular genetic testing

The new guidelines emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and comprehensive clinical evaluation in treatment decisions. The guidelines also recommend specialized centers for genetic testing and interpretation, covering 13 inherited cardiac conditions.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateMay 6, 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.

JAMIA reports on people, their information needs and social networks

The May issue of JAMIA features research on protecting provider identities during disease surveillance, rapid outbreak detection, and disparities in internet patient portal use in diabetes. The study highlights the importance of understanding people's information needs and social networks in improving healthcare services.

SourceAmerican Medical Informatics Association·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateMay 6, 2011

Study finds Filipino children in San Diego County at higher risk for Kawasaki disease

A study by researchers at UC San Diego finds that Filipino children are more likely to develop aneurysms and inflammation of the blood vessels of the heart compared to other Asian and non-Asian backgrounds. The research highlights the need for medical providers to be aware of Kawasaki disease in high-risk populations.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal·DateMay 6, 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.

Pentagonal tiles pave the way towards organic electronics

Scientists at University of Cambridge and Rutgers University develop new class of organic thin films on surfaces, exhibiting unique properties ideal for high-density stable thin films. The findings pave the way for creating smaller electronic devices, replacing conventional fabrication techniques.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 6, 2011

Chemistry curbs spreading of carbon dioxide

A new study from the University of Cambridge shows that simple chemical reactions can delay or prevent CO2 from spreading in deep saline rock formations. The findings have implications for carbon sequestration methods and may enable engineers to manipulate reaction strength to enhance storage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review E·DateMay 6, 2011

Families are 'lovin' it'

A study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that factors influencing children's use of and time spent in fast-food and full-service restaurants include parental work schedules and parenting styles. Fathers who frequently dine out with their kids tend to have a greater impact on their eating habits.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMay 6, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

From a bucket of seawater, new understanding of the ocean

Researchers have discovered a new way to understand the interactions between cells and their environment using single-cell marine organisms. By sequencing the genomes of these tiny microbes, scientists can gain insights into diverse questions such as cancer cell growth rates and the impact of climate change on ecosystems.

SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·DateMay 6, 2011

Keck Futures Initiative awards $1 million for 13 research projects

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative has awarded $1 million for 13 interdisciplinary research projects in imaging science, aiming to improve detection and treatment of diseases. The selected projects focus on developing new biomedical imaging methods, including adaptive optics, statistical analysis, and multiscale modeling.

SourceNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine·DateMay 6, 2011

Columbia engineers patch a heart

Researchers at Columbia University have established a new method to repair damaged hearts using a tissue-engineering platform. This breakthrough enables heart tissue to repair itself and has the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, one of the most serious health problems today.

SourceColumbia University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2011
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Paper announces discovery of 1 of earliest minerals formed in solar system

A team of scientists has discovered a new mineral, krotite, which is believed to be one of the earliest minerals formed in our solar system. The mineral was found in an unusual inclusion embedded in a meteorite and is composed of calcium-aluminum-rich refractory material.

SourceNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateMay 6, 2011

Insight into HIV immunity may lead to vaccine

Researchers found that HIV evolves to evade ADCC antibodies, but these antibodies can force the virus to become weaker. This study suggests that inducing ADCC responses through a vaccine could help prevent HIV infection.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2011

Computers sing to a better tune

Researchers have developed a novel algorithm that uses evolutionary computation to optimize frequency curves for realistic synthetic vocals. The system compares human performances and home in on the most nuanced curve, making it possible to create high-quality, natural-sounding vocal renditions.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Soft Data Paradigms·DateMay 6, 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.