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Science News Archive November 2011


Page 21 of 28

Reducing carbon footprints with carbon storage

Research shows that maintaining wildlands in and among vineyards significantly improves carbon storage. This approach can help balance global atmospheric carbon by increasing vegetation and biodiversity while reducing emissions.

Psychologists chase down sleep demons

Researchers found that sleep paralysis is more common in students and psychiatric patients, affecting nearly 28% of students and 32% of psychiatric patients. The study also identified three types of hallucinations experienced during sleep paralysis, including the presence of an intruder, pressure on the chest, and levitation.

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.

Wood biofuel could be a competitive industry by 2020: UBC study

A new study published in the journal Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefinin suggests that wood-based biofuel can compete with corn ethanol for a share of the renewable fuels market. The research identifies opportunities to reduce costs and increase economic viability through technological advancements and economies-of-scale.

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.

Researchers create extra-long electrical arcs using less energy

Researchers at the University of Canterbury developed a new method to generate extra-long electrical arcs using exploding copper wires, reducing the amount of voltage needed by more than 95%. The technique has potential applications in inducing real lightning from thunderclouds and creating novel electrical machines.

Seasonal flu monitoring system launches

The UK Flusurvey, launched by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, will track seasonal flu spread across Britain and compare data with European countries. The online survey aims to detect flu epidemics early and provide insights into vaccine effectiveness.

A new role is hatched for female fruit flies

A team of NYU biologists uncovered a previously unknown role for female reproductive tract cells in fruit flies, which affects sperm movement and fertility. The discovery may provide insights into manipulating reproductive behavior in other insects.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nanowires could be solution for high performance solar cells

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technique to integrate compound semiconductor nanowires on silicon wafers, enabling high-performance solar cells. The approach uses densely packed arrays of tiny strands of III-V semiconductor that grow up vertically from the silicon wafer.

Syracuse University receives $2 million from NSF

The university will conduct research on deciphering and controlling the signaling processes in bacterial multicellular systems and bacteria-host interactions. This study aims to understand persister formation in biofilm development and manipulate the multicellular and inter-kingdom signaling processes.

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.

What the brain sees after the eye stops looking

A Japanese study reveals that the brain, not the eye, produces afterimage illusions in complementary shapes. The research found that the brain's shape-processing visual cortex is responsible for creating these illusory shapes, which were observed in a novel afterimage illusion.

Vaccine for metastatic breast, ovarian cancer shows promise

A recombinant poxviral vaccine has shown positive responses in both metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer, with median overall survival ranging from 13.7 months to 15 months. The treatment led to clinical responses in some patients and mild injection-site reactions as the most common side effect.

Spinal bleeding with brain injury may suggest abuse in young children

A new study found that spinal bleeding is common in young children with traumatic brain injury, suggesting abusive trauma. Complete spine imaging can help distinguish between abusive and accidental injury in these cases. The study's findings support the importance of imaging the whole spine for accurate diagnosis.

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.

Research team explores how microbial diversity defends against disease

A research team led by Virginia Tech's Lisa Belden is studying the role of microbial communities on the skin of frogs in defending against a devastating fungal disease. The goal is to develop probiotics that can help amphibians resist the disease and potentially even release endangered species back into nature.

Financial reimbursement increases cardiac stress tests

A new study from Duke University Medical Center found that financial reimbursement for cardiac imaging tests increases their use, with doctors ordering tests 50-100% more often when billed for both performing and interpreting the results.

Molecular corkscrew

Researchers have discovered that the protein p97/VCP aids DNA repair by unwinding proteins at damaged sites. This mechanism holds potential for improving radio- and chemotherapy effects on cancer cells.

A list of the planthoppers of Iran

A comprehensive list of 235 planthoppers from Iran has been compiled, featuring new species names and taxonomic data. The study aims to improve pest control management and encourage further research on this important group of insects.

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.

Research targets brain region affected by Parkinson's

A team of researchers at the University of Western Ontario has demonstrated that eliminating a specific neurotransmitter in the striatum may improve brain function in Parkinson's disease. By using genetically-modified mice and high-level behavior and imaging techniques, the researchers found that neurons responsible for this neurotrans...

Using Viagra to combat malignant melanoma

Researchers have found that sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, can neutralize chronic inflammation caused by malignant melanoma, allowing tumor-specific T cells to function properly. This study suggests that Viagra may improve treatment results for people with melanoma by boosting antitumor immunity.

Shoe strings and egg openers

Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify novel Rubisco activase in red algae that repairs useless proteins by opening active centers like a shoe string. This discovery could aid in designing more efficient plants and microorganisms that convert CO2 into valuable biomass.

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.

Promoting corporate sustainability on the web

A new study found that top US companies promote sustainability on their websites to attract and retain profitable customers. The researchers assessed the environmental efforts of 500 leading companies and discovered a significant increase in sustainability programs across industries since 2008.

Clean indoor air laws encourage bans on smoking at home

New studies found that clean indoor air laws are associated with increased voluntary smokefree policies in the home, particularly in households with smokers and children. The laws have a significant impact on protecting kids from secondhand smoke exposure, with children up to twice as likely to take up smoking themselves.

Universities, industry team up for 'greener' electronics

The NSF-funded I/UCRC E3S center aims to develop holistic approaches to energy efficiency in data centers, potentially saving millions of dollars. The collaboration between universities and industry leaders will focus on finding ways to monitor and self-regulate electronic systems' energy usage.

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.

1 neuron, 2 neurotransmitters and different effects on behavior

Researchers discovered that eliminating acetylcholine secretion boosted dopamine actions, potentially improving motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The study used genetically modified mice to investigate the role of neurotransmitters in the striatum, a region affected by the disease.

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.

New research calls for lower limit to be set for South Asian obesity level

A new study suggests that migrant South Asians should be classified as obese with a BMI between 23-28 kg/m2, indicating a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The conventional definition of obesity may need to be lowered for this population to detect equivalent levels of cardiovascular risk.

Painkiller abuse treated by sustained buprenorphine/naloxone

A large-scale study found that sustained buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) treatment reduced prescription painkiller abuse by 49% in patients with addiction. However, once the medication was discontinued, relapse rates were high, highlighting the need for sustained recovery strategies.

New artemisinin-based treatment against malaria promising

A new artemisinin-based treatment has been shown to be highly effective in treating uncomplicated malaria, particularly in regions with high re-infection risks. The study, which involved over 4,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa, found that the combination therapy had excellent efficacy and significantly reduced recurrent infections.

Adult living donor liver transplants safe, study finds

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital found that adult living donor liver transplants are safe with a 100% donor survival rate and low-grade complications. The study, which looked at 54 living donor liver transplants over 10 years, also found minor complications in 61% of donors.

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.

Researchers identify diabetes link to cognitive impairment in older adults

Researchers identified a key mechanism behind diabetes-related cognitive impairment, finding that insulin resistance triggers inflammation leading to cortical atrophy and brain dysfunction. The study provides new insights into the disease's impact on the brain and highlights the importance of managing and preventing diabetes.

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.

Survey identifies sea turtle 'hitchhikers'

A recent survey of Pacific sea turtles has identified 16 species of epibionts, including crabs and barnacles, that live on their shells. These organisms can cause drag and transmit disease, highlighting the importance of considering their impact on turtle health and ecology.

UCLA biologists slow the aging process in fruit flies

Researchers activated a gene called PGC-1, which increases mitochondrial activity, and found it significantly extends the lifespan of fruit flies' digestive tracts. The study's implications for human aging suggest targeting the intestine as a vital tissue type for healthy aging.

Fundamental discovery casts enzymes in new light

Researchers have made a fundamental discovery about enzymes, revealing that flexibility is an essential feature of enzyme function. This finding has significant implications for improving the efficiency of enzymatic processes and developing new treatments for diseases such as AIDS.

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.

Galaxy DNA-analysis software is now available 'in the cloud'

The Galaxy platform is now available as a cloud computing resource, providing researchers with access to powerful computing power and vast data storage capacity. This development enables scientists to perform large-scale DNA analyses without investing in expensive computer infrastructure.

Four Hebrew University professors named winners of EMET Prize

Four Hebrew University professors, Prof. Saharon Shelah, Gershon Ben-Shakhar, Berachyahu Lifshitz, and Eliav Shochetman, have been awarded the $1 million EMET Prize for their significant contributions to mathematics, psychology, law, and Jewish law. The prize recognizes their far-reaching influence and impact on society.

For new microscope images, less is more

Scientists have developed a microscope that utilizes compression sensing to gather molecular vibration information with increased resolution and reduced time. The new method has been applied to sum frequency generation microscopes, resulting in images with 16 times more pixel density than traditional scanning techniques.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Using biochar to boost soil moisture

Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that biochars produced from switchgrass and hardwoods increased soil moisture storage in sandy soils. The study also showed that biochars can extend the window of soil water availability for crops by 1-3 days.

US institute wraps up data collection in Russian Mars 520-day mission simulation

The 520-day Mars Mission simulated prolonged operational confinement on a six-member international crew, collecting over 4.5 million minutes of actiwatch data to evaluate the impact on sleep patterns and mental health. The study's findings will help scientists mitigate potential problems for future long-duration space missions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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