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Science News Archive November 2011 - Page 7


Page 7 of 28

$3.8 million grant investigates link between sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation

A $3.8 million grant will investigate the connection between sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, with the goal of identifying new approaches for prevention and treatment. The study aims to characterize how sleep apnea affects the heart's structure and function, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with this condition.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateNov 22, 2011

McMaster study calls sodium intake guidelines into question

A McMaster University study found that moderate salt intake was linked to the lowest risk of cardiovascular events, while excessive or low salt intake increased the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other complications. The research calls into question current guidelines recommending low sodium intake.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalJAMA·DateNov 22, 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.

Awareness biases information processing

A new study found that conscious awareness influences information processing during decision making, leading to non-linear integration strategies. Participants who were aware of the evidence weighted new information based on their existing knowledge.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2011

Depression and anxiety not linked to delayed resolution of abnormal mammograms, Pap tests

Research from Boston University School of Medicine found no association between depression and delayed diagnostic resolution after abnormal mammograms or Pap tests. Women with psychiatric disorders face disparities in cancer screening and outcomes, but this study suggests pre-existing depression is not a significant barrier to resolution.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 22, 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.

UT Southwestern team identifies tumor-specific pathway

Researchers discovered a unique metabolic pathway in some tumors, potentially targeting for drug development. The reverse Krebs cycle pathway was found to run counter-clockwise in tumors, providing a new therapeutic target. This breakthrough could lead to effective treatments for certain types of cancer.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2011

The best way to market fine wine: Teach and learn or wine and dine?

A recent study published in Cornell Hospitality Quarterly found that novice wine consumers can be swayed by advertising and create stronger memories when they have a better understanding of the product's background. To combat this, wine producers are advised to combine tasting experiences with educational materials.

SourceSAGE·JournalCornell Hospitality Quarterly·DateNov 22, 2011

New design for mechanical heart valves

Researchers created a new design for mechanical heart valves that closely matches the pattern and rate of blood flow found in healthy hearts. The asymmetric valves improved cardiac function, reducing the effort required by the heart muscle and restoring its regulatory mechanism.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateNov 22, 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.

Bat plant could give some cancers a devil of a time

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have identified potent compounds in the bat plant that can selectively kill cancer cells. The taccalonolides stabilize microtubules in cancer cells without affecting healthy cells.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 22, 2011

Physical activity impacts overall quality of sleep

A new study found that 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week significantly improves sleep quality, with participants feeling less sleepy during the day. The study's results support mounting research linking regular exercise to various health benefits, including improved daytime alertness.

SourceOregon State University·JournalMental Health and Physical Activity·DateNov 22, 2011

Seals show different levels of parenting skills

Researchers found that seal mothers adopt a wide range of mothering styles, with some being very attentive while others are not. The study also revealed large differences in response to potential dangers among both female and male seals, with no correlation to age or size.

SourceDurham University·JournalMarine Mammal Science·DateNov 22, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Saving Da Vinci's Last Supper from air pollution

A multi-national team, including USC scientists, found that indoor pollution has been drastically reduced at the church housing the famous painting by 88 and 94 percent. However, fatty lipids from visitors' skin still pose a threat of soiling on the Last Supper, despite strict visitor access regulations.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateNov 22, 2011

Dendritic cells protect against acute pancreatitis

Researchers found that high levels of dendritic cells in the pancreas can alleviate cellular stress caused by severe inflammation, while low levels are associated with exacerbated pancreas injury. Dendritic cells play a critical protective role in pancreatic organ survival.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateNov 22, 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.

Stigma among HIV-positive women complex and overlapping

A study by Mona Loutfy and colleagues found that women experience a complex system of stigma related to HIV, sexism, racism, homophobia, and sex work. The researchers identified resilience, social networks, and challenging stigma as effective coping strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateNov 22, 2011

Herbicide may affect plants thought to be resistant

Researchers found that ABCB4, a protein responsible for moving auxin, also removes excess hormone when it accumulates, potentially affecting root growth. The study suggests that the herbicide 2,4-D may impact plants thought to be resistant due to its effect on this protein.

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateNov 22, 2011

Babies who eat fish before 9 months are less likely to suffer pre-school wheeze

A Swedish study found that babies who started eating fish before nine months are less likely to suffer from pre-school wheeze. However, children who were treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics in the first week of life or whose mothers took paracetamol during pregnancy faced an increased risk, particularly of multiple-trigger wheeze.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateNov 22, 2011
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.

NASA's NPP satellite acquires first VIIRS image

The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard NASA's NPP satellite has acquired its first measurements, capturing high-resolution imagery of Eastern North America. The data will be used to observe the Earth's surface, including fires, ice, ocean color, vegetation, clouds, and land and sea surface temperatures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 22, 2011

P Rex-1 protein key to melanoma metastasis

A team of UNC scientists has identified P-Rex1 protein as a crucial factor in the movement of melanoblasts, leading to melanoma development. The study found that mice lacking this protein are resistant to melanoma metastasis, suggesting P-Rex1 plays an important role in cancer spread.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2011
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Chemistry professor links feces and caffeine

A study by Prof. Sébastien Sauvé and colleagues has discovered a strong correlation between the levels of caffeine in water and the level of bacteria, making caffeine a useful indicator of pollution due to sewerage systems.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalChemosphere·DateNov 22, 2011

Why has synesthesia survived evolution?

Researchers find synesthesia is an authentic phenomenon with sensory basis, common among artists and novelists. The 'synesthesia gene' may have evolved to make highly creative individuals more prone to link unrelated ideas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateNov 22, 2011
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.

Olympic Villages: Catalyst for urban renewal, or post-Games hangover?

Cities' grandiose Olympic Village projects often prioritize private sector interests over public good, leading to significant financial burdens on taxpayers. Sociologist Jay Scherer's research highlights the importance of democratic transparency in such partnerships, emphasizing the need for community benefits and fair risk distribution.

SourceUniversity of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation·JournalSociology·DateNov 22, 2011

The impending revolution of low-power quantum computers

Research on tunnel-FET technology, which exploits the quantum tunnel effect, promises to reduce power consumption of transistors and microprocessors. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-miniaturized, zero-power electronic devices.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateNov 22, 2011
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Future prostate cancer treatments might be guided by math

A new mathematical model predicts individual patient responses to therapy and identifies optimal treatments for advanced prostate cancer. The model incorporates personalized data, including tumor cell characteristics, to provide more accurate treatment decisions.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2011

A better way to count molecules discovered

A new method for counting molecules has been developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, allowing for the accurate measurement of RNA and DNA molecules in cells. This breakthrough enables the counting of absolute numbers of molecules, rather than just relative differences between samples.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Methods·DateNov 21, 2011

Wildlife access critical to children's health

Researchers discovered a powerful connection between loss of wildlife access and micronutrient deficiencies in children. Losing access to wildlife induces a 30% relative increase in anemia prevalence among pre-adolescent children. Conservation efforts are crucial to prevent severe health consequences.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 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.

New culprit found in Lou Gehrig's disease

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a second faulty gene, sequestosome1, contributing to the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS. The study provides new insights into the disease's progression and potential targets for drug therapies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateNov 21, 2011

Human, artificial intelligence join forces to pinpoint fossil locations

A team of researchers has developed an artificial neural network model to predict the location of fossil sites. The software uses satellite imagery and maps to identify productive areas in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming, and has already accurately pinpointed 79% of known fossil sites.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEvolutionary Anthropology Issues News and Reviews·DateNov 21, 2011

BRAF addiction of thyroid cancers makes them therapeutically vulnerable

Researchers have found that thyroid cancers with BRAF mutations are exquisitely dependent on the BRAF signaling pathway for viability. Treatments targeting this pathway can restore radioiodine incorporation, suggesting a new therapeutic approach for patients with BRAF-positive papillary thyroid carcinomas.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 21, 2011

Butterfly wings inspire design of water-repellent surface

Researchers created a multilayered silicon structure with air-trapping features that improve water repellency, also absorbing light in the infrared range. This biologically-inspired surface has potential uses in electro-optical devices and chemical sensors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 21, 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.

Ulcer-causing bacteria tamed by defect in cell-targeting ability

Researchers have discovered a defect in the cell-targeting ability of Helicobacter pylori bacteria that leads to reduced inflammation in the stomach. The study found that the bacteria's chemotaxis, or movement towards specific chemicals, plays a crucial role in triggering chronic inflammation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2011

IBD patients face increased skin cancer risk

Certain IBD patients may have an increased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly those on thiopurine immunosuppressants. Researchers emphasize the need for dermatologic screening and sun protection in these patients.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateNov 21, 2011

Mortality rates for pharynx and mouth cancers have decreased

Mortality rates for patients with oral cavity and pharynx cancer have decreased significantly between 1993 and 2007. The largest declines were observed among black men and women with at least 12 years of education, suggesting that improvements in detection, treatment, and risk factors contribute to these decreases.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·DateNov 21, 2011

Ignorance is bliss when it comes to challenging social issues

A new study by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to avoid learning about complex social issues like energy consumption and the environment. This avoidance can lead to increased dependence on and trust in the government to deal with these issues.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 21, 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.

Researchers search for culprit behind dry eyes, mouths and more

Georgia Health Sciences University researchers aim to identify early events in Sjögren's syndrome development to improve diagnosis and treatment. The study focuses on immune cells, particularly dendritic cells and T cells, to understand how the disease unfolds.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateNov 21, 2011

After 25 years, sustainability is a growing science that's here to stay

Researchers found that sustainability science has become a cohesive global field, doubling in size every 8.3 years, with contributions from over 2,200 cities and 174 countries. The most productive city for sustainability publications was Washington, D.C., surpassing major tech hubs like Boston and the Bay Area.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 21, 2011

Johnny Rotten's graffiti: The new heritage?

Researchers discover intact Sex Pistols graffiti on a London flat's walls, arguing it's a powerful representation of punk rebellion. The find challenges traditional notions of heritage and suggests a new approach to conservation.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAntiquity·DateNov 21, 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.

Lightning sprites are out-of-this-world

Scientists at Tel Aviv University re-created the atmospheres of Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus to study the presence of lightning sprites. The research aims to understand electrical and chemical processes on other planets, potentially indicating the presence of extraterrestrial life.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateNov 21, 2011

Cancer drug cisplatin found to bind like glue in cellular RNA

Researchers discovered that cancer drug cisplatin binds up to 20-fold more to RNA than DNA, suggesting a new approach for reducing toxic side effects. The study found platinum was retained on RNA and bound quickly, with specific locations targeted.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateNov 21, 2011