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Science News for October 14, 2011


Intruder detected: Raise the alarm!

Scientists at EMBL have discovered how a protein called RIG-I sounds the alarm when it detects viral RNA, triggering an immune response. The study sheds light on how cells rapidly respond to various viruses, including influenza and hepatitis.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateOct 14, 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.

A hidden order unraveled

Scientists directly observe quantum-correlated particle-hole pairs in a one-dimensional optical lattice, allowing them to unravel a hidden order in the crystal. The work reveals fluctuations at absolute zero temperature and opens new ways to characterize novel quantum phases of matter.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateOct 14, 2011

Better ways to predict kidney disease risk for African Americans

New research reveals that APOL1 gene variants are a major risk factor for two forms of kidney disease, with African Americans having a significantly higher risk due to genetic predisposition. Early screening and treatment could potentially safeguard against kidney failure and early death for millions of individuals.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 14, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New NOAA-funded research to illuminate connections between reefs in the Gulf of Mexico

The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research is initiating a 5-year project focused on the role that Pulley Ridge reefs play in replenishing key fish species and other organisms in downstream reefs. This research aims to develop more effective strategies to protect these ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateOct 14, 2011

Contamination of UK mobile phones and hands revealed

A UK-wide study found one in six mobile phones are contaminated with faecal matter, highlighting poor handwashing habits. The study also revealed a strong North-South divide in bacterial levels, with Glasgow having the highest levels on phones and hands.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·DateOct 14, 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.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular disease

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, with increased triglycerides and insulin resistance contributing to the condition. Regular screening and treatment can help mitigate this risk, but more research is needed to understand the extent of PCOS's impact on cardiovascular health.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateOct 14, 2011

Bad eggs and oil slicks

A study suggests that punitive damages should be calculated based on a company's financial worth to effectively deter corporate wrongdoing. Research highlights cases where increased penalties led to behavioral changes, such as BMW's policy shift after being forced to pay $4 million in punitive damages.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Private Law·DateOct 14, 2011

Turning slash piles into soil benefit

Students at the University of Washington have developed a low-technology solution to turn slash piles into biochar, a crumbly charcoal-like product that helps farmers' soil hold water and nutrients. The new method is estimated to be cost-effective and could transform what was once a big problem into a money-making engine for landowners.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateOct 14, 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.

Vast hidden network regulates gene expression in cancer

Researchers have discovered a vast new gene regulatory network in mammalian cells that could explain genetic variability in cancer. The mPR network allows mRNAs to communicate through small RNA molecules called microRNAs, influencing the expression of other genes.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCell·DateOct 14, 2011

The future of airport passport control

The BioP@ss project has developed advanced chip cards with embedded software for biometrics-enhanced passports and identity cards, reducing queues at airports and frontier posts. The technology boosts European security while simplifying access to public services, improving passengers' safety.

SourceEUREKA·DateOct 14, 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.

Super-sized muscle made twin-horned dinosaur a speedster

Researchers found that Carnotaurus' unique tail structure supported a massive caudofemoralis muscle, allowing for exceptional straight-ahead speed. The muscle's attachment to the upper leg bones also enabled powerful flexing, giving the dinosaur increased power and speed.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 14, 2011

Three for the price of one – mobile electrons multiplied in quantum dot films

Researchers from Delft University of Technology have demonstrated that mobile electrons can be produced by a single light particle in quantum dot films, increasing solar cell efficiency. Up to 3.5 free electrons are created per absorbed light particle, surviving long enough to move freely through the material.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 14, 2011

Watching electrons in molecules

For the first time, Prof. Hans Jakob Wörner and colleagues have recorded electronic motion during a complete chemical reaction using attosecond spectroscopy on nitrogen dioxide molecules. This experiment reveals details of chemical reaction mechanisms that were not accessible to most previous experimental techniques.

SourceETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 14, 2011

Researchers discover material with graphene-like properties

Scientists have developed a material that exhibits physical properties similar to graphene, including superconductivity and magnetic behavior. The discovery was made by combining ultra-high magnetic fields with the unique composition of SrMnBi2, which allows for easy doping with foreign atoms.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 14, 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.

Women's heart disease tied to small blood vessels

A recent study suggests that women's hearts are more prone to damage from small blood vessels rather than major arteries, leading to misdiagnosis and adverse events. Researchers are working to develop new diagnostic methods and treatments tailored to female heart disease patterns.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateOct 14, 2011

University of Oklahoma team awarded $10.7 million contract to develop educational video game for training intelligence analysts

A University of Oklahoma team has been awarded a $10.7 million contract to develop an educational video game that trains intelligence analysts to recognize and mitigate cognitive biases. The game, called MACBETH, aims to improve the accuracy of credibility assessments and reduce cognitive biases in future intelligence analysts.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·DateOct 14, 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.

Another clue to how obesity works

Researchers at Monash University have discovered how leptin-resistance develops in overweight and obese individuals. The study reveals that targeting only one of the negative regulators won't be enough to increase leptin-sensitivity in obesity, suggesting that all three regulators might need to be switched off.

SourceMonash University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 14, 2011

Frustration inspires new form of graphene

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new form of graphene that resists aggregation, thanks to its crumpled shape. The material retains its surface area and remains pure, making it more useful for applications requiring large amounts of the material.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 14, 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.

MARC Travel awards announced for the ABRCMS meeting

The FASEB MARC Program has awarded $232,650 to 137 students and postdoctorates, promoting diversity in biomedical research. This year's recipients include high school honors students, peer mentors, and poster/oral presenters from various institutions.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateOct 14, 2011

Gender differences in blood pressure appears as early as adolescence

A new study from the University of California at Merced found that adolescent girls with obesity have a significantly higher risk of developing elevated systolic blood pressure than their non-obese peers. Obesity was not as strongly linked to high blood pressure in boys, who were still more likely to develop it but to a lesser extent.

SourceAmerican Physiological Society·DateOct 14, 2011