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Science News Archive October 2011


Page 19 of 28

Entomological Society of America announces 2011 award winners

The Entomological Society of America recognizes two entomologists with Distinguished Achievement Awards: Dr. Angela Douglas for her research on insect nutrition and symbiotic microorganisms, and Dr. Michael Parrella for his work on integrated pest management in the floriculture industry.

UK doctors still undertreating major risk factor for stroke

Research finds UK doctors are underdiagnosing and undertreating atrial fibrillation, a major risk factor for stroke, despite improvements in stroke prevention. The study analyzed data from the General Practice Research Database and found that only one in four patients with AF were prescribed preventive anticoagulant treatment.

Dark matter of the genome revealed through analysis of 29 mammals

Researchers identified 3 million previously undetectable elements in non-coding regions of mammalian genomes that have been preserved across millions of years, associated with human disease. This catalog makes it easier to decipher the function of disease-related variation in the human genome.

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.

FDA grant launches Atlanta Pediatric Device Consortium

The consortium aims to reduce barriers in pediatric device development by creating a product development pathway with support from Georgia Tech and Emory University institutions. Initial focus will be on investigating three technologies: smartphone attachment for at-home ear examinations, renal dialysis device, and gel for delayed skul...

Genome sequencing unlocks the mysteries of naked mole rat

Researchers have sequenced the naked mole rat genome, revealing genes related to its exceptional traits such as longevity, cancer resistance, and low oxygen tolerance. The study identified stable gene expression of TERT and tumor suppressor p16Ink4a, which may contribute to NMR's longevity mechanism and cancer resistance.

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.

Barshop Institute, global team sequences DNA of naked mole rat

A global team has sequenced the complete genome of the naked mole rat, a long-lived rodent that lives up to 31 years in captivity. The study reveals genetic secrets behind its extraordinary longevity, cancer resistance, and ability to survive in low-oxygen environments.

MIT research: Sugar high for bees

A study by MIT researchers found that bees and similar nectar feeders are most efficient when feeding on more sugary, or viscous, nectar, while suction feeders prefer less sugary nectar. This suggests a correlation between the morphology of flowers and their pollinators.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Cute' chimps in ads may harm the species' survival

Researchers found that exposure to chimpanzees in human settings in ads makes people less concerned about the risks they face and less likely to donate to conservation charities. The study suggests reevaluating media practices and conservation priorities.

Why many cells are better than one

Researchers from Johns Hopkins have quantified a cell's decision-making ability, finding it to be only two possible choices. Cells can overcome their individual limitations by forming multicellular organisms, which enables them to transfer information and make decisions together.

Do US men value fatherhood over their careers?

A nationwide survey of nearly 1,000 US men reveals that most value fatherhood as much as or more than their careers. Cultural and identity factors play a significant role in shaping attitudes towards fatherhood, contradicting conventional notions of fathers as economic providers.

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.

Study could help improve gene therapy for heart disease, cancer

A new study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine could lead to improved gene therapies for conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Researchers found that a virus used in vaccines can also be tailored to cause less of an immune response in gene therapy applications.

Survival disparities in African-American and white colo-rectal cancer patients

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that African-American patients with resected stage II and III colon cancer experienced poorer overall and recurrence-free survival compared to whites. The five-year relative survival rates for black and white colorectal cancer patients were 57% and 68%, respectively.

Falls prevention in Parkinson's disease

A study found that an exercise program improved balance and reduced fear of falling in people with Parkinson's disease who had a history of falls. The research team tracked significant improvements in physical recreational activity, supporting the effectiveness of physiotherapy and exercise in managing Parkinson's disease.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

If oxygen becomes the undoing of proteins

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that oxygen inactivates enzyme function in three phases, leading to the destruction of biological catalysts. This discovery could help develop more robust enzymes for hydrogen production.

UK study shows that a general practice domestic violence training program greatly increases referral of women to domestic violence advocacy organizations (IRIS study)

A UK study reveals that a general practice domestic violence training program greatly increases referral of women to domestic violence advocacy organizations. The intervention programme included specialist training, a prompt within the medical record, and a named advocate. This improvement is attributed to the substantial difference in...

Potential new drugs plug brain's biological 'vacuum cleaner' and target HIV

Scientists have developed new substances that first block the biological vacuum cleaner preventing anti-HIV drugs from reaching the brain and then revert to an active drug to treat HIV. This breakthrough allows medications to cross the blood-brain barrier, targeting brain diseases and potentially offering a cure for HIV.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Violent games emotionally desensitizing

A study by University of Bonn researchers found that heavy users of first-person shooter games exhibit decreased control over emotions when exposed to real-life negative images, as their brains become desensitized to such stimuli. This effect is not limited to virtual worlds, suggesting potential long-term consequences for gamers.

Warning signs can prevent deer-vehicle collisions, Canadian study shows

A Canadian study revealed that warning signs can significantly reduce deer-vehicle collisions, with drivers altering their speed after passing the signs. The study showed a notable decrease in collision rates once signs were placed in key locations, highlighting the effectiveness of selective implementation.

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.

Researchers make older beta cells act young again

Scientists at Stanford University have identified a molecular pathway responsible for the decline of beta cell division with age. By manipulating this pathway, they can restore the ability of older beta cells to divide and generate new cells, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Scientists find possible trigger for volcanic 'super-eruptions'

Researchers at Oregon State University propose a new model that suggests a combination of temperature influence and magma chamber geometry as a potential cause for super-eruptions. The study reveals that cracks in the roof above the magma chamber can trigger collapse and eruption, dwarfing recent volcanic eruptions.

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.

New mystery on Mars' forgotten plains

Researchers re-examining the Hesperia Planum on Mars have discovered a complex landscape with narrow, sinuous channels that defy explanation. The team, led by Tracy Gregg, is seeking help from scientists studying similar features on the Moon to shed light on the channels' origins.

New buzzwords 'reduce medicine to economics'

Physicians Pamela Hartzband and Jerome Groopman warn that the emphasis on 'evidence-based practice' reduces medicine to economics, losing sight of individualized patient care. The new vocabulary devalues clinical judgment and threatens the professionalism of healthcare workers.

Health sciences students key to emergency preparedness staffing plan

A new model for emergency preparedness staffing plans has been developed by UofL associate professor Ruth Carrico, PhD, utilizing nursing, pharmacy and public health students. The plan aims to increase the reliability of volunteers in participating in training exercises and real-time events during emergencies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Smoking cigarettes simulates cystic fibrosis

A new study found that cigarette smoke affects the lungs in a way similar to cystic fibrosis, causing dry cough and chronic bronchitis. The study suggests that treatments for cystic fibrosis might also help people with smoking-related diseases.

Clean correction of a patient's genetic mutation

Scientists have cleanly corrected a human gene mutation in a patient's stem cells, using cutting-edge methods to target and correct the sequence of the genome. The corrected gene worked normally, demonstrating the potential for patient-specific therapies.

Interfacility helicopter ambulance transport of neurosurgical patients

A retrospective analysis of neurosurgical patient transfers found that 60% of patients could have been stabilized at the original hospital before transfer by ground ambulance. Helicopter transport can cost up to $25,000, while ground transport is estimated to be between $800 and $2,000.

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.

'Evidence in European Asylum Procedures'

The thesis analyzes three national appellate asylum procedures in Europe, comparing their evidentiary standards and relating them to the EU legal order and international law. The study finds that national impacts play a significant role in adapting national procedures to external requirements.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Intelligent cars alert each other to hazards

A fleet of 120 vehicles is testing a system that alerts drivers to hazards, including traffic blocks and emergency situations. The simTD project aims to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and lower CO2 emissions through real-time information sharing between vehicles and infrastructure.

Bacterial communication could affect Earth's climate

Scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered that bacterial communication plays a crucial role in the ocean's carbon cycle. By sending chemical signals, bacteria can break down carbon-rich particles, potentially reducing the amount of carbon dioxide being drawn out of the atmosphere and transferred to the ocean.

Feeding the world while protecting the planet

A global plan for sustainable agriculture has been developed to increase food production by doubling current levels, while minimizing environmental damage. The plan combines data from crop records and satellite images to create new models of agricultural systems.

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.

UNH researchers receive NSF grant to 'scale up' stream ecology

The project, SCALER, aims to apply small-scale ecological experiments to understand the behavior of entire ecosystems and predict characteristics of stream networks. Researchers will conduct field work in Puerto Rico and use modeling to scale measurements up to regional and continental levels.

Skin color matters when it comes to Canadians' health: UBC study

A UBC study found that Black Canadians with darker skin are more likely to report poor overall health compared to those with lighter skin. The study suggests that colourism can negatively affect health and highlight the importance of considering racial identity mismatches.

Millions of new regulatory elements found in human genome

A recent study has identified millions of new regulatory elements in the human genome, which govern protein formation and are crucial for various central functions. These findings have significant implications for understanding how mutations in genes lead to diseases.

UofL researcher awarded $2.6 million NIH grant renewal

Researchers will develop medical treatments to counteract lung injuries caused by chlorine gas exposure. The proposed treatments target impaired lung function and pulmonary edema with rolipram, and prevent inflammation with triptolide.

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.

Genetic risk for cardiovascular disease may be modified by diet

Researchers found that genetic variants associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease may be mitigated by a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables. The study's results suggest that dietary choices can influence the impact of these genetic variants on cardiovascular health.

Researchers track number of doctors disciplined and why

Between 2000 and 2009, 606 Canadian physicians were disciplined by their provincial medical licensing authorities. The majority were men practicing independently for long periods, with sexual misconduct being the most frequent violation.

Roche licenses DNA sequencing technology from Biodesign Institute

The agreement enables the development of a revolutionary DNA sequencing system with unprecedented speed and cost-effectiveness. Drs. Stuart Lindsay and Colin Nuckolls' novel approaches for reading DNA bases will be integrated into Roche's sequencing center of excellence.