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Science News Archive October 2011


Page 5 of 28

Clinical trial shows first evidence that anal cancer is preventable

A recent clinical trial conducted by the University of California - San Francisco indicates that a vaccine against HPV can effectively reduce anal infections and precancerous lesions, leading to a nearly 75% reduction in cancer precursors among those who had not been previously exposed. The vaccine is expected to prevent anal cancer in...

Gene responsible for relapses in young leukemia patients

Researchers have identified a gene variant associated with an increased risk of leukemia relapse in young patients treated with E. coli asparaginase, a common chemotherapy drug. This discovery may lead to personalized treatment approaches based on genetic profiles.

Why do woodpeckers resist head impact injury?

Researchers studied woodpecker anatomy and behavior to understand how they resist head impact injury. Key findings include the relative 'spongy'-ness of cranial bones and beak features that absorb shock, leading to a combined effect of multiple morphological features.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wind Energy Manufacturing Lab helps Iowa State engineers improve wind power

Researchers at Iowa State University's Wind Energy Manufacturing Lab are working to develop new manufacturing methods that can improve the productivity of turbine blade factories by up to 35%. The lab uses advanced technologies like lasers and nondestructive evaluation to analyze and improve wind blade edges, fabric manipulation techni...

'Magnetic tongue' ready to help produce tastier processed foods

A new magnetic tongue technology uses nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze food components and estimate tastes, showing promise for improving flavor detection in processed foods. The method has potential as a rapid, sensitive, and relatively inexpensive approach for food processing companies.

UM School of Medicine finds new pathway critical to heart arrhythmia

Researchers found a previously unknown molecular pathway controlling ion channel number and location on the cell surface, affecting heart rhythm and other muscle activity. This discovery may lead to new treatments for heart arrhythmia and related conditions such as paralysis and kidney disorders.

Poverty-related stress affects readiness for school

A recent study found that poverty-related stress impacts executive function development in early childhood, leading to lower academic readiness. Higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, were linked to reduced executive function abilities in low-income homes.

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.

No hands required -- scientists achieve precise control of virtual flight

Researchers have created a novel EEG-based brain-computer interface that allows users to control a virtual helicopter using only their minds. The system was tested with great success, reaching targets 85% of the time in a task requiring users to navigate randomly positioned rings in three-dimensional space.

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.

Boaters' risk of illness on Chicago River similar to other waterways

A University of Illinois study found that boating, kayaking, and fishing on the Chicago River pose a risk of gastrointestinal illness comparable to swimming at other local waters. The study, which enrolled over 11,000 participants, revealed higher rates of eye symptoms among river users.

Chiral metal surfaces may help to manufacture pharmaceuticals

New research reveals that chiral metal surfaces can control chiral chemistry, offering a novel approach to pharmaceutical drug synthesis. The study finds that certain surface orientations form stable structures with one molecular enantiomer but not the other, promoting enantiospecific effects.

Testing geoengineering

A team of researchers used modeling to determine the type of testing that might be effective in future solar radiation management. Short-term tests could help inform decisions about larger scale deployments, but would require several decades and extrapolation to centuries-long time scales.

NIH awards group $4.5 million for smart artificial pancreas technology

A group of international diabetes researchers have been awarded $4.5 million to engineer an artificial pancreas system that can monitor and adapt to the body's complex physiological changes. The system aims to improve quality of life for patients with type 1 diabetes by treating the condition in their natural environment.

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.

Study uncovers clues to young children's aggressive behavior

A longitudinal study found that negative parenting in infancy is linked to increased aggression in toddlers, which can create a cycle of conflict between mothers and children. The researchers also discovered that this cycle can lead to conduct problems in school-age children.

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.

Preschoolers' classmates influence their language skills

A new study found that preschoolers' language development is associated with their classmates' average language skills. Children with limited language skills were more affected by their peers than those with high skills, raising questions about the effectiveness of tracking in public preschool programs.

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.

UK brains are under threat

Researcher Dr Nick Pearce warns that zombies in modern media represent a loss of control and powerlessness, mirroring societal issues like consumerism and government influence. The original zombie concept offers hope for resistance against controlling forces, making it a timely metaphor for today's society.

Friendship makes a difference in stress regulation

A new study found that friendships act as a buffer against the negative effects of classmates' rejection, with children who had few or low-quality friends experiencing increased cortisol levels. The study suggests that friendships can mitigate the stress of exclusion at school.

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.

Faraway Eris is Pluto's twin

A recent study using the TRAPPIST telescope has accurately measured the shape and size of dwarf planet Eris, confirming its status as Pluto's twin. The findings show that Eris is approximately 2326 kilometers in diameter, with an accuracy of 12 kilometers.

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.

Cyber workshop at Sandia Labs seeks potential responses to cyberattacks

Sandia National Laboratories is launching a Cyber Engineering Research Institute to coordinate with industry and universities, aiming to increase cybersecurity research. Experts discuss the need for shared threat information and innovative solutions, including prize competitions to stimulate radical security innovations.

New drug targets revealed from giant parasitic worm genome sequence

Researchers have identified five high-priority drug targets for the parasitic disease ascariasis, caused by the giant intestinal roundworm Ascaris suum. The discovery provides new insights into treating the condition, which affects millions of people in developing countries and causes chronic effects in young children.

Environmental toxin Bisphenol A can affect newborn brain

A study by Uppsala University found that Bisphenol A exposure in newborn mice causes permanent changes in brain function, leading to hyperactivity and poor adaptation to new environments. The effect persists into adulthood, affecting the cholinergic signal system.

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.

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.

What drives IT performance?

A study by Concordia University explores how IT impacts manufacturing SMEs, finding that strategic planning positively affects performance. The research highlights the importance of autonomous IT management and aligned applications to maximize technological benefits.

Study identifies genetic basis of human metabolic individuality

Researchers uncovered a wide range of new insights into common diseases and their genetic basis, including cardiovascular and kidney disorders, diabetes, cancer, and more. The study provides details on the genetics behind these conditions and elucidates the role of individual differences in metabolism.

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.

Bedside assessment may provide better outcomes for older cancer patients

A new study assesses the effectiveness of bedside geriatric assessments in identifying vulnerable older adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) who can benefit from aggressive treatment. The assessment tool evaluated cognitive function, psychological state, physical function, and co-morbid disease to provide more individualized tr...

Through-the-nipple breast cancer therapy shows promise in early tests

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new breast cancer therapy that delivers anticancer drugs directly into the breast ducts via the nipple. The treatment has shown no major side effects in human patients and has been effective in animal models, with some drugs even preventing tumors from forming.

The architects of the brain

Researchers found that specific receptor variants determine the development of nerve cells' dendrites, a crucial mechanism for communication. Different cell classes use these variants to grow dendrites in unique ways.

Researchers complete mollusk evolutionary tree

Scientists have pieced together the most comprehensive phylogeny for mollusks, revealing surprising relationships between enigmatic groups. The study places Monoplacophora, thought extinct, as a sister clade to cephalopods, and establishes a single origin for shelled mollusks.

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.

Source found for immune system effects on learning, memory

A new study by Duke neuroscientists identifies the source of learning difficulties as an overactive immune response, triggered by early-life infections. The researchers found that specialized immune system cells in the brain called microglia release a signaling molecule called Interleukin-1, which can impair learning and memory.

Researchers develop method to better estimate vaccine coverage

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health developed a method to better estimate vaccine coverage, combining administrative data with survey data. The results show that estimates of routine immunization activities are substantially lower than previously thought in some countries, such as Madagascar and Sierra Leone.

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.

Future 'comb on a chip': NIST's compact frequency comb could go places

Researchers at NIST have developed a compact laser frequency comb, the first to use a cavity made of fused silica. The micro-comb is about the size of a shoebox and relies on a low-power laser and the cavity's unusual properties. It has wide spacing between teeth, allowing scientists to easily measure and manipulate them.

High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation increases survival

Treatment with high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation achieved a high organ response rate and increased overall survival, even in patients without hematologic complete response. The study found that careful patient selection and experienced management can lead to low treatment-related mortality rates.

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.