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Science News for October 7, 2011


Study tracks mutations causing CDA II back to the Roman Empire

Researchers analyzed SEC23B gene mutations in CDA II patients and found that two variants, R14W and E109K, are more common in Italian population. The R14W variant is believed to have originated 3,000 years ago in Southern Italy, while E109K may have originated in the Middle East around 2,400 years ago.

SourceIDIBAPS - Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer·JournalAmerican Journal of Hematology·DateOct 7, 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.

New research: Are global honey bee declines caused by diesel pollution?

Scientists investigate whether diesel nanoparticles are affecting bees' brains, causing them to lose their way back to the hive. The study aims to understand how tiny particles in diesel fumes could be contributing to bee colony collapse, which has economic and ecological implications for global pollination.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·DateOct 7, 2011

Learning to live in mountain lion country

Researchers at Stanford University used remote wildlife cameras to confirm mountain lion activity in the preserve, with seasonal patterns and human-lion encounters explored. The study suggests that mountain lions are present about 24% of the time, posing a low risk to humans.

SourceStanford University·DateOct 7, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astrophysics and extinctions: News about planet-threatening events

A new study suggests that short-hard interstellar radiation events could have a significant impact on life on Earth, depleting the ozone layer and allowing deadly ultraviolet radiation to penetrate. The rate of these events is estimated to be about once per 100 million years, with potential effects on extinctions in the fossil record.

SourceGeological Society of America·DateOct 7, 2011

Prague's 88 nature reserves threatened by invasive plant species

The study found that archaeophytes, introduced since Neolithic agriculture, are positively affected by arable land availability at low altitudinal ranges. Invasive neophyte species harbor 67% of Prague's nature reserves, including many shrubs and trees with high invasion potential.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNeoBiota·DateOct 7, 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.

UNC researcher to help lead new esophageal cancer network

A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher is leading a collaborative network to study the genetic determinants of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. The network aims to develop new methods for identifying individuals at risk, early detection, and monitoring Barrett's esophagus progression.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·DateOct 7, 2011

Survey gives clues to origin of Type Ia supernovae

A new survey suggests that many Type Ia supernovae result from the merger of two white dwarf stars, challenging previous theories about their origins. The study, which analyzed data from distant exploding stars, found that these events may be more common than previously thought and could provide insights into the history of the universe.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 7, 2011

Babies show sense of fairness, altruism as early as 15 months

A new study found that babies at 15 months old can distinguish between fair and unfair food distribution, with those showing a greater willingness to share displaying increased sensitivity to such violations. This suggests that early childhood is an essential period for nurturing human egalitarianism and cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 7, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Strong attachment to local communities made oil spill more stressful for many coastal residents

A study by LSU sociologists found that individuals with stronger sense of community attachment experienced higher anxiety, worry and fear during the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. Strong attachments can create a self-reinforcing cycle of stress and anxiety when communities are threatened by natural resource depletion.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateOct 7, 2011

Removal of restrictions can decrease music piracy

A new study from Rice University and Duke University found that removing digital rights management (DRM) restrictions can actually decrease music piracy. The research showed that while DRM restrictions make piracy more costly and difficult, they also have a negative impact on legal users who don't intend to engage in piracy.

SourceRice University·JournalMarketing Science·DateOct 7, 2011

Imaging agents offer new view of inflammation, cancer

Novel imaging agents detectable by PET imaging may visualize tumors in their earliest stages, enabling early detection and treatment of cancer. The compounds target COX-2, an enzyme found in inflammatory lesions and tumors.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateOct 7, 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.

UMass Amherst School of Public Health wins $2.5 million training grant

The UMass Amherst School of Public Health has received a four-year, $2.5 million grant to establish a Public Health Training Center. The center will provide training to community health workers and place UMass Amherst SPHHS undergraduate student interns in local communities to develop diabetes prevention strategies. The goal is to focu...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateOct 7, 2011

LSUHSC awarded NIH grant to develop pneumonia vaccine

Researchers aim to develop a safe and effective vaccine against Pneumocystis, a deadly fungus causing HIV-related pneumonia. The project has the potential to lower treatment costs and improve quality of life for individuals living with HIV.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·DateOct 7, 2011

Gray jays' winter survival depends on food storage, study shows

A University of Guelph study shows that gray jays relying on cached food for survival must store it in trees with specific characteristics, such as coniferous species. This crucial cache is vital not only for overwinter survival but also successful reproduction in the Canadian boreal forest.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalOecologia·DateOct 7, 2011

'Non-invasive' cultivar? Buyer beware

New study finds that popular ornamental woody plants sold as non-invasive may actually retain invasive potential. The offspring of these cultivars often 'breed true' and can be more fecund than their parents, making them potentially more invasive.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateOct 7, 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.

Physicists localize 3-D matter waves for first time

Researchers at University of Illinois successfully localized quantum matter waves in three dimensions, a phenomenon theorized decades ago. The findings have implications for various electronics applications and could lead to better understanding and manipulation of materials.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateOct 7, 2011

Markham teacher awarded prize for excellence in teaching genomics

Jacqueline Ross, a Markham teacher with 17 years of experience, has developed a unique laboratory-based biotechnology course that combines theoretical learning with practical application. The Ontario Genomics Institute Genomics Teaching Prize recognizes her innovative approach to teaching genomics and its societal implications.

SourceOntario Genomics Institute·DateOct 7, 2011