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Science News Archive September 2011


Page 10 of 29

MSU engages public on using newborn blood spots for research

A new MSU study aims to develop a model of community engagement to guide ethical questions surrounding the use of newborn blood spots in research, addressing issues like informed consent and resource prioritization. The project seeks to inform public policy decisions and improve the state's bio-bank, Michigan BioTrust.

NHS has 'wasted' $976 million on synthetic insulin in past decade

The NHS has wasted £625 million on synthetic insulin over the past decade, as recommended human alternatives would have been just as effective, reveals research published in BMJ Open. The study analyzed publicly available data and found that the annual cost of synthetic insulin rose from 12% to 85% of total costs.

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.

Science and religion do mix

A new study by Rice University suggests that only a minority of scientists at major research universities view religion and science as being in perpetual conflict. In reality, most scientists see both religion and science as valid avenues of knowledge that can bring broader understanding to important questions.

The 'disinhibited' brain

Researchers have discovered that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by a 'disinhibited' brain, with increased excitability in both the affected and unaffected hands. The study found altered sensory perception in CRPS patients, indicating a complex role of changes in the central nervous system.

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.

$40 million project to revitalize Africa's orphaned crops announced

The African Orphan Crops consortium will work with African scientists to identify and breed nutrient-rich food crops, addressing malnutrition and food shortages. The $40 million initiative will also establish the African Plant Breeding Academy in Ghana, training local plant breeders to adopt advanced breeding approaches.

Small fish recover faster than large fish

A University of Illinois study found that smaller largemouth bass recover from exertion faster than larger fish. The researchers simulated angling situations and measured the physiological responses of small and large fish.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Rhode Island Hospital looks more closely at personality disorders

Researchers found that the current DSM-IV scoring system effectively captures the dimensional nature of personality disorders and proposed a quasi-dimensional approach instead of redefining them. The study showed that the three-point dimensional convention was more strongly associated with measures of psychosocial morbidity.

Courageous 8-year-old honored with 2011 Survivor Circle Award

Bella Rodriguez-Torres, an 8-year-old cancer survivor, has been selected as the 2011 Survivor Circle Award winner. She was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma at age 4 and made a remarkable recovery, inspiring others with her positive attitude and determination.

Bionic bacteria may help fight disease and global warming

Researchers at Salk Institute developed bacteria that can incorporate unnatural amino acids into proteins, enabling the creation of new synthetic chemicals. This breakthrough may lead to the development of drugs that last longer in the bloodstream and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.

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.

CSI: Microbial version without PCR

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a PCR-free technique using the PhyloChip to identify the most metabolically active microbes in a sample. This allows for reliable and affordable analysis of microbial communities in various environments.

URMC research could extend life of arthritic joints

Researchers at URMC discover that a medication already approved to build bone mass in patients with osteoporosis can also increase cartilage around joints, potentially treating millions suffering from arthritis. The study suggests that the drug could be repurposed as an alternative to current treatments.

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.

Toward an improved test for adulterated heparin

Researchers developed a simple color test to detect economically motivated adulterants (EMAs) in heparin, which can trigger anaphylactic reactions. The test can also identify other potential EMAs, paving the way for portable detection methods.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A gene for Lou Gehrig's disease and frontotemporal dementia identified

A gene for Lou Gehrig's disease and frontotemporal dementia has been identified by researchers at the University of California - San Francisco. The mutated gene, C9ORF72, is associated with nearly 12% of familial cases and over 22% of sporadic cases of the diseases., Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation that triggers both Lou ...

Penn researchers find a new twist in a blindness-causing disease gene

University of Pennsylvania researchers have identified a gene responsible for early retinal degeneration, a disease causing blindness in dogs. The study suggests that this gene may be involved in the control of photoreceptor cell division, potentially leading to the development of therapies to regenerate retinal cells and restore vision.

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.

Zinc regulates communication between brain cells

A study by Duke University researchers found that zinc plays a critical role in regulating communication between brain cells, particularly in the hippocampus. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of memory formation and epilepsy.

Scientists play ping-pong with single electrons

Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a technique to transfer quantum information by controlling individual electrons in Gallium Arsenide. This innovation has the potential to enable faster and more efficient processing in quantum computers, addressing complex problems beyond classical computers' capabilities.

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.

New 'smart window' system with unprecedented performance

Researchers have developed a smart window system that can inexpensively switch between summer and winter modes, saving air conditioning costs in the summer and capturing free heat from the sun in the winter. The new technology uses a polymer, counterions, and methanol to create a stable, robust, and tunable smart window.

How to produce flexible CIGS solar cells with record efficiency

Researchers at Empa have developed record-breaking flexible CIGS solar cells with an 18.7% efficiency, overcoming performance limitations on polymer films by reducing deposition temperatures. The innovation enables cost-effective roll-to-roll processing and lower manufacturing costs.

Fear of childbirth increases likelihood of C-section

A new study found that fear of childbirth is a predisposing factor for emergency and elective cesarean sections. The research analyzed 353 women with fear of childbirth and 579 without the condition, revealing a higher incidence of traumatic deliveries and induced inductions.

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.

Drive to find an alternative to rare earth metals

A UK team has developed a novel electric motor for hybrid electric and pure electric vehicles that replaces rare earth metals with steel. This innovative technology aims to reduce the environmental impact and costs associated with mining these scarce materials.

Alzheimer's disease: The first prevention study of its kind

Researchers at Douglas Mental Health University Institute are launching the world's first prevention study on Alzheimer's disease. They will recruit 250 healthy adults aged 60 or over with a family history of the condition and observe their biomarkers for ten years to find preventative agents.

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.

Increased responsibility could lead to decreased sexual activity among women

A recent study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that married women's autonomy and decision-making power are linked to their sexual activity. Women who have more control over household decisions tend to have sex less often, with a significant increase in time since their last intercourse.

Climatic fluctuations drove key events in human evolution

Research suggests that periods of rapid temperature fluctuation coincided with the appearance of distant human relatives and the spread of stone tools. Genetic modelling techniques revealed a correlation between climatic variability and key events in human evolution.

New hybrid carbon material discovered

The discovery of GNR@SWNTs opens up potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and energy storage. Researchers have found that the shape of encapsulated graphene nanoribbons can be modified by different polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules, allowing for metallic or semiconductor properties.

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.

Smells may help birds find their homes, avoid inbreeding

Researchers found that penguins can distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar odors, using smell to guide behavior and avoid kin recognition. This study provides important insights into bird social recognition and has potential applications for conservation and breeding programs.

Do women's voices really allow men to detect ovulation?

A new study published in PLOS ONE challenges the idea that women's voices contain cues for men to detect ovulation. The researchers found that the variation in women's vocal quality throughout the menstrual cycle does not provide reliable information about the timing of ovulation, making it a poor mating clue.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Common stimulant may speed recovery from general anesthesia

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that administering methylphenidate, a commonly used stimulant drug, can significantly speed up recovery from general anesthesia in rats. This breakthrough could potentially reduce post-anesthesia complications and improve patient outcomes.

ONR pursuing affordable common radar for surface ships

The Office of Naval Research is pursuing an Affordable Common Radar Architecture (ACRA) to upgrade the Navy's aging combat ship radar systems. The ACRA design features a novel architecture with two separate antennas to control cost and improve upgradeability.

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.

Twin study reveals epigenetic alterations of psychiatric disorders

A twin study at King's College London found significant epigenetic differences between psychosis discordant twins, suggesting a role for epigenetic processes in neuropsychiatric disease. The study provides potential new avenues for treatment and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic drugs.