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Science News Archive 2012


Page 1 of 333

Flies with Restless Legs Syndrome point to a genetic cause

Researchers found that flies lacking a key gene associated with RLS exhibit sleep disturbances and restlessness, similar to human patients. The study suggests a genetic basis for RLS and offers new insights into the disease's pathophysiology.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology

NASA satellites saw Cyclone Freda's widening eye

Cyclone Freda intensified over the Southern Pacific Ocean due to warming waters, with NASA satellites measuring increased rainfall and a widening eye. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 105 knots, posing a threat to Vanuatu with heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Paired CT scans catch chemo-killing of liver tumors in real time

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a method to track liver tumors' response to chemotherapy using paired CT scans, allowing for immediate feedback on treatment effectiveness. This technique has the potential to save patients from delayed diagnosis and reduced treatment efficacy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalRadiology

Hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection of superbugs

A Johns Hopkins study found that using robot-like devices to disperse hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection, reducing multiple-drug-resistant bacteria by 64% and patient colonization risk by 80%. The technology improved infection control practices, combining standard cleaning with technological solutions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases

Jellyfish experts show increased blooms are a consequence of periodic global fluctuations

Recent media reports have created a perception of a global increase in jellyfish. However, a new study suggests that these trends may be overstated. The research found that global jellyfish populations undergo concurrent fluctuations with successive decadal periods of rise and fall.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Did Lucy walk, climb, or both?

A study published in PNAS found that modern humans with feet adapted for terrestrial bipedalism can still climb trees effectively. Researchers observed extreme dorsiflexion and longer muscle fibers in climbing individuals, challenging the idea that a terrestrially adapted foot excludes arboreal behavior.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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.

Jackson Laboratory researchers provide definitive proof for receptor's role in synapse development

Researchers have provided definitive evidence that NMDAR receptors are crucial for pruning synapses in newborn mammals' brains. This discovery sheds new light on the neural basis of autism and schizophrenia. The study used a mouse model with brain cells lacking or containing NMDARs to demonstrate the receptor's direct role in synaptic ...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

As climate warms, bark beetles march on high-elevation forests

A new study finds that climate warming is allowing bark beetles to thrive in previously inhospitable high-elevation forests, posing a significant threat to whitebark pine ecosystems. The insects are attacking trees with weakened defenses, leading to potential cascading effects on mountain ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Houston, we have another problem

A new study shows that exposure to cosmic radiation in space can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that high-mass particles, like iron, can penetrate spacecraft shielding and cause neurological impairment in animal models.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for 1 Jan. 2013

Researchers estimate naloxone distribution could prevent 6.5% of all overdose deaths by providing a cost-effective way to reverse opioid overdoses. Quadruple doses of seasonal flu vaccine may better protect HIV-infected patients from serious illness or death, but evidence for quality impact is limited.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine

Bird watching brings new discoveries

A recent study used bird watching records to build the first bird watching database in China, finding new national-level records and a trend of species moving to higher latitude and elevation regions. The database provides valuable data for scientific research on ecosystem health and biodiversity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin
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.

An image gallery gift from NASA's Swift

The UVOT telescope on NASA's Swift satellite has captured over 100 breathtaking images of the cosmos, including comets, star clusters, and supernova remnants. These images provide valuable data for scientists studying gamma-ray bursts, stellar evolution, and the properties of rare stars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

Tumor boards linked to little association with effects on cancer care

A recent study found that tumor boards have a modest association with the types of treatments patients receive for certain cancers. For example, lung cancer and prostate cancer patients were more likely to receive higher-quality care when treated at hospitals with tumor boards. However, other types of cancer care remained unaffected by...

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute

56 percent of female university students get drunk in record time

A study by the University of Vigo found that 56.1% of female students are binge drinkers, compared to 41.3% of males. Female students also exhibit a higher risk of developing unhealthy attitudes towards food and exercise.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

NTU's ground-breaking study warns of more great quakes in the Himalayas

A NTU research team discovered massive earthquakes left clear ground scars in central Himalayas, hinting at a higher earthquake risk. The study challenges previous assumptions about blind quakes and suggests areas west or east of the 1934 Nepal ground rupture are now at greater risk.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Geoscience

Cave dwelling nettle discovered in China

In a recent discovery, botanists have identified three new species of cave-dwelling nettles in the Guangxi province of China. These plants thrive in extremely low light conditions, deep within limestone caves.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalPhytoKeys
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.

Study reports racial disparities in pediatric appendicitis treatment tied to hospital type

Researchers found racial disparities in pediatric appendicitis treatment tied to hospital type, with Hispanic and Asian children more likely to experience perforation at community hospitals. The study highlights the need for further research on prevention interventions to address these disparities.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons

Study shows early cognitive problems among those who eventually get Alzheimer's

Researchers found that people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease struggle to process semantic information, leading to broader implications for daily functioning. Semantic processing deficits may be slowed through training, and could contribute to decline in activities of daily living.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry

Groundbreaking air-cleaner saves polluting industrials

A groundbreaking air cleaning device developed by the University of Copenhagen has successfully removed Volatile Organic Compounds from industrial emissions. The invention uses natural processes to clean indoor air and remove pollutants, resulting in improved relations between businesses and their neighbors.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen

NASA sees Wukong struggling to survive in South China Sea

Tropical Depression Wukong is struggling to survive in the South China Sea, with NASA satellite data showing moderate rainfall near its center. The storm is moving west-southwest and is expected to dissipate over the next day or two, according to forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
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.

Geosphere covers Grand Canyon, deep drill coring, Death Valley, and more

New Geosphere articles explore Sonograms of Earth, a 1138-m-long drill core representing 20 million years of glacial history. The articles also examine alternative hypotheses for the origin of Grand Canyon and solve debates over Death Valley.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere

Statin drug shows promise for fighting malaria effects

Researchers discovered that adding lovastatin to traditional antimalarial treatment decreases neuroinflammation and protects against cognitive impairment in a mouse model of cerebral malaria. Statins may be worthy of consideration in clinical trials for treating cerebral malaria.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPLOS Pathogens

Penn team developing new class of malaria drugs using essential calcium enzyme

A Penn team has developed a new class of malaria drugs by mimicking a natural reaction with a synthesized molecule, inhibiting the calpain enzyme. The innovation uses an alpha-helical shape to block the enzyme's activity, offering a highly specific and potentially safer alternative.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Having serious fun in the MBL physiology course

The MBL physiology course fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation among students, leading to the generation of 23 research papers and 59 meeting abstracts. The course's unique approach combines cell biology and physical sciences, and encourages students to think beyond their comfort zones.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalScience

Slice, stack, and roll: A new way to build collagen scaffolds

Researchers at Tufts University developed a novel method for fabricating collagen structures that maintain the protein's natural strength and fiber structure. The new technique, called bioskiving, creates scaffolds with tensile strength stronger than those made using common processing techniques.

SourceTufts University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials

Monkey see, monkey do: Visual feedback is necessary for imitating facial expressions

Studies using new technology show that our ability to imitate facial expressions depends on learning through visual feedback. In two studies, researchers found that participants who could see their imitation attempts improved over time, while those relying solely on proprioception got worse.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science
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.

Birdsong study pecks theory that music is uniquely human

A new study comparing neural responses of birds and humans to music suggests that both share a neural reward system, with females in the breeding state responding similarly to human music. Male birds also exhibit an amygdala response to discordant sounds.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Evolutionary Neuroscience

APS announces inaugural issue of new journal, Clinical Psychological Science

The inaugural issue of Clinical Psychological Science (CPS) publishes diverse and boundary-crossing perspectives on topics such as targeted rejection, major depressive disorder, youth mentoring, and mind wandering. The journal aims to define a new way of studying clinical phenomena through innovative research.

SourceSAGE·JournalClinical Psychological Science

Johns Hopkins receives funding for cholera vaccine initiative

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School will provide relief agencies and governments with technical assistance on using oral cholera vaccine. The DOVE program aims to detect outbreaks in remote areas and contain the disease, improving global efforts to combat cholera.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Rush University Medical Center scientists home in on cause of osteoarthritis pain

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center identified a chemokine known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP)-1 and its receptor, chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), as central to the development of osteoarthritis pain. This finding could lead to new treatments for this debilitating condition.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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.

A model-free way to characterize polymodal ion channel gating

Researchers develop thermodynamically rigorous analysis to parse free energy of polymodal voltage- and ligand-dependent ion channels. This new approach offers a model-independent way to study ion channel gating, useful for constraining future atomic-scale models and understanding disruptions caused by genetic mutations.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology

Genetic sequencing breakthrough to aid treatment for congenital hyperinsulinism

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new genetic sequencing technology to identify novel mutations causing congenital hyperinsulinism. This breakthrough will enable clinicians to make more informed decisions about treatment, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics

UNC research uncovers new insight into cell development and cancer

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified polycomb-like proteins as key regulators in stem cell development and cancer. The study found that these proteins interact with epigenetic signals to control gene expression, implications for both stem cell biology and cancer development.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Cell

2 new species of orchid found in Cuba

Researchers have discovered two new species of Caribbean orchid belonging to the Laeliinae family. The new species, Encyclia navarroi and Tetramicra riparia, were found in Cuba's eastern and western zones respectively.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalSystematic Botany
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.

The factor that could determine future breast cancer treatment

A new study reveals how a 'transcription factor' called ELF5 causes aggressive breast cancer to develop, making it resistant to oestrogen therapies. Researchers found that manipulating ELF5 levels could be a potential treatment option for this type of breast cancer.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalPLOS Biology

Penn team mimicking a natural defense against malaria to develop new treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a powerful new weapon against malaria by mimicking a natural defense found in human blood platelets. They discovered that a synthetic molecule, PMX1207, targets and destroys the parasite's digestive vacuole, killing it without harming the host cell.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCell Host & Microbe

Cellular fuel gauge may hold the key to restricting cancer growth

Researchers at McGill University have discovered AMPK's role in restricting cancer cell growth by regulating metabolism and preventing the use of sugar to fuel growth. AMPK, a tumour suppressor, can help control tumour development by targeting energy levels and promoting healthy cellular function.

SourceMcGill University·JournalCell Metabolism

Trying to halt hepatitis C's molecular hijacking

Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate the hepatitis C RNA to block its hijacking of cell machinery, potentially leading to new treatments.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology
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.

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!

Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens

Strange behavior: New study exposes living cells to synthetic protein

Researchers at Arizona State University have fabricated an artificial protein and examined its effects on living cells, revealing a peculiar set of adaptations including filamentation, ATP depletion, and the formation of endoliposomes. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.

SourceArizona State University·JournalACS Chemical Biology

Case Western Reserve University receives patient-centered research award

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will study ways to integrate patients' strengths into assessment and treatment to improve outcomes. The project aims to provide patients with better-informed health decisions, leveraging strengths such as resilience and mindfulness.

SourceCase Western Reserve University

Disease burden links ecology to economic growth

A new study links vector-borne diseases to economic development across the globe, finding that these diseases have a substantial effect on income between tropical and temperate countries. The study's results suggest that infectious diseases can undermine economic growth similarly to crime or government corruption.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology
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.

GSA Bulletin celebrates GSA's 125th Anniversary with new geologic time scale

The Geological Society of America published a special series of invited papers to mark its 125th anniversary, including a revised geologic time scale. The articles cover various topics such as mammal fossils, sediment delivery rates, volcanic material provenance, and ecosystem changes.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin

The factor that could influence future breast cancer treatment

A recent study published in PLOS Biology has discovered the role of ELF5 in aggressive breast cancer subtypes and its potential to overcome anti-estrogen therapies. The research suggests that manipulating ELF5 levels could lead to new treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology

For pre-teens, kindness may be key to popularity

Research published in PLOS ONE found that kids who perform acts of kindness are happier and find greater acceptance among their peers. Kind acts, such as giving someone lunch or visiting a pleasant place, increased children's well-being and improved their relationships with classmates.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE

MRI can screen patients for Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a non-invasive MRI-based algorithm to screen patients for Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The method, published in Neurology, accurately differentiated cases 75 percent of the time and showed comparable accuracy to lumbar puncture tests.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNeurology

Piranha kin wielded dental weaponry even T. rex would have admired

A team of scientists discovered that the ancient piranha relative Megapiranha paranensis had a bite force that could crush bone and pierce through thick shells, rivaling even the mighty T. rex. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used computer simulations to estimate the bite forces of living and extinct piranhas.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScientific Reports
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.

New technique catalogs lymphoma-linked genetic variations

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel approach to sorting out cancer-causing genetic mutations in cancer cells. By testing proteins produced by genes with random mutations, they created a catalog of mutants with cancer-promoting potential. This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular and Cellular Biology