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Science News Archive 2012


Page 169 of 333

Melting sea ice threatens emperor penguins, study finds

A new study predicts that global warming will lead to a significant decline in Emperor penguin populations by 2040, with only 500-600 breeding pairs remaining by 2100. The melting of sea ice will disrupt the penguins' food source and breeding habits.

Breast cancer's many drivers

Researchers uncovered surprises in genes previously thought uninvolved in breast cancer, revealing the complex drivers of this leading cause of cancer death. The study found novel fusion gene MAGI1-AKT3, which acts as an oncogene and offers new therapy targets.

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.

UW research shows new prognosis tool for deadly brain cancer

Researchers have discovered a new method to sub-typing GBM tumor lines using proteins expressed, which could lead to targeted drug treatments and more accurate patient prognoses. The study found that patients with the CNP subtype may live up to 10 years after diagnosis.

Confusion can be beneficial for learning: Study

A new study by Sidney D'Mello and Art Graesser found that strategically inducing confusion in learning sessions on difficult conceptual topics can lead to better retention and application of knowledge. Subjects who were confused scored higher on a difficult post-test and could identify flaws in new case studies.

A new tool for molecular architects

A team of chemists at the University of Geneva has developed a rare halogen bond that can transport anions across phospholipid bilayer membranes, similar to cellular structures. This discovery has significant implications for medical applications, particularly in treating diseases linked to ion transport issues.

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.

Stars, jets and batteries

Researchers at Helmholtz Association confirm the existence of Tayler instability, a magnetic phenomenon that reduces rotation rates and creates powerful fluid flows. This discovery has significant implications for the development of liquid metal batteries and their potential use in renewable energy storage.

The math of malaria

A mathematical model has been proposed to study malaria transmission, focusing on the reproduction number and its dependence on human travel rates. The research highlights the critical role of human movement in spreading the disease, suggesting that effective control measures may involve more rigorous border screening and regulation.

A non-antibiotic approach for treating urinary tract infections

Researchers have developed a new class of antimicrobials that target bacteria virulence factors, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The most potent substance prevented UTIs from developing in mice for over eight hours and reduced bacterial growth by nearly 10,000 times.

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.

Future reproductive outcomes for women who have had an ectopic pregnancy

A study by Scottish researchers found that women who experience an initial ectopic pregnancy are less likely to conceive in the future and at increased risk of having another ectopic pregnancy. However, their obstetric outcomes following the ectopic pregnancy were no worse than those in first-time mothers.

Online weight loss programs that feature successful dieters may help

Researchers created a website called AchieveTogether to study the effectiveness of positive deviance in weight loss. Users lost about 4.5 pounds more weight than those without access to the site. The study suggests that online weight loss programs featuring successful dieters may be an effective strategy for weight loss.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Adding nevirapine to HIV regimen halves newborn transmission rate

Adding nevirapine to the regimen of newborns born to HIV-positive mothers halves their risk of contracting the virus, according to a recent study. The research found that the two-drug combination is effective in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission and is relatively easy to administer.

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.

Preserved frogs hold clues to deadly pathogen

A Yale graduate student has developed a method for detecting an infectious pathogen driving amphibian extinctions worldwide. By analyzing preserved specimens, she found evidence of the pathogen in six older samples from Connecticut, revealing its early presence in the region.

How humans predict other's decisions

Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute found two brain signals involved in predicting others' decisions, enabling humans to balance expected and observed rewards and choices. The signals, located in distinct prefrontal circuits, strike a balance between the other's values and their own, allowing for accurate predictions.

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.

Extra treatment during prolapse repair reduces incontinence rate

A study funded by the NIH found that surgery to support the urethra with a sling reduces incontinence rate, but carries risk of complications such as difficulty emptying bladder and urinary tract infection. The study suggests considering potential benefits and risks when deciding whether to have second procedure at same time as first.

Variable camber airfoil: New concept, new challenge

The variable camber airfoil has obvious advantages in controlling separation and flight maneuverability. Research shows that the stall type determines the distinction between different camber deformation paths, with trailing-edge stalls being softer and having higher lift.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Graphene is a tunable plasmonic medium

Scientists have demonstrated that they can control the length and height of plasmons on graphene using an electrical circuit, opening up possibilities for information processing in tight spaces. This breakthrough uses infrared light to excite surface plasmons with wavelengths as short as 100 nanometers.

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.

Turning down the dial: Ocean energy development with less sound

Scientists developed the first laboratory system to evaluate pile driving's effect on fish, finding individual blows above a certain sound level can irreparably harm them. The recommended sound threshold aims to minimize harm to marine animals while permitting ocean development.

NHM entomologist wins grant to investigate mega-diverse insect order

A three-year $900,000 grant was awarded to Drs. Brian Brown and Art Borkent to inventory all species of flies living in a 100x200 meter area in Costa Rica, estimated to discover at least 3,000 new species. This project aims to better understand the importance of insects in ecosystems and gauge the impact of habitat change.

Regional anesthesia reduces complications and death for hip fracture patients

Researchers found that regional anesthesia was associated with a significant reduction in major pulmonary complications and death among hip fracture patients. The use of regional anesthesia versus general anesthesia resulted in a 29% lower adjusted odds of mortality and a 24% decrease in the adjusted odds of any inpatient pulmonary com...

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.

Colorado's High Park fire: June 20, 2012

The High Park Fire in Colorado has expanded to 65,738 acres with over 1,900 people battling the blaze. The fire has generated significant smoke visible on NASA satellite imagery, affecting nearby areas like Wyoming and Nebraska.

'Master molecule' may improve stem cell treatment of heart attacks

A Johns Hopkins University team found a protein molecule, p190RhoGAP, that regulates cardiac stem cells to form healthy heart tissue or blood vessels. By altering its levels, the researchers were able to improve the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating heart attack patients.

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.

NASA saw Tropical Storm Guchol's rainfall drench Japan

Tropical Storm Guchol made landfall in Japan, bringing heavy rainfall to the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku. The TRMM satellite detected a large area of rainfall over 500 km from the typhoon's center, highlighting the storm's impact on the region.

Maths experts question key ecological theory

Researchers at University of York and University of Canterbury disprove the accepted theory of nestedness, finding instead that a species' number of mutualistic partners is a better predictor of individual survival and community persistence. This challenges the idea that ecological communities exhibit nested structures.

High-fat/calorie diet accelerates development of pancreatic cancer

A high-fat/calorie diet has been shown to accelerate the development of pancreatic cancer in both human epidemiological studies and mouse models. In the latter, mice fed a diet rich in fat and calories developed obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation, all conditions that can stimulate the growth of precancerous cells.

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.

Illuminating the dark: Ahead with the Euclid mission

The Euclid mission, a collaboration of nearly a thousand scientists, aims to study the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy using state-of-the-art instruments. The UK Space Agency has funded £8.5M for the development of scientific instruments and the Science Ground Segment.

Simple new way to clean traces of impurities from drug ingredients

Scientists have created a simple procedure to remove nearly all acrolein impurities from pharmaceuticals, potentially increasing patient safety. The new method uses engineered particles and shows promise in removing 98% of impurities without affecting the active ingredient.

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.

Researchers find gold nanoparticles capable of 'unzipping' DNA

Gold nanoparticles with a slight positive charge have been found to unravel DNA's double helix, enabling potential breakthroughs in gene therapy. The research also highlights the importance of characterizing nanoparticle characteristics for DNA-based electronics.

'Brain pacemaker' effective for years against Parkinson's disease

A study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment effectively improved motor function in Parkinson's disease patients for at least three years. However, improvements in health-related quality of life and cognitive abilities were gradually lost over time., The treatment was most effective for reducing tremors and muscle rigidity.

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.

Apple peel compound boosts calorie burning, reduces obesity in mice

A new study by University of Iowa researchers shows that a natural substance found in apple peel can partially protect mice from obesity and some of its harmful effects. Ursolic acid increases muscle and brown fat in mice on a high-fat diet, leading to increased calorie burning and reduced obesity, pre-diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

Research shows the response of the carbon cycle to climate change

A recent study analyzed respiration rates across aquatic and land ecosystems, revealing that warmer climates may lead to more CO2 release from marine and freshwater environments. This finding suggests a stronger response of aquatic ecosystems to temperature changes, potentially increasing their carbon dioxide emissions.

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.

NASA catches birth of Tropical Storm Chris by the tail

Tropical Storm Chris formed on June 19, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image just before it reached tropical storm strength. The storm exhibited a 'tail' shape due to a band of thunderstorms wrapping around its center, giving it a comma-like appearance.