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Science News Archive 2012


Page 170 of 333

Emperor penguins threatened by Antarctic sea ice loss

Climate change is expected to reduce the extent of Antarctic sea ice, threatening the Emperor penguin population, which may decline by up to 80% by 2100. The study used computer simulations and statistical models to project the impact of sea ice loss on penguin demographics.

Omega-3 lowers inflammation in overweight older adults

A new study published by Ohio State University found that omega-3 fatty acid supplements can lower inflammation in healthy but overweight middle-aged and older adults. After four months of supplementation, participants experienced a significant decrease in inflammatory markers, with the low-dose group showing a 10% reduction in interle...

Nano-pesticides: Solution or threat for a cleaner and greener agriculture?

Research on nano-pesticides is crucial for understanding their fate and toxicity, as well as assessing potential benefits and drawbacks. The development of new pesticides products based on nanotechnology holds promise for reducing environmental contamination, but concerns about human health risks persist.

Asymmetry may provide clue to superconductivity

Electronic asymmetry was discovered in iron-based high-temperature superconductors, providing new insights into their behavior. The study found that this asymmetry is a result of collective electronic behavior and may be essential for the material's superconductivity.

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.

Proposed drug may reverse Huntington's disease symptoms

A proposed drug treatment has shown promise in reversing Huntington's disease symptoms in animal models, with sustained motor and neurological benefits reported. The therapy silences the mutated gene responsible for the disease by using antisense oligonucleotides to destroy toxic proteins.

Misidentified and contaminated cell lines lead to faulty cancer science

A recent study published in Gynecologic Oncology reveals that widely available cell lines are often misidentified or contaminated, leading to faulty cancer science. Researchers suggest verifying cell lines as a prerequisite for publishing, and the team is working to build a database to help identify mismatched cell lines.

Argonne researchers receive 4 R&D 100 awards

Four Argonne National Laboratory-developed technologies have been awarded R dashD 100 honors, including Globus Online for big data research and three battery materials for plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

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.

TrackTown USA identity is focus of new research paper

Researchers examined the resurrection of TrackTown USA identity through personal interviews, track meets, and media accounts. They found that community engagement, sustained pattern of events, and authentic outcomes forged the distinctiveness of TrackTown, with a key role played by UO coach Bill Bowerman.

Megapixel camera? Try gigapixel

Researchers at Duke University and the University of Arizona developed a gigapixel camera that captures unprecedented detail by synchronizing 98 tiny cameras. The camera's resolution is five times better than 20/20 human vision over a 120-degree horizontal field, with potential applications in surveillance, inspection, and photography.

Respect matters more than money for happiness in life

Research suggests that sociometric status, rather than socioeconomic status, predicts social well-being. Studies found that students with high standing in their local ladder reported higher levels of social acceptance and power, leading to increased happiness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How active is your child really?

Children aged 8-10 years spent an average of just 4% of their day engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity, falling short of the daily recommended amount. This early disparity highlights the need for interventions to encourage primary school children to become more physically active.

Berkeley Lab wins 4 2012 R&D 100 awards

Berkeley Lab's Laser Ablation Molecular Isotopic Spectrometry (LAMIS) technology enables remote chemical analysis on other planets, while the Compact Variable Collimator (CVC) improves X-ray beam shaping for protein crystallography. The Multinozzle Emitter Array (MEA) accelerates biomedical research by analyzing biomolecules in microfl...

Taming light with graphene

Scientists visualize the trapping and confinement of light on graphene, making it a promising candidate for optical information processing. Graphene plasmons can be used to electrically control light, enabling new optical switches and applications in medicine, bio-detection, solar cells, and quantum information processing.

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.

All things big and small: The brain's discerning taste for size

Researchers at MIT CSAIL discovered brain organizes objects based on size, with distinct regions for big and small objects. This finding has major implications for fields like robotics and could lead to better understanding of brain organization and mapping information.

Euclid jumps final hurdle

The European Space Agency has adopted the largest astronomy collaboration to build the Euclid satellite, which will study the dark universe with great precision. The mission will trace the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy throughout the Universe.

Stanford study shows opiates' side effects rooted in patients' genetics

A new Stanford University School of Medicine study has found that genetics significantly impact the severity of opiate side effects, such as nausea and respiratory depression. The research also suggests that genetic variations can influence an individual's risk of addiction to these powerful painkillers.

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.

Structure of RNAi complex now crystal clear

Researchers have defined and analyzed the crystal structure of a yeast Argonaute protein bound to RNA, shedding light on the RNA interference pathway that silences gene expression. The study reveals a four-component active site, resolving a longstanding mystery in the field.

Alley named to US News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame

Richard Alley, a renowned geoscientist, has been recognized by the US News STEM Leadership Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking work in the field. He will receive the award on June 29 at U.S. News STEM Solutions 2012 in Dallas, Texas.

1 in 8 heart patients suffer post-traumatic stress disorder

A meta-analysis of 24 studies found that 12% of heart patients develop clinically significant PTSD symptoms, doubling their risk for future cardiac events and death. The study suggests that underdiagnosis may be even more pronounced in cardiac practices than in other types of medical practices.

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.

What motivates generosity? Researchers study Muslims and Catholics

A study led by Arizona State University's Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict investigated what drives generosity among Muslims and Catholics. The researchers found that both groups value community and connecting with people in need, as well as a sense of duty to their faith. They also discovered commonalities in the ways rel...

Tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus

Physicists at TUM successfully created and analyzed tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus with the fastest beta decay rate. The experiment confirmed predictions made by theoretical physicists and aims to improve understanding of heavy element formation during compact star explosions.

2 NASA visualizations selected for computers graphics showcase

Two NASA visualizations have been selected for the SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival: a lunar surface tour and an animation illustrating how the sun drives Earth's ocean currents. The festival highlights the best in computer graphics and technical research, with the chosen animations meeting strict guidelines.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Should consumers trust their feelings as information?

Researchers found that high trust in feelings amplifies emotionally driven responses, even when faced with compelling information favoring the opposite choice. The study suggests that relying on feelings as information can lead to irrational decisions.

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.

Mother goats do not forget their kids

A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that mother goats can recognize their kids' voices even after they've been separated by weaning. The researchers recorded kid calls at five weeks old and played them back to mothers 12-18 months later, revealing that the memory remains.

UK Space Agency makes stellar investment in mission to the Sun

The UK Space Agency has invested £11.5M in the Solar Orbiter mission, which will discover how the Sun creates and controls the heliosphere by flying closer than ever before to the Sun. The mission will study the Sun's magnetic field and solar activity, including coronal mass ejections that can affect Earth.

Global Energy Assessment identifies pathways to a sustainable energy future

The Global Energy Assessment outlines 41 alternative sustainable energy pathways that offer viable, cost-effective choices for policy makers. The study finds that a rapid transformation to clean energy technologies is economically viable and can deliver clean energy to 1.4 billion people without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Most quasars live on snacks, not large meals

New study finds that most massive black-hole growth in the early universe was fueled by small, long-term events rather than dramatic short-term major mergers. Quasars thrive in normal-looking spiral galaxies, triggered by black holes snacking on gas or small satellite galaxies.

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.

Eat less meat and farm efficiently to tackle climate change

Research from the University of Exeter suggests that adopting a diet with lower meat consumption could significantly reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The study found that increasing agricultural efficiency, especially in livestock production, could help achieve this goal by making better use of resources and reducing waste.

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.

Molecular machinery that pulls protein clumps apart

Researchers have identified a mechanism by which small heat shock proteins collaborate with other molecular chaperones to disassemble amyloid fibers. This activity could lead to the development of therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

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.

Parents say that healthy eating is challenging for youth who play sports

A new study highlights how parents, coaches, and youth sport organizations can promote healthful eating for youth athletes. Parents reported frequent visits to fast-food restaurants and struggled to determine which food options were healthy, despite considering youth sports an unhealthy environment.

Nerve growth factors elevated in pancreatic cancer model

A new study has identified elevated levels of four neurotrophic factors in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer, which could be responsible for the development of pain in patients. These findings suggest that tumor-nerve interactions play a significant role in cancer progression and pain.

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.

Coronary rehabilitation programs in Europe are underused

A new survey found that only 36.5% of coronary heart disease patients in Europe participate in cardiac rehabilitation, despite the American Heart Association's recommendation. The study suggests that smoking, older age, and lower educational attainment are associated with lower attendance rates.

From pomegranate peel to nanoparticles

Researchers have developed a method to produce silver nanoparticles using pomegranate peel as a reducing agent, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and industrial solvents. The process produces nanoparticles with a diameter of 5 nanometers and has potential applications in various fields.

Adaptable decision making in the brain

A team of researchers has discovered that a part of the brain, known as the frontopolar cortex, plays a critical role in making short-term predictions about what will happen next. This region helps individuals make decisions in rapidly changing environments by learning from past experiences and anticipating future events.

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.

Biomarker panel to screen for pancreatic cancer may be possible

A new study proposes a highly accurate blood-based screen for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which could lead to earlier detection and improved survival rates. Researchers identified 40 biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity, offering hope for developing an effective panel.