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Science News Archive 2012


Page 191 of 333

The special scent of age

Researchers found that people can intuitively sense changes in body odor composition across the lifespan, with odors from older individuals being rated as less intense and less unpleasant. This ability is driven by specific chemical components, contrary to popular belief about old age odor.

Immigrant women giving birth in Spain suffer 'great stress,' a study warns

A study by University of Granada researchers found that immigrant women in Spain experience great stress during childbirth, with disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and depression common among them. The study also revealed differences in healthcare access and utilization between immigrant and Spanish women.

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.

When is it ethical to prescribe placebos?

A recent article in the Hastings Center Report raises questions about the AMA's policy on prescribing placebos, arguing that it may not be the best way to protect or benefit patients. The article suggests that some bioethicists argue that an undisclosed placebo is sometimes the best available treatment for certain patients.

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.

Mars missions may learn from meteor Down Under

Researchers discovered that meteorites can generate methane when exposed to sunlight, which could account for a large part of Mars' atmosphere. This finding informs future Mars missions searching for life and suggests that sunlight and debris from meteorites play a role in shaping the planet's atmosphere.

Ketamine improved bipolar depression within minutes

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry confirms ketamine's rapid antidepressant effects in patients with bipolar disorder. Ketamine was found to significantly reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts within hours of administration.

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.

New NIST SRM supports the fight against terrorist bombings

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new standard reference material (SRM) to aid in detecting two explosive compounds used by terrorists. The SRM contains meticulously measured concentrations of PETN and TATP, allowing researchers to test and validate their detector designs.

When equality loses

A study by Adam Galinsky et al. suggests that team hierarchies improve efficiency and productivity due to reduced conflict and increased coordination. The research confirms the theory that all high-power individuals lead to elevated conflict, undermining group performance.

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.

Debated: Wave-Cut or Weathering or Both?

A study suggests that subaerial chemical weathering plays a more significant role in forming rock platforms along coasts and rivers than previously thought. The researchers found that the platforms correspond to the saprock-bedrock boundary, remain within the zone of modern water table, and are weakened by wet/dry cycling.

Handful of genetic changes led to huge changes to human brain

A handful of genetic changes in early mammalian development created the complex structures of the human brain, including fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. Researchers identified key regulatory DNA regions that control the formation of the corticospinal 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.

The finest gold dust in the world

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology found a special iron-oxide surface that locks single gold atoms in place, allowing them to study the chemical reactivity of individual atoms. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient catalysts, requiring less precious material.

Time is ticking for some crop's wild relatives

Researchers are launching a nationwide effort to conserve crop wild relatives in the US, recognizing that these plants have value in adapting food systems to climate change. The plants' genetic material could be used to breed drought-resistant crops, making them essential for global agriculture.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

29 Johns Hopkins stem cell researchers awarded funding

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund has awarded grants to 29 Johns Hopkins researchers working on stem cell metabolism, disease modeling, and therapy development. New therapies aim to replace damaged cells in patients with conditions like schizophrenia and Rett syndrome.

Understanding the links between inflammation and chronic disease

A Northwestern University study found that early exposure to microbes reduces the risk of chronic inflammation related to diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. Adults in Ecuador showed no signs of chronic inflammation, unlike many US adults with chronically elevated C-reactive protein levels.

Biochip-based device for cell analysis

Researchers at Penn State have developed a biochip-based device that can rapidly screen cells for leukemia or HIV. The device uses microfluidic drifting technology to focus particles or cells in a single stream, eliminating the need for bulky lenses and mirrors, and potentially reducing costs to $1,000 from current prices of $100,000.

OSC's Oakley Cluster delivers on performance efficiency

The Oakley Cluster, a new HP/Intel supercomputer, ranks 9th in the US and 2nd among US academic institutions when comparing benchmarked performances. It achieves 88 teraflops of performance with nearly twice the memory per core and three times the number of GPUs compared to its predecessor.

Neural protective protein has 2 faces

Researchers discover that decreasing Lhx2 activity triggers glial reactivity, while increasing its activity is key to producing protective proteins. This finding holds promise for developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

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.

To spread, nervous system viruses sabotage cell, hijack transportation

Researchers found that herpes viruses and other neurotropic pathogens sabotage cell function by hijacking neuronal internal transportation networks. Viral infection elevates neuron activity and calcium levels, stopping mitochondrial motion and allowing the virus to freely travel and reproduce within infected cells.

An international consortium sequences tomato genome

The Tomato Genome Consortium has sequenced the genomes of domesticated tomatoes and its wild ancestor Solanum pimpinellifolium, revealing detailed insights into the plant's genetic makeup. The sequences provide a better understanding of how genetics and environmental factors interact to determine crop health and viability.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The special scent of age

Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center found that humans can identify age based on differences in body odor, with elderly individuals' odors being recognized across cultures. Evaluators rated body odors from the old-age group as less intense and less unpleasant than those from middle-aged and young individuals.

People know when to move on

Researchers discovered that people are equally good at finding the right balance between task completion time and reward points, regardless of task complexity. This suggests that humans may not be intrinsically bad or good at making decisions, but rather capable of adapting to different situations.

Female sex offenders protected by the criminal justice system

A recent study published in Feminist Criminology found that male and female sex offenders received significantly different sentences for the same crimes. On average, male sentences were between 6% and 31% longer than female sentences. This disparity was attributed to societal norms and gender roles.

Skin transplant offers new hope for vitiligo patients

Researchers found that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective in treating vitiligo, with treated areas regaining an average of 43-68% of their natural skin color. The procedure involves transferring melanocyte cells from healthy skin to damaged areas.

Training cells to perform Boolean functions? It's logical

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have engineered cells that behave like AND and OR Boolean logic gates, producing an output based on one or more unique inputs. This breakthrough could lead to the development of computers that use cells as tiny circuits.

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.

Odds of quitting smoking affected by genetics

Researchers found that genetic variations in nicotinic receptor genes affect an individual's likelihood of quitting smoking on their own or requiring medication. The study suggests personalized treatment plans can improve quit rates, particularly for those with high-risk gene variants.

Super-eruptions may have surprisingly short fuses

A new study suggests that giant magma bodies forming the basis of super-eruptions exist for a few thousand years before erupting, rather than hundreds of thousands. This discovery has implications for predicting and mitigating the effects of these massive eruptions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Eat healthy -- your kids are watching

A Michigan State University study suggests that lower-income mothers should adopt healthy eating habits themselves and encourage their children to eat good foods. By doing so, mothers can help create a healthier diet for their kids without using force or restrictions.

Arctic bacteria help in the search to find life on moon Europa

Researchers have discovered that Arctic bacteria can produce biosignatures linked to biological activity, which could be indicative of microorganisms on Europa. The study found needle-shaped sulphur crystals and organic compounds in the environment, sparking hopes of finding life beneath Europa's icy crust.

The sequencing of the tomato genome

The Tomato Genome Consortium has sequenced and assembled the tomato genome, revealing two rounds of triplications that have impacted genes controlling texture, color, and maturation. This analysis provides key information for studying the evolution of this species and exploring methods to promote resistance to pests and water scarcity.

Tomato genome becomes fully sequenced

The tomato genome sequence provides detailed information about its genes and chromosomes, enabling researchers to improve crop yields and quality. The full genome sequence allows for faster and less expensive sequencing of other varieties, with potential applications in improving taste, nutritional content and disease resistance.

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.

'Just do it!' not good enough for cancer patients, UR researchers say

Studies found that regular exercise improved physical function in cancer survivors, but specific prescriptions remain unclear. Researchers also discovered that older cancer survivors engage less in physical activity due to functional declines, potentially affecting independence and survival.

New mini-sensor measures magnetic field of the brain

A new mini-sensor, Chip-scale Atomic Magnetometer (CSAM), has successfully measured the magnetic field of the human brain. The sensor's room temperature operation capability makes it more versatile than conventional cryoelectronics, which are limited to low temperatures.

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.

Building 45 payloads for balloon mission

BARREL aims to measure X-rays produced by charged particles entering Earth's atmosphere, helping scientists understand risks to spacecraft and humans in space. The 45 payloads will be launched on balloons around Antarctica as part of a NASA mission, combining with RBSP measurements for more accurate data.

Nowhere to hide: New device sees bacteria behind the eardrum

A new medical imaging device has been developed to diagnose and treat chronic ear infections by detecting biofilms behind the eardrum. The device uses optical coherence tomography and can identify biofilms in patients with chronic infections, but not those with normal ears.

New study shows why swine flu virus develops drug resistance

A new study published in Biochemistry found that the swine flu virus H1N1-2009 develops resistance to drugs Relenza and Tamiflu by mutating its NA enzyme, specifically the '150-loop' region. This mutation reduces drug effectiveness by 21 times for Relenza and 12,374 times for Tamiflu.

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.

Where not to have a heart attack in Australia

A new index reveals that 71% of Australians live near specialist hospital care and four types of aftercare within an hour's drive. However, rural and remote communities face significant challenges in accessing cardiac care, with Indigenous people living at a lower rate than non-Indigenous Australians.

Commonly used painkillers may protect against skin cancer

A new study suggests that long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin can decrease the risk of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The findings indicate a potential cancer-protective effect of NSAID use, which should be considered when discussing benefits and harms.

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.