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Science News Archive 2012


Page 217 of 333

Desperate fishwives

A team of scientists from Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that during the mating season, female gobies become increasingly aggressive and eager to mate, while males become more coy. As a result, females assume the dominant role in courtship, with males often surrounded by harems of willing partners.

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.

Heart disease risk can indicate long-term COPD fate, UCI researchers say

Researchers at UC Irvine found that moderate to severe COPD patients with low heart disease risk had a significantly better prognosis. The study suggests addressing cardiac risk factors can improve outcomes in people with COPD, and highlights the importance of cardiovascular health for lung disease patients.

Scientists across US launch study of thunderstorm effects on upper atmosphere

Scientists are targeting thunderstorms in Alabama, Colorado, and Oklahoma to discover the influence of thunderstorms on air just beneath the stratosphere. The Deep Convective Clouds & Chemistry (DC3) Experiment will explore how thunderstorms affect climate by forming upper-atmosphere ozone, a greenhouse gas with a strong warming effect.

Handful of heavyweight trees per acre are forest champs

A new study reveals that just a handful of heavyweight trees per acre are responsible for nearly half the biomass in a temperate forest, highlighting their crucial role in photosynthesis and carbon sequestration. The research found that these large trees can dominate even when dead, with snags accounting for 60% of total biomass.

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.

Bladder tests before urinary incontinence surgery in women may be unnecessary

A new study suggests that pre-operative bladder function tests are not necessary for women undergoing surgery for stress urinary incontinence. Women who had only an office check-up had equally successful outcomes as those with both tests, indicating that these tests provide no added benefit for surgical treatment success.

Writing a landmark sequel to 'The Book of Life'

The Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) is an ambitious international initiative that aims to identify and profile all human proteins. The project, which involves 20 scientific teams, will focus on 'missing' proteins and determine their functions in health and disease.

Wheelchair breakdowns becoming more common, reports AJPM&R

A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that over 50% of wheelchair users experience a breakdown within six months, with a significant increase in health and safety consequences. The researchers suggest that changes in reimbursement policies and lax standards testing may be contributing factors.

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.

Pioneering study shows prenatal choline may 'program' healthier babies

A pioneering study found that increased maternal choline intake during pregnancy can decrease children's chances of developing hypertension and diabetes. The researchers believe choline alters gene expression patterns involved in cortisol production, potentially reducing stress-related diseases.

Mining for heat

A study by McGill University researchers calculates that each kilometer of a deep underground mine could produce 150 kW of heat, enough to warm 5-10 Canadian households. The team develops a general model for predicting geothermal energy potential in other mines.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tiny channel cleanses blood

Researchers at MIT and NUS have developed a microfluidic system that uses natural margination to separate red blood cells from unwanted cellular components. The system demonstrates highly efficient removal of bacteria and inflammatory cells, with potential applications in treating sepsis.

Prdm16: A novel gene important for craniofacial development

A study published in Experimental Biology and Medicine revealed that PRDM16 is essential for the normal development of the embryonic palate. The gene was found to regulate over 100 genes involved in diverse processes such as chromatin remodeling and muscle/bone development.

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.

Study: Stroke victims not receiving timely diagnosis, care

A new study found that only 41.7% of stroke patients underwent brain imaging within the recommended 25 minutes of their arrival at a hospital, leading to potential delays in treatment. Certain individuals, including those with diabetes or certain cardiac conditions, were less likely to receive timely scans.

New study of NIH funding allocations suggests potential efficiency gains

Researchers applied financial portfolio theory to NIH funding allocation decisions, suggesting potential efficiency gains and improved public health outcomes. The study found that optimized funding allocations may yield more desirable results, with a 28% to 89% greater decrease in years of life lost.

Decades of data show spring advancing faster than experiments suggest

Long-term historical observations reveal plants leafing and flowering sooner due to rising temperatures, contrary to results from controlled environmental warming experiments. This discrepancy suggests that estimated ecosystem changes may be far greater than current estimates based on experimental data.

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.

Pressure Right more reliable in PONV management effectiveness, review finds

A study published in the Anesthesia-Analgesia Journal found that Pressure Right's acupressure device enhanced the efficacy of a popular antiemetic drug combination in reducing PONV among high-risk patients. The device resulted in higher patient satisfaction and lower emesis rates compared to a sham device.

Study finds emotion reversed in left-handers' brains

Researchers found that motivation, a basic building block of human emotion, is computed mainly in the right hemisphere of the brain for left-handers, contrary to previous studies. This discovery has significant implications for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, which often involve targeting the left hemisphere.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study is first to show transgenerational effect of antibiotics

Researchers found that male pseudoscorpions treated with tetracycline suffered reduced sperm viability and passed this toxic effect on their untreated sons. This transgenerational effect has significant implications for human health and food animal production.

Study shows experiments underestimate plant responses to climate change

A study of 50 plant studies across four continents found that experimentally induced shifts in plant timing are underestimated by at least fourfold compared to long-term records. Long-term historical records consistently show a 5-6 day advance per degree Celsius, with potential consequences for species diversity and ecosystem services.

Combination of 2 drugs reverses liver tumors

Researchers at IDIBELL discovered that combining two mTOR inhibitors can stop liver cancer growth and destroy tumor cells. A clinical trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in humans.

A small cut with a big impact

Researchers discovered how ARTD1's DNA recruitment is regulated during inflammation, influencing gene expression and inflammation. The protein is cleaved by caspase 7 into two pieces that can no longer bind to DNA, leading to more efficient gene expression.

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.

Aspirin and warfarin equally effective for most heart failure patients

A landmark clinical trial found that aspirin and warfarin are equally effective in preventing a combined risk of death, stroke, and cerebral hemorrhage in heart failure patients. The WARCEF trial, which involved over 2,300 patients, showed that the overall risks and benefits of the two medications are similar.

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.

Genes can affect how much you enjoy pork in a meal

A study found that genetic variations in an odor receptor gene affect responses to cooked meat, shedding light on controversies surrounding androstenone content. Researchers investigated participants' responses to different pork samples, revealing a significant impact of the gene variant on taste perception.

Unmasking black pepper's secrets as a fat fighter

A new study reveals that black pepper's piperine interferes with genes controlling fat cell formation, potentially leading to a metabolic chain reaction. This finding may lead to wider use of piperine or black-pepper extracts in fighting obesity and related diseases.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Better plants for biofuels

Recent research suggests that plant-derived biofuels could meet 30% of the global demand for liquid transportation fuels without affecting food production. Scientists have identified non-edible plants as a promising area of research to produce biofuels sustainably.

New coelacanth find rewrites history of the ancient fish

Researchers at University of Alberta identify new coelacanth fossil, Rebellatrix, which challenges theory of evolutionary stagnation. Found in British Columbia, the 240-million-year-old species had a forked tail, indicating it was a fast-moving predator.

First 'microsubmarines' designed to help clean up oil spills

Researchers have created microsubmarines that can collect and transport oil droplets from contaminated waters, potentially helping to clean up oil spills. These tiny machines use a special surface coating to absorb oils and are powered by ultrafast movement.

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.

Research suggests infants begin to learn about race in the first year

A new study suggests that infants start learning about race from birth, but their ability to recognize faces and emotions from other races declines at around 9 months. This decline in ability is thought to be a result of the infant's brain processing more information from familiar groups, such as family members.

The zombie-ant fungus is under attack, research reveals

A hyperparasitic fungus has been found to effectively combat the zombie-ant fungus, limiting its spread and survival. The research model shows that only about 6.5% of spore-producing organs were viable, suggesting a smaller threat to ant colonies.

Is there a link between mood and glucose control in diabetes?

Research suggests a connection between blood sugar levels and mental health in diabetics, potentially impacting quality of life. Studies using continuous glucose monitoring data indicate that poor glycemic control may lead to negative moods and lower overall well-being.

Electric mass mobility for urban environments

The Visio.M project aims to develop electric cars that are safe, inexpensive, and efficient. Researchers have overcome significant technological hurdles to create a vehicle with a power of 15 kilowatts and a maximum curb weight of 400 kg.

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.

Study: Alzheimer's drug fails to reduce significant agitation

A new randomized controlled trial found that memantine, a commonly prescribed medication for Alzheimer's disease, is no more effective in reducing significant agitation than a placebo. The study suggested improvements in cognitive functioning and neuropsychiatric symptoms, but failed to provide relief from severe agitation.

IOM report recommends US expand drug safety monitoring after approval

The IOM report recommends the FDA implement a single, comprehensive Benefit and Risk Assessment and Management Plan (BRAMP) to track drugs' side effects. Postmarket studies will be conducted when necessary to inform regulatory decisions, with an emphasis on protecting research participants.

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.

Eating fish, chicken, nuts may lower risk of Alzheimer's disease

A new study suggests that consuming omega-3 fatty acids from foods like fish and nuts can lower blood beta-amyloid levels, a protein linked to Alzheimer's disease. The study found a strong association between increased omega-3 intake and reduced plasma beta-amyloid levels.

Electronic nose out in front

A new DNA-based chemical sensor has been developed, capable of discriminating between very similar molecules, even at low concentrations. The system uses carbon nanotubes and fine-tuned DNA strands to produce a measurable electrical signal when exposed to target chemicals.