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Science News Archive 2012


Page 25 of 333

AAAS Council elected physicist Anton Zeilinger as a Fellow

Anton Zeilinger, an Austrian physicist, has been awarded the title of Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his significant work in physics. He is a professor at the University of Vienna and scientific director of the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information.

Emerging vector-borne diseases create new public health challenge

Scientists warn of a growing threat from emerging zoonotic diseases as human activities such as land use change, globalization, and social upheaval drive their emergence. The disease burden can be eased by combining efforts between clinicians and public health officials to address the ecological drivers of transmission.

How native plants and exotics coexist

A new study reveals that insects prefer exotic plants over natives, maintaining balance in ecosystems. Native plants are less susceptible to these insects and can thrive alongside exotics.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Concussion and its association with contact sports

New research reveals higher concussion incidence rates in female hockey players compared to males, emphasizing the need for reevaluation of concussion definition. Advanced imaging techniques and neuropsychological assessments were used to track changes in brain function over an entire season.

When eating for 2 becomes a weighty issue

A recent study found that two-thirds of Australian mums-to-be are unsure about how much weight they should gain during pregnancy. The majority knew healthy eating was important but struggled to identify the right amount from different food groups. Overweight women were more likely to gain too much weight, while those with a lower BMI s...

New study finds what makes a good mentor and mentee

A new research paper by Dr. Sharon Straus identified five key ingredients necessary for a successful mentoring relationship: reciprocity, mutual respect, clear expectations, personal connections, and shared values. Good mentors are honest, trustworthy, and active listeners who help their mentees achieve work-life balance.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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A multi-wavelength view of radio galaxy Hercules A

The study uses combined imaging power to unveil spectacular jets of the galaxy, powered by a 2.5-billion-solar-mass central black hole. The jets exhibit unusual ring-like structures and are composed of high-energy plasma beams, subatomic particles, and magnetic fields.

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.

Biology behind brain development disorder

Research identified UBE3B as the gene responsible for a rare developmental disorder in children, causing brain abnormalities and reduced growth. The study used a combination of DNA sequencing and mouse models to confirm the link between the gene mutation and the disorder.

New grant funds autism research at SDSU

A four-year $600,000 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health will support an SDSU scientist's research on brain network connectivity in autistic children and adolescents. The study aims to understand how atypical brain connections link to impaired social functioning in children with autism.

High honor for 2 UC Riverside physicists

Richard Seto and Jing Shi, professors at the University of California, Riverside, have been elected APS Fellows for their innovative work in relativistic heavy ion physics and spin transport in organic semiconductors. Their research has led to significant discoveries in the study of hadronic matter and Quark Gluon Plasma.

Adolescent girls focus of New University of Houston study

A pilot study involving 30 at-risk adolescent girls will assess the feasibility and promise of a bundled risk reduction intervention to address HIV, alcohol-exposed pregnancy, and nicotine-exposed pregnancy. The intervention includes counseling sessions, pediatrician appointments, and referrals for smoking cessation.

Grand Canyon as old as the dinosaurs, suggests new study led by CU-Boulder

Researchers at CU-Boulder have discovered that the western Grand Canyon was largely carved out of its current depth by about 70 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. This new date challenges the conventional understanding of the canyon's formation and suggests a more complex history of geological events.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Musical duets lock brains as well as rhythms

A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that musical duets show coordinated brain oscillations, even when playing different voices of the same song. This suggests a direct neural basis for interpersonal coordination, with synchronized brain activity observed in regions associated with social cognition and music production.

Prenatal intervention reduces learning deficit in mice

Researchers at NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that prenatal intervention with neuroprotective peptides reduces learning deficits in mice with Down syndrome-like characteristics. The study suggests potential therapeutic benefits for individuals with Down syndrome.

6 faculty named Fellows of AAAS

Six Penn State faculty members have been named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, including Peter Hudson, Soundar Kumara, Andrew Read, Nitin Samarth, Matthew Thomas, and Karl Zimmerer. They were recognized for their research in various fields, including wildlife disease ecology, interdisciplinary indust...

Clinical trial delivers good results in leukemia patients

A phase I clinical trial has shown that ponatinib is highly active against patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic lymphoma who have developed resistance to standard treatments. The study's findings suggest that ponatinib will expand the therapeutic armamentarium for these patients.

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.

Defining career paths in health systems improvement

A new framework is proposed to guide career direction in health systems improvement, a term encompassing management, research, and public policy. The authors suggest that trainees consider reflecting on their preferences, identifying core areas of focus, and exploring additional formal training options.

Study sheds light on how pancreatic cancer begins

Researchers discovered that acinar cells convert into duct-like cells that initiate tumors in pancreatic cancer. Inflammation of the pancreas promotes this conversion. The study suggests Sox9 as a potential target to prevent early tumor-initiating events.

Adapting fish defenses to block human infections

Undergraduate researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute created engineered surfaces that kill 34% of E.coli bacteria when peptides are lying flat, but 82% when attached vertically. The team developed a technique to monitor AMP attachment and plans to test other materials for optimal antimicrobial activity

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.

Predicting material fatigue

Scientists have created a novel concept for self-reporting materials that utilize zinc oxide tetrapod crystals to detect internal damages in composite materials. The resulting composite material exhibits improved strength and emits light when exposed to UV light, providing a visual warning of potential failure.

Cancer drug shows promise in eradicating latent HIV infection

Researchers discover that JQ1 can reactivate latent HIV by activating the virus in the presence of potent therapy, making it vulnerable to current treatments. The study also found potent suppression of inflammatory genes, suggesting its potential effectiveness against other inflammatory conditions.

Inviting customer complaints can kill business: UBC research

A study from the Sauder School of Business at UBC found that when customers believe they're to blame for a product's failure, they're more likely to shift blame and increase ill will towards it. This can lead to negative ratings and decreased favorability after complaining.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Precisely engineering 3-D brain tissues

Researchers use microfabrication techniques to create 3D brain tissues with precise control and manipulation, enabling the study of neuron connections and predicting cell responses to drugs. The new technique paves the way for developing bioengineered implants for organ systems and personalized medicine.

Next-generation treatments for Fragile X syndrome

A new study has identified a potential therapeutic mechanism for Fragile X syndrome, which is the most common heritable form of autism and intellectual disability. Researchers have found that blocking the serotonin 7 receptor may reverse synaptic plasticity in mice with FXS, suggesting a new approach to treatment.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Activating ALC1: With a little help from friends

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified a new way in which the chromatin-remodeling enzyme ALC1 is activated. Through biochemical experiments, they found that ALC1's shape shifts in the presence of its activators PARP1 and NAD+, making it accessible to regulate gene transcription and DNA repair.

'Dark core' may not be so dark after all

Astronomers have found that a merging galaxy cluster's 'dark core' does not appear to be over-dense in dark matter. The study uses improved Hubble camera capabilities to map the cluster's dark matter distribution, with a ratio of 2.5 to 1 of dark matter to normal matter, aligning with expectations.

Hand use improved after spinal cord injury with noninvasive stimulation

Researchers developed a noninvasive stimulation protocol to temporarily improve hand function in people with spinal cord injuries. The treatment, paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation, successfully enhanced spinal cord transmission and voluntary motor output, leading to greater manual dexterity.

Diabetics with cancer dangerously ignore blood sugar

Researchers found that people with Type 2 diabetes who received diabetes education after a cancer diagnosis had fewer visits to the emergency room and hospital admissions. They also tested their blood sugar levels more often, resulting in lower healthcare costs.

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.

Feeding the world fairly

A multidisciplinary group of scholars at Johns Hopkins University aims to develop guidelines for fair access to good food, addressing disparities in global nutrition. The project seeks moral common ground among experts and stakeholders from various fields.

Findings support safety of whooping cough vaccine for older adults

A new study found that the tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is safe for seniors, with minor injection site reactions being the most common adverse event. The study's findings support the recommendation that older adults receive the vaccine to protect themselves and others from pertussis.

Study reinforces safety of whooping cough vaccine for older adults

A Kaiser Permanente study found that Tdap vaccination is as safe as Td vaccination for adults 65 and older, with no increased risk of injection site reactions. The study provides empirical evidence supporting the use of Tdap in reducing pertussis infections among older adults.

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.

Which group of Asian-American children is at highest risk for obesity?

A study found that Asian-Indian American children have the lowest rate of overweight or obesity (15.6%), while Vietnamese-American children have the highest rate (34.7%). This contrasts with other ethnic groups, highlighting the variability in obesity risk among different Asian-American communities.

Mayo Clinic inducted into 2012 Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame

Mayo Clinic received the Healthcare Internet Hall of Fame award for its pioneering work in patient education, including online offerings. The organization also won five eHealthcare Leadership Awards for its website, digital communications, and health information content.

Garbage bug may help lower the cost of biofuel

A team of researchers has discovered a bacterium that can efficiently degrade hemicellulose, a key component in biofuels. By unlocking this microbe's enzymes, scientists may be able to engineer microbes that can convert more plant material into fuel.

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.

Canada's first liver cell transplant takes place in Calgary

Physicians at Alberta Children's Hospital successfully completed the world's first liver cell transplant on a Canadian baby with Urea Cycle Disorder, improving ammonia levels and buying time for a potential liver transplant. The procedure was performed as part of a research trial sponsored by Cytonet LLC.

Altimeter built at Goddard helped identify ice on Mercury

The MESSENGER spacecraft provided new lines of evidence for the existence of water ice on Mercury, with measurements from its laser altimeter and hydrogen concentrations from the neutron spectrometer. The findings suggest that ice is present near the north pole, covered by a layer of material in most areas.

Study helps resolve debate about how tumors spread

Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine discovered the reversible EMT switch in metastasis, resolving a decade-long debate. Activation of Twist1 gene promotes carcinoma cells to disseminate into blood circulation, while turning off EMT switch is crucial for proliferation and formation of secondary tumors.

International study provides more solid measure of melting in polar ice sheets

A new international study has reconciled measurements of ice sheet changes in Antarctica and Greenland, providing a more consistent estimate of their contribution to sea-level rise. The results show that the planet's two largest ice sheets have been losing ice faster during the past decade, causing widespread concern.

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.

Meditation with art therapy can change your brain and lower anxiety

A study at Thomas Jefferson University found that meditation paired with art therapy significantly reduced stress and anxiety in women with breast cancer. The treatment altered brain activity, increasing emotional centers associated with positive emotions, stress regulation, and reward system function.

Industrial carbon management research gets $3.75 million boost

Eight new research projects receive funding from Carbon Management Canada to develop technologies for reducing CO2 emissions in industries such as cement and power generation. These projects will focus on innovative solutions for capturing, storing, and utilizing CO2, including sensor technology and carbon mineralization methods.