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Science News Archive 2012


Page 41 of 333

How online video stream quality affects viewer behavior

Researchers found that viewers abandon videos if they don't start within two seconds, with every additional one-second delay resulting in a 5.8% increase in abandonment rate. Viewers with better connectivity are less patient, while mobile users are more tolerant of slow-starting videos.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nature study reveals loss of essential blood cell gene leads to anemia

Scientists at the University of Georgia and Harvard Medical School have discovered a new gene that regulates heme synthesis in red blood cell formation. The study found that a deficiency in this gene leads to severe anemia, which promises to advance our understanding and treatment of human anemias and mitochondrial diseases.

Extinct or passé? New research examines the term, 'metrosexual'

A recent study by Erynn Masi de Casanova found that men are taking more interest in their appearance and feel the term 'metrosexual' is outdated. Many interviewees preferred dressing up and looked sharp, even with workplace casual dress codes. The research also highlights a possible bridge between gay and straight men through fashion.

Doubling down against diabetes

Researchers have engineered natural gut peptides to carry small steroids, improving insulin secretion, blood glucose, and body weight in mice. The study's findings suggest a potential breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, with minimal risk of estrogen-related side effects.

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.

Smart scaffolding aims to rebuild tissue from the inside

Researchers at Rice University aim to inject scaffolds infused with living cells to repair damage inside tissues naturally. They plan to start trials of their dental hydrogel within two years, which could also be used for spinal cord regeneration and eye conditions.

Optical boomerangs, ultralight fractal materials, and more

Researchers have created self-bending light beams that can move along curved paths and heal themselves, potentially using them to manipulate particles and data. Meanwhile, scientists have also designed ultralight fractal materials that could be used to build solar sails with reduced weight, potentially improving space propulsion.

Migraine-associated brain changes not related to impaired cognition

A nine-year follow-up study found that women with migraines did not exhibit declining cognitive abilities, unlike previous research suggesting a link between migraine and impaired cognition. Brain changes associated with bright spots on MRI scans were present in both men and women with migraines.

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.

Hinode to support ground-based eclipse observations

The Hinode mission will coordinate with ground-based observations during the November 13, 2012, total solar eclipse to produce a combined dataset. This study will focus on the sun's corona, including its temperature distribution and magnetic fields.

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.

Trying to save money? Ask for crisp new bills at the bank

A new study by Fabrizio Di Muro and Theodore J. Noseworthy found that consumers tend to spend more on worn bills due to feelings of disgust, but are more likely to hold onto crisp currency for social reasons. The researchers suggest that money's physical appearance can influence spending behavior, making it a vehicle for social utility.

Naïve fish: Easy targets for spear fishers

A recent study found that reserve-reared fish are less wary of divers and can be caught closer than those living in fished areas. This increased accessibility makes the local fish harvest more sustainable, potentially improving support for marine reserves.

MRSA outbreak mapped by DNA sequencing

Researchers used DNA sequencing to map an MRSA outbreak in a special care baby unit, tracking its spread into the community. The technique allowed for quicker identification and isolation of outbreaks, containing the infection and preventing substantial illness.

Research strengthens link between obesity and dental health in homeless children

A recent study published in Journal of Pediatric Health Care found a strong correlation between childhood obesity and dental cavities among homeless children. Researchers analyzed data from 157 children aged 2-17 years old at an urban homeless shelter, revealing that as body mass index increased with age, so did cavity counts.

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.

Bacterial DNA sequence used to map an infection outbreak

Using DNA sequencing, researchers confirmed an ongoing MRSA outbreak in a hospital, identifying the source and extent of the infection. The team linked the outbreak to an unsuspecting carrier and treated them to eradicate the bacteria, preventing further spread.

Scientists question the designation of some emerging diseases

The Ebola, Marburg, and Lassa viruses have been around for thousands of years, not emerging as life-threatening diseases. Designating them as emerging diagnoses would aid in diagnosis and prevention by understanding their ecological niches and geographical distribution.

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.

Autism treatment is more than skin deep

Researchers found that metal-binding agents applied to the skin, prescribed for autism treatment, are not absorbed and ineffective. The study contradicts claims made by some practitioners treating children with mercury-binding agents.

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.

Drug shrinks brain tumors in children with tuberous sclerosis complex

A drug originally developed to prevent organ rejection has been shown to dramatically reduce a particular kind of brain tumor in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The study found that 35% of patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in tumor volume after treatment with everolimus.

NASA sees sun emit a mid-level flare

A mid-level solar flare, classified as M6, was observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on November 13, 2012. The flare caused a moderate radio blackout affecting GPS and communications signals for several minutes to hours.

Warming temperatures will change Greenland's face

Scientists predict that Greenland's ice sheet will lose more ice and snow to melting than it will accumulate over the next century due to warming temperatures. Basins on the southwest and north coasts will suffer the greatest losses, with temperatures only needing to increase by 0.6-2.16C for net loss.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Product choice: When are consumers most satisfied?

A new study reveals that consumers presented with options one at a time tend to be less satisfied and committed to their choices. The authors found that this is due to the uncertainty of future alternatives, leading to a feeling of hope that undermines satisfaction levels.

A smoker's license: Too radical for tobacco control?

Experts Simon Chapman and Jeff Collin disagree on the need for a smoker's license, with Chapman arguing it would limit access to tobacco products and encourage quitting, while Collin argues it would stigmatize smokers and shift focus away from the industry

Early changes in liver function could detect life-threatening infection

Researchers have identified early liver function changes as a potential indicator of severe sepsis. The study found that these changes occur hours before conventional markers and are linked to clinical outcomes. This breakthrough has significant implications for diagnosing and treating patients with critical illness.

Pictures effective in warning against cigarette smoking

A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging are effective in warning against cigarette smoking. The research, led by James F. Thrasher, PhD, found that graphic imagery is more credible and effective than text-only labels among smokers with low health l...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Stereoscopic mammography could reduce recall rate

A new digital mammography technique has been shown to improve the accuracy of breast cancer screening, reducing both false positive findings and recalls. The stereoscopic method uses a unique workstation and polarizing lenses to identify lesions at different depths within the breast volume.

Grasshoppers change their tune to stay tuned over traffic noise

A study published in Functional Ecology found that grasshoppers living beside noisy roads produce different songs with elevated frequency components. This adaptation helps them make themselves heard above road traffic, potentially disrupting the grasshopper's mating system.

PNNL expertise highlighted at Supercomputing

Researchers from PNNL develop new algorithm to identify similar patterns in data, reducing processing time by seconds. A software called Bamboo is also presented, which translates MPI code to speed up data-crunching and reduce communication bottlenecks.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Mobile phone services help smokers quit

A new systematic review found that people who received mobile phone-based smoking cessation services were more likely to stay away from cigarettes for six months. The review analyzed data from five studies involving over 9,000 participants, showing a nearly doubling of quit rates in intervention groups compared to control groups.

Baiting mosquitoes with knowledge and proven insecticides

USDA researchers have created toxic sugar-based baits luring mosquito death; five compound classes kill all three mosquito species. Scientists also discovered how repellents work by disrupting chemical attractants in mosquito receptors.

Viable and fertile fruit flies in the absence of histone H3.3

Researchers discovered that fruit flies can develop and be fertile in the absence of histone H3.3, challenging established models of gene regulation. Additionally, they found that histone modification is not essential for activating genes, but rather plays a role in regulating their expression.

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.

Fantasy-reality confusion a primary cause of childhood nighttime fears

Researchers found that preschoolers with persistent nighttime fears were less able to distinguish reality from fantasy. Therapies like using a 'huggy puppy' toy can help children overcome their fears by leveraging their strong imagination. This study aims to develop interventions for clinicians and parents.

New type of bacterial protection found within cells

UCI researchers found that histone proteins stored in lipid droplets can target and kill bacterial infections, providing a novel approach to fighting bacterial growth. This discovery could lead to new treatments for patients with bad bacterial infections.

US preterm birth rate shows 5-year improvement

The US preterm birth rate dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 to 11.7 percent, giving thousands more babies a healthy start in life and saving billions in health and social costs. Four states earned an 'A' on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, while the US earned a 'C', despite progress.

Life-saving role of heart attack centers confirmed in new study

Researchers at Imperial College London confirm the life-saving role of specialist heart attack centres through a new study. The findings show that primary angioplasty reduces death rates from heart attacks by 22% when bias is accounted for, highlighting the importance of making these centres widely available.

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.

Being neurotic, and conscientious, a good combo for health

Researchers found that neurotics with high levels of conscientiousness had lower inflammation levels, fewer chronic health conditions, and healthier body mass indices. This suggests that 'healthy neuroticism' may provide a protective effect against long-term health problems.

Farm injury risks increase with age

A study by the University of Alberta found that older farmers (45-64 years) spend more time operating tractors and combines, increasing their risk of serious injury. The study also highlighted the importance of newer machinery with better safety features to reduce injury risks.

Study sheds light on genetic 'clock' in embryonic cells

A new international collaboration sheds light on the timing mechanism of vertebrae formation in vertebrate embryos, revealing the crucial role of molecular oscillators. The study provides real-time visual evidence of how these 'clocks' operate at the level of individual cells.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Choreographing light

Researchers at EPFL's Computer Graphics and Geometry Laboratory have created an algorithm to control the 'caustic' effect, a natural optical phenomenon that generates clear images on transparent surfaces. The technique allows for the creation of complex representations such as faces or landscapes from simple forms like stars.

GEOLOGY speeding top science to online platform

The Geological Society of America's GEOLOGY journal has posted 35 new studies online, covering various disciplines such as volcanology and paleoclimatology. These studies explore topics like super-eruptions, vegetation change, and geochemical asymmetry in hotspot volcanoes.

First-of-its-kind program improves outcomes for seniors admitted for trauma

A new trauma program at St. Michael's Hospital has shown significant improvements in outcomes for elderly patients admitted for trauma. The program, which provides geriatric consultations within 72 hours of admission, has reduced the risk of delirium by 10% and decreased the likelihood of discharge to long-term care facilities.