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Science News Archive 2012


Page 73 of 333

Tree nut research may unexpectedly lead to medical advances

Researchers discovered that combining conventional antifungal medications with natural plant compounds, such as thymol, can inhibit the growth of fungi at lower doses. This could lead to more effective treatments for fungal infections, potentially even reducing economic losses from contaminated crops.

Freezing water droplets form sharp ice peaks

Researchers discovered that water droplets can form sharp ice peaks when freezing, due to the water's expansion as it freezes. As the droplet solidifies, the resulting ice peak attracts water vapor in the air, creating a unique tree-like structure on its surface.

Mechanism of aerosol aging identified

Researchers discovered that OH radicals significantly influence organic aerosols' mass and composition, leading to changes in concentration and characteristics. This finding necessitates updates to regional and global climate models.

NASA satellites indicate wind shear taking toll on Oscar

Tropical Storm Oscar is being battered by strong northwesterly wind shear, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing images of the storm's clouds and showers southeast of its center. The National Hurricane Center expects Oscar to dissipate late on Oct. 5, 2012.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Get with the computer program

A pan-Quebec study found that students prefer engaging lectures over targeted tweets, while instructors were more comfortable with emails than social media. The research suggests that curriculum design and professional development should prioritize interactive activities over technology integration.

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.

NASA sees very strong wind shear battering Tropical Storm Gaemi

Tropical Storm Gaemi experienced strong northeasterly wind shear, causing a large oval-shaped area of showers and thunderstorms to form southwest of the storm's center. The storm's speed increased as it moved westward, forecasted to make landfall south of Hue, Vietnam on October 6.

Building 3-D structures from a 2-D template

Researchers from KIT, Louvain, and Berlin develop a rapid and cheap method to produce 3D photonic crystals in silicon. The SPRIE method uses established technologies and innovative self-organization techniques.

Sun spits out a coronal mass ejection

A coronal mass ejection (CME) was released by the sun on October 4, 2012, traveling at approximately 400 miles per second. The CME may affect electronic systems in satellites and on Earth, although major effects have not been observed in the past.

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.

NASA notes Nadine now no more

Nadine, a tropical cyclone, was monitored by NASA's TRMM satellite before its dissipation on October 4, 2012. The satellite showed minimal rainfall remaining in the storm, indicating its impending demise.

NASA's HS3 mission thoroughly investigates long-lived Hurricane Nadine

The HS3 mission has provided valuable insights into the characteristics of long-lived tropical cyclones like Hurricane Nadine. The Global Hawk aircraft gathered data on Nadine's winds, temperature, and humidity, helping scientists understand how these storms can intensify despite being affected by dry air and strong westerly winds.

Origin of ultra-fast manipulation of domain walls discovered

An international team has found a surprising effect that leads to spatially varying magnetization manipulation on an ultrafast timescale in ferromagnetic materials. This discovery could be key to further miniaturization and performance increase of magnetic data storage devices.

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.

Weather-making high-pressure systems predicted to intensify

A Duke University-led study predicts that high-pressure systems over oceans will intensify, contributing to droughts and extreme summer rainfall in the northern hemisphere. The North Atlantic and Pacific subtropical highs are expected to strengthen due to increasing greenhouse-gas concentrations.

Getting NASA's SDO into focus

Scientists optimize SDO's HMI instrument to improve resolution quickly after eclipses. By adjusting heater timing and temperature, they've reduced the recovery time from 60 minutes to around 45-50 minutes.

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.

Breakthrough study identifies trauma switch

A new study identified the PAR1 receptor's role in regulating the brain's response to trauma, providing a potential mechanism for preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research found that stressed events reprogram these receptors, which then determine how the brain reacts to subsequent traumatic events.

NASA to upgrade vital communications link

The first of three third-generation TDRS satellites is set to launch in December, providing critical communication support for NASA's human spaceflight endeavors and science missions. The new satellite will increase bandwidth and ensure operational continuity for NASA's Space Network.

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.

Superheroes needed to tackle timebomb of public health challenges

The research highlights the need for effective public health leaders to address significant health challenges, citing examples of successful individuals like Jamie Oliver. It suggests that current public health professionals may not be equipped to lead and influence policy, leading to calls for greater leadership training and support.

A white mouse

Researchers found that B-Raf and C-Raf proteins are crucial for melanocyte stem cell renewal, leading to progressive whitening of fur in mice. The study provides insights into the role of these proteins in cancer development and offers potential new strategies for treating melanoma.

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.

MIT research: What number is halfway between 1 and 9? Is it 5 -- or 3?

Researchers at MIT's Research Laboratory of Electronics found that a logarithmic scale is optimal for minimizing relative error in human sensory perception and memory. This aligns with natural human instinct to represent numbers logarithmically, particularly when storing data in memory or compressing stimuli.

NASA's Swift satellite discovers a new black hole in our galaxy

NASA's Swift satellite detected a rising tide of high-energy X-rays from a source near the center of the Milky Way galaxy, announcing the presence of a new stellar-mass black hole. The discovery was made using the Burst Alert Telescope and X-ray Telescope on Swift.

Low incidence of needlestick injuries among staff at national pharmacy chain

A recent study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology found a lower-than-expected incidence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) at a nationwide retail pharmacy chain. The study revealed that the annual NSI rate was between 0 to 3.62 per 100,000 vaccinations, with most incidents occurring after use and disposal of needles.

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.

NASA notes Nadine now no more

NASA's TRMM satellite observed very little rainfall in Nadine on its final pass before dissolution on October 4, 2012. Nadine was producing light to moderate rainfall east of its center when a cold front approached, contributing to its demise.

Benzodiazepine use and dementia in the over 65s

A comparative analysis of elderly individuals found that benzodiazepine use was associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia. The study recommends limiting prescriptions to periods of a few weeks and ensuring proper use to mitigate potential adverse effects.

University of Houston engineering professor wins NSF CAREER grant

The University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering has won its sixth NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, with assistant professor Jeffrey Rimer receiving a $400,000 grant to further his research on zeolites. The award aims to develop a rational system for creating molecules that can tailor the growth of specific zeolites.

Go west, young lion

A new study found that mountain lions are dispersing from Nevada to California, rather than the expected influx of animals from California into Nevada. The research used DNA analysis to track the movement of 739 mountain lions over seven years, revealing distinct genetic populations and habitat preferences.

HIV helps explain rise of anal cancer in US males

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found a significant association between HIV infection and an increase in anal cancer risk among US males. The research suggests that measures to prevent anal cancer in HIV-infected males could reduce overall rates at the population level.

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.

Researchers reveal how solvent mixtures affect organic solar cell structure

A team of researchers from North Carolina State University found that some mixing of donor and acceptor layers in polymer-based solar cells can increase efficiency. The study showed that controlling the mixing of domains can lead to better performance, contradicting previous assumptions that pure layers were best.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Medication use higher among overweight, obese kids

Research from UAlberta finds that overweight and obese children aged 12-19 are 59% more likely to take prescription medication. This trend contributes to higher health-care costs for treating childhood obesity.

What makes self-directed learning effective?

Researchers Todd Gureckis and Douglas Markant examine the benefits of self-directed learning from a cognitive and computational perspective. They argue that this approach optimizes educational experiences by focusing on useful information and exposing learners to new sources. By understanding these processes, researchers can develop as...

NYU researchers find electricity in biological clock

Researchers at NYU have uncovered the electrical activity of biological clock neurons that help regulate behavioral rhythms. The study highlights the importance of understanding the coordination between neuronal firing and gene expression to develop new pathways for treating sleep disorders.

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.

C3E award winners announced at Women in Clean Energy Symposium

Female leaders in clean energy were honored at the Women in Clean Energy Symposium, including C3E award winners who made significant contributions to policy, innovation, education, and corporate implementation. The event highlighted the importance of local initiatives in advancing national energy plans.

'Thick Infrastructure' proposes new amenities for Houston

A team of University of Houston architects and designers developed new ideas on how the city can better serve its growing populations through innovative uses of ditches, easements, Metro transit centers, and park and rides. The 'Thick Infrastructure' exhibition will showcase bold possibilities for these components of the city.

Marlene R. Cohen wins Eppendorf/Science Prize

Cohen's research reveals that when the mind wanders, so too do our perceptual abilities, with a significant decrease in ability to detect subtle changes. Her method allows for measuring the effect of internal states on behavior, offering new insights into attention and perception.

Climate sceptics more prominent in UK and US media

Research finds climate scepticism prevalent in UK and US newspapers, with opinion pieces often unchallenged. The study analyzed over 2,064 articles from six countries during two periods, including the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report, and found a significant presence of sceptical voices in these nations.

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.

NASA gets 2 infrared views of tropical storms Nadine, Oscar

NASA's Aqua satellite captured two infrared images of Tropical Storms Nadine and Oscar on October 3, showing contrasting storm behavior. Infrared imagery revealed strong convection and thunderstorms in Oscar, but not in Nadine, as it merges with a cold front.

How ketamine defeats chronic depression

Current evidence suggests ketamine regenerates damaged brain cells, providing immediate relief from symptoms in treatment-resistant patients. Understanding its mechanism could lead to the development of a new class of antidepressants.

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.

Study reveals how bicultural consumers respond to marketing cues

A new study from Columbia Business School reveals that bicultural consumers respond differently to marketing cues depending on their level of cultural integration, with 'integrated-self' individuals exhibiting chameleon-like behavior and 'divided-self' individuals behaving as cultural contrarians.