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Science News Archive April 2012


Page 1 of 29

Science fair winner publishes new study on butterfly foraging behavior

A new study published in Psyche reveals that different butterfly species exhibit unique foraging behaviors, and the findings may be used to develop effective synthetic lures for understanding pollinators. Researchers used multi-colored landing pads and baits to determine that some butterflies rely on both sight and smell to locate food.

Cost study shows timing crucial in appendectomies

A recent study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that removing a child's ruptured appendix within 24 hours significantly lowers hospital costs and charges. The study showed an estimated $10,000 savings in hospital charges when pediatric general surgeons removed the ruptured appendix early.

Rogue stars ejected from the galaxy are found in intergalactic space

Astronomers have discovered a group of over 675 hypervelocity stars on the outskirts of the Milky Way, which are believed to have been ejected from the galactic core. These stars, found in intergalactic space between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy, exhibit high metallicity indicating an inner galactic origin.

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.

Study shows halting an enzyme can slow multiple sclerosis in mice

A study published in Brain Pathology has found that halting the Kallikrein 6 enzyme can slow multiple sclerosis progression in mice. The researchers discovered an antibody that neutralizes the enzyme, which was shown to reduce inflammatory white blood cells and slow demyelination.

Starting a family does not encourage parents to eat healthier

A longitudinal study found that parenthood does not significantly improve parents' diets compared to non-parents, with both groups showing similar decreases in saturated fat intake and increases in fruit and vegetable consumption over time. However, parents lag behind their childless counterparts in making healthier dietary changes.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Key lessons from history on alcohol taxes

Historical research suggests that affluence rather than poverty drives alcohol consumption levels, particularly among the middle classes. This challenges traditional approaches to reducing consumption through taxation.

Modern hybrid corn makes better use of nitrogen, study shows

A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that modern hybrid corn varieties are more efficient in using nitrogen, producing more grain per pound of accumulated nitrogen. Grain yields have increased by an average of 28 bushels per acre over the past 21 years, despite a slight increase in total nitrogen uptake.

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.

Electric charge disorder: A key to biological order?

Researchers discovered that random patches of disordered electric charges can induce a twisting force strong enough to affect biological objects at nanometers or micrometers away. This phenomenon could help understand patterns in biology, such as lock and key interactions.

Antarctic albatross displays shift in breeding habits

A new study reveals that some wandering albatrosses are breeding 2.2 days earlier than before, with older or recently changed partners being key drivers of this trend. The researchers found no clear explanation for the change, which may be linked to environmental factors such as weather or ocean conditions.

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.

Researchers develop rapid test strips for bacterial contamination in swimming water

Researchers at McMaster University have developed rapid testing method using paper strip to detect E. coli in recreational water within minutes, improving public safety and closing the gap between outbreaks and detection. The test strips can detect potentially harmful concentrations of E. coli with much greater accuracy than existing p...

High-strength silk scaffolds improve bone repair

Researchers created fully biodegradable silk scaffolds with high-compressive strength, mimicking native bone features. The composite materials enhanced human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and improved bone remodeling.

Research breakthrough takes supercomputing out of the lab

Researchers developed a novel solution to produce entangled photon pairs using an integrated circuit, making quantum technologies more accessible. The breakthrough could lead to faster data sorting and solve complex computational problems, potentially leading to new gadgets.

Gene involved in sperm-to-egg binding is key to fertility in mammals

Researchers at Durham University have identified a key gene involved in sperm-to-egg binding, enabling fertilization in mammals. The discovery highlights the importance of cumulus cells surrounding eggs and suggests potential avenues for improving IVF treatment effectiveness and developing new contraceptives.

Old maps and dead clams help solve coastal boulder mystery

Researchers in The Journal of Geology found that plain ocean waves, aided by strong storms, can move giant boulders inland. By comparing old maps to modern photos, the team showed that sections of the ridges have moved significantly since 1839.

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.

Maintaining bridges on a budget

Concordia engineers develop a decision-making approach that considers factors like traffic, drainage system efficiency and seismic risk to prioritize bridge maintenance. The new method has the potential to reduce costs by avoiding costly repairs later on and promoting sustainability.

India designs its own image as global power

India uses branding campaigns to showcase its modernity and attract foreign investment, but the actual state of the country raises concerns about corruption and internal conflicts. The Indian government's efforts to suppress these issues may become increasingly difficult.

Venus to appear in once-in-a-lifetime event

Astronomers will witness a rare transit of Venus, appearing as a small black dot on the Sun's surface, which won't happen again until 2117. The event will help scientists study Venus's atmosphere and potentially aid in finding extrasolar planets.

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.

Radiologists rank themselves as less than competent on health policy issues

A new study by American Roentgen Ray Society shows radiologists ranking themselves as less competent in patient imaging costs and patient safety compared to non-radiology physicians. The researchers aim to use this data for self-reflection to improve their knowledge and be ambassadors of change in healthcare reform.

Scientists uncover exciting lead into premature aging and heart disease

Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Medical Biology found that reducing SUN1 levels in mouse models doubled the life spans of those with progeria and tripled it for those with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. This discovery opens up a possibility for therapeutic use of reduced SUN1 levels for other forms of heart disease.

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.

Vitamin D supplements may protect against viral infections during the winter

Research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that vitamin D supplementation can strengthen innate immunity against viral infections. The study found that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with impaired immune function and lower levels of toll-like receptor 7, which regulates immune responses to viruses.

Keep your fruit close and your vegetables closer

A recent study published in Environment and Behavior found that placing fruit and vegetable bowls near participants increases the likelihood of eating them. However, this effect is more pronounced for fruits due to their natural sweetness, which stimulates brain reward regions.

Bilingualism fine-tunes hearing, enhances attention

Research at Northwestern University reveals that bilingualism sharpens the brain's ability to encode basic sound patterns and improve attention. Bilingual speakers outperform monolingual peers in processing complex sounds under noisy conditions.

JCI early table of contents for April 30, 2012

Researchers found that PAX5 stabilizes MYC protein levels in B cells, correlating with poor patient survival. Additionally, STIM1 regulates calcium signaling to control fat preference, while IL-12 production is decreased in diabetic patients with increased infection risk.

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.

Graduation year drives Facebook connections for college grads

Researchers found social networks on Facebook tend to form around graduation year or university housing rather than shared interests. The study's findings suggest universities can create strong community among students by manipulating student housing efforts.

Tablet-based case conferences improve resident learning

A new study shows that tablet-based conference mirroring enhances radiology residents' learning experience by allowing them to manipulate images, zoom in on subtle abnormalities, and participate remotely. More than 75% of residents who participated in this format strongly agreed that it improved their learning.

Superconducting strip could become an ultra-low-voltage sensor

Researchers observed an intermittent motion of magnetic flux in a superconducting strip, resulting in alternating static and dynamic phases with zero and non-zero voltage peaks. The study's findings have potential applications for gate devices controlling on/off states in electrical systems.

How human cells 'hold hands'

A team of University of Iowa researchers found that a lack of gamma-protocadherin cell adhesion molecules in the cerebral cortex disrupts neural circuitry formation. This discovery may help understand causes of human developmental disorders like autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia.

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.

Attosecond lighthouses may help illuminate the tempestuous sea of electrons

Physicists create isolated attosecond pulses using a new method dubbed the "attosecond lighthouse" effect, which can help confirm theories of electron motion and yield insights into chemical reactions. The technique has several advantages over previous methods, including ease of implementation and minimal rotation required.

New research: Why bigger animals aren't always faster

A study of monitor lizards found that midsize lizards are the fastest, suggesting that larger size can create biomechanical constraints. The researchers discovered that above a certain size, lizards change their running style, making them slower.

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.

Conquering LED efficiency droop

Researchers from California and Japan have devised a new LED design that avoids efficiency droop, a major problem limiting solid-state lighting growth. The breakthrough could lead to more energy-efficient and affordable LED lighting, with potential applications in household bulbs.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Culturally tailored program helps Mexican-American women lose weight

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that Mexican-American women who participated in a culturally tailored weight management program lost an average of nearly 16 pounds. The program, called De Por Vida, helped participants return to traditional Mexican diets and learn basic measuring skills.

WHO growth curves offer no distinct advantage over CDC measures

A study published in CMAJ found that WHO growth curves are not more effective than CDC curves in detecting cardiometabolic abnormalities in children aged 9 years. The WHO curves use older data, but did not offer a significant advantage in identifying overweight and obesity.

Old star, new trick

For the first time, astronomers have detected arsenic and selenium in an ancient star, revealing insights into the origin of these elements. The discovery sheds light on how stars produce heavier elements, including those found on Earth.

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.

Researchers develop new method to measure IT quality

A new method to measure IT quality has been proposed by researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Management. The Quality Distinction (QD) Capability Model offers a more reliable understanding of IT capabilities by acknowledging the importance of regularly evaluating and adapting development and delivery processes.

Archaeology expands beyond traditional scope into other sciences

Archaeologists are utilizing information from multiple disciplines to inform and enhance their data, providing new insights into social systems, economic processes, and political dynamics. The field has expanded beyond anthropology to include perspectives from sociology and other social sciences.

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.