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Science News Archive April 2012


Page 16 of 29

College part of new NIHR School for Public Health Research

The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry is part of the new NIHR School for Public Health Research, focusing on applied translational research and narrowing gaps between researchers and practitioners. The collaboration aims to improve public health services in England with a £1.6m investment over five years.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In Cambodia, any preschool found better than none

A new Cambodian study reveals that some types of preschools outperform others in terms of developmental gains, but any type is still better than none. Children attending state preschools showed the most improvement due to their access to qualified teachers and resources.

Hospital readmission rates misleading

A new study by UCSF doctors suggests that publicly available overall readmission rates may overestimate unplanned readmissions by up to 25 percent. The team found that 'all cause' readmission rates do not distinguish between planned and unplanned surgeries, potentially leading to misinformation about hospital quality.

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.

A toxic menu

A small marine worm can survive on poisonous carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide thanks to symbiotic bacteria that use these compounds to produce food for the worm. The worm has lost its entire digestive system over millions of years of evolution, relying solely on its symbionts for nutrition.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scientists discover 'switch' in plants to create flowers

Researchers from NUS identified a protein called FTIP1 that triggers flowering in plants under normal light conditions. Plants with mutant versions of the gene flowered later, but were restored to normal when the functional version was introduced.

Licorice root found to contain anti-diabetic substance

Researchers have discovered that liquorice root contains substances called amorfrutins, which reduce blood sugar levels and are also anti-inflammatory. These natural compounds may be suitable for treating adult diabetes and could lead to the development of new treatments.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Hubble's panoramic view of a turbulent star-making region

The new Hubble image reveals millions of young stars in the 30 Doradus star-forming complex, with some stars weighing over 100 times the mass of our sun. The nebula is home to the fastest rotating and highest velocity stars ever observed.

Kidney cancer patients do better when whole kidney is not removed, U-M study shows

A new University of Michigan study found that patients with early-stage kidney cancer who underwent partial nephrectomy had better survival rates than those who received radical nephrectomy. The study analyzed data from 7,138 Medicare beneficiaries and showed that younger or medically compromised patients benefited most from the less i...

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.

Nanocrystal-coated fibers might reduce wasted energy

Researchers have developed nanocrystal-coated glass fibers that can generate electricity when exposed to heat, potentially recovering 10% of the energy wasted in US industries. The technology also enables solid-state cooling without compressors or refrigerants, making it suitable for use in garments and industrial applications.

Can sound science guide dispersant use during subsea oil spills?

Scientists are using sound waves to monitor oil droplet size in deep-sea blowouts, potentially guiding dispersant use. Preliminary results show acoustic techniques can penetrate the plume and track droplet size, offering a promising alternative to optical devices.

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.

Survey finds errors in Wikipedia articles

A survey of public relations professionals found that 60 percent of articles on their company's clients contained factual errors. The research highlights the need for clear guidelines and consistent rules from Wikipedia regarding factual corrections, as many respondents struggled with engaging editors and securing responses.

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.

Sticking to our goals: What's the best approach for success?

A shift in attention can make all the difference in reaching goals, according to a new study. Consumers often start towards a goal but struggle to finish it. Focusing on small areas of progress instead of large ones increases motivation and adherence to goals.

Mechanical tissue resuscitation technology shows promise

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new device called mechanical tissue resuscitation (MTR) that uses negative pressure to reduce cell death and improve brain function after traumatic brain injury. The technology showed significant promise in reducing brain swelling and preserving more than 50% of damaged...

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.

Expanded study will track adolescent behavior on Facebook

A large-scale study will analyze the content of Facebook posts from a sample of 200 adolescents to examine relationships, social adjustment, and psychological health. The research aims to better understand the potential benefits and risks of social media use among teens.

Aging of the brain: Genetic modifications now identified

Researchers have identified genetic mutations linked to hippocampal shrinkage, a recognized biological marker of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that these mutations affect genes involved in cell death, embryonic development, and neuronal migration.

AGU journal highlights for April 16, 2012

Scientists have identified active faults in the Pacific Northwest region, which could produce earthquakes with magnitudes between 6 and 6.5. A volcano in Greece has also reawakened, causing significant swelling of the land near the caldera, suggesting an influx of magma into a chamber below the surface.

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.

Bristol researchers solve 70-year-old mystery

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the 70-year-old mystery of stipitatic acid synthesis by identifying genes responsible for its production. The discovery has far-reaching implications for understanding organic chemistry and potentially leads to new drugs with antibacterial and antimalarial properties.

Genetically engineered compound for back pain falls short

A Johns Hopkins-led study found that etanercept, a genetically engineered small-protein drug, does not provide better relief for sciatica back pain compared to steroid injections. In the study, patients who received epidural steroid injections reported more significant pain relief and improved overall symptoms after one month.

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.

More baby boomers facing old age alone

A study by Bowling Green State University's National Center for Family and Marriage Research found that one-third of adults aged 45-63 are unmarried, with a more than 50% increase since 1980. Single baby boomers face economic and health vulnerabilities, including poverty, disability, and lack of health insurance.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for April 17, 2012, issue

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a tip sheet on screening and treatment of chronic kidney disease, concluding that regular screening offers no clear benefits. In contrast, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV infection among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). The ACP also notes that...

Pill reduced number of MS lesions in Phase II trial

A Phase II clinical trial found that an oral drug called ONO-4641 reduced the number of lesions in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The study showed significant decreases in Gd-enhancing brain lesions, with doses of 0.05mg, 0.10mg, and 0.15mg resulting in 82%, 92%, and 77% fewer lesions compared to placebo.

Study identifies potential treatment for lethal childhood leukemia

A study has identified a promising treatment approach for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a highly aggressive childhood cancer. The dual PI3K gamma/delta inhibitor CAL-130 significantly prolonged survival in mouse models and prevented proliferation of human T-ALL cells, setting the stage for clinical trials.

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.

Replication of immunodeficiency virus in humans

Researchers found that HIV-1 replication in human tissues increases with a single amino acid change in the Gag protein. This adaptation is crucial for efficient viral replication and may have played a role in the emergence of HIV/AIDS.

Pollen levels are rising across Europe

Research led by Prof. Annette Menzel found that airborne pollen concentrations have risen sharply in cities across Europe, particularly in urban areas, where the increase is three percent per year. Climate change and warmer temperatures are seen as key factors driving this trend, with rural areas also expected to be affected.

Target set on cancer gene MCL1

Researchers have developed compounds that repress MCL1's activity and highlighted a companion gene that predicts tumor dependence on the gene. These tools suggest a path toward new therapeutics directed at MCL1, potentially effective in treating tumors where both genes are highly expressed.

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.

Asteroid craters on Earth give clues in search for life on Mars

Scientists discovered tiny organisms thriving deep beneath a US asteroid impact site, supporting the idea that crater environments can harbor microbes. The researchers believe similar conditions exist on Mars, with drilling beneath craters potentially uncovering signs of life.

Alcoholism's short-term effects on memory functioning are harmful

A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that alcoholism impairs associative memory, a component of episodic memory, which is essential for remembering face-name associations. Working memory, another short-term memory system, is also affected, leading to difficulties in holding information in mind.

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.

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.