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Science News Archive April 2012


Page 7 of 29

Agent reduces autism-like behaviors in mice

Researchers found that GRN-529 increased social interactions and reduced repetitive self-grooming behavior in mice with autism-like symptoms. The compound also almost completely stopped repetitive jumping in another strain of mice.

Just a few cell clones can make heart muscle

A small number of cells in the embryo are enough to form the outer layer of pumping heart muscle in an adult zebrafish. The researchers discovered that only eight single cells contributed to forming a major type of heart muscle, and just one or two cells could create up to 70% of the entire ventricular surface.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

From feast to famine: A metabolic switch that may help diabetes treatment

Scientists at the Salk Institute have identified fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) as a crucial protein in maintaining insulin sensitivity and regulating fat storage. The discovery offers new avenues for treating type 2 diabetes, potentially providing a more natural alternative to existing antidiabetic drugs.

Plant perfumes woo beneficial bugs

Researchers discovered that maize crops emit chemicals attracting growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots. This attracts beneficial bacteria, making important nutrients like iron and phosphorous more available, and competing against harmful bacteria.

Mysterious 'monster' discovered by amateur paleontologist

An amateur paleontologist has discovered a massive, roughly elliptical shape with multiple lobes, totaling almost seven feet in length, which is believed to be a biological organism. The team plans to reconstruct the timeline of the fossil's life and burial events to better understand its origins.

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.

Locked down, RNA editing yields odd fly behavior

Brown University researchers found that RNA editing enzyme activity varies with temperature, affecting fly behavior in mating and daily routines. High or low self-editing levels can create different personalities, such as wallflowers or pick-up artists, highlighting the significance of this process in animal behavior.

School climate can affect overweight children for life

Obese and overweight children are more disliked by their classmates than healthy-weight peers, study finds. This negative social environment can lead to decreased physical activity and emotional eating, making childhood obesity worse over time.

The search for a job begins and ends with you

A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers found that managing negative thoughts and emotions is crucial for a successful job search. Effective self-management strategies, such as seeking social support and developing daily routines, can increase the likelihood of landing employment and sustaining motivation over time.

Physical abuse may raise risk of suicidal thoughts

A recent study published in Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior found that nearly one-third of adults who were physically abused in childhood seriously considered taking their own life. The study suggests that children exposed to physical abuse may be at greater risk for suicidal behaviours in adulthood.

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.

Do urban 'heat islands' hint at trees of future?

A new study found that common native red oak seedlings grow eight times faster in New York's Central Park due to urban heat levels. This phenomenon could have implications for changing climate and forest composition over a wide region. The research suggests that warmer temperatures, especially at night, can promote tree growth.

A report card on adolescents from UNICEF

The report emphasizes the need for more attention and resources devoted to issues facing older children. Adverse trends include early marriage and birth among girls, and high adolescent birth rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Beyond apples: A serving a day of dark chocolate might keep the doctor away

Researchers found that daily consumption of dark chocolate (70% cocoa) lowered blood glucose and LDL cholesterol levels while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. This study suggests that moderate dark chocolate consumption may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving glucose and lipid profiles.

Creating nano-structures from the bottom up

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new technique to assemble crystalline structures using varying concentrations of microscopic particles and magnetic fields. They demonstrated the creation of over 20 programmed structures, paving the way for advanced optics, data storage, and bioengineering applications.

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.

Pod corn develops leaves in the inflorescences

Scientists from Max Planck Institute discover pod corn's unique trait is caused by a damaged transcription factor controlling glume growth. The mutated gene leads to glumes resembling leaf sheaths and kernels covered in fine membranous husks.

Binge eating may lead to addiction-like behaviors

Researchers found a link between bingeing on fat and cocaine-seeking behavior in rats, indicating that conditions promoting excessive behavior towards one substance can increase the probability of excessive behavior towards another. This study may shed light on the factors that promote substance abuse and addiction.

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.

Fish oil could be therapy for periodontal disease

A review of eight studies suggests that fish oil supplementation can improve clinical measures of periodontitis, particularly when combined with aspirin. Intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids is recommended for general health benefits beyond oral care.

'Junk DNA' can sense viral infection

Researchers have found that non-coding RNA molecules can detect the presence of viruses in cells, providing a potential tool for developing new treatments. The discovery was made using deep sequencing technology and has been used to identify infected cells with 100% accuracy.

NASA goes on top of the Smokies, all covered in light rain

Scientists from NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions discovered that light rain makes up 50-60% of total precipitation in the region, contributing to freshwater resources. The study used satellite data and ground-based instruments to validate measurements and make new discoveries.

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.

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.

NASA's Webb Telescope flight backplane section completed

The center section of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has been completed, marking a significant milestone in the telescope's hardware development. The backplane will support the telescope's mirrors, instruments, and thermal control systems during its mission.

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.

Geophysicists employ novel method to identify sources of global sea level rise

Researchers developed a novel method to distinguish sea-level fingerprints from various processes, allowing for more accurate estimation of individual ice sheets' contributions to rising global sea levels. The new approach may help estimate the current rate of sea level rise and rates of ice sheet melting simultaneously.

Molecular probes identify changes in fibronectin that may lead to disease

Fibronectin play a crucial role in wound healing and embryonic development, but its role in disease progression is not well understood. Researchers have identified molecular probes that can selectively attach to fibronectin fibers under different strain states, enabling the detection of strain events in both culture and living tissues.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Discerning males remain faithful

Researchers found that larger, younger, and more fertile females increase the chances of successful fertilization for males. Monogamous behavior, where males mate with one female, is favored in early morning mating, while bigynous males opt for second mates if they cannot secure a first mate.

Putting adolescents at the center of health and development

The Lancet emphasizes the importance of measuring adolescent health and behavior, setting goals for healthy development, and implementing preventive interventions. By prioritizing adolescent health, policymakers can harness young people's energy, innovation, and productivity to drive progress.

Crew schedules, sleep deprivation, and aviation performance

Research highlights the impact of inadequate sleep on pilots' cognitive performance, mood, and piloting skills. The author proposes fatigue prediction models, sleep hygiene education, and wearable technologies to mitigate the risks of pilot fatigue.

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.

Many countries still lack a health research strategy

Countries with limited health research capacity are mainly small islands and politically isolated nations, according to international experts. Establishing national health research strategies is crucial for public health systems to function and thrive.

An unexpected virus reservoir

Scientists from the University of Bonn found over 60 new paramyxovirus species in bats and rodents, revealing that bats are the original hosts of these viruses. The study suggests that bats may be a reservoir for dangerous viruses, making it challenging to eradicate them.

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.

Lung transplant recipient thrives nearly 20 years later

Michael Young, a lung transplant recipient, credits his new lungs for giving him the joy of breathing again. His remarkable survival story highlights UT Southwestern's exceptional Lung Transplant Program, with an 86% one-year and 75% three-year survival rate.

Violence puts wear and tear on kids' DNA

A new study found that children who experienced violence in their young lives have shorter telomeres, a sign of accelerated aging. This can increase the risk of chronic diseases and poor survival rates. The research suggests a link between cumulative childhood stress and telomere maintenance.

Kinder Houston Area Survey reveals more Houstonians support mass transit

The survey found that a majority of Harris County residents (56%) believe a well-developed mass transit system is very important for the future success of the Houston area. Additionally, perspectives on the local economy have improved, with 48% of respondents rating job opportunities as excellent or good, but personal financial situati...

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.

Cassini sees new objects blazing trails in Saturn ring

Scientists have discovered strange half-mile-sized objects leaving glittering trails behind them as they punch through parts of Saturn's F ring. These 'mini-jets' fill in a missing link in our understanding of the curious behavior of the F ring, showing that smaller snowballs can survive and strike through the ring on their own.

Family life study reveals key events that can trigger eating disorders

A family life study reveals that transitional events such as school transition, relationship changes, and home moves can trigger eating disorders in young people. Participants reported feeling lonely, unsupported, and lacking emotional support during these transitions, leading to the development of conditions like anorexia and bulimia.

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.

Guidelines for prostate screening widely ignored

A study confirms that prostate cancer screening is widely ignored in men aged 75 or older, defying 2008 guidelines. Nearly half of men in this age group continue to receive screenings, highlighting the need for selective screening.