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Science News for August 17, 2012


Constructive conflict in the superconductor

Physicists at Max Planck Institute find competition between superconductivity and charge density waves in copper oxide ceramics, improving understanding of zero-resistance transport. The discovery could explain unusual interactions between superconducting and magnetic materials.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 17, 2012

Studies shed light on why species stay or go in response to climate change

New studies reveal that changes in precipitation play a significant role in driving bird species out of their normal range, contradicting the conventional reliance on temperature. The research also found a sharp decrease in range for the Belding's ground squirrel, but identified areas where the species found refuge.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 17, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Trust in management key to avoiding correctional staff burnout Wayne State research finds

A Wayne State University researcher found that correctional facility employees who trust supervisors and management are less likely to experience job burnout. Higher trust levels resulted in lower reported burnout characteristics, while trust in management had no bearing on perceived work effectiveness.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalCriminal Justice and Behavior·DateAug 17, 2012

Princeton study reveals the brain's mysterious switchboard operator

A mysterious region in the human brain, called the pulvinar, acts as a switchboard operator that sorts through external stimuli and focuses on relevant information. This discovery could lead to new ways of understanding and treating attention-related disorders like ADHD and schizophrenia.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2012

HASTAC wins NSF grant to study its own social network

HASTAC has received a $294,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study its own social network, focusing on effective ways to support interdisciplinary collaborations. The study will analyze six years' worth of data from the HASTAC website, examining mentoring and virtual peer connections.

SourceDuke University·DateAug 17, 2012

Trained NHS therapists can help insomniacs

A training program for NHS therapists has been shown to be successful in treating insomnia. Insomnia sufferers may have greater access to this treatment, which is a more effective alternative to sleeping pills.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateAug 17, 2012
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.

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.

A urine based 'potion' can act as a CO2 absorbent

A Spanish researcher proposes using urine as a CO2 absorbent, producing ammonium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate when combined with olive waste water. The mixture can absorb various grams of CO2 per liter and reduce emissions by 1% in a stable manner.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateAug 17, 2012

Longer time to find new job, less pay for moms laid off during recession

A recent recession has disproportionately affected married mothers, with them spending more time between jobs and earning less after re-employment. The study found that married moms take up to 17 weeks longer to find a new job compared to married dads, with women experiencing a $175 decrease in weekly earnings.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 17, 2012

Photographic cholesterol test

Researchers in India have developed a non-invasive approach to determine total cholesterol levels using image processing and a database of known cholesterol levels. The test uses a digital camera to capture the back of a patient's hand and compares it with images in a database for accurate cholesterol readings.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics·DateAug 17, 2012
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.

Study: College students lose respect for peers who hook up too much

A study found that nearly half of college students hold egalitarian conservative attitudes, judging men and women with similar sexual histories equally. Women are more likely to lose respect for peers who hook up frequently, while men's attitudes vary by demographic factors such as athletic involvement and religious affiliation.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 17, 2012

Magnetic turbulence trumps collisions to heat solar wind

Research by University of Warwick physicist Dr Kareem Osman reveals that magnetic turbulence is the key to the solar wind's surprising heat. The study shows how turbulence in current sheets heats and accelerates plasma, accounting for 50% of the solar wind's internal energy.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateAug 17, 2012

Study reveals new molecular target for melanoma treatment

A laboratory study reveals that Elesclomol triggers cell death in metastatic melanoma cells by suppressing oxidative phosphorylation. The research also suggests a two-pronged strategy to target both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation for effective cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 17, 2012
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.

Foreclosure crisis and metropolitan crime rates

A recent study by Indiana University researchers found no association between housing-mortgage stress and crime rates in US metropolitan areas. Despite anecdotal evidence, the research indicates that higher levels of housing-mortgage stress do not correlate with violent or property crime rates.

SourceIndiana University·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateAug 17, 2012

MIT-developed 'microthrusters' could propel small satellites

A new thruster design, developed by MIT, uses 500 microscopic tips to create a small puff of charged particles that can help propel small satellites forward. The microthrusters have the potential to enable CubeSats to change orbits and reduce space clutter by propelling them down to lower orbits where they can burn up.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 17, 2012

It must be important but what does it do? The strange case of UCP2

Researchers at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine discovered UCP2's primary expression in immune cells, with increased levels during T-cell proliferation. This finding may have significant implications for the development of treatments for immune disorders.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 17, 2012

Study explores the impact of corruption and military organization on civilians

A new study reveals that praetorian militaries and national-level corruption significantly increase child mortality rates, particularly in democracies with weak civil societies. The researchers found highly praetorian countries, such as Afghanistan and Democratic Republic of Congo, to have the highest child mortality rates.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 17, 2012
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.

War is not necessarily the cause of post-traumatic stress disorder

A large-scale survey of Danish soldiers found that many exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before being deployed to Afghanistan. The study revealed that childhood traumas were a significant factor in their mental state, and that war itself was not the primary cause of PTSD.

SourceAarhus University·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 17, 2012

SIAM awards undergraduates for exemplary mathematical modeling

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) recognizes excellence in mathematical modeling among undergraduate teams globally. The annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) inspires students to develop solutions to open-ended problems, with winners receiving cash awards and SIAM membership.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateAug 17, 2012

Writing the book in DNA

Researchers encoded George Church's book 'Regenesis' in DNA using novel strategy and next-generation sequencing technology. The team stored 54,898 unique DNA sequences, each with an address to guide reassembly, for a total of 70 billion copies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalScience·DateAug 17, 2012
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.

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of wheeze and asthma in preschool children

Maternal smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of wheeze and asthma in preschool children, with a dose-response pattern related to maternal cigarette consumption. Exposure to maternal smoking before birth and early life is associated with an increased likelihood of developing respiratory symptoms.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 17, 2012

New public-private partnership aims to help revitalize manufacturing

The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII) is a new public-private partnership aiming to revitalize American manufacturing. The consortium, led by Penn State, will receive $30 million in federal funding and create an environment for education and training in advanced additive manufacturing skills.

SourcePenn State·DateAug 17, 2012

Regions vary in paying prisoners to participate in research

A national study shows inconsistency in how and when incentives are used for research participants under criminal justice supervision. The study highlights the need for a standardized approach to equitable incentive practices for offenders across all correctional jurisdictions.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 17, 2012