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Science News for August 2, 2012


Genetic copy-number variants and cancer risk

A new study has found a significant increase in rare de novo genetic mutations in individuals with testicular cancer, suggesting these mutations may be indicative of conditions that result in reduced fertility. The researchers propose that the paradigm of a de novo germline disease etiology may be less applicable to late-onset cancers.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 2, 2012

It's in our genes: Why women outlive men

Research by Monash University scientists found that genetic variation in mitochondrial DNA can predict male life expectancy, but not female. The study suggests that these mutations, which affect males' aging speed and lifespan, are passed down from mothers due to the unique inheritance pattern of mitochondria.

SourceMonash University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 2, 2012

Timing of antibiotics important in reducing infections after C-section

Researchers at WashU Medicine found that administering antibiotics before cesarean section surgery cuts infection rates in half. The study, published in Obstetrics & Gynecology, followed over 8,000 women and found significant reductions in surgical site infections after policy change.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateAug 2, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Cuckoo tricks to beat the neighborhood watch

Researchers found that female common cuckoos with alternate color morphs, such as bright rufous, are more likely to slip past host defences and lay undetected. The study suggests that social learning plays a key role in the evolution of mimicry in cuckoo species.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Planarians offer a better view of eye development

Researchers at Whitehead Institute have published a comprehensive catalog of genes active in planarian eyes, shedding light on eye development and regeneration. The study identifies key genes involved in eye biology, including ovo, which plays a critical role in eye formation and regeneration.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 2, 2012

'Spray-on skin' could revolutionize treatment of venous leg ulcers

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking treatment for venous leg ulcers, which showed significant improvements in wound closure and healing time. The study found that patients who received the treatment experienced faster healing and a higher likelihood of wound closure compared to those in the control group.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 2, 2012

What sets allergies in motion?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have identified a protein group, known as the Rab family, that regulates protein distribution and is involved in triggering allergic reactions. This discovery could lead to the development of targeted drugs that prevent allergic reactions before they start.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Studying couples to improve health, better relationships

A new study examines the costs of forgiveness in marriage, suggesting that temporary expressions of anger can benefit long-term relationship health. The research also highlights the importance of attachment styles in close relationships, finding that anxious attachment can predict depression and anxiety over time.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 2, 2012

Mountains, seaway triggered North American dinosaur surge

A new Ohio University-led study suggests that the rise of the Rocky Mountains and a major seaway in North America triggered the evolution of new dinosaur species. The researchers found that changes in geography led to isolation, facilitating rapid speciation and increased diversity in duck-billed and horned dinosaurs.

SourceOhio University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2012

Close to the bone

A genetic screening approach has identified nine new genes associated with bone health, providing clues to the cause of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. The study used a collaborative effort between specialist skills in mouse gene deletion and bone measurement, assessing the strength of bones in 100 mutant mouse lines.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 2, 2012

Psychology of possibilities can enhance health, happiness, research says

A recent study by Ellen Langer found that first-time mothers who practice mindfulness during pregnancy report better well-being, positive feelings, and lower emotional distress. The research suggests that mindfulness can have a positive impact on health and happiness beyond just the mother's own well-being.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 2, 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.

Homing in on a potential pre-quake signal

Researchers used ambient seismic noise to search for a pre-seismic signal before the 2004 Parkfield earthquake, but were unable to detect any changes. The study placed an upper limit on how large such a signal might be, depending on its duration and location.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 2, 2012

'Unhealthy' changes in gut microbes benefit pregnant women

Research suggests that pregnant women's gut microbes become less diverse and healthier bacteria decrease in abundance over time, promoting energy storage and supporting fetal growth. These changes can have negative consequences outside of pregnancy, leading to conditions like type 2 diabetes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Catching the cap-snatcher

Researchers at EMBL have determined the 3D structure of part of the flu virus' RNA polymerase, crucial for replication. This finding enables the design of innovative anti-flu drugs targeting all influenza strains.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 2, 2012

No bones about it

Georgia Tech researchers have created a new way to simulate and control movement of computer-generated characters without a skeletal structure. This technique allows for unparalleled control of digital creatures, enabling amateur animators and young children to manipulate their movements with simple point-and-click commands.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateAug 2, 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.

New bat virus could hold key to Hendra virus

Australian scientists have discovered a new bat virus, Cedar, which is closely related to deadly Hendra and Nipah viruses. The virus does not cause illness in several animal species normally susceptible to Hendra and Nipah, providing a surprising key difference.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 2, 2012

Note to waitresses: Wearing red can be profitable

Researchers found that male patrons give higher tips to waitresses wearing red, with a difference of up to 26.1% more than those not wearing red. The study suggests that red increases the physical and sexual attractiveness of women, leading to increased tipping behavior.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Hospitality & Tourism Research·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

New chemical sensor makes finding landmines and buried IEDs easier

A chemical sensing system developed by UConn researchers can detect ultra-trace levels of explosive vapors and buried explosives using a fluorescent nanofiberous film. The system has excellent sensitivity against common interferences and can detect elements at levels as low as 10 parts per billion (TNT).

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 2, 2012

Modest weight loss can have lasting health benefits, research shows

Research shows that losing just 20 pounds can provide a decade's worth of health benefits, including reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and improved sleep apnea. Modest weight loss has also been linked to long-term reductions in hypertension, quality of life, and decline in mobility.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·DateAug 2, 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.

Study finds mechanism that turns white fat into energy-burning brown fat

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have identified a mechanism that can give energy-storing white fat some of the beneficial characteristics of energy-burning brown fat. By activating a cell receptor called ppar-gamma, scientists found that sirtuins boost metabolism by promoting the browning of white fat.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2012

Plant-based compound slows breast cancer in a mouse model

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that a plant-based compound called phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) slowed breast cancer growth in mice. PEITC was shown to reduce mammary carcinoma lesions by 56.3% and suppress tumor progression.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Study finds healthy seafood comes from sustainable fish

Researchers at Arizona State University found that choosing sustainable seafood also means selecting healthy options, with larger longer-lived fish being high in toxins. Safer alternatives include Alaskan Pollock and Atlantic Mackerel.

SourceArizona State University·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

New structural information on functionalization of gold nanoparticles

Researchers report the first structural study on the atomistic processes of a ligand-exchange reaction in well-defined gold nanoparticles. The study reveals that only 4 sites out of 44 possibilities showed occupation by the exchanged ligand, providing insight into the highly heterogeneous structure of the overlayer.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 2, 2012

Usain Bolt could break his own record with the help of altitude and the wind

Researchers studied the effects of wind speed, altitude, and other environmental factors on athletic performance. They found that a tailwind of 2 meters per second and racing at an altitude of 999 meters could improve Usain Bolt's record time to 9.48 seconds.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Sport Science·DateAug 2, 2012

Mapping the future of climate change in Africa

Researchers developed an online mapping tool analyzing how climate and other forces interact to threaten African community security. The tool ranks regions based on four sources of vulnerability, including physical exposure, population size, resilience, and governance effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Vaporizing the Earth

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis use simulations to determine the atmospheres of hot super-Earths, finding they are mostly composed of steam and carbon dioxide. The study helps astronomers distinguish between different planetary compositions by analyzing atmospheric spectra.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateAug 2, 2012

Infants exposed to specific molds have higher asthma risk

A study by the University of Cincinnati found that exposure to Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus unguis and Penicillium variabile during infancy increases the risk of developing asthma in childhood. The research used a DNA-based mold level analysis tool to determine this link.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 2, 2012

Researchers find genetic cause for body tremors

Researchers at the University of Montreal have identified a genetic cause for Essential Tremor (ET), a common movement disorder characterized by involuntary shaking. The study's findings provide new insights into the disease mechanism and may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateAug 2, 2012

New target for treating diabetes and obesity

Researchers found that disabling a protein called FAS reduces white fat stores, allowing brown fat to thrive and burn more energy. Inhibiting PexRAP also shows promise as a potential treatment strategy for obesity and diabetes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Detecting thyroid disease by computer

Researchers developed an expert system to diagnose thyroid disease using computerized screening of medical data, achieving an accuracy rate of 93.5%, significantly improving detection rates.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computational Science and Engineering·DateAug 2, 2012

Fingering the culprit that polluted the Solar System

New 3D models reveal that a supernova explosion likely triggered the formation of our Solar System, injecting polluted material into a cloud of dust and gas. The models show that only one or two fingers from the shock wave could have caused the pollution found in primitive meteorites.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateAug 2, 2012

Judging the role of religion in law

A University of Alberta researcher says that when it comes to deciding on issues from human rights to balancing conflicting rights, cooler, secular heads should prevail. The emergence of Western democratic states gave rise to a separation of church and state, which guarantees freedom of religion and conscience for all.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalConstitutional Forum / Forum constitutionnel·DateAug 2, 2012

Deep-sea squid can 'jettison arms' as defensive tactic

A deep-sea squid species has been observed using a unique defensive strategy where it counter-attacks and then leaves its arm tips attached to the predator. This behavior allows the squid to create a diversion and escape from predators.

SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Notre Dame research into oaks helps us understand climate change

Researchers studying live oaks in eastern North America aim to understand how trees adapted to climate change during glacial periods. They believe that genetic changes, rather than extensive morphological alterations, allowed oaks to migrate and thrive in colder climates.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·DateAug 2, 2012

Study shows how elephants produce their deep 'voices'

Researchers discovered that elephants produce infrasounds using the same flow-driven mechanism as human speech and other mammals. This finding suggests a wide range of applications for understanding animal communication and voice production.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2012

Are large earthquakes linked across the globe?

A new study by USGS researchers Tom Parsons and Eric Geist analyzed the timing of world's largest earthquakes over 100 years, finding intervals between quakes similar to those expected from a random process. This suggests that global great earthquakes are occurring at random, rather than triggering each other.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Implementing a therapeutic hypothermia program for post-cardiac arrest in acute care hospitals

A study published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management found that therapeutic hypothermia can limit the devastating consequences of brain injury after cardiac arrest. The survey results show a wide variation in patient selection criteria for therapeutic hypothermia across New Jersey hospitals.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalTherapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management·DateAug 2, 2012

Research could lead to improved oil recovery, better environmental cleanup

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new technique to improve oil recovery and environmental cleanup using microbial enhanced oil recovery. The technology, which involves injecting microbes into wells to increase oil production, could make a comeback in the oil industry due to its potential for increased productivity.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Petroleum Science and Engineering·DateAug 2, 2012

New drug shows promise for kidney disease

Scientists at UCSB have demonstrated a new drug, folate-conjugated rapamycin (FC-rapa), effective in preventing kidney cyst growth in mice with ADPKD. The research builds on earlier findings by Thomas Weimbs, who identified mTOR as driving cyst growth in the disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 2, 2012

Dangerous experiment in fetal engineering

A new paper reveals the off-label use of dexamethasone to engineer fetal sex in pregnant women at risk for congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The synthetic steroid is known to cause significant developmental changes, raising questions about the ethics of prenatal experimentation.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Bioethical Inquiry·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

Target for potent first-strike influenza drugs identified

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified a universal enzyme essential for influenza virus replication, paving the way for the development of new antiviral drugs that can effectively treat and prevent drug-resistant strains. The discovery may lead to the creation of drugs that not only target influenza but als...

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateAug 2, 2012

Alzheimer's cognitive decline slows in advanced age

Researchers found that younger elderly (60s-70s) show faster rates of brain tissue loss and cognitive decline than older AD patients. This discovery has profound implications for diagnosing AD and finding new treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 2, 2012

Aerial photos reveal dynamic ice sheet

The study found that the ice sheet has retreated and stabilized in the past, challenging current models and computer calculations. The researchers used aerial photos from the 80s and satellite data to analyze the thinning of the ice sheet over 30 years.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScience·DateAug 2, 2012

Boston University researchers expand synthetic biology's toolkit

A new synthetic biology method enables reprogramming of mammalian cells, leading to potential therapeutic applications such as stem cell therapeutics and in-cell devices. The approach could also equip cells with higher-order computational tasks for sensing applications.

SourceBoston University College of Engineering·JournalCell·DateAug 2, 2012
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.

HCOs find risks & opportunities in quest for reduced costs & improved quality

Healthcare organizations discuss the benefits of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in reducing healthcare costs while improving quality. However, they also highlight concerns and design flaws in the current ACO models, such as lack of beneficiary engagement and administrative complexity.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateAug 2, 2012