Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2012


Page 21 of 29

NASA sees Tropical Storm Kirogi headed for cooler waters

NASA's Aqua satellite detected Tropical Storm Kirogi moving into sea surface temperatures below 25 Celsius, expected to weaken and transform into an extra-tropical cyclone. The storm is forecasted to track over cooler waters, helping to dissipate its warm core.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

89 million people medically uninsured during 2004 to 2007

A study of 89 million Americans found that 23 million experienced multiple gaps in coverage, while those with gaps suffered as well as those who remained insured. The researchers highlight the need for stable and affordable insurance to minimize uninsured gaps.

The power to heal at the tips of your fingers

Researchers develop electrotactile stimulation devices that can respond to touch and finger movement, paving the way for smart surgical gloves. The devices could enable precise local ablations and ultrasound scans with unprecedented accuracy.

Banks' cash stash: No shield against bankruptcy

A recent study published in European Physical Journal B found that imposing minimum capital levels for banks may trigger a widespread banking system collapse. The researchers' model showed that the effect of a single insolvency can trigger an avalanche in the banking system, leading to larger crises.

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.

Freezing magnetic monopoles

Researchers have created a framework for stabilizing magnetic monopoles, which could lead to breakthroughs in data storage. The discovery was made possible by studying spin ice materials at low temperatures, where frustration among magnetic atoms leads to the formation of unpaired poles.

NASA's new way to track formaldehyde

A new device developed by NASA measures formaldehyde levels at low and high altitudes, revealing that 30-40% of pollution is transported during storms. The instrument offers a factor-of-10 improvement in size, sensitivity, and complexity over existing devices.

Looking to lose weight?

A new study published in Nutrition Journal found that reducing calorie intake, regardless of whether it comes from table sugar or high fructose corn syrup, leads to similar weight loss outcomes. The research debunks the notion that one type of added sugar is more detrimental to weight loss than others.

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.

Evidence further suggests extra-terrestrial origin of quasicrystals

Researchers Paul J Steinhardt and Luca Bindi found naturally occurring quasicrystal samples in far eastern Russia, strengthening the case that they arrived on Earth from outer space. The samples were brought to the area during the last glacial period, suggesting a meteorite hit around 15,000 years ago.

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.

'Theranostic' imaging offers means of killing prostate cancer cells

Researchers have developed a method to find and kill malignant cells while sparing healthy ones using theranostic imaging. The technique relies on binding a potent drug therapy to specific proteins on tumor cell surfaces, allowing it to target cancerous cells with precision.

Blood test for Alzheimer's gaining ground

Scientists have identified a group of blood markers that show consistent findings in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. The study found four proteins that correlated with beta-amyloid levels in cerebrospinal fluid, providing potential clues for an early diagnosis.

Neolithic man: The first lumberjack?

The Neolithic Age saw a direct connection between the development of an agricultural society and the emergence of sophisticated carpentry. Archaeological evidence suggests that as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers, they also developed heavier axes and woodworking tools capable of felling trees.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

He/she, him/her – a sign of women's place in society?

A study by Jean Twenge and colleagues found that the use of female pronouns in books increased as women's status rose, particularly after 1968. The analysis revealed a correlation between the frequency of female pronouns and women's educational attainment, labor force participation, and delayed marriage.

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.

Urban poor plagued by 'burdens of place'

A study by Michigan State University scholars reveals that poor urban residents travel long distances for healthy food due to inadequate access to amenities. The research highlights the disproportionate impact of urban planning on low-income communities, leading to higher rates of obesity and related health problems.

Why living in the moment is impossible

A study at the University of Pittsburgh has identified a brain area responsible for using past decisions and outcomes to guide future behavior, suggesting that living in the moment is impossible due to the need for continuity of thought. The frontal eye field and supplementary eye field were found to play key roles in metacognition.

'Selfish' DNA in animal mitochondria offers possible tool to study aging

Researchers at Oregon State University have found a type of 'selfish' mitochondrial DNA in animals that is hurting the organism and affecting its chance to survive. The discovery bears similarities to damage done to human cells as they age and may provide an important new tool to study human aging.

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.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Inherited Disease Research receives $101 million

The Johns Hopkins Center for Inherited Disease Research has received $101 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health. The center, part of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, will support the genetics community in finding genes that contribute to disease through DNA genotyping and sequencing.

UH students spent summer making a difference with hands-on research

Students from various majors spent 10 weeks conducting intensive research projects under faculty mentorship. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program aims to provide students with a concentrated research experience, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as cancer and neurological disorders.

New Genetics educational resource promotes active learning

A new Primer series in the Genetics journal provides accessible scientific papers for undergraduate students, focusing on contemporary research and promoting active learning. The resource aims to engage students in critically analyzing primary research, a vital part of research training.

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.

Brain hubs boil when hoarders face pitching their own stuff

A NIH-funded study reveals that hoarding disorder is associated with abnormal brain activity in areas processing error monitoring and weighing the value of possessions. Patients with hoarding disorder tend to over-activate these areas when deciding about their own possessions, but under-activate them when dealing with others' stuff.

Potential drug molecule shows enhanced anti-HIV activity

Researchers have discovered a new compound with significantly higher anti-HIV activity and improved binding affinity to the CXCR4 receptor. This breakthrough has potential for developing new, more effective drugs against HIV-1 infections and related diseases.

Are there gender differences in anti-HIV drug efficacy?

A meta-analysis of clinical trials found no statistically significant differences in viral load after 48 weeks between women and men with HIV. However, subgroup analyses revealed significant gender differences favoring males in certain outcomes.

You snooze, you lose

Researchers found that the most active males interacted with females and sired the most offspring, challenging the common view that reduced performance is an evolutionarily inescapable outcome of sleep loss. Despite this deficit, successful males returned to the breeding area more often and were more likely to sire offspring in their s...

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.

Potential Nipah vaccine passes primate test

Researchers have successfully tested a vaccine against the deadly Nipah virus in monkeys, achieving a 75% fatality rate in humans. The vaccine, based on a protein from Hendra virus, has shown great efficacy in protecting animals from infection.

NSBRI renews space life sciences graduate programs at MIT, Texas A&M

The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has renewed its Graduate Education Program in Space Life Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Texas AûM University. The programs focus on space life sciences and provide Ph.D. training to students, with a combined value of $1 million over 5 years.

Wireless power for the price of a penny

Researchers have developed a wireless power device called rectenna that can harness energy from smartphones and transmit it to nearby objects. The device is priced at just one penny per unit and has the potential to revolutionize daily interactions with everyday objects.

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.

UCLA scientist discovers plate tectonics on Mars

An UCLA scientist has discovered that the geological phenomenon of plate tectonics exists on Mars, revealing a primitive stage of plate tectonics. The discovery provides insight into how the early Earth may have looked and helps understand the origins of plate tectonics on Earth.

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.

Global water sustainability flows through natural and human challenges

China's water crisis is characterized by severe pollution, eutrophication, and lack of access to safe drinking water, with two-thirds of cities experiencing shortages. To achieve sustainability, experts suggest adopting a systems approach that considers multiple perspectives and values.

NASA sees very heavy rainfall within Tropical Storm Ernesto

TRMM satellite data reveals areas of intense rainfall, with powerful convective thunderstorms dropping rain at a rate greater than 50mm/h, potentially intensifying the storm. Heavy rainfall is expected to cause flash floods and mudslides in affected regions, with up to 15 inches of rain predicted in some areas.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Thinking abstractly may help to boost self-control

Researchers suggest that high-level construal, or categorizing events abstractly, can influence self-control by increasing sensitivity to broader implications of behavior. This can lead to greater consistency between values and actions.

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.

University of Tennessee professor releases weight management product

Professor Michael Zemel's NuShape supplement increases fat oxidation by up to 300 calories a day, with participants maintaining 60-70% of initial weight loss over six months. NuControl promotes healthy blood sugar levels by converging on the same metabolic pathway as resveratrol.

Doctors can now detect hard-to-diagnose prostate cancer

Researchers developed a new prostate cancer screening method that combines drug therapy with changes in PSA levels to identify men with high-risk prostate cancer. The study showed that using PSA with these drugs can help differentiate between prostate cancer and benign disease, even in patients with difficult diagnoses.

Clemson researchers collect and reuse enzymes while maintaining bioactivity

Researchers have developed a universal model for concentrating and extracting enzyme pairings, which could lead to breakthroughs in biotechnology and biomedical applications. The approach involves using baited nanoparticles to capture and recycle enzymes, allowing for efficient isolation of complex systems.

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.