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Science News Archive August 2012 - Page 14


Page 14 of 29

Marital separation an alternative to divorce for poor people

A nationwide study suggests that long-term separations are often a low-cost alternative to divorce for disadvantaged couples. Researchers found that about 80% of respondents who went through marital separation ultimately divorced, with those in racial and ethnic minorities, low family income, and education more likely to remain separated.

SourceOhio State University·DateAug 19, 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.

Red wine compound could help seniors walk away from mobility problems

Scientists discovered that resveratrol, a natural compound found in red wine, may help improve mobility and prevent life-threatening falls among older people. The study showed that resveratrol decreased motor deficiencies in aging mice, leading to increased quality of life and reduced hospitalization risk.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 19, 2012

The wasp that never cries wolf

Researchers found a direct relationship between the brightness of European paper wasps' colours and the size of their poison glands. This colouration serves as an honest signal to predators that the wasp is strong and healthy, potentially wasting energy on bright patterns.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateAug 19, 2012

Work has more benefits than just a paycheck for moms

Women who work full-time after having children are healthier at age 40 than those who stay at home or have intermittent employment. Working provides a sense of purpose and autonomy, leading to better mental and physical health. Conversely, persistent unemployment is linked to greater stress and poor health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Akron·DateAug 19, 2012

'DNA wires' could help physicians diagnose disease

Scientists have discovered that DNA can act as a wire to detect genetic damage and identify people at risk for certain diseases. The discovery could lead to the development of medical diagnostic devices and biosensors that can pick up on changes in DNA that may lead to cancer and other diseases.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 19, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Improving water quality can help save coral reefs

Research found that nutrient imbalance in reef waters increases bleaching susceptibility of corals. Balancing nutrient input in coastal waters could mitigate effects of warming oceans on coral reefs.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 19, 2012

A new route to dissipationless electronics

Researchers at RIKEN have demonstrated a new material that can eliminate loss in electrical power transmission, opening the door to energy-efficient electronics. The discovery uses magnetic topological insulators, which exhibit unique properties that allow for dissipationless electricity channels.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 19, 2012

New space-age insulating material for homes, clothing and other everyday uses

Scientists have developed a new flexible aerogel material that is up to 500 times stronger than traditional silica aerogels, with improved thermal conductivity and potential applications in super-insulating clothing, refrigerators, and buildings. The material could also be used for heat shields on spacecraft and insulation for spacesuits.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 19, 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.

Study examines the relationship between marriage and alcohol

Married men tend to consume fewer drinks than single, divorced, or widowed men due to their wives' lower levels of drinking. In contrast, long-term married women often consume more drinks than recently divorced or widowed women, who may experience increased drinking after a divorce.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 18, 2012

Stanford Engineers win NASA Early Career awards

Senesky and Pavone, Stanford assistant professors, receive $200,000/year grants for research on extreme environments and spacecraft motion planning. The awards support development of materials and electronics for future NASA space programs.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·DateAug 18, 2012

Molecular code cracked

Researchers cracked the molecular code for pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, which recognize and bind specific RNA molecules. This discovery enables the potential for new treatments of genetic diseases and precise control over gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Western Australia·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 18, 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.

National education policy -- oh, how it's changed

The author analyzed congressional hearings from 1965 and 2001 to show how policymakers' views on parental involvement have shifted. In the past, parents were seen as part of the problem, while schools were expected to solve issues through extra funding.

SourceIndiana University·DateAug 18, 2012

Sociologist examines the challenges of women in professional football

Research by Jennifer Carter reveals women's lack of access to proper fitting gear, inadequate coaching guidance, and limited knowledge of core training. This affects their ability to manage pain, injuries, and conditioning, highlighting the need for more equitable opportunities in the sport.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 18, 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
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.

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

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
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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
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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

A GPS in your DNA

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a method for determining more precise geographical locations of an individual's ancestral origins using genetic traits. By analyzing DNA samples from 1,157 people across Europe, they were able to accurately determine two separate points on the map for an individual's mother and father.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 16, 2012

New form of carbon observed

Scientists at Carnegie Institution have observed a new form of very hard carbon clusters that are unusual in their mix of crystalline and disordered structure. These clusters can indent diamond, indicating they are superhard, and their unique structure has potential applications for various uses.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 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.

Ohioans love their lakes, but are concerned for their future

A new report reveals that Ohio residents prioritize the preservation of Lake Erie as a natural resource, with nearly half willing to pay higher taxes to protect it. However, concerns over contaminants such as blue-green algal blooms and mercury contamination pose a risk to public health.

SourceOhio State University·DateAug 16, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.