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Science News Archive December 2012


Page 1 of 24

NASA satellites saw Cyclone Freda's widening eye

Cyclone Freda intensified over the Southern Pacific Ocean due to warming waters, with NASA satellites measuring increased rainfall and a widening eye. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 105 knots, posing a threat to Vanuatu with heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

Paired CT scans catch chemo-killing of liver tumors in real time

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a method to track liver tumors' response to chemotherapy using paired CT scans, allowing for immediate feedback on treatment effectiveness. This technique has the potential to save patients from delayed diagnosis and reduced treatment efficacy.

Hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection of superbugs

A Johns Hopkins study found that using robot-like devices to disperse hydrogen peroxide vapor enhances hospital disinfection, reducing multiple-drug-resistant bacteria by 64% and patient colonization risk by 80%. The technology improved infection control practices, combining standard cleaning with technological solutions.

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.

Did Lucy walk, climb, or both?

A study published in PNAS found that modern humans with feet adapted for terrestrial bipedalism can still climb trees effectively. Researchers observed extreme dorsiflexion and longer muscle fibers in climbing individuals, challenging the idea that a terrestrially adapted foot excludes arboreal behavior.

As climate warms, bark beetles march on high-elevation forests

A new study finds that climate warming is allowing bark beetles to thrive in previously inhospitable high-elevation forests, posing a significant threat to whitebark pine ecosystems. The insects are attacking trees with weakened defenses, leading to potential cascading effects on mountain ecosystems.

Houston, we have another problem

A new study shows that exposure to cosmic radiation in space can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that high-mass particles, like iron, can penetrate spacecraft shielding and cause neurological impairment in animal models.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for 1 Jan. 2013

Researchers estimate naloxone distribution could prevent 6.5% of all overdose deaths by providing a cost-effective way to reverse opioid overdoses. Quadruple doses of seasonal flu vaccine may better protect HIV-infected patients from serious illness or death, but evidence for quality impact is limited.

Bird watching brings new discoveries

A recent study used bird watching records to build the first bird watching database in China, finding new national-level records and a trend of species moving to higher latitude and elevation regions. The database provides valuable data for scientific research on ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

An image gallery gift from NASA's Swift

The UVOT telescope on NASA's Swift satellite has captured over 100 breathtaking images of the cosmos, including comets, star clusters, and supernova remnants. These images provide valuable data for scientists studying gamma-ray bursts, stellar evolution, and the properties of rare stars.

Tumor boards linked to little association with effects on cancer care

A recent study found that tumor boards have a modest association with the types of treatments patients receive for certain cancers. For example, lung cancer and prostate cancer patients were more likely to receive higher-quality care when treated at hospitals with tumor boards. However, other types of cancer care remained unaffected by...

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.

Cave dwelling nettle discovered in China

In a recent discovery, botanists have identified three new species of cave-dwelling nettles in the Guangxi province of China. These plants thrive in extremely low light conditions, deep within limestone caves.

Groundbreaking air-cleaner saves polluting industrials

A groundbreaking air cleaning device developed by the University of Copenhagen has successfully removed Volatile Organic Compounds from industrial emissions. The invention uses natural processes to clean indoor air and remove pollutants, resulting in improved relations between businesses and their neighbors.

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.

NASA sees Wukong struggling to survive in South China Sea

Tropical Depression Wukong is struggling to survive in the South China Sea, with NASA satellite data showing moderate rainfall near its center. The storm is moving west-southwest and is expected to dissipate over the next day or two, according to forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Statin drug shows promise for fighting malaria effects

Researchers discovered that adding lovastatin to traditional antimalarial treatment decreases neuroinflammation and protects against cognitive impairment in a mouse model of cerebral malaria. Statins may be worthy of consideration in clinical trials for treating cerebral malaria.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Having serious fun in the MBL physiology course

The MBL physiology course fosters a culture of curiosity and innovation among students, leading to the generation of 23 research papers and 59 meeting abstracts. The course's unique approach combines cell biology and physical sciences, and encourages students to think beyond their comfort zones.

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.

Slice, stack, and roll: A new way to build collagen scaffolds

Researchers at Tufts University developed a novel method for fabricating collagen structures that maintain the protein's natural strength and fiber structure. The new technique, called bioskiving, creates scaffolds with tensile strength stronger than those made using common processing techniques.

Birdsong study pecks theory that music is uniquely human

A new study comparing neural responses of birds and humans to music suggests that both share a neural reward system, with females in the breeding state responding similarly to human music. Male birds also exhibit an amygdala response to discordant sounds.

APS announces inaugural issue of new journal, Clinical Psychological Science

The inaugural issue of Clinical Psychological Science (CPS) publishes diverse and boundary-crossing perspectives on topics such as targeted rejection, major depressive disorder, youth mentoring, and mind wandering. The journal aims to define a new way of studying clinical phenomena through innovative research.

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.

Johns Hopkins receives funding for cholera vaccine initiative

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School will provide relief agencies and governments with technical assistance on using oral cholera vaccine. The DOVE program aims to detect outbreaks in remote areas and contain the disease, improving global efforts to combat cholera.

A model-free way to characterize polymodal ion channel gating

Researchers develop thermodynamically rigorous analysis to parse free energy of polymodal voltage- and ligand-dependent ion channels. This new approach offers a model-independent way to study ion channel gating, useful for constraining future atomic-scale models and understanding disruptions caused by genetic mutations.

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.

UNC research uncovers new insight into cell development and cancer

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified polycomb-like proteins as key regulators in stem cell development and cancer. The study found that these proteins interact with epigenetic signals to control gene expression, implications for both stem cell biology and cancer development.

2 new species of orchid found in Cuba

Researchers have discovered two new species of Caribbean orchid belonging to the Laeliinae family. The new species, Encyclia navarroi and Tetramicra riparia, were found in Cuba's eastern and western zones respectively.

The factor that could determine future breast cancer treatment

A new study reveals how a 'transcription factor' called ELF5 causes aggressive breast cancer to develop, making it resistant to oestrogen therapies. Researchers found that manipulating ELF5 levels could be a potential treatment option for this type of breast cancer.

Penn team mimicking a natural defense against malaria to develop new treatments

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has identified a powerful new weapon against malaria by mimicking a natural defense found in human blood platelets. They discovered that a synthetic molecule, PMX1207, targets and destroys the parasite's digestive vacuole, killing it without harming the host cell.

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.

Cellular fuel gauge may hold the key to restricting cancer growth

Researchers at McGill University have discovered AMPK's role in restricting cancer cell growth by regulating metabolism and preventing the use of sugar to fuel growth. AMPK, a tumour suppressor, can help control tumour development by targeting energy levels and promoting healthy cellular function.

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.

Staphylococcus aureus: Why it just gets up your nose!

Researchers identified the mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus colonizes nasal passages, finding that Clumping factor B (ClfB) binds to skin protein loricrin with high affinity. This interaction is crucial for successful colonization and opens new avenues for developing therapeutic strategies.

Strange behavior: New study exposes living cells to synthetic protein

Researchers at Arizona State University have fabricated an artificial protein and examined its effects on living cells, revealing a peculiar set of adaptations including filamentation, ATP depletion, and the formation of endoliposomes. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Disease burden links ecology to economic growth

A new study links vector-borne diseases to economic development across the globe, finding that these diseases have a substantial effect on income between tropical and temperate countries. The study's results suggest that infectious diseases can undermine economic growth similarly to crime or government corruption.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

The factor that could influence future breast cancer treatment

A recent study published in PLOS Biology has discovered the role of ELF5 in aggressive breast cancer subtypes and its potential to overcome anti-estrogen therapies. The research suggests that manipulating ELF5 levels could lead to new treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.

For pre-teens, kindness may be key to popularity

Research published in PLOS ONE found that kids who perform acts of kindness are happier and find greater acceptance among their peers. Kind acts, such as giving someone lunch or visiting a pleasant place, increased children's well-being and improved their relationships with classmates.

Piranha kin wielded dental weaponry even T. rex would have admired

A team of scientists discovered that the ancient piranha relative Megapiranha paranensis had a bite force that could crush bone and pierce through thick shells, rivaling even the mighty T. rex. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used computer simulations to estimate the bite forces of living and extinct piranhas.

New technique catalogs lymphoma-linked genetic variations

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a novel approach to sorting out cancer-causing genetic mutations in cancer cells. By testing proteins produced by genes with random mutations, they created a catalog of mutants with cancer-promoting potential. This could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for patients.

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.