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Science News Archive December 2012


Page 16 of 24

Targeted prostate biopsy has potential to improve diagnosis of prostate cancer

A new targeted prostate biopsy technique using magnetic resonance ultrasound fusion has been shown to improve diagnosis of prostate cancer and aid in selecting patients for active surveillance. The study found that the biopsies identified 90 out of 171 men with prostate cancer, highlighting its potential as a more accurate and efficien...

Quantifying corn rootworm damage

University of Illinois researchers have refined a model to describe the relationship between root injury caused by corn rootworm pests and yield loss. The model suggests that yield is reduced by 15% for each node of roots lost, with location and experimental error having statistically significant effects.

Novel drug therapy targets aggressive form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Researchers develop experimental small molecule agent MI-2 that irreversibly inactivates MALT1 protein responsible for cancer cell growth. The treatment shows promise in animal models without toxicity, paving the way for combination therapy regimens to reduce treatment toxicity and improve patient outcomes.

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.

Glaucoma study could inspire e-reader apps

A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that glaucoma patients read slower when reading silently for long periods, with a 16% decrease in reading speed. The research suggests technological solutions like e-readers could help alleviate reading difficulties, paving the way for potential app development.

Infants with severe RSV disease may be immunosuppressed

Infants with severe RSV disease may have a dysfunctional innate immune response that relates to the severity of their disease. Immune monitoring could help identify children at high-risk for severe disease, and may lead to the use of immune stimulant drugs to reverse innate immune suppression.

Space-age ceramics get their toughest test

Researchers have developed a real-time CT-scan test rig for ceramic composites at ultrahigh temperatures, enabling the analysis of mechanical properties and microcrack damage. The test rig provides crucial information to predict ceramic composite structural integrity and safe lifetime.

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.

Palliative care improves outcomes for seniors

A recent study found that palliative care services significantly reduced emergency room visits and depression among seniors in long-term care. The intervention provided improved end-of-life quality of care by treating pain and symptoms, decreasing hospitalizations, and supporting patient-centered care.

Alcohol pricing policies save lives and increase profits, experts say

Experts say setting minimum prices for alcohol increases health and economic benefits, with research showing a reduction in overall consumption, deaths, and hospitalizations. Heavy drinkers are targeted by pricing strategies, which can also generate revenue for the government and industry profits.

How our nerves regulate insulin secretion

Studies have shown that the autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating insulin secretion from beta cells in the pancreas. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet successfully grafted beta cells into mice eyes to study their function, revealing how the autonomic nervous system influences blood glucose levels.

Metformin improves blood glucose levels and BMI in very obese children

Researchers found metformin improves body mass index (BMI) and fasting glucose levels in obese children at risk for type 2 diabetes. The study's results suggest a potential treatment option for preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes in childhood, offering hope for reducing long-term health risks.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

'Commitment-phobic' adults could have mom and dad to blame

Research suggests that unresponsive or over-intrusive parenting can contribute to commitment-phobic adults. These individuals often adopt an 'infant-mother' intimacy model in adult relationships, seeking validation and a sense of security from their partners.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Caffeinated coffee linked to lower risk of some oral cancers

A new study by the American Cancer Society finds a strong inverse association between caffeinated coffee intake and oral/pharyngeal cancer mortality. Consuming more than four cups per day was associated with a 49% lower risk of death from these cancers.

UCLA cancer scientists identify liposarcoma tumors that respond to chemotherapy

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Center have identified liposarcoma tumors that can be imaged by PET scanning using a tracer substance known as FAC, and found these tumors are sensitive to chemotherapy. This discovery has translational potential for liposarcoma patients and may lead to more effective treatment strategies.

Asteroid that killed the dinosaurs also wiped out the 'Obamadon'

A new study found that the asteroid collision that killed the dinosaurs also led to the extinction of a newly identified lizard species, Obamadon gracilis. The impact wiped out nearly 83% of all snake and lizard species, with no species larger than one pound surviving.

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.

Renewables and storage could power grid 99.9 percent of the time

A new study by the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College suggests that a well-designed combination of wind power, solar power, and storage can fully power a large electric grid 99.9 percent of the time by 2030. The study's findings break conventional wisdom on renewable energy being too unreliable and expensive.

The image of mental fatigue

Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor activity in brains of sleep-deprived volunteers. The study found decreased activity in specific brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex, linked to feelings of mental fatigue. This discovery could lead to the development of new measures for assessing...

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.

Onion soaks up heavy metal

Researchers have found that onion and garlic waste can effectively remove heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated materials. The optimal conditions for this process include a pH of 5 and contact time of half an hour at 50 degrees Celsius.

Slavery in Yorkshire

This new book examines Richard Oastler's fight to limit working hours and prevent child labour in Yorkshire's industrial towns during the early 19th century. The book features contributions from six historians exploring Oastler's impact on British society.

Mother's vitamin D level linked to birth weight

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that a mother's vitamin D level is positively related to birth weight and head circumference. Additionally, a deficiency in vitamin D during the first trimester was negatively associated with the risk of a baby being born small for gestational age.

Blood levels of immune protein predict risk in Hodgkin disease

Researchers found that elevated galectin-1 levels correlate with tumor burden and adverse clinical characteristics in newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma patients. The study suggests using galectin-1 as a biomarker to predict patient outcomes and inform treatment decisions.

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.

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 10, 2012

Researchers discovered that brown fat transplants significantly decreased body weight and improved insulin sensitivity in mice fed high-fat diets. The study also found that the transplanted brown fat secreted hormones that mediated metabolic effects throughout the body.

Grateful patient philanthropy and the doctor-patient relationship

A new study by Scott Wright and Joseph A. Carrese examines ethical dilemmas for physicians when patients make financial donations to medical institutions. The researchers found that doctors are concerned about the potential impact on their relationships with patients and the purity of the doctor-patient bond.

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.

Study identifies potential new pathway for drug development

A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital identified alpha arrestins as crucial regulators of G-protein coupled receptor signaling. Targeting these proteins could lead to more effective and side-effect-free drugs, potentially revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry.

Water, water everywhere, and Silas Mariner may have been right

Rivers erode at an estimated 80 billion metric tons yearly, with 20 billion ending up in ocean water via rivers. Researcher Panos Diplas studies river mechanics to improve erosion process understanding and develop measures to control scour around bridge foundations.

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.

Study finds association between oxygen deprivation before birth and ADHD

A Kaiser Permanente study found a significant link between prenatal oxygen deprivation and an increased risk of developing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in childhood. The study examined electronic health records of nearly 82,000 children ages 5 and found that exposure to birth asphyxia, neonatal respiratory distress s...

From fish to man: Research reveals how fins became legs

Researchers found that the development of hands and feet occurred through the gain of new DNA elements activating specific genes. This discovery helps understand the power of gene expression in shaping bodies and may shed light on genetic diseases associated with limb formation.

Iron supplements reduce ADHD in low birth weight infants

A randomized controlled trial found that iron supplements reduced behavioral problems like ADHD in low birth weight infants by 9.8 percentage points compared to those without supplementation. The study concluded that early iron supplementation has long-term health benefits for marginally low birth weight infants.

Into adulthood, sickle cell patients rely on ER

Research found that sickle cell patients experience a significant increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The study, which analyzed data from over 3,200 patients, showed that emergency room visits tripled between ages 15-24.

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.

Conservatives can be persuaded to care more about the environment

A recent University of California, Berkeley study found that reframing environmental rhetoric according to conservative morals can reduce partisan polarization on ecological matters. When pro-environmental messages focus on protecting the natural environment from harm, conservatives are more likely to feel disgust and support environme...

Mobile app boosts weight loss by 15 pounds

A new Northwestern University study found that a mobile app tracking calories and activity, combined with regular nutrition and exercise classes, helped participants lose an average of 15 pounds and maintain weight loss for at least a year. The technology alone was not enough to achieve significant weight loss.

As Amazon urbanizes, rural fires burn unchecked

A recent study finds that uncontrolled blazes in the Peruvian Amazon are driven by depopulation, increased road networks, and drought, leading to devastating forest, farm, and village losses. Researchers suggest that government policies promoting oil palm plantations could help mitigate these effects.

Tech opens communication doors for grandparents of grandkids with ASD

A computer-based design program, SketchUp, helps develop spatial and visual acuity in youth on the autism spectrum. It also improves relationships between grandparents and their grandkids, creating a more supportive environment. The technology provides common ground for grandparents to engage with others, sharing experiences and joys.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

What it is to be a queen bee?

A new study by Nayuta Brand and Michel Chapuisat found that queen sweat bees restrict the amount of food provided to their first brood, resulting in smaller female workers. This 'choosing' behavior ensures that daughters become workers rather than queens.

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.

Ant and termite colonies unearth gold

Researchers found high concentrations of gold in termite mounds, indicating a larger deposit underneath. These insects bring up small particles containing gold from the deposit's fingerprint and stockpile it in their mounds.

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.