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Science News Archive December 2012


Page 23 of 24

Biophysicists unravel cellular 'traffic jams' in active transport

Researchers at UMass Amherst use a custom microscope to study cellular active transport, discovering that high traffic slows cargo movement but doesn't hinder the process. By using quantum dots as biological probes, they found that multiple motors attached to a single cargo can overcome stalled motors and maintain efficient transport.

Gases from grasses

Scientists discovered a reaction site on the perimeter of gold-titanium complex that enables catalysis. The oxide surface plays an important role in modifying the metals above it, leading to the creation of valuable hydrocarbon fuels.

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.

Barrow researchers successfully destroy brain tumor cells

Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that a ketogenic diet significantly enhances the anti-tumor effect of radiation, leading to improved survival rates for mice with malignant gliomas. The study suggests that the diet could be used as an adjuvant therapy without FDA approval.

Managing care and competition

Researchers from Harvard Medical School found that integrated care provided by managed care plans reduces resource use, potentially leading to overall savings. Risk-adjustment reforms have mitigated favorable selection, reducing the tendency of health plans to attract healthier patients.

Pygmy mole crickets don't just walk on water, they jump on it

Researchers discovered pygmy mole crickets use oar-like paddles to jump from water, exploiting water's stickiness to their advantage. The crickets' resilient protein-filled paddles fan out as they penetrate the water, allowing them to 'grab' a ball of water and propel themselves to safety.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Dec. 4, 2012

Routine use of upper endoscopy for most GERD patients does not improve patient health and may lead to unnecessary interventions. Computer alerts in HIV care improve patient outcomes by notifying providers of adverse events or missed appointments, leading to better follow-up practices.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NSF gives UH $985K grant to boost science education in Houston

The National Science Foundation grant will support the teachHOUSTON program, which recruits and prepares physics and chemistry teachers for urban schools. The five-year grant aims to increase the number of qualified STEM teachers in Houston's school districts.

Goodbye, fluorescent light bulbs! See your office in a new light

Scientists at Wake Forest University have developed a flicker-free and shatterproof lighting solution using field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology. The new lights produce soft white light without the yellowish tint of fluorescents or bluish tinge of LEDs.

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.

U-M study shows BPA exposure in fetal livers

Researchers at U-M found BPA in fetal liver tissue, with varying levels of exposure detected. The study suggests that fetuses may not be able to metabolize BPA as effectively as adults, highlighting the importance of understanding internal doses for health effects.

Chemistry professor secures grant to involve students in petroleum research

A Marshall University professor has secured a three-year, $65,000 grant to conduct petroleum research with the assistance of seven undergraduate students. The project aims to study the decomposition of specific molecules when heated in an oxygen-free environment, shedding light on biofuels and combustion mechanisms.

Uncovering unique properties in a 2-dimensional crystal

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University discovered unique spin and valley properties in a 2-dimensional crystal, leading to potential applications in optoelectronics and solar cells. The research found that charged quasi-particles called negative trions can be manipulated to change light absorption and emission.

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.

Rules limiting aggression should reduce hockey injuries

A new study published in CMAJ found that rules limiting aggression in ice hockey, such as bodychecking, can significantly reduce injuries among young players, including serious brain and spine injuries. The study suggests that interventions based on rule changes showed the greatest likelihood of making ice hockey safer for youth.

Food allergies? Pesticides in tap water might be to blame

A recent study published by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggests that pesticides used for water purification can lead to food allergies. The research found a correlation between high levels of dichlorophenol-containing pesticides and weakened food tolerance in individuals.

Corn: Many active genes - high yield

Researchers at the University of Bonn have decoded a possible mechanism for hybrid corn's high yield, finding that more genes are active in hybrid plants than in their homozygous parental lines. This increase in gene activity could lead to increased growth and vigor in hybrids.

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.

New study shows probiotics help fish grow up faster and healthier

A new study found that feeding probiotics to baby zebrafish accelerated their development and increased their chances of survival into adulthood. The researchers discovered that the probiotics helped promote growth, including bone and vertebrae development, by reducing stress on the fish's gastrointestinal tract.

Ames Laboratory scientists develop indium-free organic light-emitting diodes

Scientists at Ames Laboratory have discovered new ways to use a well-known polymer in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), eliminating the need for an increasingly problematic metal-oxide. The researchers' findings show that PEDOT:PSS OLEDs are at least 44% more efficient and flexible than traditional ITO-based devices.

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.

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.

World's smallest wrench puts a new twist on microscopic manipulation

Researchers have created a fiber-optic equivalent of the world's smallest wrench, enabling precise control over microscopic particles like living cells and DNA. This new technique uses flexible optical fibers to twist and turn particles in any direction, promising advancements in biological research, healthcare, and more.

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.

Why older adults become fraud victims more often

A new UCLA study suggests that older adults' brains are less active in the anterior insula region, which is linked to disgust and detecting dishonest faces. This reduced activity makes it harder for older adults to recognize untrustworthy faces, leading to increased vulnerability to financial exploitation.

Male chimpanzees choose their allies carefully

A new study reveals that male chimpanzees who form coalitions with males who don't form coalitions themselves are more likely to sire offspring and increase their dominance rank. This suggests that the chimps recognize the value of making strategic social connections.

Study spells out hat trick for making hockey safer

A new study found that mandatory rules, such as restrictions on body checking, can decrease penalties and injuries in ice hockey, particularly among young players. Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital recommend combining rule changes with educational strategies to promote sportsmanship and reduce brain injuries.

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.

Mexican immigrants to the US not as healthy as believed, study finds

A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that recent Mexican immigrants to the US have a significant amount of undiagnosed disease, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite this, they are still generally healthier than native-born residents after accounting for undiagnosed disease.

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.

Heart-warming memories: Nostalgia can make you feel warmer

A study from the University of Southampton found that feeling nostalgic can increase perceptions of warmth and tolerance for cold. Volunteers who recalled nostalgic events perceived a warmer room temperature and could withstand colder water.

Have Venusian volcanoes been caught in the act?

A six-year observation by ESA's Venus Express reveals significant changes in the planet's atmosphere, suggesting recent volcanic eruptions. The thick atmosphere contains over a million times more sulphur dioxide than Earth's, which is mostly generated by volcanic activity.

College students report low flu vaccine rate

According to a study by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, only one in five college students received the flu vaccine during the 2009-2010 season. The researchers suggest that colleges implement new or improved influenza vaccine strategies, such as giving flu shots at sporting events, to increase vaccination rates.

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.

Mayo study: Common diabetes drug may treat ovarian cancer

A Mayo Clinic-led study found that patients with ovarian cancer who took metformin for their diabetes had a better survival rate than those who did not take the medication. After five years, 67% of metformin-takers were still alive compared to 47% of non-takers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Steps towards filming atoms dancing

Researchers create technique to measure temporal profile and arrival time of individual FEL pulses with femtosecond precision, allowing for precise study of atomic, molecular, and solid-state systems. The method enables filming of atoms in motion and exploration of processes that evolve within X-ray exposure.

New findings on glucagon synthesis

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that glucagon stimulates its own synthesis, activating a self-reinforcing cycle of hormone production. This finding has significant implications for understanding the regulation of hormone secretion and may hold the key to studying defects in diabetes.

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.

Diabetes drug may reduce brain damage after stroke

A study suggests that linagliptin, a commercialized diabetes drug, can stimulate neuroprotection and largely reduce brain damage following stroke. This could lead to better prognosis for type 2 diabetic patients after a stroke.

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.

Multitasking plasmonic nanobubbles kill some cells, modify others

Researchers at Rice University have developed a way to selectively kill some diseased cells while treating others in the same sample using tunable plasmonic nanobubbles. The process activates with a pulse of laser light and leaves neighboring healthy cells untouched.