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Science News for December 31, 2012


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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 31, 2012

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalRadiology·DateDec 31, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 31, 2012

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.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 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.

Jackson Laboratory researchers provide definitive proof for receptor's role in synapse development

Researchers have provided definitive evidence that NMDAR receptors are crucial for pruning synapses in newborn mammals' brains. This discovery sheds new light on the neural basis of autism and schizophrenia. The study used a mouse model with brain cells lacking or containing NMDARs to demonstrate the receptor's direct role in synaptic ...

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 31, 2012

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.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 31, 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.

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.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateDec 31, 2012