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Science News Archive December 2012


Page 5 of 24

Genetic defect causing fragile X-related disorders more common than thought

Researchers have discovered a higher frequency of the fragile X genetic defect in newborns than previously believed, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 200 females and 1 in 400 males. The study's findings suggest that large-scale newborn screening for the defect is technically feasible using blood spots from infant heel pricks.

Toddlers' language skills predict less anger by preschool

Children with better language skills as toddlers tend to express less anger in preschool. They use strategies like seeking support and distracting themselves to manage frustration. This study found that developing language skills predicts later anger regulation.

Topics of teen sibling fights affect anxiety, depression, self-esteem

Teens who fight with siblings over equality and fairness issues are more depressed a year later, while those who fight about personal space issues have lower self-esteem. Younger brothers with older brothers and girls with brothers experience more anxiety, leading to lower self-esteem.

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.

Bloomberg School receives $28 million for family planning advocacy

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School has received significant funding to expand its family planning initiatives, aiming to increase resources and political commitment for quality programs. The Advance Family Planning initiative will focus on nine countries, improving access to and use of family planning services, information, and supplies.

Genomic frontier: The unexplored animal kingdom

Researchers have published the first genomic report on limpet, leech and worm species, shedding light on lophotrochozoans' evolutionary history and functional gene groups. The study's findings suggest that these ancient animals played crucial roles in marine ecosystems.

Cholesterol helps regulate key signaling proteins in the cell

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that cholesterol regulates key signaling proteins in cells, challenging existing views on its role in heart disease. The research found that cholesterol interacts with a scaffolding protein to activate its partner, shedding light on the importance of cholesterol in cellular processes.

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.

Why our backs can't read braille

Researchers created stunning images of branching patterns of individual sensory nerve cells, defining ten distinct groups that likely correspond to differences in what the nerves do. The branching patterns can help scientists make sense of known responses to stimulation of the skin and may hold clues for pain management.

Affects of climate change to birds worsened by housing development

A new study suggests that climate change may have a lesser impact on bird populations than previously thought, with housing development potentially causing greater harm. The research found that some species projected to expand their ranges due to climate change may actually lose ground when faced with future development.

A new, super-nutritious puffed rice for breakfast cereals and snacks

A new process produces super-nutritious puffed rice with three times more protein and eight times more dietary fiber than commercial products. The rice also contains essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and zinc, making it ideal for school lunch programs and other applications.

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.

Transplanted neural stem cells treat ALS in mouse model

In a groundbreaking study, researchers found that transplanted neural stem cells slow ALS disease onset and progression by producing protective molecules and reducing inflammation. The treatment improves motor function and prolongs survival in ALS mice, offering new hope for treating this devastating disease.

Regular marijuana use by teens continues to be a concern

The Monitoring the Future survey reveals that 6.5% of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, while perception of marijuana's harmfulness is down among teens, signaling future increases in use. Long-term NIH-funded study shows a significant drop in IQ between ages 13-38 for those who used cannabis heavily in their teens.

Environmental performance affected by ethnicity and religion

A new study found that ethnically and religiously diverse countries tend to underinvest in environmental protection, even when controlling for income and industrial activity. Social fragmentation can lower collective action and reduce public spending on environmental protection.

Western University-led research debunks the IQ myth

A Western University-led study found that intelligence quotient cannot be measured by a single test, with three distinct cognitive components: short-term memory, reasoning and verbal ability. The research also showed that brain function is influenced by factors such as age, gender and computer gaming habits.

Around 2 queries a week to UK poisons service concern...snakebites

Every week, the UK National Poisons Information Service receives around two phone queries about snakebites, with over half of these enquiries concerning the European adder, the only poisonous snake native to the UK. Snakebite injuries can be serious due to their effects on the heart and other organs, despite being rarely fatal.

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.

Not without my microbes

A comprehensive study found that adult beetles of the European forest cockchafer species house the same microbial species as larvae, despite metamorphosing from one stage to another. The microbes include clostridia and other bacterial species that aid in digesting plant materials.

New study sheds light on dinosaur size

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dinosaurs have a greater number of larger species compared to all other back-boned animals. The researchers analyzed the femur bone length and weight of 329 dinosaur species, suggesting that young dinosaurs occupied a different ecological niche than their parents.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Badger sleeping habits could help target TB control

A study by the University of Exeter found that badgers sleeping in outlying dens were more likely to carry TB, highlighting the importance of behavior in disease transmission. The research could inform measures to manage bovine TB in parts of the UK.

Occasional family meals enough to boost kids' fruit and veg intake

A study found that eating meals together as a family increases children's daily fruit and vegetable intake to near the recommended 5 A Day. Parents who cut up portions of fruits and vegetables also boosted their children's intake, with even one or two family meals per week showing benefits.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Regular family meals together boost kids' fruit and vegetable intake

Research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that children who ate family meals with their parents consumed more fruit and vegetables, reaching recommended daily targets. Those who always ate together had higher nutrient intake than those who sometimes or never did so.

Time series of infrared NASA images show Cyclone Evan's decline

Cyclone Evan weakened from Cyclone strength to Tropical Storm strength over a 36-hour period, according to NASA's infrared images. The storm showed changes in intense thunderstorms, with cloud top temperatures warming and evaporation decreasing due to wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.

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.

Soybeans a source of valuable chemical

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new process to convert soybean byproducts into succinic acid, a valuable chemical used in various industries. The process uses genetically modified E. coli bacteria to metabolize soluble carbohydrates from soybeans, achieving a high yield and a 1:1 ratio of feedstock to product.

Better approach to treating deadly melanoma identified by scientists

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a protein that enables cancer cells to resist MEK inhibitors, a common treatment for melanoma. By targeting this protein, SMURF2, with a combination of MEK inhibitors and reduced doses, sensitivity to the drug can be significantly increased.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Sustainable way to make a prized fragrance ingredient

Researchers create large-scale production method for sclareol, a prized fragrance ingredient, using bacterial cultures and Clary sage plant DNA. The new technology provides a more sustainable alternative to natural ambergris, which is scarce and expensive.

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.

Brake on nerve cell activity after seizures discovered

Scientists have identified a gene expression that initiates a protective electrical response after seizures, which could prevent recurrent seizures and the onset of devastating epilepsy. This discovery also has implications for relief from chronic pains, cardiovascular disease, and recovery from mood disorders.

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.

Stem cell research shows ALS may be treatable

Researchers found that transplanting neural stem cells into mice with familial ALS slowed disease onset and progression, improved motor function, and extended survival. The study suggests targeting detrimental roles played by non-neuronal cells to develop more effective therapeutics.

The role of the innate immune cells in the development of type 1 diabetes

Researchers discovered that innate immune cells, particularly dendritic cells, trigger the activation of killer T-lymphocytes targeting pancreatic cells. The study sheds light on new ways to regulate the auto-immune reaction and offers potential therapeutic approaches for preventing Type 1 diabetes.

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.

Study reveals how the brain categorizes thousands of objects and actions

Researchers mapped out how 1,705 distinct object and action categories are represented across the brain's surface, finding a continuous semantic space that organizes similar categories together. The study's results demonstrate an efficient way for the brain to represent diverse categories in a compact spatial manner.

When the ice melts, the Earth spews fire

GEOMAR researchers have found evidence that climate change can trigger volcanic eruptions on a global scale. They discovered a pattern where periods of high volcanic activity followed rapid global temperature increases and associated ice melting. This discovery could provide new insights into the Earth's natural climate cycles.

Geo-engineering against climate change

A new study calculates the impact of ocean iron fertilization on carbon sequestration, finding that it is unlikely to be an effective method for reducing greenhouse gas levels. The study estimates a net sequestration rate of just 10 tonnes of carbon per square kilometer, making it a costly and inefficient solution.

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.

Paper waste used to make bricks

The use of paper industry waste to create bricks has been shown to have low thermal conductivity, making them effective insulators. Additionally, the bricks can provide energy due to their organic material content, which could help reduce fuel consumption and kiln time required for brick production.

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.

Protein creates paths for growing nerve cells

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that a specific protein helps nerve cells extend themselves along the spinal cord during mammalian development. The protein, dystroglycan, acts as a hub for instructional molecules that guide nerve axons as they grow.

Auto-immune disease: The viral route is confirmed

Researchers from FIGHT-MG project discover that a viral molecule can trigger an inappropriate immune response, causing muscular function to deteriorate. The study provides proof of concept that a viral infection can cause auto-immune myasthenia, a rare disease characterized by muscular weakness and exhaustion.

Toward a pill to enable celiac patients to eat foods containing gluten

Scientists have developed a pill that breaks down gluten peptides, making it possible for people with celiac disease to consume gluten-containing foods. The enzyme, called KumaMax, has been engineered to break down over 95% of the offending peptides in acidic conditions like those in the stomach.

Biologists design method to monitor global bee decline

A simple and cost-effective monitoring system could detect two to five percent annual declines in bee populations with data from about 200 locations over five years. The program is estimated to cost $2 million and has already been used in several countries, providing valuable insights into global pollinator losses.

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.