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Science News Archive December 2012 - Page 5


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.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalGenome Medicine·DateDec 20, 2012

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.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 20, 2012

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.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 20, 2012

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateDec 20, 2012
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.

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateDec 19, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourcePoint Blue Conservation Science·JournalLandscape Ecology·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEnvironmental and Resource Economics·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNeuron·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateDec 19, 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.

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceRice University·JournalBioresource Technology·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateDec 19, 2012

A mathematical formula to decipher the geometry of surfaces like that of cauliflower

Scientists have found a model that describes the evolution of cauliflower-type fractal morphologies for nanoscopic systems, offering insights into natural structures like sea coasts and blood vessels. This breakthrough may help improve technologies used in thin film coatings and generate textures in computer simulations.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 19, 2012

Robotic-assisted radical bladder surgery potentially benefits bladder cancer patients

A new study published in the Journal of Urology found that robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) resulted in decreased estimated blood loss and shorter hospital stays compared to open radical cystectomy (ORC) for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. RARC also showed a trend towards faster return of bowel func...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNeuron·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

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.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalGeology·DateDec 19, 2012
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Global Warming·DateDec 19, 2012
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

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.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalFuel Processing Technology·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateDec 19, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 19, 2012

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.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalConservation Biology·DateDec 19, 2012