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Science News Archive December 2012 - Page 6


Page 6 of 24

JILA physicists achieve elusive 'evaporative cooling' of molecules

Physicists at JILA have successfully cooled a gas of hydroxyl radicals to extremely low temperatures using evaporative cooling. The process enables precise control over molecular energies and interactions, paving the way for advances in ultracold chemistry and quantum simulators.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

American Mathematical Society to award prizes

The American Mathematical Society has awarded prizes to prominent mathematicians for their significant contributions to dynamical systems, ergodic theory, model theory, algebra, geometry, and applied mathematics. Notable recipients include Yakov Sinai, John Guckenheimer, Philip Holmes, and Andrew Majda.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateDec 19, 2012

Healthy lifestyle during menopause may decrease breast cancer risk later on

A study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus suggests that a healthy lifestyle during menopause, including diet and exercise, can lower breast cancer risk. In obese postmenopausal women, excess calories fuel tumor growth, but in lean counterparts, they are stored in healthy tissues.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCancer Research·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.

Helping the nose know

Researchers describe how feedback mechanism works by identifying where signals go and which neurons receive them. The study reveals that higher brain regions communicate with lower parts of the brain on a near-constant basis, helping to interpret olfactory information.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNeuron·DateDec 19, 2012

Delusions of gender: Men's insecurities may lead to sexist views of women

A new study by Joshua Hart reveals that men's anxious attachment style and conflicted views on relationships may lead them to adopt sexist attitudes towards women. Anxiously attached men tend to be ambivalent sexists, exhibiting both hostile and benevolent sexism, while avoidantly attached men typically endorse hostile sexism.

SourceUnion College·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·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.

First freshwater mosasaur discovered

Researchers discovered a new species of mosasaur that lived about 84 million years ago in freshwater river environments. The largest specimens reached up to 20 feet in length and had unique characteristics such as limbs like a terrestrial lizard, a flattened skull, and a tail unlike other known members.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Multi-tasking whales sing while feeding, not just breeding

Researchers tracked humpback whales in Antarctic waters and found that they sang while foraging, suggesting a previously unknown behavioral flexibility. The study suggests that the widely held behavioral dichotomy of breeding-versus-feeding may be too simplistic.

SourceDuke University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Lizard tails detach at a biological 'dotted line'

Researchers from Aarhus University used advanced bio-imaging techniques to discover that geckos shed their tails along pre-formed score lines. This process is independent of protein-cleaving enzymes and involves microstructures at the ends of muscle fibers, facilitating a quick getaway for these lizards.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Small changes in eating prompts weight loss

A public web-based healthy eating and weight loss program found that participants who made consistent changes lost an average of 2 pounds per month. The study also showed that finding initial tips that are relevant and doable for individuals can lead to gradual weight loss and healthier habits.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateDec 19, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study reveals that animals contribute to seagrass dispersal

A recent study published in Marine Ecology Progress Series has found that fish, terrapins, and birds play a crucial role in dispersing eelgrass seeds into new areas. The research suggests that animals can disperse seeds up to 10 miles, rivaling the distances achieved by physical mechanisms.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateDec 19, 2012

Fighting shaped human hands

The human hand's unique shape may have evolved to stabilize the fist and produce a compact club for use in combat, according to a new study. The researchers found that the tightly packed human fist provides internal support to the digits, protecting them from damage during combat.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 19, 2012

LSUHSC research discovery provides therapeutic target for ALS

A new study by LSUHSC researchers has found that the ability of a protein called FUS to bind to RNA is essential to the development of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). By mutating FUS and blocking its RNA binding, the team was able to suppress ALS-related neurodegeneration in fruit fly models.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateDec 19, 2012

Impaired melatonin secretion may play a role in premenstrual syndrome

Women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) have altered body rhythms of the hormone melatonin, which may explain sleep disruptions. The study found decreased melatonin levels during night-time hours and symptomatic luteal phase, highlighting potential targets for treatment.

SourceDouglas Mental Health University Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·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.

Scientists establish link between inflammatory process and progression of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have discovered a key link between inflammation and Alzheimer's disease progression. The study suggests that drugs targeting IL-1 beta production may provide benefits for patients with Alzheimer's. The findings point to the possibility of developing new treatments by disrupting the production of this pro-inflammatory cytokine.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

Alzheimer's Disease: Inflammation as a new therapeutic approach

Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified a new signaling pathway involved in chronic inflammation, which contributes to nerve cell malfunctions and death. By deactivating key genes, they observed reduced inflammation, memory loss, and beta-amyloid peptide deposition in genetically modified mice.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

Closest sun-like star may have planets

Tau Ceti, the closest single star to our Sun, has been found to have a planetary system with five planets. The estimated masses range from two to six times that of Earth, making it the lowest-mass planetary system yet detected.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·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.

Inside the head of a dinosaur

Researchers found that therizinosaurs had well-developed sensory abilities, including smell, hearing, and balance, which may have affected their behavior as herbivores. The study used high-resolution CT scanning and 3D computer visualization to analyze the brain and inner ear anatomy of a 90-million-year-old therizinosaur fossil.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Are bacteria making you hungry?

Research suggests that bacteria in the gut may control host appetites by influencing signaling pathways. The gut microbiota respond to nutrients and hormones, generating compounds that affect appetite and mood disorders. Further studies are needed to determine if gut bacteria directly influence food choice.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateDec 19, 2012

MicroRNAs present exciting opportunities for cancer therapy and diagnosis

Researchers report on the therapeutic potential of microRNAs in cancer therapy and their role as potential biomarkers for early cancer detection. The stability of miRNAs in body fluids makes them suitable for non-invasive malignancy detection methods, offering exciting opportunities for revolutionizing diagnostics and screening.

SourceIOS Press·JournalCancer Biomarkers·DateDec 19, 2012

For power and status, dominance and skill trump likability

A University of British Columbia study found that dominance and prestige, not likability, are crucial for gaining leadership. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to measure attention, revealing that people prefer dominant leaders over those with high social skills.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

Global collaborative efforts help delineate pediatric TBI in China

Two studies examine pediatric traumatic brain injuries in China, finding that falls, strikes, and traffic collisions are the leading external causes. Suspected child abuse accounts for approximately six percent of TBIs among children under two years old, a significant finding with implications for global injury research.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateDec 19, 2012

Scientists develop technique to help prevent inherited disorders in humans

Researchers have successfully transferred the nucleus of a healthy egg cell into an egg cell with mutant mitochondrial DNA, effectively eliminating the disease-causing genetic material. The technique has significant implications for preventing mitochondrial disorders, which affect approximately 1 in 10,000 people worldwide.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

Asthmatics at increased risk of pulmonary embolism

People with asthma are at a higher risk of developing pulmonary embolism, with severe cases nearly 9 times more common than in the general population. Mild-moderate asthma increases the risk by 3.5 times, highlighting the importance of increased awareness and prevention among doctors

SourceEuropean Respiratory Society·JournalEuropean Respiratory Journal·DateDec 19, 2012

Treating tobacco addiction a 'duty,' argue text editors

A new textbook provides clinical guidelines for treating tobacco addiction, shifting attitudes among health professionals towards viewing smoking as an addiction. The book aims to increase the success rate of quitting smoking among Canadians.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·DateDec 19, 2012
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Stars reveal the secrets of looking young

Researchers used the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope and Hubble Space Telescope to study 21 globular clusters, finding that a few were young with blue stragglers distributed throughout, while others were old with the stars clumped in the centre. This reveals big differences in the speed of evolution from cluster to cluster.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateDec 19, 2012

Fast-acting enzymes with 2 fingers: Protein structurally and dynamically explained

The study reveals a two-finger switch-off mechanism for Rab proteins, which control transport operations between different areas of a cell. This mechanism accelerates GTP cleavage over five orders of magnitude and has potential applications in developing small molecules to switch off mutated GTPases involved in tumour formation.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2012

People without spouses under-represented in Alzheimer's clinical trials

A new study by the American Academy of Neurology reveals that people without a spouse are underrepresented in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials. The study found that participants with adult child partners were more likely to be from diverse backgrounds, while those with spouse partners were more likely to be white and older.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·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.

Fine hands, fists of fury

A University of Utah study suggests human hands evolved not only for manual dexterity but also for making fists and fighting. The research found that human fists provide a performance advantage in punching, with increased force delivery and protection for delicate hand bones during combat. This evolution may have been driven by selecti...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateDec 19, 2012

Experiencing discrimination increases risk-taking, anger, and vigilance

Research suggests that experiencing rejection due to discrimination can lead to an increase in risk-taking behavior, anger, and vigilance. Participants who were rejected by partners of a different race showed increased cardiac output, lower vascular resistance, and more anger compared to those rejected by same-race partners.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 19, 2012

HIV patients in care lose more years of life to smoking than to HIV infection

A Danish study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that HIV patients who smoke lose more years of life to smoking than to HIV infection. Researchers estimated the effect of smoking on mortality and life expectancy among nearly 3,000 HIV-infected patients treated in Denmark from 1995 to 2010.

SourceInfectious Diseases Society of America·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateDec 19, 2012

Pigs in southern China infected with avian flu

Researchers found that pigs in southern China were infected with three strains of avian influenza viruses, including H3, H4, H5, and H6 subtypes. The study suggests that pigs can serve as mixing vessels for genetic reassortment that could lead to pandemics.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateDec 19, 2012

From farm to table, mealworms may be the next best food

Researchers found that mealworm farms produce more edible protein than traditional animal farms for chicken, pork, beef, or milk, using less land and similar amounts of energy. Mealworms also produce less greenhouse gas emissions than other animals grown for meat.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012
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.

Described a key mechanism in muscle regeneration

A new selective target in muscle regeneration has been identified by researchers at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute. The association of alpha-enolase protein and plasmin plays a crucial role in regulating immune cell attraction and formation of new muscle tissue from stem cells.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 19, 2012

Penn metamaterials experts show a way to reduce electrons' effective mass to nearly 0

Using metamaterials, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a theory for creating materials where electrons have nearly zero effective mass. This concept could lead to faster circuits with unique properties. The team's idea was inspired by the similarities between electromagnetic waves and quantum mechanics, and t...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysical Review B·DateDec 18, 2012

Johns Hopkins researchers at American Society of Cell Biology Annual Meeting

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein crucial for neuron organization in the developing retina, shedding light on how the eye detects light. Additionally, scientists found that a genetic defect can cause a 'traffic jam' in cellular materials within motor neurons, leading to progressive paralysis and death.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·DateDec 18, 2012
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.

Ozone levels have sizeable impact on worker productivity

Research finds that ozone pollution, even at low levels, significantly reduces agricultural worker productivity by 5.5%. The study's results challenge the common perception of environmental protection as a tax on producers.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateDec 18, 2012

Celiac 'epidemics' link to infections early in life

Research published in BMC Pediatrics found that repeated infections early in life increases the risk of developing celiac disease. The study revealed a significant association between early-life infections and celiac disease, highlighting the importance of breastfeeding in reducing this risk.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Pediatrics·DateDec 18, 2012
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.

Hass Avocado Board study published in Food & Function journal

A recent study published in Food & Function journal found that consuming fresh Hass avocado with a burger meal can neutralize inflammation and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, conducted by researchers at UCLA, also suggests that avocados may help mitigate negative effects on blood flow after eating a burger.

SourcePadillaCRT·JournalFood & Function·DateDec 18, 2012
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.

Do palm trees hold the key to immortality?

Recent review reveals palm trees have living cells sustained throughout their lifetime, potentially holding the key to longevity and understanding cellular structure in plants. Palm trunks consist of individual cells living for centuries, unlike most long-lived trees with dead woody tissues.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateDec 18, 2012

Long-terms benefits follow brain surgery for certain forms of epilepsy

A study by neurologists at Henry Ford Hospital found that brain surgery for refractory localization-related epilepsy can lead to significant long-term benefits, with 73% achieving favorable seizure outcomes and 28% experiencing seizure freedom. The researchers tracked 470 patients over 15 years after surgery.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateDec 18, 2012

Immediate health risk must be weighed against radiation-induced cancer risk

A new study highlights the importance of considering immediate health risks when weighing benefits and potential future radiation-induced cancer risks. The researchers found that for patients with testicular cancer undergoing CT surveillance, the near-term risk of death from the condition was more significant than lifetime cancer risk.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateDec 18, 2012

Global rates of infertility remain unchanged over past 2 decades

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that global infertility rates have remained steady since 1990, with 1.9% of women aged 20 unable to conceive and 10.5% of those who previously gave birth unable to have another child. The levels of infertility varied by region, with higher rates in North Africa and the Middle East.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateDec 18, 2012
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.

Silent stroke can cause Parkinson's disease

A small stroke, known as a silent stroke, can cause Parkinson's disease by killing dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The study found inflammation and brain damage following the stroke, leading to neurodegeneration and potential onset of Parkinson's disease.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateDec 18, 2012

NREL and Johnson Matthey announce 5-year collaboration on biofuels

The collaboration aims to improve vapor phase upgrading during the biomass pyrolysis process, enabling the production of lignocellulose-based fuels at a competitive cost. The partnership seeks to develop catalytic materials that can convert biomass vapors into liquid fuels suitable for transportation.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateDec 18, 2012

Tracking the origins of HIV

Scientists tracked the origins of HIV and discovered potential genetic resistance in West African human populations. The study found overlaps between selection signatures and protective genes against HIV-1, which may have evolved to counteract the virus.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateDec 18, 2012