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Science News Archive February 2012


Page 19 of 30

A study analyzes emotions in software engineering

A study by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid's Computer Science Department investigates emotions' importance in software engineering, focusing on requirements engineering. The researchers applied a social psychology tool, the affect grid, to discover that emotions impact requirements development and user experience.

The proteins ensuring genome protection

Two proteins, Rif1 and Rif2, discovered to deactivate DNA repair surveillance system, preventing cell 'anti-enzyme shield' from malfunctioning. Telomeres provide molecular 'caps' protecting chromosome ends from accidental breaks.

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.

Big fish reveal shelter secrets on reefcam

Researchers found that big fish in coral reefs prefer sheltering under large, flat table corals due to their importance as a source of cover. The team's study suggests that maintaining these structures could be crucial for the reef's resilience to climate change.

Declining health-care productivity in England: Who says so?

A Viewpoint published in The Lancet disputes reports of NHS decline in productivity. Quality improvement was found to be significantly higher than initially thought, with notable gains in areas like critical care and patient experiences. This challenges the narrative of declining healthcare productivity in England.

Starve a virus, feed a cure?

A team of researchers has discovered how the protein SAMHD1 protects immune cells from HIV by starving the virus of necessary building blocks. This finding could lead to more effective anti-HIV drugs and new insights into other viral infections.

Integrated pest management recommendations for the southern pine beetle

The article provides IPM program recommendations for managing the southern pine beetle, a chronic insect pest in southeastern US pine forests. The beetle has three population phases, and an IPM program should be tailored to each phase, with prevention and restoration being primary concerns during the latent phase.

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.

New research reveals how protein protects cells from HIV infection

Researchers have discovered a mechanism by which the immune system tries to halt HIV's spread, focusing on a protein called SAMHD1 that protects cells from viral hijacking. By understanding this mechanism, scientists may find new ways to stop or slow the virus' ability to infect.

Overeating may double risk of memory loss

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology suggests that consuming excessive calories may double the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in individuals aged 70 and above. The findings indicate a dose-response pattern where higher caloric intake corresponds to increased MCI risk.

Researchers develop method to examine batteries -- from the inside

A new MRI technique allows for non-invasive examination of battery internal workings, enabling testing of various designs and materials under normal operating conditions. This method has the potential to improve battery performance and safety by visualizing build-up of lithium metal deposits on electrodes.

Researchers discover molecular secrets of ancient Chinese herbal remedy

Harvard researchers uncover how halofuginone, a compound derived from an ancient Chinese herb, regulates autoimmunity and inflammation by triggering a stress-response pathway. The discovery provides new insights into the physiological regulation of the immune system and novel therapeutic approaches for autoimmune disorders.

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.

Steroid injections prove effective in treatment of lumbar disc herniations

Epidural steroid injections showed promise as a treatment option for athletes suffering from lumbar disc herniations. The 89% success rate allows patients to participate in physical therapy sooner and reduces time missed from play. However, certain injuries still require surgery and long-term recovery.

New data provides direction for ACL injured knee treatments

The study found that primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction improves quality of life and sports functionality for athletes. Researchers also identified risk factors, including younger female soccer players, smokers, and patients with meniscal or chondral injury at the time of surgery.

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.

Helmet fit critical to preventing concussion, say researchers

A study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that athletes wearing properly fitted helmets were 82% less likely to experience loss of consciousness due to concussions. Helmet fit was not associated with a significant impact on concussion severity, but proper air bladder inflation was.

Elbow position not a predictor of injury

A new study by researchers at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that elbow position alone does not affect injury rates or performance in baseball pitchers. Instead, visual elbow drag was positively associated with ball velocity, suggesting that proper pitching technique is crucial for optimal performance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Treatment for hip conditions should not rest solely on MRI scans

A recent study found that approximately 73% of healthy individuals have abnormal MRI scan results, highlighting the limitations of imaging in hip pain diagnosis. The study emphasizes the importance of correlating clinical signs and symptoms with imaging findings for accurate treatment decision-making.

Putting the squeeze on planets outside our solar system

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found a phase change in molten magnesium silicate that transforms to a more dense liquid with increasing pressure. This discovery provides insight into planet formation and suggests that extra-solar 'Super-Earth' planets may have different structures than Earth.

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.

Sonic Cradle lands spot in TED exhibition

A Simon Fraser University graduate student project, Sonic Cradle, uses breathing sounds to shape musical patterns in a dark chamber, promoting relaxation and inner peace. The technology has the potential to provide psychological benefits without over-stimulation.

Study weighs risks and benefits of birthing facilities

A study by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine found that women who deliver or intend to deliver outside of hospitals have a lower risk of obstetric intervention. However, newborns intended for home births are at a higher risk of neonatal seizures compared to hospital births.

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.

Night, weekend delivery OK for babies with birth defects

Infants with birth defects delivered at night or over the weekend fared just as well as those delivered on a weekday, according to a new study. The finding is good news for all parties and suggests that delivery timing shouldn't be based on day of the week.

NASA sees wide-eyed cyclone Jasmine

Cyclone Jasmine has maintained Category One hurricane status with maximum sustained winds near 75 knots (86 mph), and its eye is now about 60 nautical miles in diameter. The storm is moving southeast at 8 knots (9 mph) through an area of stable air, weakening the warm tropical cyclone.

$5.5 million gift aids search for alternative energy

Scientists at the University of Missouri will use the donation to create the Sidney Kimmel Institute for Nuclear Renaissance, studying fundamental physics of unknown energy producing reactions. The goal is to discover a new, clean alternative form of energy with potential uses depending on the extracted energy and process consistency.

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.

3-D laser map shows earthquake zone before and after

Researchers create comprehensive 3-D map of earthquake zone using LiDAR technology, revealing details of fault ruptures and deformation. The study provides insights into how earthquakes change the landscape, shedding light on minor faults that contribute to major earthquakes.

Drug halts organ damage in inflammatory genetic disorder

A study published by the NIH shows that Kineret therapy is effective in stopping the progression of organ damage in people with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). By preventing organ inflammation, scientists were able to preserve organ function in most patients.

EEG pattern reflects brain's shift into low-energy, protective mode

A mathematical model predicts and explains the emergence of burst suppression, a low-activity state in response to reduced cellular energy. The study suggests that burst suppression may be used to guide induced coma and track recovery from brain injuries, offering new insights into brain neurochemistry and neurophysiology.

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.

Numeracy: The educational gift that keeps on giving?

A new study examines how numerate individuals process information differently, leading to more informed decisions. People who are numerate are less influenced by other information and see numbers as abstract symbols, allowing them to make better choices.

Arthritic knees, but not hips, have robust repair response

Researchers discovered that osteoarthritic knee joints have a constant state of repair, while hip joints do not. This suggests different treatment strategies may be needed for knee and hip osteoarthritis. A biomarker was identified to measure joint degeneration and repair response.

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.

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.

Researchers develop new method for creating tissue engineering scaffolds

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for creating scaffolds that are more flexible and less time-intensive than current technology. The process uses ceramic nanoparticles and elastic polymers to create highly interconnected pores that do not require the use of salt.

Protein libraries in a snap

Manan Mehta developed a method to create circularly permuted proteins, which are useful for studying molecular evolution and designing biosensors. The new technique uses transposase engineering to create diverse protein variants with great control.

C-sections linked to breathing problems in preterm infants

A Yale University study found that C-section deliveries before 34 weeks of pregnancy for small-for-gestational-age babies are associated with higher odds of developing respiratory distress syndrome. The researchers analyzed data from 2,885 preterm babies and found a significant link between C-sections and breathing problems.

A mineral way to catalysis?

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that iron pyrite, commonly known as 'Fool's Gold', has catalytic properties. The study focused on the reactions between iron pyrite and nitrogen oxides, an extremely poisonous class of compounds produced by car engines and industrial power plants.

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.

Cochlear implants may be safe, effective for organ transplant patients

Researchers have found that cochlear implants can restore hearing in organ transplant patients without significant health risks. The study suggests that patients who wait at least six months after the transplant and take the right antibiotic before and after the procedure can achieve successful outcomes.

UTHealth research: Both maternal and paternal age linked to autism

A recent study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found a joint association between maternal and paternal age and autism risk. Mothers with autistic children were on average 6.5 years older than non-autistic women, while fathers had an average age difference of 5.9 years.

Curry spice component may help slow prostate tumor growth

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that curcumin suppresses nuclear receptor activators, which can bypass androgen deprivation therapy. Curcumin also reduced cell number and inhibited survival in prostate cancer cells, with similar results seen in mice studies.

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.

AAOS focuses on disaster responders, both yesterday's and tomorrow's

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has established a new credentialing process for doctors who plan to travel internationally to disaster sites. The Disaster Responders Certification Program provides training and certification for orthopaedic surgeons, with three levels of certification available. A study reports long-term po...

PAP therapy improves neurobehavioral outcomes in children with OSA

A new study published by the American Thoracic Society found that PAP therapy significantly improves neurobehavioral function in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Despite suboptimal adherence, patients showed improvements in attention deficits, behavior, and quality of life.