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Science News Archive February 2012


Page 22 of 30

Female fertility affects men's linguistic choices

A study published in PLoS ONE found that men are less likely to match their language to a female conversation partner if she is fertile. The researchers suggest that this could be a way for men to display their mating fitness.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UBC researchers use Google Earth to verify Mediterranean fish farming data

Researchers used satellite imagery from Google Earth to count fish farming cages in the Mediterranean, estimating a total of 225,736 tonnes of finfish production. The study suggests that both Greece and Turkey underreport their farmed fish production, but overall, Mediterranean countries are giving accurate counts.

Unusual 'collapsing' iron superconductor sets record for its class

A team of researchers has discovered an iron-based superconductor that operates at the highest known temperature for its class, reaching 47 degrees Kelvin. The crystal's unusual property is that it can collapse by up to 10% when a smaller atom is substituted for calcium in some of its hubs.

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.

Genetic Rosetta Stone unveiled in Nature

A new community resource, DGRP, provides the highest-resolution view to date of genome structure and variation in a population of fruit flies with diverse traits. The study has far-reaching effects on animal breeding, pesticide development, and personalized medicine.

Breastfeeding can reduce risk of childhood obesity

Research from the Colorado School of Public Health shows that breastfeeding can lower body mass index for children of diabetic pregnancies, reducing their risk of childhood obesity. Children who were breast-fed had a slower BMI growth as they grew older compared to those who nursed less than six months.

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.

Satellite telephony is unsafe

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum cracked European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) encryption algorithms used in satellite phones, revealing significant weaknesses.

Unusual alliances enable movement

Researchers found that agrin and LRP4 form two diverse work teams to activate MuSK, enabling communication between neurons and muscles. This discovery may lead to new treatments for myasthenia gravis and other muscle diseases, as well as insights into neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Smartphone training helps people with memory impairment regain independence

A new study published by Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care found that smartphone training can significantly improve daily life skills and boost confidence levels among individuals with moderate-to-severe memory impairment. Participants showed 'robust increases' in day-to-day memory functioning after taking the training.

Few small employers likely to opt out of health reform rules

A RAND Corporation study concludes that few small employers will choose to self-insure or maintain grandfathered plans due to significant financial risk. The analysis found that stricter regulations will be essential to keep premiums affordable in small business insurance exchanges.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Hatchery fish mask the decline of wild salmon populations

A study found that only 10% of Chinook salmon spawning in the Mokelumne River are naturally produced wild salmon, while hatchery-raised fish dominate the population. The research highlights the need for more accurate monitoring and management of wild populations.

NASA's Chandra finds Milky Way's black hole grazing on asteroids

The study suggests a massive cloud of trillions of asteroids and comets surrounds Sgr A*, where they are vaporized by friction as they pass through the hot gas flowing onto the black hole. The flares observed by Chandra could be explained by the frequent collision of asteroids with the black hole.

Most stretchable spider silk reported

Researchers found that the egg sac silk of the cocoon stalk was more stretchable than any previously tested egg sac silk. The study, published in PLOS ONE, may provide insight into super-stretchable biological materials and bio-inspired nanomaterials.

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.

Obese children more likely to suffer growth plate fractures

A new study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting found that obese children are 74 percent more likely to sustain a fracture of the growth plate. The study looked at 224 children and found that those with a higher BMI were more likely to experience low-energy impact injuries.

New NIST 'Cell assay on a chip': Solid results from simple means

The new device, created by Javier Atencia, features a diffusion-based gradient generator that reduces the risk of cell damage and offers simplicity. In experiments, cells were exposed to cycloheximide, resulting in increased fluorescence levels as the chemical concentration decreased.

Obstacles no barrier to higher speeds for worms, NYU researchers find

Researchers at New York University's Applied Math Lab found that obstacles can aid worm movement, contrary to common assumptions. The study, published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, used experiments and computer simulations to demonstrate how C. elegans worms navigate through lattice-like environments with ease.

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.

'Shish kebab' structure provides improved form of 'buckypaper'

Scientists have developed a new form of buckypaper, which eliminates a major drawback of these sheets of carbon nanotubes by introducing a 'shish kebab' structure that controls pore size and conductivity. This innovation has potential applications in body armor, batteries, and electronics.

Rare subset of diseases involving the lymphatic system

A rare subset of diseases affecting the lymphatic system, including lymphangiomatosis and Gorham's disease, are focused on in a special issue of Lymphatic Research and Biology. The articles shed light on current knowledge, ongoing research, and key differences from other lymphatic disorders.

Dogs succeed while chimps fail at following finger pointing

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dogs excel at interpreting pointing gestures, while chimps fail to identify objects of interest. This result suggests that dogs may possess a unique form of communication that challenges the long-held assumption that humans have a monopoly on this ability.

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.

Antenatal thyroid screening fails to improve IQ in 3-year-olds

Researchers tested over 20,000 pregnant women and their children's IQ at age three, finding no difference between treated and untreated groups. The study adds support to current UK guidelines against routine antenatal screening for hypothyroidism in pregnancy.

Researchers study parenting behaviors of stressed-out birds

Biologists Fran Bonier and Ignacio Moore investigate how stressed bird parents care for their young and respond to environmental challenges. The study aims to determine whether glucocorticoid levels affect bird parenting behaviors, with potential implications for understanding the effects of stress on organisms and evolution.

Boston University research suggests new pathways for cancer progression

Researchers at Boston University have created a 3D model that simulates the growth of cancer tumors, suggesting that softening of cancer cells accelerates proliferation and extends lifetime, leading to rapid tumor growth. The study provides a new quantitative approach to understanding tumor development based on mechanical properties.

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.

Hatchery fish mask the decline of wild salmon populations

A study reveals that hatchery-raised fish are replacing wild salmon in the river, masking a decline in wild populations. The researchers used ear bones to detect chemical signatures from hatchery feed, finding that only 10% of spawning fish were naturally produced.

Right hand or left? How the brain solves a perceptual puzzle

Researchers found that the brain decodes left or right hand without mental gymnastics, using processes called binding to bind seen and felt hands. The study's results have implications for understanding experiences of amputees and sensory processing.

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.

Older drivers can be trained to avoid car crashes

New research suggests that older drivers' problems at intersections are largely due to acquired bad habits, which can be unlearned through training. A training program significantly improved driving skills in older drivers, who were able to match younger drivers' performance on a driving simulator.

A mobile device for preventing and treating drug use

A mobile device called iHeal combines sensors to detect physiological changes and software applications to intervene in real-time. The device aims to prevent drug use by identifying trigger points for risky health behaviors.

Gene therapy for inherited blindness succeeds in patients' other eye

Researchers successfully improved vision in three adult patients who previously received gene therapy in one eye, achieving better light sensitivity and navigating obstacles in dim light. No immune reactions occurred during the readministering treatment, and unexpected benefits were observed in brain responses.

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.

New crime-fighting tools aim to deter and nab terrorists

The American Chemical Society is developing new crime-fighting tools to deter and catch terrorists, utilizing chemical forensics to trace weaponized toxic substances. The research aims to send a message to would-be terrorists that science is prepared to stop them.

Study examines role of bilingualism in children's development

A new study examined the role of bilingualism in children's development, finding slower language acquisition but better metalinguistic development. Bilingual children performed similarly to monolinguals in executive control tasks, but had an advantage when their languages overlapped.

Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed

The study provides a comprehensive reference manual for analyzing population genomics and quantitative traits in fruit flies. The DGRP consists of 192 genetically identical lines with varying genetic variation, facilitating the measurement of traits and unlocking secrets of quantitative traits.

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 study sheds light on genetics of rice metabolism

A new study has identified 131 rice metabolites and clarified the genetic and environmental factors that influence their production. The findings have significant implications for breeding improved rice grain varieties with increased nutritional value.

Heart disease may be a risk factor for prostate cancer

Researchers found a significant correlation between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer in a large study, suggesting that heart disease may be a risk factor for the malignancy. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and a healthy diet may help combat both conditions.

Tiny primate is ultrasonic communicator, Dartmouth professor finds

Tarsiers have been largely unchanged for 45 million years and possess the most extreme ultrasonic calls in the animal kingdom, surpassing all other primates. Researchers discovered that these animals emit ultrasonic alarm calls when humans are near, potentially as a means to evade detection by predators.

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.

Will bubble-powered microrockets zoom through the human stomach?

Researchers develop a new type of tiny motor called a microrocket that can propel itself through acidic environments without external energy, opening up medical and industrial applications. The microrocket generates hydrogen gas bubbles to propel itself at speeds up to 400 miles per hour.

Research team delves into the roots of hunger and eating

Research reveals that AgRP neurons drive feeding behaviors and undergo anatomical changes during fasting, becoming more active and responsive to hunger-promoting stimuli. The study provides insight into the neural mechanisms controlling weight gain and obesity.

5 University of Houston assistant professors receive NSF CAREER awards

The University of Houston assistant professors received NSF CAREER awards for their innovative work on graphene's optical properties, polymer-based cells, and environmental impact. Bao aims to confirm graphene's ability to act as an optical waveguide, while Moeller researches fundamental materials structure-property relationships.

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.

Scientists make iron transparent

Researchers at DESY have successfully made atomic nuclei transparent using X-ray light, a crucial step towards developing quantum computers. This achievement demonstrates the effect of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in atomic nuclei and has significant implications for the future of quantum computing.

ASTRO develops brain metastases guideline

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has developed a clinical practice guideline for the radiotherapeutic and surgical management of newly diagnosed brain metastases. The guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for choosing treatment modalities based on tumor factors and prognosis.

Here comes the sun…

Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of solar cell that can harness more of the energy from the sun. The hybrid cell absorbs red light and uses blue light to boost electrical current, enabling it to capture 44% of incoming solar energy.

Good timing: NIST/CU collaboration adds timing capability to living cell sensors

A NIST biophysicist and CU collaborator developed a microfluidic system that records biochemical reactions over milliseconds to seconds in living human cells modified as FRET sensors. The system measures sensor signals at two points in time at a rate of up to 15 cells per second, enabling the study of protein folding or neural activity.