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Science News Archive February 2012


Page 4 of 30

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Modified bone drug kills malaria parasite in mice

Researchers have discovered a modified bone drug that can effectively kill the malaria parasite in infected mice, working at very low concentrations with no toxicity observed. The new compound, BPH-703, targets a key enzyme essential for the parasite's survival and immune evasion.

Coral reef study traces indirect effects of overfishing

A study on Kenyan reefs found that the loss of predatory fish leads to an explosion in sea urchin populations, damaging the reef structure and reducing crustose coralline algae growth. This reduces coral recruitment by lowering juvenile coral densities on fished reefs.

HFSA updates recommendations for use of cardiac resynchronization therapy

The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) has updated recommendations for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), expanding its use to a larger group of patients with mild heart failure symptoms. CRT devices synchronize the left ventricle's contraction, improving efficiency and survival in moderate or severe heart failure patients.

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.

Which type of obesity surgery is best?

A new UK-based study will compare gastric bypass and stomach band surgeries to determine which is most effective in improving patients' quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. The BY-BAND study, led by the University of Bristol, aims to enroll over 700 participants and follow their outcomes for up to three years.

Reduction in US carbon emissions attributed to cheaper natural gas

In 2009, US greenhouse gas emissions from power generation decreased by 8.76 percent, primarily driven by the lower price of natural gas compared to coal. A new econometric model developed at Harvard University suggests that a carbon tax could further reduce emissions with negligible impact on electricity prices.

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.

Amoeba may offer key clue to photosynthetic evolution

Researchers from Carnegie Institution have identified a type of amoeba with two photosynthetic compartments that originated from an endosymbiotic cyanobacterium. The study sheds light on the early stages of chloroplast evolution and provides insight into how eukaryotic cells 'enslave' bacteria to form organelles.

Hearing loss linked to 3-fold risk of falling

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links hearing loss to a three-fold increased risk of falling among the elderly. The findings suggest that people with hearing loss may have reduced awareness of their environment and an increased cognitive load, making them more prone to falls.

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.

Prostate cancer treatment overused in some older patients

Research at Yale University reveals that prostate cancer treatment is often not necessary for older men with short life expectancy. The study found that cancer treatment became more common among men with moderate-risk tumors and shorter life expectancies, despite being unlikely to benefit from it.

Upper class more likely to be scofflaws

A recent study from UC Berkeley found that individuals from the upper class are more likely to exhibit unethical behavior, including cutting off others on the road and deceiving job candidates. The researchers attribute this tendency to a positive attitude towards greed, which primes participants to engage in self-serving behaviors.

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.

The poor, in fact, are less likely to sue their doctor

A study published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research finds that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients actually sue physicians less frequently than other patient groups. This disparity is attributed to unconscious biases and limitations in accessing legal resources, which can affect the quality of medical care and the doct...

Frontal attack or stealth?

Research reveals that bacteria can cause disease through frontal attack or stealthy manipulation of the host's immune system. Bacteria that destroy phagocytes have low infectivity, while those with high growth rates and quorum-sensing capabilities are more infectious.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New research shows childhood adversity causes changes in genetics

Research reveals that childhood maltreatment and parental loss can lead to epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor gene, increasing stress sensitivity and blunted cortisol responses. This association has significant public health implications, suggesting potential treatments to reverse epigenetic effects of childhood adversity.

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids may cause memory problems

A study published in Neurology found that people with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids had lower brain volumes equivalent to about two years of structural brain aging. Omega-3 deficiency was also linked to poorer performance on tests of visual memory and executive function.

National Academy of Inventors holds inaugural annual conference

The National Academy of Inventors held its inaugural annual conference, featuring USPTO Director David Kappos' address on patent process improvements. Kappos discussed the agency's efforts to reduce the patent backlog and emphasized the importance of innovation in fostering economic growth.

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.

Establishing a new scalar curvature flow method

Researchers from National University of Singapore and Nanjing University establish a new scalar curvature flow method to solve the prescribing scalar curvature problem. The method adapts Hamilton's Ricci flow approach and infinitely dimensional Morse theory to tackle the problem, providing a stronger conclusion than previous methods.

Scripps study finds higher death risk with sleeping pills

A Scripps Clinic study found that sleeping pill users are at a 4.6 times higher risk of death, with rates of new cancers being 35% higher among regular users. The research suggests alternatives to hypnotic medications and emphasizes the importance of treating underlying psychological disorders.

Work-focused psychotherapy can help employees return to work sooner

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that work-focused psychotherapy can help employees return to work faster and improve their mental health over time. Employees who received this therapy were able to fully return to work on average 65 days earlier than those in standard therapy, with significant impro...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Diabetes drug gets patients with Type 2 diabetes on target

A new study published in The Lancet shows that TAK-875, a novel oral medication, significantly improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The results suggest that targeting free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) may be a viable therapeutic target for treating type 2 diabetes.

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.

Researchers get first full look at prehistoric New Zealand penguin

Researchers have reconstructed the giant prehistoric New Zealand penguin, Kairuku, from two separate fossils, providing new insights into its body shape and uniqueness. The reconstruction reveals a slender body, long flippers, and short legs, standing around 4-feet-2 inches tall.

A study analyzes the causes of the trafficking of women in China

A recent study analyzing the causes of women's trafficking in China reveals a staggering 30 million males unable to find female partners. The authors attribute this issue to a decades-long imbalance between births, which has created a lucrative market for human trafficking.

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.

Drug-free housing for substance abusers leaving detox linked to fewer relapses

New Johns Hopkins research shows that providing recovery housing coupled with day treatment significantly increases the chances of remaining drug-free six months later. Participants who received housing and day treatment had a nearly 10 times higher chance of staying abstinent than those released from detox with minimal assistance.

Irregular heartbeat strong predictor of decline in people at risk of heart disease

A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found a strong link between irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) and cognitive decline, dementia, and loss of independence in daily activities. Researchers analyzed data from two large trials and found that patients with atrial fibrillation were 34% more likely to experienc...

Solving a spintronic mystery

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Notre Dame have determined the origin of charge-carriers in gallium manganese arsenide, a material promising for spintronic devices. The study reveals that holes controlling Curie temperature are located in an impurity band, opening possibilities to expand its width and boost performance.

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.

How to rescue the immune system

Researchers developed a novel technique to turn immune system killer T cells into more effective weapons by delivering DNA into instructor cells. The method proved effective in jumpstarting defective immune systems in immuno-compromised mice and human killer T cells, paving the way for potential cancer therapy.

Math can save Tylenol overdose patients

Researchers created a new method using calculus equations to estimate acetaminophen overdose patient prognosis, predicting those who can survive with antidote treatment versus those needing a liver transplant. The study analyzed 53 patients and showed the method's accuracy in determining survival outcomes.

Dental pulp stem cells transformed by 'bad breath' chemical

Researchers have successfully differentiated human dental pulp stem cells into liver cells using hydrogen sulphide, producing high numbers of pure cells. This breakthrough offers promising results for future liver-cell therapy and transplantation without the risk of teratomas or cancers.

Elusive platelet count and limb development gene discovered

Researchers have identified a gene responsible for Thrombocytopenia with Absent Radii (TAR), a rare inherited blood and skeletal disorder. The discovery enables the development of a medical test for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling in affected families.

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.

Call for tough new targets on European Union energy reduction

Energy efficiency experts propose a new EU target of a 40% reduction in primary energy demand by 2050, arguing that radically improving building efficiency is crucial for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed target aligns with the ambitions of the new Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey.

Some bacteria attack using spring-loaded poison daggers

Researchers discovered the structure of type VI secretion system apparatus and proposed how it works by firing spring-loaded molecular daggers. The nano-weapon can pierce cell membranes and inject proteins, evading detection for decades with traditional electron microscopy.

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.

Volcanoes deliver 2 flavors of water

Researchers found unique changes in hydrogen and boron isotopes in submarine volcanic glass near subduction zones, indicating ancient oceanic slabs can return to the upper mantle and interact with modern seawater. This discovery suggests hydrogen diffusion rates in the deep Earth may be slower than expected.