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Science News Archive February 2012 - Page 11


Page 11 of 30

Deadly carbon monoxide prevents miscarriage

Researchers discovered that low-dose carbon monoxide therapy restored placental function, preventing fetal death and growth restriction. The treatment also showed anti-inflammatory properties and increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, promoting blood vessel repair.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMedical Gas Research·DateFeb 19, 2012

A surprising molecular switch

Researchers at the Stowers Institute have discovered a new mechanism controlling cell polarity in yeast. An enzyme called flippase flips phospholipids to create a polarized membrane, with all molecules involved found in both yeast and mammalian cells. This discovery opens up avenues for studying human diseases.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateFeb 19, 2012

A step toward better electronics

Researchers at Northwestern University have created a new method to oxidize graphene, overcoming the material's zero band-gap issue. The reversible oxidation process enables tunability of electronic properties, paving the way for high-performance applications.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 19, 2012

Scientists prove Turing's tiger stripe theory

Researchers have provided experimental evidence confirming Alan Turing's 1950s theory on how biological patterns such as tiger stripes are formed. The study identifies the specific morphogens involved in this process, including FGF and Shh, and demonstrates a mechanism that is widely relevant in vertebrate development.

SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 19, 2012

Single-atom transistor is 'perfect'

Researchers at University of New South Wales create perfect single-atom transistor for unparalleled computational efficiency, marking significant step towards quantum computer development. The device's precise accuracy and electronic characteristics match theoretical predictions, paving the way for future technological innovations.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateFeb 19, 2012

Atomtronics: A new phase

Researchers discover several new phases of atomtronic matter, including a 'bond-order solid' with strong long-range dipole interactions. These phases are associated with the controlled movement of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice and have potential applications for data encoding and quantum computing.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2012

A new EEG shows how brain tracts are formed

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a new EEG method to monitor brain development in premature infants. The technology has provided valuable insights into how brain tracts are formed and has enabled the detection of previously unexplained brain events, leading to improved treatments and care.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateFeb 18, 2012

Babies know what's fair

Infants exhibit longer looking times when one giraffe gets both toys or the slacker gets a reward in both experiments, indicating an expectation of fairness. The study suggests that children are born with innate expectations about fairness, shaped by culture and environment.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 17, 2012

Who goes there?

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have devised a new type of network that allows users to authenticate without relying on unique identities. The novel network structure eliminates identity theft, loss of anonymity and misplaced trust by using an addressing system with user-selected pseudonyms.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Security and Networks·DateFeb 17, 2012