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Science News Archive February 2012 - Page 7


Page 7 of 30

How cells brace themselves for starvation

A new study reveals that cells employ a dual-pump mechanism to maintain optimal nutrient levels, allowing for efficient preparation for starvation and rapid recovery afterwards. This regulatory system enables the cell to deal with fluctuations in nutrient supply, offering crucial survival advantages.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateFeb 23, 2012

New study shows promise for analyzing bladder pain syndrome

A pilot study shows promise for analyzing bladder pain syndrome by analyzing cells shed into the urine, providing a noninvasive alternative to bladder biopsies. The results show distinct gene signatures for inflammation in patients with Hunner lesions, similar to those found in previous studies of bladder biopsies.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateFeb 23, 2012

Genetic risk for elevated arsenic toxicity discovered

A large-scale genomic study in Bangladesh has identified genetic variants that increase the risk of skin lesions from chronic arsenic exposure. Variants near the enzyme responsible for metabolizing arsenic into a less toxic form were found, suggesting that individuals with these changes are more susceptible to arsenic-related disease.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 23, 2012

Fast-food menu calorie counts legally compliant but not as helpful to consumers as they should be

A study by Columbia University School of Nursing found that fast-food menu calorie counts are legally compliant, but the information is often unclear and difficult to interpret, particularly for low-income communities. The researchers developed a seven-item 'menu rating tool' to improve the usability of calorie postings.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of Urban Health·DateFeb 23, 2012
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.

Making droplets drop faster

Researchers at MIT have discovered new ways to pattern collecting surfaces to encourage droplets to form more rapidly, leading to improved efficiency in power plants and desalination systems. The findings also have potential applications in improving the performance of solar-power systems and computer chips.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 23, 2012

Virtual colonoscopy effective screening tool for adults over 65

A new study published in Radiology found that computed tomography (CT) colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy, is an effective screening tool for colorectal cancer in adults over 65. The study analyzed data from 477 patients over 65 and found high diagnostic accuracy rates comparable to those for younger patients.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateFeb 23, 2012

'Storm of the century' may become 'storm of the decade'

Researchers from Princeton University and MIT found that projected increases in sea level and storm intensity brought on by climate change would make devastating storm surges more frequent. They developed a simulation tool that can predict the severity of future flooding an area can expect.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 23, 2012

Study: Evolution of earliest horses driven by climate change

Scientists have discovered that early horses, such as Sifrhippus, shrunk in size during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum due to rising temperatures. This study provides evidence of a one-to-one relationship between temperature change and body size evolution.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalScience·DateFeb 23, 2012

Mechanism behind capacitor's high-speed energy storage discovered

A team of researchers at NC State University has discovered the mechanism behind high-speed energy storage in capacitors using a PVDF polymer. This finding could lead to more powerful and efficient electric cars that can accelerate quickly, rivaling gasoline-powered sports cars.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 23, 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.

Italian vineyards invaded from North America by new species of leafminer

The newly discovered Antispila oinophylla species, originating from eastern North America, is found to infest Italian vineyards, particularly on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Muscat grapes. The leafminer's life cycle and distribution have been studied in detail, highlighting the potential economic impact of this invasive species.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateFeb 23, 2012

Higher risk of autism among certain immigrant groups

A Swedish register study reveals that children born to certain immigrant groups have an increased risk of developing autism with intellectual disability. The study suggests that environmental factors may contribute to the development of autism, particularly for children whose mothers migrated just before or during pregnancy.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 23, 2012

Underage drinking laws reduce future criminal behavior

A recent study found that strictly enforcing possession of alcohol under the legal age reduces the likelihood of teenagers engaging in alcohol-related crime as adults. Teens who experienced strict enforcement were arrested less frequently for vandalism and assaults as young adults compared to those with more lenient laws.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateFeb 23, 2012

Study: Impulsive kids play more video games

Research found that impulsive children with attention problems tend to play more video games. Children who spend lots of time gaming also develop impulsivity and attention difficulties. The study collected data from over 3,000 children in Singapore.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology of Popular Media Culture·DateFeb 23, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New class of compounds stops disease-fueling inflammation in lab tests

Scientists developed a unique compound that blocks inflammation-causing molecules in blood cells, fueling diseases like cancer and cardiovascular disease. The compound, Phox-I, precisely targets an enzyme network, reducing ROS production without causing toxicity.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateFeb 23, 2012

Voters overrate favorite candidates

A new study from Northwestern University suggests that people consistently believe their preferred candidate will win an election, even if they're behind in the polls. The false consensus effect, a psychological phenomenon, is thought to be driving this trend.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2012

Memory formation triggered by stem cell development

A study by RIKEN-MIT Center found that specific neurons in the dentate gyrus serve distinct roles in memory formation based on whether they were produced from young or old neural stem cells. This discovery could lead to new drug targets for treating memory impairments associated with PTSD and aging.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell·DateFeb 23, 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.

Molding the business end of neurotoxins

Venomous creatures' active surfaces evolve rapidly in response to environmental constraints, while non-active 'structural' surfaces change minimally. This phenomenon supports the Red Queen's hypothesis and may aid in designing novel synthetic proteins with tailored pharmaceutical properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·DateFeb 23, 2012

Researchers confirm WIC breastfeeding rate data

Researchers verified that WIC administrative records accurately reflect breastfeeding practices among over 2000 low-income mothers. The study's findings provide a critical resource for nationwide breastfeeding surveillance and monitoring systems.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Human Lactation·DateFeb 22, 2012

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 22, 2012

Research identifies increased expression of Dyrk1a as a potential explanation for the increased risk of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) in children with Down syndrome. A candidate therapeutic target, small-molecule inhibitors of DYRK1A activity, have been proposed.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 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.

Academic inventors critical to American innovation

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is working closely with the National Academy of Inventors to promote American academic innovation. The collaboration aims to recognize and support inventors at universities, enhance visibility of university technology, and encourage disclosure of intellectual property.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalJournal of Technology and Innovation·DateFeb 22, 2012

The heart beats to the rhythm of a circadian clock

A study published in Nature found a link between the circadian clock and sudden cardiac death, revealing that the controller of the circadian clock, Klf15, affects potassium flow out of heart muscle cells. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and increased risk of deadly arrhythmias.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2012
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.

MOFs special review issue

Researchers analyzed over 4,000 studies on MOFs, concluding they have immense potential for various applications. The special issue of Chemical Reviews presents the latest advances and prospects for commercial applications of these materials.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical Reviews·DateFeb 22, 2012

Web security start-up receives $1.1 million

StopTheHacker, a UC Riverside graduate-led start-up, has received $1.1 million in funding to launch sales and marketing of its web site security product that uses artificial intelligence algorithms to detect malware. The company aims to help small and medium-sized businesses protect themselves against hacker attacks.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateFeb 22, 2012

Broken hearts really hurt

Recent studies have found that physical and social pain are processed in the same brain regions, with shared emotional components. This overlap is validated by research, suggesting that people who experience social rejection may be more empathetic towards those with physical pain.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateFeb 22, 2012

Cancer discovery shows promise of new drugs

Researchers at UCSF have discovered a new class of drugs that target the mTOR protein, which is hyperactive in many forms of cancer. The new drugs block mTOR more completely than previous ones, effectively hobbles cancer cells and prevents metastasis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Chronic stress in elephants can affect long-term behavior

Research on elephants in South Africa reveals chronic stress leads to 'refuge behavior,' changing space use and preferences. Higher physiological stress levels result in 20-43% lower land usage, highlighting the need for wildlife management projects to consider these effects.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2012

Toxic aldehydes detected in reheated oil

Researchers have discovered toxic aldehydes in food oils, including sunflower oil, which can be harmful when heated. The study found that these compounds are present even after cooking, posing a risk to human health.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalFood Chemistry·DateFeb 22, 2012

NIH-funded science on hearing research at annual ARO meeting

Researchers discuss advancements in cochlear implant technology and spiral ganglion cell regeneration, aiming to improve sound localization and processing. They also explore strategies for auditory training of older adults to enhance speech understanding in noisy environments.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·DateFeb 22, 2012

Research discovers potentially deadly fungus senses body's defenses to evade them

A research team has found that opportunistic fungi like Candida albicans can sense the immune status of host cells and adapt to evade immune system defenses. The study reveals that these fungi bind to a key immune signaling molecule, Interleukin 17A, allowing them to survive and even cause disease in immunosuppressed patients.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2012

New melanoma drug nearly doubles survival in majority of patients

A new melanoma drug, vemurafenib (Zelboraf), has been shown to nearly double the median overall survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. The Phase 2 trial found that 53% of patients responded to treatment and experienced improved survival rates.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2012
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.

Phobia's effect on perception of feared object allows fear to persist

Researchers found that individuals with a fear of spiders perceive the spiders as larger than they really are, which can lead to avoidance and persistence of the phobia. This warped perception doesn't necessarily interfere with daily living but can impact treatment outcomes.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders·DateFeb 22, 2012

Ancient rock art found in Brazil

Researchers have discovered an extremely old anthropomorphic figure engraved in rock in Brazil, dating back to between 9,000 and 12,000 years ago. The find supports the hypothesis that humans settled the New World relatively early and suggests a diverse range of symbolic thinking among early American settlers.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2012

'Miracle material' graphene is thinnest known anti-corrosion coating

Researchers have discovered that graphene provides exceptional corrosion protection, even at a single layer thickness, outperforming conventional coatings. The study's findings suggest graphene could be ideal for applications where a thin coating is necessary, such as in microelectronic components.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 22, 2012
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.

Climate change affects bird migration timing in North America

A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change is affecting bird migration timing in North America, with species shifting their arrival times by as much as 3-6 days per degree Celsius. The study used citizen science data from amateur birdwatchers to analyze the effects of spring temperature warming on migration patterns.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2012

A faster way to catch cells

A new microfluidic device can isolate target cells much faster than existing devices, using a soft membrane with nanoscale pores to guide fluid and bring cells in contact with antibodies. This technology could be used for point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine applications, such as cancer diagnosis.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 22, 2012

Cognitive rehabilitation improves brain performance in patients with MS

A study published in Radiology found that computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation improved attention and information processing skills in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The rehabilitation program showed modifications in brain activity correlated with cognitive improvement, without structural changes in the brain.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateFeb 22, 2012

Local cops on front lines against product counterfeiting

A new report from Michigan State University criminologists found that local police were involved in nearly half of the identified product counterfeiting cases related to Michigan, highlighting their crucial role in combating this growing crime. The study also revealed alarming statistics, including a $3 million fine for an individual c...

SourceMichigan State University·DateFeb 22, 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.

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.

Injectable gel could repair tissue damaged by heart attack

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have developed an injectable hydrogel that could repair cardiac tissue damaged by heart attacks. The gel promotes positive remodeling-type response and is compatible with catheter delivery, offering a minimally invasive treatment option.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 22, 2012

Uncovered: Genetic cause of complex disease seen in Irish Traveller community

Researchers have discovered that mutations in the MCM4 gene are responsible for a complex inherited condition affecting adrenal glands, growth, and immune cells in the Irish Traveller community. The findings provide deep insight into DNA replication and genomic instability, potentially increasing cancer risk.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 22, 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.

Education doesn't increase support for affirmative action among whites, minorities

A study by Geoffrey T. Wodtke finds that education does not increase support for affirmative action among whites and minorities, contradicting the common view that education is uniformly liberalizing. However, it does increase support for race-targeted job training. Education also has no effect on negative stereotyping among Asians.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalSocial Psychology Quarterly·DateFeb 22, 2012

Study: Increasingly, children's books are where the wild things aren't

A recent study found a steady decline in illustrations of natural environments and wild animals in award-winning children's picture books. The researchers examined nearly 8,100 images from nearly 300 Caldecott Medal winners and found that built environments dominated the scene, with natural environments and wild animals virtually absent.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalSociological Inquiry·DateFeb 22, 2012

Theory of the 'rotting' Y chromosome dealt a fatal blow

A team of Whitehead Institute scientists confirms that the human Y chromosome has not lost a single ancestral gene in the past 25 million years. The study, published in Nature, contradicts the 'rotting Y' theory and suggests the Y chromosome has been genetically stable since its divergence from other chromosomes 25 million years ago.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 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.