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Science News for January 13, 2012


I recognize you! But how did I do it?

Researchers found that Malaysian Chinese use a unique mixed strategy to recognize faces, focusing on the eyes and nose more than the mouth, which proved advantageous for accurate recognition of Chinese and Caucasian faces.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 13, 2012

Fly named in honor of Beyonce

A new species of horse fly, Scaptia (Plinthina) beyonceae, has been discovered in Australia and named after Beyoncé. The fly's golden abdomen makes it a unique specimen. Horse flies are important pollinators of plants, acting like hummingbirds during the day.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAustralian Journal of Entomology·DateJan 13, 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.

Keeping an eye on the Universe

The CalTech-led Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey has released a massive dataset of 200 million celestial objects, including stars, supernovae, and asteroids. This unprecedented data set will enable scientists to study the evolution of stars, massive black holes, and the structure of the Milky Way.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateJan 13, 2012

Researchers identify possible receptor for key breast cancer regulator

A possible receptor for the key breast cancer regulator Tumor Differentiating Factor (TDF) has been identified by researchers at Clarkson University. The receptor, labeled TDF-R, is found exclusively in breast cancer cells and shows specificity, suggesting its potential as a target for new therapies.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 13, 2012

Predicting the value of indexing symptoms for ovarian cancer

Researchers reassessed symptom indices to detect ovarian cancer early on, finding similar results to previous reports and a limited benefit in advancing diagnosis. The study highlights the challenges of detecting ovarian cancer early due to its biology, screening limitations, and clinical characteristics.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 13, 2012
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.

Energy-saving chaperon Hsp90

Researchers from TUM proved that Hsp90 utilizes thermal fluctuations as the driving force for its conformational changes. Key findings show that the chaperone protein is highly flexible and can switch between conformations using random environmental collisions, saving valuable ATP energy.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2012

Surprising results from smoke inhalation study

A Loyola University Chicago study discovered that patients who died from smoke inhalation injuries had lower inflammatory responses in their lungs compared to those who survived. Researchers found that immune system modulators were present at lower concentrations in the lungs of deceased patients, contradicting expectations.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJournal of Burn Care & Research·DateJan 13, 2012

UofL researcher earns the Foundation for Polish Science Prize

Jan Potempa's discoveries on Porphyromonas gingivalis have led to a new understanding of the origin of gum tissue inflammation. His research may lead to the development of more effective medications to combat periodontal disease and reduce the risk of heart disease and arthritis.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·DateJan 13, 2012

Managing private and public adaptation to climate change

Research by Dr Emma Tompkins and Hallie Eakin finds individuals and private sectors support public adaptations to climate change, enhancing resilience. Institutional mechanisms like social contracts and modified reporting are required to scale up such activities.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateJan 13, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA Goddard spacecraft cleanroom goes green

The MMS cleanroom features state-of-the-art technology that filters air to remove contaminants with 30% less energy under low-load conditions. This design choice saves NASA tens of thousands of dollars in electric bills each year, paving the way for future facility innovations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 13, 2012

Wearing contact lenses can affect glaucoma measurements

A study by Marie Brenner and colleagues found that contact lenses improve retinal nerve fiber layer measurements in patients with higher refractive errors but have a negative impact on those with lower refractive errors. The researchers aim to improve glaucoma diagnosis and management through their findings.

SourceLoyola Medicine·DateJan 13, 2012
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.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's LAMP reveals lunar surface features

The Lyman Alpha Mapping Project detects water frost and high surface porosities in lunar permanently shadowed regions, challenging previous assumptions about its loss and accumulation. This finding adds to the understanding of the Moon's water resources and supports future exploration and potential permanent base considerations.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateJan 13, 2012

Zebrafish may help speed drug discovery

Researchers use zebrafish to quickly assess potential compounds, reducing the number of candidates from 2,500 to 20-30 for further testing. This technology has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery by providing more thorough information about how compounds affect living organisms.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 13, 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.

Software for analyzing digital pathology images proving its usefulness

A new software tool called Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ) has been developed to analyze digital pathology images with high accuracy. The program was tested on a case of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma and showed promise in separating malignancy from background tissue.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnalytical Cellular Pathology·DateJan 13, 2012

Contracts in the classroom

A new study found that a contract grading system leads to higher grades and higher student satisfaction compared to traditional points-based courses. Students who signed a contract aimed for a specific grade and completed more assignments received better grades, indicating increased motivation and engagement.

SourceSAGE·JournalSAGE Open·DateJan 13, 2012