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Science News Archive January 2012


Page 15 of 24

Reverse inclusion and the question of disability

A University of Alberta study found that female athletes with disabilities value the inclusion of able-bodied teammates for promoting equality, strength, and competition opportunities. However, differences in injury experiences and perceptions of disability still exist.

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.

Researchers use sugar to halt esophageal cancer in its tracks

Scientists have discovered a new mechanism to identify Barrett's dysplasia cells using fluorescent probes and sugar molecules. This technology has the potential to monitor patients with pre-cancerous conditions and prevent the development of esophageal cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Good parents are predictable -- at least when it comes to corn

Researchers at the University of Hohenheim have developed a new technique to select promising parent plants for corn breeding, allowing for faster development of high-yielding varieties. By analyzing DNA and substance composition, scientists can predict a plant's genetic potency and breeding capabilities, saving time, money, and acreage.

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.

Ultra short telomeres linked to osteoarthritis

Research shows that ultra short telomeres in osteoarthritic knees are associated with increased severity of OA and proximity to the most damaged section. Abnormally shortened telomeres may lead to senescence, failure of joint repair and progression of the disease.

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.

Neural balls and strikes: Where categories live in the brain

Neural recordings reveal brain activity that encodes visual categories in the posterior parietal cortex, outperforming the prefrontal cortex. The study suggests that the parietal cortex is more involved in the categorization process, particularly for spatial and visual tasks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Diverse ecosystems are crucial climate change buffer

A new landmark study confirms that diverse ecosystems perform more ecological functions and are vital for carbon sequestration and soil health. Dryland ecosystems covering 40% of the Earth's land surface support 40% of its people, making them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

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.

Graphene quantum dots: The next big small thing

A Rice University-led team discovered a one-step chemical process to create graphene quantum dots from carbon fiber. The sub-5 nanometer carbon-based quantum dots are highly soluble and have controllable size, with potential for biomedical imaging, protein analysis, and cell tracking.

Magnetic actuation enables nanoscale thermal analysis

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique for nanoscale thermal analysis, enabling rapid measurements on stiff materials. This method uses magnetic actuation to modulate the tip-sample force near the atomic scale.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

VTT: One-third of car fuel consumption is due to friction loss

A third of car fuel consumption is due to friction loss, which can be reduced with new technologies like surface coatings, lubricant additives, and low-friction tyres. By reducing friction, drivers can save up to 18% fuel consumption within 5-10 years, and carbon dioxide emissions could decrease by 290 million tonnes per year.

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.

Titanium dioxide film enhances the sun's natural disinfection power

A prototype water purification reactor containing a thin film of titanium dioxide demonstrates enhanced natural disinfection properties. The device can kill pathogens up to 10 times more effectively than conventional solar disinfection methods, making it suitable for countries with sunny climates and scarce resources.

Neurodisabled children to have a say in care

A new study will assess the views and experiences of children with neurodisability and their families to measure the outcomes of NHS care. The CHUMS project aims to gather insights into patient-reported outcome measures for disabled children and young people.

Optical nanoantennas enable efficient multipurpose particle manipulation

Researchers at University of Illinois have demonstrated the use of arrays of gold Bowtie Nanoantenna Arrays for multipurpose optical trapping and manipulation of submicrometer- to micrometer-sized objects. This enables highly efficient, optical tweezers with low-input power densities, useful for optofluidic applications and manipulatin...

Receptor for tasting fat identified in humans

Researchers have identified a human receptor that can taste fat, suggesting individual variability in sensing fat's presence. People with a specific genetic variant of the CD36 gene are more sensitive to fat, making it easier to detect.

In tackling lead pollution, fungi may be our friends

Researchers found that fungi can transform lead into pyromorphite, a more stable mineral form, which could be useful for cleaning up lead-polluted sites. The discovery suggests that introducing fungi may be a viable treatment option for containing lead in contaminated soils.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New culprit discovered in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Researchers identify genetic alterations in T-ALL that work together to cause the devastating childhood cancer, providing new potential treatment strategies. The study reveals a dynamic interplay between Notch and PRC2 function, showing how deregulation of PRC2 fuels the development of T-ALL.

Don't know much about charter schools

Researchers argue that most charter school studies use unsophisticated methods, failing to account for differences in student backgrounds and academic histories. Lottery-based studies suggest charters perform as well as traditional public schools, but these findings are limited by low representation rates. Value-added research is propo...

Girl power surges in India

A Northwestern University study shows that India's affirmative action law for village councils has a positive impact on young women's aspirations and behavior. The law gave girls direct role models, leading to increased attendance at school and reduced household chores, as well as improved attitudes toward higher education goals.