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Science News for January 5, 2012


Relay race with single atoms: New ways of manipulating matter

Researchers have successfully visualized relay reactions at the atomic scale using a scanning tunneling microscope. This breakthrough allows for controlled transfer of hydrogen atoms along molecular chains, potentially enabling new information exchange methods in future electronics.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 5, 2012

Dialysis treatments go green

A new study finds that solar-powered hemodialysis can reduce power costs by up to 76.5% and generate effectively free energy. The researchers advocate for implementing water conservation and waste management systems in dialysis programs to further reduce environmental impact.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 5, 2012
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Experts suggest all hospitalized patients have blood glucose levels tested

The Endocrine Society releases a clinical practice guideline recommending that all hospitalized patients, regardless of diabetes status, have their blood glucose levels tested. This can help prevent complications and mortality associated with hyperglycemia in non-critically ill patients.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 5, 2012
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.

Couch potato or elite athlete? A happy medium keeps colds at bay!

Regular moderate exercise reduces the risk of catching respiratory infections like colds by up to a third, thanks to long-term improvement in immunity. However, prolonged strenuous exercise increases the likelihood of illness, making athletes more susceptible to upper respiratory tract infections.

SourceMicrobiology Society·DateJan 5, 2012

The bigger picture of population genomics

Researchers have developed a software package called PoPoolation2 to compare population data, facilitating the study of evolution and adaptation. The tool uses next-generation sequencing methods to determine allele frequencies between populations, providing insights into evolutionary processes.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalBioinformatics·DateJan 5, 2012

Light makes write for DNA information-storage device

A team of researchers has created a 'write-once-read-many-times' DNA-based memory device that can encode information using ultraviolet light. The device, made from salmon DNA and silver nanoparticles, retains information indefinitely.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 5, 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.

Whiff of 'love hormone' helps monkeys show a little kindness

Researchers found that oxytocin administration enhanced prosocial choices in rhesus macaques, making them pay attention to each other and choose to give juice to a neighbor. The hormone also increased gaze duration when choosing to reward another monkey, suggesting improved social skills.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2012

Dogs read our intent

Researchers used eye-tracking technology to find that dogs are receptive to human communication in a manner similar to young children, responding more to verbal cues and intentions than just words. Dogs' brains show sensitivity to communicative intent through verbal addressing and eye contact.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 5, 2012

American Mathematical Society to award prizes

The American Mathematical Society has awarded several major prizes, including the AMS Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement and the AMS-SIAM George David Birkhoff Prize in Applied Mathematics. The winners include IVO M. Babuska, Michael Aschbacher, William P. Thurston, and Dana McKenzie, among others.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateJan 5, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Focusing on family helps mothers of technology-dependent children function

A recent study by researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that mothers who successfully integrate the care of their technology-dependent child into family life experience improved family functioning and normalcy. Mothers whose children no longer require technologies showed the greatest improvement.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalResearch in Nursing & Health·DateJan 5, 2012

Flatworm flouts fundamental rule of biology

Researchers have discovered that flatworms can regenerate without centrosomes, a cellular structure essential for cell division in all animals. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that centrosomes are crucial for cell division.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalScience·DateJan 5, 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.

Why humans choose running over walking

At around 2 meters per second, running makes better use of a key calf muscle than walking, increasing efficiency and conserving energy. This discovery sheds light on why speed walking is generally confined to the Olympics.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2012

Making personal health records more usable

A study examined the user experience of popular functions in the Department of Veterans Affairs' My HealtheVet system, finding that users found the prescription refill function particularly useful. Patients also sought features that would allow them to easily download and share their health information with healthcare providers.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateJan 5, 2012

Role of retail chains in inflation measurement and price dynamics

A new study by Columbia Business School researchers found that retailer characteristics, not individual stores, explain variation in price dynamics. The analysis used millions of price observations to document high-frequency price movements across stores and chains.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalJournal of Econometrics·DateJan 5, 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.

New drug screening identifies chemical agents with potent anti-cancer activity

A recent study identified effective agents from approved drugs with anti-cancer activity in thyroid cancer cells, offering potential repurposing opportunities for aggressive recurrent or metastatic cases. The compounds found had potent activity across different therapeutic categories and modes of action.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 5, 2012

Wildlife Conservation Society documents pneumonia outbreak in endangered markhor

A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that a pneumonia outbreak among endangered markhors in Tajikistan reduced their numbers by as much as 20 percent. The disease is believed to have been transmitted from domestic goats, highlighting the need for continuous disease surveillance.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJan 5, 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.

3-dimensional view of 1-dimensional nanostructures

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that individual gallium nitride nanowires exhibit strong piezoelectricity in three dimensions, with efficiency up to six times greater than bulk material. This finding has significant implications for the development of nanogenerators capable of powering self-powered devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

Low vitamin D levels linked to depression, UT Southwestern psychiatrists report

A study of nearly 12,600 participants found that higher vitamin D levels were associated with a decreased risk of current depression, particularly among those with a prior history of depression. Low vitamin D levels were linked to depressive symptoms in patients with a history of depression.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJan 5, 2012

Who's the boss? Research shows cells influence their own destiny

A recent study by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute found that B cells can have multiple fates, including death, division, antibody production, or changes in antibody type. The researchers proposed that cell fates are determined by internal processes rather than external cues.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalScience·DateJan 5, 2012

Down to the wire: Silicon links shrink to atomic scale

Researchers successfully created the narrowest conducting wires in silicon with a diameter of just one atom, exhibiting excellent electrical properties and beating out copper. This breakthrough could pave the way for atomic-scale components in future quantum computers.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience·DateJan 5, 2012
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cancer drugs help the hardest cases of Pompe disease

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a low-dose combination therapy using cancer medicines to eliminate or prevent the immune response in children with Pompe disease. This treatment has saved the lives of four patients who were previously predicted to fail enzyme replacement therapy.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalGenetics in Medicine·DateJan 5, 2012

Graphene's piezoelectric promise

Engineers created graphene's pseudo-piezoelectric behavior by punching triangle-shaped holes into it, producing strong piezoelectricity comparable to well-known substances like quartz. The results have the potential to open new avenues for graphene and applications relying on piezoelectricity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

School pupils learn about practical philosophy

Taking part in philosophical dialogue sessions improved children's listening skills, respect for others, and ability to consider alternative perspectives. The Community of Philosophical Inquiry approach also helped them analyze problems and make informed decisions.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·DateJan 5, 2012

World's first chimeric monkeys are born

Researchers have successfully produced chimeric monkeys with six distinct genomes, expanding the scope of biomedical research. The breakthrough suggests limitations in using cultured embryonic stem cells and highlights the importance of studying primate and human embryos.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJan 5, 2012
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.

Many drug control initiatives to date based on insufficient evidence

Emerging evidence-based interventions can make drugs less available, reduce violence in drug markets, and lessen misuse of legal drugs. The Lancet Series on Addiction suggests that policy makers should focus on interventions with the largest potential population effect and strongest evidence of effectiveness.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 5, 2012

Earth's massive extinction: The story gets worse

Researchers have discovered that massive volcanic eruptions in the late Permian period likely caused the extinction of nearly all marine species and a majority of land life. Mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than today's human-caused emissions, contributing to the loss of 95% of life in the sea.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalGeology·DateJan 5, 2012

You say you don't care about dating a hottie?

A new methodology developed by Northwestern University researchers reveals that people's implicit, split-second responses to physically attractive individuals better predict their attraction to them. This challenges the idea that stated preferences for partners accurately reflect one's true desires.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJan 5, 2012

UGA scientists 'hijack' bacterial immune system

Researchers have discovered how to harness the bacterial immune system to selectively target and silence genes. This finding has far-reaching implications for biotechnology and biomedical research, allowing for the modification of gene expression in bacteria used for biofuels and pharmaceuticals.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 5, 2012
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Crucial gene activator in slow-killing parasite identified

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a gene activator, Mef2, crucial to the development of schistosomes in humans. The discovery provides a potential target for a vaccine to prevent the disease, which affects over 200 million people worldwide.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 5, 2012

Graphene rips follow rules

Research from Rice University and UC Berkeley reveals graphene tears along energetically favorable lines, creating desirable edges. The study suggests a new way to control graphene's electrical properties by manipulating its edges.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 5, 2012

Cell-CT: A new dimension in breast cancer research

Researchers used Cell-CT technology to examine cells in 3D, revealing subtle cellular details inaccessible by conventional microscopy. The study found that cancerous cells had distinct nuclear shapes and sizes, which can be used as biosignatures for disease staging and diagnosis.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 5, 2012

Flexible adult stem cells, right there in your eye

Adult stem cells have been found in the retina of the eye, which can divide and form other cell types. This discovery opens up potential treatments for diseases like age-related macular degeneration, as these cells may be able to repair damaged tissue.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 5, 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.

Platform safety on the radar for researchers

A new radar system uses ultra-wideband radio waves to quickly identify objects on train tracks, including luggage items and people who may have fallen. The system has been successfully tested in simulations and real-life experiments, showing its potential to prevent serious accidents and reduce delays.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalMeasurement Science and Technology·DateJan 5, 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.

Chinese herbal medicine may provide novel treatment for alcohol abuse

Researchers at UCLA have identified dihydromyricetin as a potential treatment for acute alcohol intoxication and withdrawal symptoms. The compound blocks the action of alcohol on the brain's GABAA receptors, reducing voluntary consumption without major side effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·DateJan 5, 2012

Nanocrystals make dentures shine

Researchers from Jena University developed a new type of glass ceramic that can be used in dentistry due to its high strength and optical characteristics. The material, which is composed of nanocrystals, achieves a strength five times higher than comparable denture ceramics available today.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateJan 5, 2012
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

OHSU research produces the world's first primate chimeric offspring

Scientists at OHSU successfully produced the world's first primate chimeric offspring, three baby rhesus macaques, shedding light on stem cell functions and abilities in primates compared to rodents. The research has significant implications for regenerative medicine, particularly in treating diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalCell·DateJan 5, 2012

Rice's Grande-Allen wins AHA Established Investigator Award

Jane Grande-Allen, Rice University's first faculty member to win the award, will receive a five-year research grant to study the unique biological properties of heart valves. Her goal is to develop novel therapies for valve disease and create living, healing heart-valve replacements.

SourceRice University·DateJan 5, 2012

Colorful plates boost a picky eater's appetite

A new study published in Acta Paediatrica found that children prefer colorful food plates with multiple items and figurative designs, while adults tend to prefer simpler arrangements. The study suggests that adding color to meals can make nutritionally diverse foods more appealing to picky eaters.

SourceCornell University·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateJan 5, 2012
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.