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Science News Archive January 2012


Page 7 of 24

Geosphere science posted online ahead of print -- Jan. 12-23

Recent geosphere research interprets Eocene–Early Miocene paleotopography in Nevada and examines the origin of the Colorado Mineral Belt. The study also investigates Miocene magmatism in the Bodie Hills volcanic field, California and Nevada, and compares mountain building processes in Alaska.

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.

Olivucci models potential of toxic algae photoreceptors

Using computer simulations at the Ohio Supercomputer Center, researchers aim to engineer cyanobacteria to thrive in diverse illumination conditions. By understanding light sensing and harvesting in Anabaena sensory rhodopsin bacteria, they hope to develop new properties for alternative energy via microbial conversion of light energy.

Warning over cost of asthma caused by traffic-related air pollution

A new study reveals the true extent of healthcare costs associated with living close to busy roads, estimating annual costs of $18 million in two Southern California communities. The 'asthma career cost' method takes into account childhood asthma cases and broad costs, exceeding average household income levels.

Scientists create first free-standing 3-D cloak

Researchers in the US have successfully cloaked a three-dimensional object standing in free space using a method known as plasmonic cloaking. The technique uses ordinary materials to bend light around objects, cancelling out scattering and rendering them invisible at all angles of observation.

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.

Mechanism sheds light on how the brain adapts to stress

Researchers discovered a novel intracellular signaling pathway controlling stress-induced CRH gene expression, revealing a key role for Orthopedia protein in stress adaptation. This regulation is critical for neuronal adaptation and failure to activate or terminate the CRH response can lead to chronic pathological conditions.

In schizophrenia research, a path to the brain through the nose

Researchers have discovered that stem cells from patients with schizophrenia proliferate faster than healthy individuals, indicating dysregulation of the natural cell cycle. This finding provides a potential path to understanding schizophrenia and developing new treatments.

NASA renames earth-observing mission in honor of satellite pioneer

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project has been renamed Suomi NPP in recognition of Verner Suomi's contributions to weather forecasting and climate change research. The new name reflects the mission's objective of advancing scientific knowledge of Earth and improving weather forecasts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The impact of deleting 5 personality disorders in the new DSM-5

A Rhode Island Hospital study found that deleting five personality disorders from the DSM-5 could result in false-negative diagnoses for patients. The proposed changes may affect up to 59 patients who would no longer be diagnosed with a personality disorder according to the current criteria.

Adipose stem cell heart attack trial data published in JACC

The APOLLO trial demonstrated improvements in cardiac function, blood flow into the heart muscle, and reduced scar formation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The study found a 52% reduction in left ventricle infarcted area and significant improvement of perfusion defects in ADRC-treated patients.

Supporting primary children's understanding of physics

The software highlights discrepancies between different types of understanding and helps children perform better in school. Children using the software made substantial progress in reasoning, especially with challenging concepts like object fall.

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.

Winged dinosaur Archaeopteryx dressed for flight

A team of researchers discovered a well-preserved feather on Archaeopteryx's wing was black, indicating the presence of melanosomes that provided structural support. The feather structure is identical to that of modern birds, showing early evolution of wing feathers as early as 150 million years ago.

Scientists discover new clue to the chemical origins of life

Researchers at the University of York have successfully recreated a process that could be responsible for the origin of carbohydrates in life. By using simple left-handed amino acids as catalysts, they produced predominantly right-handed sugars, shedding light on how these building blocks came to dominate nature.

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.

Fungi-filled forests are critical for endangered orchids

Researchers found that older forests with specific fungi are essential for orchid survival and recovery. The study suggests that planting new forests may not be enough to save endangered orchids without the right fungal conditions.

Portuguese science scores high with American funder

Five Portuguese scientists have been awarded prestigious funding by the US-based HHMI for their innovative research projects. The awardees, who are based in Portugal, will receive $650,000 over five years to work on diverse areas of neuroscience and parasitology.

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 24, 2012

A team of researchers found that brown fat in adult men burns energy to generate body heat when exposed to cold temperatures, but not at warm temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for the human obesity epidemic, suggesting that increasing brown fat is unlikely to lead to weight loss and instead highlights the need f...

Queen's study finds religion helps us gain self-control

A Queen's University study found that thinking about religion enhances self-control in individuals, even after unrelated tasks have depleted it. The research suggests that religion can serve a practical function in society beyond its traditional role as a source of transcendence and fear of death.

Improving crops from the roots up

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have successfully altered root growth in plants by controlling a key regulatory protein, WRKY23. This breakthrough could lead to improved crop yields and resistance to parasites under varying environmental conditions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Jumpstarting computers with 3-D chips

Researchers at EPFL have successfully developed a 3D chip with multiple processors stacked vertically, increasing efficiency and processing power. The chip is connected using thin copper microtubes through tiny openings called Through-Silicon-Vias, reducing data exchange time.

Life discovered on dead hydrothermal vents

Scientists have found microbial succession in microbes on deep-sea hydrothermal vents, where life adapts to replace extinct communities with iron and sulfur-rich environments. Researchers at USC uncovered evidence of ecological succession on dormant vents, replacing heat-dependent microbes with new species.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cocoa could prevent intestinal pathologies such as colon cancer

A new study found that eating cocoa can help prevent intestinal complaints linked to oxidative stress and colon carcinogenesis. The study, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, showed that a cocoa-rich diet reduced aberrant crypts in the colon and improved antioxidant defenses.

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.

Saliva HIV test passes the grade

A saliva test used to diagnose HIV has been found to be comparable in accuracy to the traditional blood test, according to a new study. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity rates of 99% and 97%, respectively, making it a promising tool for HIV diagnosis, particularly in high-risk populations.

More on legal remedies for ghostwriting

The article proposes three areas of legal liability for ghostwriters: reliance on false safety and efficacy data, inducing government reimbursement under false pretenses, and anti-kickback statute violations. Guest authors' participation in ghostwritten articles may also lead to claims of fraud on the court against pharmaceutical compa...

Possible new pathway can overcome glioblastoma resistance

Researchers have identified a new pathway that targets the root cause of glioblastoma resistance, paving the way for more effective treatments. By understanding how this complex signaling process works, scientists hope to develop novel therapies to improve patient outcomes and extend survival rates.

Graphene: Impressive capabilities on the horizon

A Rice University research team made graphene suitable for organic chemistry applications by attaching various molecules to its sheets, enabling advanced chemical sensors and electronic circuits. The hydrogenation process transformed graphene into a semiconducting superlattice, allowing for tailored functionality.

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.

New migraine clinical trial guidelines

The new guidelines provide a contemporary, evidence-based approach for investigators conducting randomised, controlled migraine clinical trials. Key findings include the importance of patient selection, trial design, and evaluation of results in both acute and preventive settings.

EMBL Monterotondo researcher wins award for early career scientists

EMBL Monterotondo researcher Rocio Sotillo has won a $650,000 Howard Hughes Medical Institute award to support her research on cancer and chromosomal errors. She will use the prize to establish an independent research programme and develop new ways to grow lung cancer cells in three-dimensional cultures.

Teen passengers: 'The other distraction' for teen drivers

Studies found that teen passengers, particularly thrill-seekers with weak perceptions of driving risks, can distract drivers and promote aggressive behavior. Experts recommend limiting passenger numbers for teens during their first year of driving to reduce crash risk.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Bilayer graphene works as an insulator

A UC Riverside-led team has identified a property of bilayer graphene that becomes insulating when the number of electrons on the sheet is close to zero. This finding suggests promising routes for digital and infrared technologies, including trilayer and tetralayer graphene with larger energy gaps.

Turtles' mating habits protect against effects of climate change

A study on marine turtle mating patterns reveals that a population of endangered green turtles in Northern Cyprus is protected from the disproportionate number of females being born due to global warming. The researchers found a large number of males siring offspring with multiple females, reducing the risk of inbreeding.

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.

Under the electron microscope -- a 3-D image of an individual protein

Scientists have developed a new technique that allows them to create detailed 3D images of individual proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the flexibility and movement of proteins, which is crucial for understanding their function and developing new drugs.

Generation X: How young adults deal with influenza

A University of Michigan report found that young adults in Generation X were moderately concerned about the flu and followed the issue closely. Despite a low vaccination rate, they responded accordingly by being well-informed and taking actions to protect themselves and their families.

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.

Brown fat burns calories in adult humans

Researchers have found that brown fat in healthy adult men burns energy to generate body heat during cold exposure, but not at warm temperatures. This discovery has significant implications for combating the human obesity epidemic and suggests that increasing brown fat may not lead to weight loss.

The evolution of division of labor

Modules differ in form and function, allowing for division of labor among specialized modules. The study identifies necessary conditions for division of labor to evolve, including positional effects and synergistic effects between differentiated modules.

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.

Exercise has charms to soothe a savage boss

A study by James Burton and team found that stressed supervisors who engage in moderate exercise report less abusive behavior towards their subordinates. The research suggests that wellness programs with exercise components can help smooth out relationships between supervisors and employees.

GABA deficits disturb endocannabinoid system

A new study suggests that GABA deficits in the brain may trigger disturbances in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating substances similar to cannabis products. The research also found that cannabis use can alter GABA activity in the brain.