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Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 15


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.

SourceUniversity of Alberta - Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation·JournalAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly·DateJan 16, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 15, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Hohenheim·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 15, 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.

Realising the public health benefits of policies to tackle health security and other risks of mass gatherings -- a call to action

The paper outlines research priorities to develop effective policies and planning for mass gatherings, highlighting the need for evidence-based mitigation measures. The authors propose five key public health research directions to control public health emergencies and reduce adverse health consequences.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 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.

Mass gatherings offer unique opportunities to communicate public health messages about infectious disease threats and promote interventions to benefit global health

Mass gatherings provide a unique opportunity to promote vaccination and reduce the spread of infectious diseases, as seen in outbreaks at World Youth Day and music festivals. Coordinated risk assessment and management are key to preventing disease transmission during and after events.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateJan 15, 2012

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalArthritis Research & Therapy·DateJan 15, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 15, 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
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.

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

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

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

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
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.

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

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
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNanotechnology·DateJan 12, 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.

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.

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·JournalTribology International·DateJan 12, 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.

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Microbiology·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceThe Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry·DateJan 12, 2012

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...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateJan 12, 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.

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 12, 2012

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...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2012

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateJan 12, 2012
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.