Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive January 2012 - Page 2


Page 2 of 24

Stimulation of brain hormone action may improve pneumonia survival

Scientists have discovered that stimulating brain hormones may help prevent a deadly second wave of death in patients with pneumonia. The research found that an agonist mimics the action of growth hormone-releasing hormone, which protects the air sacs and capillaries from fluid and cell damage.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 31, 2012

Risk-based passenger screening could make air travel safer

Researchers from the University of Illinois developed three algorithms to assess risk uncertainty in the passenger population, finding that risk-based screening increases overall expected security. This approach allows more resources to be devoted to passengers with high risk relative to the passenger population.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTransportation Science·DateJan 31, 2012
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New GSA resources lay foundation for relieving seniors' pain

The Gerontological Society of America has launched new resources to improve pain management services for older adults. The resources aim to provide information on how advances in pain prevention, treatment, and management can improve quality of life. GSA's publications address shortfalls in assessment and treatment for older adults wit...

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·DateJan 31, 2012

Rate of follow-up surgeries after partial mastectomy varies greatly

A new study reveals substantial differences in follow-up surgeries for women with breast cancer, affecting cancer recurrence and overall survival rates. The research highlights the need for quality measures to compare breast cancer surgical outcomes among surgeons and hospitals.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalJAMA·DateJan 31, 2012

Ultra-fast photodetector and terahertz generator

Scientists have created a graphene-based ultra-fast photodetector that can detect pulses as short as a few picoseconds. The device also generates terahertz radiation, which has properties of both particle and electromagnetic waves. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in material testing and medical treatments.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 31, 2012

Sporting event ads viewed favorably – especially if the game is close

Viewers consider advertising more favorable after watching a close, exciting game, according to a study by Oregon State University. The level of suspense in both the game and ad was found to be the most important factor in increasing positive responses towards the ad and brand.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Advertising·DateJan 31, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

National Foundation for Cancer Research funds critical TGen-UA cancer research

Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute and University of Arizona have received a grant to study targeted cancer therapies for pancreatic cancer, which shows promise in reducing side effects. The center aims to develop novel antitumor agents that can extend the productive lives of patients with cancer.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·DateJan 31, 2012

IBEX: Glimpses of the interstellar material beyond our solar system

The study provides a glimpse into the mysterious neighborhood beyond our home, revealing an environment that doesn't match up with what we see in the solar system. IBEX's observations shed light on the formation of our solar system, the forces that shape it, and even the history of other stars in the Milky Way.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 31, 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.

Police integrity lost: A study of law enforcement officers arrested

A 24-month research project aims to develop a national profile of police integrity by analyzing police crime committed by sworn law enforcement officers. The study will determine the nature and extent of police crime in the US and how law enforcement agencies discipline officers who are arrested.

SourceBowling Green State University·DateJan 31, 2012

Scientists decode brain waves to eavesdrop on what we hear

Researchers have successfully decoded electrical activity in a human auditory system region, reconstructing words from normal conversation. This breakthrough could help patients with speech damage due to strokes or diseases like Lou Gehrig's, enabling them to communicate again.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 31, 2012

Authors of new book reveal the artist behind architect Le Corbusier

The book uncovers previously unpublished documents and color photographs that shed new light on Le Corbusier's architectural oeuvre. It explores his aesthetic principles, including the use of exposed concrete (béton brut), and examines how he defined artistic quality in construction sites.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateJan 31, 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.

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.

Harper government invests in personalized medicine

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research will lead a landmark research competition to develop personalized treatments for various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. The investment aims to transform the delivery of healthcare through predictive, preventive, and precision care.

SourceCanadian Institutes of Health Research·DateJan 31, 2012

Online news portals get credibility boost from trusted sources

A study by Penn State researchers found that online news portals benefit from credible sources, increasing user trust and potentially generating ad revenue. The study used a group of 231 students to test the impact of credibility on portal trustworthiness.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Quarterly·DateJan 31, 2012

IBEX spacecraft measures 'alien' particles from outside solar system

Researchers using IBEX data measure neutral 'alien' particles entering our solar system, revealing their speed, direction, and interaction with the heliosphere. The findings provide insights into the local interstellar medium, galaxy distribution of elements like oxygen and neon, and the future trajectory of the Sun's planetary system.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·DateJan 31, 2012

Short-term memory is based on synchronized brain oscillations

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that synchronized brain oscillations between the frontal and visual areas of the brain are crucial for remembering visual information over a short period. The more synchronized the activity was, the better animals could remember images.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 31, 2012
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.

Protein study gives fresh impetus in fight against superbugs

Researchers have mapped the molecular structure of restriction enzymes found in many bacteria, shedding light on how they control bacterial resistance to antibiotics. This knowledge could aid in developing new treatments for superbugs like MRSA, which become resistant to most drugs through genetic exchange.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalGenes & Development·DateJan 31, 2012

Early intervention may curb dangerous college drinking

Researchers found that parent-based and peer-based interventions reduced heavy drinking among non-drinkers and heavy drinkers. The study identified four sub-groups of drinkers, including weekend non-bingers and heavy drinkers, with promising intervention effects.

SourcePenn State·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateJan 30, 2012

Music training has biological impact on aging process

A new study from Northwestern University found that older musicians have a distinct neural timing advantage, encoding sound stimuli as quickly and accurately as younger non-musicians. This suggests that music training can help overcome age-related hearing loss and improve communication in complex environments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJan 30, 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.

New appropriate use criteria reflect latest scientific data on restoring blood flow to heart

The updated appropriate use criteria provide detailed guidance on when to use invasive procedures to improve blood flow to the heart. The new criteria affirm the role of revascularization for patients with acute coronary syndromes and significant symptoms, while emphasizing careful selection of high-risk surgery patients for PCI.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 30, 2012

Lumbar disc degeneration more likely in overweight and obese adults

A large study found that overweight and obese adults are more likely to have disc degeneration than those with a normal body mass index. Disc degeneration was associated with an increased number of levels of degenerated disks and greater severity of disc degeneration, including narrowing of the disc space.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateJan 30, 2012

Inherited risk factors for childhood leukemia are more common in Hispanic patients

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that Hispanic children are more likely to develop acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and die from the disease due to inherited risk factors, particularly ARID5B gene variants. These variants were found to be up to two times more common in Hispanic children than in white children.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 30, 2012

Genetic breakthrough for brain cancer in children

A Canadian-led research team has identified two genetic mutations responsible for up to 40% of glioblastomas in children, a fatal cancer of the brain. The mutations were found to be involved in DNA regulation, which could explain resistance to traditional treatments and have significant implications on other cancers.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 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.

In lab, Pannexin1 restores tight binding of cells that is lost in cancer

Researchers found that Pannexin1 helps closely pack together tumor cells, forming large multicellular tissues. The protein sets off a chain reaction involving ATP and receptors, ultimately remodeling the actin network to increase forces between cells, driving them to bind more tightly.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 30, 2012

Construction starts on new marine research vessel

The 93.6-meter vessel will enable advanced atmospheric research and map the seafloor up to six kilometers below the surface. CSIRO will operate the vessel, replacing the 40-year-old Southern Surveyor, and make it available to all Australian marine scientists.

SourceCSIRO Australia·DateJan 30, 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.

Development of the chimpanzee determined by the X factor

Genetic analysis reveals that about a third of changes on the X chromosome have been beneficial for chimpanzees since divergence from humans, while most remain unchanged. This suggests that natural selection works stronger on the X chromosome than other genes.

SourceAarhus University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2012

Mom's love good for child's brain

Research by child psychiatrists and neuroscientists reveals that children with more nurturing mothers have larger hippocampi, a key structure important for learning and memory. The study provides concrete evidence of the powerful effect of early childhood parenting and nurturing on brain development.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2012

Many bodies make 1 coherent burst of light

Rice University researchers have successfully observed superfluorescence in a solid-state material, creating a coherent burst of light. The team used high-intensity laser pulses and strong magnetic fields to create the conditions for this phenomenon, which occurs when electron-hole pairs cooperate.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 30, 2012

U-M study urges parents to enforce booster seat use when carpooling

A U-M study reveals that many parents fail to enforce booster seat use when carpooling, despite most reporting requiring it in family car rides. Experts stress the importance of using booster seats for every child not fitting properly in an adult seat belt on every trip.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateJan 30, 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.

Children with burn injuries covering 60 percent or more of their total body surface area are at substantially higher risk of complications and death and need specialist burns unit care

A new study published in The Lancet found that children with burn injuries covering 60% or more of their total body surface area (TBSA) are at substantially higher risk of severe complications and death. The authors recommend immediate transfer to specialist burns units for treatment with increased vigilance and improved therapies.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 30, 2012

UCLA researchers indentify a cell-permeable peptide that inhibits hepatitis C

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a cell-permeable peptide that blocks viral replication in liver cancer and cirrhosis. The peptide targets heat shock proteins (HSPs) 40 and 70, which are important factors in hepatitis C virus infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalHepatology·DateJan 30, 2012

Meet the beetles: Social networks provide clues to natural selection

A study of forked fungus beetles reveals that their social positions are related to reproductive success, suggesting that natural selection drives the evolution of social behavior. The researchers found that individual behaviors can influence their position in society, leading to varying levels of mating and reproduction.

SourceUniversity of Virginia·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 30, 2012
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Scientists see 'sloshing' galaxy cluster

The 'sloshing' motion in the hot gas cloud of Abell 2052 helps redistribute heavy elements and limits star formation, while also affecting the growth of the galaxy's supermassive black hole. The Chandra observations provide insights into the complex interactions within the galaxy cluster.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·DateJan 30, 2012

Rice professor's nanotube theory confirmed

Air Force Research Laboratory experiment confirms Boris Yakobson's theory that chirality of nanotubes determines their growth speed and armchair nanotubes grow fastest. The study provides a basis for further research into growing specific types of nanotubes with desired properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 30, 2012

Preserved habitat near national parks helps species conservation

A recent study published in PLoS One suggests that preserving habitat near national parks is crucial for the conservation of large mammals in the Cerrado region. By leaving a significant portion of land adjacent to the park as natural habitat, animals can roam and find suitable habitats outside the protected area.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 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.

Addicts' cravings have different roots in men and women

A new brain imaging study found that stress robustly activates areas of the brain associated with craving in cocaine-dependent women, while drug cues activate similar regions in men. This suggests that men and women with cocaine dependence may benefit from different treatment approaches.

SourceYale University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 30, 2012

Lungs infected with plague bacteria also become playgrounds for other microbes

Research reveals that pneumonic plague bacteria transform the lungs into a permissive environment for microbial proliferation. Without symptoms, these bacteria grow and reproduce rapidly, leading to rapid disease progression and high mortality rates. This unique ability is exclusive to Yersinia pestis.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2012

Oxygen molecule survives to enormously high pressures

Researchers found oxygen molecules remain stable up to 1.9 terapascals, then polymerize, showing unique electrical conductivity patterns. The molecule's behavior is influenced by its double covalent bond and lone pairs, which repel other molecules and hinder polymerization.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 30, 2012

Learning-based tourism an opportunity for industry expansion

Research suggests that learning-based tourism is gaining popularity, with travelers seeking intellectually engaging experiences and lifelong learning opportunities. The study highlights the potential for tourism to become more centered on personal fulfillment and knowledge acquisition.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAnnals of Tourism Research·DateJan 30, 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.

Harnessing the predictive power of virtual communities

Scientists have created a propagation-based algorithm to extract both link-density and link-pattern communities from real-life networks. This approach outperforms existing state-of-the-art algorithms in detecting real-life communities, particularly those characterized by internal patterns of similar connectedness.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJan 30, 2012

Detailed picture of how myoV 'walks' along actin tracks

Researchers used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to visualize myoV molecules walking along actin filaments in real-time. The study found that myoV can take multiple hand-over-hand steps without falling off its track, making it well-suited for intracellular cargo transport.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateJan 30, 2012

Poisonous morning hygiene

Scientists discover that microalgae produce biogenic cyanogen bromide to control competing organisms in the ocean ground. This toxic chemical helps diatoms grow and thrive by eliminating direct competitors for light and space. Researchers are now investigating why the poison doesn't harm the producing algae themselves.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2012

More efforts needed to address motor vehicle deaths among American Indians and Alaska Natives

A systematic review of literature found a significant disparity in motor vehicle-related deaths among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The study identified multiple risk factors, including rural living, alcohol use, and pedestrian involvement in crashes, but lacking effective interventions to improve pedestrian safety.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalEpidemiologic Reviews·DateJan 30, 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.

Study may answer longstanding questions about Little Ice Age

A new international study provides evidence that an unusual episode of four massive tropical volcanic eruptions may have triggered the onset and persistence of Earth's Little Ice Age. The research suggests a subsequent expansion of sea ice and weakening of Atlantic currents best explain the cold summers following the eruptions.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 30, 2012