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Science News for July 13, 2012


How to make global fisheries worth 5 times more: UBC research

A new UBC study suggests that reducing the global fishing fleet, eliminating harmful subsidies, and implementing effective management systems could make global fisheries worth $54 billion annually. The study's authors estimate a potential return on investment of three- to seven-fold over 50 years.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 13, 2012

Caution needed with new greenhouse gas emission standards

Researchers developed a new model to analyze 'well-to-wheel' greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands and conventional crude oils. They found that lifecycle emissions vary widely depending on project conditions and technology used.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 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.

Poisons on public lands put wildlife at risk

Researchers discovered commercial rodenticide in dead fishers in Humboldt County and Yosemite National Park, linked to illegal marijuana farms. The poison, anticoagulant rodenticides, can cause uncontrollable bleeding and is toxic even after a single ingestion.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 13, 2012

Faster simulation -- award for new method

Dominik Schillinger's novel simulation concept enables direct integration of CAD geometry into finite element analysis, eliminating mesh generation. This technology is expected to significantly influence design processes in mechanical, automotive, aerospace, and civil engineering.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalComputer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering·DateJul 13, 2012

Getting amped

The device can be used to study stars, galaxies, and black holes, as well as explore the quantum world. It combines features of other amplifiers, operating over a wide frequency range with minimal noise.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 13, 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.

Giving time can give you time

A new study by Cassie Mogilner and co-authors found that spending time on others increases participants' feelings of 'time affluence.' This is because giving away time boosts one's sense of personal competence and efficiency, ultimately making people more willing to commit to future engagements despite their busy schedules.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 13, 2012

Robot sub research lands £720,000 contract

Two projects investigating the use of robot submarines to map and monitor the UK seas have received £720,000 in funding. The projects aim to inform future government policy on protecting the marine environment by generating data that will guide the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and sea gliders.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·DateJul 13, 2012

Mutation in gene IDH a possible target for AML treatment

A study published in Leukemia & Lymphoma reveals that IDH mutations drive the production of 2-hydroxyglutarate, leading to abnormal gene regulation and increased risk of relapse. Researchers believe targeting IDH mutations may hold promise for treating AML.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalLeukemia & Lymphoma·DateJul 13, 2012

Chemicals in personal care products may increase risk of diabetes in women

A study led by the Brigham and Woman's Hospital found an association between phthalate exposure and an increased risk of diabetes in American women. High levels of phthalates were linked to a higher likelihood of developing diabetes, with possible explanations including medical devices and medication used to treat diabetes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 13, 2012

Science goes through the roof

The university has upgraded its research facilities with a $2.7 million NMR spectrometer, allowing for faster and more detailed molecular imaging. This will enable researchers to study macromolecules at the molecular level, benefiting disease research and biological problem-solving.

SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·DateJul 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.

Mechanical engineers develop an 'intelligent co-pilot' for cars

A new semiautonomous safety system, developed by MIT engineers, uses onboard cameras and laser rangefinders to identify hazards and detect safe zones. The system allows drivers to control the vehicle while avoiding obstacles, with few collisions reported in over 1,200 trials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 13, 2012

Vitamin D deficiency and poorer lung function in asthmatic children treated with steroids

A new study found that asthma treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is less effective in children with vitamin D deficiency, leading to poorer lung function. Vitamin D supplementation may enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of corticosteroids, improving outcomes for asthmatic children.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJul 13, 2012

$2 million to study role-switching cells in heart failure

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received $2 million to develop artificial tissue models for testing new drugs that target myofibroblasts, which contribute to heart disease. The study aims to understand how these cells alter the electrical and mechanical properties of heart tissue.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateJul 13, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New proteins to clear the airways in cystic fibrosis and COPD

Researchers have identified a new strategy to thin thick mucus in cystic fibrosis and COPD using the SPLUNC1 protein and its synthetic derivatives. This may lead to improved mucus clearance and better lung function for those affected.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJul 13, 2012

Nuclear weapons' surprising contribution to climate science

Climate scientists repurpose Cold War research laboratories to track radioactivity and model nuclear bomb blasts, with applications in anthropogenic climate change. Nuclear science roots have also found a place in environmental scientists' toolboxes.

SourceSAGE·JournalBulletin of the Atomic Scientists·DateJul 13, 2012