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Science News Archive July 2012


Page 16 of 26

The Clovis First Theory is put to rest at Paisley Caves

A team of international researchers discovered evidence of pre-13,000-year-old non-Clovis cultures in North America, contradicting the long-held 'Clovis First' theory. The findings include Western Stemmed projectile points and DNA-profiling of human coprolites from the Paisley Caves.

Peering into the heart of a supernova

Researchers at Caltech found a correlation between the neutrino signal and the gravitational-wave signal that occurs when the proto-neutron star reaches high rotational velocities. This discovery provides new insights into understanding the explosion process in massive stars.

Salt cress genome yields new clues to salt tolerance

Researchers sequenced the salt cress genome, identifying genes that contribute to its high salt tolerance. The study sheds light on the genetic characteristics underlying plant stress tolerance, with potential applications for agricultural crop improvement.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Multiple sclerosis: New marker could improve diagnosis

Researchers have identified a new biomarker, KIR4.1 autoantibody, in nearly half of MS patients, indicating its potential as an autoimmune response target. The finding could improve diagnosis and differentiate MS from other neurological diseases.

Plasmonic chains act like polymers

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that plasmonic chains exhibit properties similar to polymers, with the arrangement of nanoparticles influencing their optical behavior. The study found that the addition of nanoparticles along the chain can alter the energy of super-radiant modes and affect the interaction between particles.

Tamarisk biocontrol efforts get evolutionary boost

UC Santa Barbara scientists have found that the tamarisk leaf beetle has evolved to delay its entry into hibernation, allowing it to survive and reproduce in the southern US. This adaptation enables the beetle to effectively control the invasive tamarisk plant, providing a cost-effective solution for containing the weed.

Sports 1, housework, 0

Research finds that while fathers may be more involved with their children through sports, they still tend to do the lion's share of household tasks and childcare responsibilities. The study, conducted by UCLA sociologists, suggests that traditional gender roles persist in middle-class families.

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.

Concussions affect college players at high rates too, study says

A recent study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that concussion rates among college football players have doubled in three programs over two years. The increase is attributed to improved reporting of concussions under new NCAA regulations.

Pulverized rocks, coral reefs, seawater chemistry, and continental collisions

Researchers have discovered evidence of catastrophic events causing rock pulverization near major faults in California and Japan, while coral reefs at high latitudes and turbid inner bays provide insights into environmental gradients. Continental collisions are also explored through the study of Taiwan's pre-collision zone.

Discovery opens door to attacking biofilms that cause chronic infections

Researchers have developed a new fluorescent labeling strategy that enables the examination of bacterial biofilm structure, leading to potential drug targets. The study has provided new insights into the development of complex structures and may pave the way for new approaches to fighting infectious disease.

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.

Protecting the hearts of those waiting for kidney and liver transplants

The American Heart Association has released a scientific statement addressing varied cardiac evaluation policies in transplant patients. The guidelines aim to standardize cardiac evaluation practices before kidney and liver transplantation, reducing unnecessary testing and improving patient outcomes.

Study: Wolverines need refrigerators

Climate change threatens wolverine survival; researchers find refrigerated caches key to adaptation. Wolverines use snow and crevices to store food, protecting it from scavengers and bacteria.

Male sex ornaments are fishing lures, literally

Researchers found that males with ant-eating traits have ornament shapes resembling ants, attracting female bites that develop a search image for the food. Sensory drive promotes differences among populations based on species in the community.

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.

Controlling your computer with your eyes

Researchers from Imperial College London have developed a low-cost, 3D eye-tracking device that can track users' eye movements and allow them to control a cursor on a screen. The device has been shown to be effective in enabling people with disabilities to interact with computers and their surroundings using just their eyes.

Our coral reefs: In trouble - but tougher than we thought

Indo-Pacific coral reefs are more resilient due to lower seaweed growth rates and a higher abundance of herbivorous fish, which treats seaweed as a delicacy. The study suggests that these reefs can withstand degradation before being overtaken by seaweeds.

Obese kids as bright as thinner peers

A study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found no causal link between childhood obesity and poor academic achievement. The researchers examined data from nearly 4,000 children and used genetic markers to account for potential confounding factors.

Large, medically important class of proteins starts to yield its secrets

Recent studies have made significant progress in understanding GPCRs, shedding light on their structure and function. The high-resolution structures of several GPCR receptors, including the A2A adenosine receptor, have been determined, providing valuable insights into how these proteins interact with ligands.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

From aflatoxin to sake

Researchers mapped genetic differences between domesticated fungus Aspergillus oryzae and its wild relative, finding extensive genome remodeling. The study suggests microbes undergo metabolic changes for desired functions rather than growth and form alterations.

NASA sees hot towers as Tropical Storm Fabio's trigger

NASA's TRMM satellite observed hot towers within Tropical Depression 06E, which later became Tropical Storm Fabio. The research found that storms with hot towers were twice as likely to intensify within six hours than those without.

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.

In adult humans, brown fat is actually beige

Researchers identified a third type of fat cell, beige adipocytes, that can be activated to burn energy and generate heat in both mice and humans. Beige fat cells are genetically intermediate between white and brown fat, and respond to hormone irisin, which is released during exercise.

Caterpillar gets more from its food when predator is on the prowl

A study by Purdue University researchers reveals that hornworm caterpillars adapt to increase the efficiency of converting food into energy when threatened by predators. They also increase nitrogen extraction and lipid content. However, this adaptation comes at a cost in later developmental stages.

Sake, soy sauce, and the taming of the microbes

Researchers found that domesticated fungi, used to brew sake and soy sauce, have undergone extensive metabolic remodeling. This process led to the suppression of toxins and the evolution into 'cell factories' for enzymes and metabolites.

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.

Leiden researchers achieve highest resolution ever for human protein

Researchers at Leiden University have crystallized the adenosine A2A receptor to a record-breaking high resolution, allowing for detailed study of its structure and function. This breakthrough provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease and the effects of caffeine.

NASA's Aqua satellite providing 2 views of Hurricane Emilia

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of Hurricane Emilia on July 12, revealing an eye with high clouds overhead. Infrared data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument showed powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops surrounding the eye of the hurricane.

UK space sector trajectory rises through the economic storm

The UK space sector has demonstrated remarkable growth, contributing £9.1 billion to the economy in 2010/11, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The sector's continued success reflects strategic investment in technological innovations and a highly skilled workforce.

Inexpensive paper-based diabetes test ideal for developing countries

A new glucose monitor made from inexpensive materials measures sugar levels in urine, helping people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels in rural areas of developing countries. The device was developed to address the challenges of providing affordable diabetes testing in regions where poverty limits healthcare access.

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.

Disentangling information from photons

Researchers develop tool to decompose photon pairs' superimposed states, enabling access to their information even with imperfect measurements. The findings suggest that higher entanglement levels can reveal more information, leading to more resilient quantum info applications.

Solar storm protection

A new warning system can forecast radiation from solar storms nearly three hours in advance, allowing astronauts and air crews to take protective action. The system uses data from neutron monitors installed at the South Pole to estimate the intensity of high-energy particles that arrive on Earth first.

New Au. sediba fossils discovered in rock

South African scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a large rock containing significant parts of a skeleton of an early human ancestor, believed to be the remains of 'Karabo', the type skeleton of Australopithecus sediba. The fossil will be unveiled live online and in a laboratory studio for the first time in history, allo...

Platinum is wrong stuff for fuel cells

A Case Western Reserve University researcher suggests that using platinum in fuel cells is inefficient due to energy loss, prompting the search for alternative catalysts. The ideal bonding strength between platinum and intermediate molecules can improve efficiency.

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.

Solar system ice: Source of Earth's water

A team of scientists led by Conel Alexander has found that carbonaceous chondrites, a type of primitive meteorite, are more likely to be the source of Earth's water than comets. This discovery contradicts prevailing theories and provides new constraints for understanding the origin of volatiles in the inner Solar System.

Viruses linked to algae that control coral health

Researchers have identified two viruses that infect symbiotic microalgae essential for coral growth and health. The presence of these viruses could be a contributing factor to the decline of coral reefs worldwide. Corals face various environmental threats, including warming temperatures, competition, and pollution.

Study questions whether becoming a doctor pays off for women

A study published in the Journal of Human Capital found that most women primary-care doctors would have made more money becoming physician assistants after factoring in training costs. Most women doctors do not work enough hours to amortize their expensive training, leading to a lower net present value compared to PAs.

The challenges facing the vulnerable Antarctic

The Antarctic faces numerous challenges from human activity and climate change, including marine system impacts, invasive species, and pollution. The existing Antarctic Treaty System is being tested by growing tourism and resource use, highlighting the need for swifter decision-making and increased collaboration to conserve the region.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New study on media violence and kids could have applications on school bullying

A new study by Iowa State University researchers suggests a link between media violence exposure and increased aggression in children, which could help identify students at higher risk of bullying behavior. The study found that media violence exposure was one of six risk factors for predicting later aggression in 430 children.

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.

Menopausal hormone therapy associated with increased blood pressure

Research published in PLOS ONE reveals a significant association between menopausal hormone therapy and high blood pressure in postmenopausal women. Longer use of hormone therapy was found to increase the odds of developing high blood pressure, although this risk decreased with age.

Transforming cancer treatment

A Harvard researcher predicts that a multi-drug approach could make many cancers 'manageable' by targeting the KRAS gene. This strategy involves using at least two drugs to combat drug resistance, which currently limits targeted therapy's effectiveness.

Call to improve safety of home treatment for mental health patients

A recent UK study found that deaths by suicide among mental health patients treated at home have reached 150-200 a year, with rates nearly double those on mental health wards. The report recommends prioritizing home-treatment teams for suicide prevention and improving safety measures.

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.

The more gray matter you have, the more altruistic you are

A study by researchers at the University of Zurich found a connection between brain anatomy and altruistic behavior, with individuals displaying more gray matter at the junction of the parietal and temporal lobes when behaving altruistically. This region is linked to empathy and understanding others' thoughts and feelings.