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Science News Archive July 2012


Page 6 of 26

NASA and university researchers find a clue to how life turned left

Researchers analyzed meteorite fragments from Tagish Lake in Canada and found large left-hand excesses of aspartic acid, an amino acid used by life, while alanine showed a much smaller excess. The team suggests that liquid water inside asteroids may favor the production of left-handed proteinogenic amino acids.

Research charts growing threats to biodiversity 'arks'

A recent study published in Nature highlights the challenges facing tropical protected areas, but also shows that long-term engagement with conservation can have positive results. Conservation efforts in Tanzania's Udzungwa mountains have paid dividends, with the reserve remaining relatively unchanged from a biodiversity point of view.

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.

High blood sugar, obesity increase risk for surgical site infection

Two studies published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that high blood sugar and obesity significantly increase the risk of surgical site infections after orthopaedic trauma and total joint replacement. Nearly one-third of hospital admissions without diabetes have hyperglycemia, which is associated with longer stays, ICU ...

Hunter-gatherers, Westerners use same amount of energy, contrary to theory

A new study published in PLOS ONE found that hunter-gatherers, such as the Hadza tribe, expend a similar amount of energy daily as Western adults, contradicting the long-held assumption that their ancestors burned more calories. This similarity suggests that habitual metabolic rates are relatively constant among human populations.

ONR-funded research takes flight in Popular Science article

Researchers are developing small UAVs that can navigate complex environments, such as forests and urban settings, at high speeds. By studying birds' flight strategies and behavioral processes, scientists aim to create compact platforms with limited sensing that can safely move through challenging environments.

Locally produced proteins

Researchers discovered that importin beta1, a crucial protein for nerve repair, is produced locally in the axons of peripheral nerve cells. This finding has significant implications for treating nerve damage and may lead to better treatments and faster repair.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The debate over ecstasy continues

A new study published in Addiction journal reveals that even occasional ecstasy use can lead to memory impairments, particularly with damage to the hippocampus. The research found that participants who took ten or more pills over their first year showed decreased function of immediate and short-term memory.

Identifying the arrogant boss

A new measure of arrogance, the Workplace Arrogance Scale (WARS), can help organizations identify and address arrogant managers. Developed by researchers at The University of Akron and Michigan State University, WARS is correlated with lower intelligence scores and lower self-esteem in managers.

Tropical arks reach tipping point

A new study by William Laurance and co-authors finds that nearly half of tropical forest reserves are ineffective in protecting biodiversity. Well-protected reserves also show signs of decline, highlighting the need for improved conservation efforts to safeguard these critical ecosystems.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

In muscular dystrophy, what matters to patients and doctors can differ

A new study reveals that myotonic dystrophy patients prioritize fatigue, mobility, and sleep problems over symptoms like myotonia, which are often considered hallmark symptoms. Researchers have developed a patient-reported outcome measure to better evaluate the impact of experimental therapies on patients' lives.

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.

Children of 'The Troubles' more prone to suicide

Research at Queen's University Belfast found that children who grew up during the worst years of violence have the highest suicide rates and most rapidly increasing rates. The study attributes this to a range of factors including social isolation, poor mental health, and increased political stability.

CT angiography speeds emergency diagnosis of heart disease in low-risk patients

A study found that incorporating CT angiography into the initial evaluation of low-risk patients with chest pain reduced hospital stay time by half and decreased costs without increasing the risk of missed diagnosis. The use of CCTA also led to fewer adverse clinical events, but future studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.

Contaminant transport in the fungal pipeline

Researchers found that fungal hyphae can transport contaminants, bypassing air barriers, allowing for potential environmental remediation. This ability enables fungi to overcome limitations in nutrient uptake, suggesting a broader role in facilitating contaminant movement.

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.

Lace plants explain programmed cell death

Researchers have documented the physiological events in lace plant leaves during programmed cell death (PCD), revealing how cells dismantle and disappear. The study used long-term live cell imaging and staining to observe the progression of PCD, which is essential for producing the characteristic holes in the leaves.

New national digital repository for social and economic data

The UK Data Service will provide seamless access to extensive range of economic and social data, including census data. The service is designed to support current and future research demands of academic and non-academic users, maximizing the impact of their work.

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.

A new route for tackling treatment-resistant prostate cancer

Researchers found that paxillin regulates cell growth even in hormone therapy-resistant tumors, providing a new treatment target for advanced prostate cancer. The discovery could potentially lead to the development of targeted therapies that selectively attack cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

More gold -- and other minerals -- in them thar hills?

A new method developed by Tel Aviv University's Prof. Lev Eppelbaum successfully uncovered a previously unknown polymetallic reserve in the Caucasus mountainside, containing over 500,000 tons of copper, zinc, lead, aluminium, and gold-silver mixtures.

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.

Ecopsychology -- a major new area of study

A growing field of study, ecopsychology examines the psychological, spiritual, and therapeutic aspects of human-nature relationships. It highlights various approaches to integrate psychology and environmental content in education, promoting students' appreciation for the link between their well-being and the natural world.

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.

Physicists study the classics for hidden truths

Physicists analyzed the interactions between characters in the Iliad, Beowulf, and Tain Bó Cuailngé, finding similarities with real-life social networks. The study revealed assortative and vulnerable network structures, indicating realistic societal dynamics.

Research discoveries to find commercial reality

The newly established Therapeutic Innovation Australia Queensland Node will provide a testing model to speed up the movement of inventions from laboratory to therapeutic products. The Node will focus on four initial projects, including migraine prevention and diabetes management, aiming to deliver tangible commercial returns within fiv...

Women who give birth after age 30 lower their risk of endometrial cancer

A large international study found that women who give birth at age 30 or older have a reduced risk of endometrial cancer. The risk decreases by approximately 13 percentage points for each five-year delay in last births, with the greatest reduction seen among women who give birth between ages 35 and 39.

Social networking pays off more in the US than Germany

Informal social networks play a crucial role in finding jobs, especially high-paying ones, in the US where open market systems prioritize merit over connections. In contrast, Germany sees 40% of jobs filled through informal recruitment, with no apparent link to wages.

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.

How a common fungus knows when to attack

Researchers discovered that Candida albicans can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy hosts by altering its physiology based on the levels of protein Efg1p. In immunocompromised patients, fungal cells with lower levels of this protein thrive, leading to serious infections.

Spillways can divert sand from river to rebuild wetlands

A study published in Nature Geoscience found that a significant percentage of the Mississippi River's sand load is diverted into the Bonnet Carre spillway wetlands, rather than flowing into urban areas. This discovery offers new insights into the potential for controlled diversion to mitigate land loss in coastal Louisiana.

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.

New drug could treat Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis and brain injury

A new class of drug developed at Northwestern University has shown early promise in reducing inflammation in the brain, which is a common denominator in these neurological diseases. The drug targets proinflammatory cytokines and prevents their overproduction, preventing damage to synapses and neurons.

Bend or stretch? How stressful is hyperflexion of horses' necks?

A recent study has found that hyperflexion of horses' necks, when done without force or aggression, does not elicit a pronounced stress response. The study monitored hormone levels, heart rate, and body temperature in horses lunged with either hyperflexion or an extended head and neck position.

Reducing traffic at 2008 Olympics yielded large cut in CO2

China's transportation restrictions during the 2008 Olympics reduced carbon dioxide emissions by a significant amount. The study found that this reduction could potentially provide a substantial part of the necessary emissions cut to prevent global warming by 2 degrees Celsius.

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.

New probe provides vital assist in brain cancer surgery

A new probe developed at Norris Cotton Cancer Center and Dartmouth College helps surgeons differentiate between cancerous tissue and normal tissue in low-grade tumors. The probe reads how light travels through tissue, producing a straightforward answer as to whether the tissue is cancerous.

Some harmful effects of light at night can be reversed

A new study suggests that chronic exposure to artificial light at night can lead to depressive symptoms in rodents, which can be reversed by returning to a standard light-dark cycle. The study found that blocking the effects of tumor necrosis factor, a protein involved in depression, prevented the development of depressive-like symptoms.

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.

Yoga reduces stress; now it's known why

Researchers found that a specific type of yogic meditation, Kirtan Kriya Meditation, reduced inflammation and stress levels in dementia caregivers. This 12-minute daily practice for eight weeks led to changes in 68 genes related to inflammation, resulting in improved well-being.

Novel pig model may be useful for human cancer studies

A naturally occurring line of immunodeficient pigs can support the growth of human tumors, making them a promising large animal model for studying human cancers. The ability of human melanoma cells and pancreatic carcinoma cells to grow in these pig models could lead to significant advancements in cancer research and drug discovery.

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.

Researchers study knee stress at tissue, cellular levels

A Cleveland Clinic research team has developed virtual models of human knee joints to study how tissues and cells respond to heavy loads. The simulations reveal that cartilage cells experience amplified deformations compared to larger scales, with a significant impact on their deformation patterns.

To understand childhood obesity, researchers look to inactive, fat rats

Researchers are using inactive, fat rats to study childhood obesity and its complex relationship with diseases. Studies show that children who are inactive in childhood are more likely to continue this habit into adulthood and develop consequences such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.