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Science News Archive June 2012


Page 1 of 29

Mass extinctions reset the long-term pace of evolution

A new study suggests that mass extinctions permanently alter the pace of evolution, with species diversification rates shifting after catastrophes. Researchers analyzed bivalve mollusks and found that origination rates increased or decreased suddenly at mass extinction events, reflecting a permanent change in evolutionary speed.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalGeology·DateJun 30, 2012

Clean cookstoves unaffordable to Bangladeshi women

A Yale study found that traditional stoves are preferred in rural Bangladesh over modern, cleaner alternatives due to affordability concerns. The demand for non-traditional cookstoves is low and highly sensitive to price, highlighting the need for affordable, effective solutions.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2012

Acoustic tweezers capture tiny creatures with ultrasound

Bioengineers and biochemists at Penn State developed acoustic tweezers that can manipulate living materials like blood cells and small organisms using sound waves. The device can precisely trap and move cellular-scale objects essential for fundamental biomedical research, offering a cost-effective alternative to optical tweezers.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2012

Britain's urban rivers bounce back

Urban rivers throughout England and Wales have experienced dramatic improvements in water quality and biodiversity over the past two decades. The range of invertebrates found has increased by around 20%, with insects such as mayflies and stoneflies making a comeback.

SourceCardiff University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJun 29, 2012

Curvy mountain belts

A team of researchers studied the Cantabrian Arc, a curved mountain range in Spain and northern Africa. They found that the curvy pattern was produced by the bending of an originally straight mountain range, supported by patterns of rotation of ancient geomagnetic field directions and analysis of faults and joints.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateJun 29, 2012

NSF funds University of Miami, Navy Postgraduate School research in ocean dynamics

A new collaborative study between the University of Miami and Navy Postgraduate School will investigate critical oceanic processes involved in Large-Scale Eddy-Driven Patterns (LEDPs). The project aims to improve understanding of LEDPs, which can impact climate projections and transport heat, salinity, momentum, and carbon.

'Ambient' bullying gives employees urge to quit

Researchers surveyed 357 nurses and found those exposed to workplace bullying had a stronger urge to leave than targets of bullying directly. The study suggests indirect experiences have a significant impact on turnover intentions.

SourceSAGE·JournalHuman Relations·DateJun 29, 2012

SACLA draws acclaim for unique XFEL design

SACLA boasts the shortest wavelength in the world, an extremely broad wavelength range, and a high peak output of 10 GW. Its unique design and original Japanese technologies enable its remarkable performance despite a compact size of only 700 meters.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 29, 2012

New fuel cell keeps going after the hydrogen runs out

Materials scientists at Harvard University have developed a solid-oxide fuel cell that can store electrochemical energy like a battery, allowing it to continue producing power for a short time after its fuel has run out. This innovation has significant implications for small-scale, portable energy applications, such as unmanned aerial ...

SourceHarvard University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 29, 2012

University of Pittsburgh study reveals moderate doses of alcohol increase social bonding in groups

A University of Pittsburgh study reveals that moderate doses of alcohol enhance positive emotions and social bonding among group members, while also relieving negative emotions. The research, published in Psychological Science, used a social setting to assess the effects of alcohol on emotions and social interactions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 29, 2012

Skin contact breast tumor detection

Researchers have developed a simple and cost-effective imaging device for breast tumor detection using a flexible wearable antenna system. The system shows promise of detecting breast cancer earlier than other methods by analyzing microwave signals from skin contact, reducing signal loss compared to traditional designs.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology·DateJun 29, 2012

GenSpera G-202 data in journal

The study published in Science Translational Medicine documents pre-clinical data and rationale for developing G-202 as a potential cancer therapy. G-202, combined with prodrug delivery, is effective at killing fast- and slow-growing cancers by targeting PSMA enzyme.

SourcePlanet Communications·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 29, 2012

Lymph node roundabout

An international team of scientists found that asymmetric division of antibody-producing B cells speeds up the body's immune defenses by creating optimized antibodies. This process, called the 'recycling hypothesis,' allows the immune system to produce highly effective antibodies against specific pathogens.

Has the speediest pulsar been found?

Researchers using Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton have found a point-like object, IGR J11014, which may be a rapidly spinning, super-dense star ejected during a supernova explosion. If confirmed, its speed of millions of miles per hour poses a challenge to existing models for supernova explosions.

SourceChandra X-ray Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 28, 2012

Photosynthesis re-wired

Researchers at Boston College have successfully harnessed the power of sunlight to synthesize basic compounds of pain-killing drugs using silicon nanowires. The process offers high selectivity required to produce complex organic intermediaries, differing from earlier attempts to harness carbon dioxide with sunlight.

SourceBoston College·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateJun 28, 2012

Rice researchers develop paintable battery

Rice researchers have developed a paintable lithium-ion battery with a five-layer structure, consisting of spray-painted components. The batteries were tested on various substrates and showed remarkable consistency in their capacities, making them suitable for energy-harvesting applications.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 28, 2012

Research at UH finds cognitive-behavioral therapy effective in combatting anxiety disorders

Researchers found that a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy with a transdiagnostic approach significantly improved anxiety disorders such as fear of flying and public speaking. This approach treats patients with one set of principles across all types of anxiety disorders, leading to considerable improvement in comorbid diagnoses.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalBehavior Therapy·DateJun 28, 2012

Life span of ovarian grafts longer than expected

A new study shows that ovarian grafts can maintain hormonal function for more than seven years in some women, providing a long-term solution for fertility preservation. This breakthrough could benefit young cancer survivors with premature ovarian failure, enabling them to retain reproductive health for an extended period.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics·DateJun 28, 2012

New apps redefine poetry

Jason Lewis's P.o.E.M.M. project develops ten new digital poetry apps that combine poet-created content with interactive elements, including user-generated and Twitter-based poetry. The project has received recognition from the Electronic Literature Organization, and its apps are available for download through iTunes.