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Science News Archive June 2012


Page 1 of 29

Want bigger plants? Get to the root of the matter

A recent study has discovered that potted plants grow significantly larger when placed in bigger pots, with some species reaching up to 40% increase. The researchers found that the plants' roots sense the pot size, allowing them to adjust their growth accordingly.

Sleep deprivation effect on the immune system mirrors physical stress

Researchers found that severe sleep loss affects white blood cell counts, particularly granulocytes, which react immediately to physical stress and mirror the body's stress response. The study suggests implications for clinical practice and professions associated with long-term sleep loss.

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.

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.

Hi-C to investigate activity in solar atmosphere

Hi-C will capture the highest-resolution images of the sun's corona, providing unprecedented views of dynamic activity in the solar atmosphere. The mission aims to understand coronal heating and structuring, placing significant new constraints on theories.

Short stretches of piRNA evaluate cells' genetic history

New research suggests that short stretches of piRNA evaluate cells' genetic history by recognizing sequences that have been expressed before. The study found that the silencing pattern is permanent and passed stably between generations, with each individual establishing its own pattern.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

New marker, new target in Ewing's sarcoma

Researchers have discovered that high levels of protein EYA3 are associated with a poor response to chemotherapy in Ewing's sarcoma patients. Lowering EYA3 levels may help increase the effectiveness of existing therapies and improve outcomes.

Scientists urge new approaches to plant research

A Michigan State University professor and colleague discuss the importance of plant research in a paper published in Science. They highlight the need to improve our understanding of plant metabolism to develop more sustainable agriculture and medicinal products.

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.

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.

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.

Bees shed light on human sweet perception and metabolic disorders

A study by Arizona State University researchers identified a possible molecular link between sweet taste perception and the state of internal energy in honey bees. By suppressing two genes, they discovered that bees can become more sensitive to sweet taste, similar to people with Type 1 diabetes.

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.

Programmable RNA complex could speed genome editing in the lab

Researchers have discovered an RNA-based complex that guides a DNA-cutting enzyme to specific sites, enabling easy customization for laboratory applications. This breakthrough could revolutionize genome editing and gene function studies, offering a powerful tool for biotechnology efforts.

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 technique could reduce number of animals needed to test chemical safety

Scientists have developed a new way to test chemical safety using fish spheroids, which behave like normal animal tissue and can be maintained for over a month. This technique could reduce the number of fish needed for toxicology testing, providing a more accurate picture of how chemicals affect animals and ecosystems.

AGU journal highlights -- 29 June 2012

A study finds that the Agulhas rings drive the eastward branch of AMOC deep water transport. A prediction system to protect astronauts from solar storms has been designed and assessed.

AFAR's MSTAR program addresses shortage of geriatric medicine physicians

The American Federation for Aging Research's MSTAR program aims to address the growing shortage of geriatric medicine physicians. By providing medical students with training and research opportunities, the program seeks to increase the number of doctors specializing in age-related diseases and conditions.

'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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

Preventing the immune system from going haywire during sepsis

A study published in Molecular Medicine found that blocking the GRP receptor reduces extreme immune response elements and reveals a new inflammatory pathway. The research also shows that patients with septic shock have higher levels of GRP, which may explain their multiple organ dysfunctions.

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.

Cell Press journals continue to deliver high impact

Recent annual citation reports confirm Cell Press's position as a leading publisher of highly cited research and reviews. The flagship journal Cell has increased its impact factor by 9% since 2005, maintaining its status as the premier research journal in its field.

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.

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.

Unemployed Americans face greater risk of mortality: UBC study

A UBC study found that unemployed American workers, particularly low- and medium-skilled workers, have a higher risk of death compared to their German counterparts. The study suggests that access to employment insurance and unemployment benefits can significantly impact mortality rates.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Winner of 2012 SAGE ALPSP Conference travel grant announced

Stephen Buck, EResources and Periodicals Librarian at Dublin City University Library won the 2012 library travel grant by showcasing a strong need for two-way dialogue between publishers and librarians. The award aims to facilitate this partnership, especially in challenging times.

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.

Tropical Depression Dokuri weaker, but still potent

Tropical depression Dokuri has weakened but remains a threat to the Philippines, with strong convection and thunderstorms being pushed away from its center. NASA's infrared satellite imagery shows cold cloud top temperatures indicating strong uplift, and warnings are in effect for several provinces.

Milky Way struck 100 million years ago, still rings like a bell

Astronomers have discovered that the Milky Way's stars are moving in unexpected ways, suggesting a recent encounter with a small galaxy or dark matter structure. The team found a north-south asymmetry in the distribution of stars, which may be caused by a vertical wave formed by the object's passage.

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.

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.

Dinosaurs were warm-blooded reptiles

A new study in Nature finds that the presence of lines of arrested growth (LAG) in dinosaur bones does not indicate ectothermy. Instead, LAGs provide insight into how animals adjust their metabolism in response to seasonal changes.

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.

NASA's TRMM Satellite measures Debby's drenching Florida rains

Tropical Storm Debby caused widespread flooding and heavy rain in Florida, with the highest rainfall totals exceeding 380 mm (~15 inches). The storm's effects were felt well away from its center, resulting in an outbreak of tornadoes over central and southern Florida.

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.

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.

Epilepsy drugs increase risk of fractures and falls

New research finds that epilepsy patients taking antiepileptic drugs are up to four times more likely to suffer fractures and have osteoporosis compared to non-users. The study also showed a significant increase in falls among female patients taking the medication.

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.

UT Southwestern study shows treating diabetes early, intensively is best strategy

A UT Southwestern study found that early intensive treatment of type 2 diabetes slows down the progression of the disease by preserving the body's insulin-producing capacity. The intensive treatment regimen was shown to be effective in maintaining steady insulin-producing beta-cell function for three and a half years after diagnosis.

Ecological Society of America announces 2012 award recipients

The Ecological Society of America honored eight scientists with prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to ecology, including Robert Naiman and Janet Lanza. The awards recognize meritorious research, teaching, and service to the field of ecology.

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.

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.

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.

Scientists warn Brazil's environmental leadership at risk

Brazil faces threats to its environmental leadership from recent developments on deforestation, indigenous lands, and the Forest Code. The declaration urges the government to utilize scientific input and invest in science and education to maintain progress.

Study finds genes associated with hippocampal atrophy

A genome-wide association study identified several genes associated with hippocampal atrophy, a key feature of Alzheimer's disease. The study found novel associations between brain degeneration and genes in the APOE, F5/SELP, LHFP, and GCFC2 gene regions.

Insights into primate diversity: Lessons from the rhesus macaque

New research reveals rhesus macaques have three times more genetic variation than humans but with a comparable ratio of damaging mutations, indicating strong selection pressure to maintain gene function. The study's findings provide insights into the impact of population history on genetic variation and evolutionary selection.