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Science News Archive June 2012


Page 2 of 29

Good news for aging eyes

According to a Northwestern University study, the prevalence of visual impairment in adults aged 65 and older decreased by 58% between 1984 and 2010. Improved cataract surgery techniques and reduced smoking rates are likely contributing factors.

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.

How an ancestral fungus may have influenced coal formation

A study suggests that the evolution of fungi capable of breaking down lignin may have played a key role in ending coal deposits. The findings propose that this ability allowed for the complete breakdown of dead plant matter into carbon dioxide, releasing it into the atmosphere instead of accumulating as coal.

Gene discovery helps explain how flu can cause severe infections

Researchers discovered a new gene in the influenza virus that helps control the body's response to infection, reducing the impact of the disease. The PA-X gene was found to be active in mice infected with flu, leading to recovery, while its malfunction led to an overactive immune system and worsened infections.

What you eat can prevent arsenic overload

Research found that consuming more dietary vitamin B12 and animal protein lowered arsenic levels in toenails, while eating more vegetable and animal fat also had a protective effect. However, omega-3 fatty acids were associated with increased arsenic levels.

Programmable DNA scissors found for bacterial immune system

Researchers have discovered a new and effective means of editing genomes, revolutionizing the field of genomics. By programming RNA to direct protein cleavage at specific nucleotide sequences, scientists can now edit DNA with unprecedented precision.

Study provides first evidence of coevolution between invasive, native species

A University of Georgia study reveals that native clearweed plants have evolved resistance to invasive garlic mustard, and the invasive species is countering with its own chemical warfare. The study provides evidence of coevolution between native and invasive plant species, suggesting a potential for ecosystem equilibrium over time.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Forty's a crowd

Researchers discovered that master regulator protein ATF6α brings a plethora of coactivators to gene expression sites, activating downstream genes involved in the ER stress response. The study suggests ways to dampen ER stress signaling molecularly and could reveal new targets for diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's Diseases.

Caffeine boosts power for elderly muscles

A new study found that caffeine continues to enhance muscle performance in younger muscles but is less effective in older muscles. Researchers suggest that preserving muscle tone through physical activity could be key to maintaining health and functional capacity in the aging population.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Flu immunity is affected by how many viruses actually cause the infection

A new study found that the number of viruses involved in a flu infection impacts the immune response, with high-dose infections generating stronger immunity and increased protection against reinfection. This discovery could lead to improved vaccine design and broader protection against emerging flu strains.

Adoption of advanced techniques could propel crop improvement

Researchers argue that adopting molecular phenotyping techniques like ionomics and genome-wide association mapping could broaden our understanding of complex interactions in plants. This knowledge could lead to more efficient crop improvement strategies, particularly for adapting to changing environmental conditions.

Human model of Huntington's disease created from skin's stem cells

A team of scientists has generated a human model of Huntington's disease directly from the skin cells of affected patients, providing a new tool for researchers to study the disease and test potential therapies. The re-created neurons will help understand what disables and kills brain cells in people with HD.

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.

Plasma startup creates high-energy light to make smaller microchips

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a plasma-based technology that produces high-energy light, which can be used to etch next-generation microchips with 13.5-nanometer wavelengths. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome the industry's current limitations and enable further miniaturization of electronics.

U Alberta resets date of earliest animal life by 30 million years

Researchers at U of A have found fossilized tracks of a primitive bilaterian animal from 585 million years ago, indicating the presence of soft-bodied animals on Earth 30 million years earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides new insights into the evolution of animal life and its adaptation to environmental conditions.

A slow trek towards starvation: Scott's polar tragedy revisited

A recent study has revealed that Scott's team starved to death due to insufficient calories and inadequate nutrition. The researchers found that the rations provided were too high in protein and low in fat, leading to a calorie deficit that was exacerbated by extreme physical exertion.

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.

Study offers new insights into the effects of stress on pregnancy

A study by Princeton University researchers reveals that expectant mothers who experienced a hurricane or major tropical storm during pregnancy had children at elevated risk for abnormal health conditions at birth. The study controlled for other factors and found increased risk following exposure to weather-related stressors in the fir...

Studying fish to learn about fat

Researchers at Carnegie Institution have developed a method to observe lipid metabolism in live zebrafish, revealing new aspects of lipid absorption that could improve human health. The technique enables scientists to study the process by which proteins mediate fatty acid uptake and cholesterol transport.

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.

Saving the Baltic Sea

Researchers from Lund University call for abandonment of geo-engineering efforts to mix oxygen into the Deep Baltic due to unforeseen effects. The Baltic Sea is experiencing hypoxia, and while geo-engineering schemes promise short-term improvements, they are also potentially dangerous.

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.

Looking for the next American hyrax?

Hyrax vocalizations encode information on identity, age, hormone levels, and social rank. Singing promotes self-presentation and facilitates communication among the group.

A new source of maize hybrid vigor

Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that small RNAs play a significant role in regulating growth and mediating hybrid vigor in maize. By analyzing small RNA profiles of hybrids, they discovered that differences arise mainly from distinct siRNAs inherited from each parent.

Pollutants could pose health risks for 5 sea turtle species

Researchers measured PFC concentrations in five sea turtle species and found high levels approaching toxic effects in other animals. Hawksbills had the second-highest PFOS concentration, while loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys approached levels linked to liver and neurobehavioral toxicity.

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.

Gladstone scientists use stem cell technology to tackle Huntington's disease

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have generated a human model of Huntington's disease from patient skin cells, providing a more accurate and faithful replication of the disease. This new model will help scientists better understand the development of Huntington's and identify potential therapeutic approaches.

Searching for the origin of muscles

Researchers have discovered that ancient sea creatures like sponges and jellyfish possess the building blocks of striated muscles found in higher animals. Gene duplication is believed to be responsible for the emergence of muscle myosin, a crucial protein structure, which evolved independently in these organisms.

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.

Interacting mutations promote diversity

A new model suggests that frequency-dependent selection fosters genetic diversity by allowing different mutations to coexist and interact. This leads to higher diversity within populations, despite the potential decline in average fitness.

Giant raft of data to help us understand disease

Scientists have assembled a massive catalogue of protein data using a new method, providing unprecedented insight into protein phosphorylation. This understanding brings researchers closer to unraveling the mechanisms of disease.

Turning skin cells into brain cells

Scientists successfully converted skin cells from a patient with severe Huntington's disease into neurons that degenerate like those affected by the fatal disorder. This breakthrough enables researchers to test potential drug therapies on human brain cells in a dish.

Understanding what's up with the Higgs boson

Higgs boson discovery is crucial for understanding particle masses. Experiments are reducing data to find patterns in particle decay, but low probabilities make some channels harder to detect. Sophisticated software filters events to record particles of interest.

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.

A group of fungi marked the end of the coal age 300 million years ago

A group of highly specialized fungi, identified through comparative analysis of 31 fungal genomes, developed a mechanism to efficiently decay plant biomass. These ancient organisms produced peroxidases that acted in synergy with other oxidative enzymes to degrade lignin, a polymer present in wood.

Earth's oldest known impact crater found in Greenland

A team of scientists from Cardiff University and GEUS discovered a 100km-wide, 3-billion-year-old impact crater in West Greenland. The crater's effects were visible deep within the Earth's crust, allowing researchers to study impact processes nearly a billion years further back.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Report shows overspending on cultural institutions in boom years

A new study from the Cultural Policy Center at the University of Chicago reveals that many cultural facilities built during a major building boom in the US faced unexpected challenges. Successful projects were driven by both artistic mission and clear need, with strong leadership and financial flexibility being key factors.

Math goes to the movies

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics hosts a free public event to explore the mathematics underlying movie special effects. Dr. Robert Bridson will discuss the math and physics behind 3D special effects used in movies and computer animations.

Building a better Rift Valley fever vaccine

University of Texas Medical Branch researchers developed a more effective Rift Valley fever vaccine by removing the NSs gene and introducing a dominant negative PKR, improving immune response in large animals and health workers. The new vaccine strain offers enhanced differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals.

Injecting life-saving oxygen into a vein

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed tiny gas-filled microparticles that can be injected into the bloodstream to quickly oxygenate blood. The infusion restored blood oxygen saturation to near-normal levels within seconds, even in animals with blocked airways.

Sensitive test helps improve vaccine safety

A new test, RapidChek SELECTTM Salmonella, detects Salmonella Typhi shedding in stool with a 10-fold to 1000-fold improvement over traditional methods. This technology assesses the degree and duration of shedding after immunization, ensuring vaccine efficacy and community safety.

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.

When does a headache need an engineer to fix it?

The University of Akron has established a Conquer Chiari Research Center to improve diagnosis and treatment of Chiari malformation, a disorder causing head, neck, and shoulder pain. Researchers will use computational fluid dynamics to simulate brain fluid flow, helping determine if surgery is warranted.

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.

Stem cells can beat back diabetes: UBC research

Researchers at UBC successfully reversed diabetes in mice using stem cells, restoring insulin production and reversing the disease. The study re-created the 'feedback loop' that enables insulin levels to automatically rise or fall based on blood glucose levels.