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Science News for June 29, 2012


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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 29, 2012

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.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateJun 29, 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
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.

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalMolecular Cancer Research·DateJun 29, 2012

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalScience·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
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.

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

A new method accounts for social factors when assessing the seismic risk of a city

A new method for calculating seismic risk incorporates social factors like crime rates and healthcare, providing a more accurate assessment of urban areas. The approach, developed by Spanish scientists, uses fuzzy logic theory to incorporate qualitative information from expert opinions.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalBulletin of Earthquake Engineering·DateJun 29, 2012
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.

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.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJun 29, 2012

Easter Island drug raises cognition throughout life span

Researchers found that rapamycin enhances learning and memory in young mice and improves these faculties in old mice, negating the normal decline with age. The drug also lowered anxiety and depressive-like behavior in the rodents.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalNeuroscience·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.

SourceUniversity of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science·DateJun 29, 2012

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.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateJun 29, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·JournalEcotoxicology·DateJun 29, 2012

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.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJun 29, 2012

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.

SourceAmerican Federation for Aging Research·DateJun 29, 2012
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

'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
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.

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

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.

SourcePublicase International·JournalMolecular Medicine·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
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·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