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Science News Archive June 2012


Page 7 of 29

Electronic data methods research seeks to build a 'learning health care system'

The Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum aims to develop innovative strategies for addressing challenges in traditional research studies and data sources. Researchers share lessons learned from eleven projects funded by the U.S. Agency for Health Research and Quality, focusing on using electronic clinical data to improve patient outcomes.

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.

Stress link to Alzheimer's goes under the spotlight

A new research project investigates the link between chronic stress and Alzheimer's disease development. The study aims to understand how stress may become a risk factor for developing dementia, with the goal of finding ways to intervene with psychological or drug-based treatments.

Romancing the firefly

Researchers at Tufts University found that female fireflies prefer males with larger nuptial gifts after mating, leading to higher reproductive success. This discovery challenges the conventional view that flash duration is the primary cue for female choice in firefly courtship.

Boosting blood system protein complex protects against radiation toxicity

A study in Nature Medicine reveals that boosting a protein pathway in the body's blood-making system can protect against radiation poisoning. The researchers found that pharmacologic enhancement of the Thbd-aPC pathway can accelerate recovery of hematopoietic progenitor cell activity and reduce harmful effects in mice.

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.

Funding for teacher classroom management study

Researchers will test the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management course on 80 primary school teachers in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. The study aims to improve pupil socio-emotional well-being, academic attainment, and teacher emotional well-being, with potential cost-savings for educational support and mental health services.

Significant sea-level rise in a 2-degree warming world

A new study projects significant sea-level rise of up to 3.5 metres even at relatively low levels of global warming, highlighting the need for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. Limiting warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius could halve sea-level rise by 2300.

Binge eating improves with deep brain stimulation surgery

Researchers used deep brain stimulation to treat binge eating in mice and found a significant reduction in consumption of high-fat food. The study suggests that deep brain stimulation may be an effective therapy for obesity by modulating activity of neurons expressing the type 2 dopamine receptor.

Learn that tune while fast asleep

Researchers found that stimulating a musical tune during slow-wave sleep improved memory for complex skills. Participants made fewer errors when pressed keys to produce the melody presented while they slept compared to the other melody. The study opens doors for future studies on sleep-based memory processing.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pitt develops biodegradable artery graft to enhance bypass surgeries

Researchers at Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering and School of Medicine have developed a cell-free, biodegradable artery graft that regenerates an artery in situ within 90 days. The graft's porosity allows for immediate cell infiltration, leading to strong and compliant new arteries.

Better looking birds have more help at home with their chicks

Researchers found that male blue tits make fewer hunting trips to feed their brood if their mates have UV-reflecting crowns smeared with chemicals. However, they continue to protect and defend their chicks equally well as males with non-UV-treated females.

Neurons that control overeating also drive appetite for cocaine

A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that neurons controlling hunger are also linked to cocaine addiction, contradicting the common assumption that food is a type of drug of abuse. The researchers discovered that mice with decreased interest in food showed increased interest in novelty-seeking and cocaine.

New drug offers improved progression-free survival for melanoma patients

The new drug dabrafenib has shown significant improvements in progression-free survival for patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma, with an average of 5.1 months compared to 2.7 months with existing treatment dacarbazine. The results also suggest that dabrafenib may have fewer severe side effects than other BRAF inhibitors.

Ratio of appetite-regulating hormones marker of successful dieters

Researchers identify marker of successful dieters, finding that a pre-diet leptin/ghrelin ratio can predict which individuals will maintain weight loss and who will not. The study shows that this ratio can be used to individualize weight-loss therapeutic programs, leading to improved obesity management.

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.

Climate change and the South Asian summer monsoon

A review of recent research articles found that the South Asian summer monsoon is expected to experience more variability in rainfall due to climate change. However, regional projections for devastating droughts and floods remain uncertain due to inconsistent observations and complex thermodynamic processes.

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.

Gene mutations cause massive brain asymmetry

Researchers identified de novo somatic mutations in three genes associated with hemimegalencephaly, a rare childhood disease. These findings suggest potential treatments targeting the known gene mutations could reduce or prevent radical surgery.

Discovery of material with amazing properties

Scientists have created a material that is both magnetically and electrically polarized, paving the way for new applications. The unique property allows for strong magneto-electrical effects, making it an exciting discovery for future technologies.

Flower power may be answer to itchy problem

Scientists have engineered a peptide inhibitor to target specific skin proteases, offering potential relief for people with conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. By modifying the binding surface of sunflower trypsin inhibitor, researchers created novel inhibitors that may help restore the skin's original state.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Brain structure helps guide behavior by anticipating changing demands

Researchers discovered that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) optimizes behavioral responses by predicting task difficulty. The study used a complex task to evaluate dACC function, revealing that the structure speeds up responses when difficulty levels are constant but slows down response time when faced with changing demands.

Exome sequencing gives cheaper, faster diagnosis in heterogeneous disease

Researchers successfully used exome sequencing to diagnose genetic diseases in patients with intellectual disability, blindness, deafness, movement disorders, cancer, and OXPHOS diseases. The technique was able to identify causative mutations in up to 20% of cases, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional Sanger sequencing.

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 price tag on a patient-centered medical home

A new study finds that patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) have higher per-patient operating costs, with additional expenses for personnel, technology, and quality improvement measures. The PCMH model aims to improve care quality and reduce wasteful spending, but its financial sustainability is threatened by these increased costs.

Experimental insulin drug prevents low blood sugar

A new study found that an experimental insulin drug, degludec, prevented low blood sugar among diabetic patients more frequently than a popular drug, glargine. Degludec caused 14% fewer low blood sugar incidents overall and 37% less at night compared to glargine.

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.

Experimental drug improves muscle strength among male cancer patients

A new experimental medication called enobosarm safely increases muscle strength and physical functioning among cancer patients with low testosterone levels. In a multi-center trial, enobosarm significantly improved physical function by 19% in men with low testosterone and by 13% in those with normal hormone levels.

Common diabetes drugs associated with increased risk of death

A large analysis found that three widely used diabetes medications - glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride - are associated with a greater risk of death compared to metformin. These sulfonylureas were linked to a 50% increased risk of mortality, while glimepiride appeared to be safer in patients with heart disease.

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.

Exercise with diet improves insulin sensitivity much more than diet alone

A new study by The Endocrine Society found that a combination of diet-induced weight loss and frequent exercise almost doubled the improvement in insulin sensitivity compared to dieting alone. This suggests a distinct complementary effect of exercise on diet-induced weight loss, according to the study.

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.

Low steroid levels linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease

A large-scale study found that low DHEA-S levels are independently associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular-disease events. The results indicate that low DHEA-S may be protective or serve as a marker for poor general health, highlighting the need for further research to understand underlying mechanisms and potential benefits.

Investigational hormone replacement promising treatment for rare disorder

A new study presents promising results for an investigational parathyroid hormone replacement in treating hypoparathyroidism, a rare disorder marked by low calcium and high phosphate levels. The treatment effectively regulated calcium levels and reduced the need for additional vitamin D in over half of patients.

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.

Mild thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy linked to serious complications

A new study found that even mild thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy significantly increases the risk of serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight. The study recommends universal screening for all pregnant women in the first trimester to prevent these complications.

Fungicide used on farm crops linked to insulin resistance

A recent study has found that exposure to the fungicide tolylfluanid can induce insulin resistance in fat cells, providing new evidence of the link between environmental pollutants and diabetes. This discovery raises concerns about the potential health risks of using this chemical on farm crops.

GMCSF treatment associated with improved cognition in cancer patients

Researchers found significant improvements in memory and thinking among cancer patients treated with GMCSF plus GCSF compared to those receiving GCSF alone. The study suggests that GMCSF may prevent or reverse cognitive decline in cancer patients, in addition to Alzheimer's patients.

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.

Maths tells us when to be more alert on the roads

Researchers used mathematical algorithms to determine that drivers should pay more attention during the shortest lifetime of spatio-temporal correlations of traffic intensity, found to be between 6pm and 8pm. This period experiences high 'stop and go' phenomena, requiring constant driver attention.

Danish scientists detect new immune alert signal

Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a new immune alarm signal that triggers the human immune system before a virus attack. This knowledge may lead to more efficient vaccines and better treatment of recurrent infections, potentially reducing the risk of diseases like AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, and cold sores.

Notre Dame establishes professorships in adult stem cell research

Notre Dame has established professorships in adult stem cell research thanks to a $5 million gift from the Gallagher family. The new positions aim to accelerate the discovery of treatments for degenerative diseases, such as Type 1 diabetes and Parkinson's disease, using non-embryonic stem cells.

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.

Research: Many programs to help diabetics manage their health do work

A comprehensive review of 142 clinical trials found that strategies targeting patients and the healthcare system are effective in improving diabetes outcomes. Programs aimed at physicians were only successful for diabetics with poor health control, while patient-targeted interventions showed promise regardless of HbA1c levels.

'Trust' hormone oxytocin found at heart of rare genetic disorder

A study published in PLoS One found that individuals with Williams syndrome exhibit abnormal hormonal responses to emotional triggers, particularly increased levels of oxytocin and arginine vasopressin. This may help understand human social behavior and inform treatment for related disorders.

Predicting treatment response in central nervous system diseases

A study by European Society of Human Genetics researchers identifies a crucial factor, CD36 fatty acid transporter protein, in suppressing response to VPA treatment. Monitoring blood for CD36 levels can help doctors determine response to treatment before starting therapy.

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.