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Science News Archive March 2012


Page 1 of 32

Metformin appeared to slow prostate cancer growth

A phase II study found metformin reduced fasting glucose, insulin levels and body mass index in men with prostate cancer. The medication also appeared to slow the growth rate of prostate cancer in a proportion of men.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Oxygen in tumors predicts prostate cancer recurrence

A recent study has found that low oxygen levels in tumors can predict cancer recurrence in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The research, led by radiation oncologists at the Princess Margaret Hospital, suggests that these patients are more likely to develop cancer recurrence within a few years of completing treatment.

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.

2 targeted therapies act against Ewing's sarcoma tumors

A combination of cixutumumab and temsirolimus shrank tumors in some patients with treatment-resistant Ewing's sarcoma or desmoplastic small-round-cell tumors, with two achieving complete responses. The study suggests that managing side effects is vital to maintaining the therapy and slowing disease progression.

Tales from the crypt lead researchers to cancer discovery

A new study reveals a population of intestinal stem cells that respond to damage and prevent cancer, increasing understanding of normal and cancer cell progression in the intestines. The discovery highlights the potential for Lrig1 as a target for treating intestinal and colon cancer.

Clocking an accelerating universe: First results from BOSS

The Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) has made precision measurements of the large-scale structure of the universe five to seven billion years ago. By using a technique called baryon acoustic oscillation, BOSS can determine the distances to faraway galaxies with unprecedented accuracy.

Evolving to fight epidemics: Weakness can be an advantage

A new study reveals that the number of vertebrate predators and food availability influence epidemic size and host evolution. Daphnia populations evolve increased susceptibility to yeast infection in lakes with fewer resources and high predation.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Planet under Pressure conference, London: Final statement

The declaration warns that humanity is driving the planet into a new epoch, the Anthropocene, where human activities dominate planetary processes. The conference calls for urgent action and proposes new initiatives to promote global sustainability, including a new framework for development goals and a UN Sustainable Development Council.

Middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect success of next-day procedures

A new study published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions found that middle-of-the-night PCIs do not adversely affect the safety and effectiveness of procedures performed the next day by the same operator. The researchers identified no significant difference in complication rates or outcomes between PCIs performed durin...

Grant to fuel baking soda cancer therapy research

The University of Arizona has received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop an innovative magnetic resonance imaging method for measuring pH levels in tumors. This technique aims to personalize cancer treatments, such as baking soda therapy, and predict their effectiveness before treatment begins.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA sees Typhoon Pakhar headed for Vietnam landfall

Typhoon Pakhar is intensifying over the South China Sea, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall of about 35 mm/hr near its southwestern side. Forecasters expect the storm to peak near 80 knots before landfall in Vietnam on April 1, with typhoon-force winds and rough coastal conditions.

Bees 'self-medicate' when infected with some pathogens

Research from North Carolina State University reveals that honey bees increase propolis collection by 45% when infected with harmful fungi, providing a natural antifungal agent to protect their colony. The bees also physically remove infected larvae to prevent fungal spores from spreading.

Extreme weather threatens rich ecosystems

Mathematical modelling and simulation reveal that extreme species-rich ecosystems are most vulnerable to cascading extinctions in an increasingly variable world. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that species-rich ecosystems are more robust.

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.

SIAM names 2012 Fellows

The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics named 35 individuals as part of its 2012 Class of Fellows, recognizing their outstanding research in applied mathematics and computational science. The selected fellows are academics and professionals who have made significant contributions to the field.

The electronic nose knows when your cantaloupe is ripe

A team from the University of California, Davis, created an electronic nose that can differentiate maturity of melons, including cantaloupe, in a matter of minutes. The method has the potential to improve produce quality and breeding, benefiting the agricultural industry.

Researchers work to help soldiers break camouflage

Researchers have developed a simple technique to teach civilians to break camouflage, with 60% of volunteers achieving proficiency in just two weeks. The Army is using this method to improve its sniping skills, and researchers are studying the brain activity involved.

Starvation linked to greater risk of cardiac complications

Researchers have identified a unique population of individuals who experienced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and childhood starvation, which may be at greatest risk of developing long-term heart complications. Cellular changes associated with IUGR and starvation could be targeted to prevent or reverse structural heart changes.

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.

CDC study forges link between depression and sleep apnea

A new CDC study has found a significant association between symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea and probable major depression in US adults. The study, which surveyed 9,714 American adults, found that snorting, gasping, or pauses in breathing during sleep were associated with nearly all depression symptoms.

Honeycombs of magnets could lead to new type of computer processing

Researchers have developed a honeycomb pattern of nano-sized magnets that can store computable information and reduce interactions between neighboring magnets by two-thirds. The arrays can be read by measuring their electrical resistance, enabling potential for faster and more efficient computing.

Making mice comfy leads to better science, Stanford researcher says

A new study by Stanford researcher Joseph Garner found that providing laboratory mice with nesting material allows them to naturally regulate their temperatures and builds cozy nests. This results in mice being physiologically comparable to humans, potentially leading to more meaningful research outcomes.

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.

Study supports using virtual environment to teach mind/body techniques

A small study found that online virtual communities can effectively teach patients meditation and relaxation techniques, offering a barrier-free alternative to traditional face-to-face meetings. Participants reported significant reductions in depression- and anxiety-related symptoms and high satisfaction with the virtual environment.

ADHD is over-diagnosed

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum and University of Basel reveals that ADHD is often misdiagnosed based on heuristics rather than adhering to recognized diagnostic criteria. The researchers found that boys are substantially more likely to be misdiagnosed compared to girls, with male therapists also tending to give more frequent diagnoses.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

NIH study finds women spend longer in labor now than 50 years ago

A recent NIH study found that women take longer to give birth today compared to 50 years ago, with an average increase of 2.6 hours for first-time mothers. The study suggests that changes in delivery practices, including the increased use of epidural anesthesia and oxytocin, may be contributing to the longer labor duration.

Newly discovered foot points to a new kid on the hominin block

The discovery of a partial foot skeleton from the Burtele hominin species has provided new insights into human evolution. The fossil's characteristics suggest that it was adept at moving around in trees and grasping items with ease. This finding adds complexity to our understanding of locomotion in human evolution.

Volcanic plumbing exposed

Researchers from the University of Leeds and international teams studied magma chambers on mid-ocean ridges, revealing new information about their location and behavior. The findings can help scientists identify early warning signs of impending eruptions, which is crucial for predicting large volcanic events.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Images capture split personality of dense suspensions

Researchers observed a split personality in dense suspensions as they formed droplets. Despite high viscosity, the particles' interactions with the liquid led to a non-viscous behavior, challenging conventional understanding of drop formation.

Estrogen is responsible for slow wound healing in women

A new study suggests that estrogen reduces the activity of a protective lipid pathway, leading to slower wound healing in women. The research provides new clues for treating inflammatory diseases such as dry eye disease and scleroderma.

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.

Much faster than a speeding bullet, planets and stars escape the Milky Way

Researchers have identified hypervelocity planets and stars that are ejected from the Milky Way at millions of miles per hour due to their close interaction with a massive black hole. The study suggests that these high-speed objects can provide valuable insights into planetary formation and evolution near the central black hole.

New material cuts energy costs of separating gas for plastics and fuels

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new iron-based material that can separate saturated hydrocarbons from unsaturated gases at high temperatures, eliminating the need for chilling. This breakthrough could lead to significant energy savings in the chemical industry, particularly in the production of plastics and fuels.

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.

The MIRI has 2 faces

MIRI, the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, offers unparalleled capabilities for studying distant galaxies, star formation, and planetary systems. Its spectrometer and camera enable scientists to analyze an object's physical properties and image its shape and structure.

Depression has big impact on stroke, TIA survivors

Researchers found depression rates were similar among stroke and TIA survivors, with 17.9% of stroke patients and 14.4% of TIA patients experiencing depression at 3 months post-hospitalization. Persistent depression was common, affecting nearly 70% of stroke and TIA patients.

Reducing cash bite of wind power

Harold H. Kung's analysis finds Investment Tax Credit to be more attractive for consumers and investors due to lower electricity prices and faster returns on investment. The study aimed to mitigate the high capital cost of wind power, benefiting both parties.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A new breast cancer susceptibility gene

A new breast cancer susceptibility gene, XRCC2, has been discovered by researchers at the University of Utah Health. The study found that mutations in this gene increase breast cancer risk, providing a new target for chemotherapy and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Depression common among stroke, TIA patients; Many undertreated

A recent study found that depression is common among stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients, with nearly two-thirds of them not receiving treatment. The study suggests that brain injury and vascular risk factors may contribute to the development of depression in these patients.

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.

Studies show how common crop pesticide harms bees

Two studies found that neonicotinoid insecticides harm bumblebees by reducing food intake and queen production, while impairing honeybees' homing abilities, leading to increased mortality. The pesticides can also interfere with bees' behavior, posing a threat to pollination.