Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive March 2012


Page 11 of 32

What we don't talk about when we don't talk about sex

A national survey of OB-GYNs found that most doctors do not routinely ask about sexual problems or satisfaction, and even fewer inquire about a patient's orientation. This omission can lead to missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment, with women often suffering in silence due to fear or embarrassment.

Discovery sheds new light on wandering continents

A NASA-sponsored researcher found that a melt-rich layer under the Pacific Ocean basin is not the only mechanism allowing continents to gradually shift their position. This discovery sheds new light on plate tectonics, providing insight into the movement of Earth's crustal plates over millions of years.

Cell protein interactions favor fats

A study published in Molecular Cell found that more than 30% of PDZ domains interact with various membrane lipids, controlling their cellular location and interaction with other protein partners.

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.

Diatom biosensor could shine light on future nanomaterials

Researchers have developed a diatom-based biosensor that can detect specific substances in water samples using fluorescence. The biosensor uses genetic engineering to insert fluorescent proteins into the silica shell of a marine algae, allowing it to respond to certain chemicals.

High school math teachers may not make the grade when it comes to gender bias

A new study found that high school math teachers systematically rate white girls lower than their male counterparts, despite similar grades and test scores. The researchers suggest that this bias may be due to societal stereotypes about women's abilities in math, making it hard for teachers to recognize and resist the bias.

Arsenic in Goldfields soil needs monitoring

Soil arsenic levels and cancer rates have been linked by researchers, highlighting the need for recorded monitoring of environmental sources. Ongoing exposure to arsenic in soil is thought to contribute to childhood cancers in the Goldfields region of Victoria.

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.

Quantum copies do new tricks

Researchers at the University of Calgary have made a significant breakthrough in quantum copying, demonstrating that original states can be perfectly recovered from imperfect copies. This achievement has far-reaching implications for quantum technology, including potential applications in precision measurement and sample analysis.

Getting the dirt on immunity

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that early-life exposure to microbes prevents asthma and colitis in mice. The study suggests that the hygiene hypothesis may be supported by a potential mechanism involving unique T cells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How music prevents organ rejection

Research published in BioMed Central's Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery found that opera and classical music increased survival time before organs failed. Music may act via the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing inflammation and increasing regulatory cells.

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.

Subtle differences can lead to major changes in parasites

Researchers found that the absence of a single gene in Neospora makes it less able to evade the immune response in mice and other species. This may explain why Neospora has a limited host range compared to Toxoplasma, which has more surface proteins necessary for host adaptation.

Potential biomarkers linked to UTI-related pregnancy complications identified

A study at Nationwide Children's Hospital has identified proteins in the blood that may indicate whether a mother's urinary tract infection affects fetal growth. The researchers found that infected mothers had higher levels of inflammatory protein IL-6, which correlated with lower birth weights and increased risk for prematurity.

Runaway planets zoom at a fraction of light speed

New research reveals that runaway planets exist and can reach speeds of up to 30 million miles per hour, outpacing most objects in the Galaxy. These hypervelocity planets are produced by double-star systems interacting with supermassive black holes.

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.

Magnetic field researchers target 100-tesla goal

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory successfully produced a 100.75-tesla magnetic field, exceeding the world record, using a novel pulsed magnet system. The achievement paves the way for studying quantum behavior under high magnetic fields and exploring new materials.

Antidepressant proves effective in alleviating osteoarthritis pain

A new study suggests that antidepressants, specifically duloxetine, can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis pain. The analysis of FDA-approved studies found that duloxetine provides significant advantages over traditional treatments, including fewer side effects.

Invisibility of magnetic fields made reality

Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona manufacture a cylinder that hides contents and makes them invisible to magnetic fields, paving the way for the invisibility of light. The device uses high-temperature superconductor material and is fully isolated from external magnetic fields.

Employer-sponsored wellness programs on the rise

The survey found that 81% of employers target lifestyle habits such as physical activity, tobacco use, and weight management. Employers that tracked screening results reported measurable improved outcomes in blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body mass index.

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.

DNA marker predicts platinum drug response in breast, ovarian cancer

Scientists have identified a genetic marker that predicts which breast and ovarian cancers will respond to platinum-based chemotherapies. The marker, found on chromosomes within cancer cells, flags tumors unable to repair DNA damage caused by platinum agents, offering new hope for aggressive triple-negative breast cancer patients.

Noninvasive imaging can detect mutations within a brain tumor

Researchers developed a noninvasive imaging technique using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect 2-hydroxyglutarate, a chemical produced by some brain tumors' warped metabolism. The technique can predict the presence of IDH1/2 mutations with 98% accuracy and may help doctors tailor treatment plans.

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.

Gennadi Henkin receives Bergman Prize

Gennadi Henkin has received the 2011 Stefan Bergman Prize for his fundamental contributions to theory of functions on complex manifolds, integral representations in several complex variables, and multidimensional Cauchy-Riemann equations. He is recognized as a leading scientific researcher with over 130 publications in various fields.

Runner's high motivated the evolution of exercise

Endocannabinoids play a crucial role in motivating human exercise behavior, suggesting that natural selection drove the evolution of endurance activities. The study found that exercising mammals release pleasurable endocannabinoids in response to high-intensity exercise.

Anxiety boosts sense of smell

A new study found that anxious individuals can detect negative odors more accurately due to heightened sensory perception, leading to increased anxiety responses.

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.

Dance like a neutrino: Quantum scheme to simulate neutrino oscillations

Physicists at the National University of Singapore have developed a scheme to simulate neutrino oscillations using three charged ions. This quantum simulation could aid in understanding more complex models of neutrino behavior and potentially inspire simulations of other particles with similar properties.

NIST findings awaken age-old anesthesia question

Scientists at NIST and NIH discovered that inhaled anesthetics may alter the organization of fat molecules in a cell's outer membrane, affecting nerve cell signaling. This finding opens up a new line of inquiry into the long-standing question of how anesthesia works.

Autism risk gene linked to differences in brain structure

Researchers found structural differences in brains of healthy carriers of the CNTNAP2 gene variant, which may contribute to increased vulnerability for autism. The study suggests that genetic variations can affect brain connectivity and signaling, leading to functional abnormalities characteristic of neuropsychological disorders.

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.

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.

Keeping track to selenium metabolism

Scientists have developed a new method for studying selenium metabolism in living organisms, which could help clarify the element's potential anti-tumor properties. The technique uses enriched stable isotopes to track selenium concentrations in biological tissues and fluids, revealing its presence and behavior in the body.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Sharp rise in cases of new strain of whooping cough

A new genotype of the Bordetella pertussis bacterium has been identified as responsible for a sharp rise in whooping cough cases in Australia. The strain is believed to be evading the current acellular vaccine's protective effects, leading to an increase in life-threatening respiratory illness.

Dense breasts can nearly double the risk of breast cancer recurrence

Research presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference found that women with denser breasts have a nearly double risk of local recurrence. The study, which involved 1,774 post-menopausal women, highlights the importance of considering breast density in treatment decisions and follow-up routines.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Mercury's surprising core and landscape curiosities

Scientists have found that Mercury's core is larger than anticipated, occupying 85% of the planet's radius. The planet's topography shows smaller elevation ranges compared to Mars or the Moon, with evidence of large-scale changes since its geological history.

People without a sense of smell have enhanced social insecurity

A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals without a sense of smell have increased social insecurity and risk for depression. They also experienced increased risk for household accidents despite not having significant deviations from daily functions like food preferences.

Ronald Dubner named 2012 AADR Distinguished Scientist

Dr. Ronald Dubner, a professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore, received the 2012 AADR Distinguished Scientist Award for his groundbreaking work on neurobiological mechanisms of orofacial acute and chronic pain. His research has been recognized for translating findings to improve healthcare.

Research identifies the beginnings of COPD

Scientists have discovered that immune cells circulating in the blood enter the lungs' large airways, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. This breakthrough helps clarify how smoking causes severe respiratory damage and may lead to new treatments.

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.