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Science News Archive March 2012


Page 17 of 32

Protein researchers unravel the molecular dance of DNA repair

Scientists have successfully mapped tens of thousands of molecular signaling events involved in DNA damage repair, shedding light on how cells communicate when their DNA is broken. This research will help develop new drugs with fewer side effects and better protect healthy cells during cancer treatment.

Inheritance -- do we spend it or save it?

A new study suggests that people save only about half of their inherited wealth, with the remaining amount spent, donated, or lost. This decision has significant implications for families, financial markets, and the economy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Low-income mothers risk obesity to feed children

Food-insecure mothers face increased weight gain due to skipping meals and eating cheaper, less nutritious foods to ensure their children are fed. This behavior is linked to metabolic responses that retain fat, exacerbating obesity risks.

NYC suicide rate 29 percent higher at economy's nadir vs. peak

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant link between economic conditions and suicide rates in NYC. The monthly suicide rate was 29% higher at the economic low point in 1992 than at the peak in 2000, with white men under 45 being the most affected.

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.

Why would consumers pay more for separate than bundled products?

A study by Aaron R. Brough and Alexander Chernev found that consumers tend to perceive bundled products as 'moderately expensive', leading them to pay less. The authors suggest that managers should sell items from different price tiers separately to maximize revenue.

Process makes polymers truly plastic

Researchers have created a new lithography strategy that allows for dynamic generation of various patterns on large areas of soft plastics or polymers. This enables rapid switching between different textures, such as smooth to rough and back again, with fast timescales of milliseconds.

A wandering mind reveals mental processes and priorities

A new study reveals a correlation between working memory capacity and mind wandering, suggesting that higher working memory resources may enable off-topic thoughts. Working memory capacity has previously been linked to intelligence measures, and the study suggests it plays a role in everyday planning and decision-making.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Can 1 simple strategy help consumers say 'no' to temptation?

A new study found that using 'I don't' instead of 'I can't' when facing temptation can increase feelings of autonomy and empowerment, leading to positive behavioral change. The strategy was effective in promoting long-term adherence to healthy habits.

How do mood and emotional arousal affect consumer choices?

A new study reveals that consumers make choices based on their mood and level of emotional arousal. People in a positive mood prefer products matching their state, while those in a low-energy state seek reversals. The study finds that consumers consistently choose products promoting pleasant moods.

PCP genetic pathway acts as stop sign for cell growth

The PCP genetic pathway has been found to act as a stop sign for cell growth, signaling organisms when to halt growth. Inhibition of this pathway results in excess growth of neural tissue, offering new potential strategies for regenerative medicine and birth defect treatment.

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.

A pioneer in mathematics: First woman math Ph.D. in America

Winifred Edgerton Merrill was the first woman to earn a PhD in mathematics in the United States. She overcame obstacles, including being forced to study harder by male classmates, to achieve her academic goal. Her pioneering work helped found Barnard College and inspired future generations of women in math and education.

India cannot achieve China-like growth without reforms

A new policy report from Rice University's Baker Institute warns that India's economic slowdown is due to its failure to implement necessary reforms. The report highlights the need for fiscal discipline, tax reform, governance initiatives, and other measures to boost growth.

Most Americans save only about half of their inheritances, study finds

A new study by Ohio State University suggests that adults who receive an inheritance spend roughly half of what they receive, while the rest is lost or spent. The study, which analyzed data from over 7,500 participants, found that nearly one-third of all inheritors saw a decline or no change in their wealth after getting an inheritance.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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 stress of undress

A study by University of Alberta researcher Marianne Clark explores women's experiences of changing in public change rooms, finding that societal beauty standards and lack of privacy contribute to anxiety and self-consciousness. The research highlights the need for more inclusive and comfortable facilities for diverse body types.

An early spring drives butterfly population declines

A study published in Ecology Letters found that early snow melt in the Colorado Rocky Mountains leads to lower flower availability, negatively affecting the growth rate of the Mormon Fritillary butterfly. Reduced flower availability per butterfly explained most of the observed variation in population growth rate.

Straintronics: Engineers create piezoelectric graphene

Researchers at Stanford University have engineered piezoelectricity into a nanoscale material, known as graphene. By modifying the graphene lattice, they were able to achieve fine physical control and created piezoelectric levels comparable to traditional materials. This breakthrough brings new dimension to straintronics and has promis...

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.

When does planning NOT help consumers gain self-control?

A new study found that planning doesn't aid self-control for those who perceive themselves as overweight, leading to unhealthy choices. Conversely, confident savers were less likely to spend their tax rebate after planning, highlighting the importance of a positive self-view in goal attainment.

Some people may be more susceptible to alcohol-induced fragmentary blackouts

A new study examines neural activation among individuals with and without a history of alcohol-induced fragmentary blackouts, suggesting individual differences in how alcohol impacts memory. The study found that some people are more likely to experience alcohol-induced blackouts due to unique patterns of blood flow and neural activity.

Researcher watches the start of his own disease with unprecedented detail

A study using integrative Personal Omics Profiling (iPOP) combines genome sequencing, disease risk analysis, and molecular measures to capture changes in human biology. The researchers observe tens of thousands of components over two years, revealing dynamic molecular-level changes that provide meaningful physiological information.

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.

Basketball-sized eyes help squids play defense

Researchers found that giant squids' large eyes collect more light, improving their ability to detect small contrast differences and bioluminescence. The boost in detecting low-light differences is critical for spotting approaching sperm whales, but the squid's escape is not entirely dependent on its eye size.

MIT research: The power of being heard

A new study from MIT neuroscientists found that sharing stories about one's life with members of the opposing group improves attitudes and reduces prejudice. The benefits were greatest for members of the less empowered group, who reported improved attitudes towards the other group after sharing their own perspectives.

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.

Children in low-income neighborhood with special walking/bike trail exercised more

Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions found that children living in a neighborhood with a specially-designed bike trail were three times more likely to engage in vigorous physical activity. The study compared two low-income neighborhoods in Chattanooga, Tenn., one with a wide trail/sidewalk for biki...

CYFRA21-1 might be predictive marker in advanced NSCLC

A recent study published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology suggests that CYFRA21-1 levels can reliably indicate patient response to chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Higher baseline concentrations were linked to poorer overall and failure-free survival. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Clash of the crayfish: Why the Americans are winning

American signal crayfish are gaining the upper hand in Britain's waterways, threatening native white-clawed crayfish populations. The invasive species' greater appetite for food and reduced susceptibility to parasites have significant implications for biodiversity.

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.

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.

Solitary waves induce waveguide that can split light beams

A Chinese team has developed a theoretical model for multiple solitary optical waves, also known as dark photovoltaic spatial solitons, which induce waveguides and can reconfigure optical beams by splitting them. The findings confirm previous research on the behavior of these solitons in photorefractive crystals.

Epigenetics and epidemiology -- hip, hype and science

New research in epigenetics explores the impact of environmental factors on gene expression, shedding light on the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and disease. The study suggests that environmentally induced epigenetic changes may not persist across generations, challenging the idea of an 'epigenetic designer baby'.

Stem cells hint at potential treatment for Huntington's Disease

A new study suggests that stem cells could potentially restore muscle coordination deficits in patients with Huntington's disease. Researchers successfully integrated human embryonic stem cells into mouse brains, reestablishing the broken communication network and restoring motor function.

Bilingual immigrants are healthier, according to new Rice study

Research from Rice University found that bilingual immigrants experience improved physical and mental well-being compared to unilingual immigrants. The study, which analyzed over 4,649 U.S. immigrants, suggests that maintaining native-language fluency alongside English proficiency contributes to better health outcomes.

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.

Disabling cancer cells' defenses against radiation

Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute developed a technique to remove cancer cells' defenses against radiation by disabling their ability to repair DNA. The experimental method uses RNA molecules that shut down genes needed for DNA repair, making brain and lung cancer cells more sensitive to X-ray radiation.

Dietary cadmium may be linked with breast cancer risk

A recent study published in Cancer Research suggests that dietary cadmium may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women who consumed higher amounts of whole grain and vegetables had a lower risk of breast cancer compared to those exposed through other foods.