Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive March 2012


Page 20 of 32

Controversial study promoting psychic ability debunked

A new study has failed to replicate a controversial experiment suggesting the existence of precognition, thereby debunking claims of psychic ability. The researchers, led by Stuart Ritchie, found no statistically significant effects in their attempts to replicate the results.

Study finds a quarter of adults with HIV were abused as children

A two-year Duke University study found that over half of patients had experienced sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime, leading to worse medical outcomes and poorer health-related behaviors. Childhood trauma was also associated with instances of unprotected sex, missing antiretroviral medications, and recent emergency room visits.

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.

An avalanche of planning for multi-national Arctic field campaigns

The US GEOTRACES initiative will conduct a grand-scale, coordinated experiment in the Arctic Ocean to better understand climate change impacts on ecosystems and geochemical cycles. The project aims to establish a baseline for future measurements and inform feedback mechanisms for Arctic change.

Researchers identify unexpected player in intestinal immunity

Goblet cells, previously thought to only secrete mucus, have been found to chaperone food antigens in the intestine, connecting them to dendritic cells. This discovery provides new insights into intestinal immunity and potential targets for therapies against inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, and food allergies.

Deaths from gastroenteritis doubles

The number of US deaths from gastroenteritis increased by 10,000 over eight years, with adults over 65 accounting for most deaths. C. difficile and norovirus were the top infectious causes, with a five-fold increase in C. difficile deaths.

Scientists map genetic evolution of leukemia

Researchers sequenced DNA from cancer cells in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes who later developed leukemia, finding that the disease is an early form of cancer. The study suggests that targeted cancer drugs should be aimed at mutations that develop early in the disease.

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.

Mystery human fossils put spotlight on China

The discovery of fossils from two caves in south-west China reveals a previously unknown Stone Age people with unusual anatomical features. Dated to 14,500-11,500 years old, these individuals may represent a previously unknown species or early migration of modern humans out of Africa.

2 new NASA LRO videos: See moon's evolution, take a tour

Two new NASA LRO videos reveal the moon's evolutionary history, exploring how it came to appear today. The 'Evolution of the Moon' video explains the moon's formation from a giant ball of magma and its subsequent impact that formed the South Pole-Aitken Basin.

Japanese honeybees swarm huge hornet predator to kill it with heat

Researchers have discovered that Japanese honeybees use a novel defense mechanism when threatened by Asian giant hornets, creating a 'hot defensive bee ball' to cook the hornet. This behavior differs from European honeybees and is associated with increased neural activity in higher brain centers.

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.

Are silver nanoparticles harmful?

A recent study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that silver nanoparticles can suppress cellular growth and multiplication, causing cell death depending on concentration and duration of exposure. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles also caused DNA damage but with weaker effects.

Silicon-carbon electrodes snap, swell, don't pop

The study reveals that silicon-carbon nanocomposite electrodes can withstand repeated use and charging cycles without significant degradation. The electrodes' expansion and contraction caused by lithium ion flow are more even and less prone to imperfections, leading to improved battery performance and potential for longer lifetimes.

Diverse catches are better for fishery ecosystems

A scientific team reports that a 'balanced harvest' can achieve productive fisheries while conserving environmental factors, according to the journal Science paper. This approach maximizes production and minimizes ecological effects by targeting multiple species and sizes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

JAMA study finds patients with stroke symptoms are still not calling 911

A study published in JAMA found that the number of stroke victims transported via ambulance has remained relatively static over the years, emphasizing the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and calling 911. Early treatment is possible with effective drugs and surgeries that can minimize brain damage from a stroke.

Ob-gyns can prevent negative health impacts of environmental chemicals

Researchers call for ob-gyns to evaluate patients' exposure to environmental chemicals, provide education, and advocate for policy change to reduce toxic exposures. The human reproductive system is vulnerable to biological changes caused by chemicals during critical periods of development.

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.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Research suggests new therapeutic approach for spinal cord injury

Researchers have discovered that administering FTY720, an oral drug shown promise for multiple sclerosis, significantly improves motor function recovery in mice with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests targeting sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors may be a new avenue to counteract the degeneration of the spinal cord in human SCI.

JoVE shows how researchers open the brain to new treatments

A new technique published in JoVE uses MRI-guided microbubbles and focused ultrasound to disrupt the blood-brain barrier, potentially opening new treatment avenues for devastating conditions like Alzheimer's and brain cancers. The method is safer than current methods, which can leave large areas of the barrier exposed to toxins.

Reduced baby risk from another cesarean

A major study led by the University of Adelaide found that women who had one prior cesarean can lower the risk of death and serious complications for their next baby. Infants born to these women had a significantly lower risk of serious complications compared to those born after a vaginal birth following a prior cesarean.

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.

NASA sees double tropical trouble in northern Australia

Tropical Cyclone Lua has strengthened to a minimum tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots, while System 96P is getting organized in the Southern Pacific Ocean. Both systems are affecting coastal areas in northern Australia and are expected to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and rough surf.

Cancer drug improves memory in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

A cancer compound called epothilone D has been found to slow neurological damage and improve memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment prevented tau tangle formation and improved learning and memory tests, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.

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 reveals carbon footprint caused by China's irrigation system

A new study reveals China's groundwater irrigation system is responsible for releasing over 30 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. This significant pollution is caused by the energy needed to pump water from underground, with some areas requiring pumps that run for miles.

NASA and CSA robotic operations advance satellite servicing

A NASA experiment aboard the International Space Station has demonstrated remotely controlled robots can perform precise satellite-servicing tasks in space, marking a milestone in technology test bed use. The project is expected to reduce risks and encourage future robotic servicing missions, paving the way for satellite repair, refuel...

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.

A fragrant new biofuel

JBEI researchers have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to generate significant quantities of methyl ketone compounds from glucose, which yielded high cetane numbers comparable to gasoline. The findings add flexibility and options for the biofuels industry, with potential applications in producing advanced biofuels.

Gene Kritsky to give Entomology Founders' Memorial lecture

Gene Kritsky will give the Entomology Founders' Memorial Award lecture at Entomology 2012, honoring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Dr. Kritsky's research has significantly contributed to understanding periodical cicadas and apiculture.

Italian researchers found how to stop low back pain

Researchers at the Catholic University of Rome found that high concentrations of NF-kB cause degeneration of intervertebral discs, leading to chronic low back pain. They developed an experimental drug, NBD peptide, to inhibit NF-kB and tested its success in mice.

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.

Optics Express focus issue: Modular ultrafast lasers

The Optics Express Focus Issue on Modular Ultrafast Lasers showcases state-of-the-art developments in femtosecond lasers, enabling new applications in biology, medicine, chemistry, and energy research. Key findings include the generation of broad-bandwidth frequency combs for precision metrology and spectroscopy.

UC Riverside alumna receives high honor in genetics

Stephanie Turner Chen has received the Larry Sandler Memorial Award for her research on the detection of carbon dioxide in fruit flies and mosquitoes. Her work provides a novel approach to mosquito control, revealing odors that inhibit their ability to detect carbon dioxide.

Santorini: The ground is moving again in paradise

Scientists have recorded unprecedented deformation within Santorini's caldera, with movement of up to nine centimeters between GPS stations. The volcano's magma chamber has expanded by 14 million cubic meters since January, raising concerns about a potential eruption.

A new approach to faster anticancer drug discovery

Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine developed a new strategy for faster anticancer drug discovery by analyzing the genetic pathway of disease. They identified Peruvoside, a cardiac glycoside, as a potential treatment for prostate cancer with minimal side effects.

Cancer epigenetics: Breakthrough in ID'ing target genes

A new study from Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine has developed a computer program called EpiPredictor to rapidly identify genes targeted by epigenetic proteins. The program, which was funded in part by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, shows promise for speeding up research in cancer epigenetics.

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.

More trans fat consumption linked to greater aggression

A study published in PLOS ONE found that dietary trans fatty acids are associated with irritability and aggression in both men and women of all ages. The research, which analyzed data from nearly 1,000 adults, suggests a strong link between trans fat consumption and aggressive behaviors.

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.