Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive March 2012


Page 25 of 32

Sobered up using LSD

A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of LSD improved outcomes for 59% of patients compared to 38% of those receiving other treatments. Patients who received LSD showed greater self-acceptance, openness and motivation to address their alcohol problem.

A test of the senses in the search for a shoal mate

Research from the University of Bristol and Radboud University Nijmegen found that young French grunts are attracted to coral reef noises and muddy soft-sediment smells, but only visual cues of familiar fish guide them to their shoal mates. This hierarchical approach allows the fish to navigate safely in complex habitats.

Drosophila conference highlights diverse research and its applications

Researchers presented at the Drosophila conference explored metabolic disorders, aging and monarch butterfly migration using the fruit fly as a model organism. Studies found connections between fly and human disease, revealing new insights into diabetes, aging and the mechanisms behind monarch migration.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Insect DNA offers tiny clues about animals' changing habitats

A new study has shed light on how species and their natural enemies have chased each other across continents for millions of years. The research used population genetics to analyze the DNA of small insects and their wasp enemies, finding that some plant-eating insects have outrun their predators for hundreds of thousands of years

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.

Benefits of single atoms acting as catalysts in hydrogen-related reactions

Researchers at Tufts University discovered that single atoms of palladium can catalyze industrially important chemical reactions, including the hydrogenation of acetylene. The findings offer significant economic and environmental benefits by reducing costs and waste associated with traditional catalysts.

Engineer Robert J. Wood to receive NSF's Alan T. Waterman Award

Robert J. Wood, an Associate Professor at Harvard University, has won the prestigious Alan T. Waterman Award for his innovative research in biologically inspired robotics and microfabrication. The award recognizes his work on developing robotic flying insects and a new fabrication technique inspired by children's pop-up books.

Older men's hidden health concerns

A large cross-sectional survey of 2325 Canadian men aged 55-97 years old found that mobility impairments, memory loss, and medication side effects were top health concerns. However, only a minority reported receiving adequate counseling on these issues, highlighting important gaps in healthcare.

NASA sees second biggest flare of the solar cycle

NASA's models predict two CMEs will impact Earth and Mars, causing severe geomagnetic storms and aurora at low latitudes. The flares, part of the sun's normal 11-year solar cycle, were triggered by an active region named AR 1429.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study shows mean screens prime the brain for aggression

A new study by Iowa State University researchers found that watching mean screens can activate aggressive scripts in the brain, leading to increased aggression. The study showed that both physical and relational aggression on screen can prime the brain for aggressive behavior, which has significant implications for today's societal norms.

Elusive Higgs boson in sight?

Researchers at Michigan State University's DZero team have detected a distinct Higgs-like signature that cannot be easily explained without the presence of something new. If confirmed, this finding would be a major milestone for the world physics community and validate the Standard Model.

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.

Crystal structure of archael chromatin clarified in new study

Researchers have elucidated the crystal structure of Alba2-DNA complex in archaea, revealing a hollow pipe-like structure that compacts DNA. This discovery provides valuable clues into the evolution of chromatin structure and its connection to diseases.

Commonly used dementia drugs can help more patients with Alzheimer's

A new study suggests that extending treatment to moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease patients with the commonly used dementia drug donepezil can help treat more patients worldwide. The trial found that continued treatment resulted in improved cognitive and functional abilities, with benefits noticeable to patients for at least a year.

Wilmot researchers create new way to study liver cancer

Wilmot researchers develop first genetically engineered mouse model for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC), a type of bile duct cancer. The model incorporates common mutations in humans and enables testing of potential treatments, accelerating the discovery process.

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.

NIST measurements may help optimize organic solar cells

Researchers at NIST and NRL developed a better understanding of how to optimize organic solar cell performance by varying layer thickness. The ideal layer thickness of 2 nanometers results in the best current generation, but further engineering challenges remain to be addressed.

Antimatter zapped!

Researchers at CERN have successfully manipulated antihydrogen atoms using microwaves, providing the world's first glimpse of an 'anti-atomic fingerprint.' This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of applying microwave spectroscopy to study antimatter atoms.

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.

Market exchange rules responsible for wealth concentration

Two Brazilian physicists used statistical mechanics methods to study free market models, finding that wealth distribution follows a power law and concentrates among a few agents. New regulations, such as taxes giving poorer agents a higher probability of wealth gain, may help prevent wealth concentration and decrease inequalities.

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.

That caffeine in your drink -- is it really 'natural?'

A team of scientists has created a new method to determine whether caffeine in beverages is naturally occurring or synthetic. Using stable-isotope analysis, the technique identifies differences in carbon isotopes found in plant-based and lab-made caffeine. This breakthrough enables faster categorization of caffeine sources.

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.

Wash your mouth out with silver

Scientists discovered that silver nanoparticles effectively kill hard-to-treat yeast infections, including oral thrush and dental stomatitis. The nanoparticles' stability in liquid medium makes them a potential strategy for developing alternative treatments.

Chimpanzees have policemen, too

Researchers found that chimpanzees intervene in conflicts to preserve group peace, exhibiting prosocial behavior based on community concern. This policing activity was rare and limited to high-ranking individuals, who were more willing to intervene if several quarrelers were involved.

Teaching fat cells to burn calories

Scientists at UCSF have identified a protein called PRDM16 that can convert ordinary white fat cells into brown fat cells, which burn calories. This discovery makes PRDM16 a possible target for future obesity 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.

Past pregnancies linked to reduced MS risk in women

Research found that women who had two or more pregnancies had a significantly reduced risk of developing MS symptoms, while men showed no association between children and MS risk. This study suggests a possible link between delayed motherhood and increased MS cases in women.

Researchers capture first-ever images of atoms moving in a molecule

Researchers have recorded real-time images of two atoms vibrating in a molecule using a new ultrafast camera. The technique, called laser-induced electron diffraction (LIED), allows for the capture of rapid molecular motion and could lead to controlling chemical reactions on an atomic scale.

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.

Sperm can count

Researchers discovered that sperm only react to changes in calcium concentration, not the concentration itself, allowing them to maneuver even in high calcium environments. This calculation enables sperm to follow chemical gradients and navigate towards eggs.

NASA jet stream study will light up the night sky

Scientists will launch five sounding rockets to study the high-altitude jet stream winds and their connection to electrical current patterns. The experiment aims to gain a better understanding of these fast winds and help model electromagnetic regions of space that can damage satellites and disrupt communications systems.

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.

New treatment shows promise for kids with life-threatening bone disorder

Researchers report improved symptoms in patients with hypophosphatasia after one year of treatment with a new compound, including increased bone strength, better breathing, and improved motor development. The study found significant progress in motor skills, such as walking, sitting, and crawling, in most patients.

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.

The trustworthy cloud

Fraunhofer researchers have developed the Cloud Control Center to provide global monitoring of cloud services and assess their security. The control center provides administrators with a customizable dashboard to track key figures and establish meaningful status reports about the entire cloud system.

The right type of words

A new study identifies the QWERTY effect, where words typed with more letters on the right are associated with more positive emotions. The research challenges the traditional view that word meanings are independent of their forms.

You are what you eat

A study published in PLOS ONE found that individuals who consumed more fruit and vegetables experienced increased skin redness and yellowness, which were associated with improved health and attractiveness. The researchers monitored participants over six weeks and discovered a correlation between diet and skin color changes.

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.

BUSM student-published study focuses on khat chewing in Yemeni culture

A new study by BUSM researchers found that most medical students in Yemen believe khat chewing is harmful to health, but they won't advise patients to quit. The study highlights conflicting attitudes towards khat use among Yemeni medical students, with cultural factors possibly influencing their views.

Artificial wetlands can provide benefits over the long haul

A 15-year study found that artificial wetlands can take up more carbon from the atmosphere than natural ones, but may release methane. Both types of wetlands removed large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus from river water. The study suggests long-term ecological research is useful for determining human intervention's success.