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Science News for March 30, 2012


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.

SourceHudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology·JournalCell·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateMar 30, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceEarth System Science Partnership·DateMar 30, 2012

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...

SourceWiley·JournalCatheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

Children who develop asthma have lung function deficits as neonates

Children with asthma by age seven already had significant airflow deficits and increased bronchial responsiveness as neonates, according to a new study. Lung function deficits also progressed throughout childhood in the study, suggesting potential for early intervention.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 30, 2012

The link between fast food and depression has been confirmed

Eating commercial baked goods and fast food is linked to a 51% increased risk of developing depression. Those consuming the most fast food have a greater chance of being single, less active, and having poor dieting habits.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

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.

SourceLinköping University·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

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.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience·DateMar 30, 2012

Some corals like it hot: Heat stress may help coral reefs survive climate change

Researchers discovered that corals surviving past heat stress are more likely to adapt in the future. The study suggests coral reefs may be able to withstand rising temperatures in locations with naturally variable water temperatures, benefiting millions of people reliant on coral reefs for sustenance and livelihoods.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2012

U of T-led research team discovers new quantum encryption method to foil hackers

Researchers have found a way to detect subtle changes in quantum data, making it harder for hackers to manipulate encoded communication. The new method, called Measurement Device Independent QKD, allows users to verify each other's data, ensuring unconditionally secure encryption.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

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.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

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.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMar 30, 2012

MARC travel award announced for the 2012 ASCI/AAP Joint Meeting

The FASEB MARC Program aims to increase the number and competitiveness of underrepresented minorities engaged in biomedical research. The program has selected Samuel D. Quaynor for a $1,650 travel award at the 2012 ASCI/AAP Joint Meeting.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2012

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.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMar 30, 2012
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.

Declines in Caribbean coral reefs pre-date damage resulting from climate change

Researchers attribute decline of Caribbean coral reefs to historical land clearing and overfishing, not climate change. The study used novel excavation techniques to reconstruct the timeline of historical change in coral reefs, finding damage from these activities occurred decades before climate-related damage.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEcology Letters·DateMar 30, 2012