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Science News Archive May 2012


Page 1 of 31

Flies with Restless Legs Syndrome point to a genetic cause

Researchers found that flies lacking a key gene associated with RLS exhibit sleep disturbances and restlessness, similar to human patients. The study suggests a genetic basis for RLS and offers new insights into the disease's pathophysiology.

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.

Genetic discovery unlocks biosynthesis of medicinal compound in poppy

Researchers at University of York and GlaxoSmithKline have identified a complex gene cluster responsible for producing the medicinal compound noscapine. This discovery will accelerate breeding of high-noscapine poppy varieties, which could provide a reliable source of this valuable medicine.

Open-fire cooking may affect child cognitive development

Researchers at UC Riverside and Pitzer College found that children exposed to open-fire cooking experience memory, problem-solving, and social skills deficits. The study used previously collected data from children aged 3-9 in traditional communities in developing countries.

Maternal smoking disrupts retinoid pathways in the developing fetal lung

Research finds that maternal smoking disrupts retinoid pathways in the developing fetal lung, leading to increased risk of asthma and lung disease. The study shows that maternal smoking affects lung development and retinoic acid signaling in offspring, highlighting a potential mechanism for long-term health consequences.

Who says girls can't compete athletically with boys?

A new study from Indiana University found little difference in swim performance between male and female childhood athletes under the age of 8. The researchers also discovered similar performance levels among 11- and 12-year-old swimmers, with pubertal changes affecting older athletes.

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.

Juvenile arthritis patients may have issues maintaining employment as adults

Research suggests that functional disability in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients affects their ability to achieve educational success and secure employment. Patients with JIA often experience joint damage, disability, and lowered quality of life, leading to higher rates of unemployment compared to healthy counterparts.

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.

Listening in, researchers learn about end-of-life communication

A study published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that prognosis was discussed in 93% of conversations, with quality of life focused more often than survival. The conversation's tone varied depending on whether the patient was present, with pessimistic discussions more likely when family members were alone.

Hiding true self at work can result in less job satisfaction, greater turnover

A new study from Rice University and others found that hiding one's true identity at work can lead to decreased job satisfaction and increased turnover. Expressing one's true identity in the workplace, on the other hand, can have a positive impact on interpersonal relationships and create a more inclusive environment.

Researchers identify mechanism that maintains stem cells readiness

A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers has identified a protein receptor on cancer cells that induces differentiation, helping blood cancer cells grow. The receptor, called LILRB2, maintains stem cell readiness by inhibiting differentiation and preserving self-renewal.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA's Hubble shows Milky Way is destined for head-on collision

The Milky Way is destined for a head-on collision with the Andromeda galaxy in 4 billion years. Computer simulations show that stars will be thrown into different orbits around the new galactic center, and our solar system may be tossed farther from the core.

Predicting burglary patterns through math modeling of crime

A new study uses mathematical modeling to predict burglary patterns in urban areas, identifying hotspots and potential preventive measures. By analyzing spatio-temporal patterns of crime, the authors provide a method to track social and economic conditions of neighborhoods over time.

Cosmic calculations

A University of Delaware-led research team has developed more accurate calculations for the interactions between molecules of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, essential for spectroscopy in astrophysics. These advancements enable researchers to analyze molecular clouds where stars are born with greater precision.

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.

Weather patterns can be used to forecast rotavirus outbreaks

Researchers found that rotavirus incidence is higher during the coldest, driest months of the year in South Asia. They also discovered an association between rotavirus and vegetation density, suggesting a potential tool for disease surveillance and prevention.

Meeting biofuel production targets could change agricultural landscape

A new podcast from the American Chemical Society explores how meeting current biofuel production targets with existing technology would significantly reduce food production, leading to widespread environmental concerns. The study's findings highlight the need for more accurate estimates of biofuel production capabilities.

A 'B12 shot' for marine algae?

Researchers found a key protein, CBA1, that enables marine algae to capture vitamin B12 from seawater. This discovery has significant implications for the marine food web and climate, as well as potential industrial and therapeutic applications.

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.

Dual effect on tumor blood vessels

Scientists found that Ang-2 regulates angiogenesis through TIE-2 and integrin signaling, leading to two independent effects on tumor blood vessels. This discovery prompts the development of new therapies targeting Ang-2.

Bias found in state supreme courts, according to UGA study

Researchers at UGA found that judges' race and gender influence the assignment of majority opinions in state supreme courts. Black male judges were less likely to be assigned high-profile cases, while white female judges received more assignments than expected.

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.

We need to talk: How cells communicate to activate notch

Studies show that ligand cells produce pulling force to pull on Notch, activating cellular responses. The findings provide compelling evidence for the role of mechanical force in Notch signaling, potentially leading to new therapeutic targets for diseases related to Notch signaling.

Hepatitis C 'switch' offers target for new drug research

Scientists have identified a highly conserved 'switch' in the Hepatitis C virus that can be targeted by custom-designed drugs to lock it into an inactive state. This discovery offers a promising approach to treating the virus, which affects over 170 million people worldwide.

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.

Fantasizing about your dream vacation could lead to poor decision-making

Research suggests that fantasizing about idealized future scenarios can influence people's preferences for learning about the positives over negatives. This can impact decision-making, even for those considering careful deliberations. Positive fantasies can mimic the effects of intentions and lead to biased information acquisition.

The first prehistoric Iberian twins have been found

Researchers at UAB discovered newborn twin girls' remains in Olèrdola archaeological site, providing first documented case of prehistoric twins. The discovery offers insights into child burial practices and socio-cultural relationships during the Iberian Age.

The Women's Health Initiative: An unforgettable decade

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Hormone Therapy Trial radically changed the practice of women's health, showing that younger women have better outcomes on hormone therapy than older women. The study highlights the importance of individualized care for women and underscores the need to understand different types of hormone therapy.

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.

Alzheimer's protein structure suggests new treatment directions

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered a new therapeutic strategy to reduce amyloid-beta production in Alzheimer's disease. By understanding how cholesterol binds to the amyloid precursor protein, they found that blocking this interaction could prevent amyloid-beta generation and treatment of dementia.

Student researchers seek to develop new therapies for cancer

The CNRCS has awarded three students for their work on prostate cancer, including Jayantha Tennakoon, who aims to identify molecules that provoke cancer cell growth. Undergraduate Hannah Do is maintaining a drug library to isolate new therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer. Eylem Aydogdu became the first Ph.D. graduate at the...

Cancer incidence predicted to increase 75 percent by 2030

The global cancer burden is projected to rise by over 75% by 2030, driven by demographic changes and Westernized lifestyle factors. Countries with low Human Development Index (HDI) are expected to experience a significant surge in cancer cases, particularly those associated with infection.

Explaining Stevia's bitter side

Researchers at TUM and DIfE discovered the hTAS2R4 and hTAS2R14 receptors responsible for Stevia's bitter taste. The study found that the structure of glycoside molecules plays a key role in determining sweetness or bitterness in Stevia.

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.

X-ray laser resolves atomic structure of biomolecules

An international team led by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has used the world's most powerful X-ray laser to obtain ultrahigh-resolution views of nano-crystals of biomolecules, including a small protein found in egg whites. This technique enables researchers to view molecular dynamics at a time-scale never observed before.

New small solid oxide fuel cell reaches record efficiency

A new small-scale solid oxide fuel cell system achieves up to 57 percent efficiency, significantly higher than previous systems of its size. The system uses methane as fuel and incorporates microchannel technology and external steam reforming for increased efficiency and scalability.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Novel X-ray technique opens door to new biological insights

Scientists used a novel X-ray technique to analyze the structure of hen egg white lysozyme at a high resolution of 0.19 nanometres, demonstrating the potential of free-electron lasers in structural biology. The technique, which uses ultrashort X-ray pulses, enables the study of previously intractable molecular structures.

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.

X-ray 'echoes' map a supermassive black hole's environs

Astronomers use XMM-Newton data to detect X-ray 'echoes' from a distant galaxy, revealing a new way to study supersized black holes and their accretion disks. The echoes, which lag behind AGN flares by up to 30 minutes, provide insights into the environment around these massive black holes.

4 telltale signs of propaganda on Twitter

A new Georgia Tech study identifies four behaviors characteristic of Twitter hyperadvocates, including sending high-volume tweets, retweeting with minimal original content, and coordinating with other users. These behaviors can create an echo chamber effect, increasing the perceived legitimacy of advocated positions.

Juvenile arthritis patients may have issues maintaining employment as adults

Research shows that adult JIA patients with higher functional disability have lower educational achievement and job stability, while those with oligoarticular JIA perform better. Education is key to success for these individuals, suggesting that career guidance and disease management are crucial for employment outcomes.

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.

New treatment for irritability in autism

Researchers found that N-acetylcysteine significantly decreased irritability in children with autism, while being well-tolerated and causing minimal side effects. A large randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm the findings and explore potential treatment benefits for other symptoms.

For music, social-media marketing doesn't trump quality

Researchers from MIT revisited data from a seminal online experiment and found that a clear quantitative indicator of quality consistently predicts song popularity across all sites. High-quality songs will gradually rise to the top, even on sites where downloads determine ordering, but equilibration takes time.

Drug companies moving toward green goals

Many pharmaceutical companies are making progress in embracing green chemistry principles, reducing waste generation and operating more environmentally friendly ways. The American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Institute is helping its members share best practices and compare progress.

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.