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Science News for May 18, 2012


Using graphene, scientists develop a less toxic way to rust-proof steel

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a graphene-based composite that can replace toxic coatings with hexavalent chromium, reducing environmental harm and promoting safer industries. The new coating has shown significant improvements in durability, allowing treated steel to survive for months in harsh environments.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateMay 18, 2012

En route to a quantum computer

Researchers are working on developing a scalable quantum computer using electron spins and nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds. The goal is to overcome the limitations of silicon technology, enabling complex quantum calculations.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·DateMay 18, 2012

Production of chemicals without petroleum

Researchers at KAIST develop microorganisms to produce natural and non-natural chemicals from renewable biomass through systems metabolic engineering. The study presents new general strategies for improving cellular characteristics and designing synthetic metabolic pathways, enabling high-efficiency production of desired chemicals and ...

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMay 18, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new method detects traces of veterinary drugs in baby food

Researchers from the University of Almería have developed a system to analyse substances quickly and precisely, detecting five veterinary drugs in milk powder and ten in meat products. The 'multi-residue' method allows several drugs to be detected at a time, using chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalFood Chemistry·DateMay 18, 2012

May GSA Bulletin postings take global geology tour

Researchers studied geological formations across the globe, including the Coast Range basalt province and the Faroe Islands. They discovered evidence of plume-influenced magmatism and fault rock types that can help model fluid migration and distribution. Additionally, a study on the Wairarapa fault in New Zealand investigated the geome...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateMay 18, 2012

AGA presents cutting-edge research during DDW®

The American Gastroenterological Association will showcase innovative data and advancements in treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders during the Digestive Disease Week 2012. The presentation of exciting, cutting-edge information will help physicians diagnose and treat GI disorders more effectively.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateMay 18, 2012
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Facebook and smartphones: New tools for psychological science research -- news brief

Recent studies explore how technology is changing the questions asked by psychological scientists, with a focus on data collection from social media platforms like Facebook. Researchers are leveraging smartphone sensors to gather insights into human behavior and environments, offering new avenues for scientific inquiry.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateMay 18, 2012

Quantum computing: The light at the end of the tunnel may be a single photon

Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd. developed an all-semiconductor quantum logic gate, a controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate, by coaxing nanodots to emit single photons of light on demand. This breakthrough brings researchers closer to creating powerful quantum computers.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 18, 2012

Finding fingerprints in sea level rise

Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 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.

Comprehensive report documents impact of urologic diseases on American public

The Urologic Diseases in America report documents the significant impact of urologic conditions, such as urinary tract infections and prostate cancer, on the American public. The study reveals that these conditions result in substantial healthcare costs, with estimates suggesting $40 billion annually.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·DateMay 18, 2012

Pollution teams with thunderclouds to warm atmosphere

Researchers found that pollution strengthens thunderstorm clouds, causing them to capture more heat and warm the atmosphere. The warming effect dominated over cooling, with larger anvils trapping more heat at night.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 18, 2012
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Dartmouth researchers are learning how exercise affects the brain

Dartmouth researchers have found that exercise has different effects on memory and the brain depending on age, with potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD. The study identified a gene that mediates exercise's impact on mental health, offering new avenues for treatment.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNeuroscience·DateMay 18, 2012

Foul-mouthed characters in teen books have it all, study finds

A new study by Brigham Young University professor Sarah Coyne analyzed 40 teen novels and found that 88% of them contained at least one instance of profanity. The study also discovered that characters with higher social status, better looks, and more money were more likely to swear.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMass Communication & Society·DateMay 18, 2012

Stanford scientists document fragile land-sea ecological chain

A recent study published in Scientific Reports documents the long-term ecological interactions between land and sea ecosystems. Researchers found that replacing native trees with non-native palms led to a cascade of effects, including fewer seabirds, reduced nutrients in waters, and decreased manta ray populations.

SourceStanford University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 18, 2012

Return of the vacuum tube

Researchers developed a tiny vacuum channel transistor with applications in hazardous sensing, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications; the device operates at low voltages, making it competitive with semiconductor technology.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 18, 2012
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.

Acid in the brain

The University of Iowa researchers created a non-invasive method to measure pH changes in the brain using MRI-based techniques. The study found that pH changes occur with normal brain function and can be detected using this new technique.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2012

With fat: What's good or bad for the heart, may be the same for the brain

A recent study published in Annals of Neurology found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat was associated with poorer overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. In contrast, eating more monounsaturated fats, commonly found in olive oil, may help prevent decline in memory and cognitive performance.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMay 18, 2012

New silicon memory chip developed

Researchers at University College London have developed a new silicon oxide-based 'Resistive RAM' memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions, offering significantly greater memory storage and reduced energy consumption. The chip promises to be much faster than current technology, with potential applications beyond memory storage.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 18, 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.

Experts call for clinical trials to test non-skeletal benefits of vitamin D

The Endocrine Society recommends large randomized controlled trials to test vitamin D's effects on chronic diseases such as autoimmunity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Topical and oral vitamin D may be useful in treating skin disorders like psoriasis, but more research is needed.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalEndocrine Reviews·DateMay 18, 2012

New key mechanism in cell division discovered

Researchers from IDIBELL have discovered a new mechanism in cell division regulation through protein Zds1. This finding has significant implications for developing targeted and direct therapies against cancer by understanding the molecular mechanisms of mitosis.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalJournal of Cell Science·DateMay 18, 2012
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.

Is the Earth a cosmic feather-duster?

Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateMay 18, 2012