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Science News Archive May 2012


Page 18 of 31

Researchers identify key genes and prototype predictive test for schizophrenia

A research team identified a comprehensive group of genes linked to schizophrenia and developed a prototype predictive test that can accurately assess an individual's risk of developing the disease. The test was able to predict schizophrenia risk in about two-thirds of cases, providing guidance for early intervention and treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Tiny plants could cut costs, shrink environmental footprint

Researchers at Purdue University have discovered that a widely available fungicide can inhibit steroid production in plants, resulting in smaller, more efficient varieties. These 'dwarfed' plants could significantly reduce agriculture's environmental footprint and costs for seed producers.

Spurious switching points in traded stock dynamics

A study by Vladimir Filimonov and Didier Sornette challenges the existence of power laws governing stock market volatility, volume, and intertrade times. They found that 'switching points' are actually caused by biased interpretation of market data statistics.

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.

LA BioMed receives Grand Challenges Explorations grant

LA BioMed has received a Grand Challenges Explorations grant to develop an innovative treatment for premature infants using aerosolized synthetic lung surfactant. The project aims to reduce breathing problems in preterm babies by providing a non-invasive approach.

Why omega-3 oils help at the cellular level

Scientists at UC San Diego mapped omega-3 fatty acid processes in mouse cells, discovering that they inhibit an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) and potentially generating anti-inflammatory compounds from EPA and DHA. This finding suggests possible manipulation to short-circuit inflammation or boost health benefits.

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.

Anti-HIV drug tenofovir is safe to take during pregnancy

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that pre-birth exposure to tenofovir did not increase birth defects or growth abnormalities among infants born to African HIV-positive women. The researchers analyzed data from the DART trial and found no adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes or infant health.

UMD finding may hold key to Gaia hypothesis

A new study by UMD researchers provides a tool for tracing sulfur compounds through ocean organisms, atmosphere, and land, potentially proving or disproving the Gaia theory. The discovery reveals differences in sulfur compound metabolism that carry implications for tracking dimethylsulfide emissions and climate regulation.

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.

Sulphur and iron compounds common in old shipwrecks

Researchers have discovered high levels of sulphur and iron compounds in shipwrecks off the west coast of Sweden, including warships and Viking vessels. The presence of toxic hydrogen sulphide poses a risk to wooden hulls and requires special conservation procedures to prevent damage.

When the soil holds not enough phosphorus

Scientists at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência have identified a new phosphate transporter in plant root cells that plays a crucial role in phosphorus uptake when Pi is scarce. The discovery provides insight into how phosphate transport systems can be manipulated to counteract stressful conditions and potentially improve crop yields.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The elusive capacity of networks

Researchers at MIT demonstrate that network coding and error-correcting codes can be handled separately in wired networks, increasing capacity. In contrast, wireless networks pose challenges due to interference, but upper and lower bounds on capacities are calculated, providing a guide for future research.

Sugar makes you stupid

A new UCLA study reveals that a high-fructose diet can slow the brain and impair memory and learning. However, adding omega-3 fatty acids to the diet may help minimize this damage.

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.

Dietary supplements increase cancer risk

High doses of beta-carotene, selenium, and folic acid have been shown to increase cancer risk in a recent study. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has warned that these supplements should not be taken beyond their recommended daily allowance.

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.

Palpitations are predictive of future atrial fibrillation

A large cohort study found that history of palpitations and hypertension are significant risk factors for atrial fibrillation in both men and women. Palpitations increased the risk of AF by 62% in women and 91% in men, while hypertension doubled the risk in women and increased it by 40% in men.

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.

People see sexy pictures of women as objects, not people

A new study published in Psychological Science finds that both men and women perceive images of sexy women's bodies as objects, while they view sexy-looking men as people. This study contributes to our understanding of objectification and its impact on human perception.

Reducing off-label use of antipsychotic medications may save money

A Penn State study found that 57.6% of patients prescribed antipsychotic medications in 2003 did not have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, highlighting potential savings through reduced off-label use. The study suggests that Medicaid programs may benefit from reducing non-FDA-approved use of these medications.

Hitch-hiking with birds for life

Studies by University of Gothenburg researcher Daniel Gustafsson reveal that body lice can spread more easily than wing lice, defying expectations. Genetic data shows that almost identical body lice are found on most sandpipers worldwide, highlighting the importance of migration patterns and host bird size.

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.

Back pain improves in first 6 weeks but lingering effects at 1 year

A large study published in CMAJ found that back pain symptoms improve significantly in the first six weeks, but pain and disability may persist even after one year. Patients with acute low-back pain experience a 90% reduction in pain intensity at one year, while those with persistent low-back pain see only a 50% improvement.

Microbe that can handle ionic liquids

Researchers at JBEI have identified a tropical rainforest microbe that can endure relatively high concentrations of an ionic liquid used to dissolve cellulosic biomass. The discovery holds broad implications beyond the production of advanced biofuels, offering a potential solution to reduce biofuel production costs.

New biospecimens management system in development

The new Bio4D software program will manage biological repositories for genetic and genomic research, including blood, DNA, and tissue samples. It aims to accelerate discovery in the laboratory and help translate information to oncologists working with clinical patients.

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.

Understanding why some people have propensity to disease

A $1.5 million NIH grant will support a four-year research project led by Frances Sladek to characterize SNPs' effects on nuclear receptors and predict disease susceptibility and response to drug treatments. The study aims to bring personalized medicine closer for patients.

Research opens doors to UV disinfection using LED technology

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new UV disinfection technology using LED lights that can kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses. The technology has potential applications in drinking-water treatment and sterilizing surgical tools.

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.

Measuring CO2 to fight global warming

Scientists from University of Utah and Harvard develop method to detect changes in CO2 emissions of 15% or more using three monitoring stations. The method is a proof-of-concept step towards verifying compliance with future greenhouse gas treaties.

To get the full flavor, you need the right temperature

A new study by Dr. Gary Pickering and colleagues from Brock University found that changes in food temperature alter the intensity of sour, bitter, and astringent tastes but not sweetness. The research involved 74 participants who tasted sweet, sour, bitter, and astringent solutions at varying temperatures.

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.

Embargoed news for Annals of Internal Medicine

Researchers found that a comprehensive care management program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may not be safe or suitable for patients, as it led to excess mortality. In contrast, laxative-free colonography proved accurate in detecting most significant lesions and eliminated a major barrier to colon cancer screening. ...

Groundbreaking new model for predicting vaccine efficacy and safety

Researchers created an innovative biomimetic model of the human immune system called MIMIC®, enabling faster and more effective vaccine development. The MIMIC platform provides a novel in vitro model for evaluating human immune responses against candidate drugs, adjuvants, and vaccines.

See how students' 'Twipolitico' uses tweets to predict political races

Researchers created a website called Twipolitico that analyzes tweets to track the presidential race. The site utilizes machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques to analyze sentiment and topic trends in real-time, providing valuable insights for candidates and strategists alike.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

To avoid pain during an injection, look away

A study published in Pain found that previous painful experiences with needles enhance unpleasantness of pain when viewing needle pricks. Clinicians may advise patients to look away during injections to reduce pain intensity.

Cellular secrets of plant fatty acid production understood

A study published in Nature reveals the cellular secrets of plant fatty acid production, highlighting a key enzyme that can be engineered to increase oil content in crops. The findings have significant implications for food security, renewable energy, and biomedicine, potentially leading to higher-yield crops and new bio-renewable fuels.

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.

Gastric feeding tubes may raise pressure ulcer risk

A new study published in Archives of Internal Medicine reports that gastric feeding tubes may not prevent but rather increase the risk of pressure ulcers in people with advanced dementia. The analysis of thousands of nursing home patients found that those with a feeding tube were 2.27 times more likely to develop a stage II ulcer, and ...