Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive November 2012


Page 21 of 23

Compound in grapes, red wine could be key to fighting prostate cancer

Resveratrol, a compound found in grape skins and red wine, has been shown to increase the susceptibility of prostate tumor cells to radiation treatment, leading to higher mortality rates. This discovery offers new hope for developing effective treatments for all types of prostate cancer, including aggressive tumors.

Link found between child prodigies and autism

A new study of eight child prodigies suggests a possible link between their special skills and autism. The prodigies, who scored exceptionally on working memory tests, show elevated autistic traits but lack the typical deficits associated with autism.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Report aims to prevent medical misdiagnoses and under treatment

Angioedema, a rare but serious condition, can be misdiagnosed or under-treated due to lack of understanding. The report aims to provide best clinical practices for diagnosing and managing all its forms, helping patients find relief and live healthy lifestyles.

Study questions the relevance of SCIP benchmarks among CABG patients

A study from Boston University School of Medicine found that achieving SCIP benchmarks for glycemic control may not be relevant among patients undergoing CABG surgery who receive perioperative continuous insulin infusions. These patients had excellent glycemic control, despite being outliers in the SCIP guidelines.

New study shows effects of climate conditions on bark beetle outbreaks

A new study by the USDA Forest Service reveals that climate conditions significantly impact bark beetle outbreaks, with optimal temperatures ranging from 1-4 degrees Celsius. Lower cumulative precipitation in prior years and higher current year precipitation also increase the likelihood of outbreaks.

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.

ADHD medicine affects the brain's reward system

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have created a model showing how ADHD medication influences the brain's reward system. The study found that dopamine signaling pathways are sensitive to drugs like Ritalin, leading to paradoxical effects at different dosages.

Asthma is 'all in the family' among African males

Researchers assessed genetic ancestry's impact on asthma in African Americans. The study found that African ancestry was linked to increased severe asthma attacks among males but not females. This suggests a potential genetic factor contributing to the higher risk of severe asthma in this population.

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.

A potentially deadly reason to seek preventive health care

A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found that individuals with severe anaphylaxis are less likely to have seen an allergist in the previous year. Regular care from an allergist can prevent severe allergic reactions and reduce hospitalization rates.

NASA funds SAO instrument to track North American air pollution

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will build the TEMPO instrument, which will monitor major air pollutants across the North American continent hourly. This will enable scientists to improve emission inventories and evaluate effective emission-control strategies.

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.

Central and southern living might turn you vegetarian

A study by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology found a higher incidence of alpha-gal sensitization in regions with lone star ticks. This allergy causes delayed reactions after consuming red meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb, posing a life-threatening risk.

SETAC announces Chris Lee Award for metals research winner, Kevin Brix

Kevin Brix, a University of Miami PhD graduate, has been awarded the SETAC/ICA Chris Lee Award for his outstanding research on metal toxicity in aquatic organisms. His work focuses on the mechanisms of metal toxicity to freshwater and marine species, with a particular emphasis on dietary metal exposure and its effects on aquatic life.

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.

Life-saving epinephrine under utilized by paramedics

A new study at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that only 15% of patients with anaphylaxis received epinephrine from paramedics. The authors recommend improving paramedic education on epinephrine use for allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.

A new way of making glass

Researchers at the University of Bristol and Heinrich-Heine-Universität in Düsseldorf have developed a new way of making glass by changing its structure. This method uses computer simulations to encourage atoms in a molten alloy to form polyhedra, leading to a solid with a disordered atomic arrangement - a characteristic of glass.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Socioeconomic status linked to childhood peanut allergy

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that peanut allergy rates are higher in families with higher economic status. The 'hygiene hypothesis' suggests that a lack of early childhood exposure to germs may contribute to allergic diseases.

Respiratory symptoms vary according to stage of menstrual cycle

A study of nearly 4,000 women found that respiratory symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough change throughout the menstrual cycle, varying by body mass index, asthma, and smoking status. These patterns suggest a link between hormonal changes and respiratory symptoms through the menstrual cycle.

How infection can trigger autoimmune disease

Scientists confirm that an infection can trigger an autoimmune disease by identifying the exact conditions for an autoantibody response to occur. The research reveals a unique problem with the immune system's ability to distinguish between self and non-self, leading to autoimmunity in certain cases.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Understanding antibiotic resistance using crystallography and computation

Researchers have discovered how a particular type of carbapenemase enzyme reorients bound antibiotics to destroy their antimicrobial activity. This understanding could lead to the design of new drugs that can resist being broken down by such enzymes, helping combat increasing antibiotic resistance.

An egg a day to keep allergies away

Studies found that half of children with egg allergies can tolerate baked eggs, and 55% outgrow the allergy entirely. Baked eggs are found to be less allergenic than raw eggs, making them a safer option for those with egg allergies.

When identity is tied to former employer, unemployed report higher well-being

A study by San Francisco State University Assistant Professor Jennifer Tosti-Kharas found that unemployed individuals who strongly identified with their former employer reported feeling more confident and having a greater sense of purpose. This strong sense of self appeared to offset the isolation common during job loss, particularly f...

New device could allow your heartbeat to power pacemaker

Researchers developed an energy-harvesting device that uses piezoelectricity to convert heartbeat-induced vibrations into electricity. The device can generate enough power to continuously operate a pacemaker without the need for battery replacements.

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.

Japanese family members less likely than others to give CPR for cardiac arrest

A Japanese study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012 found that family members were least likely to administer CPR after a cardiac arrest, but most likely to receive telephone instructions. Researchers attributed this to cultural and demographic issues in Japan, including a large gender gap.

Penn Medicine's Daniel J. Rader, M.D., receives AHA's Clinical Research Prize

Daniel J. Rader, MD, has been awarded the American Heart Association's (AHA) Clinical Research Prize for developing new methods to identify factors regulating fat particle metabolism and testing their impact on atherosclerosis. His research focuses on genetic and pharmacologic regulation of lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis.

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.

Cancer bound

Researchers at NYU used computer simulations to study the stability of DNA lesions caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can lead to cancer. The study found that some PAH-derived lesions stabilize the DNA they damage, making it difficult for repair proteins to mark them for repair.

Don't ignore doubts about marriage, researcher warns

A University of Alberta researcher warns that couples should address relationship doubts before getting married. The study found that more confident couples spent more time together and stayed happy over a four-year period.

Abstract thinking can make you more politically moderate

Studies by University of Illinois researchers Jesse Preston and Daniel Yang found that asking people to think broadly about a subject can lead to increased moderation in political beliefs. The research used techniques known to induce an abstract mindset, such as viewing images or reading ambiguous articles in different formats.

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.

Were dinosaurs destined to be big? Testing Cope's rule

A new study tested Cope's Rule, which suggests that small animals evolve into bigger ones, on non-avian dinosaurs. The research found that some groups of dinosaurs, such as ceratopsids and hadrosaurs, tend to increase in size over time, while others, like four-legged sauropods, show no upper limit to their body size.

Study: Alcohol, drug abuse counselors don't always require total abstinence

A new study by the American Psychological Association found that about half of addiction counselors in the US now find moderate drug use acceptable as an intermediate goal, while one-third consider it acceptable as a final goal. However, for clients with severe dependence, limits on consumption are still widely rejected.

In-sync brain waves hold memory of objects just seen

Researchers found that synchronized electrical signals between two key hubs in the brain's working memory circuit carry information about short-term visual memories. The study uses synchronized oscillations to distinguish between object identity and location, potentially overturning prevailing theory on how visual information is encoded.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Study finds Republicans and Democrats can agree on some moral issues

A University of British Columbia study reveals that conservatives and liberals share a surprising level of common moral ground, particularly on issues of fairness and care for humanity. The research suggests that progress on divisive social issues is more likely when framed in these terms.

Solar system's birth record revised

Researchers have revised the timeline of our solar system's formation using uranium and lead isotopes in primitive meteorites. The study reveals that chondrules formed during the first three million years, contrary to previous assumptions. This new understanding paints a more familiar picture of planetary system development.

Assessing the cost of the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid

A Penn State study found that enrolling uninsured adults in Medicaid would increase costs by 13% due to their higher disease burden. Extending Medicaid coverage may not be the most cost-effective solution, suggesting strengthening current safety-net providers might be a better approach.

Disaster defense: Balancing costs and benefits

A father-son team has developed a mathematical model to balance costs and benefits of different disaster protection strategies. The approach considers optimization techniques and helps communities make informed choices about protection measures.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New research on employment-based insurance sheds light on health care reform

A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center reveals that men with employment-contingent health insurance are more likely to feel 'locked' into remaining at work after a health shock, while those on private or spouse's insurance plans face fewer risks. The Affordable Care Act may alleviate this issue, providing ...

GSA session to address Hurricane Sandy

The Geological Society of America has organized a break-out discussion panel to address the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on rapid sea-level rise and its impacts. Geoscience experts will discuss the changes caused by the storm to the U.S. East Coast, tying into scheduled presentations on the topic.

Giving fluorescence microscopy new power to study cellular transport

Researchers developed a new method to study cellular transport dynamics, providing more comprehensive information than existing methods. The dispersion-relation fluorescence spectroscopy (DFS) approach labels molecules of interest, analyzing spontaneous fluorescence intensity fluctuations to quantify mass transport dynamics.

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.

After long-ago mass extinction, global warming hindered species' recovery

Researchers found that global warming prevented plant and animal species from fully recovering from the largest mass extinction in Earth's history. The study, led by Ohio State University doctoral student Alexa Sedlacek, suggests that life on Earth today may face similar problems in trying to recover from current climate change.

Young birds can get 'drunk' on fermented berries

A recent study by the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) reveals that young blackbirds can become 'drunk' on fermented rowan berries. The birds exhibited symptoms similar to those of human intoxication, including unsteadiness, loss of coordination, and tendency to fall over.

MRI research sheds new light on nerve fibers in the brain

A new MRI model reveals why images are sensitive to nerve fiber direction and allows for detailed information about fiber size and direction. This discovery will help clinicians recognize lesions and tailor scans to patients with specific needs.

Grading US presidents on the economy

Recent presidents earn high grades for economic performance, while some historical figures receive failing marks. A new study analyzing data from 1789 to 2009 assigns a grade point average to each president, providing an objective measure of their economic success.