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Science News Archive November 2012


Page 4 of 23

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NREL researchers use imaging technologies to solve puzzle of plant architecture

The NREL team developed a breakthrough method using microscopic imaging to study the relationships between biomass cell wall structure and enzyme digestibility. They found that understanding the localization of enzymes and their effects on the cell wall is crucial for optimizing sugar yields and reducing costs in biofuel production.

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.

Hagfish slime as a model for tomorrow's natural fabrics

Researchers have created synthetic fibers from protein-based raw materials, including those found in hagfish slime, to replace petroleum-based synthetics. The new fibers offer a sustainable alternative for the textile industry.

New study shows how climate change could affect entire forest ecosystems

A new study published in Global Change Biology explores the impact of climate change on entire forest ecosystems through changes in cloud cover. The research found that altered cloud cover can lead to increased carbon cycling and tree growth due to fog drip, which provides essential water input to the soil.

Most patients in the dark about what radiologists do

A study finds that most patients who have undergone imaging exams know little about radiologists, with only 53.5% aware they are physicians. Radiologists now see an opportunity to educate the public about their role in healthcare.

NASA's Cassini sees abrupt turn in Titan's atmosphere

Data from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show a shift in seasonal sunlight causing a sudden change in atmospheric circulation on Saturn's moon Titan. This unexpected turn reveals the key factor in Titan's atmosphere circulation is the slant of light, which led to sinking air at altitudes previously thought to be upwelling.

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.

Grant creates science demilitarized zone at SDSU

San Diego State University has received a nearly $500,000 NSF grant to create a Science demilitarized zone (DMZ) for high-speed data exchange between the campus and national labs. The DMZ will enable researchers to generate and rapidly exchange large datasets, promoting new partnerships and mentorship opportunities.

AHA awards Loyola more than $60,000 for cardiac research

Loyola University Chicago has received more than $10 million in funding from the American Heart Association for cardiac research. The latest award of $60,666 will support vital research studies to build lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Increasing poverty in older age will lead to adverse health outcomes

Poverty in older age poses significant risks to the UK's health system. The authors highlight poor performing pensions, taxation changes, and social care funding as key factors contributing to this issue. They also express concerns about the potential for private for-profit providers to impact vulnerable individuals' care.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study IDs kerosene lamps as big source of black carbon

A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that kerosene lamps produce 7-9% black carbon when burned, leading to a twentyfold increase in estimated black carbon emissions from lighting. Replacing kerosene lamps with cleaner alternatives could yield significant climate benefits and improve public health.

Algae held captive and genes stolen in crime of evolution

Scientists have discovered that microscopic protozoa stole genes from algae to produce energy, leading to the evolution of a new species. This process, called endosymbiosis, reveals a key moment in the history of life on Earth and may have implications for algae biofuel production.

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.

Drug may offer new approach to treating insomnia

A new study published in Neurology suggests that the drug suvorexant may be an effective alternative strategy for treating insomnia. Participants who took suvorexant experienced improved sleep efficiency and reduced awakenings, with significant improvements compared to those taking a placebo.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Autumn sets in rapidly on Saturn's giant moon

Scientists have observed a significant increase in exotic trace gases over Titan's south pole during the autumnal season. This change is attributed to the reversal of the planet's atmospheric circulation cell direction, which extends to altitudes above 450 km.

Potentially toxic flame retardants found in many US couches

A study by Duke University found that more than half of all US couches tested contained potentially toxic or untested chemical flame retardants. Tris, a known carcinogen, was detected in 41% of the foam samples, while pentaBDE was banned in 172 countries and 12 US states but still found in some couches.

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.

Order of psychiatric diagnoses may influence how clinicians identify symptoms

Researchers found that the order of symptoms matters more for clinicians' descriptions of disorders that are different than those that overlap. This contradicts the assumption that order doesn't matter in psychiatric diagnoses. The study's findings have implications for bringing classification and clinical practice closer together.

Women 16-49 at risk of multiple pollutants

Nearly 23% of American women aged 16-49 have high levels of lead, mercury, and PCBs in their blood. Risk factors include age, fish consumption, heavy drinking, and breastfeeding. Women should learn about their risks before becoming pregnant.

UF researcher tests powerful new tool to advance ecology, conservation

A new University of Florida study shows that animal bones can provide valuable geographical data for conservation efforts. By analyzing bone accumulations on the landscape of Yellowstone National Park, researcher Joshua Miller identified critical areas for elk survival during spring and winter.

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.

Attitudes towards security threats uncovered

A nationwide survey found that terrorism is not perceived as a major threat to everyday life, despite government claims. The study also revealed a link between public perceptions of security threats and their tolerance towards minorities.

Risk of childhood obesity can be predicted at birth

Researchers developed a simple formula to predict a child's likelihood of becoming obese in childhood based on their birth weight, parents' body mass index, household size, mother's professional status, and smoking during pregnancy. The formula proved accurate in predicting obesity risk in infants born in Finland and other countries.

Skeletons in cave reveal Mediterranean secrets

Researchers discovered that modern humans first settled in Sicily around the time of the last ice age, with a diet consisting mainly of terrestrial animals. Genetic analysis revealed the peopling of Sicily occurred at 19,000-26,500 years ago, when sea levels were low enough to expose a land bridge.

Research discovery could revolutionize semiconductor manufacture

Researchers at Lund University have developed a new method for manufacturing semiconductors, which could make production thousands of times quicker and cheaper. The technology uses freely suspended nanoparticles of gold to grow structures, eliminating the need for expensive semiconductor wafers.

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.

CT depicts racial differences in coronary artery disease

Researchers found that African-American patients with coronary artery disease have significantly less fat around their hearts compared to Caucasian patients. The study suggests that epicardial adipose tissue may act as a protective buffer, contributing to lower risk of acute coronary events.

WSU researchers use 3-D printer to make parts from moon rock

Researchers at Washington State University have successfully printed parts using materials from the moon, marking a significant breakthrough in additive manufacturing. The team used 3D printing technology to create simple shapes from lunar regolith simulant, which they plan to tailor for stronger building materials and remote repairs.

High altitude climbers at risk for brain bleeds

Researchers have found that mountain climbers who develop a severe form of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) are at risk for microbleeds in the brain years after their initial incident. The condition can cause swelling of brain tissue due to fluid leakage from capillaries, leading to symptoms like headaches and loss of coordination.

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.

The music of the silks

Researchers at MIT have created new materials inspired by spider silk and music, offering a potential solution for designing new biosynthetic materials. By analyzing the structural elements of music, they were able to predict the properties of new protein-based fibers, leading to the creation of stronger and more flexible materials.

Scientists develop new approach to support future climate projections

A team of international scientists has developed a more consistent definition of climate sensitivity in prehistoric times, which helps improve comparison with IPCC estimates. The study found that the likely range of climate sensitivity consistently has been of the order of 2.2 to 4.8 degrees C per doubling of CO2.

Implantable silk optics multi-task in the body

The devices offer significant improvement in tissue imaging while simultaneously enabling photo thermal therapy, administering drugs and monitoring drug delivery. The biodegradable and biocompatible micro-mirrors dissolve harmlessly at predetermined rates, requiring no surgery to remove them.

Testicular cancer risk tripled in boys whose testes fail to descend

A recent analysis of data published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that boys whose testes fail to descend at birth are almost three times as likely to develop testicular cancer. The condition affects around 6% of male births and has been linked to a higher risk of developing the disease.

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.

ARPA-e awards $130 million for transformation energy technology projects

The Energy Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) has selected 66 cutting-edge research projects to receive $130 million in funding. These projects focus on transformational, breakthrough technologies that can produce game-changing breakthroughs in energy technology and have large commercial impacts.

U of T Engineers awarded $2.2 million grant for toilet research

The University of Toronto Engineering team has received a $2.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a waterless, hygienic toilet for developing countries. The team will use a sand filter and UV disinfection to process liquid waste, while incinerating solid waste in a smolder chamber.

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.

USDA study shows trends in public and private agricultural R&D

Agricultural research and development investments have seen a surge in private sector spending, driving innovations in crop seed, biotechnology, and farm machinery. The USDA study shows how public-private partnerships are crucial for advancing agricultural productivity.

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.

UN meeting this week to extend greenhouse gas treaty

Global negotiators gather in Qatar to work on an amendment that would create a second round of emissions cuts for certain industrialized nations, starting in 2013. The effort aims to extend international momentum to act on climate change after the Kyoto agreement expires this year.