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Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 15


Page 15 of 23

Like a game of poker, school programs' success can hinge on principals going 'all in'

A new study published by the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia found that school principals' level of enthusiasm and support plays a critical role in teachers' ability to successfully implement school programs. Without principal support, teachers view administrators as a hindrance to program success, while enthusi...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPrevention Science·DateNov 15, 2012

When the going gets tough, the tough get... more relief from a placebo?

Researchers found that about one-quarter of placebo response was explained by personality traits such as resiliency, straightforwardness, altruism or anger/hostility. The study involved nearly 50 healthy volunteers and used brain scans to measure natural painkiller chemicals in the brain.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateNov 15, 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.

Researchers use GPS tracking to monitor crab behavior

Scientists tracked the movements of 55 male robber crabs on Christmas Island for over three months, recording more than 1,500 days of activity. The data showed that the crabs used a combination of path following and homing to navigate, with long-distance movements possibly related to mating, foraging, and saltwater drinking.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateNov 15, 2012

Simplifying heart surgery with stretchable electronics devices

A multipurpose medical catheter using stretchable electronics replaces three devices in cardiac ablation therapy, making the procedure faster, simpler, and safer. The device provides real-time information on temperature, mechanical force, and blood flow to surgeons during surgery.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 15, 2012

Letter from doctor boosts cholesterol medication use

A new study found that using electronic health records (EHRs) can identify patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease and encourage them to receive cholesterol-lowering medication. The study showed that patients who received personalized risk assessments via mail were twice as likely to receive a prescription for lipid-lowering m...

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 15, 2012

Parkinson's disease protein causes disease spread and neuron death in healthy animals

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that injecting synthetic, misfolded α-Syn protein into healthy mice recapitulates Parkinson's disease progression, leading to dopamine neuron death and Lewy body formation. The study establishes a mechanistic link between α-Syn transmission and neurodegeneration.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalScience·DateNov 15, 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.

South American cricket ears shown to rival human hearing

Scientists discovered a species of South American bush cricket has hearing that rivals human hearing, using an entirely different machinery. The insect's auditory system performs all three stages of mammalian hearing and converts air-borne sounds into liquid-borne vibrations.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience·DateNov 15, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study shows large-scale genomic testing feasible, impacts therapy

Researchers have successfully genotyped 344 NSCLC specimens with a median turnaround time of 31 days, enabling targeted therapy. This study's findings highlight the potential for large-scale genomic testing to transform lung cancer treatment.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 15, 2012

Protein tug of war points toward better therapies for cardiovascular disease

A new study suggests that increasing Hsp70 expression may help reduce excessive reactive oxygen species production, a key contributor to cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that Hsp90 inhibitors can increase Hsp70 levels, leading to decreased oxidative stress and improved blood vessel function.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateNov 15, 2012

How insects domesticate bacteria

Researchers discovered a new bacterium in an Indiana man's infected wound, revealing how insects domesticate bacteria. The strain, HS, has a relatively large genetic blueprint and is closely related to Sodalis-like bacteria that live in many insect species.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 15, 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.

Airborne particles smuggle pollutants to far reaches of globe

Lab research reveals airborne particles form a protective vessel for pollutant transport, with pollutants trapped inside lasting longer. The symbiotic relationship between pollutants and airborne particles explains how city pollution reaches the Arctic.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateNov 15, 2012

Studies in Cell Transplantation investigate oxygen's impact as a factor in transplantation

Researchers at Baylor University discovered that low temperatures can prevent hypoxia-induced damage to islet cells, improving insulin secretion. In a second study, neural cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells showed altered oxygen metabolism associated with schizophrenia, offering potential targets for treatment.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateNov 15, 2012

Extracting meaning from the social web

Researchers at Clemson's Social Media Listening Center are developing techniques to analyze the implications of social media for national elections. They have created a prototype visualization tool that captures social media posts related to selected races in the 2012 Congressional election.

SourceClemson University·DateNov 15, 2012

Supercharged

By using high-powered X-ray laser, researchers stripped a record 36 electrons from a xenon atom, achieving a previously unachievable positively charged state. This breakthrough will help create new states of matter and produce higher-quality images of nano-world objects.

SourceKansas State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 15, 2012

Scientists show protein-making machinery can switch gears with a small structural change process, which may have implications for immunity and cancer therapy, compared to the movie The Transformers

Researchers show tRNA synthetases, essential in protein production, can also regulate transcription through a single chemical alteration, with implications for immune response and cancer. This transformation may lead to new treatments for allergies and cancer.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 15, 2012
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.

This is your brain on freestyle rap

Researchers scanned the brains of 12 freestyle rap artists to study their brain activity during improvisation. The findings show that freestyling increases brain activity in areas responsible for motivation, language, and emotion, allowing for a unique flow of thoughts and words.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 15, 2012

Appetite suppressant for scavenger cells

A team of immunologists found that the flu virus alters host immune systems, compromising its capacity to effectively fight off bacterial infections. The molecule TLR7 recognizes viral genomes and signals scavenger cells to ingest fewer bacteria, leading to increased risk of superinfections.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalJournal of Innate Immunity·DateNov 15, 2012

A tenth of quirky creature's active genes are foreign

Researchers discovered that up to ten percent of the active genes of bdelloid rotifers, a species that has survived 80 million years without sex, are foreign. These acquired genes play a crucial role in the organism's ability to survive desiccation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 15, 2012
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.

GW Research chosen as 'paper of the week' for blood coagulation discovery

Researchers at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences discover a new regulator of the blood coagulation cascade, p21-activated Kinase-1 (PAK1) signaling. The study finds that PAK1 regulates both positive and negative regulators of coagulation, promoting a hypercoagulant state.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalBiological Chemistry·DateNov 15, 2012

Young gamers offer insight to teaching new physicians robotic surgery

A new UTMB study reveals that high school and college students who play video games regularly outperform medical residents in surgical simulations. The study suggests that these skills may be transferable to real-world robotic surgeries, requiring a reevaluation of surgical training methods.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·DateNov 15, 2012

Study shows different approach after progression in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Researchers found that local ablative therapy and continuation of targeted drugs can prolong disease control by up to 6.2 months in patients with EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements. The study's findings suggest a new approach to treating NSCLC after progression, particularly for patients with oligoprogressive disease.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateNov 15, 2012

About one million species inhabit the ocean

A new study suggests that up to one million marine species may inhabit the world's oceans. The current number of identified species is around 230,000, but estimates vary widely, ranging from 540,000 to 972,000. Despite this uncertainty, researchers agree that only about 1/3 of ocean biodiversity has been discovered.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 15, 2012
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A new way of looking at Prader-Willi Syndrome

A new study reveals that individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome may have an impaired autonomic nervous system, leading to abnormal heart rate variability after meals. The findings suggest potential alternative treatments for the condition, which is characterized by insatiable appetite and high cardiovascular risk.

SourceResearch Australia·JournalClinical Endocrinology·DateNov 15, 2012

Most-distant galaxy candidate found

Astronomers have found a galaxy whose light traveled 13.3 billion years to reach Earth, offering a glimpse into the universe's early stages. The newly discovered galaxy, MACS0647-JD, is only a tiny fraction of the size of our Milky Way and may be one of many building blocks of a galaxy.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·DateNov 15, 2012

Potential new technique for anticancer radiotherapy could provide alternative to brachytherapy

A promising new approach to treating solid tumors with radiation has been developed, which uses an injectable substance that spontaneously assembles into a radioactive seed after injection. This technique shows great efficacy and minimal toxicity in a mouse model of cancer, providing a useful alternative to existing brachytherapy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateNov 15, 2012

These bots were made for walking: Cells power biological machines

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed miniaturized walking biological machines using hydrogel, heart cells, and 3D printing. The bio-bots demonstrate asymmetry-based locomotion and could be customized for specific applications, such as drug screening or chemical analysis.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 15, 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.

RSV study shows potential for vaccine strategies to protect babies

Researchers found that severe disease risk is mainly age-related, not due to lack of immunity. Vaccinating families or vaccinating pregnant women can extend protection to infants, reducing RSV infection. The study highlights the potential for alternative strategies to traditional baby vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateNov 15, 2012

Arthritis study reveals why gender bias is all in the genes

Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified 14 new genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis, shedding light on why the condition disproportionately affects women. The study's findings could lead to personalized treatment approaches and improved disease management.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 15, 2012
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.

Researchers tap into CO2 storage potential of mine waste

Researchers have discovered that mine waste rock has significant CO2 sequestration potential, which could be economically valued and used to offset emissions. The technology has the potential to capture five to ten times more CO2 than total greenhouse gas production from some mine operations.

SourceCMC Research Institutes·DateNov 15, 2012

Study offers clues to cause of kids' brain tumors

Researchers have identified a cell growth pathway that is unusually active in pediatric brain tumors, known as gliomas. The study suggests that tools developed to diagnose and treat NF1 may also be helpful for sporadic brain tumors.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 15, 2012

How cells in the nose detect odors

Scientists at UC Riverside and Stanford University identified a molecular mechanism that blocks the expression of most olfactory receptor genes in flies, but allows for specific receptors to be expressed in response to carbon dioxide. This complex acts as a brake, releasing only when necessary to generate diverse sensors in the nose.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 14, 2012
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.

Tolerance to malaria by means of iron control

A recent study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that expression of H Ferritin gene reduces oxidative stress and prevents tissue damage by controlling iron accumulation. This protective mechanism provides a new approach to treating malaria by inducing tolerance to the disease, without targeting the parasite.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateNov 14, 2012

Oldest fossil of giant panda family discovered

Two fossils discovered in southwest Europe represent a new genus likely to be the oldest known members of the giant panda family. The fossils, dated to 11.6 million years ago, share characteristics with bears adapted to eating tough plant material like bamboo.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 14, 2012

Babies born to stressed mothers more likely to be bullied at school

Research from the University of Warwick suggests that stressed mothers during pregnancy can affect their baby's developing brain, making them more susceptible to bullying. The study of over 8,000 children found a link between prenatal stress and increased risk of childhood bullying.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateNov 14, 2012

Heart failure in older breast cancer patients linked to medication

A study by Yale University researchers found that older women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant trastuzumab are at a higher risk of heart failure or cardiomyopathy. The use of trastuzumab was associated with a 14% increased incidence rate of heart failure over three years.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 14, 2012

Nanometer-scale diamond tips improve nano-manufacturing

Researchers have created a new type of nanometer-scale diamond tip for thermal processing, which exhibits exceptional wear resistance and durability. The tip can scan surfaces for distances exceeding 1.2 meters without measurable wear, opening up new possibilities for AFM applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNanotechnology·DateNov 14, 2012
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Want better employees? Get somebody else to rate their personalities, suggests new study

Researchers found that outside observers, including personal acquaintances and co-workers, can provide equally fair evaluations of employees' personalities as those who know them in a work context. This challenge traditional practices of using self-rated personality tests, which may lead to biased perceptions.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Personality·DateNov 14, 2012

Nottingham researchers in Alzheimer's risk gene discovery

A team of researchers from Nottingham University has discovered a rare genetic variant associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, which used data from over 25,000 people, found that a specific mutation in the TREM2 gene may play a key role in the development of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 14, 2012

New brain gene gives us edge over apes, study suggests

A new gene called miR-941 has been found to play a crucial role in human brain development and may have contributed to the evolution of language and tool use. This unique gene emerged between six and one million years ago, making it a significant discovery in understanding what makes humans different from apes.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 14, 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.

Paper-and-scissors technique rocks the nano world

A Northwestern University team has developed a technique for creating nanofluidic devices using paper and scissors, generating numerous ion channels when layered. The method uses inexpensive materials and allows for easy shaping and scaling of the device.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 14, 2012

Total solar eclipse viewed from Australia

A narrow corridor in the southern hemisphere experienced a total solar eclipse on Nov. 13, 2012, with observers in northern Australia witnessing dim structures around the sun's edge. The corona, made of electrified gas and plasma, was observed to be constantly moving in response to magnetic fields.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 14, 2012

Rare parasitic fungi could have anti-flammatory benefits

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered that cordycepin, a compound found in rare parasitic fungi, has potential as an anti-inflammatory drug. The study shows that cordycepin reduces inflammatory gene products in airway smooth muscle cells, making it a potential treatment for asthma and other inflammatory conditions.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·DateNov 14, 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.

'Missing link' discovered in the defence mechanism of the tuberculosis pathogen

Researchers have discovered a unique defence mechanism of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which protects sulphur-containing proteins from oxidation. The protein mycoredoxin-1 plays a crucial role in this repair mechanism, and disabling it may offer new ways to combat the disease.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalMolecular Microbiology·DateNov 14, 2012