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Science News Archive November 2012 - Page 7


Page 7 of 23

Modeling the breaking points of metallic glasses

Metallic glass alloys are three times stronger than industrial steel but have variable breaking points due to preparation method. Researchers developed a novel computational technique that simulates and predicts the breaking points of metallic glasses, shedding light on their mechanical properties.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

Using biomarkers from prehistoric human feces to track settlement and agriculture

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst used biomarkers from human feces to establish the first human presence, arrival of grazing animals, and population dynamics in a landscape. The method provides a strong human signal with excellent chronological control, offering valuable insights into past environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012

JCI early table of contents for Nov. 26, 2012

Researchers found that bariatric surgery techniques produce similar outcomes, with weight loss itself being the primary factor responsible for improved metabolic responses. In another study, antifibrinolytic drugs were linked to seizures due to their inhibition of glycine receptors in the brain. A companion commentary reviews the conne...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 26, 2012
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.

Smells like Christmas spirit

Researchers at Washington State University discovered that a simple scent is more effective in increasing retail sales than complex scents. The simple scent of orange freed customers' minds from processing tasks, leading to increased purchases and faster problem-solving.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateNov 26, 2012

BioMAP screening procedure could streamline search for new antibiotics

Researchers developed a low-cost, high-throughput platform for identifying compounds with novel antibiotic properties using a diagnostic panel of bacterial strains. The new strategy promises to streamline the discovery of new antibiotics from natural sources, providing a solution to the looming antibiotic crisis.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateNov 26, 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.

Scientists analyze millions of news articles

Researchers analyzed 2.5 million articles from 498 English-language outlets, finding that tabloid newspapers are more readable than broadsheets and use more sentimental language. The study also revealed a dominance of male voices in news content, with 'Sport' and 'Financial' articles being the most male-biased.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalDigital Journalism·DateNov 26, 2012

Scanning innovation can improve personalized medicine

Researchers have developed omni-tomography, a technology that integrates multiple imaging modalities to improve early disease screening, cancer staging, and therapeutic assessment. This approach enables precise reconstruction of small areas in the body using prior knowledge and common properties.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 26, 2012

Gastric bypass surgery helps diabetes but doesn't cure it

The largest community-based study of long-term diabetes outcomes after bariatric surgery found that most people don't experience long-lasting remission of their diabetes. However, those with less severe and earlier stage type 2 diabetes at the time of surgery tend to have better outcomes.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalObesity Surgery·DateNov 26, 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.

Study links improved consumer welfare to increased prescription drug advertising efforts

A study by Jayani Jayawardhana found that direct-to-consumer advertising of cholesterol-reducing prescription medications leads to improved consumer welfare. The research also suggests that targeted advertising efforts towards physicians can inform their selection of the drug, leading to better health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalInternational Journal of Industrial Organization·DateNov 26, 2012

Canada should adopt routine HIV testing

Routine HIV testing can significantly reduce AIDS-related morbidity and death, as well as HIV transmission. Implementing this strategy would provide a roadmap for an AIDS-free generation.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 26, 2012

Automated phone and mail notices increase medication adherence

A Kaiser Permanente study of 5,216 patients found that those who received automated reminders were 1.6 times more likely to fill prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering statins than those without reminders. The percentage of patients who picked up their prescriptions increased from 26% to 42% after the intervention.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 26, 2012
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.

Grapefruit–medication interactions increasing

The number of prescription drugs that interact with grapefruit is significantly increasing, putting patients at risk of serious adverse effects. Older adults are especially vulnerable due to decreased tolerance and age-related changes in drug metabolism.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 26, 2012

Neuroimaging study: Negative messages less effective on those who are substance dependent

A new neuroimaging study suggests that negative messages are not an effective way to deter drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among those who are substance-dependent. The study found that the brains of substance-dependent individuals show lower brain activity in response to negatively framed messages, leading to riskier decisions.

SourceIndiana University·JournalPsychology of Addictive Behaviors·DateNov 26, 2012

Microbial 'missing link' discovered after man impales hand on tree branch

Researchers discovered a new bacterium, human Sodalis, in the infected wound of a man who impaled his hand on a tree branch. The bacterium is related to Sodalis, a genus that lives symbiotically inside insects' guts, and may be used to block disease transmission by insects and prevent crop damage.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateNov 26, 2012

Ancient microbes found living beneath the icy surface of Antarctic lake

A pioneering study reveals a diverse community of bacteria in Lake Vida, one of Earth's coldest and most isolated ecosystems. The brine, approximately six times saltier than seawater, harbors an abundance of life that survives at subzero temperatures without oxygen.

SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012

Scientists image brain structures that deteriorate in Parkinson's

A new MRI technique has provided the first clinical evidence for the theory that Parkinson's neurodegeneration begins deep in the brain and advances upward. The study found significant loss of volume in the substantia nigra early on, followed by loss of basal forebrain volume later in the disease.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalArchives of Neurology·DateNov 26, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Destruction of the North China Craton

The North China Craton's thin lithosphere and signs of thermo-tectonic reactivation challenge the traditional view of a stable cratonic lithosphere. The concept of 'craton destruction' has been widely accepted, influencing understanding of intraplate magmatism and continental evolution.

SourceScience China Press·DateNov 26, 2012

Too much or too little activity bad for knees

Researchers found that both high and low levels of physical activity can lead to accelerated degeneration of knee cartilage in middle-aged adults. The study suggests that finding an optimal level of physical activity may help preserve cartilage health.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateNov 26, 2012
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.

Stopping flies before they mature

Researchers are using an insect growth regulator called pyriproxyfen to prevent the maturation of house fly larvae. This technology has shown promise in controlling the spread of bacteria through these insects.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateNov 26, 2012

Students at cooperative schools are more engaged

A recent study by IkerRos found that students at co-operative schools display the greatest engagement, while those at public schools show the lowest. The study also reveals differences in engagement based on sex and age, highlighting the importance of organizational development and teacher-student interaction.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalRevista de Psicodidáctica·DateNov 26, 2012

Funneling the sun's energy

Researchers have developed a 'solar energy funnel' that uses materials under elastic strain to produce unprecedented properties. This concept takes advantage of the varying strain across different wavelengths of light, allowing for more efficient energy production.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 26, 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.

Drugs limiting excess mucus could save lives

Researchers have designed new drugs that inhibit excess mucus production in airway cells, a major cause of death in respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. The drugs target the MAPK13 protein, which is involved in the mucus pathway and can reduce mucus production by 100 fold.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 26, 2012

Researchers discover gender-based differences in Alzheimer's disease

A study found that women with Alzheimer's disease exhibit greater gray matter loss in the brain compared to men, with differences observed in regional atrophy patterns. This discovery has important implications for the development of therapies for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateNov 26, 2012

Metabolic protein launches sugar feast that nurtures brain tumors

A team of researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified a cancer-promoting protein's pathway into the cell nucleus and discovered how it fuels brain tumor growth. By targeting this pathway, they hope to develop new treatments for glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and lethal form of brain cancer.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateNov 26, 2012

Study suggests eliminating Medicare consultation payments associated with a net increase in spending

A study suggests that eliminating payments for consultations commonly billed by specialists led to a net increase in spending on visits to both primary care physicians and specialists. The change was intended to be budget neutral, but it ultimately resulted in higher fees paid for office visits and increased intensity of coding.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Internal Medicine·DateNov 26, 2012

Grove Professor receives $1.5MM to study breast cancer therapies

Dr. Debra Auguste aims to develop targeted treatments for four metastatic breast cancer populations using engineered liposomes that deliver short interfering RNA to inhibit tumor progression and metastasis. The goal is to enhance cooperative binding, reduce cell migration, and improve treatment efficacy.

SourceCity College of New York·DateNov 26, 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.

CMU and CTC to develop robotic laser system to strip paint from aircraft

A robotic laser system developed by Carnegie Mellon University and CTC uses high-powered lasers to remove coatings from fighter and cargo aircraft. The system promises to reduce labor, waste volume, environmental risk, and overall cost, making it an environmentally superior alternative to traditional methods.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateNov 26, 2012

Crash landings

Swans are found to have more common hip joint problems than previously believed, with CT scans revealing lesions in all five examined birds. The injuries likely occur during landing on hard surfaces, and the study suggests that computerized tomography is a better diagnostic tool for avian patients.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalAvian Pathology·DateNov 26, 2012
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

New device hides, on cue, from infrared cameras

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new device that can absorb 99.75% of infrared light on demand, using a tunable material with exceptional optical properties. The device has wide-ranging applications in thermal imaging, spectroscopy, and energy harvesting.

SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

Personalities influence workforce planning

A new model developed by Concordia researcher Mohammed Othman takes into account workers' personality strengths and differences to create a more efficient workforce planning system. The result is a significant cost savings of 7.1% compared to traditional approaches.

SourceConcordia University·JournalComputers & Industrial Engineering·DateNov 26, 2012

Hearty organisms discovered in bitter-cold Antarctic brine

A team of scientists has discovered an ancient thriving colony of microbes in the brine of Lake Vida, Antarctica, which is estimated to have been isolated for over 2,800 years. The microbes live in a highly saline environment with high concentrations of ammonia and nitrous oxide.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Preventive screening for sudden cardiac death in young athletes debated

The American College of Cardiology and European Society of Cardiology disagree on mandatory ECG screenings. The ACC suggests $69 billion over 20 years to save 4,813 lives, while experts like Antonio Pelliccia argue cultural and policy obstacles hinder widespread adoption.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateNov 26, 2012

UIC scientists find ancient microbes in salty, ice-sealed Antarctic lake

Scientists have found metabolically active bacteria in the brine of an Antarctic lake sealed under ice for over 2,800 years. The discovery provides new boundary conditions on life's limits and suggests that chemical reactions between the brine and underlying sediment generate energy for microbes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 2012
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Exercise rate related to improvements in Parkinson’s disease

A study found that exercise programs on stationary bicycles improve Parkinson's disease symptoms, with faster pedaling leading to greater brain connectivity and motor ability improvements. The therapy is low-cost and effective, even for patients who don't need forced-rate exercise.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateNov 26, 2012

Model sheds light on the chemistry that sparked the origin of life

Researchers propose a mechanism by which life may have gotten its start in the early Earth's chemical environment. A mathematical model reveals that networks of molecules with self-perpetuating capabilities can give rise to complex systems and potentially life.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalActa Biotheoretica·DateNov 26, 2012

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for 27 Nov. 2012

The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations for hepatitis C screening in asymptomatic adults. The new guidelines suggest that targeted screening may be beneficial, as up to two-thirds of infected patients are missed by routine screening methods. However, there is currently no direct evidence that screening imp...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 26, 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.

How does a volcanic crater grow? Grab some TNT and find out

A University at Buffalo study examines maar craters, finding that their shape and ejecting distance are more accurate measures of an eruption's force. The findings could help scientists estimate the size of future volcano eruptions.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalGeophysical Journal International·DateNov 26, 2012

Shrubs lend an insight into a glacier's past

Scientists have discovered a method using shrubs to create historical climate data on glaciers, providing more accurate predictions of future changes. The method allows researchers to extend the current record of glacier melting back by many decades, giving them a better understanding of how glaciers behave in the summer.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 26, 2012

Deciphering bacterial doomsday decisions

A Rice University-led study has uncovered an elaborate mechanism allowing bacteria to begin preparing for survival even as it delays the decision to form a spore. The research found that nested 'feedforward' loops enable cells to process information while executing the program, making an accurate decision without delay.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 26, 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.

Cassini finds a video gamers' paradise at Saturn

Scientists have spotted a second Pac-Man thermal shape on Tethys, confirming that high-energy electrons can dramatically alter an icy moon's surface. The discovery suggests a more complex and varied process in the Saturn system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 26, 2012