Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2012


Page 4 of 33

NSF study to examine effectiveness of new AP science curriculum

A $2.6 million NSF-funded study will investigate the impact of a redesigned Advanced Placement (AP) science curriculum on student outcomes and educational progress. The research, led by University of Washington's Associate Professor Mark Long, aims to inform educators and policymakers in strengthening STEM teaching.

New study sheds light on how and when vision evolved

A recent study using computer modelling shed light on the origin of sight in animals, including humans. The researchers found that the ability to detect light developed over a span of 11 million years from a 'blind' opsin ancestor.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Transforming America by redirecting wasted health care dollars

A recent study proposes redirecting $750 billion in wasteful healthcare spending towards various initiatives, including businesses, education, infrastructure, and job retraining. The potential outcomes include reducing deficit, funding preschool programs, improving transportation projects, and promoting rural development.

Sport makes middle-aged people smarter

A Montreal Heart Institute study found that middle-aged people with increased cardiovascular risk showed significant improvements in cognitive functions after four months of high-intensity interval training. The participants' waist circumference and trunk fat mass decreased, while their VO2max and insulin sensitivity increased.

Canada's health costs for seniors rising slowly: Points way to Medicare solvency

A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine finds that per capita Medicare spending on the elderly has grown nearly three times faster in the US than in Canada since 1980. The authors attribute this difference to Canada's single-payer system, which includes fewer administrative costs and a greater emphasis on primary care.

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.

Risk factors predict childhood obesity, researchers find

A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that high birth weight, rapid weight gain, and maternal smoking are significant risk factors for childhood obesity. Conversely, breastfeeding and delayed introduction to solid food may reduce the risk.

More than good vibes: Researchers propose the science behind mindfulness

A new model of mindfulness proposes a framework of complex brain mechanisms, including self-awareness, regulation, and transcendence. The S-ART framework explains the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mindfulness practice, reducing biases and negative thoughts while enhancing positive relationships with oneself and others.

Early autism intervention improves brain responses to social cues

An autism intervention program that emphasizes social interactions has been found to improve cognitive skills and brain responses to faces, a building block for social skills. The program improved attention and cognition brain activity to social stimuli, making the brain function patterns more similar to typical developing children.

Researchers identify genetic basis of cardiac, craniofacial birth defects

A group of researchers has identified four specific transcription factor genes that control processes related to heart and head muscle formation. This basic research will provide a road map to ultimately allow scientists to grow the cell types needed to repair such defects from stem cells generated from a person's own body.

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.

A new approach to HIV vaccine development

A new approach to HIV vaccine development is underway, aiming to induce protective antibodies without increasing HIV-specific T helper cells. The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, seeks to build on earlier studies showing that certain antibodies can protect against HIV infection.

Curiosity on Mars sits on rocks similar to those found in marshes in Mexico

A team of researchers has analyzed bacterial communities on rocks similar to those found in Mexican marshes, providing insights into the Martian environment. The study reveals two distinct communities, one adapted to lack of nitrogen and another without phosphorus, offering clues about potential nutrient limitations on Mars.

Community colleges more globally focused

A new study by Michigan State University finds that community colleges in the US have made significant strides in global workforce development since 2008, with 85% offering basic international business courses. The study also highlights the importance of investment in faculty and the growing demand for international business education.

Prostate cancer prognosis hope

Researchers have identified a new molecular marker, β2-syntrophin, which can help differentiate between low-risk and high-risk types of prostate cancer. This breakthrough discovery could lead to more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

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.

Research: Pay satisfaction key driver of work-family conflict

A study by University of Illinois professor Amit Kramer reveals that pay satisfaction is a significant factor in determining work-family conflict. The research suggests that even highly compensated employees experience high levels of work-family conflict due to perceived pay inequity among colleagues.

Durability or bust

A Kansas State University-led research project is developing quality control tests for freeze-thaw durable concrete railroad ties. The team adds surfactants to the concrete to create pressure release valves, protecting it from damage.

Complementary and alternative therapy improved lives of arthritis patients

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that nearly a quarter of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis used complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) to manage their condition. The majority reported improvements in pain intensity, sleeping patterns, and activity levels after using CAT.

Enigmatic nematics

Researchers Aparna Baskaran and Cristina Marchetti found that a uniform nematic state can be disturbed by density fluctuations associated with an upward current of active particles. This phenomenon is self-regulating and universal.

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.

Greater effort needed to move local, fresh foods beyond 'privileged' consumers

A study found that local farmer's markets and community-supported agriculture programs primarily attract a higher-income, privileged consumer base. The research highlights the need for broader access to fresh foods through alternative payment plans and strategic efforts. Alternative payment models exist, but their adoption is limited.

Pinning protein could answer provocative cancer question

Rice University chemist Zachary Ball and collaborators aim to create a drug that's effective against an 'undruggable' protein by using metal-based pins. They're attempting to answer whether new technologies can inhibit traditionally undruggable target molecules, including transcription factors required for cancer.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Nova Scotia research team proves peer pressure can be used for good

Researchers from Nova Scotia found that peer mentoring programs significantly increase school day physical activity levels among elementary students. The Heart Healthy Kids Lunch program, which included games led by trained peer mentors, resulted in an average increase of over 1,000 steps per day.

Spanish researchers win an international simulated car racing competition

The University of Granada Research Group on Decision and Optimization Models won the Simulated Car Racing Competition with their Soft Computing-based modular architecture. This technology enables efficient control of cars in the presence of other competitors, allowing for a stable performance despite not being the fastest car.

Mass extinction study provides lessons for modern world

Researchers found that pre-Cretaceous ecosystem changes and environmental factors led to more fragile communities in late Cretaceous North America. The study's findings suggest that human-made changes to modern ecosystems could worsen their ability to withstand disturbances, emphasizing the importance of understanding ecological function.

Age tied to spread of rectal cancer to lymph nodes

Researchers found that the risk of rectal cancer spreading to lymph nodes increases with age, with younger patients being more likely to have affected nodes. The study suggests that doctors should hunt aggressively for lymph node involvement in younger patients.

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.

Test developed to detect early-stage diseases with naked eye

Scientists at Imperial College London developed a prototype ultra-sensitive sensor that can detect biomarkers for diseases like prostate cancer and HIV with the naked eye. The technology is ten times more sensitive than current gold standard methods and could be significantly cheaper to administer.

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.

Influenza vaccine may reduce risk of heart disease and death

The influenza vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiac events such as strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac deaths by approximately 50 percent. A similar trend was seen for reducing death from any cause, with a reduction of around 40 percent.

Asian Oncology Summit guidelines

The Asian Oncology Summit guidelines emphasize the importance of providing supportive, palliative and end-of-life care to patients with cancer in Asia. The guidelines provide recommendations for pain assessment, medication, professional education, and specialized interventions tailored to different levels of resources in Asian countries.

Canadian scientists discover cause of high cholesterol

A new study reveals that resistin, secreted by fat tissue, increases 'bad' cholesterol levels and accelerates artery plaque buildup. The discovery could lead to revolutionary new therapeutic drugs targeting resistin, improving statin effectiveness.

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.

Key discovered to how chemotherapy drug causes heart failure

A study by University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reveals that doxorubicin's cardiotoxicity is linked to the Top2b enzyme, which drives DNA damage and affects heart muscle metabolism. The discovery could lead to a simple blood test to predict sensitivity to the drug.

Primates' brains make visual maps using triangular grids

Researchers at Emory University have identified grid cells in rhesus monkeys' brains, which fire in repeating triangular patterns as they explore visual scenes. This finding has implications for understanding how humans form mental maps of the world and may help explain why disorientation is a common symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers look beyond space and time to cope with quantum theory

Researchers propose an inequality that probes the role of signals in quantum predictions, exposing how they challenge Einstein's theory of relativity. The test, feasible in the near future, will measure a single number, potentially revealing faster-than-light communication or infinitely fast influences.

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.

Uncertainty of future South Pacific Island rainfall explained

A new study by Matthew Widlansky and Axel Timmermann found that rainfall projections for South Pacific islands are highly uncertain due to two competing effects of greenhouse warming. The 'wet gets wetter' mechanism suggests heavier rainfall, while the 'warmest gets wetter' mechanism predicts drying in some regions.

Drop in testosterone tied to prostate cancer recurrence

Researchers found that men whose testosterone fell following radiation therapy were more likely to experience an increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), often indicating cancer recurrence. This discovery may lead doctors to use testosterone levels as a guide for treatment decisions.

Study of 20,000 jumps shows how a hopping robot could conserve its energy

Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered that hopping robots can use a stutter jump to reduce energy consumption, with potential applications for future rescue and exploration robots. By analyzing nearly 20,000 jumps, the team found that taking a short hop before a big jump can allow robots to conserve power as much as ten-fold.

Streetcar tracks blamed in one-third of Toronto bike accidents

A recent study found that nearly one-third of Toronto bike accidents involve streetcar tracks, with cyclists at risk from slipping tires or getting caught in the tracks. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing safety in transportation system design.

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.

Researchers decipher the mecanism of membrane fission

Scientists discovered that dynamin polymerises, forming a helix around an artificial membrane tubule and compressing it until it breaks. The location of the fission is specific, appearing at the boundary between the helix and the membrane.

New clues to how the brain and body communicate to regulate weight

Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has uncovered new insights into energy balance, a complex interchange between the brain's hypothalamus and energy expenditure. The study reveals that GABA neurotransmitter selectively drives energy expenditure and helps explain the fat-burning properties of brown fat.

Results of the XIMA trial presented at TCT 2012

In a study of patients over 80, drug-eluting stents demonstrated lower rates of target vessel revascularization and myocardial infarction compared to bare-metal stents. The XIMA trial found that both types of stents offered good clinical results in this age group.

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.

Study of a million women finds giving up smoking can extend life by 10 years

A study of 1.3 million women found that quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of premature death, with smokers who stop before age 30 avoiding nearly all excess risk. The risks associated with smoking are substantial and increase with the amount smoked, highlighting the importance of quitting to extend 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.

From the Blue Ridge to the Coastal Plain

This new field guide delves into the geological history of the southeastern United States, spanning from the Triassic to the Precambrian period. The guide offers in-depth excursions along various regions, including coastal plains, highlands, and fault systems.