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Science News Archive September 2012


Page 17 of 27

Amazing diversity documented in national park

Madidi National Park has been documented to have an incredible array of species, including 1,088 bird species and over 200 mammal species. Despite this wealth of biodiversity, much remains unknown about the park's tropical montane forests.

New African monkey species identified

Researchers have discovered a new species of African monkey, the lesula, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species is threatened by local bush meat hunting and has a limited range of 6,500 square miles, making it vulnerable to extinction.

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.

BYU study: Exercise may affect food motivation

A new study from Brigham Young University found that moderate-to-vigorous exercise in the morning can decrease a person's motivation for food. The research measured neural activity in women while they viewed food images before and after exercise, revealing a lower attentional response to food pictures after the workout.

Gut bacteria increase fat absorption

A new study reveals that certain gut microbes increase dietary fat absorption, allowing the host to extract more calories. The research found that one type of bacteria, Firmicutes, plays a key role in this process.

App helps dairy farmers milk profits during volatile times

The DairyCents app estimates income over feed cost per cow, helping farmers plan financially. It also compares feed prices across the country and allows farmers to reference their current feed prices, potentially leading to better deals with suppliers.

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.

Gut microbes help the body extract more calories from food

A new study reveals that gut microbes can increase the absorption of dietary fats, allowing the body to extract more calories from the same amount of food. Firmicutes bacteria are found to play a key role in this process, and their abundance is influenced by diet.

Sinusitis linked to microbial diversity

Chronic sinusitis may be caused by a loss of normal microbial diversity in the sinuses, which allows a specific bacterium to colonize and cause inflammation. Restoring natural protective bacteria could be an effective way to treat this condition.

How is grief unique to young adults with cancer?

Young adults with advanced cancer experience life disruption and losses, affecting their educational, career, and personal goals. Clinical interventions can help patients cope with grief associated with cancer-related losses and life transition.

Popular pain-relieving medicines linked to hearing loss in women

A recent study found that frequent use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is associated with an increased risk of hearing loss in women. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that these pain-relieving medicines may reduce blood flow to the cochlea or deplete factors that protect it from damage.

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.

Scientists discover how the brain ages

Researchers at Newcastle University have found that brain cells follow the same molecular pathway as senescent fibroblasts, leading to cell damage and age-related diseases. This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding and treating conditions like dementia and motor neuron disease.

Evolving righteousness in a corrupt world

A modeling study published in PLOS ONE found that introducing small payments alongside punishment can create stable, righteous societies in the face of corruption. Once corruption is eradicated, it can be held at bay indefinitely even if power inequalities return.

Study examines thoughts and feelings that foster collaboration across cultures

A study by Michael Morris and colleagues reveals that individuals with high cultural metacognition tend to develop more affectively trusting relationships with people from other cultures, enabling the free flow of ideas. This leads to greater success in collaborative creativity across cultural lines. The research highlights the importa...

Jay Keasling wins Heinz Award

Dr. Jay Keasling has made significant contributions to synthetic biology, engineering microbial factories to produce affordable antimalarial drugs and biofuels. His work has improved the lives of millions of people in impoverished areas, making him a true science hero.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antidepressants, sleeping pills and anxiety drugs may increase driving risk

A recent study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology suggests that psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs may increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. The research found a significant association between higher doses of these medications and a greater risk of accident involvement.

Weizmann Institute's mathematical model may lead to safer chemotherapy

A new model developed by Weizmann Institute mathematicians and physicians proposes a more individualized approach to chemotherapy by considering not only the quantity but also the quality of blood cells. This could lead to better precautions for high-risk patients and spare unnecessary preventive treatments for those at low risk.

Mercury in water, fish detected with nanotechnology

Researchers developed a nanoparticle system that can detect even the smallest levels of heavy metals in water and fish, offering an inexpensive alternative to existing cumbersome techniques. The device is capable of measuring low concentrations of mercury, a toxic metal that can accumulate in predatory fish and harm human health.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Facebook boosts election turnout

A study by UC San Diego researchers found that Facebook's 'get out the vote' message boosted voter turnout by an estimated 340,000 votes in 2010. The study showed that social influence and peer pressure played a crucial role in encouraging people to participate in elections.

Going with the flow

An international team of researchers has developed a way to manipulate cells using fluid flow patterns generated by mechanical oscillations in a microfluidic channel. This technique combines the precision of direct physical contact with the speed of non-contact methods, allowing for high-level control over individual cells.

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.

Predicting if scientists will be stars

A new Northwestern University study developed a formula that accurately predicts a young scientist's success in the life sciences, considering factors like publications, h-index, and high-impact journal articles. The formula is more than twice as accurate as existing methods for predicting future success.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

An advance toward a flu-fighting nasal spray

Scientists have identified a substance that primes the body's immune system to fight infections, including flu, in a nasal spray. The synthetic form of Pam2Cys has shown promise in activating the innate immune system without replacing a normal response.

Self-control may not be a limited resource after all

Researchers argue that self-control is not a depletable resource but rather a process influenced by motivation, attention, and individual perceptions. This new perspective has implications for understanding behaviors related to important problems like obesity and impulsive spending.

Entomological Foundation announces 2012 award winners

The Entomological Foundation recognizes Dr. Subramanyam for his research on stored-product insects and the Zebra Chip Research Team for their development of techniques to identify and manage the Zebra chip pathogen, leading to sustainable practices in the potato industry.

NIBIB and HHMI announce graduate biomedical training awards

Three projects have won awards from NIBIB and HHMI to enhance interdisciplinary training for graduate students, sharing successful strategies among institutions. The resources developed through the grants will be disseminated to the broader research community, impacting biomedical science advancement.

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.

Insecticide resistance caused by recombination of 2 genes

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology identified a specific enzyme, CYP337B3, responsible for the cotton bollworm's resistance to pyrethroids. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the genetic mechanisms behind insecticide resistance.

An important breakthrough in the fight against muscular dystrophies

Researchers from IRCM, MIT, USC, and Illumina have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against muscular dystrophies, particularly myotonic dystrophy. The study provides insights into the role of muscleblind-like proteins in causing the disease and has potential applications for diagnostic tools and treatment.

Math anxiety causes trouble for students as early as first grade

Research at the University of Chicago found that high-achieving students experience math anxiety from an early age, which can disrupt their working memory and negatively impact their math performance. The study suggests that reframing anxiety through writing or expressive picture drawing can help alleviate this effect.

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.

Less wear, longer life for memory storage device

A research team at Intel Corp. has developed a long-lasting ultrahigh-density probe storage device by coating probe tips with a thin metal film, reducing wear and increasing the device's lifetime to over 8 kilometers. The device features an array of 5,000 ultrasharp probes that write tiny bits of memory as small as a few nanometers.

Russia fails to grasp democratic ideals

A Michigan State University sociologist argues that Russia's pursuit of liberalization has not led to democracy, but rather created a culture of greed, corruption, and disloyalty. The country's elite prioritize personal wealth over national interests, undermining its global influence.

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.

Smoking abstinence tough for teens, too

A new study reveals that abstaining from smoking significantly affects teenagers' mood, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in a manner similar to adults. Contrary to expectations, teenagers who had smoked for only two years showed strong negative effects after just one day of abstinence.

Information theory helps unravel DNA's genetic code

Researchers used information theory to identify DNA introns and exons, achieving an order of magnitude speedup over previous methods. This breakthrough can help better understand the human genome and predict diseases linked to DNA.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Investigators identify gene linking cataracts and Alzheimer's disease

A recent study identified a gene linking age-related cataracts and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting common etiologic factors between the two conditions. The study found correlations between cortical cataract formation and brain degeneration measures, as well as poorer cognitive performance.

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.

Improved nanoparticles deliver drugs into brain

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed nanoparticles that can safely and predictably infiltrate deep into the brain, delivering chemotherapy drugs to treat brain cancer. The breakthrough allows for controlled release of medication over time, reducing dosage challenges and improving treatment outcomes.

'Spin' in media reports of scientific articles

Researchers analyzed 70 press releases and 41 associated news stories, finding that 33 contained 'spin' in press releases and 28 in study abstracts, potentially leading readers to overestimate treatment benefits.

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.