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Science News for September 28, 2012


Patient selection for bilateral total knee replacement needs improvement

A new study reveals that younger and healthier patients undergoing bilateral total knee replacements are actually becoming sicker, with rising complication rates attributed to obesity. The study found a 3% increase in pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and nonmyocardial infarction cardiac complications over time.

SourceHospital for Special Surgery·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateSep 28, 2012

Making headway on beta-blockers and sleep

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that melatonin significantly improved sleep in hypertensive patients taking beta-blockers. The study showed a 37-minute increase in sleep time, an eight percent improvement in sleep efficiency, and no adverse effects.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSLEEP·DateSep 28, 2012

NASA sees stubborn Nadine intensify into a hurricane again

NASA's Aqua satellite revealed strong convection and thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Nadine, strengthening it back into a hurricane. The storm has lingered for over two weeks, but is still far from breaking the record for longest-lived tropical cyclone.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 28, 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.

Learning to live on Mars

A study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital successfully controls space-age jetlag on Mars using a fatigue management program. The program, which educated participants on resetting their body clocks, improved sleep, alertness, and performance.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalSLEEP·DateSep 28, 2012

Study ties early menopause to heart attack, stroke

A new study finds that women experiencing early menopause are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke due to cardiovascular disease. Women with early menopause were found to be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, including smoking, diabetes, and excess weight.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·DateSep 28, 2012

NASA sees sun unleash a wide, but benign, CME

A wide coronal mass ejection (CME) is traveling at approximately 700 miles per second and expected to reach Earth on September 29. The CME is associated with a small solar flare, classified as C-class, which is not expected to cause significant disruptions to electronic systems.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 28, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

White shark diets vary with age and among individuals

A new study reveals that white shark diets change with age, but individual sharks show surprising variability in dietary preferences. The researchers analyzed growth bands in shark vertebrae to trace variations in diet over a shark's lifetime.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 28, 2012

Notre Dame receives $6.1 million NSF grant award to advance Quarknet Program

The University of Notre Dame has received a five-year, $6.1 million NSF grant to support the QuarkNet program, which provides research experiences for high school teachers and inspires STEM education. The program aims to develop scientific literacy in students and attract young students to careers in science and technology.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·DateSep 28, 2012

NASA sees super Typhoon Jelawat Affecting Japan

Super Typhoon Jelawat brought extremely rough seas to areas in the western North Pacific, with waves reaching 40 feet. The storm was approaching Okinawa, Japan, where a warning level TCCOR-1 was issued due to destructive sustained winds of 50 knots or greater.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 28, 2012

NASA sees many things happening in Tropical Storm Ewiniar

Tropical Storm Ewiniar's clouds revealed a partially exposed low-level circulation center, open to outside winds that can affect its trajectory. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with the strongest on the eastern quadrant, were observed around the storm.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 28, 2012

Researchers find multiple similarities between cancer cells and induced pluripotent stem cells

A new study by UC Davis researchers found that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) share significant similarities with malignant cancer cells, highlighting the need for caution in clinical use. The findings suggest that iPSCs could cause cancer and may require additional safety measures before they can be used to treat diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateSep 28, 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.

Loop the loop, DNA style

Researchers at EMBL and Oxford University found that gene loops can turn bi-directional promoters into one-way systems, controlling transcription direction. This discovery enables bidirectional regulation of genes, allowing cells to adjust the spread of regulation throughout the genome.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 28, 2012

Ancient stinging nettles reveal Bronze Age trade connections

A piece of nettle cloth from Denmark's richest Bronze Age burial mound Lusehøj suggests long-distance trade connections with Austria around 800 BC. The cloth, not made in Denmark, indicates that Bronze Age Danes imported textiles from Central Europe.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 28, 2012

Language and perception – Insights from Psychological Science

Bilingual infants demonstrated an ability to discriminate between two unfamiliar languages using visual cues, suggesting that early exposure to multiple languages improves perceptual sensitivity. Skilled deaf readers showed enhanced perceptual span in reading, contrary to previous hypotheses that suggested this might hinder reading abi...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 28, 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.

An old insect pest reemerges in organic orchards

The apple flea weevil has reemerged as a significant pest in organic apple orchards, causing up to 90% damage. The authors discuss management options and highlight the need for proven methods in organic production.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Integrated Pest Management·DateSep 28, 2012

Songs in the key of sea

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a musical representation of microbial data, revealing intriguing patterns and relationships. The 'sonified' data showcases the natural structures in oceanic environments, offering a new way to visualize biological phenomena.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateSep 28, 2012

UA engineering leads $5.5 million DOE project to create low-cost solar energy

Researchers are developing molten-salt-based CSP heat transfer fluids with low melting points and low corrosivity to generate steam and electrical power efficiently and cost-effectively. The goal is to reach temperatures of up to 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit to overcome nocturnal drop in power generation capability.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateSep 28, 2012

Therapy over the phone as effective as face-to-face

A new study found that phone therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy for people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. The research from the University of Cambridge also showed that providing talking therapies over the phone can save the NHS money, with a cost per session 36.2% lower.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 28, 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.

Nanoparticles glow through thick layer of tissue

Researchers created photoluminescent nanoparticles that shine clearly through over 3 centimeters of biological tissue. The particles, made with calcium-fluoride shells and thulium core, provide high-contrast imaging without adverse effects.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 28, 2012

Local funding leads to big things in parrot genomics

The genome sequence of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot was successfully assembled using locally funded community efforts. The project showcases how accessible genomic technology has become, with a small institution in Puerto Rico achieving this feat without relying on large international genome centers.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateSep 28, 2012

The true costs of cancer in Europe revealed

The first-ever estimate of cancer's economic burden in Europe reveals that cancers cost the European Union €124 billion each year, with lung cancer responsible for the highest overall burden. Caring for cancer patients also takes a toll on caregivers, who experience impairments in physical and mental health.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·JournalAnnals of Oncology·DateSep 28, 2012

Probing the mysteries of cracks and stresses

A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a set of general principles that explain the sudden increase in material strength as strain rate increases. This phenomenon, known as flow-stress upturn, has broad implications for understanding materials' behavior under various types of stresses.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 28, 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.

Study: Exposure to herbicide may increase risk of rare disorder

Researchers link common herbicide atrazine to increased risk of choanal atresia, a congenital abnormality affecting breathing. Mothers living in Texas counties with high atrazine application levels are 80% more likely to have children with the condition.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateSep 28, 2012

Nanosciences: All systems go at the biofactory

LMU researchers have developed a method called Single-Molecule Cut & Paste (SMC&P) to assemble individual protein molecules with nanometer precision. This technique allows for the controlled assembly of complex protein machines, enabling the testing of functional aspects such as enzyme interactions and coupled reactions.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 28, 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.

IUCN adopts new 'Green List' to show species on the path to conservation success

The IUCN World Conservation Congress has adopted a motion to create a Green List for Species, which will include species identified as 'fully conserved', thriving in ecologically significant numbers. The list aims to emphasize that conservation is about more than just preventing extinction and highlight successful species conservation.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·DateSep 28, 2012

Autism Speaks awards nearly $5 million

Autism Speaks has awarded nearly $5 million in research grants to support various studies on autism, including the effects of pregnancy medications on future generations. These grants will fund projects that aim to identify biomarkers for response to autism medications, develop new interventions, and expand food choices for picky eater...

SourceAutism Speaks·DateSep 28, 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.

When your eyes tell your hands what to think

A Northwestern University study reveals that our brains make complex decisions for us without our knowledge or consent. Researchers found that even when people are aware of the trick, their brains still rely on visual information to guide hand movements.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPerception·DateSep 28, 2012

Tadpole shrimp a new pest of rice in the midsouthern United States

Tadpole shrimp have been identified as a new pest of rice production systems in the midsouthern United States. The shrimp feed on rice seedlings and uproot them during foraging, causing water to become muddy and reducing light penetration.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Integrated Pest Management·DateSep 28, 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.

Bored? Researchers shed light on why

A new study defines boredom as a mental state fueled by attention failures, leading to frustration and potential dangers such as accidents, impulse control issues, and mortality. The researchers aim to stimulate further research to understand and address the issue.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateSep 28, 2012

Electrons confined inside nano-pyramids

Researchers in Dresden observed how electrons in individual quantum dots absorb energy and emit it as light. They used scanning near-field microscopy to excite electrons and measure their energy levels.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 28, 2012

Eating cherries lowers risk of gout attacks by 35 percent

A new study found that cherry consumption lowered gout attack risk by 35% compared to non-consumers, while combined with allopurinol it decreased risk by 75%. The findings suggest cherries may be a preventive option for patients with gout.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateSep 28, 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.

High-Arctic heat tops 1,800-year high, says study

A new study reveals that summers on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard are warmer than any other time in the last 1,800 years, with temperatures exceeding even the warmest periods during the Medieval Warm Period. This finding casts doubt on skeptics who argue that current warming is also natural.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalGeology·DateSep 28, 2012

What makes surgeons happy?

A study led by Dr. Najma Ahmed found that lack of control over resources and work-life balance contribute to dissatisfaction among general surgeons. Surgeons cite enjoying patient interactions and resolving problems quickly as key sources of satisfaction.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateSep 28, 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.