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Science News Archive 2013


Page 162 of 352

NWSC named 'green' data center of the year

The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center has been recognized as a leader in sustainability, achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification. The facility's ultra-efficient cooling tower configuration and use of native species for landscaping enable water savings of up to 6 million gallons per year.

Snow in an infant solar system

Astronomers have imaged the carbon monoxide snow line around a young star, TW Hydrae, for the first time. The discovery sheds light on planet and comet formation, with implications for the origin of life.

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.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria widespread in Hudson River, study finds

Researchers found antibiotic-resistant strains in specific spots along the Hudson River, including Flushing Bay and Newtown Creek, which are likely linked to untreated sewage. The microbes identified pose risks to human health, particularly for those with compromised immune systems.

First atlas on oceanic plankton

The global atlas, MAREDAT, provides unprecedented insights into oceanic plankton diversity and biomass across 500,000 locations worldwide. It reveals surprising findings, such as zooplankton having more biomass than phytoplankton in some regions.

Electronic monitoring systems can improve health care hand hygiene compliance

A study conducted by GOJO and independent researchers found that implementing an electronic hand hygiene compliance monitoring system can significantly increase hand hygiene compliance. The SMARTLINK Activity Monitoring System was used, resulting in a 92 percent increase in hand hygiene compliance rates during the study period.

MAVEN spectrometer opens window to Red Planet's past

The Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer (NGIMS) instrument on the MAVEN spacecraft will collect data on charged gas particles in Mars' upper atmosphere, helping scientists understand how the planet lost its majority of atmosphere. The data will also be used to build models of the Martian atmosphere billions of years ago.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bearing witness to the phenomenon of symmetric cell division

Researchers Tomomi Kiyomitsu and Iain Cheeseman discovered that human cells use the dynein motor to align their mitotic spindle structure, which is then corrected by cell membrane elongation. This process allows for symmetric cell division in about 95% of cells, resulting in identical daughter cells.

Stars' orbital dance reveals a generation gap

Astronomers have tracked the orbital motion of 33,000 stars in one of the Galaxy's oldest globular clusters, offering new insights into the formation of the Milky Way. The study reveals two distinct generations of stars within globular cluster 47 Tucanae, differing in age by 100 million years.

Why crop rotation works

A new study reveals that changing crop species massively alters the content of microbes in the soil, helping plants acquire nutrients and regulate growth. Soil grown with peas was highly enriched for fungi, while oat and pea cultivation shifted the balance towards protozoa and nematode worms.

New approach to designing visual notations

A new approach to designing visual notations has been proposed, challenging conventional wisdom that experts should design these notations. The approach, which involves naive users in the process, increases semantic transparency by almost 300% compared to existing notations.

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.

Study identifies a simple way to reduce healthcare costs

A recent study led by Loyola University Medical Center physician Matthew Kircher identified a simple way to reduce healthcare costs without compromising care. The researchers found that in 178 cases, there was virtually perfect agreement between otologists' findings and official diagnoses from the pathology lab, suggesting that these e...

Scientists develop new way to measure cumulative effect of head hits in football

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have developed a new metric called Risk Weighted Cumulative Exposure (RWE) to capture players' exposure to the risk of concussion over a football season. The study found that impact frequency was greater during games than practices, but overall exposure was greater during practices.

Childhood abuse raises drug users' suicide risk

A new study found that childhood abuse can have life-and-death consequences for the rest of a person's life, with severe-to-extreme abuse contributing significantly to future suicide attempts. The study used a longitudinal design and found strong associations between abuse and lasting mental health impacts well into adulthood.

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.

Mapping the brain to understand cultural differences

A University of Maryland-led research team is using brain measurements to study cultural differences in neural-biological processes associated with permissiveness versus restrictiveness. The goal is to advance understanding of group identities, cultural norms, and behavior, and develop tools for better intercultural interaction.

Is sexual addiction the real deal?

UCLA researchers measure brain responses to sexual images in hypersexual individuals, finding that brain response is tied only to level of sexual desire, not severity of hypersexuality. This challenges existing theories of sex 'addiction', suggesting it may be a cluster of problems rather than an addiction.

Salk scientists discover more versatile approach to creating stem cells

Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a more versatile method for creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can be tailored to individual patients. By adjusting the balance of genes required for differentiation, scientists can create iPSCs with greater flexibility and potential for clinical application.

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.

Weight loss drug helps curb cocaine addictions, Penn study finds

A new study found that topiramate reduced alcohol cravings but did not decrease drinking in individuals with cocaine and alcohol dependence. However, those on topiramate were more likely to stay in treatment and abstain from cocaine during the last three weeks of the trial.

A secret to making macrophages

Researchers at Caltech have discovered a new mechanism for creating macrophages by increasing the accumulation of regulatory protein PU.1 through slowed cell division. The process involves an unexpected cycle where cell division slows, allowing higher PU.1 levels to accumulate and prompt macrophage generation.

Long-distance relationships can form stronger bonds than face-to-face ones

A recent study found that long-distance couples tend to be more intimate with each other, largely due to their increased disclosure of personal thoughts and feelings. This heightened intimacy is also driven by the idealization of their partner's behaviors, which becomes more pronounced in text-based communication.

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.

Gene mutation linked to obesity

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital identified a genetic cause of severe obesity in mice with the Mrap2 gene mutation, which also affects humans. The study found that these individuals gained weight even on a controlled diet, highlighting a new understanding of metabolism and energy regulation.

NIH-funded study suggests that moving more may lower stroke risk

A new study published in the journal Stroke found that regularly exercising to break a sweat lowers stroke risk. The study of over 27,000 participants showed that those who exercised four or more times a week had a 20% lower risk of stroke compared to those who were inactive.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How mice teach us about disease

A large new resource of mouse lines has been created to study human diseases, revealing new functions for well-known genes and unexpected associations with traits like body weight. The project provides a wealth of freely available clinical and biological information to aid in the development of new therapies.

European fish stocks poised for recovery

According to a major international effort, many European fish stocks in the northeast Atlantic are being fished sustainably, with populations expected to recover over time. The study highlights the importance of maintaining low fishing pressure until stocks rebuild their populations.

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.

An effective initial polytherapy for infantile spasms

A combined therapy of adrenocorticotropic hormone, topiramate, vitamin B6, and immunoglobulin effectively improves infantile spasms prognosis. This treatment is superior in cryptogenic children compared to symptomatic ones. The study published in Neural Regeneration Research

Computer system automatically generates TCP congestion-control algorithms

Researchers at MIT have developed a computer system, Remy, that automatically generates efficient TCP congestion-control algorithms. These algorithms significantly outperform human-designed versions in simulations, yielding transmission rates 2-3 times higher and delay reductions of up to two-thirds.

Banner Health, Mayo Clinic receive grant

Researchers at Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Mayo Clinic are working together on a diagnostic test to identify early Parkinson's disease in patients. They believe that transcutaneous submandibular gland biopsy may provide the needed accuracy, as they look for a protein in the cells from patients with early Parkinson's disease.

Study reveals how smoking increases vulnerability to alcohol abuse

A study in rats reveals that nicotine exposure temporarily changes the brain's response to alcohol, increasing its reinforcing properties through stress hormones. This finding highlights the mechanisms underlying the link between smoking and alcohol abuse, providing a foundation for developing strategies to mitigate this risk.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

HIV/AIDS vaccines: Defining what works

A team of researchers has developed a strategy for inducing a key part of an effective immune response to HIV by tracing the evolution of HIV-recognizing molecules. The study suggests that a future vaccine against HIV could combine multiple biological components to give broad protection against the virus.

Snow falling around infant solar system

Astronomers use ALMA to image a snow line around TW Hydrae, a young star 175 light-years away, providing clues about the early Solar System. The discovery sheds light on the role of snow lines in planet formation and potentially seeds life with essential organic molecules.

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.

Antiepileptic drug use while pregnant impacts early child development

Children exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero are at risk for motor development issues, language skills difficulties, and autistic traits. The study also found no increased risk of developmental delays in children born to mothers with epilepsy who did not use AEDs during pregnancy.

Newly found CLAMP protein regulates genes

The newly found CLAMP protein plays a crucial role in regulating the X chromosome in male fruit flies, enabling them to develop and survive. By working together with the MSL complex, CLAMP creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop that enhances gene expression, providing a model for understanding how proteins govern gene transcription.

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.

Thwarting protein production slows cancer cells' malignant march

Researchers have identified a new therapeutic target by linking protein translation to heat shock response in cancer cells, which slows tumor growth and makes drug-resistant tumors vulnerable to other therapies. A compound called Rohinitib disrupts this link, normalizing metabolism and killing cancer cells.

Computing toxic chemicals

A new computational technique developed by researchers at the University of Kansas allows industry regulators and consumers to predict whether a given compound will be toxic even at low doses. The method combines QSAR principles with statistical analysis, achieving higher prediction accuracy than previous approaches.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Biochemical mapping helps explain who will respond to antidepressants

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center used pharmacometabolomics to analyze biochemical changes in people taking antidepressants, finding that those whose depression improved had distinct metabolic profiles. The study suggests that serotonin metabolism in the pineal gland may play a role in depression treatment outcomes.

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.

Facebook for molecules

NIST researchers create a standard language for describing molecules, enabling rapid search and identification of substances with specific properties. The approach could speed up the development of new drugs and designer materials by allowing scientists to quickly sift through vast chemical and biological data sets.