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Science News Archive 2013


Page 198 of 352

Study finds cancer guidelines do not fully meet IOM standards

Researchers found that none of the 169 cancer clinical practice guidelines met all eight criteria set by the Institute of Medicine. However, some guidelines were rated as 'good,' highlighting the need for a balance between ideal standards and practical implementation.

Experimental vaccine shows promise against TB meningitis

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed an experimental vaccine that prevents the virulent TB bacterium from invading the brain and causing TB meningitis. The new vaccine was tested in guinea pigs and showed promise in reducing brain damage and death, with higher levels of protective antibodies and interferons.

Research paints new picture of 'dinobird' feathers

The study analyzed chemical traces from the first complete Archaeopteryx feather, revealing a patterned plumage. The findings contradict previous assumptions that all feathers were black and provide crucial insights into the evolution of bird feathers.

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.

Tillage and reduced-input rotations affect runoff from agricultural fields

Researchers compared nutrient and sediment loss from no-till, conventional tillage, and reduced-input rotation watersheds, finding that no-till reduces soil erosion but may increase dissolved phosphorus. Reduced-input rotations strike a balance between conventional tillage and no-till, but led to higher levels of soil loss.

Obesity increases the risk of preterm delivery

Women with obesity have a higher risk of giving birth to preterm infants, particularly those born extremely preterm. Obesity-related diseases and increased inflammation contribute to this increased risk.

Frequent soccer ball 'heading' may lead to brain injury

Researchers found white-matter abnormalities in soccer players who headed the ball over 885-1,550 times a year, associated with cognitive impairment. Players with more than 1,800 headings per year showed poorer memory scores, suggesting frequent heading may cause brain injury.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

X-rays reveal new picture of 'dinobird' plumage patterns

Researchers at The University of Manchester used X-ray experiments to reveal new insights into the evolution of plumage and preservation of feathers in ancient birds. They found chemical traces of original 'dinobird' and dilute pigments, shedding light on the bird's plumage pattern.

Screening fails to affect breast cancer mortality statistics

New research published by the University of Oxford found that breast cancer screening programs do not reduce mortality rates, contradicting previous findings. The study analyzed data from England over nearly 40 years and concluded that there is no evidence of a benefit from mammographic screening on breast cancer mortality.

New therapy target for kids' fever-induced seizures

A new study found temperature-sensitive L-type calcium channels play a key role in febrile seizures. Nimodipine, a commonly available drug, dramatically reduced the incidence and duration of febrile seizures in animal models.

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.

£3.5m project to research ancient music

A £3.5 million project aims to reconstruct primitive musical instruments and reach conclusions about the type of music played on them using archaeological evidence and specialist performers.

Researchers discover 2-step mechanism of inner ear tip link regrowth

A team of NIH-supported researchers has identified a two-step process that occurs during the growth and regeneration of inner ear tip links. The discovery provides a possible mechanism for potential interventions that could preserve hearing in individuals with genetic disorders related to tip link dysfunction.

Walking or cycling to work linked to health benefits in India

People in India who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure. The study found similar patterns for rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, highlighting the importance of active modes of transport.

Moon radiation findings may reduce health risks to astronauts

Scientists from UNH and SwRI report that lightweight materials like plastics provide effective shielding against the radiation hazards faced by astronauts during extended space travel. This finding could help reduce health risks to humans on future missions into deep space.

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.

Do parasites upset food web theory?

Researchers found that including parasites in food web models changes the distribution of feeding links per species, average shortest feeding chain between pairs of species, and proportion of omnivores or cannibals. Most changes occur due to increased diversity and complexity, rather than parasite-specific effects.

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.

Oldest record of human-caused lead pollution detected

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered evidence of prehistoric copper mining leading to high levels of lead pollution in northern Michigan lakes. The study reveals that human activities contributing to environmental lead pollution began as early as 8,000 years ago.

Hearing loss associated with hospitalization, poorer self-reported health

Adults with hearing loss are more likely to experience cardiovascular risk factors, have a history of hospitalization, and report poorer physical and mental health. The study found significant associations between hearing loss and various health outcomes, highlighting the need for further research into the basis of these observed assoc...

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.

Chlamydia protein has an odd structure, scientists find

Researchers have identified a unique protein structure in the chlamydia bug that could lead to novel diagnostic methods and treatments. The discovery may help combat this sexually transmitted disease, which affects an estimated 2.8 million people in the US each year.

Fourmile and Silver Fires in Arizona and New Mexico

The Fourmile fire in Arizona and Silver Fire in New Mexico are two major wildfires burning in the region. The fires, which were started by lightning strikes, have grown to over 5,000 acres in size and pose a high risk of growth due to extreme weather conditions.

You're so vain: U-M study links social media and narcissism

A new U-M study explores the relationship between social media use and narcissism levels, finding that college students who score higher in narcissism tend to post more on Twitter, while middle-aged adults use Facebook to boost their self-image. The study sheds light on how social media platforms can amplify narcissistic tendencies.

NASA's TRMM Satellite sees Andrea's heavy rains in Cuba, US East Coast

NASA's TRMM satellite measured rainfall totals of 400-600 mm over Cuba and the southeast Gulf of Mexico, with widespread flooding reported in western Cuba. Along Andrea's track, rainfall amounts were lighter, ranging from 45-150 mm over parts of South Carolina, eastern Georgia, and coastal North Carolina.

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.

Video gamers really do see more

Research at Duke University found that gamers excel in extracting information from visual scenes, recalling letters in a flash of light, and tracking multiple items. Gamers' brains appear to be trained for better decision-making with more available information, potentially due to improved visual sensitivity.

Sleep apnea increases risk of sudden cardiac death

A large study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that moderate obstructive sleep apnea can significantly increase a person's risk for sudden cardiac death. The study revealed that patients with low oxygen saturation levels during sleep had an 80% increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

New research links body clocks to osteoarthritis

Scientists have discovered that cartilage cells have a functioning body clock that can be reset by imposing an artificial rhythm, which could lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis. The research found that older mice had weaker body clocks, and that resetting the clock may alleviate symptoms.

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.

Walking or cycling to work linked to healthier weight in India

A study of over 4,000 participants found that people who walk or cycle to work are less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those using public or private transport. The findings suggest active travel could reduce rates of chronic diseases in India.

'Heading' a soccer ball could lead to brain injury

A study published in Radiology found that frequent heading in soccer is associated with white matter microstructural changes and cognitive impairments, similar to those seen in traumatic brain injury patients. Players who headed the ball over 1,800 times per year showed poorer memory scores.

NTU designs social media and web system that can predict dengue hotspots

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a social media-based system called Mo-Buzz that can predict where and when dengue might occur. The system combines historical data on weather and dengue incidents with real-time reports from the public, allowing authorities to respond quickly and accurately.

Females fend off gut diseases

A Michigan State University study found that female mice are protected from severe symptoms of colitis and bone deterioration, suggesting a reduced gut inflammation response. The findings could aid in understanding and treating the 1.4 million Americans suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases.

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.

Painting by numbers

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna discovered that 17 single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with female abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster. These SNPs were found to lie in or near genes involved in pigment synthesis, suggesting a complex regulation mechanism controlling pigmentation var...

How to stop a trunk and start a tail? The leg has the key

Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discovered that the leg plays a crucial role in initiating the transition from trunk to tail tissues during embryonic development. The genetic cascade triggered by Gdf11 signaling is coordinated with the formation of legs and the cloaca, leading to changes in the body plan.

Hearing loss clue uncovered

Researchers have discovered a novel genetic mutation in the SERPINB6 gene that causes malfunction of an inhibitor enzyme, leading to accelerated hearing loss. In humans, individuals with this mutation typically lose their hearing from 20 years of age, while mice with the condition start losing their hearing at three weeks old.

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.

Understanding the heart's rhythm

Researchers have identified an unknown potassium channel in the cardiac pacemaker that regulates heartbeat. Developing therapies targeting this channel could bypass artificial pacemakers and provide biological solutions for arrhythmia.

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.

Exercise for stroke patients' brains

A study using fMRI found that stroke patients' brains exhibit strongest activity in damaged hemisphere regions when viewing actions they struggle with. This suggests a potential therapeutic technique using action-observation to drive plasticity and improve motor function.

Landsat satellite looks back at El Paso, forward to a new mission

The Landsat satellite has been collecting millions of images for over 40 years, providing a wealth of data on Earth's surface. With the launch of Landsat 8, scientists can now access images that are accurate and consistent with previous missions, allowing for more detailed analysis and research.

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.

Wood not so green a biofuel

A Dartmouth-led study finds that logging can release large amounts of carbon stored in deep forest soils, potentially offsetting the benefits of using wood for energy. The research suggests that increased reliance on forest biomass may actually increase atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

NREL adds eyes, brains to occupancy detection

The new IPOS sensor combines camera and computer vision technologies to detect human presence, illuminance levels, and other variables with high accuracy. It can control lighting and ventilation in real-time, providing more efficient energy savings and flexibility in office spaces.

Perfect pitch may not be absolute after all

Researchers discovered that people with absolute pitch can be misled by gradual changes in pitch while listening to music. The study, led by Stephen Hedger and Howard Nusbaum, found that exposure to detuned music affects how individuals identify notes as being in or out of tune.

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.