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Science News Archive 2013


Page 200 of 352

Simple theory may explain mysterious dark matter

Researchers propose that most of the universe's dark matter could be made up of particles with a donut-shaped electromagnetic field called an anapole. This unique property makes it difficult to detect, but also allows for specific predictions about its behavior in vast detectors.

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.

Substances from African medicinal plants could help stop tumor growth

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have found that substances derived from African medicinal plants can kill off tumor cells resistant to multiple drugs. Four naturally occurring benzophenones were shown to prevent cancer cell proliferation, including multi-drug resistant strains.

Discovery may lead to new treatments for jaundice

Researchers at the University of Guelph have discovered a liver enzyme that protects cells from bilirubin damage, paving the way for new treatments for jaundice. The enzyme helps remove bilirubin and prevent liver cell death, offering hope for alternative therapies.

Plunging fish numbers linked to dam releases

A Griffith University study found that current water releases limit fish reproduction and impact freshwater biodiversity. Restoring natural low flow periods is critical to produce food for dependent fish species.

Genetic research clarifies link between hypertension and vitamin D deficiency

A large-scale genetic study found a significant link between high vitamin D levels and reduced blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension. The researchers used genetic variants as proxy markers for vitamin D status to test for causality, providing strong evidence for the potential prevention of cardiovascular disease through vit...

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.

Reputation can trump money

A study by Harvard researchers shows that making participation observable can significantly increase sign-ups for a California blackout prevention program, with a three-fold increase compared to using cash incentives alone. Observability puts people's reputation at stake, encouraging those who might not otherwise sign up to do so.

Screening at-risk adolescents for celiac disease proves cost-effective

A new study found that screening only high-risk patients for celiac disease is more cost-effective than universal screening, preventing bone loss and fractures in patients with undiagnosed or subclinical disease. The strategy also reduces unnecessary endoscopic evaluations of healthy individuals.

When will my computer understand me?

Researchers are working on creating a model that can accurately distinguish word meanings using a weighted map of relationships created from hundreds of thousands of documents. This approach utilizes supercomputers and Hadoop to process large amounts of text data, enabling the development of more effective language technologies.

Mysterious monument found beneath the Sea of Galilee

Researchers found a massive cone-shaped structure made of basalt stones weighing an estimated 60,000 tons, dating back to the early Bronze Age. The site is believed to be connected to ancient city of Beit Yerah and may provide insights into geological history.

SPECT/MR molecular imaging system makes its debut

The new SPECT/MR system offers exceptional molecular imaging capabilities, reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation and offering customized multifunctional imaging. It has the potential to diversify options for clinicians and biomedical investigators, with possible human trials in the near future.

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.

Dose analysis predicts non-Hodgkin lymphoma survival

A new method of dose calculation estimates radiation absorbed dose in radioimmunotherapy, predicting progression-free survival and enabling personalized treatment. Patients receiving higher doses (>200 centigray) had significantly longer progression-free survival.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Land use changes, housing demographics shift in Washington State

A recent report by USDA Forest Service reveals a doubling of houses in dispersed rural settings and development on nonfederal resource lands over the past 30 years. The analysis showed that most new development was close to existing areas, with increases in housing similar across eastern and western Washington.

How does inbreeding avoidance evolve in plants?

Researchers at McGill University found that Leavenworthia plants regained self-pollen recognition function by taking over two other genes. This study suggests that the loss of complex traits may not always be irreversible in plants.

Metabolic PET imaging provides earlier warning of coronary disease

Researchers found that metabolic PET imaging detected coronary disease at an early stage, with a sensitivity of 96%, compared to 56% for MPI. This technique could potentially be used for initial CAD screening to help doctors better determine a patient's cardiac risk and manage care.

Brain circuits link obsessive-compulsive behavior and obesity

Researchers found that brain circuits controlling obsessive-compulsive behavior are intertwined with those controlling food intake and body weight. The study suggests that minor disruptions in this system may lead to disorders like anorexia nervosa or OCD, as well as obesity, where individuals overconsume high-fat foods.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for June 11, 2013, issue

The US Preventive Services Task Force found primary care interventions for preventing child maltreatment to be ineffective due to limited evidence. In contrast, diabetes patients on Medicare are two to three times more likely to use brand-name drugs than VA patients, at an added annual cost of $1 billion.

To germinate, or not to germinate, that is the question…

Researchers at the University of York have identified a key regulator gene called SPATULA that controls the expression of five other genes affecting seed germination. The study, using the model plant Arabidopsis, reveals how different varieties respond to environmental stimuli, which could lead to the development of better quality seed...

Transplant patient outcomes after trauma better than expected

The study analyzed patients with prior organ transplants and found that their outcomes after traumatic injury are not worse than those of non-transplanted patients. Transplanted organs were rarely injured in traumatic events, and immunosuppression may have played a role in protecting organs from inflammation.

Nearly a fifth of designated drivers are impaired

A recent study found that approximately 40% of designated drivers have consumed alcohol, with many having blood alcohol levels that impair their driving skills. The researchers emphasize the importance of complete abstinence as a designated driver to ensure safety on the road.

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.

Ames Laboratory scientists discover new family of quasicrystals

Researchers found a unique arrangement of spin glass behavior in these new quasicrystals, which is distinct from the magnetic ordering seen in crystalline structures. The discovery provides insight into magnetism in complex environments and opens up new avenues for studying rare-earth quasicrystals.

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.

The secret life of knots

Scientists have discovered that knots tend to form at the ends of polymers, where they are frequent yet ephemeral. Once formed, knots move along the chain in a seemingly casual manner before disappearing or forming slip-knots/pseudo-knots at the center.

UCI scientists size up universe's most lightweight dwarf galaxy

Researchers have discovered a tiny dwarf galaxy, Segue 2, with only 1,000 stars, offering insights into the formation of iron and other elements crucial for human life. The galaxy's size and weight are its most striking features, challenging astronomers' understanding of structure formation in the universe.

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.

Suicide risk factors mapped

A landmark study of the Swedish population found depression (32-fold risk for suicide), anxiety (15-fold risk), COPD (3.05-fold risk) and poor social networks to be significant risk factors. The study also showed that unemployment was a stronger social risk factor among women, while being single was a stronger risk factor among men.

The diabetes 'breathalyzer'

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a sensor technology that can detect and monitor diabetes through breath analysis alone. The sensor uses a combination of titanium dioxide and carbon nanotubes to measure acetone vapors in breath, offering a potential alternative to current blood glucose monitoring methods.

Do antidepressants impair the ability to extinguish fear?

A new study suggests that long-term antidepressant treatment impairs fear extinction learning in rats, which may disrupt the effectiveness of exposure therapy. The authors propose a mechanism involving decreased NMDA receptor subunits in the amygdala.

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.

Partial livers from deceased donors saving the lives of infants

Researchers found that partial livers from deceased adult and teen donors have become less risky for infants, saving their lives. The study's findings suggest that the use of partial grafts from deceased donors has increased significantly over time, accounting for up to 32% of liver transplants in children.

A path to lower-risk painkillers

Researchers have identified a novel approach to moderate and severe pain therapy that could lead to lower dosage painkillers. The compounds bind to a separate site on the opioid receptor, potentially working with the body's own natural painkillers to manage pain.

Eve Marder to receive the $500,000 Gruber Neuroscience Prize

Eve Marder's groundbreaking discoveries have fundamentally changed our understanding of how neural circuits operate and produce behavior. Her research on the stomatogastric ganglion has broad implications for studying neurological diseases like schizophrenia, depression, and chronic pain.

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.

Cost-effective: Universal HIV testing in India

A new study suggests that universal HIV testing in India could be a cost-effective strategy to save millions of lives. The study found that testing every five years would be the most cost-effective option, with a price tag of $1,900 per year of life saved in the general population and $1,300 per YLS among high-risk groups.

Brandeis scientist wins 2013 Gruber Foundation Neuroscience Prize

Eve Marder's pioneering work in understanding the nervous system has helped redefine how we think about neurons and their capabilities. Her research using crustaceans has also shed light on conditions like depression, showing that imbalances in neuromodulation are key factors.

Bridge species drive tropical engine of biodiversity

New research confirms the 'out of the tropics' model for tropical biodiversity, where most evolutionary lineages started in the tropics and expanded outward. Bridge species, which straddle the boundary between tropics and temperate regions, play a crucial role in this process.

Heart: Cardiac PET/MR measures up to PET/CT

A comparative heart imaging study found that PET/MR measures up to PET/CT in cardiac applications, with comparable results for heart muscle viability assessment. The technology has implications for future studies into ischemic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmia development after cardiac arrest.

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.

High rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia found in small community hospitals

A new study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology reveals that small community hospitals experience a higher rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia than larger hospitals. The study found that patients on ventilators had long hospital stays and high mortality rates, suggesting that these under-resourced settings may ...

Pollinators easily enhanced by flowering agri-environment schemes

A meta-analysis of 71 studies found that agri-environment schemes, such as sowing wild-flowers and organic farming, enhance the diversity and abundance of wild bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The results suggest that increasing flower abundance in field margins and roadsides can boost pollinator populations, especially common species.

Designated drivers don't always abstain, UF study finds

A University of Florida study found that 35% of designated drivers had consumed alcohol and had blood-alcohol levels high enough to impair their driving. The researchers also discovered that most designated drivers were not always chosen by those who had previously driven sober, which is a concerning trend.

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.

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.

Uni Basel researchers discover master regulator in cancer metastasis

Researchers at Uni Basel have discovered Sox4 as a key player in cancer metastasis, triggering the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The study found that Sox4 promotes the expression of genes involved in EMT and metastasis, leading to changes in gene expression and cell behavior.