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Science News Archive 2013


Page 304 of 352

Protecting health care workers

Healthcare workers who wear special fitted face masks are less likely to get clinical respiratory and bacterial infections. The study, published in the American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, found that continuous use of N95 masks provides significant protection against both types of infections.

Cell scaffolding protein fascin-1 is hijacked by cancer

A meta-analysis found that increased fascin-1 is associated with increased risk of mortality in breast, colorectal, and oesophageal carcinomas. Fascin-1 was also linked to disease progression and metastasis in some cases, but not others.

NASA spots active Southern Indian Ocean's Tropical Storm 18S

Tropical Storm 18S formed over the weekend of Feb. 23-24 with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph) and powerful thunderstorms around its core. The storm is currently headed in a similar direction to Cyclone Rusty, which is nearing landfall in northwestern West Australia.

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.

Study reveals stem cells in a human parasite

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that adult, non-sexual stem cells in S. mansoni can migrate to various parts of its body and replenish tissues. This finding may provide insight into the parasite's extraordinary staying power.

Promoting poultry health through diet

University of Illinois researchers found that dietary fiber, particularly pectin, negatively impacted birds' ability to digest nutrients, while adequate threonine levels improved growth performance and intestinal morphology. Chicks fed high-threonine diets showed increased cytokine responses to coccidiosis infections.

BPA may affect the developing brain by disrupting gene regulation

Researchers found that BPA suppresses a vital nerve cell function gene and raises concerns about the chemical's impact on central nervous system development. The study suggests that BPA could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett syndrome, which is characterized by mutations in the MECP2 gene.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Majority of Missouri tan salons allow pre-teens

A Missouri survey found that 65% of tanning salon operators would allow children aged 10-12 to use tanning beds, despite evidence showing a link between tanning bed use and an increased risk of skin cancers. Many employees claimed no risks or benefits from indoor tanning, but these claims are false.

Efforts to connect African research turns to accelerating technical training

The University of Oregon's Network Startup Resource Center is expanding its work in Africa, providing technical training and infrastructure support to universities and research institutions. The grant from Google.org will help connect more African universities and researchers to the global research network fabric.

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.

Rethinking wind power

Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.

Macroweather is what you expect

A new kind of fluctuation analysis reveals three atmospheric regimes: weather, macroweather, and climate. Macroweather has different types of variability than both weather and climate, making climate modeling more precise. This recognition may open up new approaches for predicting the climate.

Electronic health communications often unavilable to lower income patients

A significant majority of uninsured and underinsured patients use email and text messaging in their everyday lives, but many clinics do not offer patient portals or secure messaging. Patients are interested in using electronic communication with providers, which could improve clinical communication and efficiency.

NASA sees Cyclone Rusty threatening Western Australia

Cyclone Rusty is a large tropical cyclone approaching Western Australia, causing warnings and alerts for residents. The storm's slow movement will result in higher than usual rainfall and flooding, as well as very rough surf and coastal erosion.

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.

Nottingham technology in heart development breakthrough

Researchers from the University of Leeds used the abdominal fetal ECG device developed by The University of Nottingham to create a comprehensive model of a fully functioning fetal heart. The study found that human hearts develop more slowly compared to other mammals, with little organisation in their walls until 20 weeks into pregnancy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A new look at high-temperature superconductors

Researchers at MIT have detected fluctuating charge-density waves in high-temperature superconductors, a key finding that could help understand the phenomenon and potentially lead to room-temperature superconductors. The new technique sheds light on the exotic state of matter, which has remained poorly understood despite intense research.

Cleveland Clinic researcher receives grant to fund autism research

Researchers will use a novel model and emerging technology to study astrocytes in autism spectrum disorders, providing a framework for future strategies. The grant supports Trapp's work on mechanisms of neurodegeneration and repair in multiple sclerosis and related conditions.

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.

Prenatal DHA reduces early preterm birth, low birth weight

Researchers found that prenatal DHA supplementation increased mean birth weight and gestational age, reducing the risk of very low birth weight and early preterm delivery. The study supports the use of dietary supplements during pregnancy to improve infant health outcomes.

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.

EAU Patient Information now available in Spanish and Greek

The EAU has made its patient information available in Spanish and Greek to cater to patients from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This move aims to provide trustworthy information on urological diseases to all European patients, with translations coordinated by national societies.

Cortisone can increase risk of acute pancreatitis

A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that cortisone increases the risk of acute pancreatitis. Patients treated with cortisone are recommended to avoid alcohol and smoking to minimize the risk. The study found a 70% higher risk of developing acute pancreatitis among those taking cortisone tablet form.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Feb. 26, 2013

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with vitamin D ≤ 400 IU and calcium ≤ 1,000 mg for fracture prevention in postmenopausal women. Daily supplementation has no net benefit and increases the risk of kidney stones, according to a systematic evidence review.

Higher levels of several toxic metals found in children with autism

Research at Arizona State University has found that children with autism have higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children. The study's findings suggest a strong association between toxic metal levels and variations in autism severity.

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.

Can qigong reduce cocaine cravings in early addiction recovery?

A pilot study shows that qigong therapy significantly reduced cocaine cravings and depression symptoms in individuals undergoing residential substance abuse treatment. This promising treatment approach may have profound consequences in drug rehabilitation programs.

Clues to climate cycles dug from south pole snow pit

Researchers have discovered a 22-year record of atmospheric chemistry in Antarctic snow, revealing clear connections between oxygen anomalies and global El Nino events. This breakthrough enables the reconstruction of paleoclimate cycles, providing new insights into Earth's climate history.

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.

Tweaking gene expression to repair lungs

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a way to repair lung damage caused by asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by tweaking gene expression. They found that epigenetic regulators, including HDAC2, play a critical role in regulating lung development and regeneration.

Virus shows promise as prostate cancer treatment

A modified Newcastle disease virus has been developed to target prostate cancer cells without harming normal cells, offering a new treatment option for hormone-refractory patients. This oncolytic virus uses a retargeted design to minimize off-target losses and reduce the amount of virus needed for treatment.

Fragments of continents hidden under lava in the Indian Ocean

Researchers found evidence of a previously unknown micro-continent, Mauritia, beneath the Indian Ocean using dating methods and plate tectonics analysis. The discovery suggests that such micro-continents may occur more frequently than previously thought and were carried by lava to their current location.

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.

Distinct niches in bone marrow nurture blood stem cells

Scientists found that distinct niches exist in bone marrow to nurture different types of blood stem cells, which could improve the success of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy. The discovery suggests that targeting specific support cells may be therapeutic for treating certain cancers.

Laser mastery narrows down sources of superconductivity

Researchers at MIT and Brookhaven Lab use ultrafast spectroscopy techniques to study electron waves in custom-grown materials. They discover that CDWs are an independent instability and likely competing with the HTS state, not its root cause.

Taking the gamble out of DNA sequencing

USC scientists have developed an algorithm to predict the value of DNA sequencing, which could make it more affordable for clinics. The algorithm uses a model from ecology known as capture-recapture to estimate population sizes, with potential applications in public health, astronomy, and biology.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ability of brain to protect itself from damage revealed

Researchers at the University of Oxford have identified a natural biological mechanism that allows brain cells to survive during a stroke, enabling the development of potential neuroprotective drugs. The 'endogenous neuroprotection' discovered in rats has shown to increase cell survival by stimulating production of hamartin protein.

New type of gene that regulates tumor suppressor PTEN identified

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new pseudogene that regulates the tumour-suppressing PTEN gene, enabling its potential reversal. This finding could lead to more effective cancer treatments by reprogramming cancer cells and preventing resistance.

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.

UN sustainable energy initiative could put world on a path to climate targets

A new study suggests that achieving the UN's Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) objectives by 2030 could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help limit global temperature rise to 2°C. The initiative includes providing universal access to modern energy, doubling renewable energy globally, and improving energy efficiency.

Analytical trick accelerates protein studies

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new technique to accelerate protein analysis, allowing for the simultaneous identification of proteins in multiple samples. This breakthrough could lead to faster diagnosis of cancer and the discovery of novel drug targets.

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.

Graphene: A material that multiplies the power of light

Researchers at ICFO have discovered that graphene can convert a single photon into multiple excited electrons, generating larger electrical signals. This feature makes graphene an ideal building block for devices relying on converting light into electricity, with potential applications in solar cells and efficient light detection.

Quantum algorithm breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Bristol successfully implemented a full quantum circuit to calculate unknown eigenvalues using a quantum algorithm without prior knowledge. This achievement marks an important step towards practical quantum computing, enabling applications in quantum simulations and metrology.