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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 306


Page 306 of 352

Mercury may have harbored an ancient magma ocean

Researchers at MIT analyzed MESSENGER data to identify two distinct rock compositions on Mercury's surface, suggesting a massive lava flow and subsequent magma ocean. The team recreated the rock types in the lab and simulated geological processes to support their hypothesis.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013

Eliminating malaria has longlasting benefits for many countries

A recent study suggests that eliminating malaria transmission completely can lead to reduced economic costs and improved public health outcomes in affected countries. Malaria elimination is found to be stable over time, with most eliminated countries experiencing low malaria transmission rates.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Inhaled betadine leads to rare complication

A rare case of lung inflammation caused by accidental inhalation of povidone-iodine (Betadine) during cleft palate surgery has led to new precautions for craniofacial surgeons. The patient, a seven-year-old girl, required mechanical ventilation after developing difficulty breathing and a drop in blood oxygen levels.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Craniofacial Surgery·DateFeb 21, 2013

February highlights from Ecological Society of America publications

Climate change affects Alaskan forests with potential shifts to broadleaf forest or grasslands, but plastic greenhouse farming conserves water and binds carbon. Urban renewal and watershed restoration projects in Baltimore demonstrate social cohesion and improved storm-water management.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateFeb 21, 2013

Study reveals new clues to Epstein-Barr virus

Researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have discovered a second B-cell attachment receptor for the Epstein-Barr virus, which could lead to the development of a vaccine. The new finding also raises questions about the virus's possible relationship to malaria and autoimmune diseases.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Researchers 'nanoweld' by applying light to aligned nanorods in solid materials

Scientists have created a method to melt specific fibers in polymers by applying light to aligned nanorods, leading to stronger and more resilient materials. The technique utilizes the photothermal effect of gold nanorods to convert light into heat, allowing for precise control over material processing.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalParticle & Particle Systems Characterization·DateFeb 21, 2013

Case Western Reserve University joins BrainGate clinical trial

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are enrolling participants in a pilot clinical trial to assess the safety and feasibility of recording brain activity for control of assistive devices. The goal is to bypass severed connections between the brain and paralyzed muscles using brain-computer interfaces.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateFeb 21, 2013

Scientists unveil secrets of important natural antibiotic

Researchers have uncovered the atomic structure of dermcidin, a natural antibiotic that is highly efficient against tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics that control multi-resistant bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

In rich and poor nations, giving makes people feel better than getting, research finds

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that spending on others provides a psychological reward, regardless of cultural or economic context. The researchers surveyed over 234,000 individuals across 136 countries and found a positive relationship between personal well-being and spending on others.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 21, 2013

Backs bear a heavy burden

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that carrying heavy backpacks can lead to nerve damage, affecting hand function and dexterity. The study's results highlight the importance of proper load distribution to prevent microstructural damage to nerves.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalJournal of Applied Physiology·DateFeb 21, 2013

US government to announce new policies for dual use research

The US government has released two new documents to guide researchers in carrying out dual use research of concern. The new framework outlines a robust review process that takes into account scientific benefits, biosafety risks, and risk mitigation measures.

SourceNIH/Office of the Director·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Omega-3s inhibit breast cancer tumor growth, study finds

A study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that a lifelong diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the growth of breast cancer tumours. Mice producing omega-3s developed only two-thirds as many tumours and had 30-per-cent smaller tumours compared to control mice.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateFeb 21, 2013

Sciencemagazine prize goes to Mars research project

A Mars research project led by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Middle-school students from a small rural town in northern California used a camera orbiting Mars to conduct their own experiment and discover a new cave on the flanks of a Martian volcano.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013

Greater representation of elderly patients in Phase III trials are needed

A study found that elderly patients are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials, with only 33% of highly cited trials excluding them. Researchers recommend increasing age diversity to better represent the median age of advanced NSCLC patients.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateFeb 21, 2013

Biologists lead international team to track Arctic response to climate change

A distributed biological observatory in the North American Arctic will monitor the biological response to sea ice retreat and environmental changes in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The project aims to track how Arctic creatures respond to climate change and understand its effects on higher organisms.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·DateFeb 21, 2013

Scientists make older adults less forgetful in memory tests

Researchers found that distracting older adults during memory tests increased their performance to match that of younger adults. The study's findings have significant implications for designing learning strategies and equipping senior-housing with visual distraction cues to aid memory recall.

SourceBaycrest Centre for Geriatric Care·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 21, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wanted: A life outside the workplace

A new study at Michigan State University finds that single workers face challenges maintaining friendships, taking care of their health, and finding leisure time beyond work demands. This negative impact on work-life balance is similar for both single and family-based workers.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Vocational Behavior·DateFeb 21, 2013

City layout key to predicting riots

Researchers at University College London have developed a computer model that highlights the importance of city layout in predicting and suppressing riots. The study uses data from the 2011 London riots to simulate patterns and identify susceptible areas, enabling police to deploy resources more effectively.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 21, 2013

Titanium dioxide nanoreactor

Researchers at Helmholtz Centre Berlin have developed a method for producing titanium dioxide nanoparticles at room temperature in a polymer network. The analysis showed that the nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed over the polymeric nanoreactors and have a crystalline structure, enabling their use as catalysts.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013

Caves point to thawing of Siberia

Evidence from Siberian caves suggests a 1.5°C temperature rise could cause substantial permafrost thawing, releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and damaging ecosystems and human infrastructure.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Rutgers neuroscientist sheds light on cause for 'chemo brain'

A study by Rutgers University behavioral neuroscientist Tracey Shors found that prolonged chemotherapy decreases the development of new brain cells, disrupting ongoing brain rhythms necessary for learning. This can lead to cognitive problems such as short-term memory loss and disordered thinking in cancer patients.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateFeb 21, 2013

The age from when children can hop on one leg

Researchers at University of Zurich have developed normative data for gross and fine motor exercises in pre-school children. Children typically develop hopping and standing on one leg skills between three to five years old, with most able to perform these tasks by age five.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalDevelopmental Medicine & Child Neurology·DateFeb 21, 2013

New flu drug stops virus in its tracks

A new class of influenza drug has been shown to prevent the flu virus from spreading and successfully treat mice with lethal strains. The drug works by attaching itself to the virus's molecular machinery, rendering it useless.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Research discovers gene mutation causing rare eye disease

Researchers at LSU Health Sciences Center have identified a new gene mutation causing Schnyder corneal dystrophy, a rare hereditary eye disease. The mutation is linked to vitamin K metabolism and may lead to the development of a new treatment using vitamin K supplements.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalHuman Mutation·DateFeb 21, 2013

How human language could have evolved from birdsong

According to MIT researchers, human language may have originated in birdsong, combining an expression layer with a lexical layer. This combination triggered the emergence of complex communication patterns, including finite vocabularies and melodic capacity.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateFeb 21, 2013

UCLA study finds endocrine disorder is most common cause of elevated calcium levels

A new UCLA study reveals that primary hyperparathyroidism is the leading cause of high blood-calcium levels, affecting mainly women and the elderly, particularly African American women over 50. The condition can lead to bone loss, depression, fatigue, and increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Geoengineering by coalition

A geoengineering coalition aims to reduce climate change by deflecting sun radiation, but new research suggests excluding non-participating countries may be counterproductive. Maintaining openness and inclusiveness in decision-making processes could be crucial for successful geoengineering efforts.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013

Why sourdough bread resists mold

Researchers discovered that sourdough bread resists mold due to the production of compounds with potent antifungal activity. Lactic acid bacteria convert linoleic acid into hydroxylated monounsaturated fatty acids, strongly inhibiting mold formation.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateFeb 21, 2013

Researchers propose new way to probe Earth's deep interior

Scientists have developed a new approach to study the composition of Earth's deep interior by detecting long-range spin-spin interactions. The technique, which relies on a hypothetical fifth force, could provide new insights into the geophysics and geochemistry of the planet's interior.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013

Modeling Alzheimer's disease using iPSCs

Using both familial and sporadic AD iPSCs, the researchers discovered that pathogenesis differed between individual AD patients. They found stress phenotypes associated with intracellular amyloid beta oligomers and attenuated these phenotypes with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) treatment.

SourceCenter for iPS Cell Research and Application - Kyoto University·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Student loans help women more than men in reaching graduation

A nationwide study reveals that taking out loans actually makes graduation more likely for all students, but debt has diminishing returns and becomes less effective at boosting chances of graduation after $2,000. Women tend to carry more debt to finance college due to better job prospects for men without a degree.

SourceOhio State University·JournalGender & Society·DateFeb 21, 2013

Certain mutations affect kidney disease risk and prognosis

A study found that certain gene mutations increase the risk of developing aHUS and affect patient prognosis after diagnosis. Screening for these mutations may help diagnose and treat affected individuals.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Schizophrenia genes increase chance of IQ loss

A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that individuals with a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia are more likely to experience a decline in IQ as they age. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, used advanced genetic analysis techniques to investigate how thinking skills change over time.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateFeb 21, 2013

Astronomer at UC Riverside awarded Sloan Research Fellowship

Naveen Reddy, an assistant professor at UC Riverside, has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship to study the physics of early universe and extragalactic astronomy. The fellowship will support his research on faint galaxies in the distant universe.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateFeb 21, 2013

When water speaks

Computer simulations reveal that water stabilizes specific charge states on the catalyst surface, increasing efficiency and outperforming a gas phase. Researchers also found that thermodynamic conditions can control catalytic efficiency by varying pressure and temperature.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Circadian clock linked to obesity, diabetes and heart attacks

Research at Vanderbilt University reveals a direct link between the body's circadian rhythm and insulin activity, which controls metabolism. The study found that disruption in the circadian clock can lead to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 21, 2013

ASU Mars education program wins science-teaching award from Science magazine

The Arizona State University Mars Education Program won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction for its Mars Student Imaging Project, which lets middle-school students use a NASA spacecraft to take images of Mars and conduct real science research. Over 35,000 students have participated in the project since its launch in 2002.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013

Conserving corals by understanding their genes

A study published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Genetics found that coral DNA variations correlate with water temperature and clarity, which can inform reef conservation efforts. The research team identified specific genes involved in immune response and stress-induced cell-death, suggesting that corals with certain genet...

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Genetics·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids work together to fight inflammation

Researchers discovered that aspirin triggers the production of resolvins, naturally made by the body from omega-3 fatty acids, which resolve inflammation. Aspirin also modifies an inflammatory enzyme to produce longer acting resolvins with potent anti-inflammatory actions.

SourceCell Press·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateFeb 21, 2013

Stem cell 'homing' signal may help treat heart failure patients

Researchers used a 'homing' signal to activate stem cells in heart failure patients, improving symptoms and heart function. The study found that 50% of patients showed positive effects one year after treatment, indicating potential for this therapy to widely treat heart failure patients.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 21, 2013
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.

Cell therapy a little more concrete thanks to VIB research

Researchers at VIB developed a mouse model to study the molecular mechanisms determining cellular identity, enabling targeted manipulation of iPS cells for safer and more effective therapies. This breakthrough advances cell therapy using iPS cells for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 21, 2013

Antibacterial protein's molecular workings revealed

Vanderbilt investigators have identified the structural features of calprotectin's two metal binding sites and demonstrated that manganese binding is key to its antibacterial action. The study could guide efforts to develop novel antibacterials that limit a microbe's access to metals.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2013