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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 328


Page 328 of 352

Target 'super-spreaders' to stop hepatitis C

A new study suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C in intravenous drug users can prevent many transmissions by identifying 'super-spreaders' who are highly infectious. By understanding how the virus spreads in these individuals, researchers hope to develop targeted interventions to stop its spread.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 31, 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.

NYU physicists shine a light on particle assembly

Researchers at NYU's Center for Soft Matter Research have developed a method to move and assemble microscopic particles using blue light. This innovation has the potential to create new materials and enhance the design of industrial products like electronics.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience·DateJan 31, 2013

NASA sees a coronal mass ejection erupt from the sun

A coronal mass ejection erupted from the sun on January 31, 2013, leaving the sun at speeds of around 575 miles per second, which is a fairly typical speed for CMEs. This event had historically mild effects but could cause geomagnetic storms if it connects with the outside of the Earth's magnetic envelope.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 31, 2013

Working alone won't get you good grades

A study of 80,000 interactions among college students found that high achievers formed strong connections with peers and exchanged information in complex ways. Low-performing students were often shut out of these groups, leading to lower grades and higher dropout rates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 31, 2013

VISIONS: Seeing the aurora in a new light

The VISIONS mission aims to study the auroral wind by launching a sounding rocket into the Northern Lights. The rocket will observe oxygen atoms flowing out of the atmosphere and provide insights into how they gain energy to escape Earth's gravity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 31, 2013

24 new species of flower fly have been found in Central and Southern America

A team of scientists has described 24 new species of dipterans belonging to the Quichuana genus, doubling the number of documented species in this genus. The discovery is especially important for establishing conservation methods due to the insect's relationship with its plant development environment.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalZoological Journal of the Linnean Society·DateJan 31, 2013
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Discovery opens the door to a potential 'molecular fountain of youth'

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered a sirtuin protein that can reverse age-related degeneration in mice by rejuvenating aged blood stem cells. The study provides new hope for targeted treatments for age-related diseases and opens up possibilities for a 'molecular fountain of youth'.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 31, 2013

A*STAR scientists solve century-old mystery by finding stable haploid strains of Candida albicans

Researchers identified stable haploid strains of Candida albicans, enabling the targeting of individual genes for screening and speeding up the discovery of treatment targets. This breakthrough fills a 100-year gap in understanding this important pathogen's life cycle and may accelerate efforts to cure Candida infections.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2013

Genome-wide atlas of gene enhancers in the brain online

A high-resolution map of gene regulatory elements in the brain has been created, identifying thousands of enhancer sequences that amplify gene expression. The atlas provides critical information for studying neurological disorders and brain development.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalCell·DateJan 31, 2013

Toward a better cyanide antidote for terrorist attacks and other mass casualty events

Researchers have developed a potential antidote for cyanide poisoning that can be administered by intra-muscular injection, reducing the need for trained personnel and increasing efficiency in mass casualty events. The discovery of sulfanegen TEA offers a promising alternative to existing intravenous infusion-based treatments.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateJan 30, 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.

Pathway for membrane building blocks

The lipid molecules of membranes, also known as phospholipids, form a bilayer with heads pointing outwards and fatty acid chains hanging inwards. Scientists have discovered enzymes that transport phospholipids across membranes, allowing for the alignment of biomembranes during cell division.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateJan 30, 2013

Why some immigrants get citizenship

A study by MIT and LSE found that migrants from certain countries may be up to 40% less likely to gain citizenship due to biases in the voting process. Despite this, interactions with immigrant groups can help reduce prejudice over time.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateJan 30, 2013

Disappearing homing pigeon mystery solved

Researchers discovered that homing pigeons rely on 'loft-specific infrasonic map cues' to navigate, which are disrupted when release sites are shielded from these low-frequency signals. This finding resolves a long-standing puzzle and sheds new light on the birds' impressive navigation abilities.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 30, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Forsyth scientists gain new understanding of latent tuberculosis

Scientists at Forsyth Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery about latent tuberculosis, finding that the bacteria can lay dormant in bone marrow stem cells. This understanding has significant clinical implications, explaining why patients with TB remain sensitive to tests and treatment is so challenging.

SourceForsyth Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013

More sex for married couples with traditional divisions of housework

A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that sex frequency is linked to the types of household chores each spouse completes, rather than just the division of labor. Married couples who follow traditional gender roles around the house reported greater sexual frequency.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 30, 2013

Study: Husbands who do more traditionally female housework have less sex

A new study by the American Sociological Association found that married men who spend more time on traditionally female household tasks report having less sex. The research also suggests that couples with more egalitarian divisions of labor have higher sexual frequency, highlighting the importance of socialized gender roles in marriage.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 30, 2013

Peer pressure trumps 'thin' ideals in the media

A study published in Journal of Youth and Adolescence reveals that peer competition, rather than exposure to thin media ideals or social media use, is a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among adolescent girls. Peer competition was found to predict lower life satisfaction as well.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalJournal of Youth and Adolescence·DateJan 30, 2013

NREL acquires fuel cell hybrid vehicles to support hydrogen studies

NREL has received four fuel cell hybrid vehicles on loan from Toyota to enhance its research on hydrogen fueling infrastructure, renewable hydrogen production, and vehicle performance. The vehicles will be used to observe extended durability and reliability, critical for commercial success.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateJan 30, 2013
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.

NTU research embraces laser and sparks cool affair

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a revolutionary laser cooling system that can cool semiconductors to extremely low temperatures, potentially replacing harmful refrigerants in air-conditioning and refrigerators. This technology has far-reaching implications for various industries, including healthca...

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2013

Penn research shows mechanism behind wear at the atomic scale

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new microscopy method to study wear at the atomic scale. They successfully demonstrated the transfer of material from one surface to another, revealing the mechanisms behind this process. The findings provide crucial insights into improving nanoscale devices and machines.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 30, 2013

How our cells cope with toxic small molecules

Scientists review 'metabolite damage-control' to understand how cells repair damaged metabolites and prevent fatal diseases. The field is in its infancy, with many unidentified reactions waiting discovery.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJan 30, 2013

UCI team finds new target for treating wide spectrum of cancers

A team of researchers at UC Irvine has discovered a rare and promising binding site on the mutant p53 protein that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs. This finding may lead to the development of a universal treatment approach for multiple types of cancers, including those of the lung and breast.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 30, 2013
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Conflicting cultural identities may foster political radicalism

Dual-identity immigrants who perceive their cultural identities as incompatible are more likely to sympathize with radical political action, according to new research published in Psychological Science. This finding holds true for both Turkish and Russian immigrant groups.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 30, 2013

Snails signal a humid Mediterranean

A team of researchers from the University of York analyzed snail shells from Mediterranean caves to study past humidity levels. The findings show that the western Mediterranean was warmer and stickier when first farmers arrived in Italy and Spain thousands of years ago.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalQuaternary International·DateJan 30, 2013

Gut microbes at root of severe malnutrition in kids

A study of young twins in Malawi reveals that dysfunctional gut microbes contribute to severe acute childhood malnutrition. The researchers found that feeding malnourished children a high-calorie, nutrient-rich food temporarily improved their gut microbiomes, but the benefits were short-lived. The findings suggest that repairing gut mi...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateJan 30, 2013

Checking out open access

A Concordia librarian advocates for open source technology to make academic journals freely available, reducing subscription fees. The initiative aims to ensure institutional support for long-term sustainability and promotes the mission of libraries to support scholarly research.

SourceConcordia University·JournalThe Journal of Academic Librarianship·DateJan 30, 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 harness nature to produce the fuel of the future

Researchers have made significant progress in producing hydrogen fuel from water using enzymes inspired by bacteria. Their artificial catalyst is stable and efficient, making it a cost-effective way to produce hydrogen.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 30, 2013

Aztec conquest altered genetics among early Mexico inhabitants, new DNA study shows

A new DNA study from the University of Texas at Austin provides genetic evidence for the impact of Aztec imperialism on Mesoamerican populations. Researchers found that the pre-conquest maternal aDNA did not match those of the post-conquest era in Xaltocan, suggesting significant genetic changes

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateJan 30, 2013

Bonobos predisposed to show sensitivity to others

Researchers found juvenile bonobos (ages 3-7) displayed more consolation behavior than adults, suggesting sensitivity to emotions emerges early without advanced thought processes. Bonobos raised by their biological mothers showed higher comfort levels towards others.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 30, 2013

Lakewood High School wins Colorado Science Bowl

Lakewood High School Team 1 won the Colorado High School Science Bowl, defeating Cheyenne Mountain High School Team 1 with a score of 38-16. The team will compete against over 400 students from 70 high schools in Washington D.C. for the national title.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·DateJan 30, 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.

Satellite image shows eastern US severe weather system

A powerful cold front is sweeping across the eastern United States, replacing spring-like temperatures with winter-time weather and producing powerful storms. The NOAA GOES-13 satellite captured a stunning image of the storm system on January 30, showing a line of clouds stretching from Canada to the US Gulf Coast.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 30, 2013

Biofuels blend right in

A collaborative study by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for pre-treating individual biofuel feedstocks is also effective at pre-treating multiple different feedstocks that have been mixed and densified into a blend. The study found that blending and densifying a wide...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalBiofuels·DateJan 30, 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.

Vegetarianism can reduce risk of heart disease by up to a third

A new study from the University of Oxford found that vegetarians have a 32% lower risk of hospitalisation or death from heart disease compared to meat-eaters. The study analyzed data from almost 45,000 volunteers and found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower blood pressures and cholesterol levels.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 30, 2013

Research study: Whistle away the need for diapers

Researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy found that potty training from birth can improve bladder control and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in Vietnamese babies. This technique involves a special whistling sound to remind the baby when it's time to urinate, allowing for early elimination of diapers.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalJournal of Pediatric Urology·DateJan 30, 2013

BRI researchers identify biomarker and potential therapy target in multiple sclerosis

Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute found that IL-6 signaling pathway proteins may serve as novel biomarkers for MS disease activity and a potential therapeutic target. The study discovered that T cells in patients with active MS were more sensitive to IL-6, which could lead to new therapies targeting the IL-6 pathway.

SourceBenaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013
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.

Sorting out stroking sensations

Researchers at California Institute of Technology have identified a specific class of skin sensory neurons that react to massage-like stroking, paving the way for further study of pleasurable sensations. The discovery uses genetically modified mice and novel recording techniques to pinpoint individual neurons activated by touch.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 30, 2013

Disease not a factor in Tassie Tiger extinction

A new population modelling approach contradicts the widespread belief that disease must have been a factor in the thylacine's extinction. The study found that European settlement, including hunting and habitat loss, was powerful enough to drive the species to extinction without invoking a mystery disease.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateJan 30, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

GEOLOGY starts 2013 with 25 new articles posted online ahead of print

The article discusses various geological topics, including the flatness of Earth, chemical weathering, and the distribution of radiogenic lead in zircons. The findings show that mountains do not play a significant role in 'carbon drawdown' effect and challenge previous studies.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJan 30, 2013

Brain activity study lends insight into schizophrenia

Researchers used MEG to identify two distinct spectral features in schizophrenia patients, which were significantly different from healthy control subjects. The study also found four features that changed with age, suggesting the disease affects brain activity over time.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysiological Measurement·DateJan 30, 2013

Setting the stage for a new paradigm in treatment of heart failure

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found striking similarities between heart cells and brain cells in patients with Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a new treatment paradigm for heart failure. Misfolded proteins in heart cells are a key factor in the process of heart failure.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013
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.

Scientists learn more about how inhibitory brain cells get excited

Researchers found that protein erbin is critical to excitement in inhibitory brain cells, enabling them to suppress activity. The discovery sheds new light on schizophrenia and seizures, highlighting the importance of balance between excitation and inhibition.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013

Outdoor fast food ads could promote obesity, study finds

A new study from UCLA has identified a possible link between outdoor food ads and a tendency to pack on pounds. The researchers found that the more outdoor advertisements promoting fast food and soft drinks there are in an area, the higher the likelihood that residents are overweight.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJan 30, 2013

Mindfulness meditation heightens a listener's musical engagement

Researchers found that mindfulness meditation increased focused engagement and aesthetic responses among music students, even with familiar passages. The technique helped renew attention and drive participants into a state of 'flow,' leading to improved listening experiences.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychology of Music·DateJan 30, 2013

Study reveals significance of second trimester markers for Down's syndrome

Researchers analyzed 48 studies on second trimester markers and found that most single markers have only a small effect on modifying the odds for Down's syndrome. However, some markers such as dilated brain ventricles, increased neck thickness, and absent nose bone significantly increase the risk by three- to four-fold.

SourceWiley·JournalUltrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJan 30, 2013
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.

Binge drinking increases risk of Type 2 diabetes by causing insulin resistance

A new study published in Science Translational Medicine has found a strong link between binge drinking and the development of insulin resistance, which can lead to Type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that alcohol disrupts insulin-receptor signaling, causing inflammation in the brain and increasing the risk of metabolic disorders.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013

Antibiotics cut death rate for malnourished children

Researchers found a 44% drop in mortality with cefdinir and a 36% drop with amoxicillin when antibiotics were added to therapeutic food treatment. This study has changed how children are treated worldwide, providing a lifesaving impact on hundreds of thousands of children annually.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 30, 2013