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Science News Archive 2013


Page 333 of 352

Diet, parental behavior, and preschool can boost children's IQ

Research finds that supplementing children's diets with fish oil, enrolling them in quality preschool, and engaging them in interactive reading can raise their intelligence. The study also found no evidence to support the idea that early education interventions are more effective than those that begin later.

Groundwater fate and climate change

Researchers warn that climate change, combined with human-driven factors, could significantly reduce usable groundwater availability for agriculture worldwide. Inadequate monitoring and mismanagement of groundwater usage will exacerbate the issue, compromising global food security.

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.

Altering eye cells may 1 day restore vision

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine reprogrammed eye cells to prevent degeneration and allowed mice with retinitis pigmentosa to see. The study aims to develop therapies that can alleviate many forms of visual impairment by modifying existing cells in the eye.

DNA and quantum dots: All that glitters is not gold

Researchers at NIST have developed a way to predictably increase or decrease the intensity of quantum dot fluorescence by using DNA templates and controlling distances between gold nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables potential applications in photodetectors, chemical sensors, and nanoscale lasers.

New method identifies genes that can predict prognoses of cancer patients

Researchers develop SAPS algorithm to identify significant prognostic gene sets associated with patient survival, overcoming limitations of previous methods. The study found new prognostic signatures in breast and ovarian cancer subtypes, suggesting shared therapeutic targets and potential for improved diagnostics and treatments.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How to predict the future of technology?

A new model called Step and Wait (SAW) predicts technological innovation in six markets, offering a more accurate alternative to outdated models like Moore's Law. The SAW model tracks performance improvements in steps and waits, helping companies invest in the right technologies.

An important LINC in human hearing

Researchers have discovered a genetic mutation in the NESP4 gene, which disrupts the LINC complex and leads to hearing loss. The study highlights the importance of nuclear positioning for normal hearing.

New tool for mining bacterial genome for novel drugs

Researchers have found a way to 'mine' bacterial genomes for new drug leads by exploiting the process of antibiotic resistance. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that bacteria can produce hundreds of compounds when exposed to antibiotics, many of which are potential secondary metabolites.

Extinction rates not as bad as feared ... for now

Despite concerns about high extinction rates, Griffith University researcher Professor Nigel Stork says the actual number is lower than feared. The study estimates around 5 million species on Earth, with conservation efforts protecting rich biodiversity in key areas.

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.

Fetal exposure to tributyltin linked to obesity

A UC Irvine study reveals that low-dose exposure to the chemical tributyltin during pregnancy can lead to obesity in offspring and great-grandchildren, affecting gene expression and fat accumulation. The findings suggest permanent effects without subsequent exposure, highlighting the risks of endocrine-disrupting compounds.

Chameleon star baffles astronomers

Researchers observed a pulsar that dramatically changes its radio and X-ray emissions, defying existing theories on star emission. The study reveals the pulsar switches between two extreme states, one dominated by X-ray pulses and the other by organized radio pulses.

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.

Researchers prevent cancer spread by blocking tissue scarring

Researchers at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, have found that blocking the enzyme Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) can significantly decrease metastasis in breast cancer models. This breakthrough suggests a new approach to prevent tumour microenvironment scarring and enhance patient outcomes.

Prenatal inflammation linked to autism risk

Researchers found a 43% increase in autism among mothers with top 20th percentile CRP levels and an 80% increase at the top 10th percentile. The study used a large national birth cohort and adds to evidence of an overactive immune response altering fetal brain development.

Newly approved oral medication slows rheumatoid arthritis joint damage

A Phase 3 clinical trial shows that tofacitinib preserves joint structure in RA patients with moderate to severe disease, reducing progression of joint erosion and narrowing. The medication is effective in treating RA symptoms and reducing the rate of joint damage, providing new evidence for its treatment.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Dung beetles use stars for orientation

Scientists have discovered that dung beetles use the Milky Way's gradient of light to ensure they keep rolling their balls in a straight line. The beetles' ability to orient themselves using this method has been proven, giving them an advantage in navigating their environment.

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.

Love triumphs over hate to make exotic new compound

Researchers at Northwestern University have created an exotic new chemical compound that links two identical tetracationic rings together using a mechanical bond. The compound's stable organic radical properties make it useful for applications in batteries, semiconductors and electronic memory devices.

A new Advanced Metrology Laboratory at NPL

The new Advanced Metrology Laboratory at NPL will house an estimated 20 laboratories for 40 scientists, focusing on high-precision metrology. This facility will enable cutting-edge research in key nano and quantum metrology programmes, driving growth in the UK's technological development and application.

Dung beetles follow the Milky Way

African ball-rolling insects guide themselves along straight paths under starlit skies but lose orientation under overcast conditions. Dung beetles exploit celestial cues like the Milky Way for navigation, suggesting other nocturnal insects might follow suit.

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.

New dinosaur fossil challenges bird evolution theory

A new feathered dinosaur fossil found in China's Jurassic period pushes back the known origins of birds, which were previously thought to have evolved from theropod dinosaurs around 120-130 million years ago. The discovery provides additional evidence for a more complex evolution of flight.

Grammar undercuts security of long computer passwords

Researchers developed a grammar-aware password cracker that can bypass security with 10% of dataset cracked exclusively by the team's algorithm. The study highlights the importance of using different parts of speech in passwords, as pronouns are far fewer in number than other words.

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.

Digital diagnostic tools lead to patient dissatisfaction, says MU expert

Researchers found that patients view physicians who use decision aids as less capable and may assign them responsibility for negative health outcomes when using CDSSs. To mitigate this, healthcare providers can incorporate decision aids to engage patients and facilitate understanding of diagnoses.

Chameleon pulsar baffles astronomers

Researchers found a pulsar, PSR B0943+10, that changes its behavior between two extreme states: one dominated by X-ray pulses and the other by highly organized radio pulses. The team used simultaneous observations with the XMM-Newton satellite and two radio telescopes to reveal this unique behavior.

Liquid crystal's chaotic inner dynamics

Scientists have found a new dynamic process in liquid crystal cells triggered by strong electric fields. The theory of spatio-temporal chaos explains this effect, which affects the electro-optic switching phenomenon used in devices.

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.

Valuing nature is not enough

A new concept has emerged to describe the natural world's resources supplied to humans, but its application raises ethical concerns about social equity and responsibilities. The study highlights the need for considering multiple values and interests when analyzing nature's contribution to humanity.

Eliminating rare diseases

The EU has announced €38 million funding for research into rare diseases, aiming to develop new diagnostics and treatments through global data sharing. Advances in DNA sequencing have brought personalized treatments closer, but scientists now need to collate data to identify genetic causes of diseases.

Immune cell suicide alarm helps destroy escaping bacteria

Researchers discovered a signaling pathway in macrophages that detects escaping bacteria and activates an enzyme to trigger self-destruction, protecting against lethal infections. The caspase-11 detection pathway protects mice from infection with Burkholderia species, including the potentially deadly B. pseudomallei.

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.

Discovering the secrets of tumor growth

Researchers identified a compound that blocks the expression of BLM protein, crucial for certain tumors to grow. The compound ML216 has the potential to stop tumor growth and is being explored as a treatment for osteosarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.

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.

Mouse menopause model sheds light on UTIs in post-menopausal women

Researchers found higher uropathogenic E. coli reservoirs in post-menopausal women's bladders compared to pre-menopause, which can lead to UTIs. Estrogen supplementation reduced these reservoirs dramatically, highlighting a potential new approach to prevent or treat UTIs in this population.

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Garry continue to intensify

Tropical Cyclone Garry continues to intensify due to favorable conditions, with microwave satellite imagery confirming deep convection around its low-level circulation center. The storm is expected to briefly reach cyclone strength before wind shear weakens and dissipates it.

Study: Store layout an important variable for retailers

A University of Illinois study shows that retailers must balance the shopping process for consumers and pricing behavior of upstream suppliers through strategic manipulation of store layout. The findings suggest that making certain products convenient to consumers may not be the best retail strategy, as it can influence pricing behavio...

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.

New, cost-cutting approach to formulating pest-killing fungi

Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture have discovered a new method for producing insect-killing fungi, which significantly reduces production costs and increases yields. The liquid culture fermentation process uses less expensive nitrogen sources, making it a more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

Research: Lupus drugs carry no significant cancer risk for patients

A landmark study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases found that lupus patients taking immunosuppressive medications do not have a significantly increased risk of developing lymphoma. The study involved nearly 5,000 cancer-free lupus patients and found no clear association between disease activity and lymphoma risk.