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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 335


Page 335 of 352

Putting the squeeze on cells

Researchers at MIT have created a device that can deliver RNA, proteins and nanoparticles through cell membranes by deforming cells. The technique has shown success in delivering reprogramming proteins and generating induced pluripotent stem cells with improved efficiency compared to existing methods.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2013

Scientists identify new strategy to fight deadly infection in cystic fibrosis

Researchers identify normalizing p62 levels in immune system cells as a strategy to clear an infection that is deadly to patients with cystic fibrosis. This approach enables the natural cellular process of autophagy, which helps digest pathogens and clear them away, thereby controlling inflammation and saving patients from death.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 23, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Teenagers avoid early alcohol misuse through personality management

Researchers found that teaching high-risk adolescents how to manage their personality traits can reduce problem drinking and postpone its onset. This approach also reduces the influence of peer pressure within their social networks, creating group immunity among low-risk youth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 23, 2013

Hailstones reveal life in a storm cloud

Researchers found a rich diversity of microbial life and chemicals in hailstones from a storm cloud, suggesting specific processes during cloud lifetime impact bacterial distribution. The study suggests that these processes could affect long-distance transport and geographical distribution of microbes on Earth.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

New method of producing nanomagnets for information technology

Researchers have developed a new method to produce molecular magnets, which could lead to the creation of smaller, more efficient storage media and processors. The new system exploits the interactions between molecules and their substrate, enabling magnetic states to be selectively switched on and off using magnetic fields.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2013

Immigrants: Highly educated, underpaid

Recent immigrants to Canada often over-qualified for their jobs due to language barriers and lack of work experience. However, increased proficiency in English or French, combined with post-immigration education and training, can significantly improve job matching.

SourceConcordia University·JournalISRN Economics·DateJan 23, 2013

Global plant diversity hinges on local battles against invasive species

A new study found that invasive plant species decrease biodiversity at small scales due to reduced light and nutrient availability, but have minimal impact at larger scales. This scale-dependent effect can lead to conflicting results in scientific research, highlighting the importance of considering local battles against invasive species.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScience·DateJan 23, 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.

Ice detector warns drivers in advance

The system uses a novel real-time method to obtain information on road conditions, providing direct warnings to drivers before they notice changes in the road. By transmitting observations from multiple vehicles and sensors, the system can create a real-time slipperiness map, making it safer for all users.

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·DateJan 23, 2013

Emergency admissions death toll significantly higher on public holidays

A cohort study found that patients admitted as emergencies on public holidays are more likely to die than those admitted on other days of the week. The death rate is significantly higher for public holiday admissions, with a 48% increase in 7-day deaths and a 27% increase in 30-day deaths.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateJan 23, 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.

Marginal lands are prime fuel source for alternative energy

Scientists at Michigan State University and other institutions have found that marginal lands can produce substantial amounts of cellulosic biomass, which could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre. This study provides an estimate of greenhouse gas benefits from using these lands for biofuel production.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2013

Pavlov's rats? Rodents trained to link rewards to visual cues

Researchers discovered that brain connections in the vision-processing center can be strengthened by acetylcholine, allowing animals to associate visual cues with rewards. The study found that nerve cells in the primary visual cortex develop molecular memories, enabling animals to predict rewarding outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuron·DateJan 23, 2013

ERC grant for quantum physicist Joerg Schmiedmayer

Joerg Schmiedmayer's work focuses on ultra cold atom clouds with high order, approaching a disordered thermal equilibrium. His new ERC Grant will investigate relaxation and non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum systems.

SourceVienna University of Technology·DateJan 23, 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.

Studies show biosolids can boost soil phosphorus levels for years

Research by USDA scientist Eton Codling shows that treated wastewater solids called biosolids can increase soil phosphorus levels for years. The study found that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils exceeded typical plant requirements after application.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateJan 23, 2013

Parents numb to misuse of narcotic pain meds by youth, new poll shows

A new poll from the University of Michigan found that only 35% of parents are very concerned about misuse of narcotic pain medicines by children and teens. Despite rising rates of abuse and overdoses, most parents do not support policies to discourage misuse or return unused medications.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateJan 23, 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.

Novel approaches needed to end growing scourge of 'superbugs'

Infectious disease experts call for novel approaches to end the growing scourge of 'superbugs,' citing 2 million annual infections and 100,000 deaths. The authors recommend new strategies to prevent infections, encourage economic investment in anti-infective treatments, and alter host-microbe interactions.

SourceLA BioMed·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 23, 2013

The global gene pool of the goat is seriously under threat

The global goat population is under threat due to intensive animal husbandry systems that use a limited number of breeds. Poor handling of grazing has led to damaging environmental effects, including overloading ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalSmall Ruminant Research·DateJan 23, 2013

EMBL-EBI researchers make DNA storage a reality

EMBL-EBI researchers develop a DNA storage method that stores at least 100 million hours of high-definition video in about a cup of DNA, overcoming challenges of writing and reading DNA. The new method uses short strings of DNA and error-tolerant coding to ensure data retrieval without errors.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 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.

Forcing choice may hamper decision-making, study finds

Researchers found that managers tend to opt for higher-risk options when forced to choose, but reflect more and make less risky decisions without constraints. The study highlights the importance of offering alternatives to combat high-risk or unethical decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateJan 23, 2013

New way to identify 'smoked' grapes and wines

Scientists have developed a test to detect smoke taint in grapes and wines, which can be used to manage the production of smoky-tasting wines. The test uses laboratory tests to identify substances formed in grapes after exposure to smoke.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 23, 2013

Oxygen chamber can boost brain repair

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly resuscitated activity in damaged brains, even years after initial injury. The treatment increased oxygen levels in the body, supplying energy for rebuilding neuronal connections and stimulating inactive neurons.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

NIH-developed candidate dengue vaccine shows promise in early-stage trial

A Phase I clinical trial of a tetravalent candidate dengue vaccine found it induced a balanced antibody response against all four dengue viruses in most recipients. The vaccine was safe, and its development is promising for preventing severe dengue disease.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 23, 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.

Scientists underestimated potential for Tohoku quake. Now what?

Researchers, led by Chris Goldfinger, admit that existing predictive models are no longer valid due to limited historical records. Paleoseismic evidence suggests that several regions previously thought incapable of producing megathrust earthquakes may be due for reconsideration.

SourceOregon State University·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateJan 23, 2013

Nanoparticles digging the world's smallest tunnels

Scientists at KIT and Rice University successfully dug the world's smallest tunnels into graphite samples, opening doors to structuring of materials on a nanometer scale. The creation of porous graphite with tailored pore sizes could enhance lithium-ion battery performance and enable long-term drug delivery in medicine.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 23, 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.

Planning for bacteria in cancer patients may help hospitals fight infections

A University of Colorado study reveals that lung and GI cancer patients are more prone to E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, particularly after aminopenicillin treatment. This knowledge can inform targeted antibiotic therapy before complications arise.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateJan 23, 2013

Frequent multitaskers are bad at it

A University of Utah study found that people who multitask the most, including those talking on cell phones while driving, are actually least capable of doing so. This is because they often lack the ability to focus attention on a singular task and tend to be impulsive and sensation-seeking.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

Bioengineer studying how to send drugs to lungs through nanotechnology

A UT Arlington bioengineering researcher, Kytai Nguyen, is working on a drug-delivery portion of a project to develop nanoparticles that will stimulate lung growth and remodeling. The project aims to help patients with destructive lung diseases by introducing drugs through inhaled nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJan 23, 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.

Climate change could cause massive losses in Pyrenees ski resorts

A study predicts that climate change could cause financial losses of up to 50 million euros for Andorran ski resorts, mainly due to shortened seasons and reduced snow production. The study analyzed three ski resorts in the Pyrenees and found that lower altitude areas would be most affected by warmer temperatures.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalClimate Research·DateJan 23, 2013

Learning and memory may play a central role in synesthesia

A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that color-grapheme synesthesia is linked to childhood exposure to magnetic colored letters, which triggered the formation of specific, automatic color-letter pairings. These findings indicate that learning and memory play a central role in the development of true synesthesia.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 23, 2013

New brain circuit sheds light on development of voluntary movements

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new brain circuit controlling whisker movements in newborn mice. The circuit reveals how motor neurons integrate inputs from the LPGi region of the brainstem to enable voluntary whisking behaviors, shedding light on neural control of finger movements in humans.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNeuron·DateJan 23, 2013
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.

Previous unknown fox species found

Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg have discovered a new species of ancient fox, Vulpes Skinneri, from the Malapa site. The fossils, which date back two million years, show distinct differences from existing fox species and provide insight into the evolution of modern African mammals.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalTransactions of the Royal Society of South Africa·DateJan 23, 2013

£35 million to support research for vital industrial sector

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched two new schemes to support industrial biotechnology and bioenergy research in the UK. The funding will create networks and collaborative research between academia and industry, fostering sustainable economic growth and new 'green collar' jobs.

SourceBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council·DateJan 23, 2013

Magma in Earth's mantle forms deeper than once thought

A team of scientists has discovered that magma can form at depths of up to 250 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, a finding that challenges existing theories and sheds new light on the planet's inner workings. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's geophysical and geochemical properties.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2013

Estrogen fights urinary infection in mouse study

Researchers found that estrogen levels can affect infection susceptibility, bladder health and the inflammatory response to infection in mice with simulated menopause. Boosting estrogen levels may get a second look as an approach for reducing urinary tract infections in menopausal women.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateJan 23, 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.

Caloric restriction has a protective effect on chromosomes

A study by CNIO researchers discovered that caloric restriction increases telomere length in adult mice, leading to a lower incidence of cancer and age-related illnesses. The study also found that mice on reduced diets lived up to 20% longer than those with normal diets.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

Study reveals gaps in availability of radiotherapy services across Europe

A study reveals that radiotherapy services are insufficiently equipped in 10 European countries to meet the growing demand for treatment, with Nordic countries and Belgium being well-equipped. The authors suggest further investigation into optimizing efficiency to address fragmentation of radiotherapy services.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 23, 2013

Tall and thin not so great for lung disease

Women with NTM infections show a weaker immune response linked to their body fat levels. The study also found that tall and thin individuals share characteristics with Marfan syndrome, suggesting a genetic link to increased susceptibility.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 23, 2013

Gun control: Focus on manufacturers, not just buyers, study shows

A study by Kevin D. Bradford and his team examined 28 thousand pages of court documents to understand how guns move from legal channels into the hands of criminals. They found that one percent of gun dealers are responsible for 45 to 60 percent of guns involved in crimes, highlighting the need for more vigilance over gun distribution.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateJan 23, 2013
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.

Free clinics reduce emergency department visits

A recent study found that free clinics significantly reduced non-emergency emergency department visits among uninsured patients. The research, conducted in Virginia, analyzed records of 52,010 individual uninsured patients who visited five hospitals' emergency departments over three years.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved·DateJan 23, 2013

Space instrument adds big piece to the solar corona puzzle

The Solar Coronal Imager (Hi-C) has provided a major piece of the solar corona puzzle by capturing images of magnetic reconnection. This complex process heats the corona to temperatures up to 7 million degrees F, powered by magnetic fields that constantly warp and collide in bursts of energy.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2013

The brain of the ampelosaur from Cuenca (Spain) revealed

The CSIC has reconstructed the brain of an ampelosaur in 3D using its fossilized skull, showing a small brain and inner ear. The research suggests that sauropods may not have favored increased brain size during evolution.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 23, 2013

Panel recommends changing name of common disorder in women

The NIH panel suggests renaming PCOS due to its association with ovarian cysts, which is neither necessary nor sufficient to diagnose the condition. The new name will enhance recognition of the disorder and facilitate expansion of research support.

SourceNIH/Office of Disease Prevention·DateJan 23, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Controlled crumpling of graphene forms artificial muscle

Researchers at Duke University developed a method to control the crumpling and unfolding of large-area graphene films, enabling the creation of artificial muscles with unprecedented properties. The controlled crumpling allows for tunable transparency and opacity, as well as contraction and relaxation on demand.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 23, 2013

ORNL research paves way for larger, safer lithium ion batteries

Scientists at ORNL developed a high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries, overcoming safety concerns and size constraints. The ability to use pure lithium metal as an anode could yield batteries five to ten times more powerful than current versions.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 23, 2013
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.

Learn to be more understanding by watching The Bachelor (this season, anyway)

A new USC study found that the brain works hard to understand those with different bodies when watching them in action. Increased visual exposure improves understanding and can alleviate stigma. Individuals with higher empathy levels showed more activity in motor regions when observing actions made by residual limbs.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNeuroImage·DateJan 23, 2013