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Science News Archive 2013


Page 92 of 352

Building disaster-relief phone apps on the fly

New tools developed by MIT researchers allow people with minimal programming skills to rapidly build cellphone applications for disaster relief, utilizing the App Inventor and RDF standards. The apps can monitor multiple data sources, display information on Google maps, and enable users to annotate or supplement the data.

Cancer biggest killer of Hispanic Texans

Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanic Texans under 76, with lower rates of breast and colon cancer screenings. Despite advanced cancer stages at diagnosis, Hispanics experience higher survival rates than non-Hispanic whites.

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.

Short-term hearing loss can cause long-term problem

A study published in Nature Communications found that brief, reversible hearing loss during childhood can disrupt the processing of sound in the brain, leading to persistent hearing deficits. Researchers identified two critical periods after hearing onset that regulate how sounds from each ear are fused into a coherent representation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

IUPUI research explores reducing burnout for mental health workers

A team of IUPUI researchers will investigate the impact of staff burnout on mental health treatment and outcomes, implementing an intervention program that incorporates traditional stress-reduction techniques and cognitive behavioral practices. The goal is to reduce burnout and improve clinician engagement in patient care.

Niacin, the fountain of youth

Researchers from ETH Zurich found that vitamin niacin and its metabolite nicotinamide increase lifespan by promoting the formation of free radicals in roundworms. This contradicts common textbook opinion on antioxidants' role in health.

Americans don't contribute enough to retirement funds, MU researcher finds

A recent study by University of Missouri researcher Rui Yao found that over 90% of future retirees are contributing only a minimal amount to their retirement funds. This is concerning given the uncertain future of social security benefits and the need for individuals to save more for their own financial security and the country's sake.

Study finds tungsten in aquifer groundwater controlled by pH, oxygen

Researchers have found that tungsten is leached from sediment into groundwater based on pH and oxygen levels. The study suggests that iron oxide particles play a key role in regulating tungsten concentrations in groundwater, with higher pH levels leading to more tungsten entering the water.

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.

AGI's 2013 Status of Recent Geoscience Graduates report released

The AGI report documents common traits among geoscience graduates, including the importance of field experiences and K-12 Earth science exposure. The study aims to address the question of whether new graduates are ready for lucrative career opportunities in the geoscience workforce.

Testosterone promotes reciprocity in the absence of competition

Research suggests that testosterone promotes generosity and reciprocity when there is no threat of competition, helping to maintain social relationships. In the absence of competition, participants with increased testosterone levels chose to give more money back to investors than those with placebo treatment.

Entering a new dimension: 4-D printing

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh are proposing a new field of 4D printing, which enables materials to modify their structures over time in response to external stimuli. The team aims to develop adaptive composites that can reprogram their shape, properties, or functionality on demand.

Quantum computers: Trust is good, proof is better

Researchers have developed a protocol to verify quantum computer results without using additional quantum computer resources. The test involves inserting 'traps' into tasks, which the user knows the result of in advance, allowing for reliable verification of the quantum computer's accuracy.

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.

Olympians say poor oral health is impairing performance

Research by UCL Eastman Dental Institute reveals high levels of poor oral health among elite athletes, including 55% with dental caries and 28% affected by oral health issues. The study highlights the need for improved oral health support for athletes to optimize their performance.

'Waviness' explains why carbon nanotube forests have low stiffness

New research reveals that waviness in vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes leads to reduced stiffness due to tiny kinkiness in their structure. This finding has potential applications in thermal interface materials and heat transfer, where the compliance of the nanotubes can help connect to silicon chips and copper heat spreaders.

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.

Asthma attack prevention proposal awarded NIH New Innovator grant

Research on an aerosol that induces a rapid immune response to prevent viral respiratory infections and asthma attacks has earned major funding from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH-funded project aims to translate preclinical findings to clinical trials to prevent asthma attacks.

Vacuum dust: A previously unknown disease vector

Researchers found resistance genes for five common antibiotics and the Clostridium botulinum toxin gene in vacuum dust, which could lead to infant botulism infections. The study suggests that vacuum cleaners can act as a vehicle for indoor bioaerosol exposure.

Scripps Florida scientist wins prestigious NIH New Innovator Award

Scott Hansen, a Scripps Research Institute scientist, has won the NIH New Innovator Award to study mechanosensation, particularly touch and hearing. The award provides $2.8 million in research funding over five years to explore the molecular mechanisms behind sensing touch.

University of Utah researchers receive NIH Director's New Innovator Award

Two University of Utah researchers, Adam Frost and Ryan O'Connell, received the NIH Director's New Innovator Award to launch innovative biomedical research projects. The awards support visionary investigators pursuing science with high potential to transform scientific fields and accelerate health improvements.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Organized screening for prostate cancer does more harm than good

Researchers estimate that routine PSA testing can lead to increased impotence and incontinence cases, as well as additional prostate cancer diagnoses. However, the difference in death rates between screened and unscreened men is relatively small, with only 0.07 more deaths attributed to screening.

Tiny sensor used in smart phones could create urban seismic network

A tiny MEMS accelerometer chip used in smartphones can detect moderate to strong earthquakes when located near the epicenter. The technology has the potential to increase coverage and accuracy in monitoring strong motion during earthquakes, making it possible to create an urban seismic network that transmits real-time ground motion data.

Researchers uncover 48 new genetic variants associated with multiple sclerosis

Researchers have identified 48 new genetic variants linked to multiple sclerosis, nearly doubling the number of known risk factors and shedding light on the immune system's role in the disease. The study, led by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, confirms the critical involvement of genetic factors in MS development.

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.

Largest, most accurate list of RNA editing sites

The researchers validated 1,799 sites and predicted an additional 1,782 sites, resulting in a combined list of 3,581 accurate sites. The team gained insights into the model organism's fundamental biology, including patterns of editing and alternative splicing.

Wagon-wheel pasta shape for better LED

Researchers at the University of Utah created a new organic molecule shaped like rotelle – wagon-wheel pasta – that depolarizes light, increasing LED efficiency. This breakthrough allows for more efficient OLED displays, promising longer battery life in smartphones and TVs.

Eilat's corals stand better chance of resilience than other sites

Scientists at Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University found that Eilat's corals are more resilient than other sites due to a 'warm-water barrier' in the Red Sea. This barrier allows only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to enter, making it a unique refuge for coral reefs.

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.

Leukemia cells are addicted to a healthy gene

A study at the Weizmann Institute suggests that in a quarter of all leukemias, cancer cells use a balance between a mutated gene and its normal counterpart to keep going. The healthy RUNX1 gene plays a crucial role in blood cell development and maintenance.

Sequencing studies help pinpoint gene in Prader-Willi syndrome

Researchers have pinpointed a specific gene responsible for Prader-Willi syndrome, an imprinted disease affecting muscle tone, feeding difficulties, and intellectual disability. The study identified mutations in the MAGEL2 gene, which was found in three additional patients with similar symptoms.

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.

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.

Researchers demonstrate 'accelerator on a chip'

Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have demonstrated a 'laser on a chip' technology that accelerates electrons at a rate 10 times higher than conventional methods in a nanostructured glass chip. This breakthrough could lead to compact accelerators for science, medicine, and research applications.

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.

Mouse studies reveal promising vitamin D-based treatment for MS

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a promising vitamin D-based treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) that can halt and even reverse the course of the disease in a mouse model. The treatment involves giving mice with MS symptoms a single dose of calcitriol, followed by ongoing vitamin D supplements throug...

New research helps fight against motor neurone disease

Researchers from the University of Sheffield and Mario Negri Institute in Italy investigated two mouse models of MND, identifying key differences in gene expression that may help predict disease duration. The study provides new insights into mechanisms that slow down disease progression.

Genes against parasites

Researchers discovered that the Baoulé breed of cattle has a natural tolerance to a deadly parasite, and developed a method to detect different types of trypanosomes. The study aims to preserve the genetic background of the Baoulé breed to develop more resilient cattle breeds.

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.

Folic acid deficiency has multigenerational effects

Researchers discovered a mutation in a gene can impact offspring and subsequent generations with developmental abnormalities, epigenetic changes, and severe health effects like spina bifida. Folate fortification programs have reduced the risk but not eliminated health problems.

Combining Chinese and Western medicine could lead to new cancer treatments

Researchers at Cardiff University have teamed up with Peking University in China to test traditional Chinese medicine's health benefits and explore its potential when combined with chemotherapy. The study found that a traditional Chinese formula can block the spread of cancer cells and improve patient outcomes.

New breast cancer imaging technique could cut down on false positives

Researchers at Brigham Young University have developed a new breast cancer screening technique using sodium MRI that produces five-times more accurate images than previous methods. The device aims to reduce false positives and unnecessary biopsies by scanning for sodium levels in the breast.

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.