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Science News for April 12, 2013


CO2 removal can lower costs of climate protection

A new study suggests that carbon dioxide removal can alleviate the most costly components of climate change mitigation, allowing for more flexible emissions control. The study found that bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (CCS) could halve aggregate mitigation costs over the 21st century if available.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalClimatic Change·DateApr 12, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

University of Houston Hispanic studies chair receives Fulbright grant

Ana Bencomo, chair of UH Hispanic studies, has been awarded a Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Grant to study the Mexican journalistic chronicle genre and its reporting on narco-violence. She will teach courses at the University of Guadalajara and conduct research, exploring the intersection of journalism, literature, and identity.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 12, 2013

Compact multipurpose scooter for crowded megacities

The VOI is a compact, two-wheeler electric scooter designed to transport passengers safely and comfortably through congested city streets. Its modular design allows for various configurations, including cargo boxes and mobile kitchens.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateApr 12, 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.

Teenage smoking behavior influenced by friends' and parents' smoking habits

New research from USC highlights opportunities for smoking intervention programs that target junior high and parental influence. The study found that friends' influence on cigarette use was higher in junior high than high school, while parental influence remained relatively stable.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateApr 12, 2013

Study proposes alternative way to explain life's complexity

Researchers propose a new theory of evolutionary development, suggesting that complex structures may emerge through the process of 'complexity by subtraction', where parts are lost or simplified over time. Computer models and trends in skull evolution support this idea, which challenges traditional incremental evolution.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalEvolutionary Biology·DateApr 12, 2013

New bird flu strain seen adapting to mammals, humans

A genetic analysis of the avian flu virus reveals it is evolving to adapt to human cells, allowing it to efficiently infect humans. The study found that the virus can grow in human cells at a lower temperature than birds, posing a significant risk to human health.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEurosurveillance·DateApr 12, 2013

Cheers to better beer and disease resistance

Scientists at the John Innes Centre revived a classic heritage barley variety called Chevallier, which has shown valuable disease resistance. The new barley is set to improve beer production by preventing contamination with mycotoxins, leading to better-tasting beers like Porter and India Pale Ale.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·DateApr 12, 2013

IFR scientists use the force to decode secrets of our gut

Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes use atomic force microscopy to analyze mucins and their interactions with beneficial and disease-causing bacteria. The study aims to understand the role of mucus in maintaining a healthy gut and develop new insights into gut diseases.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 12, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Fires in Central America

Widespread fires were observed in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras in a NASA satellite image taken on April 11, 2013. The fires may be caused by the region's dry season or deliberate actions by farmers to clear old crops.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 12, 2013

All chins are not created equal

A Northwestern University study reveals that facial preferences differ among populations, with distinct chin shapes found across various groups. The findings suggest that human mate choices are influenced by factors beyond physical attractiveness.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 12, 2013

Secrets of bacterial slime revealed

Researchers discovered a molecular switch regulating biofilm formation, which could help identify new antibiotics and prevent biofilms from forming. The study sheds light on how bacteria shield themselves in a slimy protective layer to evade attacks.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateApr 12, 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.

Clues to heart disease in unexpected places, Temple researchers discover

A team of scientists at Temple University School of Medicine has identified a key molecule, GRK2, in mitochondria that contributes to the death of heart cells. The researchers found that blocking this enzyme's activity can prevent its delivery to mitochondria and reduce pro-death signaling.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalCirculation Research·DateApr 12, 2013

New device could cut costs on household products, pharmaceuticals

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new procedure that thickens and thins fluid at the micron level, potentially saving consumers and manufacturers money. The process creates a permanent scaffold-like network that could be useful for biological applications, such as detecting certain diseases.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2013

Study shows severity of sleep apnea is influenced by race

A new study suggests that obstructive sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men, particularly in certain age ranges. The study found a significant association between race and AHI after controlling for demographic factors, with African-American men showing increased breathing pauses per hour of sleep compared to white men.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateApr 12, 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.

NASA satellite imagery shows Cyclone Imelda one-sided

New NASA satellite imagery shows Cyclone Imelda's strongest thunderstorms and precipitation located east of the storm's center. An upper-level trough is causing subsidence, preventing clouds from forming as air sinks to the surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 12, 2013

ORIENTplus upgrade supercharges EU-China collaborative research and education

The ORIENTplus upgrade provides a high-capacity e-infrastructure for EU-China collaborations, enabling data-intensive projects like Large Hadron Collider and genome research. The upgraded link supports robust networks, scalable storage, and fast compute for world-class research and education.

SourceDANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe)·DateApr 12, 2013

Disappearing nannies force parents to accept their duties

A team of researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of Bern studied the investment strategies of dominant pairs in a species of cichlid fish. They found that removing large helpers for 30 days allowed dominants to reduce their territorial duties, with new helpers taking over after seven days.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateApr 12, 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.