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Science News Archive April 2013


Page 13 of 32

Rats' and bats' brains work differently on the move

A new study reveals significant differences between rats' and bats' brain rhythms in navigation, questioning the use of rodent research as a basis for understanding spatial navigation in all mammals. The findings highlight the need to study a broader range of animals to gain a clearer picture of brain processes.

New algorithm helps evaluate, rank scientific literature

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a computer program to help evaluate and rank scientific articles in their field. The algorithm assigns relevancy scores to thousands of papers, allowing biocurators to focus on the most informative papers, increasing productivity by 27% and novel data content by 100%. Whil...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New Earth-like planets found

Two new super-Earths and a Mars-sized planet have been found in the habitable zone of Kepler-62, a star similar to our Sun. These planets are thought to be solid and rocky or rocky with frozen water, making them potentially hospitable to life.

From mice to humans, comfort is being carried by mom

Infants experience an automatic calming reaction upon being carried, characterized by slowed heart rates, reduced movement, and cessation of crying. This phenomenon, observed in both human and mouse babies, is mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system and may have implications for parenting strategies to prevent child abuse.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Reinventing drug discovery

A new stem-cell based drug screening technology has identified a compound that prolongs the life of motor neurons in both normal and ALS-affected cells. The study found kenpaullone, which inhibits HGK, an enzyme associated with motor neuron death, to be more effective than two failed drugs in human clinical trials.

Superstorm Sandy shook the US

A study by University of Utah researchers found that superstorm Sandy caused significant seismic activity along the East Coast as well as in the Atlantic Ocean. The storm's 'standing waves' created energy at the seafloor, detectable by seismometers across the US.

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.

Inaugural IOF Olof Johnell Science Award presented to Professor Harry Genant

Professor Harry Genant has been recognized with the first IOF Olof Johnell Science Award for his influential work in noninvasive imaging methods, clinical advances, and best practice guidelines. He is a distinguished researcher, author, and educator, with extensive contributions to bone science and policy implementation.

Why do babies calm down when they are carried?

A study by RIKEN Brain Science Institute researchers found that human babies and mouse pups relax when carried due to a combination of nervous, motor, and cardiac responses. This infant calming response is beneficial for both mother and child, reducing maternal burden and promoting interaction.

When it comes to survival of the fittest, stress is a good thing

Researchers found that female red squirrels produce more stress hormones during pregnancy, which increases their pups' growth rate and chances of survival. The study confirms that natural selection favors faster-growing offspring, and these squirrels can adapt to high population density by anticipating environmental changes.

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.

How deployment affects families

The symposium aims to explore how parents' deployment affects children's well-being, mental health, and ability to achieve developmental tasks. Researchers will examine the role of combat-related injuries and discuss effective ways to treat post-deployment family struggles.

Fertility needs in high-yielding corn production

Researchers found that high amounts of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur are needed for modern corn hybrids, with applications made during key growth stages to maximize crop growth. Adequate accounting for nutrients with high harvest index values is vital to maintaining long-term soil productivity.

Social media, social kids

Research examines how social media influences child development, including social-emotional learning, interpersonal dynamics, and emotional connections. The symposium explores the impact of new forms of media on social skills, value systems, and relationships among children and young adults.

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.

Electronic zippers control DNA strands

Researchers have invented a new way to zip and unzip DNA strands using electrochemistry, enabling fast control at constant temperatures without dramatic changes in solution conditions. This method uses DNA intercalators that bind differently to DNA depending on their electrical state, allowing for rapid and precise control.

Tell me where you're from and I'll tell you what tastes you prefer

A new study analyzing over 1,700 European children aged 6-9 years found that their taste preferences for fat, sugar, salt, and umami vary significantly across countries, despite previous assumptions. The research suggests that cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping these preferences, while age also influences them.

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.

Learned helplessness in flies and the roots of depression

Flies develop depression-like symptoms in response to uncontrollable stress, slowing down and taking more frequent rests. The study offers insights into the biological basis of depression and presents a potential method for testing antidepressant drugs.

Mental vulnerability associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease

A large population study from Denmark found that individuals deemed mentally vulnerable are at a significantly increased risk of both fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease. The study's results showed that mental vulnerability was associated with a 36% higher risk of events, independently of classical risk factors.

New solar-cell coating could boost efficiency

Researchers at MIT have developed a new solar-cell coating that can boost efficiency to 34%, harnessing the energy of visible light to convert sunlight into electricity more efficiently. The breakthrough could lead to significantly higher solar panel performances, potentially reaching over 30% efficiency.

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.

Child's counting comprehension may depend on objects counted, study shows

New research from the University of Notre Dame suggests that child learning and performance in counting tasks is affected by the type of object used. The study found that objects with high perceptual detail hindered performance when children already had established knowledge, but improved it when they didn't.

Natura 2000 networks: Improving current methods in biodiversity conservation

A new study evaluates the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in covering threatened European species, finding that many fish species are poorly covered. The authors recommend increasing site numbers, developing public awareness, and involving local people in conservation strategies to improve efficiency.

New ablation technique holds promise for liver cancer patients

A new minimally invasive tumor ablation technique called irreversible electroporation (IRE) has shown promising results in treating liver cancer patients who cannot undergo surgery or thermal ablation. The study found that IRE successfully destroyed tumor tissue in 70% of patients, with two major complications reported but neither life...

Scientists find ethnicity linked to antibodies

Researchers discovered that a person's antibody genes, operation, and potential fight-off targets vary from person to person. This study found ethnicity influences immunity, potentially impacting disease risk and treatment responses.

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.

UC Berkeley selected to build NASA's next space weather satellite

The University of California, Berkeley will design, build, and operate the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite to study the impact of Earth's weather on space weather. The satellite aims to improve forecasts of extreme space weather events that can disrupt GPS signals and radio communications.

Making fruit easier to eat increases sales and consumption in school cafeterias

A recent study by Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab found that pre-sliced fruit in school cafeterias leads to increased fruit sales and consumption, particularly among younger students. The research showed a significant increase of 73% in students who ate more than half of their apple after the introduction of fruit slicers.

Reducing the pain of movement in intensive care

A new study published in Critical Care finds that reducing movement in ICUs can decrease severe pain and serious adverse events, while increasing analgesic use. The training program implemented by the University of Montpellier Saint Eloi Hospital increased staff awareness and reduced side effects.

Simple reminders may help prevent fractures

A recent study found that simple educational strategies targeting doctors and patients after a fracture significantly improved osteoporosis testing rates, reducing fractures by two fewer per 1,000 patients. Mail-based notice interventions were effective and cost-efficient, with projected savings of $18,000 for every 1,000 patients.

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.

Going places: Rat brain 'GPS' maps routes to rewards

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that the rat's hippocampus uses remembered spatial information to imagine routes, guiding behavior. This finding has implications for understanding memory and imagination in people with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Patient satisfaction with hospital stay does not reflect quality of surgical care

New Johns Hopkins research finds no link between patient satisfaction scores and surgical care quality scores, but suggests that a better workplace culture for staff can improve patient satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for better instruments to capture technical skills and medical judgment in measuring hospital quality.

Social gaming promotes healthy behavior, reveals new research

A new study from USC reveals that adding social gaming elements to a behavior tracking program led participants to exercise more frequently and decrease their body-mass index. The effects were stronger in groups that started with gaming and were sustained after gaming elements were removed.

Detecting autism from brain activity

Researchers developed an efficient method of analyzing brain activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect autism in children. The approach showed significant differences in functional connectivity and background noise between autistic and non-autistic brains, with 94% accuracy.

Common osteoporosis drug slows formation of new bone

A recent study found that zoledronic acid, a common osteoporosis drug, not only slows bone loss but also increases levels of sclerostin, a biomarker that inhibits bone formation. This suggests that combination treatments may be needed to effectively treat osteoporosis and increase bone mass.

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.

Helping to forecast earthquakes in Salt Lake Valley

Researchers have revised the history of large earthquakes in the area, showing that the Salt Lake City segment has been more active than previously thought. The study contributes to forecasting probabilities for future earthquakes in the Wasatch Front region.

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.

Is your migraine preventive treatment balanced between drugs' benefits and harms?

A new review of medications for preventing episodic migraines found that all approved drugs worked better than placebo in reducing monthly migraine attacks. However, off-label anti-epileptics and antidepressants caused the most bothersome side effects, while off-label beta-blockers and angiotensin-inhibiting drugs had the fewest.

Teens' brains are more sensitive to rewarding feedback from peers

Research suggests that teenagers' brains are more sensitive to rewarding feedback from peers, changing their calculation of risk. This sensitivity is linked to the unique effect of peer influence on the developing teenage brain, with adolescents taking more risks when observed by peers.

Massive star factory churned in universe's youth

Astronomers have uncovered a massive star factory in the universe's youth, producing stars at a rate 2,000 times that of our Milky Way. The galaxy, HFLS3, has a reservoir of gas and dust, with over 40 billion stars and 100 billion tons of gas.

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.

Virus-like particles provide vital clues about brain tumors

Researchers at Lund University have discovered that exosome molecular profiles reflect the aggressiveness of brain tumours, offering a new approach for diagnosis and treatment. The study's findings suggest that exosomes could serve as biomarkers to guide patient care and monitor treatment response.

Prototype generators emit much less carbon monoxide, NIST finds

Tests conducted by NIST found that portable generators retrofitted with off-the-shelf hardware emitted 90% less carbon monoxide than standard generators. The reduced emissions are expected to delay the onset and progression of CO poisoning symptoms, leading to fewer deaths and injuries.