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Science News Archive April 2013


Page 21 of 32

In an economic crash, public health improves

A study found that Cuba's economic crisis, which led to widespread weight loss, had a profound impact on the country's burden of diabetes. Obesity rates increased after the economy recovered, but the initial weight loss had a significant effect on cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

U-M researchers find new way to clear cholesterol from the blood

Researchers at the University of Michigan identified a new potential therapeutic target for lowering cholesterol, inhibiting a gene responsible for transporting a protein that interferes with liver cell function. This approach preserved the liver's capacity to clear plasma cholesterol from the blood without affecting overall health.

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.

Gabriel Hortobagyi honored for mentoring minority researchers

Gabriel Hortobagyi, a renowned breast cancer researcher, is being recognized for his contributions to advancing minority investigators in cancer research. He has developed groundbreaking therapies and treatment regimens that have become standard practices for managing breast cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Reliability of neuroscience research questioned

A new study by University of Bristol researchers questions the reliability of neuroscience studies, finding that most have only a 20% chance of detecting real effects. The team highlights the problem of 'endemic' low-powered studies producing unreliable research.

Rates of childhood squint surgery have plummeted over past 50 years

Rates of childhood squint surgery in England have declined significantly over the past 50 years, with a threefold decrease in admission rates. However, there remains a significant geographical variation in the procedure's use, with areas having the highest and lowest rates showing a fivefold difference.

Scientists use islands to gauge rainfall's effect on landscapes

Researchers used Kauai's unique rainfall gradient to test the relationship between precipitation and erosion, finding a strong correlation between rainfall rates and erosion rates. They also found that factoring precipitation into a widely used mathematical formula improved accuracy in predicting erosion rates.

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.

Signature of circulating breast tumor cells that spread to the brain found

A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has identified a signature of biomarkers that identifies circulating breast tumor cells destined to seed the brain with deadly cancer. The study shows limitations of current platforms used to identify cancer in this way, but also offers new hope for diagnosis and treatment.

Limiting greenhouse gas emissions from land use in Europe

New research estimates that Europe can potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land use by over 60% by 2050 through efficient agriculture and forest management. This reduction would be driven primarily by cutting emissions from livestock production and optimizing forest management to increase carbon sequestration.

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.

Training gives kids of AIDS patients a leg up

A simple training program can improve early-childhood development in children of AIDS patients by teaching caregivers how to support their children's social skills and cognitive abilities. The study found that these children made significant gains in language learning, memory, and overall cognitive skills after receiving the training.

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.

Florida Tech professors present 'dark side of dark lightning' at conference

Scientists at Florida Institute of Technology have developed a physics-based model to calculate radiation doses from intense gamma-ray bursts in thunderstorms. The model suggests that these bursts, known as terrestrial gamma-ray flashes, emit high-energy particles that can pose a radiation hazard to airplane passengers.

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.

The beat goes on: Modeling the human heart

Researchers are using computational models to analyze cardiac function, diagnose, and develop new treatments for conditions like atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia. They also created a framework to study drug interactions and predict pro- or anti-arrhythmic effects.

IU study: 'Backbone' of mental illness stigma common in 16 countries studied

A global study found that a common backbone of prejudice exists in 16 countries, unfairly painting people with conditions like depression and schizophrenia as undesirable for close relationships and positions of authority. The study, led by Indiana University sociologists, analyzed data from 19,508 participants across diverse cultures ...

CPAP improves work productivity for sleep apnea patients

A study presented at the Sleep and Breathing Conference found that CPAP treatment significantly improved productivity at work among sleep apnea patients. The researchers observed a notable reduction in daytime sleepiness among those who adhered to the treatment programme, with 35 out of 45 participants showing significant improvements.

T cell biology pioneer Allison wins first AACR honor for cancer immunology

James Allison's discovery of the drug ipilimumab, which blocks CTLA-4 and treats T cells not cancer, has led to a significant increase in survival rates for patients with late-stage metastatic melanoma. The AACR-CRI award recognizes his contributions to cancer immunology and builds on Dr. Lloyd Old's pioneering work in harnessing the i...

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.

World-first research will save koalas

A joint project between QUT and The Australian Museum has mapped the koala genome, providing insights into their immune system. The study identified genes involved in B cell and T cell activation, suggesting that koalas have a capability to protect themselves against microbial pathogens like Chlamydia.

Redesigned material could lead to lighter, faster electronics

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new material called germanane, which conducts electrons five times faster than conventional germanium. This discovery has the potential to advance future electronics and improve computer chip performance.

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.

Adaptable leaders may have best brains for the job, study finds

Researchers found that adaptable leaders have more complex and differentiated brain networks in areas associated with self-regulation, decision-making, and memory. They also demonstrated greater adaptability and effectiveness in a hypothetical military scenario.

Fit people have a better attention span than those with bad physical health

Researchers from the University of Granada found that fit individuals have a better sustained attention span and more rapid reaction times compared to those with poor physical health. The study also revealed that temporary perception had the greatest effect on heart rate variability, while sustained perception had the least.

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.

The surprising ability of blood stem cells to respond to emergencies

Researchers have discovered that hematopoietic stem cells can perceive signals from the body during emergencies and produce specialized white blood cells, such as macrophages. This discovery could lead to new strategies for protecting patients undergoing bone marrow transplants from infections.

1 in 5 seniors on risky meds; more in US South

A recent analysis by Brown University researchers reveals that over 1 in 5 seniors with Medicare Advantage plans received potentially harmful high-risk medications in 2009. The Southeast region had the highest rates of prescription use for these risky medications, particularly among women and those living in poor areas.

Chickens with bigger gizzards are more efficient

Researchers found that chickens with larger digestive organs eat less feed and produce less waste, potentially saving farmers up to 9.76 tons of feed per hatch. Selecting for this trait could also help identify the genes controlling digestive efficiency in chickens.

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.

Half of all patient complaints in Australia are about 3 percent of doctors

A study in Australia found that 3% of doctors account for 49% of all patient complaints, with those who have multiple complaints being highly likely to receive further complaints. The researchers argue that this issue could be mitigated by introducing formal appraisal of a doctor's practice as part of revalidation.

Doctors not informed of harmful effects of medicines during sales visits

A study found that sales representatives failed to provide information on common or serious side effects and the type of patients who should not use a medicine in 59% of promotions. Doctors in Toulouse were more likely to be informed about potential harms, suggesting stricter regulatory standards may improve transparency.

Complaint-prone doctors can be identified before complaints occur

Researchers identified several risk factors, including the number of previous complaints and specialty, which could help predict future complaints. The study suggests that identifying high-risk doctors earlier can lead to targeted interventions to improve quality care.

Ocean nutrients a key component of future change say scientists

A multi-author review paper reviews ocean nutrient patterns and interactions, highlighting their influence on climate by fuelling biological production. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding nutrient cycles in predicting future environmental changes.

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.

In sales, confidence and charisma may not seal the deal

A study published in Psychological Science reveals that people with intermediate extraversion scores outperform introverts and extroverts in sales, raking in 24% more revenue than introverts and 32% more than extroverts. Ambiverts strike a balance between assertiveness and listening skills, making them the most effective salespeople.

Genes reveal which patients will benefit from scleroderma drug

A study at Northwestern University and Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine found that patients with improved responses to mycophenolate mofetile (MMF) therapy share a distinct gene expression pattern in skin. This signature can potentially guide targeted treatment for patients with scleroderma.

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.

IDRI and Medicago to present data at the World Vaccine Congress

IDRI and Medicago present data on their H5N1 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine candidate, combining IDRI's GLA adjuvant with Medicago's proprietary manufacturing technology. The trial shows promising results in evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine.

Is medical therapy a better and safer choice than angioplasty

A new study suggests that medical therapy is a viable alternative to angioplasty in treating stable coronary artery disease, reducing the risk of complications and hospitalizations. The study proposes a targeted approach to shared decision-making, considering treatment options, risks, and outcomes for patients.

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.

1-2 punch could be key in treating blindness

Using two therapies together has been shown to effectively restore vision in dogs with inherited blindness. The treatment approach may have implications for human patients as well. Researchers believe that combining gene therapy and selective photoreceptor cell destruction could lead to better therapeutic outcomes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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