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Science News Archive April 2013


Page 7 of 32

UNL team's discovery yields supertough, strong nanofibers

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln materials engineers developed exceptionally thin polyacrilonitrile nanofibers that are both strong and tough. This breakthrough could lead to lighter, safer products in various fields, including aerospace and body armor.

NASH diagnosis set to improve with non-invasive tool

Researchers have developed a non-invasive test for diagnosing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more advanced form of NAFLD. The phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) technique shows fair diagnostic accuracy for NASH and could improve clinical procedures.

New battery design could help solar and wind power the grid

Researchers have designed a low-cost, long-life battery that can regulate natural fluctuations in solar and wind energy. The new battery uses lithium and sulfur molecules and has excellent energy-storage performance through over 2,000 charges and discharges.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rethinking early atmospheric oxygen

Researchers propose a more complex biological oxygen cycle on early Earth, with sulfur isotope signals persisting in ocean sediments long after oxygen accumulation. This 'memory effect' could blur dating of the Great Oxidation Event and provide new insights into early life.

Using microbubbles to improve cancer therapy

Researchers developed phase shift nanoemulsions that produce tiny microbubbles, which accumulate in tumors and amplify the effects of ultrasound. This reduces treatment time and power needed to destroy tumor tissue by over half, showing promise for improving cancer therapy.

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.

New hope for autistic children who never learn to speak

Scientists have identified key motor behaviors and interventions that can help non-verbal autistic children learn to speak. Motor mimicking behavior plays a crucial role in language development, and picture exchange training has shown promising results.

New research findings on the brain's guardian cells

Researchers have identified a structure deviation in microglia cells, allowing for their visualization and behavior study. This breakthrough enables the monitoring of microglia function over time in rats and mice, with potential applications in studying Parkinson's disease and stroke.

Ancient Earth crust stored in deep mantle

Researchers have found that oceanic volcanic rocks contain samples of recycled crust dating back to the Archean era 2.5 billion years ago. The sulfur isotopes in these rocks indicate a chemical interaction with UV radiation that stopped occurring after the Great Oxidation Event.

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.

Study shows early dialogue between parents, children stems teen smoking

Research by Zhiyong Yang at UT Arlington finds that early, substantive dialogue with parents about tobacco and alcohol use is more effective in shaping teen behavior than advertising or peer pressure. The study also highlights the importance of positive parenting strategies over negative reinforcement techniques.

Personalizing prostate cancer screenings

A new study from Northwestern University suggests that personalized PSA testing can help reduce the number of men who undergo unnecessary biopsies. Genetic correction of PSA levels using genetic variants has been shown to change the outcome for 17 men, and could potentially prevent 15-20% of prostate biopsies annually.

Looking for life by the light of dying stars

Researchers propose that white dwarf stars can support habitable planets, allowing for detection of biomarkers like oxygen and methane. The James Webb Space Telescope will be capable of detecting these signs after only a few hours of observation time.

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.

ERs have become de facto psych wards

Long waits for insurance authorization are wasting thousands of hours of physician time, as most requests are granted. ERs have become de facto psych wards due to inadequate insurance coverage and reimbursement issues.

Important fertility mechanism discovered

Researchers found that fetuin-B plays a crucial role in regulating the hardening of the zona pellucida, ensuring fertilization capacity. The discovery has potential therapeutic implications for infertility treatment.

Cause of LED efficiency droop finally revealed

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have identified Auger recombination as the mechanism behind the LED 'droop' phenomenon, a drop in light produced when a higher current is applied. This discovery is expected to lead to new ways to design LEDs with significantly higher light emission efficiencies.

Doctors-in-training spend very little time at patient bedside, study finds

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that medical interns spend an average of only 12 percent of their time at the bedside, with nearly as much time spent walking and caring for patients. The researchers argue that this amount of time is insufficient to provide optimal patient care and learning opportunities.

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.

Virus kills melanoma in animal model, spares normal cells

Researchers have discovered a virus that can selectively infect and kill human melanoma cells, leaving normal cells unharmed. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating the deadliest form of skin cancer, which has seen a tripling of incidence over three decades.

Drug reduces fat by blocking blood vessels

Researchers have discovered a new approach to weight loss by blocking blood vessels in fat tissue, leading to a significant reduction in fat mass. The study found that mice who received the cancer drug Sunitinib lost an average of 70% of their fat mass, with no impact on lean body mass.

New data show that white potatoes increase intake of potassium

A new study reveals that white potato consumption is positively associated with an increase in potassium intake among adults and children. Potassium deficiency is a public health concern, affecting 97% of Americans, and the study suggests that white potatoes can help address this issue.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Your body's microbiome has a unique 'fingerprint'

A study found that a Mediterranean diet causes a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Each individual has a unique microbial profile, like a fingerprint, which remains true even after diet manipulation.

Menu labels displaying amount of exercise needed to burn calories show benefits

A new study found that menus displaying the minutes of brisk walking needed to burn food calories led to fewer calories ordered and consumed compared to menus without calorie labels. The study, conducted by Texas Christian University researchers, suggests a more effective strategy for encouraging reduced calorie intake in restaurants.

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.

People care about source of money, attach less value to 'tainted' wealth

A new UC Berkeley study suggests that morality plays a significant role in shaping our perception of money, with those who perceive money as 'tainted' viewing it as having less purchasing power. The research findings also shed light on why people avoid ill-gotten gains and the psychology behind socially responsible investing.

New fatigue model leads to more durable ships

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a new fatigue model that enables the creation of lighter structures, leading to more energy-efficient ships. The study's findings can be used to improve the design of various welded steel structures, predicting fatigue endurance more accurately and utilizing materials more efficiently.

Alcohol industry attempts to influence alcohol policy

A study by UK experts found that the alcohol industry submitted policies in line with their interests, ignoring evidence-based approaches. The authors warn of conflicts between commercial and public interests, potentially compromising population health.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Achilles tendon injuries more likely in male 'Weekend Warriors' than others

A study of 406 patients found that male athletes, particularly those who engage in sports like basketball and tennis, are at a higher risk of Achilles tendon ruptures. The majority of these injuries occur during sporting activities, and delayed diagnosis can lead to poorer outcomes. Orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons emphasize the imp...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Air pollution and hardening of arteries

Long-term exposure to air pollution may accelerate atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Fine particulate air pollution was found to be associated with faster thickening of the inner two layers of the common carotid artery.

Drug therapy offers high cure rate for 2 hepatitis C subtypes

A new study published in NEJM finds that sofosbuvir achieves a response rate of 93% for genotype 2 and 61% for genotype 3 patients. This represents a significant improvement over traditional interferon-based treatments, which often have limited efficacy in these patient populations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Whether human or hyena, there's safety in numbers

Researchers from Michigan State University found that people's visual biases change when surrounded by members of their own group, perceiving threats as less serious. The study shows that having a group or coalition reduces the perceived distance of potential threats.

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.

What's old is new again

A UC Riverside engineer is exploring a nearly century-old manufacturing technique to strengthen tiny titanium-based medical devices, which could lead to significant improvements in their performance and reliability. The technique, known as gas nitriding, involves heating the device in a nitrogen atmosphere to increase its strength.

Instagram -- more than self-portraits and pictures of food

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg found that Instagram users often upload many pictures from museums during visits, showing effort behind posts. The study indicates that smartphones have changed our way of sharing experiences, moving from physical documentation to digital sharing.

Contact killing of Salmonella by human fecal bacteria

Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes discovered a novel way in which certain gut bacteria can inactivate Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen. The study found that cell contact between good and bad bacteria is necessary for this process to occur.

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.

Microwave imaging can see how well treatment is progressing

New research reveals microwave tomography can effectively monitor breast cancer treatment, identifying shrinking tumors and guiding timely treatment changes. This non-invasive imaging technique is low-cost, easy to repeat, and unaffected by factors like body mass index or age.

Ancient DNA reveals Europe's dynamic genetic history

Researchers reconstructed modern Europe's genetic history using ancient DNA from skeletons in central Germany, revealing dramatic migrations and a mysterious genetic turnover around 4000-5000 years ago. The study provides a high-resolution record of human DNA evolution over 4000 years, shedding light on the demographic history of Europe.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

The future of power?

Researchers at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology have successfully split water molecules at low temperatures, paving the way for sustainable hydrogen energy. The team's high-temperature thermochemical process can exponentially double hydrogen atoms, creating a sustainable amount of hydrogen regeneration.