Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive April 2013


Page 8 of 32

Atrophy in key region of brain associated with multiple sclerosis

A new study found that MRI atrophy in the thalamus is a strong predictor of multiple sclerosis (MS) development and progression. Thalamic atrophy was associated with increased risk of conversion to clinically definite MS, outperforming traditional methods for evaluating patients at risk.

Sea turtles inspire beach-walking robot

Researchers created a sea turtle-inspired robot to study flipper-based locomotion on complex surfaces. The 'Flipperbot' demonstrated improved movement using a free wrist, which reduced disturbance to the ground, similar to real-life observations of hatchling loggerhead sea turtles.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

ALS trial shows novel therapy is safe

A new treatment for inherited ALS has passed an early clinical trial with no serious side effects, successfully introducing the drug into the central nervous system. The phase 1 trial suggests the approach may be effective against other mutated genes causing central nervous system disorders.

Strengthening legumes to tackle fertilizer pollution

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and Technical University of Madrid create model for iron transportation in legumes to enhance nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough aims to lessen reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Brain biology tied to social reorientation during entry to adolescence

A study of 27 children using fMRI found a specific brain region, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex, increasingly devoted to social self-evaluations during puberty. This region showed significant increases in blood-oxygen levels when responding to questions about identity and peer status.

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.

Rescue me: New study finds animals do recover from neglect

A new study by Queen Mary University of London found that rescued animals can recover from neglect. Researchers observed improved behavior in goats that had been mistreated, suggesting a positive impact of sanctuary care on their mental health.

Obese men at high risk for prostate cancer even after benign biopsy

Researchers found obese men were more likely to have precancerous lesions detected in their benign prostate biopsies compared to non-obese men. Obesity was also associated with a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer after an initial benign biopsy, particularly in the first few years after.

AfriCoLeish receives funding boost from European Union

The AfriCoLeish project aims to test new treatments for kala-azar and co-infection with HIV in Ethiopia and Sudan, providing a shorter combination treatment option. The project will also determine appropriate treatment strategies for co-infected patients to prevent relapses.

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.

The Asian monsoon is getting predictable

Researchers found a strong correlation between summer monsoon and climate patterns that preceded it, enabling forecasts to predict the monsoon a few months in advance. The study discovered that El Niño's influence on the Indian Ocean temperature and atmospheric anomalies in the western Pacific amplifies each other.

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.

Humans feel empathy for robots

Researchers found that humans exhibit similar emotional reactions when watching videos of robots being treated affectionately or violently, as they do when viewing the same actions towards humans. This discovery has implications for the development of more empathetic and engaging robotic systems.

AGU journal highlights -- 23 April 2013

Researchers study beach nourishment decisions and find that decentralized management can lead to resource inefficiencies. The stratigraphic record is controlled by physical processes such as sediment deposition rates and river channel migration, with gaps often left due to pauses in deposition or heightened erosion.

Gene variant ID could lead to better fatty liver disease diagnosis

Researchers have identified a gene variant ID associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosis, including steatosis, steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. The study suggests that screening for this variant could lead to earlier detection and improved management of NAFLD.

Rare galaxy found furiously burning fuel for stars

Astronomers discovered a rare galaxy that turns gas into stars with near 100% efficiency, outperforming even the most efficient engines. This highly tuned galaxy forms stars at a rate hundreds of times faster than our Milky Way, with the majority of its starlight emitted by a small region.

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.

Researchers discover new explanation for diabetes and poor growth

A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has discovered that PICK1 protein plays a crucial role in regulating hormones such as insulin and growth hormone. This finding has significant implications for understanding diabetes and poor growth, and may lead to better prevention and treatment in the future.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

AWRI researcher honored for Lake Michigan outreach efforts

Janet Vail, an associate research scientist at AWRI since 1990, is being recognized for her public outreach and education efforts on Great Lakes issues. She has led several tours and organized conferences to raise awareness and support for Great Lakes protection.

New material approach should increase solar cell efficiency

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new material approach that enhances visible light absorption in titanium dioxide, leading to increased solar cell efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for clean energy production, waste water purification, and other applications.

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.

UCLA space scientists find way to monitor elusive collisions in space

Researchers have devised a way to detect and track asteroid collisions in interplanetary space using a new method to measure the mass of magnetic clouds created by impacts. This technique could help scientists better understand where to find new meteoroid debris that poses a threat.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Battling with bugs to prevent antibiotic resistance

New research shows that stronger antibiotics can speed up the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, particularly when used alone. This can lead to faster growth and spread of resistant bacteria, making it harder to treat diseases caused by these pathogens.

Air pollution diminishing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument

A recent study published in Atmospheric Environment found that air pollution from wildland fires and urban areas is reducing air quality at Devils Postpile National Monument. Ozone concentrations exceeded California standards, posing a risk to sensitive individuals, and may have phytotoxic effects on plants.

Nanowires grown on graphene have surprising structure

Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered a new paradigm in epitaxy by growing nanowires on graphene. The self-assembled wires have a unique core-shell structure, which is spontaneous and produces a perfect interface. This finding has significant implications for advanced electronics applications.

Pain, epigenetics and endometriosis

A research team led by Nalini Santanam is investigating the epigenetics of pain in endometriosis, with preliminary findings suggesting that epigenetic markers may play a role in the disease's development. The team hopes to find new biomarkers for diagnostics and personalized treatment approaches.

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.

Skin cancer linked to future risk of other cancers

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that white people with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are at increased risk of developing other forms of cancer in the future. The analysis revealed a 15% to 26% higher risk for men and women, respectively.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New studies explore mango's potential health-affirming properties

Researchers investigate mango's effects on blood sugar levels and inflammation in obese individuals, finding reduced blood sugar and anti-inflammatory properties. The findings support previous animal model results and suggest a positive effect of mango polyphenols on human health.

Vitamin E identified as potential weapon against obesity

Researchers discovered vitamin E can alleviate symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice, a common complication of obesity. The study suggests that supplementation with vitamin E may have significant public health benefits.

What drives activity on Pinterest?

Researchers have identified four verbs uniquely describing Pinterest, highlighting the site's focus on consumption. Female users tend to re-pin more than male users, with men having more followers. The study provides insights for both academia and industry, including Pinterest's commercial potential.

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.

Ticking along

Researchers found that dog owners should be cautious of ticks throughout the year, especially from March to November. The study suggests that commercially available products may not be effective in preventing tick-borne diseases, which can infect over half of dogs in a single season.

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.

New technology that improves your brain

Brain training programs, such as MyBrainSolutions, improve measured scores in anxiety, stress, and depression. The BRAINnet Foundation uses standardized protocols to pool data across mental disorders, sites, and studies, aiming to understand mental illness as a brain disease.

AGU: Wildfires can burn hot without ruining soil, new study finds

A new study found that large, hot fires do not necessarily lead to scorched soil. Instead, the soil temperature is affected by factors such as fire speed, heat travel direction, and landscape moisture content. This counterintuitive result could help forest managers plan controlled burns more effectively.

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.

Epigenetic changes shed light on biological mechanism of autism

Researchers discovered distinctive patterns of DNA methylation associated with both autism diagnosis and related behavior traits, suggesting a quantitative relationship between the two. The study provides insight into the biological mechanism mediating gene-environment interaction in autism spectrum disorder.