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Science News Archive August 2013


Page 17 of 29

Brain scans may help diagnose dyslexia

Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital found a correlation between poor pre-reading skills in kindergartners and the size of a brain structure that connects language-processing areas. This study aims to identify children with dyslexia earlier, allowing for early intervention.

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.

Newly discovered 'switch' plays dual role in memory formation

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered a protein switch that can increase or decrease memory-building activity in brain cells. The protein, AGAP3, has dual roles: one side strengthens synapses in response to brain activity, while the other side brings synapse-building back down to normal levels.

Fuel cell innovation by Korean researchers

A Korean research team developed a new cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that performs well even at the intermediate temperature range. The material has excellent oxygen reduction reaction and surface oxygen exchange, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stroke declines dramatically, still higher in Mexican Americans

A new study published in Annals of Neurology found a significant decline in ischemic stroke rates among Mexican Americans over 60, with an overall decrease of 36% between 2000-2010. Despite this drop, the relative burden of stroke remains higher among Mexican Americans, with a rate 34% higher than non-Hispanic Whites.

The Elizabethan war that won $300,000

Ruth Canning's research project explores the Nine Years' War, a 400-year-old conflict that shaped Ireland's identity and continues to influence its culture today. The grant will fuel her three-year study of this overlooked war, which could lead to a more nuanced understanding of present-day situations.

Surgery for heart valve disorder associated with greater long-term survival

A study published in JAMA found that early surgical correction of mitral valve regurgitation was associated with greater long-term survival and lower risk of heart failure compared to initial medical management. This is particularly true for patients without American College of Cardiology guideline class I triggers.

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.

1-pot to prep biomass for biofuels

JBEI researchers have developed a one-pot process that combines pretreatment and saccharification into a single vat, eliminating the need for washing biomass and significantly simplifying downstream sugar recovery. The system achieved high glucose and xylose yields with minimal waste generation.

A hypnotic suggestion can generate true and automatic hallucinations

Researchers found that hypnotic suggestion can modify the processing of a targeted stimulus before it reaches consciousness, leading to true and automatic hallucinations. The study used EEG measurements and two highly hypnotizable participants who consistently reported color changes in response to suggested shapes.

MRSA strain in humans originally came from cattle

A study found that MRSA strains in humans originated from cattle, with a 40-year timeline for the emergence of resistance to methicillin. The bacteria's genetic analysis revealed that bovine strains were closer to the root of the phylogenetic tree, indicating a common ancestor.

Sugar is toxic to mice in 'safe' doses

Researchers found that mice consuming a diet of 25 percent extra sugar died at twice the normal rate and males had reduced territory and reproduction rates. The study suggests that added sugars can have dramatic adverse impacts on mammalian health, even at levels considered safe by regulatory agencies.

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.

Stroke declines dramatically, still higher in Mexican-Americans

A new study reports that ischemic stroke rates among Mexican Americans have declined over the past decade, while still being significantly higher than those of non-Hispanic Whites. The study found that this disparity has not changed, with Mexican Americans accounting for 34% of all stroke cases.

More siblings means less chance of divorce as adult

A new study found that growing up with siblings provides protection against divorce as an adult, with each additional sibling reducing the likelihood of divorce by 2 percent. The study analyzed data from over 57,000 adults and controlled for various factors, including education and socioeconomic status.

Love and work don't always work for working class in America, study shows

A new study by University of Virginia and Harvard University found that working-class Americans are less likely to get married, stay married, and have children within marriage compared to those with college degrees. The researchers attribute this to the decline of stable, unionized full-time jobs with health insurance and pensions.

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.

Computer model predicts red blood cell flow

Researchers created a simplified computer model of the Fæhråe-Lindqvist layer, a thin plasma layer controlling platelet speed in blood vessels. The model predicts how different red blood cell shapes affect blood flow and can help design artificial platelets and treatments for trauma injuries.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Bright birds make good mothers

A three-year study found that female blue tits with brighter UV-reflectant crown feathers fledge more offspring than duller females, experiencing lower levels of stress hormones during arduous periods of chick rearing. This suggests that male choice of mate based on plumage color may be a wise strategy.

Immune defense: Deciphering the enemy's ID

Researchers at LMU München have developed a novel technique to identify tumor and autoimmune disease antigens, which can simplify diagnostic procedures and enable the design of targeted, long-term therapies. The technology uses genetically engineered cells to analyze millions of antigens within hours.

Enhancer RNAs may open new avenues for gene therapy

A recent study found that enhancer RNA molecules can regulate gene expression and cause long-term epigenetic changes in cells. The researchers used genome-wide approaches to demonstrate the emergence of novel enhancers in primary macrophage cells, which were linked to histone methylation.

NASA identifies heavy rainfall in South China Sea's Typhoon Utor

Heavy rainfall in Typhoon Utor's thunderstorm feeder-bands was detected by NASA's TRMM satellite, with rain falling at rates of over 73mm/hour. The storm strengthened over the South China Sea before making landfall in China, with maximum sustained winds reaching 95 knots/109.3 mph.

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.

What role can employers play in cancer prevention and treatment?

The CEO Cancer Gold Standard program, developed by Johnson & Johnson, promotes workplace health promotion and industry practices that support cancer prevention and treatment. Employers can influence healthcare policies and reimbursement through data-driven decision making and the '5 Pillars' framework.

Having more siblings means less chance of divorce as adult

A new study found that having more siblings provides protection against divorce as an adult. Each additional sibling reduces the likelihood of divorce by 2%, with a greater effect seen among large families. The researchers analyzed data from over 57,000 adults and controlled for various factors to confirm their findings.

Scientists find asymmetry in topological insulators

Researchers found that topological insulators behave asymmetrically at the sub-atomic level, which could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency for quantum computers. The discovery was made using first-principles calculations and observations taken at the Advanced Light Source.

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.

Do conservation scientists work too hard?

Conservation scientists work a substantial amount of their time outside regular office hours, with Japanese and Chinese researchers submitting nearly 40% of their manuscripts outside regular office hours. This trend is increasing, with potential negative impacts on the quality of scientific work and life-work balance.

Even for cows, less can be more

Researchers found that cows fed controlled energy diets became pregnant 10 days sooner than those fed high-energy diets, and had improved body condition scores and lower disease incidence. This is due to the fact that they eat more after calving, reducing negative energy balance.

A 3-D digital visualization model of cervical nerves in a healthy person

Researchers developed a 3D digital visualization model of healthy human cervical nerves, overcoming milling limitations and providing realistic 3D images. The model reveals the morphology, distribution, and spatial relations of major nerves in the neck, aiding anatomical teaching and regeneration research.

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.

Women still less likely to commit corporate fraud

Researchers found women rarely part of corporate conspiracies and tend to play minor roles in fraud schemes. Women's involvement may be motivated by ethical concerns and social relationships, leading to lower financial gains from corporate crime.

Ecosystems change long before species are lost

A recent study by Rice University researchers found that altering the dynamics of a population can have measurable consequences on complex ecosystems. The study's results suggest that changing the structure of populations can alter entire food webs and ecosystems, highlighting their fragility.

AGU journal highlights -- Aug. 13, 2013

Researchers discovered that large waves in Norwegian fjords were triggered by a powerful Japan earthquake, while disposal of Marcellus Shale fracking waste caused earthquakes in Ohio. The Arctic region is also sensitive to black carbon emissions, which can have devastating effects on the environment.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Wireless devices go battery-free with new communication technique

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new wireless communication system that allows devices to interact with each other without relying on batteries or wires for power. This technology, called ambient backscatter, takes advantage of TV and cellular transmissions to enable communication between devices.

More than just a kinase: CDK6 in cancer

A study by Karoline Kollmann and colleagues reveals CDK6's role in regulating tumour growth while also promoting blood vessel formation. The researchers found that a mutant form of CDK6 retains its ability to regulate expression despite losing kinase function.

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 positive sides of doping

Empa scientists developed a new method to increase the efficiency of flexible CdTe solar cells on metal foil by using copper doping. The study achieved efficiencies up to 13.6% and 11.5%, exceeding previous records, with the goal of reaching 20% in the future.

Plastic solar cells' new design promises bright future

A research team at Northwestern University has designed and synthesized new polymer semiconductors, resulting in polymer solar cells with an impressive 80% fill factor. This achievement surpasses previous records and paves the way for a more efficient and sustainable energy production method.

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.

Ancient mammal relatives cast light on recovery after mass extinction

A team of researchers studied anomodonts, ancient relatives of mammals, to understand their response to the largest mass extinction in Earth history. Despite ecological opportunities arising from species loss, anomodonts remained anatomically conservative and did not evolve new features.

Breaking up the superbugs' party

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found a novel way to block the social communication of bacteria P. aeruginosa, which enables it to cause infection.

Crowdsourcing weather using smartphone batteries

Researchers used smartphone batteries to crowdsource weather information, estimating daily average temperatures for eight major cities with an accuracy of 1.5 degrees Celsius. This technique could lead to continuously updated weather predictions at a city block resolution, improving the accuracy and specificity of current weather forec...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Undergraduate biomedical engineering teams win NIH competition

Three winning teams received a $10,000 prize for their innovative projects addressing underserved populations and individuals with disabilities. The Personalized Monitoring of Enzyme Dynamics project focused on cancer treatment personalization, while the Microflora Refinement System tackled Clostridium difficile infections.

Research examines hip-hop and social movement

Research examines hip-hop's shift from party music to a political platform, with key figures in the rap industry leading a countering movement. The study highlights 'The Message' by Grandmaster Flash as a pivotal song addressing social issues and economic inequalities.

There's life after radiation for brain cells

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that neural stem cells can resist radiation and regenerate after damage, potentially restoring lost function in brain cancer patients and individuals with conditions like MS and PD. The findings may lead to new treatments for brain trauma and strokes.

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.