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Science News Archive February 2013


Page 4 of 28

Fermi's motion produces a study in spirograph

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope's complex motion is visualized as a Spirograph-like pattern from the pulsar Vela. The pattern captures the spacecraft's 95-minute orbit around Earth and its precession, a slow circuit every 54 days. This data also shows the LAT's nodding pattern to capture the entire sky.

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.

Afterschool programs evaluated for community support, resources

Researchers evaluated an afterschool program called the Good Behavior Game, finding that high organizational ability and community involvement are key to its effectiveness. The study suggests that combining these elements can lead to improved implementation of evidence-based practices in afterschool settings.

Linking insulin to learning

Harvard researchers show that insulin-like peptides play a crucial role in regulating learning and memory by fine-tuning neuronal activity. The study reveals a bidirectional regulation of learning, with some peptides inhibiting learning while others facilitate it.

When morning sickness lasts all day

A study found that morning sickness lasting all day is often linked to hormonal and genetic factors, with ethnicity and diet also playing a role. Women who have experienced hyperemesis gravidarum in previous pregnancies are at higher risk of severe nausea during subsequent pregnancies.

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.

Ship noise makes crabs get crabby

Researchers found that ship noise increases crab metabolic rate, indicating elevated stress, and larger crabs are affected most strongly. This study highlights the importance of reducing noise in busy shipping areas to protect commercially important crustacean species.

Sweet news for stem cell's 'Holy Grail'

Scientists have developed a web-like scaffold coated with long-sugar molecules that enhances stem-cell cultures and encourages the formation of neuronal cell types. The results, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, are promising for treating diseases such as Alzheimer's and diabetes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The soldier as sexual aggressor

A Norwegian study examines the cases of soldiers convicted for sexual violence during the Bosnian War, highlighting three categories of perpetrators: romantic heroes, opportunists, and repentant sinners. The research emphasizes the importance of clear training and leadership to prevent such behavior.

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.

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.

NREL employees honored by industry associations

NREL Engineer Ian Metzger named ASHRAE's New Face of Engineering, recognized for increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment. The Research Support Facility in Golden, Colorado, also won an ASHRAE Technology Award for its net-zero design, using 50% less energy than traditional commercial buildings.

A picture of health in schools

A research project led by Dr Laura Azzarito found that young people from ethnic minorities, especially girls, are more likely to be physically inactive and unhealthy due to negative stereotypes. The study used visual diaries to capture their experiences with physical activity, revealing visible gender, race, and social class boundaries.

An atlas of the human heart is drawn using statistics

Researchers created a high-resolution atlas of the human heart using 3D images from 138 people, demonstrating its feasibility for comparing individual cases and differentiating healthy from pathologies. The study provides a statistical description of the heart's shape and variations, offering an advantage over existing cardiac models.

Superbugs may have a soft spot, after all

Researchers found that superbugs like E. coli require a balance between two proteins, RbfA and KsgA, to produce proteins. Disrupting this balance could potentially kill the bacteria without harming humans.

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.

Commercial future for Model Gut

The Dynamic Gastric Model simulates human stomach processes accurately, enabling drug and food testing. A new £900k project will refine the model to predict nutrient and drug availability in humans.

Researchers find controlling element of Huntington's disease

Scientists have identified a complex of three molecules that regulates the production of defective Huntingtin protein, a key contributor to Huntington's disease. By targeting this complex with pharmaceuticals, it may be possible to directly affect the production of defective proteins and treat the underlying causes of the disease.

African-ancestry babies get less prenatal care in Brazil

A new study found that infants of African ancestry are more likely to be born prematurely and have low birth weights, compared to those with European-only ancestry. The researchers attribute these disparities to differences in geographic location and access to prenatal care.

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.

Fecal microbiota transplantation cures gastrointestinal diseases

Fecal microbiota transplantation has been shown to be highly effective in treating recurrent Clostridium difficile infections, with over 90% of patients being cured within a short period. The treatment offers a rapidly acting alternative to standard antibiotic treatments.

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.

NREL's economic benefit to Colorado totals $814.8 million in FY 2012

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) had a significant impact on Colorado's economy in FY 2012, with a total economic benefit of $814.8 million. The laboratory supported approximately 2,300 jobs and invested heavily in construction, including a new parking garage and energy-efficient building.

New tool in the fight against tropical diseases

A novel screening method using genetically engineered baker's yeast identifies chemical compounds that target disease-causing parasites without harming human hosts. The approach has shown promise in identifying potential anti-parasitic compounds with high sensitivity, reducing costs, and increasing reproducibility.

Connecting the (quantum) dots

Scientists develop a method to preserve quantum bits (qubits) for longer periods, using hole spins instead of electron spins. This breakthrough brings the researchers closer to creating the first viable high-speed quantum computer.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Cell discovery could hold key to causes of inherited diseases

Researchers have discovered that nuclear envelope proteins vary greatly between cells in different organs of the body, interacting with specific proteins to cause illness in some organs but not others. This variation may provide insights into rare muscle diseases like Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and other heritable conditions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

For some, surgical site infections are in the genes

A University of Utah study found a significant genetic connection to surgical site infections (SSIs) in families, suggesting personalized health care through genome analysis could be available soon. Researchers analyzed 651 hospital patients with SSIs and matched controls using the Utah Population Database.

Women's iron intake may help to protect against PMS

Researchers at UMass Amherst and Harvard found that women who consumed more non-heme iron had a 30-40% lower risk of developing pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). High intake of zinc was also associated with lower risk. In contrast, high potassium intake was linked to higher PMS risk.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Pain can be a relief

Researchers found that moderate pain can be perceived as comforting when it's the lesser of two evils. The brain processes pain differently depending on context and expectation. This study may lead to new ideas for treating chronic pain and substance dependence.

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.

Biting back - snake venom contains toxic clotting factors

Researchers have discovered that saw-scaled viper venom contains both anticoagulants and coagulants, which can be used to develop new treatments for blood disorders. The venom's toxic clotting factors were found to be lethal to mice, making them a promising area of study.

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.

2 new species of mushroom documented in the Iberian Peninsula

Researchers have documented two new species of Hydnum, commonly known as ox tongue mushrooms, in the Iberian Peninsula. The discovery sheds light on the high genetic diversity of the Hydnum genus, which has been understudied due to its edible properties.

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.

Clever battery completes stretchable electronics package

A new stretchable lithium-ion battery has been developed by Northwestern University researchers, enabling true integration of electronics and power into a small, stretchable package. The battery can be stretched up to 300 percent of its original size without losing functionality.