Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive February 2013


Page 5 of 28

South Carolina College of Pharmacy professors receive awards

Renowned scientists at South Carolina College of Pharmacy, John Lemasters and Rick Schnellmann, have received national recognition from the Society of Toxicology for their groundbreaking work in toxicology research and education. The awards recognize their significant contributions to advancing our understanding of toxicology and promo...

Light particles illuminate the vacuum

By changing the speed of light in an array of superconducting quantum-interference devices (SQUID), researchers can extract microwave photons from the vacuum's quantum noise. This breakthrough could help solve the riddle of the universe's birth and develop powerful quantum computers.

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.

Georgia physicians' study published in the Journal of Urology

A study published in the Journal of Urology analyzed 25 years of data after radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients and found that follow-up evaluations are necessary for 15 years after treatment. The study also confirmed using radiation therapy results in comparable disease-free survival rates to radical prostatectomy.

3 Johns Hopkins researchers recognized for medical inventions

Researchers John Wong, Ronald Berger, and Hien Nguyen receive awards and funding to develop life-saving technologies. The Life Prizes aim to accelerate the translation of promising research into commercial applications, speeding up the delivery of innovative medical solutions.

Face values: Ability to recognize emotions in others impaired by AIDS

A recent study published in BMC Psychology found that people with HIV have difficulty recognizing facial expressions, particularly fear, and are more likely to experience memory problems. The researchers suggest that this impairment can be debilitating and impact daily life and personal interactions.

Target: Cancer

A new microscopy technique has allowed scientists to observe protein clusters in living cancer cells, enabling direct measurement of drug effects on target proteins. This breakthrough could significantly improve cancer treatment by reducing collateral damage associated with traditional therapies.

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.

'Fat worms' inch scientists toward better biofuel production

Researchers at Michigan State University have successfully engineered a plant with oily leaves, which could boost biofuel production and improve animal feeds. The breakthrough uses an algae gene involved in oil production to store lipids or vegetable oil in the plant's leaves.

In probing mysteries of glass, researchers find a key to toughness

Researchers identified a critical fictive temperature (CFT) that determines glass ductility, suggesting any glass can be made ductile or brittle by adjusting cooling rates. The study applies to all glasses, not just metallic glasses, and has implications for designing ductile glasses.

Eat too much? Maybe it's in the blood

Research at Baylor College of Medicine found that bone marrow cells producing BDNF travel to the hypothalamus, where they fine-tune appetite. A bone marrow transplant restoring the gene for BDNF can normalize appetite and reduce overeating in mice with insulin resistance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

PTSD symptoms common among ICU survivors

A Johns Hopkins study of patients with acute lung injury found that one in three ventilated ICU patients developed PTSD symptoms lasting up to two years. The researchers suggest that preventing and treating PTSD in these patients is crucial, as it can impair quality of life and slow recovery.

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.

Researchers explore PKC role in lung disease

A new study investigates the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in airway smooth muscle contraction, revealing its potential as a therapeutic target for treating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The research suggests that PKC activation could contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness and exacerbate lung diseases.

2 vortex trails with 1 stroke

A study by UC Riverside researchers shows that hummingbirds produce two trails of vortices, one under each wing per stroke, to hover and control flight. This bilateral vortex structure provides more maneuverability for the bird but increases energy consumption.

Weather extremes provoked by trapping of giant waves in the atmosphere

A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that man-made climate change traps giant waves in the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather events. The researchers found that prolonged periods of heat stress can occur when warm air is unable to escape, resulting in devastating consequences.

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.

Temperament plays key role in cattle health

Researchers found that cattle temperament affects how animals respond to stressors like weaning, transportation, and vaccination. Temperamental cattle have reduced fat stores and lower marbling, impacting the final quality grade of beef.

University of Alberta researchers bake a better loaf of bread

Researchers at the University of Alberta have isolated natural compounds that can help keep bread fresh without changing its flavor. The compounds, known as hydroxy fatty acids, also show antifungal activity and have potential to replace or complement fungicides used in treating crop seeds.

Future evidence for extraterrestrial life might come from dying stars

A new study suggests that future evidence for extraterrestrial life might come from dying stars, specifically from planets orbiting white dwarfs. Detectable oxygen in the atmosphere of these planets could indicate the presence of life, and a recent simulation indicates JWST can detect this with only a few hours of observation time.

Wasp transcriptome creates a buzz

Researchers sequenced primitively eusocial wasps' transcriptomes, finding workers have an active genetic profile while queens have a restricted one. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of sociality and the origin of alternative phenotypes.

Most babies slow to grow catch up by early teens

Research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol shows that most babies who are slow to put on weight in the first nine months of life have caught up to within the normal range by the age of 13. However, those who show slow weight gain later in infancy tend to remain lighter and shorter than their peers.

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.

Research to probe deep within a solar cell

Engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new technique to analyze polymer photovoltaic cells, enabling deeper understanding of their structure and efficiency. The technique, SERGIS, has been used to map the size and distance between crystallites in PCBM material, key properties for improving solar cell efficiency.

Small molecules in the blood might gauge radiation effects after exposure

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers has identified specific small molecules in the blood that can accurately measure damage to the body after ionizing radiation exposure. The findings suggest that these microRNA markers could help doctors identify individuals at risk for acute radiation syndrome and plan personalized ra...

Gender gap disappears in school math competitions, study shows

A study by Brigham Young University economists found that girls outperformed boys in math competitions when the format was changed to a longer, multi-round competition. The study suggests that encouraging girls to stay in the competition and giving them time to acclimate can help them excel.

Pregnant mother's blood pressure may affect future health of children

A study of over 750,000 births in Denmark found that mild maternal hypertension early in pregnancy benefits the fetus, but late-pregnancy hypertension has negative health consequences for the child. Mothers with minor increases in blood pressure in the first trimester have babies with better health outcomes.

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.

Giving a voice to kids with Down syndrome

A new case study by the University of Alberta's ISTAR Institute shows that fluency shaping can significantly improve a child's speech in individuals with Down syndrome who stutter. Four months of treatment led to a 98.6% improvement in Sarah's fluency, enabling her to function better socially and academically.

Catfight? Workplace conflicts between women get bad rap

A recent study from the University of British Columbia's Sauder School of Business reveals that female-female workplace conflicts are often perceived as more negative than male-male or male-female conflicts. Participants rated all-female conflicts as more likely to negatively influence job satisfaction and team repair, despite finding ...

Bhatia honored by Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Dr. Jatinder Bhatia, a renowned pediatric researcher, has received the Founder's Award from the Southern Society for Pediatric Research for his groundbreaking work in neonatology and nutrition. His research interests include protein and lipid requirements of premature infants and liver dysfunction.

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.

Ultrasound reveals autism risk at birth

A new study found that low-birth-weight newborns with enlarged ventricles on an ultrasound are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with autism later in life. The research suggests that an early brain abnormality may indicate a higher risk of developing autism.

Infrared NASA data shows Cyclone Haruna being blown away

Cyclone Haruna is being blown apart several hundred miles away from La Reunion Island due to increasing wind shear. The storm's eye has elongated as a result of wind shear, causing the main precipitation to be pushed south of the center.

Putting malaria on the SHELPH

Experts have disabled a unique member of signalling proteins essential for malaria development, arresting its life cycle in the mosquito. This breakthrough discovery could help design new drugs to control malaria transmission.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Protecting health care workers

Healthcare workers who wear special fitted face masks are less likely to get clinical respiratory and bacterial infections. The study, published in the American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, found that continuous use of N95 masks provides significant protection against both types of infections.

Cell scaffolding protein fascin-1 is hijacked by cancer

A meta-analysis found that increased fascin-1 is associated with increased risk of mortality in breast, colorectal, and oesophageal carcinomas. Fascin-1 was also linked to disease progression and metastasis in some cases, but not others.

NASA spots active Southern Indian Ocean's Tropical Storm 18S

Tropical Storm 18S formed over the weekend of Feb. 23-24 with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots (40 mph) and powerful thunderstorms around its core. The storm is currently headed in a similar direction to Cyclone Rusty, which is nearing landfall in northwestern West Australia.

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.

Study reveals stem cells in a human parasite

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that adult, non-sexual stem cells in S. mansoni can migrate to various parts of its body and replenish tissues. This finding may provide insight into the parasite's extraordinary staying power.

Promoting poultry health through diet

University of Illinois researchers found that dietary fiber, particularly pectin, negatively impacted birds' ability to digest nutrients, while adequate threonine levels improved growth performance and intestinal morphology. Chicks fed high-threonine diets showed increased cytokine responses to coccidiosis infections.

BPA may affect the developing brain by disrupting gene regulation

Researchers found that BPA suppresses a vital nerve cell function gene and raises concerns about the chemical's impact on central nervous system development. The study suggests that BPA could contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like Rett syndrome, which is characterized by mutations in the MECP2 gene.

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.

Majority of Missouri tan salons allow pre-teens

A Missouri survey found that 65% of tanning salon operators would allow children aged 10-12 to use tanning beds, despite evidence showing a link between tanning bed use and an increased risk of skin cancers. Many employees claimed no risks or benefits from indoor tanning, but these claims are false.

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.

Efforts to connect African research turns to accelerating technical training

The University of Oregon's Network Startup Resource Center is expanding its work in Africa, providing technical training and infrastructure support to universities and research institutions. The grant from Google.org will help connect more African universities and researchers to the global research network fabric.

Rethinking wind power

Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.

Macroweather is what you expect

A new kind of fluctuation analysis reveals three atmospheric regimes: weather, macroweather, and climate. Macroweather has different types of variability than both weather and climate, making climate modeling more precise. This recognition may open up new approaches for predicting the climate.

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.

Electronic health communications often unavilable to lower income patients

A significant majority of uninsured and underinsured patients use email and text messaging in their everyday lives, but many clinics do not offer patient portals or secure messaging. Patients are interested in using electronic communication with providers, which could improve clinical communication and efficiency.

NASA sees Cyclone Rusty threatening Western Australia

Cyclone Rusty is a large tropical cyclone approaching Western Australia, causing warnings and alerts for residents. The storm's slow movement will result in higher than usual rainfall and flooding, as well as very rough surf and coastal erosion.

Nottingham technology in heart development breakthrough

Researchers from the University of Leeds used the abdominal fetal ECG device developed by The University of Nottingham to create a comprehensive model of a fully functioning fetal heart. The study found that human hearts develop more slowly compared to other mammals, with little organisation in their walls until 20 weeks into pregnancy.