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Science News Archive February 2013


Page 9 of 28

Data pooling in biobanks: The BIOPOOL project

The BIOPOOL project aggregates data from European biobanks to facilitate faster and more accurate cancer diagnoses. This initiative enables clinicians to compare biopsy images of patients with those of numerous other patients, reducing the need for invasive tests and improving treatment outcomes.

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.

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.

A self-healing protective coating for concrete

Scientists have developed a self-healing protective coating for concrete cracks that can repair itself using sunlight. The coating contains microcapsules loaded with a material that seals cracks upon cracking, providing an environmentally friendly solution to protect infrastructure from deterioration.

Secrets of human speech uncovered

A team of UCSF researchers has uncovered the neurological basis of speech motor control, revealing a hierarchical and cyclical structure that exerts split-second control over articulators in fluent speech. The study has potential implications for developing computer-brain interfaces and treating speech disorders.

Common acne drug not associated with increased risk of IBD

A new study published in JAMA Dermatology has found that the common acne drug isotretinoin does not increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. The research, led by Dr. Mahyar Etminan, statistically adjusted for severe acne and found no association between the drug and IBD.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Bracelet-like device controls chronic acid reflux, study finds

A new device encircles the esophagus valve to control chronic acid reflux, easing symptoms in 92% of patients and allowing 87% to stop using acid-suppressing drugs. Installation is minimally invasive, taking one to two hours, and patients experience significant improvement with 94% satisfaction.

NASA's SDO shows a little rain on the sun

On July 19, 2012, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) detected a rare event: coronal rain. This phenomenon occurs when hot plasma in the sun's corona cools and condenses along strong magnetic fields. The SDO's footage shows the plasma as it slowly falls back to the solar surface, outlining the magnetic fields.

Researchers find crime drama viewers more likely to aid sexual assault victims

A recent study at Washington State University found that viewers of primetime crime dramas are more inclined to intervene on behalf of sexual assault victims. The research suggests that prime-time television can be an effective medium for educating the public about sexual assault and encouraging bystander intervention.

Signaling pathway linked to fetal alcohol risk

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a signaling pathway that may determine genetic susceptibility for the development of FASD. The study found that phosphorylation events inside cells can render L1 adhesion molecules more vulnerable to alcohol's inhibitory effects, providing new targets for diagnosis and therapy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Digital processing system avoids 17.4 million drug errors in US in 1 year

A digital processing system has been found to significantly reduce medication errors in US hospitals, with a potential to avoid over 50 million incidents nationwide. The system halves the likelihood of a drug error and cuts errors by 12.5% nationally, resulting in 17.4 million avoided errors in one year.

Bullied children can suffer lasting psychological harm as adults

A study by Duke University Medical Center found that bullied children are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depressive disorders, as adults. The research used a large group of participants initially enrolled as adolescents and followed them into adulthood to assess the long-term effects of bullying.

Study: Resveratrol shows promise to protect hearing, cognition

A study published by Henry Ford Hospital found that resveratrol can reduce noise-induced hearing loss and cognitive decline in rats. The researchers discovered that resveratrol inhibits the inflammatory process and oxidative stress caused by loud noise, providing protection against age-related hearing and cognitive impairment.

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.

Healthy rivalry could boost sport and business performance

New research shows that criticism from team members can lead to downward spirals, but external criticism can boost performance by encouraging a 'them and us' mentality. This study offers a method for improving performance following setbacks in both sport and business.

New taxonomy of platinum nanoclusters

Researchers have catalogued the structural diversity of metallic nanoclusters into families using a new numerical simulation method. This breakthrough enables tailoring of specific properties and has potential applications in nanocatalysis and magnetic storage.

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.

Myth that UK supply of innovative new pharma drugs is drying up

Research finds no significant linear trend pointing to a decline in UK new drug introductions between 1982-2011, contrary to widely-held views. The number of new drugs introduced has fluctuated, with dips followed by surges, indicating an overall slight increase over the past 40 years.

New bioengineered ears look and act like the real thing

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College and Cornell University have developed bioengineered ears that can grow cartilage over a three-month period. The study's breakthrough could provide a new solution for children born with congenital ear deformities, as well as individuals who have lost part or all of their external ear.

Staff satisfaction at hospitals may affect the quality of patient care

A new study by Imperial College London found that hospital staff satisfaction is closely tied to the quality of patient care. The research suggests that hospitals with lower mortality rates tend to have more satisfied staff, and that non-clinical staff are just as likely to be satisfied as clinical staff.

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.

UCLA life scientists identify drug that could aid treatment of anxiety disorders

A new study suggests that scopolamine can help boost the effectiveness of exposure therapy for anxiety disorders by disrupting contextual processing. Researchers found that administering scopolamine to rats during anxiety-extinction led to fear-recovery being thwarted, suggesting a potential breakthrough in preventing relapse.

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.

Prescription problems for vets on reflux drug

A new Northwestern University study found that US veterans diagnosed with GERD are frequently prescribed high doses of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and kept on the drug for too long. The researchers evaluated over 1,600 patients and found that nearly 25% were given high total daily dose prescriptions.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

'I'm not just fat, I'm old!'

A study published in Journal of Eating Disorders found that women's conversations about weight, known as 'fat talk,' were more prevalent during younger years. In contrast, discussions about aging, or 'old talk,' increased with age and were less frequent. Women who engaged in both types of talk tended to have a more negative body image.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Power connects decision makers to the future

Decision makers who feel powerful are more likely to make decisions that benefit their future selves. Researchers found that power can embolden decision makers and lead to better long-term choices. Power appears to foster saving behavior by putting people in touch with their future selves.

Human cognition depends upon slow-firing neurons

A new study reveals that slow-firing neurons are essential for higher-order thinking and mental representations, which are compromised in diseases like schizophrenia and Alzheimer's. The research identifies NMDA-NR2B receptors as key regulators of neuronal firing.

Using millions of gigs of data to improve human health

The National Institutes of Health is launching a $700 million project to develop a common data-sharing framework for biomedical research. This framework aims to integrate millions of gigabytes of data from various disciplines, enabling researchers to tap into a gold mine of information and improve disease treatment and cure rates.

NIH-funded researchers begin trial of Shigella vaccine candidates

Researchers are conducting an early-stage human clinical trial of two related candidate vaccines to prevent infection with Shigella bacteria, which causes diarrheal illness particularly among children. The Phase I trial aims to evaluate the vaccines for safety and immune response induction in healthy adults.

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.

Fragile X makes brain cells talk too much

Researchers found that fragile X syndrome alters signaling in brain cells, leading to prolonged electrical surges and potential attention problems. Restoring the gene FMRP restored normal signaling.

Molecules assemble in water, hint at origins of life

Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology explore an alternate theory for RNA origin, finding molecules that spontaneously assemble into gene-length linear stacks in water. The discovery suggests proto-RNA bases could have formed the first genetic material.

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.

Explosives vapor detection technology: The new 'sniff test'

Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a rapid and accurate vapor detection method that identifies minute traces of explosives on luggage, cargo or travelers. The system, which 'sniffs' for explosive vapors, has been demonstrated to detect low-volatility compounds like RDX at levels below parts-per-trillion.

The nano-channel that disentangles knots

Researchers explore nano-channels to selectively unknnot DNA, with potential applications in sequencing and understanding cell metabolism. The study reveals varying channel widths can drastically change DNA knot complexity.

New findings on debated authorship

New findings from a 10-year project led by Professor Derek Abbott reveal that the US Federalist Papers are written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay with some collaboration. The Letter to the Hebrews is attributed to Saint Paul but shares similarities with other authors like Luke and Barnabas.

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.

NASA's SDO observes fast-growing sun spot

A giant sunspot formed on the sun's surface over Feb. 19-20, 2013, with rapid growth to six Earth diameters across in under 48 hours. The spot's delta region exhibited unstable magnetic fields, potentially leading to solar flares.

3 NASA satellites see wide-eyed Cyclone Haruna

Cyclone Haruna strengthened into a cyclone with a wide-eyed eye visible on NASA's Aqua satellite. Heavy rainfall was detected by TRMM satellite, with cloud top temperatures colder than -63F (-52C). The storm is expected to make a brief landfall near Androka in Madagascar as it moves southeast into the southern Indian Ocean.

The brainless origin of our head

Researchers discovered that ancient sea anemones use the same genes to form their heads as humans and other animals, providing insight into brain evolution. The study found that these 'head genes' control development of sensory centers in both sea anemones and higher animals.

Researchers decipher modus operandi of potential Alzheimer's drug

Researchers have discovered how methylene blue modifies tau proteins, which aggregate in Alzheimer's disease. The study reveals that methylene blue deactivates molecular residues promoting bonding and acts as a spacer to keep proteins apart, leading to potential treatment strategies.

Searching for the solar system's chemical recipe

Researchers used the Chemical Dynamics Beamline at Berkeley Lab to examine how photochemistry determines isotope ratios in the solar system. They found that mass-independent processes, such as chemical reactions, could explain differences between Earth and meteorites/solar system elements.

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.

Increasing evidence links high glycemic index foods and dairy products to acne

A study published in Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found a significant association between high glycemic index diets and dairy consumption with acne. Medical nutrition therapy is recommended as an adjunct treatment for acne treatment. The study suggests that diet may influence or aggravate acne, rather than causing it.