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Science News for January 11, 2013


Nearby dwarf galaxy and possible protogalaxy discovered

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered a faint dwarf galaxy and another possible young dwarf galaxy in the constellation Ursa Major. They also found evidence pointing to two already known dwarf galaxies as probable forces that pulled the pinwheel-shaped disk galaxy, M101, out of shape.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateJan 11, 2013

Experts aim to redefine healthcare and research ethics

A group of experts, led by Johns Hopkins bioethicists, rejects the traditional ethical paradigm guiding American healthcare and calls for a new framework that integrates clinical research and practice. The proposed 'learning healthcare system' prioritizes patients' needs, respects clinicians' judgment, and promotes continuous learning ...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJan 11, 2013

Lady beetle diet influences its effectiveness as biocontrol agent

A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that a lady beetle's diet influences its feeding patterns and physiology. The research suggests that plant material provides key nutrients lacking in insect prey diets, making mixed diets healthier for the beetles.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateJan 11, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New treatment could combat deadly chemical agents

A new enzyme treatment has been developed to neutralize the effects of lethal chemicals responsible for thousands of deaths each year. The treatment, known as a bioscavenger, was found to protect mice against nerve agents and showed no lasting effects.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2013

Protein recognition and disorder: A debate

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) may still have functions without a rigid structure, while protein flexibility is crucial in molecular recognition. The debate highlights the complexity of protein behavior and the need for experiments to determine the true nature of protein recognition.

SourceFaculty of 1000·JournalF1000 Biology Reports·DateJan 11, 2013

Treating eye diseases with anti-VEGF therapies may have side effects

Researchers found that blocking VEGF-A can decrease intraocular pressure but impair the ciliary body's function. This raises concerns about the long-term effects of aggressive anti-VEGF therapies on eye diseases like wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJan 11, 2013
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Depressed stroke survivors may face triple the risk of death

Research shows that individuals with depression after a stroke have a tripled risk of dying early and four times the risk of death from stroke. Screening for and treating depression in stroke survivors may be key to addressing these risks, according to study author Amytis Towfighi.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateJan 11, 2013

Specialized messages increase likelihood of male hand washing

A field study found that signs with relatable messages in bathrooms led to an 86% hand-washing rate, compared to 75% without such messages. Researchers believe these messages can significantly impact public health, particularly during cold and flu season.

SourceInternational Communication Association·JournalHuman Communication Research·DateJan 11, 2013

Fusion helped by collision science

Researchers applied Deutsch–Märk and Binary-Encounter-Bethe methods to beryllium and its derivatives. The calculations provide improved understanding of electron impact ionization cross sections (EICS) for the ITER fusion chamber.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJan 11, 2013

UGA discovery promises to improve drugs used to fight cancer, other diseases

Researchers at UGA have discovered a little-studied part of protein kinases that controls their function, promising to help improve existing drugs for life-threatening diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. The discovery may lead to new therapies and modifications to existing drugs, boosting their effectiveness.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2013
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.

How to treat heat like light

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel method to manipulate heat by employing engineered materials with nanostructured semiconductor alloy crystals. This approach enables the concentration of heat phonons within a specific frequency range, allowing for control over heat flow similar to light waves.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 11, 2013

How belly fat differs from thigh fat -- and why it matters

Researchers discover that belly and thigh fat differ significantly in gene expression, with unique homeobox genes influencing fat cell behavior. This finding may lead to targeted treatments for obesity, shifting focus from belly fat to hip and thigh fat.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateJan 11, 2013
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.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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