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Science News Archive January 2013


Page 18 of 27

Medicinal toothbrush tree yields antibiotic to treat TB in new way

A compound from the South African toothbrush tree has been shown to effectively treat tuberculosis by binding to a novel site on DNA gyrase, an enzyme essential for bacterial growth. This discovery offers hope for developing new antibiotics to combat drug-resistant strains of TB.

Scientists find a new way to boost common cancer drugs

Researchers found that blocking a particular pathway in cancer cells makes it easier for common drugs to annihilate tumors. By targeting this pathway, scientists aim to enhance the impact of current therapies and design new drugs to disrupt it.

New sunspots producing space weather

NASA's research models show that the CMEs left the sun at speeds of 275 miles per second, causing geomagnetic storms when they connect with the Earth's magnetic envelope. The recent flares caused weak radio blackouts, but their effects have already subsided.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rice researchers see surprising twist to protein misfolding

Researchers at Rice University used the AWSEM-MD software to simulate protein folding and found a surprising twist: short sequences can self-recognize and stick together, leading to misfolding. This discovery provides new insights into degenerative diseases and may lead to drug design.

Liver controls wasting in cancer

Research reveals that a gene switch in the liver is responsible for lowering blood fat levels in cancer patients, leading to dramatic weight loss. The study found that silencing this gene switch in the liver can restore normal lipid levels and muscle mass.

Are some patients too heavy for a new kidney?

Research examines data from multiple studies to better understand how obesity impacts kidney transplant patients. Obese patients experience more adverse outcomes, including wound infections and cardiac disease, leading to poorer health outcomes after surgery.

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.

Study identifies 24 new autism-related gene variants

Researchers identified 24 new copy number variants with strong links to autism, providing potential genetic diagnosis for up to 10-12% of children with ASD. The study validates the genetic markers used in a commercial test, advancing early detection and treatment methods.

Better care from doctors who are culturally aware

A new study found that doctors who are culturally aware provide better quality of care to HIV patients from ethnic minorities. These patients tend to manage their treatment and condition better and have improved health outcomes. Increasing healthcare provider cultural competence can reduce racial disparities in both the quality of care...

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.

New autism-related gene variants discovered

Researchers identified 25 additional copy number variations associated with autism, which could serve as predictive markers. The study found that these variants have a strong effect in raising an individual's risk for autism and may be incorporated into clinical tests.

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.

Chimpanzees successfully play the Ultimatum Game

Researchers played the Ultimatum Game with six adult chimpanzees and 20 human children, finding that both groups responded similarly to adults. Chimpanzees split rewards equally when cooperation was required, similar to human behavior. This study provides evidence for a shared preference for fair outcomes between humans and apes.

Diet may not impact certain health outcomes in older persons

Researchers found no link between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome in older adults. However, a Western diet was associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The study suggests that overly restrictive diets may not be beneficial for older adults.

Study finds knee replacement surgery may lead to weight gain

A study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University professor found that nearly 30% of knee-replacement surgery patients gained 5% or more of their body weight over five years. This is significantly higher than the 20% gain rate in comparison group without surgery.

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.

How does your garden glow?

Researchers create mathematical model of plant petals to understand iridescence and its role in attracting pollinators. The study, published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, provides a first analysis of how petal surface patterns might be produced.

Fox Chase receives grant for community-based patient navigation services

Fox Chase Cancer Center has received a grant to expand its community-based patient navigation services, which will help women with abnormal mammography results obtain follow-up care. The grant also supports 10 breast cancer education programs in the community and provides mammography screening services for under-insured women.

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.

Strawberries, blueberries may cut heart attack risk in women

A study of 93,600 women aged 25-42 found that consuming three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries weekly reduced heart attack risk by 32% compared to those eating less than once a month. The flavonoids in these berries may help dilate arteries and prevent plaque buildup.

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.

Gene flow from India to Australia about 4,000 years ago

A recent study published in PNAS found evidence of gene flow from India to Australia around 4,230 years ago, challenging the notion that Australia remained isolated between initial colonization and European arrival. This migration also shares a common origin with populations from New Guinea and the Philippines.

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.

Hospital infection surveillance system flawed, say experts

A new study by De Montfort University reveals worrying inconsistencies in how NHS hospital trusts in England define and report surgical site infections. The findings suggest that published rates do not accurately reflect the true scale of surgical infections, highlighting the need for improved data collection and reporting systems.

Nations that consume a lot of milk... also win a lot of Nobel prizes

A study found that countries consuming large amounts of milk have a higher number of Nobel laureates, possibly due to the boost in vitamin D levels which can enhance cognitive function. However, the relationship may not be solely driven by education, as some nations with high milk consumption also exhibit strong educational systems.

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.

January/February 2013 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

The adoption of electronic health records by family physicians has doubled since 2005, reaching 68% nationally in 2011. Researchers found that family physicians are adopting EHRs at a higher rate than other office-based physicians and are likely to exceed 80% penetration by 2013 if the current trend continues. Meanwhile, patients' expe...

AGU journal highlights -- Jan. 14, 2013

Researchers found significant influence of seabird activity on methane and nitrous oxide emissions in the Arctic tundra, contributing to global warming. Meanwhile, a new assessment reveals U.S. cities are less susceptible to water scarcity issues than previously thought.

NASA sees strength in newborn Tropical Cyclone Emang

Tropical Cyclone Emang developed with strong convection and moderate to heavy rainfall around its center. The storm is expected to slowly intensify over the next couple of days as it travels over open ocean, reaching peak intensity by the end of the week.

Research improves social care training in Cornwall

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Cornwall Council and Plymouth University improved social care training, resulting in the development of a new training programme for staff. The programme incorporates aspects of safeguarding adults, the Mental Capacity Act, and Equality and Diversity legislation.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Salmon runs boom, go bust over centuries

New research reveals that salmon stocks varied greatly on centuries-long time cycles, with fluctuations lasting up to 200 years. The study found that natural variations in salmon abundance were as large as those due to human harvests, and that some regions showed different changes over time.

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.

Less reaction to DTaP vaccine given in kids' thighs than arms

A new study of 1.4 million children found that injecting the DTaP vaccine into the thigh muscle reduces the risk of injection-site reactions by around half compared to the arm. The research supports current recommendations to administer intramuscular vaccinations in the thigh for children under 3 years old.

Social networks may inflate self-esteem, reduce self-control

Researchers found that users who focus on close friends' updates experience increased self-esteem, but also display less self-control. This can lead to higher body-mass indexes, credit-card debt, and binge eating. Social network use is linked to poorer offline behaviors in individuals with strong social connections.

Stem-cell approach shows promise for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Stem-cell therapy has been shown to prevent the decline in heart function associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The treatment involves transplanting stem cells derived from normal mouse blood vessels into the hearts of mice with DMD, where it prevents dilated cardiomyopathy and promotes angiogenesis.

Drug overdose now the leading cause of death among homeless adults in Boston

A recent study by Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program found that drug overdose deaths have surpassed HIV as the leading cause of death among homeless adults in Boston, with a significant increase in opioid-related overdoses. The study highlights the dire need to address the epidemic of drug ov...

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.

Global warming has increased monthly heat records by a factor of 5

A study published in Climatic Change reveals that global warming has increased monthly heat records by a factor of 5 worldwide. The researchers found that 80% of observed monthly records would not have occurred without human influence on climate, highlighting the urgent need for adaptation.

Graphic warnings on cigarettes effective across demographic groups

Research suggests hard-hitting graphic tobacco warnings may help smokers of all backgrounds quit, with consistent reactions across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The study found that pictorial warning labels were more effective at highlighting the dangers of smoking and encouraging quitters.

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.

Pill-sized device provides rapid, detailed imaging of esophageal lining

Researchers developed an imaging system enclosed in a capsule about the size of a multivitamin pill that creates detailed, microscopic images of the esophageal wall. The system has several advantages over traditional endoscopy and reveals subsurface structures not easily seen with endoscopy.

Graphene plasmonics beats the drug cheats

Researchers have developed a graphene plasmonics device that can detect even trace amounts of substances in minutes, revolutionizing drug testing for athletes and detecting viruses. The breakthrough uses artificial materials with topological darkness to achieve high sensitivity.

New study reveals gas that triggers ozone destruction

Scientists at the Universities of York and Leeds have made a significant discovery about the cause of ozone destruction over oceans. The research team found that the principal source of iodine oxide can be explained by emissions of hypoiodous acid and molecular iodine.

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.