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Science News Archive January 2013


Page 19 of 27

Foot soldiers of the immune system

The IFIT protein recognizes foreign viral RNA and blocks viral infections by acting as a defender molecule. The discovery reveals the molecular mechanism behind how IFIT proteins capture only the viral RNA and distinguish it from normal molecules belonging to the host.

What did our ancestors look like?

A new study uses DNA analysis to reconstruct hair and eye color from ancient human remains, confirming the blue eyes and blond hair of a Polish general. The HIrisPlex system was also able to identify details from medieval samples, including a mysterious woman buried in a 12th-14th century crypt.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cancer suppressor gene links metabolism with cellular aging

Researchers discovered a class of p53 target genes and regulatory molecules that regulate metabolism and senescence in cells. Malic enzymes, identified as novel pharmaceutical targets for anticancer therapy, may also play a role in the normal process of cellular aging.

The secrets of a tadpole's tail and the implications for human healing

Scientists at the University of Manchester have discovered that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in tadpole tail regeneration, which could lead to new therapies for human tissue repair. The team found that manipulating ROS levels may be essential to initiate and sustain regeneration processes.

Credit card debt: Younger people borrow more heavily and repay more slowly

A new study by Ohio State University reveals that younger generations have significantly higher credit card debt and slower repayment rates compared to previous generations. Increasing the minimum monthly payment can lead to faster debt repayment, potentially saving individuals years of financial burden.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

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.

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.

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.

A rock is a clock: Physicist uses matter to tell time

Holger Müller's Compton clock measures time using the oscillations of a cesium atom's matter wave, which has a frequency 10 billion times higher than visible light. The clock is accurate to within 7 parts per billion and could potentially rival atomic clocks with further improvements.

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.

Flu vaccine rates in children remain lower than expected

A new study found that less than 45% of children were vaccinated against the flu during a five-year period, highlighting the need for increased vaccination efforts. The study also revealed that children under 6 months old had the highest hospitalization rates with flu, emphasizing the importance of protecting infants through vaccination.

New material harvests energy from water vapor

Researchers at MIT have created a new material that can generate electricity by drawing on water vapor, which could power micro- and nanoelectronic devices. The material changes shape after absorbing evaporated water, allowing it to repeatedly curl up and down.

NASA prepares for launch of next Earth observation satellite

The Landsat Data Continuity Mission will extend over 40 years of global land observations, critical in energy and water management, forest monitoring, and disaster recovery. The mission's instruments, including Operational Land Imager and Thermal Infrared Sensor, promise improved data quality and quantity.

Bengali forests are fading away

The Sundarbans mangrove forest is disappearing at an alarming rate, resulting in loss of natural protection from tidal waves and cyclones. This will inevitably lead to species loss, including the endangered Bengal tiger.

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.

Funding for study of Autism, Dyslexia and ADHD

A UK research team has received funding to investigate potential increases in children with autism, dyslexia, and ADHD. The study will analyze two birth cohorts and examine the extent of shared symptoms between the conditions.

UMMS experts seek better flu vaccines

Researchers led by Dr. Robert W. Finberg are working on a $12 million project to improve flu vaccine effectiveness by predicting the influenza virus's evolution in response to anti-viral drugs and human immune systems. The approach could potentially boost protection rates, reducing severe illness cases.

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.

Virus caught in the act of infecting a cell

Researchers have observed the detailed changes in a virus's structure as it infects an E. coli bacterium, providing new insights into the viral infection process. The study reveals that the virus extends its ultra-thin fibers to find an optimal site for infection and ejects its genetic material through the host cell membrane.

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Narelle approaching Western Australia coast

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is gaining strength as it approaches the northern coast of Western Australia, with NASA tracking its movement and expected impact. The cyclone is predicted to bring heavy rainfall and rough seas, posing a threat to coastal communities and causing erosion and flooding.

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.

A cloudy mystery

The G0.253+0.016 cloud defies conventional wisdom on star formation, with a dense gas content 25 times higher than the Orion Nebula but only producing small stars. The cloud's high velocities and presence of silicon monoxide suggest it may be two colliding clouds, preventing star formation due to its dynamic nature.

Drug fails to help kidney transplant recipients

A large, randomized trial found that angiotensin II blockade did not lessen tissue scarring or prevent kidney failure in kidney transplant recipients. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated but showed no benefit in slowing disease progression.

Next steps in potential stem cell therapy for diabetes

Scientists have made significant progress towards developing a potential stem cell therapy for diabetes. The study found that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate into endocrine cells that are remarkably similar to primary human counterparts. However, hESC-derived endocrine cells produced in vitro lack key features and ...

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.

Solving puzzles without a picture

A team of genome and computer scientists developed an algorithm that can rapidly create virtual chromosomes using NGS data. The new RACA (Reference-Assisted Chromosome Assembly) algorithm performs even better with longer DNA reads, addressing the challenge of assembling complete chromosomes from short NGS fragments.

Regulating single protein prompts fibroblasts to become neurons

Scientists at University of California, San Diego, discovered that repressing a single protein in fibroblasts is enough to convert them into functional neurons. This finding has far-reaching implications for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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.

Decline in available liver transplants expected

A study found that non-use of donor livers rose significantly between 2004 and 2010, primarily linked to decreased donor liver quality and increased donation after cardiac death. This trend threatens a significant decline in liver transplant availability.

Helping patients navigate new cancer drugs

A Michigan State University study found that many cancer patients struggle to follow complex chemo prescriptions, leading to poor adherence and reduced treatment efficacy. The researchers suggest an automated calling system could help patients take their drugs properly.

Breath test identifies bacteria's fingerprint

Researchers have identified specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by certain bacteria, which can be used to diagnose lung infections. The findings suggest a potential breath test to detect bacterial infections, such as tuberculosis, in just minutes.

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.

Study: Model for brain signaling flawed

A new study reveals that the tripartite synapse model, long accepted by the scientific community, is incorrect in adult brains. The model, which proposes that multiple cells collaborate to move signals in the central nervous system, does not accurately represent brain signaling beyond development.