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Science News for January 21, 2013


Monkeys stressed from longer foraging times

In endangered Mexican howler monkeys, habitat disturbance leads to increased 'travel time' foraging and high levels of stress hormones. Researchers found that fruit is a crucial component of their natural diet, and lack of fruit availability forces them to spend more time seeking out nutritious foliage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalInternational Journal of Primatology·DateJan 21, 2013

Human-tiger conflict: Are the risks overestimated?

A new study published in Springer's Human Ecology journal explores the complex web of factors increasing perceived risk of tiger attack in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh. The researchers found that poverty-related issues, such as low incomes and poor infrastructure, significantly influence villagers' perceptions of risk from tigers.

SourceSpringer·JournalHuman Ecology·DateJan 21, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Longer CPR extends survival in both children and adults

A recent study published in Circulation found that longer CPR durations can extend survival in children and adults after hospital cardiac arrests. The research team analyzed data from thousands of patients and discovered that more children than expected survived prolonged CPR, with over 60% having good neurologic outcomes.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateJan 21, 2013

New findings on mortality of individuals with schizophrenia

Researchers found individuals with schizophrenia have shorter life expectancy due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Women with schizophrenia were particularly vulnerable, facing a threefold higher risk of cardiovascular disease and a 1.7 times greater chance of cancer-related death.

SourceLund University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJan 21, 2013

Enzyme helps cancer cells avoid genetic instability

Researchers found that cancer cells lacking BRCA1 compensate by reducing 53BP1 levels, which allows them to resume homologous recombination and grow. The study suggests a new pathway for how breast cancer cells lose 53BP1, enabling resistance to chemotherapy and potentially identifying patients who respond to cathepsin inhibitors.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 21, 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.

Cotton with special coating collects water from fogs in desert

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed coated cotton that absorbs exceptional amounts of water from foggy air, releasing it as temperature rises. The material, inspired by nature, can provide water for agricultural purposes and potentially be used in desert regions.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 21, 2013

UBC research: Forget about fair – It's better when bosses pick favorites

A new study from UBC's Sauder School of Business finds that treating employees relatively better than others can increase self-esteem, conformity to workplace norms, and group-oriented behavior. This approach is more effective in maintaining high levels of productivity among top performers than a strictly egalitarian culture.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateJan 21, 2013

Mama bear knows best, University of Alberta study shows

A four-year study found that young grizzly bears learn their habitat selection strategies from their mothers, which may be a more adaptive strategy than instinct. The research tracked 32 adult and young bears in western Canada and showed genetically related female bears shared similar habitat choices.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 21, 2013

Annals of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet for Jan. 22, 2013

A recent evidence review suggests that primary care interventions may reduce child abuse and neglect, with clinic-based interventions showing reduced physical assault and improved medical adherence. Additionally, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all women of childbearing age for intimate partner violence.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 21, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stopping smoking reduces risk of bacterial pneumonia in people with HIV

A meta-analysis found that current smokers with HIV were at double the risk of bacterial pneumonia than non-smokers, but stopping smoking decreased this risk by about a third. Stopping smoking reduced the risk of bacterial pneumonia by approximately 30-70% compared to non-smoking counterparts.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Medicine·DateJan 21, 2013

Study finds linchpin of skin response to UVA light

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that human melanocytes rely on the TRPA1 ion channel to detect UVA light and trigger the production of melanin. This discovery strengthens the evidence of a parallel between the skin's response to UVA light and the eye's detection of light.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2013

Perfectionism and eating disorders: A complex issue

A study of over a thousand women reveals that both adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism contribute to body dissatisfaction, increasing the risk of developing an eating disorder. Women who desired lower BMIs showed greater concern about making mistakes and self-doubt, highlighting the need for addressing 'all or nothing' attitudes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of Eating Disorders·DateJan 21, 2013
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.

Molecular forces are key to proper cell division

Researchers have identified a molecular surveillance system that helps detect and correct errors in cell division, preventing serious problems such as aneuploidy and cancer. The study reveals the importance of forces generated by molecular engines in regulating kinetochore-microtubule interactions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 21, 2013

Hearing loss may be related to cognitive decline in older adults

A study of 1,984 older adults found that hearing loss was associated with a 41% faster rate of decline in global function and a 32% faster rate of decline in executive function compared to those with normal hearing. Individuals with hearing loss also had a 24% increased risk for incident cognitive impairment.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 21, 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.

Protein structure: Immune system foiled by a hairpin

The measles virus uses a hairpin-like structure to bind to the MDA5 receptor, preventing it from forming filaments and signaling viral RNA. This interaction allows the virus to evade the immune system's defense mechanisms.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateJan 21, 2013

Hearing loss accelerates brain function decline in older adults

A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that older adults with hearing loss declined in cognitive abilities 30-40% faster than those with normal hearing. The study, involving 1,984 participants, suggests that hearing loss may be linked to social isolation and brain energy diversion.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 21, 2013

Study: Bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents

A study published in Journal of Pediatric Surgery found that bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents can reverse previously undiagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities. The research revealed significant improvement in cardiac structure and function after weight loss surgery.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery·DateJan 21, 2013
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.

New 2D material for next generation high-speed electronics

Scientists at CSIRO and RMIT University created a new conductive nano-material, enabling ultra-high electron flow at speeds exceeding industry standards. The breakthrough material was made from layers of molybdenum oxides, adapted from graphene's unique properties.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 21, 2013

Researchers analyse 'rock dissolving' method of geoengineering

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of dissolving particles in ocean surfaces to increase marine uptake of carbon dioxide. The researchers find that this approach would only compensate for around 9% of present-day anthropogenic CO2 emissions, highlighting its inefficiency.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 21, 2013

Study finds childhood diagnosis of ADHD increased dramatically over 9-year period

A Kaiser Permanente study found that ADHD diagnoses rose dramatically between 2001 and 2010, with non-Hispanic white children having the highest rates. Black girls showed a 90% increase in diagnosis rates during this period. The study also revealed disparities in ADHD diagnosis rates among ethnic groups.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJan 21, 2013

New technology shows diabetes

Researchers at Umeå University have developed a new imaging method using optical projection tomography (OPT) in the near-infrared spectrum to study insulin-producing cells in diabetes. This technology allows for the examination of larger organs, including the rat pancreas, and can track specific cell types simultaneously.

SourceUmea University·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·DateJan 21, 2013
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.

Cleaning jobs linked to asthma risk

A new study from Imperial College London found that cleaning jobs are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing asthma. Researchers tracked over 9,000 people born in Britain and found that nine percent developed asthma by age 42, with workplace risks responsible for one in six cases.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThorax·DateJan 21, 2013

Penn study sheds light on the complexity of gene therapy for congenital blindness

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that gene therapy improves vision in patients with Leber congenital amaurosis, but also advances retinal cell degeneration. The research provides a more nuanced understanding of the disease and its treatment.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2013
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.

Overlooked ugly cholesterol causes heart disease

A new study of 73,000 Danes found that 'ugly' cholesterol, a type of remnant-like particle cholesterol, is the direct cause of arteriosclerosis and ischaemic heart disease. High levels of ugly cholesterol triple the risk of heart disease, emphasizing the need for preventive treatment and lifestyle changes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJan 21, 2013

New way to kill lymphoma without chemotherapy

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered a new nanoparticle that kills B-cell lymphoma cells by depriving them of natural HDL cholesterol. The nanoparticle, which mimics the size and shape of HDL particles, blocks cholesterol from entering cancer cells, leading to cell death.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2013

A relative from the Tianyuan Cave

A study of ancient DNA from a 40,000-year-old human from Tianyuan Cave near Beijing found that the individual shared a common origin with present-day Asians and Native Americans. The genetic profile also revealed that this early modern human diverged genetically from present-day Europeans and did not carry a larger proportion of Neande...

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2013