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Science News for January 27, 2013


Cities affect temperatures for thousands of miles

A new study reveals that human activities in cities alter atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to significant warming in northern Asia and North America. The study found that the 'waste heat' generated by urban areas can widen the jet stream and increase temperatures across large distances.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 27, 2013

ASU scientists unravel the mysteries of spider silk

Researchers have uncovered the elastic properties of spider silk, with variations among fibers, junctions, and glue spots. The findings provide a blueprint for structural engineering of strong, stretchy, and elastic materials.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 27, 2013

Accelerating neutral atoms on a table top

Research at Ultra Short Pulse High Intensity Lab in TIFR has found a novel scheme to accelerate neutral particles over millimeters using lasers. The concept uses powerful lasers to strip electrons from argon atoms, accelerating charged ions to high energies.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 27, 2013
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.

Stem cells aid recovery from stroke

A study published in BioMed Central's Stem Cell Research & Therapy journal found that stem cells from bone marrow or fat improved brain and nerve repair after stroke in rats. The treated animals showed significant functional recovery, even without the stem cells migrating to the damaged area.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·DateJan 27, 2013

CSHL neuroscientists pinpoint location of fear memory in amygdala

A recent study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers has identified a specific class of neurons in the central amygdala as crucial for encoding and recalling fear memories. The team used optogenetics to activate these neurons, which release neurotransmitters that enhance or inhibit synaptic connections, leading to fear responses.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 27, 2013

Measuring the consequence of forest fires on public health

Researchers used dispensary records to measure the effect of forest fires on people with chronic lung diseases. The study found that even small increases in smoke were associated with higher salbutamol dispensations, highlighting the impact of pollution on public health.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalEnvironmental Health·DateJan 27, 2013

Poor sleep in old age prevents the brain from storing memories

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have found a link between poor sleep, memory loss and brain deterioration in older adults. Boosting 'slow wave' sleep may help restore memory, suggesting a potentially new treatment avenue for age-related memory loss.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 27, 2013
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.

Singapore scientists led by A*STAR's GIS identify 4 mechanisms that contribute to gastric cancers

Researchers at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore discovered four processes that cause mutations in gastric cancer, including one triggered by bacterial infection. These findings pave the way for diagnostics and targeted therapy, with potential implications for improving treatment outcomes.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalGenome Biology·DateJan 27, 2013

Rice technique points toward 2-D devices

Rice University scientists develop a technique to combine single-atom-thick graphene and hexagonal boron nitride into sheets with controlled patterns. The new method enables the creation of fully functional devices with circuits on the same scale as current semiconductor fabrication.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 27, 2013

Demagnetization by rapid spin transport

Researchers find that hot electrons generated by laser pulses cause ultrafast demagnetization in nickel, not the light itself. The study suggests a new possibility for spintronics research.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 27, 2013