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Science News for January 4, 2013


Photosynthesis: The last link in the chain

A team of researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München has identified an old acquaintance as the missing link in regulating electron transport during photosynthesis. The enzyme, PGRL1, plays a central role in the regulation of cyclic electron flow and may help improve photosynthetic performance.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJan 4, 2013

Outsourced radiologists perform better reading for fewer hospitals

A study found that radiologists' performance improves when reading images for a specific hospital, rather than multiple hospitals. This suggests that outsourcing radiology services can be beneficial, as long as the outsourcing company designs the work to maximize productivity and customer specificity.

SourcePenn State·JournalOrganization Science·DateJan 4, 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.

UCSB researchers perform pioneering research on Type 2 diabetes

A team of UCSB researchers has identified changes in cellular metabolism as the triggering factor for Type 2 diabetes. By studying the four types of components that make up cells, they found a 'tipping point' where metabolic threshold is crossed, leading to beta cell failure and insulin regulation issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 4, 2013

Induction of adult cortical neurogenesis by an antidepressant

Researchers found that fluoxetine stimulates the production of new neurons from neural progenitor cells in the adult cortex. This process coincides with a reduction in apoptotic cell death following ischemia, highlighting the potential neuroprotective response induced by this antidepressant drug.

SourceNational Institute for Physiological Sciences·JournalNeuropsychopharmacology·DateJan 4, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A temperature below absolute zero

Researchers at Max-Planck-Gesellschaft create an atomic gas that exhibits a negative Kelvin temperature, where particles possess high energies despite being thermally insulated. This phenomenon challenges traditional notions of heat and cold, with potentially groundbreaking implications for thermodynamics and quantum mechanics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 4, 2013

NASA sees Cyclone Dumile moving over open ocean

Cyclone Dumile is moving southward over the open ocean, generating rough seas with wave heights of up to 32 feet. The storm's eye has become ragged, indicating it may weaken as it transitions to an extra-tropical storm.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 4, 2013

NASA catches Tropical Storm Sonamu in South China Sea

Tropical Storm Sonamu intensified over the eastern South China Sea, moving westward with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots. The storm is expected to peak in intensity on January 5 before weakening due to increasing vertical wind shear, making landfall early next week in east central Malaysia.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 4, 2013

Researchers seek longer battery life for electric locomotive

A team of Penn State researchers has developed a method to improve regular battery management practices for lead-acid batteries used in electric locomotives. The new approach increases the cell capacity by 41 percent and overall battery capacity by 30 percent, rejuvenating dead cells and reducing sulfation.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateJan 4, 2013

Website launched to help patients prepare for complex medical decisions

A new online resource called PREPARE has been developed to help people make complex medical decisions through user-friendly content, videos, and a step-by-step process. The website addresses key aspects of advance care planning and decision making, providing concrete examples and tools for patients and their families.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of Pain and Symptom Management·DateJan 4, 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.

Scripps physicians call for change in cancer tissue handling

Genetic sequencing technology is altering cancer diagnosis and treatment, but traditional specimen handling methods slow progress. Scripps physicians propose freezing tumor tissue to preserve DNA coding, potentially leading to better diagnoses and treatments.

SourceScripps Health·JournalJAMA·DateJan 4, 2013

Research update: Jumping droplets help heat transfer

MIT researchers have developed a coated surface with nanostructured patterns that increase the heat-transfer coefficient, allowing for more efficient condensation and reducing the need for expensive manufacturing processes. The technology has been shown to improve heat transfer in industrial plants by up to 30%.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 4, 2013

Best evidence yet that dinosaurs used feathers for courtship

Researchers found evidence that some feathered dinosaurs, such as oviraptors, used their tail feathers to attract mates and engage in visual exhibitions. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and their similarity to modern birds.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalActa Palaeontologica Polonica·DateJan 4, 2013

How prostate cancer therapies compare by cost and effectiveness

A comprehensive study analyzed 232 papers on prostate cancer treatments and found that surgery is the most cost-effective option, saving lives at a lower cost than radiation therapy. The analysis also showed that treatment plans for localized prostate cancer vary dramatically across different centers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·DateJan 4, 2013
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.

Breast milk contains more than 700 bacteria

Spanish researchers have discovered a diverse range of bacteria in breast milk, including over 700 species. The study found that mother's weight and labor type affect microbiome diversity, with heavier mothers having fewer bacteria in their milk.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 4, 2013

Drainage ditches can help clean up field runoff

Vegetated drainage ditches have been shown to effectively capture herbicides and insecticides from field runoff, reducing their impact on downstream waterways. This innovative solution provides a cost-effective way for farmers to manage agricultural pollutants and protect natural resources.

SourceUnited States Department of Agriculture - Research, Education and Economics·DateJan 4, 2013

Rainfall, brain infection linked in sub-Saharan Africa

Researchers found a significant link between climate and infant brain infections, with rainfall affecting the number of hydrocephalus cases. The study suggests that environmental conditions can quench bacterial infections, making some cases potentially preventable if understood better.

SourcePenn State·DateJan 4, 2013

Ben-Gurion U. researchers use data from traffic app to identify high frequency accident locations

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University used Waze GPS data to identify intersections with the highest number of accidents, revealing police response time variability and underutilized resources. The study suggests that leveraging geosocial networks can improve road safety by providing real-time traffic and accident reports.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·DateJan 4, 2013
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Why good resolutions about taking up a physical activity can be hard to keep

Researchers discovered a key protein receptor plays a crucial role in motivation during physical exercise, explaining why many people struggle to stick to their fitness goals. The CB1 cannabinoid receptor regulates the brain's reward system, controlling how long individuals engage in voluntary physical activity.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 4, 2013

Waste removal in worms reveals new mechanism to regulate calcium signaling

Researchers discovered a new way to regulate calcium signaling in worms, revealing the crucial role of microRNA-786 in dictating when and where the primary calcium spike occurs. This finding may have significant implications for understanding calcium signaling processes in humans.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 4, 2013

Shifting the balance between good fat and bad fat

Sanford-Burnham researchers discover that protein p62 plays a crucial role in balancing metabolism in fat tissue. When p62 is missing, the body's metabolic balance shifts towards 'bad' white fat and away from 'good' brown fat. This finding indicates that p62 could be an attractive target for new therapies aimed at curbing obesity.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 4, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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