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Science News Archive July 2013


Page 24 of 31

Tumor-suppressor Protein Gives Up Its Secrets

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that reversible chemical tags attached to the PTEN protein can regulate its activity. When these phosphate groups are bound, PTEN becomes inactive, suppressing cell division and migration. This finding may lead to new options for drug design to keep PTEN working.

Graphene on its way to conquer Silicon Valley

Scientists from the University of Vienna have successfully integrated graphene into metal silicide technology, preserving its unique properties. The new structure shows promising results for applications in semiconductor devices, spintronics, photovoltaics, and thermoelectrics.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Infants' food linked to higher, lower Type 1 diabetes risk

Researchers found that introducing solid foods before 4 months increases Type 1 diabetes risk, while breast-feeding reduces it. The study suggests parents wait until after 4 months and introduce solid foods by 6 months or soon after with breastfeeding to lower the risk.

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.

Birds outpace climate change to avoid extinction

A new study found that birds can survive climate change through phenotypic plasticity, a flexibility in behavior. This adaptation enables them to track environmental changes, increasing their chances of survival. However, slow-reproducing species are more vulnerable to extinction due to the need for precise adaptations.

Consuming soy peptide may reduce colon cancer metastasis

Researchers found that consuming soy peptide lunasin orally reduced the number of metastatic tumors in mice with human colon cancer cells. The highest dose of 20 mg/kg of lunasin achieved a 94% reduction in tumors, showing promise for new cancer treatment approaches.

Robot mom would beat robot butler in popularity contest

A recent study published in Computers in Human Behavior found that people express more positive feelings towards a robot that takes care of them than one that needs care. Researchers observed 60 interactions between college students and a social robot, Nao, to determine how human perception of robots changed based on their role.

Medical safety innovation gets a boost from systematic analysis

Researchers from Drexel University analyzed hospital discharge data in Pennsylvania to identify patient safety events, which resulted in non-fatal adverse events for 9% of patients. These events added an average of $35,000 to hospital stays and 3 days in length.

Melody modulates choir members' heart rate

Researchers found that choir members' heart rates synchronize when singing in unison, with a direct link between melody and cardiac activity. This effect is similar to controlled breathing exercises, which regulate vagus nerve activity.

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.

JCI early table of contents for July 8, 2013

Researchers found that macrophages are essential for embryo implantation in the uterus. The absence of these cells leads to reduced hormone levels, causing embryos to fail to implant. Restoration of macrophage function or hormone replacement therapy can revive pregnancy, shedding new light on a potential cause of infertility.

Corals cozy up with bacterial buddies

A new study reveals that healthy Red Sea corals harbor bacterial communities deep within their tissues, including the previously unknown species Endozoicomonas. This symbiotic relationship is believed to aid the coral's nutrient recycling, contributing to its overall health and survival.

Not-weak knots bolster carbon fiber

Researchers at Rice University developed a new type of carbon fiber with unique properties, achieving '100% knot efficiency' where the fiber is equally likely to break anywhere along its length. The fibers were created by spinning large graphene oxide flakes into fibers, resulting in enhanced strength and flexibility.

Getting to the root of the matter

Scientists identified a network of genes that promote root growth in low-nitrogen conditions, making them suitable for sustainable biofuel production. The discovery provides new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying plant development and could lead to the creation of nitrogen-efficient crop varieties.

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.

Salk researchers identify potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis

A team of scientists at the Salk Institute found that disrupted micronuclei, which can trigger massive DNA damage on chromosomes, might play an active role in carcinogenesis. They also identified biomarkers to detect these structures, suggesting a new tool for cancer diagnosis.

TU Vienna develops light transistor

The TU Vienna has successfully developed a light transistor that can be controlled by an electrical potential, enabling efficient miniaturization and use in optical computers. This breakthrough utilizes terahertz radiation and the Faraday effect to rotate the polarization direction of light.

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.

Buckling up to turn

Researchers at MIT used high-speed video to record individual marine bacteria and found that a small flexible rod called the hook bucks during forward swims, causing the cell to tumble and reorient. This unusual mechanism helps bacteria navigate toward food in nutrient-sparse ocean waters.

Finding the Goldilocks sites to store CO2 underground

Scientists compare results from three commercial-scale carbon capture and storage projects, revealing that not all sites are equal and successful implementation requires careful appraisal. The study's findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring at CCS storage sites to ensure secure storage.

New metallic bubble wrap offers big benefits over other protective materials

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new metallic bubble wrap that provides improved protection, lightness, and flexibility compared to traditional materials. The material has been shown to be strong enough to protect contents in areas as thin as a few millimeters, while also being heat- and chemical-resistant.

Rhode Island Hospital successfully manages case of severe EEE

The hospital's aggressive approach helped manage brain swelling, stop seizures, and minimize brain injury in the patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that EEE is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the U.S., with a mortality rate of approximately 33%.

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.

Cosmochemist discovers potential solution to meteorite mystery

Researchers suggest that chondrules may have formed from high-pressure collisions between planetesimals, which would explain their composition and origin. This theory resolves a long-standing puzzle in cosmochemistry and provides a potential solution to the mystery of how these glassy spherules were embedded within meteorites.

Sleepless nights can turn lovers into fighters

UC Berkeley psychologists found that people are more likely to lash out at their romantic partners over relationship tensions after a bad night's sleep. Couples who fight more are less happy and less healthy.

Cancer research brief: Targeting pancreatic cancer drug resistance

A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered a way to prevent pancreatic tumor cells from responding to chemotherapy. The antibody FG-3019 targets survival cues inside the tumor mass, increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing drug resistance.

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.

'Scent device' could help detect bladder cancer

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and University of the West of England have developed a device that can detect bladder cancer through urine scent analysis. The ODOREADER device analyzes chemicals in gas emitted from urine to produce a 'profile' that can be used to diagnose cancer cells in the bladder.

July/August 2013 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Researchers found that most men report little shared decision making in PSA screening, with only 8% reporting full shared decision making. Coupling physician education with patient activation improves rates of shared decision making and influences physicians' attitudes about screening.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Chantal develop quickly in Atlantic

Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to bring significant rainfall to the Leeward and Windward islands with isolated totals reaching up to 6 inches. The storm developed from an unseasonally strong easterly wave that moved off the African coast on July 3.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Glimpse into the future of acidic oceans shows ecosystems transformed

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that ocean acidification can have a profound impact on marine ecosystems, causing a loss of functional diversity and resulting in a homogenized community dominated by turf algae. This can lead to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem, making calc...

NASA's TRMM satellite sees Tropical Storm Erick along Mexican coast

Tropical Storm Erick brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Mexican coast, with NASA's TRMM satellite tracking its movement. The storm weakened over the next two days, but not before causing rough surf and ocean swells that posed a life-threatening risk to southern Baja California.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Nanomaterial to help reduce CO2 emissions

Researchers have developed a new nanomaterial that can separate carbon dioxide from nitrogen in flue gas mixtures, reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power stations. This material has remarkable selectivity and is energy-efficient, allowing for easy regeneration and reuse.

Targeting errant immune system enzyme kills myelodysplastic cells

Scientists have successfully targeted a malfunctioning immune system enzyme to eliminate diseased cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood disorder and precursor to leukemia. The research provides a molecular target for designing new drugs, offering a promising treatment option.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NASA satellite sees 2 views of Tropical Storm Soulik over Marianas Islands

Tropical Storm Soulik has become more organized and is expected to intensify rapidly, potentially reaching typhoon strength by July 9. The storm's eastern quadrant covered the Marianas Islands in NASA's Aqua satellite images, showing a brilliant visible image of the storm's center near the northern islands.

Immune cells play a role in early pregnancy

Researchers found that macrophages help regulate corpus luteum development during embryo implantation, which is essential for successful pregnancy. The absence of macrophages can lead to infertility due to disrupted hormone levels, but restoring them or administering hormones can correct this issue.

Using the sun to illuminate a basic mystery of matter

Scientists have detected relativistic antiparticles, specifically positrons, produced in nuclear interactions of accelerated ions in solar flares. This remote detection using microwave and magnetic-field data has significant implications for understanding the basic structure of matter and high-energy processes.

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.

NASA's polar robotic ranger passes first Greenland test

GROVER successfully demonstrated autonomous operation in Greenland's harshest environment, collecting radar data and transmitting information in real-time. The robot's performance was affected by extreme polar conditions, but the results promise potential for future autonomous robotic platforms to support scientific research.

Improved interpretation of volcanic traces in ice

Researchers at GEOMAR have developed a model to track the global distribution of sulfur particles following large eruptions, providing more accurate estimates of eruption strength and tracing previously undetermined volcanic activities. The study improves the interpretation of volcanic traces in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica.