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Science News Archive July 2013


Page 6 of 31

Pesticides contaminate frogs from Californian National Parks

Researchers have found pesticides commonly used in California's agricultural regions contaminating Pacific Tree Frogs in remote mountain areas, including national parks. The detection of pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and simazine highlights the potential long-term impact on biodiversity.

Sudden decline in testosterone may cause Parkinson's disease symptoms in men

A new study by Rush University Medical Center researchers found that a sudden decrease in testosterone levels may cause Parkinson's-like symptoms in male mice. Testosterone supplementation reversed the pathology in the mice. The study suggests that preserving testosterone levels may be important to prevent Parkinson's disease.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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NASA's various views of Tropical Storm Dorian

Scientists studied Tropical Storm Dorian's infrared image, revealing thunderstorms as cold as 195 Kelvin, indicating very high clouds. The storm maintained strong thunderstorms around its center before moving into warmer sea surface temperatures.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Migraine is associated with variations in structure of brain arteries

A new study suggests that people with migraine are more likely to have an incomplete circle of Willis, which may contribute to abnormal cerebral blood flow and trigger migraines. The research found that variations in arterial anatomy lead to asymmetries in blood flow, and abnormalities were most prominent in the back of the brain.

Gold nanoparticles improve photodetector performance

Gold nanoparticles have been applied to MoS2 photodetectors, increasing their efficiency by a factor of three. The researchers attribute the improvement to plasmon oscillations in individual nanoparticles, which enhance the local optical field.

Molecular monkey arranges X-chromosome activation

Scientists from Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics found that the protein MLE molds the RNA strand, allowing it to bind with other proteins. This dynamic interaction enables the entire X chromosome to be covered by the RNA-protein complex, essential for sex chromosome activation.

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.

Building stronger policies to fight global hunger

Michigan State University will lead a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy to improve food policy in developing countries. The lab, partnering with universities and private sector stakeholders, aims to increase agricultural productivity, dietary diversity, and resilience to climate change.

Oregon's Sunnyside Turnoff Fire

The Sunnyside Turnoff Fire in northern Oregon burned over 48,916 acres by July 26, 2013, with 40% containment. The fire was caused by human activity and affected the Warm Springs area, leading to evacuations and public closures.

Empowering your customers? Think twice about social media campaigns

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that empowering consumers through product development can lead to a backlash when combined with social media influence. Consumers who feel empowered are more likely to deliberately express opposing views and rebel against attempts to shape their opinions.

Researchers uncover cellular mechanisms for attention in the brain

A study published in Nature reveals that attention operates at the synapse level to sharpen signals and selectively boost relevant information. The results have implications for improving screening and treatments for people with attention deficits resulting from brain injury or disease.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

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Removing complexity layers from the universe's creation

Physicists propose that Einstein's special relativity emerges from a combination of quantum dynamics and gravity. This theory predicts the formation of charge asymmetry between particles and anti-particles at ultra-minute fractions of seconds after the Big Bang, in agreement with recent cosmological observations.

Materialism and loneliness: Is there really a vicious cycle?

A recent study found that materialism can lead to loneliness, but it also decreases loneliness for those who acquire possessions solely for enjoyment. The research suggests that materialism may not be entirely detrimental to consumer well-being when pursued in a 'happy hedonistic' lifestyle.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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Gadget genius

Researchers at the University of Akron have developed new nanoscale materials that can be used to create ultra-lightweight electronics. These materials, known as 'giant surfactants,' have the potential to revolutionize the tech industry by enabling the creation of smaller and more efficient devices.

UI researchers help answer long-standing question about Van Allen radiation belts

Two University of Iowa researchers have answered a long-standing question about the Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. They found that electrons can gain energy inside the belts through local acceleration in the heart of the radiation belts. The discovery was made using measurements from NASA's twin Van Allen Probes mission satellites.

The limits to galactic growth

Astronomers have observed the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253) producing an outflow of molecular gas, curtailing its ability to form new stars. The galaxy's starburst region is shedding massive amounts of gas, with a total mass estimated to be nine times that of our Sun each year.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

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JCI early table of contents for July 25, 2013

Researchers found that rapamycin increased longevity in mice by reducing cancer rates and improving memory and spatial learning. However, the drug had limited effects on age-related symptoms such as cardiovascular function, muscle mass, and balance. The study suggests that rapamycin may be useful for treating some age-related conditions.

Adenosine therapy reduces seizures and progression of epilepsy

Researchers have discovered that adenosine therapy can reduce seizures and slow the progression of epilepsy by targeting epigenetic changes in the brain. By delivering adenosine directly to the brain, scientists were able to reverse DNA hypermethylation, which is a key factor in the development of epilepsy.

Nature: Elementary physics in a single molecule

A team of physicists has successfully demonstrated magnetism within a single molecule. By applying voltage, researchers were able to switch the magnetic state on and off, reproducing elementary physics in a single molecule. This discovery provides new insights into magnetism as an elementary phenomenon of physics.

Bad sleep around full moon is no longer a myth

A recent study published in Current Biology found that lunar cycles affect human sleep quality. The research revealed a significant drop in brain activity related to deep sleep around full moon, with participants also reporting poorer sleep quality and lower melatonin levels.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Van Allen Probes pinpoint driver of speeding electrons

Scientists have identified an internal electron accelerator operating within the Van Allen radiation belts, causing sudden and unpredictable changes. The research paves the way for predicting hazardous space weather and preparing satellite operators for intense space storms.

Delay in seeking stroke care costs women best treatment

Women with acute ischemic strokes are less likely to arrive at the hospital in time for best treatment, with women arriving an average of 27 minutes later than men. Despite this, researchers found no gender gap once patients arrived within four hours of symptoms onset.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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Bad night's sleep? The moon could be to blame

Research suggests that humans still respond to lunar cycles, influencing sleep patterns even when unaware of the moon phase. Studies show decreased deep sleep, slower sleep onset, and lower melatonin levels around full moon.

Over 90 percent of dementia cases in China are undetected

A recent study found that over 90% of dementia cases in China are undiagnosed, with a high level of undiagnosed dementia in rural areas. The study highlights the need for improved mental health education targeting high-risk populations to increase diagnosis rates.

Need for national Canadian strategy for EGFR testing

Researchers in Canada found that funding from the pharmaceutical industry significantly decreased EGFR mutation testing after it was discontinued. The Canadian healthcare system lacked resources for implementing a national policy, leading to a substantial drop in test requests.

Certain blood pressure drugs slow dementia deterioration

Research published in BMJ Open suggests that ACE inhibitors slow cognitive decline typical of dementia, even boosting brain power in patients. Compared to those not taking these drugs, patients on ACE inhibitors experienced marginally slower rates of cognitive decline.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

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Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

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Scientists model 'extraordinary' performance of Bolt

Researchers from Mexico provide a mathematical model that accurately depicts Usain Bolt's record-breaking 100m sprint time, revealing a terminal velocity of 12.2 meters per second and average force of 815.8 newtons. The study highlights the challenges of overcoming air resistance and drag, showcasing Bolt's remarkable power output.

Obese kidney failure patients receive survival benefit from transplantation

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation found that obese kidney failure patients who receive a kidney transplant can live longer than non-obese patients. The survival benefit is lower for severely obese individuals, but improved early post-transplant care may help mitigate this risk.

Suffocating tumors could lead to new cancer drugs

Scientists at Cancer Research UK have discovered a new molecule that prevents cancer cells from responding to low oxygen levels, targeting the master switch HIF-1. The researchers developed this approach using synthetic biology and testing over 3.2 million potential compounds.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

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What if quantum physics worked on a macroscopic level?

Researchers from UNIGE have successfully entangled two optic fibers populated by 500 photons, surviving on a macroscopic level. The phenomenon demonstrates that larger elements can retain their quantum properties, despite interactions with the surrounding environment.

Secret of plant geometry revealed

Scientists have long puzzled over how plants set and maintain the angle of their lateral branches. The mechanism, driven by auxin hormone, counteracts gravity-sensitive growth to sustain a non-vertical angle of growth, known as the gravitropic set-point angle.

NIH study uncovers a starring role for supporting cells in the inner ear

Researchers have found that supporting cells in the inner ear can actively help repair damaged sensory hair cells, potentially offering a pathway to prevent hearing loss. The study suggests that these cells produce heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which protects neighboring hair cells from death.

Pigeons fly home with a map in their heads

Researchers fitted homing pigeons with GPS loggers to study their navigation. The results showed that satiated pigeons flew directly to their home loft, while hungry pigeons flew to a nearby food loft, indicating they have a type of cognitive navigational map in their heads

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.

Cinderellas reign in Final Four ratings

A new study found that Cinderella teams in the NCAA Men's Final Four have a 35 percent larger TV audience than powerhouse schools. This translates to an additional 3 million viewers for semifinal games and 4.5 million for championship games.

NIH researchers discover how brain cells change their tune

Researchers found that the presence of stationary power plants at synapses controls the stability of nerve signal strength, while rapid mitochondrial movement causes fluctuating signals. This discovery may advance our understanding of human neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

GoPro HERO13 Black

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