Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive July 2013


Page 7 of 31

Computer can infer rules of the forest

Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can infer the rules of complex systems by analyzing intermittent samples. By looking at relative changes in population updates, they uncovered an invariant geometry that relates to the hidden reactions driving the system.

Silky brain implants may help stop spread of epilepsy

Researchers found that adenosine-releasing silk implants can reduce DNA methylation levels in the brain and prevent the progression of epilepsy. The study suggests that the implants could be used to prevent seizures after head trauma or following conventional surgery.

Captured: Mysterious oyster killers

Tiny parasites, known as Mikrocytos mackini, have been found to infect Pacific oysters, causing unsightly green lesions and death. The discovery sheds light on the parasites' reduced metabolism and unique relationship with their host.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A molecular chaperon prevents antibiotic associated hearing loss

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that HSP70 produced by supporting cells in the inner ear prevents antibiotic-induced hair cell death. Extracellular HSP70 has potential to be used therapeutically to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss, currently without treatments.

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.

Fires in Northern Territory Australia

The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center captured a true-color image of the region's hotspots and smoke plumes on July 23, 2013. The image revealed large fires in the Northern Territory, with temperatures higher than background detected by thermal sensors.

NASA's Hubble: Galaxies, comets, and stars! Oh my!

The article highlights NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's incredible view of Comet ISON against a vast backdrop of galaxies and stars. The comet appears to be swimming through the cosmos despite its immense distance from Earth, showcasing the telescope's unparalleled resolution.

Salk scientist discovers novel mechanism in spinal cord injury

Kuo-Fen Lee's discovery of the protein P45 provides insight into a possible molecular mechanism to promote rerouting for spinal cord healing and functional recovery. P45 has been shown to have a previously unknown neuroprotective effect, preventing cell death in injured mice.

NASA puts Tropical Storm Dorian in the infrared spotlight

NASA's AIRS instrument captured an infrared image of newborn Tropical Storm Dorian on July 25, revealing strong storms and heavy rains near the center and a band of thunderstorms south of it. The storm is moving west-northwest across the Atlantic, with forecasters expecting fluctuations in intensity over the next couple of days.

Twitter predicted to become a big TV screen

A new study by Columbia Business School and University of Pittsburgh professors predicts Twitter's user engagement will slow down, shifting from a social network to a content-delivery platform. Everyday users are expected to stop posting as much, while celebrities and commercial users will continue to post for financial gain.

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.

Frequent and longer patient-doctor contact key to dialysis patients' health

A study found that more frequent and longer patient-doctor contact in dialysis care is linked to better health outcomes for patients. Facilities with higher frequency and duration of contact had significantly lower mortality rates and fewer hospitalizations compared to those with intermediate or infrequent contact.

Honey bee gene targeting offers system to understand food-related behavior

A new technique enables scientists to target multiple genes in honey bees via RNA interference, allowing for the examination of insulin metabolism's role in food-related behavior. This breakthrough could provide insight into human dietary behavior and potentially lead to gene control over undesirable food choices.

Watching catalysts at work -- at the atomic scale

Scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used RIXS spectroscopy and ab initio theory to study the iron carbonyl complex. They discovered a strong orbital mixing between metal and ligands, weakening the chemical bond during excitation. This fundamental insight can help control catalytic properties and produce novel materials.

Microbial who-done-it for biofuels

Researchers have developed a cost-competitive way to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic microbes. The most active populations in the switchgrass-deconstructing consortium were identified as Gemmatimonadetes and Paenibacillus, which show potential for biofuel production.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

MIT neuroscientists show ability to plant false memories

Researchers successfully created and stored false memories in mice using optogenetics, a technique that allows them to activate specific brain cells. The study suggests that many neurological traces of false memories are identical to those of authentic memories.

Bipolar disorder takes different path in patients who binge eat, study suggests

Researchers found that bipolar patients who binge eat are more likely to experience mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. In contrast, obese bipolar patients without binge eating were more prone to serious physical problems like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers find potential new target to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma

Researchers have identified Ephrin B2 as a promising target for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. The study found that EPHB2 is significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to normal peritoneum, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and treatment.

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.

A faster vessel for charting the brain

Researchers at Princeton University created enhanced proteins that respond quickly to changes in neuron activity, allowing for a more precise view of neuron signals. The new sensors can be customized to react to different rates of neuron activity, giving scientists a comprehensive understanding of brain-cell communication.

Deciphering the air-sea communication

Marine scientists have decoded the mechanism for long-term climate fluctuations in the Atlantic, revealing that ocean currents significantly affect long-term climate variability. The study found that heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere influences decadal climate fluctuations, which are superimposed on the general warming trend.

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.

Effect of obesity on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers found that obese patients initially had superior outcomes in terms of overall survival compared to normal-weight and overweight patients. However, their risk of death from any cause significantly increased once they were on the study longer than 16 months, indicating a limited time benefit of obesity in lung cancer patients.

New nuclear fuel-rod cladding could lead to safer power plants

Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.

Sherlock Homes inspired real life CSI

Historian Dr Ian Burney's research shows that French Edmond Locard and Austrian Hans Gross were influenced by British writers Arthur Conan Doyle and R Austen Freeman, who advocated for a professionalised CSI. This led to the systematisation of methods in crime scene investigation.

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.

Broad-scale genome tinkering with help of an RNA guide

Researchers at Duke University have created a novel method for genome tinkering using an RNA guide, allowing precise control over specific genes. The tool has potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, including reprogramming stem cells into neurons.

A lifespan-extending drug has limited effects on aging

Rapamycin treatment improved memory, reduced thyroid follicle size, and decreased cancer rates in older mice. However, its effects were age-independent, with similar benefits seen in young mice, suggesting a potential use for relieving some age-related conditions.

Bacterial blockade

Harvard scientists have identified a pair of genes that allow certain gut bacteria to break down a widely prescribed cardiac drug into an inactive compound. The researchers found that these genes are expressed when the bacteria are exposed to the drug, and that they play a key role in converting the drug into its inactive form.

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.

Rapamycin: Limited anti-aging effects

Researchers investigated rapamycin's effects on aging in mice, finding that it extends lifespan but has only limited impacts on the aging process. The study assessed over 150 traits and found positive effects on memory impairments and red blood cell counts, but no significant impact on wear and tear or disease risk.

Study explains Pacific equatorial cold water region

Researchers at Oregon State University have obtained multi-year records of mixing in the Pacific equatorial cold tongue, showing that it cools the sea surface temperature and is influenced by equatorial currents. This discovery could improve climate models and help understand seasonal weather patterns and global warming.

MIIR scientist awarded $293,000 NIH grant

Dr. Jingwei Xie has been awarded a $293,000 NIH grant to lead a project developing a new biological device that better mimics an uninjured tendon-to-bone attachment, potentially improving healing rates for rotator cuff injuries.

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.

Are North Atlantic right whales mating in the Gulf of Maine?

Scientists have found evidence that North Atlantic right whales mate in the Gulf of Maine, with a high proportion of potential mates aggregating there between November and January. The study used aerial surveys and genetics data to identify individuals and determine mating grounds, shedding light on the species' life history.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Monoclonal antibody effective against norovirus

Researchers developed a monoclonal antibody effective against human norovirus, which can prevent infection in susceptible host cells. The study aims to explore the antibody as both treatment and disease prevention strategy for outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable populations like healthcare workers and travelers.

New NIST standard reference material to help calibrate hospital CAT scanners

Scientists at NIST have developed a new standard reference material (SRM) for medical computed tomography (CT), enabling hospitals to calibrate their CAT scanners and link tissue density measurements to international standards. The SRM allows for accurate calibration, which is crucial for diagnosing lung diseases effectively.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Starburst wind keeps galaxies 'thin'

A new UMD-led study suggests that a burst of star formation in galaxies can blow out most of the remaining gas, resulting in a long period of starvation. This process is crucial in understanding the universe's surprising paucity of high-mass galaxies.

URMC study clarifies surgical options for kidney cancer

A recent URMC study questions the assumption that saving kidney tissue during surgery improves patient outcomes and survival rates, suggesting radical nephrectomy may be a viable option for certain patients with small kidney cancers.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Western-led 'international beam team' solves Martian meteorite age puzzle

A Western University-led team of geologists has solved the long-standing puzzle of the Martian meteorite age by directing energy beams at tiny crystals found in a Martian meteorite. The team discovered that the most common group of meteorites from Mars is almost 4 billion years younger than previously believed.

Nature: Watching molecule movements in live cells

Researchers developed a new microscopy method combining STED fluorescence microscopy with raster image correlation spectroscopy to track molecule movements in live cells. This allows for high-resolution analysis of biomolecular dynamics, enabling better understanding of cell membranes and protein interactions.

Boreal forests in Alaska becoming more flammable

Researchers found that the composition of tree species in the Yukon Flats gradually shifted from coniferous trees to deciduous trees, which are more fire-resistant, during a warm period in the Holocene epoch. Current wildfire activity has already surpassed this limit, with the average fire frequency doubling in the last 50 years.