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Science News for June 15, 2013


Whole body vibration therapy increases bone strength

A new clinical trial shows that whole body vibration therapy increases bone-mineral density and muscle mass in adolescents with cerebral palsy, allowing for improved walking ability and overall health. The therapy significantly enhances leg and spine bone-mineral density, while also increasing muscle mass in the legs.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013

Dietary supplement linked to increased muscle mass in the elderly

A new study found that participants who received the dietary supplement Juven experienced significant increases in lean body mass, while those who received a placebo did not. Blood concentrations of IGF-1 also increased among Juven recipients, but the correlation with improved muscle mass was not statistically significant.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013
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.

Adolescents' high-fat diet impairs memory and learning

A new study in mice found that a high-fat diet in adolescence can lead to impaired spatial memory and learning in adulthood. The researchers also found long-lasting brain changes in the mice with memory deficits, including a partial loss of leptin, a hormone that supports cognitive function.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013
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.

Excessive salt consumption appears to be bad for your bones

A new study presented at The Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting found that excessive salt consumption is associated with a higher risk of nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. Women who consumed the highest amount of sodium had more than four times the risk of fracture, even after adjusting for other factors.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013

Bushfires in north of Western Australia

Northern Australia is prone to bushfires during winter and spring due to dry conditions and strong winds. NASA's satellite images reveal active burning areas, highlighting the region's susceptibility to wildfires.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 15, 2013
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

'Gene signature' test diagnoses benign thyroid growths

A new genetic test can accurately identify benign thyroid nodules in nearly all cases, potentially saving thousands of surgeries and eliminating the need for permanent hormone supplementation. This breakthrough test could have a major impact on healthcare costs and complications related to unnecessary medical procedures.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013
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.

Healthy, full-term babies use a different stress hormone than their mother

A study published in PLOS ONE found that healthy, full-term babies secrete higher levels of corticosterone during labor and delivery compared to their mothers. Corticosterone concentrations increased with fetal distress and were linked to the method of delivery, with vaginally delivered infants producing more cortisol.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 15, 2013

Teaching complete evolutionary stories increases learning

Researchers at Michigan State University developed comprehensive evolutionary case studies to improve student understanding of evolution. Students who grasped integrated scenarios performed better on tests about evolution in general, suggesting that this approach enhances overall knowledge.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJun 15, 2013

Steroid hormone may be indicator of infant distress

A new study has identified corticosterone as a potential biomarker of fetal stress during labor and delivery. Corticosterone concentrations increased by 148% compared to cortisol, suggesting that it may serve as an indicator of infant distress.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateJun 15, 2013