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Science News Archive March 2013


Page 12 of 30

For polar bears, it's survival of the fattest

A study on polar bears in western Hudson Bay found that the timing of their migration can be predicted by sea ice melt and freeze patterns. The results suggest that as sea ice melts earlier and freezes later, polar bears arrive on shore earlier in the summer and leave later in the autumn.

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.

Study explores long-term water quality trends in near-pristine streams

Researchers analyzed decades-long data from 22 streams in 7 experimental forests across the US, highlighting regional patterns of change in stream nitrogen concentrations. The study's findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring in informing best management practices for protecting water resources.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research explores road signs on the intracellular highway

Scientists aim to unravel the mystery of microtubule directional signs, crucial for understanding diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS. The study's focus is on identifying modifications that could serve as road signs along molecular highways.

Wearable artificial lung to be developed at Pitt through $3.4 million grant

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing a wearable artificial lung to serve as a bridge to transplant or recovery in patients with acute and chronic lung failure. The device, called PAAL, is designed to provide longer-term respiratory support while maintaining excellent blood compatibility.

Biennial mammograms best after 50, even for women with dense breasts

A new study involving over 900,000 women found that biennial mammograms are as effective as yearly exams in detecting breast cancer and reducing false positives. For women with dense breasts, screening every two years decreases the risk of false-positive results by about a third.

SMU Lyle School of Engineering course sparks CCL study

The SMU Lyle School of Engineering's 'Innovation Gym' course has drawn attention from the Center For Creative Leadership (CCL) for its effective use of cross-functional teams and agile work processes. The CCL team will study the student techniques to develop new tools and processes that can benefit organizations nationwide.

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.

Under the skin, a tiny laboratory

EPFL scientists have developed a tiny implant that can analyze proteins and organic acids in the blood, sending results to doctors' computers for more personalized care. The device has demonstrated reliable detection of several substances and has potential applications in chemotherapy and chronic illness monitoring.

Spine patients who quit smoking report diminished pain

A recent study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting found that spine patients who quit smoking experience diminished pain. Non-smokers showed significant improvements in reported pain, while those who continued to smoke saw no clinically significant improvement.

Can a tropical water flea invade European lakes?

Experiments predict that Daphnia lumholtzi can invade European lakes and outcompete native species, leading to substantial declines in population growth. The invasive species' ability to thrive at low temperatures also poses a threat.

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.

How proteins read meta DNA code

Researchers developed a basic computer model of the nucleosome to identify the sliding mechanism of nucleosomes along the DNA. This mechanism supports the idea of a second genetic code, previously suggested in 2006, which consists of a mechanical code written within the base pair sequence.

Tenfold boost in ability to pinpoint proteins in cancer cells

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method to analyze single cells using quantum dots, allowing for the simultaneous testing of up to 100 biomarkers. This breakthrough enables more accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer by examining a cell's unique behavior at its molecular level.

Discounts on purchases of healthy foods can improve diets, study finds

A South African program offering a 10-25% rebate on healthy food purchases found that lower prices motivate people to significantly improve their diet. The analysis of supermarket scanner data and survey responses showed an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption and a decrease in less-desirable food purchases.

Brain tumor cells killed by anti-nausea drug

Researchers found that blocking substance P binding to its receptor NK1 with the anti-nausea drug Emend halted brain tumor growth and caused cell death in tumor cells. This breakthrough offers new opportunities for studying possible brain tumor treatments.

NASA's LRO sees GRAIL's explosive farewell

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) observed GRAIL's intentional crash into a lunar mountain, kicking up dust and gas to reveal mercury and hydrogen in the plume. The findings provide insight into the moon's volatile material transport around the lunar poles.

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.

3 UH optometry educators earn top honors at eye care convention

Three University of Houston optometry educators, all UHCO graduates, received top honors from the Texas Optometric Association. Kevin Gee assumed TOA presidency, Nancy George received the William D. Pittman Leadership Award, and Pat Segu was awarded Educator of the Year.

Origins of human teamwork found in chimpanzees

Scientists found that chimpanzees coordinate actions and understand the need to help a partner perform their role to achieve a common goal. In trials, pairs of chimpanzees solved problems together, even swapping tools, to get food out of a box, demonstrating strategic coordination similar to humans.

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.

Study could aid development of new drugs to treat gout

A Loyola University Chicago study found that disabling a specific calcium channel called TRPM2 could reduce painful inflammation in gout. The researchers also discovered that liposomes with a positive or negative electric charge can stimulate the immune system to attack pathogens.

New disorder could classify millions of people as mentally ill

A new somatic symptom disorder in DSM-5 risks mislabeling many people as mentally ill due to a lack of specificity and high false-positive rate. The condition will classify excessive responses to distressing symptoms, potentially leading to inappropriate medical decision-making.

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.

Dartmouth researchers invent real time secondhand smoke sensor

Researchers at Dartmouth College have invented a mini prototype that can detect nicotine vapor molecules in real time, pinpointing when and where exposure occurred. The device has the potential to enforce no-smoking regulations and raise awareness about secondhand smoke risks.

Most men with erectile dysfunction remain untreated, say US scientists

A new study analyzed 6.2 million patients and found that 74.6% of men with erectile dysfunction remained untreated, highlighting the need for improved treatment access and awareness. The study also showed that treatment frequency varied by co-morbidities, with hypogonadism being a key factor in treatment usage.

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.

Zoledronic acid does not prevent bone metastases in high-risk PCa patients

A study by the ZEUS group found no significant difference in the incidence of bone metastases between patients receiving zoledronic acid and those on standard treatment. The 50-month study suggested that zoledronic acid may not be effective in preventing hormone therapy-induced bone loss in high-risk prostate cancer patients.

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.

Are accountable care organizations 'improving population health'?

Weill Cornell researchers argue that ACOs may not be improving population health as intended, as their focus is often solely on medical care for patients within their geographic area. The authors emphasize the importance of clearly defining population health to formulate effective healthcare and social service policies.

Fantastic flash memory combines graphene and molybdenite

Researchers combine the electronic properties of molybdenite and graphene to develop a flash memory prototype that stores data even in absence of electricity. The material offers great potential for efficient data storage due to its unique 'energy band' and high sensitivity to charge.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

DNA catalysts do the work of protein enzymes

Scientists create artificial DNA catalysts that can modify amino acids in proteins, altering their function. This breakthrough could lead to new tools for studying protein modifications and developing practical applications.

Spying on spy apps: SnT researchers receive Google grant

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg's Secure Networks & Trusted Technology (SnT) facility have received a Google Faculty Research Award to develop automated application analysis software. The software aims to identify malicious behavior in Android apps, such as unauthorized data access or communication patterns.

Los Alamos science sleuth on the trail of a Martian mystery

Postdoctoral researcher Nina Lanza discovered a consistent chemical signature in Martian rocks sampled by the Curiosity rover's ChemCam instrument during its first 90 days on Mars. The signature appears after five laser blasts, leading to theories about dust or geological coatings on the planet's surface.

Mayo Clinic researchers develop test to gauge severity of concussions

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new test that measures involuntary changes in heart rate and blood pressure to identify the severity of concussions. The test, known as autonomic reflex testing, shows significant changes in those with concussion, providing a potential tool for diagnosing and monitoring recovery.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Military personnel return to duty following severe injury to lower extremity

A new study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting shows that 13 out of 14 wounded warriors returned to combat after completing the Return to Run orthotic rehab initiative. The program successfully restored functional and occupational capabilities, including walking, running, and standing for long periods.

Cell Transplantation study finds stem cells in deer antler

A team of researchers has discovered multipotent stem cells in deer antlers, which can differentiate into multiple cell types and have the potential to treat various injuries in veterinary medicine. The study highlights a novel source of stem cells for use in regenerative therapies.

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.

Heart failure patients with depression have 4 times risk of death

Researchers found that moderate-to-severe depression in heart failure patients increases their risk of death by almost 60% and emergency room visits by 35%. The study's lead author emphasizes the need for tailored treatment programs to manage depression in these patients.

Electrical signals dictate optical properties

Researchers at the University of Southampton have created an artificial material that can be controlled by electric signals. This breakthrough enables the rapid manipulation of metamaterial building blocks, leading to changes in transmission and reflection characteristics.