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Science News Archive March 2013


Page 21 of 30

Study: Antibiotics are unique assassins

A recent study challenged the long-held understanding of how antibiotics work, finding that all antibi­otics induce bac­te­rial cells to make com­pounds called reac­tive oxygen species, making bacteria susceptible. The results contradict previous findings and suggest a need to re-evaluate the mechanisms of antibiotic action.

Why people put themselves under the knife

A long-term study by Ruhr-University Bochum found that patients who undergo plastic surgery experience improved life satisfaction, self-esteem, and mental health. The results suggest that cosmetic surgery can be a successful treatment for psychological variables, with no adverse effects observed.

Coffee and tea during pregnancy affect fetal growth

Research suggests that moderate coffee and tea consumption during pregnancy may be associated with lower birth weights, which can lead to health complications in the long term. The study, conducted on 59,000 pregnant women, found a correlation between caffeine intake and small for gestational age (SGA) babies.

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.

Carl Thunberg's Japanese plants to be digitized

The Museum of Evolution at Uppsala University is digitizing Carl Thunberg's Japanese plants, made available for the world to study. The project will simplify access for researchers and promote democracy in botanical studies.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Men in same-sex marriages are living longer, according to new study

A Danish study found that men in same-sex marriages have lower mortality rates than unmarried or divorced men since the 1990s. In contrast, women in same-sex marriages have higher mortality rates, particularly from suicide and cancer, compared to married women of opposite sex.

Folic acid lowers risk of autism

A new study found that taking folic acid supplements from four weeks before conception to eight weeks into pregnancy can lower the risk of childhood autism by 40%. The study, based on data from Norway's Mother and Child Cohort Study, suggests that this prevention method is simple, inexpensive, and effective.

Stanford's GCEP to award $6.6 million for novel energy research

GCEP is awarding $6.6 million to seven research teams at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon for innovative projects on clean energy and carbon capture. These projects aim to develop technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce electricity or hydrogen fuel, with potential applications in the coming decades.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

An Internet for robots

Researchers developed a cloud-computing platform called RoboEarth Cloud Engine to accelerate robot learning and adaptation in complex tasks. The platform allows robots to access enterprise-scale computing infrastructure, paving the way for lighter, cheaper, and more intelligent robots.

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.

Investigational drug reduces heart damage during angioplasty

A single dose of an investigational anti-inflammatory drug, inclacumab, reduced damage to heart tissue during angioplasty in a study. The drug, which blocks p-selectin, had significant effects on cardiac markers, including troponin I and CK-MB, in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

New program available to reduce stress among teenagers

A new educational tool has demonstrated significant reduction in stress hormones and depressive symptoms among adolescents transitioning to high school. The DeStress for Success Program showed improved mental health outcomes, especially among students with initial high anger levels.

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.

Hope for threatened Tasmanian devils

Scientists have discovered a way to revive genetic diversity in Tasmanian devils, allowing them to develop a vaccine against the deadly devil facial tumour disease (DFTD). The vaccine aims to boost the devils' immune system and give them a fighting chance against the contagious cancer.

Renewed Harvard-BASF initiative to advance functional materials

A multi-university research initiative aims to develop new materials for the automotive, building and construction, and energy industries. Researchers will focus on innovative materials with properties such as lightweight construction, new color effects, and bioinspired materials.

Digital records could expose intimate details and personality traits of millions

A new study published in PNAS shows that automated analysis of Facebook Likes can accurately predict personal details such as race, age, and sexual orientation. The researchers analyzed a dataset of over 58,000 US Facebook users and found accuracy rates of up to 95% for distinguishing between African-American and Caucasian Americans. H...

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.

International conference to tackle climate-change threats to agriculture

The Climate-Smart Agriculture Global Science Conference aims to bring together scientists and policymakers from around the world to discuss climate change impacts on agriculture. The conference will focus on science-based policies and actions to slow the effects of climate change while meeting the world's need for food and sustainability.

NUS graphene researchers create 'superheated' water that can corrode diamonds

Researchers from NUS have successfully created a 'superheated' water that can corrode diamonds by attaching a layer of graphene. This novel discovery has wide-ranging industrial applications, including environmentally-friendly degradation of organic wastes and laser-assisted etching of semiconductor or dielectric films.

Global consensus on concussion in sport

A global panel of concussion experts has developed new guidelines for evaluating and treating concussions, which emphasize the importance of medical clearance before returning to competition. The guidelines also suggest a gradual return to activities after the first week post-injury.

Screenings, targeted care reduce heart failure in at-risk patients

A simple blood test screening and targeted care program effectively prevented heart failure in asymptomatic patients over 40 years old with risk factors for the condition. The five-year study showed a significantly lower number of patients experiencing new onset heart failure requiring hospitalization or left ventricular dysfunction.

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.

Midterm stroke, death rates comparable for TAVR, standard surgery

The PARTNER study found that transaortic valve replacement (TAVR) and open-heart surgery resulted in similar all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates at three years, with no increased risk of stroke after 30 days. However, TAVR patients were more likely to experience leaks around the valve.

Study finds fat and bone mass are genetically linked

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found a clear genetic connection between fat and bone mass, which can impact body composition and overall health. The discovery highlights the importance of considering both factors in treatment plans to avoid negative side effects.

Tiny piece of RNA keeps 'clock' running in earliest stages of life

A tiny piece of RNA, mir-125a-5p, plays a crucial role in regulating cyclical gene activity that defines the timing of tissue segment formation. This regulation is essential for proper embryonic tissue development and has implications for treating human conditions affected by embryonic development.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers develop tools for discovering new species

Evolutionary biologists combine traditional methods with genetic techniques to identify new species, revealing cryptic species that show little visible difference. The study uses scale insects as a model organism, analyzing over 400 samples to discover four new species.

Aspirin may lower melanoma risk

A new study found that women taking aspirin have a reduced risk of developing melanoma, with the longest users showing the lowest risk. Aspirin's anti-inflammatory effects may help protect against this type of skin cancer.

Clot-busting drug as effective as angioplasty

Researchers found that a clot-busting therapy can benefit some heart attack patients who cannot have immediate angioplasty, reducing all-cause mortality and cardiac rehospitalization. The STREAM trial included 1,915 patients from 15 countries and showed that drug therapy before transfer was at least as effective as angioplasty.

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.

Off-pump bypass better for high-risk patients

A new study suggests that off-pump bypass surgery, which is done without a heart-lung machine, can lead to better post-operative outcomes for high-risk patients. This technique eliminates the need for blood transfusions and reduces the risk of bleeding, resulting in fewer complications.

A new drug reduces heart damage

A new anti-inflammatory drug, inclacumab, has shown promising results in reducing heart muscle damage during angioplasty. The study involved 530 patients with myocardial infarction and found that a single dose of the drug reduced troponin I levels by 24%, offering great promise for its potential use in treating heart attack patients.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Mummy CT scans show preindustrial hunter gatherers had clogged arteries

A study of 137 mummies from around the world reveals that preindustrial hunter-gatherers suffered from clogged arteries, challenging the assumption that modern lifestyles are the primary cause. The researchers found artery plaque in every single population studied, indicating a more basic connection to inflammation and aging.

Amplified greenhouse effect shaping North into South

A recent study published in Natural Climate Change reveals a significant reduction in temperature and vegetation seasonality over northern latitudes. As snow and ice cover diminished, temperatures increased at different rates during the four seasons, causing this region to resemble areas farther south in terms of vegetation patterns.

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.

New anti-clotting drug more effective than current treatment

Cangrelor, a novel intravenous anti-clotting medication, has been shown to be more effective than clopidogrel in preventing blood clots in patients undergoing coronary stent procedures. The study found that cangrelor reduced the odds of complications by 22% and stent thrombosis by 38%.

Cangrelor superior to clopidogrel in CHAMPION PHOENIX trial

Cangrelor demonstrated significant efficacy advantages over clopidogrel in reducing composite incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven revascularization. It also showed a lower risk of stent thrombosis, with improved safety results across various patient subgroups.

Encouraging early results for redesigned Sapien valve

The redesigned Sapien XT valve demonstrated low 30-day death and stroke rates, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.5% for the new device and 5.1% for the original model. Stroke rates were also significantly lower in both groups.

ECG screening for competitive athletes would not prevent sudden death

The risk of cardiovascular sudden death in young competitive athletes is extremely low, occurring only about 30% of the time and in a small percentage of those due to diseases detectable by ECGs. Current screening initiatives have potential impact on 10-15 million young adults but do not provide evidence for necessity of ECGs

Early detection of MS treatment complication may improve survival

A study examining people with MS treated with natalizumab and diagnosed with PML found those without symptoms at diagnosis had improved survival and disability levels. Early detection of the disease may mitigate its consequences, allowing for better patient outcomes.

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.

Can hormone help treat multiple sclerosis long-term?

A new study found that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be effective in treating people with breakthrough multiple sclerosis. Participants who received ACTH had fewer relapses and no psychiatric side effects, compared to those receiving methylprednisolone.

Store donated blood for more than 3 weeks? Say NO (nitric oxide)

A study of hospital patients found that transfusing donated blood more than three weeks old impairs blood vessel function, a mechanism linked to nitric oxide deficiency. The results suggest that older blood may be detrimental to patient health, particularly in cardiovascular surgery or critical care scenarios.

Selectively manipulating protein modifications

Scientists have identified enzymes that can reverse a key protein modification involved in breast cancer, cellular stress reactions, and gene regulation. The discovery enables selective manipulation of ADP-ribosylation, which could lead to new treatments for inflammasions and cancers.