Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2013 - Page 7


Page 7 of 30

Psychology study shows distance plays key role in gun control arguments

A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that public officials located out of state from their constituents are more likely to gain approval by framing their arguments around the abstract rather than specific incidents. This prompts people to consider the larger picture, according to researchers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateMar 25, 2013

Glass-blowers at a nano scale

EPFL researchers have developed a method to shrink glass capillary tubes using a scanning electron microscope, resulting in precise control over the tube's diameter. This technique has been patented and shows promise for industrial applications such as ultra-high precision printing and surgery.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 25, 2013

Increased time to pregnancy linked to child's neurological development

A small study found that impaired fertility, rather than fertility treatment, may be key to child's neurological development. Longer time to pregnancy was associated with a 30% increased risk of mild neurodevelopmental problems in children. Further research is needed before couples can be counselled accordingly.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateMar 25, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What a bunch of dodos!

Research by the Zoological Society of London found that over 4,000 years ago, tropical Pacific Islands experienced a catastrophic mass extinction of birds, with around 1,300 species disappearing. The loss was largely due to overhunting and deforestation caused by human arrival.

SourceZoological Society of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Cleverly designed vaccine blocks H5 avian influenza in models

A new vaccine has proven highly effective against the H5N1 avian influenza virus, when tested in mice and ferrets. The vaccine uses an attenuated version of the H9 virus with an added H5 gene, slowing viral replication and reducing the risk of successful reassortment.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Virology·DateMar 25, 2013

Decoding the genetic history of the Texas longhorn

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that Texas Longhorns are direct descendants of cattle brought over by Columbus in 1493, with an 85% taurine genome from the Middle East. The breed's genetic diversity is partially responsible for their resilience to harsh climatic conditions.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Scientists confirm first 2-headed bull shark

A team led by MSU assistant professor Michael Wagner confirmed a two-headed bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico. The specimen had two distinct heads, hearts, and stomachs with a single tail, challenging theories about the cause of such deformities.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Fish Biology·DateMar 25, 2013

Compounds found that alter cell signaling, could lead to new breast cancer treatments

Researchers from Scripps Research Institute have identified a class of compounds that can modify cell signaling activity, including anti-inflammatory effects, which could lead to innovative treatments for breast cancer. The study focuses on compounds interacting with the estrogen receptor-α, a key target in breast cancer treatment.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 25, 2013
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak

Scientists have created a metascreen cloak that can hide objects from microwaves, providing optimal functionality at specific frequencies and bandwidths. The researchers predict the technique's conformability and robustness will enable cloaking of oddly shaped objects.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateMar 25, 2013

Nouns before verbs?

A new Northwestern University study reveals that infants acquire both nouns and verbs in a more nuanced way than previously thought. The research suggests that the ability to map nouns to objects is robust across languages, but verb mapping is more variable and influenced by linguistic context.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalChild Development Perspectives·DateMar 25, 2013

New model predicts hospital readmission risk

A new model developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital helps clinicians identify high-risk patients for potentially avoidable hospital readmissions. The model uses seven independent factors, including hemoglobin level and length of stay, to predict the risk of readmission.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMar 25, 2013

How school report cards can backfire

New research from Michigan State University finds that publicizing performance data for K-12 schools can lead to decreased parent satisfaction and erosion of trust in the schools. The study suggests that clear and easy-to-understand grading systems are crucial, rather than constantly changing them for policy or political purposes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalEducational Policy·DateMar 25, 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.

Tearing down the technological 'Tower of Babel' along international borders

A joint US-Canada experiment, CAUSE, successfully demonstrated the ability to exchange information between local, state, and national systems across international borders. First responders could visualize resource deployments using situational awareness tools like Virtual Maine and MASAS, improving response efforts.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateMar 25, 2013

How common is 'The John Next Door'?

A new study by Dr. Christine Milrod and Dr. Martin A. Monto found that only about 14% of men have ever paid for sex, and those who do are not particularly different from the general population. The researchers also discovered that arrested customers are more likely to be married, working full-time, and sexually liberal than non-customers.

SourceSAGE·JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology·DateMar 25, 2013

Hunger-spiking neurons could help control autoimmune diseases

Researchers at Yale University have found that AgRP neurons, which regulate appetite, also impact immune cell function. Suppressing these neurons can lead to increased inflammation and vulnerability to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013

Artifacts shed light on social networks of the past

A study of over 800,000 painted ceramic and 4,800 obsidian artifacts reveals dramatic changes in social networks over a 250-year period in the late pre-Hispanic Southwest. Researchers found that people maintained surprisingly long-distance relationships despite physical distances, using walking as their only mode of transportation.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2013
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.

Einstein study reveals new approach for stopping herpes infections

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a new approach for stopping herpes infections by identifying the molecular key that herpes viruses use to infect cells. The finding could lead to new drugs for treating or suppressing herpes virus infections.

SourceAlbert Einstein College of Medicine·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateMar 25, 2013

Parkinson's drug helps older people to make decisions

A Parkinson's drug has been shown to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people. The study found that treating older adults with a dopamine-boosting drug improved their ability to learn from rewards and make better decisions, comparable to those in their twenties.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 24, 2013

UT MD Anderson scientists uncover the nuclear life of actin

Researchers found that actin's monomeric form interacts with chromatin to regulate gene expression and genome stability. The discovery challenges the dogma that actin functions through polymerization, revealing a novel mechanism for nuclear actin.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 24, 2013

Nanowire solar cells raise efficiency limit

Researchers have discovered a single nanowire can concentrate sunlight up to 15 times the normal intensity, raising the potential for highly efficient solar cells. The breakthrough could lead to a significant impact on solar cell development and energy extraction.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 24, 2013
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.

Amniotic fluid stem cells repair gut damage

Stem cells from amniotic fluid have been shown to repair gut damage and improve survival rates in rodents with intestinal damage. The study found that these cells work by releasing growth factors that reduce inflammation and trigger the formation of new tissues.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalGut·DateMar 24, 2013

Surprises in the South polar vortex in Venus' atmosphere

Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 24, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Catalyst in a teacup: New approach to chemical reduction

Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 24, 2013

Paint-on plastic electronics: Aligning polymers for high performance

University of Michigan engineers create thin-layer, conducting, highly aligned film for high-performance plastic electronics by designing semiconducting polymers with natural twist and flexible arms. This breakthrough enables faster charge carrier mobility and could lead to cheaper, greener electronics.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 24, 2013

Researchers identify genetic sequence that helps to coordinate synthesis of DNA-packaging proteins

A new genetic sequence has been identified as crucial for coordinating the synthesis of DNA-packaging proteins in cells. This process is essential for maintaining genomic stability and preventing birth defects and cancers. The discovery provides insights into how cells regulate histone protein production, a critical step in chromatin a...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 24, 2013
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.

The genomic studies of wheat sheds new light on crop adaptation and domestication

Two recent studies published in Nature provide unprecedented insights into the biology of wheat, shedding light on its adaptation to diverse climates and improving grain quality. The research revealed the role of repeat expansion in genome size during evolution and identified key genes for abiotic stress response, providing a valuable ...

SourceBGI Shenzhen·JournalNature·DateMar 24, 2013

Nature versus nurture -- better looking birds have healthier babies

A study published in Frontiers in Zoology found that female great tits' appearance signals healthy attributes in their offspring, with black stripe correlating to chick weight at two weeks and white cheek patches to immune strength. The research suggests a balance between genetic and environmental factors in determining offspring health.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateMar 24, 2013
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.

Detecting circulating tumor cells

Researchers have developed a multi-stage, multi-orifice flow fractionation system to detect and separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood with high efficiency, improving separation efficiency to 98.9%. The device, called MS-MOFF, employs hydrodynamic sorting and can collect viable CTCs after sorting.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 23, 2013

Hip surgery complication rate higher than previously reported

A new case study on over 500 hip procedures found a complication rate of 7.2%, higher than previously reported 1.5%. The multicenter study evaluated all arthroscopic hip procedures using a grading scheme and included a mean age of 32.3 years among participants.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateMar 23, 2013
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.

Physical activity during youth may help reduce fracture risk in old age

A recent study found that exercise interventions in childhood may be associated with lower fracture risks as people age due to increased peak bone mass. Researchers conducted a six-year exercise intervention in children aged 7-9 and found similar fracture risks between the intervention and control groups.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateMar 23, 2013

Advances in inflammatory bowel disease -- what's new, what's next

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation has set a new research agenda for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), prioritizing understanding of environmental factors, genes, bacteria, and epithelial responses. The goal is to develop personalized treatments through comparative effectiveness studies.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalInflammatory Bowel Diseases·DateMar 22, 2013
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.

APL novel method accurately predicts disease outbreaks

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has developed a novel method called PRedicting Infectious Disease Scalable Model (PRISM) to accurately predict dengue fever outbreaks several weeks before they occur. PRISM extracts relationships between clinical, meteorological, climatic and socio-political data in various regions.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateMar 22, 2013

Penn study finds smoking prolongs fracture healing

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that smoking delays fracture healing and increases post-operative complications. The research, which analyzed over 6,480 patient cases, shows that smokers take roughly six weeks longer to heal than non-smokers.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·DateMar 22, 2013
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.

Pathologists identify patterns of mutations to help inform design of future trials

A study published by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer found that 54% of patients with early stage node-negative lung adenocarcinoma had tumors with at least one biologically relevant mutation. The researchers also discovered mutations associated with drug resistance in these patients.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateMar 22, 2013

Scientists discover layer of liquified molten rock in Earth's mantle

Researchers have discovered a hidden layer of liquified molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which may be responsible for the sliding motions of massive tectonic plates. The finding has significant implications for understanding geologic functions and processes related to volcanism and earthquakes.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateMar 22, 2013

Computer simulations yield clues to how cells interact with surroundings

Researchers used a computer model of integrin to explore its molecular machinery and interactions with the cell environment. The model suggests that integrins cluster together in response to external forces and recruit more integrins when subjected to higher forces.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMar 22, 2013
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.

Epigenetics studies take root in plants

Mary Gehring's lab uses Arabidopsis as a model for human embryonic development to study gene expression in seeds. Her findings could lead to new insights into diseases caused by chromosomal modifications.

SourcePew Charitable Trusts·DateMar 22, 2013

Did evolution give us inflammatory disease?

Researchers found 21 genomic regions with a 'signature' for both inflammatory disease susceptibility and natural selection. These variants rose in frequency to help protect humans against viruses and bacteria, but now increase the risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 22, 2013

New chemo drug gentler on fertility, tougher on cancer

A new chemotherapy drug, arsenic trioxide, has been developed to be less toxic to female fertility while being more effective against cancer. The drug is packed into a nanobin, a tiny Trojan horse that delivers the drug directly to tumor cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 22, 2013
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.