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Science News Archive May 2013


Page 11 of 30

Rice unveils method for tailoring optical processors

Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel approach to arrange metal nanoparticles in geometric patterns, enabling control of light with light. The breakthrough enables the creation of optical devices that can transform incoming light signals into output of a different color.

Bacterial spare parts filter antibiotic residue from groundwater

Researchers have developed a solar-powered nano filter that can remove harmful antibiotics and carcinogens from groundwater at a significantly higher rate than traditional activated carbon filters. The new filter uses two bacterial proteins to absorb 64% of antibiotics, offering an eco-friendly solution to combat antibiotic resistance.

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.

Biomarkers discovered for inflammatory bowel disease

University of Cincinnati researchers have discovered biomarkers for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of inflammatory conditions affecting the colon and small intestine. These biomarkers, identified through analysis of human serum specimens from the Department of Defense Serum Repository, may help improve diagnosis and treatmen...

Delayed transfer to the ICU increases risk of death in hospital patients

A new study found that delayed transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) significantly increases the risk of dying in hospitalized patients. Using a vital sign-based early warning score, researchers examined outcomes after delayed transfer and found that each one-hour increase in transfer delay was associated with a 7% increase in the ...

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.

Researchers find genetic risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers found a genetic risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis in people with the MUC5B gene variant, associated with increased lung inflammation and scarring. The study suggests that pulmonary fibrosis may be part of a larger syndrome, potentially leading to early detection and treatment.

H. pylori, smoking trends, and gastric cancer in US men

A study by Jennifer M. Yeh and colleagues found that H. pylori and smoking trends accounted for almost half of the observed decline in intestinal-type noncardia gastric adenocarcinoma incidence in US men between 1978 and 2008, with projections suggesting further declines until 2040.

Bird's playlist could signal mental strengths and weaknesses

A new study by Duke University finds that male song sparrows with larger playlists learn to solve food-finding puzzles more slowly than those singing fewer songs. This unexpected result suggests a trade-off between song learning and spatial memory in birds' brains, with potential implications for human brain development.

Genetic risk for obesity found in many Mexican young adults

A study by Margarita Teran-Garcia found that Mexican young adults are at a higher risk of obesity due to the FTO gene, leading to increased BMI and waist circumference. Adopting healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise can help mitigate this risk.

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.

Common food supplement fights degenerative brain disorders

Researchers discover phosphatidylserine improves gene function in degenerative brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease and Familial Dysautonomia, slowing nerve cell death. The supplement is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, accumulating in sufficient amounts in the brain.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Changing cancer's environment to halt its spread

Researchers have identified a five-amino acid fragment of prosaposin that significantly reduces metastatic spread in mouse models of prostate, breast and lung cancer. The findings suggest a potential new approach to blocking metastasis in various cancers.

Race and gender influence diagnosis of COPD

A study of nearly 9,000 patients found that African-Americans are less likely than whites to have had a prior diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), regardless of their current disease severity. In contrast, women are more likely than men to have been diagnosed with COPD, even in the absence of airflow obstruction.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Gates Fellowship addresses parasite infection in developing world

Washington University in St. Louis researcher Tae Seok Moon has been awarded a Gates Fellowship to develop probiotic bacteria that target and kill parasite eggs in the human body. The goal is to create a long-term strategy to prevent disease transmission, addressing a major global health challenge.

Climate change and wildfire

A new article synthesizes recent findings on climate-fire interactions, highlighting the significant regional climate effects of smoke particles and their impact on global temperatures and precipitation. The study also explores the role of black carbon in accelerating snow melting and its influence on terrestrial ecosystem services.

Glaucoma drug can cause droopy eyelids

Researchers found that prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) can cause upper and lower eyelid drooping, hollowing of the inferior periorbital fat pads, and levator muscle dysfunction in glaucoma patients. The study suggests reevaluating PGA use for new patients to prevent vision loss.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Antidepressant reduces stress-induced heart condition

Researchers found that escitalopram reduced mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia by 2.62 times, improving cardiovascular function and reducing platelet serotonin receptor transporters. The study suggests that SSRIs or similar treatments could play a role in managing coronary heart disease.

Origins of human culture linked to rapid climate change

A new study links rapid climate change in South Africa to surges in cultural innovation among early modern humans, with evidence of symbols and personal adornments. The research suggests that population growth fueled cultural changes through increased human interactions.

Novel RNA-based classification system for colorectal cancer

A novel transcriptome-based classification of colon cancer has been developed, improving disease stratification based on clinicopathological variables and common DNA markers. The analysis identified six molecular subtypes associated with distinct clinical and pathological characteristics.

Do men's and women's hearts burn fuel differently?

The study aims to investigate how men's and women's hearts use fat for energy differently, with potential consequences for heart disease diagnosis and treatment. Changes in fat metabolism may affect insulin production and lead to diabetes, as well as cause stiffness in heart cells.

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.

Low radiation scans help identify cancer in earliest stages

A study of veterans at high risk for developing lung cancer shows that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can effectively spot tiny lung nodules indicating the earliest stages of disease. LDCT uses less than a quarter of the radiation of a conventional CT scan, resulting in a higher detection rate compared to chest x-rays.

Registry questions superiority of bivalirudin over heparin

A large observational study questions whether bivalirudin is superior to heparin in the absence of GPIIb/IIIa blockade, showing similar 30-day mortality rates. The study found no evidence that treatment with bivalirudin improves outcome compared to heparin alone.

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.

Minus environment, patterns still emerge

A Rice University study found that regulatory patterns in E. coli cells can arise from mutation, genetic drift, and neutral evolution, challenging the idea that environmental factors drive such patterns. The researchers generated computer models of random regulatory networks, which evolved through millions of generations without progra...

New blood-thinner measures may cut medication errors

A new set of guidelines aims to cut medication errors with anticoagulants, which account for nearly 7% of hospital errors. The guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary team approach, patient education, and standardized dosing protocols to reduce errors by up to 78%.

Global recommendations on child medicine

The Ghana National Drugs Programme followed international recommendations on pediatric medicines, but faced challenges due to limited data on African settings. The programme ultimately included four out of five medicines in the national essential medicines list.

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.

Child maltreatment increases risk of adult obesity

A new study by King's College London found that children who suffered maltreatment are 36% more likely to be obese in adulthood. The authors estimated that preventing or effectively treating child maltreatment could avoid up to 1 case of adult obesity.

New method for producing clean hydrogen

Duke University engineers have created a novel method for producing clean hydrogen, reducing carbon monoxide levels to nearly zero. This approach uses a new catalytic process with nanoparticle combinations of gold and iron oxide, making it a more practical option.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Fueling fitness on the final frontier

A team of MSU researchers aims to boost astronaut motivation to exercise during long-duration space missions. They will test software featuring computer-generated workout partners to improve adherence and overall health outcomes.

Racial disparities in the surgical management of non-small cell lung cancer

A study of over 1.2 million patients found racial disparities in the initial treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, with African-Americans less likely to undergo surgery and Hispanics more likely to receive treatment. The disparities may contribute to recognized racial differences in cancer patient outcomes.

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.

Evaluating a new way to open clogged arteries

A new computational model analyzes the potential usefulness of drug-coated balloons, which may pose fewer risks than current treatments. The model explains how factors like balloon size and drug coating influence drug release and distribution.

Finding a family for a pair of orphan receptors in the brain

Scientists have discovered a protein that binds to two 'orphan receptors' found in the brain, GPR37 and GPR37L1. This binding has been linked to neuroprotection and glioprotection, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and stroke.

Study finds vitamin C can kill drug-resistant TB

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine discovered that vitamin C can kill drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in laboratory culture, suggesting a new approach to shorten TB therapy. The study found that vitamin C induced a Fenton reaction, causing reactive oxygen species that kill the TB bacteria.

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.

Tiny, implantable coil promises hope for emphysema patients

A new device, Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC), has shown significant improvements in lung function, ability to exercise, and quality of life for patients with severe emphysema. The device, implanted through a minimally invasive procedure, gathered and compressed diseased lung tissue, allowing healthy tissue to function more efficiently.

Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine

Studies of newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients reveal that older, sicker men are unlikely to benefit from aggressive therapy. Researchers found that those aged 61-74 and over 75 with multiple health issues face high risks of mortality from non-prostate causes, suggesting a shift towards more conservative treatment approaches.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New study identifies risk factors for depression among COPD patients

A new study has identified risk factors for depression among COPD patients, including female patients and those experiencing significant shortness of breath. The study found that physical activity was a protective factor against depression, with patients who had higher levels of physical activity less prone to developing depression.

Pain, pain, go away

Researchers at UTMB are using gene therapy to target the serotonin 2C receptor in the amygdala to prevent abnormal pain generation and treatment resistance. They aim to develop a permanent solution to neuropathic pain, which affects millions of Americans.

Do salamanders hold the solution to regeneration?

Researchers from Monash University found that macrophages play a crucial role in salamander regeneration. Without them, salamanders lose their ability to regenerate and form scar tissue instead. The study brings scientists closer to understanding the conditions needed for human regeneration.