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Science News Archive October 2013


Page 27 of 34

Juno slingshots past Earth on its way to Jupiter

Juno will explore Jupiter's northern and southern lights by flying through electrical current systems that generate them. The mission aims to understand the origin and evolution of the solar system's largest planet by mapping magnetic and gravity fields, determining atmospheric composition, and observing upper atmosphere dynamics.

Air pollution increases heart attacks

Research presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2013 found a significant association between air pollution levels and admission for acute cardiovascular events. The study also showed that older people and men were more susceptible to arrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes at increasing levels of air pollution.

Neurological researchers find fat may be linked to memory loss

Neurological researchers have discovered a significant link between abdominal fat and memory loss, finding that the same protein controlling fat metabolism in the liver also resides in the memory center of the brain. This study suggests that people with high levels of abdominal fat may be at risk for memory-related problems later in life.

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.

MIT Deshpande Center announces fall 2013 research grants

The Deshpande Center is awarding grants to researchers developing innovative technologies in disease monitoring, cancer treatment, water desalination, and digital printing. The project focuses on developing proof-of-concept explorations and validation for emerging technologies with a potential impact on quality of life.

UT Arlington engineers making batteries safer, cooler

Researchers at UT Arlington are working on a $152,077 Office of Naval Research grant to improve the thermal properties of lithium-ion batteries. They aim to devise better designs for cooling and operating these batteries safely in high-power applications, reducing the risk of fires and battery degradation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Residents willing to pay for water improvements

A University of Illinois survey found that homeowners are willing to pay for storm-water runoff management to reduce flooding in their basements. The study also showed a strong demand for water quality improvements and environmental benefits, with residents willing to pay for low-impact development approaches.

Clues to foam formation could help find oil

Rice University scientists have discovered two novel mechanisms for bubble formation in foam, known as pinch-off behaviors. This discovery could improve the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery methods by making gas act more like a liquid and increasing its contact with reservoir rock.

Something in the (expecting mother's) water

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Economics found that contaminated water is linked to lower birth weights and prematurity, especially among less-educated mothers. Infants exposed to contaminated water are also more likely to have mothers who are younger, less educated, or African-American.

Team uses a cellulosic biofuels byproduct to increase ethanol yield

Scientists at the University of Illinois have engineered yeast to consume acetic acid, a previously unwanted byproduct of biofuel production, resulting in a 10% increase in ethanol yield from lignocellulosic sources. This breakthrough could simplify cellulosic ethanol production and make it more efficient.

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.

'Mobility shoes' take a load off for knee osteoarthritis sufferers

A new study by Rush University Medical Center found that mobility shoes significantly reduced knee loading in osteoarthritis patients, even after the shoes were no longer worn. The study suggests that footwear choice may be an important consideration in managing knee osteoarthritis.

A slow, loving, 'affective' touch may be key to a healthy sense of self

Research suggests that slow tactile stimulation can increase brain's ability to construct body ownership and create a healthy sense of self. The study found that participants who received synchronized slow touch believed the rubber hand belonged to them more than those who received faster neutral touch.

HIV vaccines elicit immune response in infants

Researchers found that two HIV vaccine trials stimulated a critical immune response in infants, which has been linked to reduced HIV infection. The findings suggest that infant vaccination can elicit a robust anti-HIV envelope IgG immune response and highlight the importance of including pediatric populations in vaccine studies.

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.

Solving the internet capacity crunch

The University of Bristol and NICT successfully demonstrated a multicore fibre-based network, utilizing Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) and Software Defined Network (SDN) control. This breakthrough enables the efficient handling of emerging Internet applications such as global cloud computing.

Scientists 'bad at judging peers' published work,' says new study

A new study found that scientists are unreliable judges of their peers' scientific output, with subjective post-publication peer review and impact factor being poor measures. The study suggests using a suite of article-level metrics to assess merit, which could have major implications for research assessment processes.

New study shows link between car crashes and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Researchers found elevated rates of preterm birth, placental abruption, and premature rupture of the membranes among pregnant drivers involved in a single or multiple car crashes. Stillbirth rates were also significantly higher for unbelted pregnant drivers. The study highlights the importance of crash prevention strategies during preg...

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

UW, local company building innovative deep-sea manned submarine

The University of Washington is partnering with OceanGate to develop a five-person deep-sea manned submarine that can reach depths of over 9,842 feet. The Cyclops submarine features a carbon-fiber hull and advanced control systems, allowing for increased safety and efficiency in ocean research and exploration.

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.

AGU journal highlights -- Oct. 8 2013

Researchers have developed a method to measure global sulfur dioxide emissions using satellite sensors, identifying large sources such as smelters and factories. A seismic network also detects landslides on a broad area scale in Taiwan's Chenyoulan watershed, providing insights into natural hazard occurrence and watershed dynamics.

Sunscreen saves superhero gene

Researchers found sunscreen provides 100% protection against all three forms of skin cancer: BCC, SCC, and malignant melanoma. The study also revealed sunscreen shielded the p53 gene, which prevents cancer. No DNA changes were detected in skin samples where sunscreen was applied.

JCI early table of contents for Oct. 8, 2013

Genetic mutations in two families with eating disorders were found to be linked to decreased estrogen-related receptor alpha and histone deacetylase 4 activity, increasing the risk of developing an eating disorder. CHST3 mutations also led to early-onset lumbar disc degeneration.

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.

Rural land use policies curb wildfire risks -- to a point

A Washington State University researcher found that moderately restrictive land-use policies can significantly reduce rural wildfire risk in Flathead County. The model predicts a 10-fold increase in residential losses under increased but still moderate restrictions, while highly restrictive policies show only a nine-fold increase.

Geoscience Workforce Currents #77

The study analyzed over 400 geoscience student exit survey responses, identifying that 70% of participants took Calculus I and II, with a drop in further mathematics coursework after those classes. PhD candidates pursued multiple courses beyond Calculus II, while all three groups took at least one chemistry and physics course.

Surgeons report 2 new approaches to lessen postoperative pain

Researchers have found that applying ice packs after major abdominal operations reduces postoperative pain and opioid use, with patients experiencing 50% less pain on the first and third days. An experimental prolonged drug delivery system using lidocaine also showed superior results in animal studies.

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.

New center for water research

The 'Center for Advanced Water Research' will address global problems concerning integrated water resources management jointly. With the foundation of the CAWR, partners aim to overcome the challenges in the water sector using integrated approaches.

'Brain training' may boost working memory, but not intelligence

New research suggests that brain training programs strengthen working memory capacity but do not improve general fluid intelligence. The study found that students who trained on complex span tasks showed transfer to other working memory tasks, but none of the groups showed benefits on measures of fluid intelligence.

Studying the social side of carnivores

A study by Michigan State University neuroscientist Sharleen Sakai found a correlation between the size of carnivores' frontal cortices and their social nature. The coatimundi, a highly social animal, had the largest frontal cortex, while raccoons had the smallest.

Flawed diamonds: Gems for new technology

A team of researchers has made the first detailed observation of how energy travels through diamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy centers, defects that can be manipulated with optical methods. The findings could help scientists understand the properties of these diamonds, which have potential applications in quantum computing and imagin...

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.

2 genes linked to increased risk for eating disorders

Researchers have identified two genes that increase the risk of developing eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The genes, ESRRA and HDAC4, interact in a brain signaling pathway and produce the same biological effect, suggesting a new potential target for understanding and treating the complex condition.

New urine test could diagnose eye disease

A new urine test has been developed to diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. The test uses mass spectrometry to analyze dolichol profiles in urine and blood samples, distinguishing between different gene mutations that cause the disease. This non-invasive test could provide personalized care for patients with RP.

A better breathalyzer

Researchers developed a novel breathalyzer that uses a reusable, color-changing opal sensor to detect alcohol vapor concentration. The device can provide precise digital readings and is usable multiple times, making it a promising solution for police officers.

Empathy helps children to understand sarcasm

A new study found that children with stronger empathy skills are better at recognizing sarcasm. Children began to detect sarcasm between ages 6 and 8, but some took longer to develop this skill. Empathy skills were measured using eye gaze and reaction time during a task that required recognizing sarcastic language.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

No viral cause for breast cancer and brain tumors

A major study has disproven the theory of a viral cause for breast cancer and glioblastoma, with over seven billion DNA sequences analyzed. The research found no genetic traces of viruses in these forms of cancer, contradicting previous theories suggesting Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus involvement.

First ever evidence of a comet striking Earth

A team of scientists has discovered the first-ever evidence of a comet striking Earth, with implications for understanding the solar system's formation. The discovery involves a mysterious black pebble containing the first known hand specimen of a comet nucleus.

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.

LSTM Professor Richard Pleass wins Prix de l'Innovation 2013

Professor Richard Pleass of LSTM has developed a biomimetic called Hexagard, which is approximately 50 fold more effective than current IVIG therapy. The innovative treatment aims to replace IVIG therapy for treating autoimmune diseases in developing countries where it is unaffordable.

Major leap towards graphene for solar cells

Researchers have discovered that graphene remains its conductive properties even when coated with silicon, a breakthrough for transparent solar cells. The study shows that the embedded graphene layer has a carrier mobility roughly 30 times greater than conventional zinc oxide-based contact layers.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Recommended treatment regimen for bone metastases not widely used

A study found that single-fraction radiotherapy, given in one session, is as effective as multiple-fraction treatment but has lower costs. Patients who received single-fraction treatment had poorer prognoses, but it offers benefits for patient-centric palliative care.

Nearly 1 in 10 young people report perpetrating sexual violence

A study of 1,058 young people aged 14-21 found nearly 9% reported coercive or forced sex, with males more likely to start at a younger age. The study suggests monitoring adolescents' consumption of violent media and implementing bystander intervention programs to prevent victim blaming.

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.

Minute traits and DNA link grass species from Old and New Worlds

Researchers have discovered a link between grass species from Africa and America through DNA analysis, revealing unique traits such as 'clavicorniculate' hairs. The four species are now classified in the same genus, Disakisperma, shedding new light on plant taxonomy.

What makes triathletes so tough?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that triathletes experience lower pain intensity and have a higher pain tolerance due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors. They were able to withstand pain for longer periods and had better pain regulation, which may be attributed to their attitude towards pain.

South Africa reverses mortality trend in children under 5

South Africa has made significant progress in reducing child mortality rates, mainly due to improved HIV/AIDS care. The country's under-five mortality rate has decreased by six to 10 percent per year since 2006, with the proportion of deaths due to AIDS falling from 39% to between 11 and 24%.

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.