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Science News Archive September 2013


Page 1 of 32

International 'war' on illegal drugs is failing to curb supply

The global supply of illicit drugs has likely not been reduced in the past two decades, with street prices falling and purity/potency increasing. This study analyzed data from seven international surveillance systems to conclude that law enforcement efforts are failing to curb supply and contribute to violence and public health issues.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cocaine use may increase HIV vulnerability

New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that cocaine makes quiescent CD4 T cells more susceptible to HIV infection. The study found significant infection and new virus production in treated cells compared to untreated ones.

The State of Oncology 2013

A new report from ECCO highlights the growing burden of cancer worldwide, with India, China, and Nigeria expected to see dramatic increases in cases due to population growth and lifestyle changes. The report calls for a major public-private partnership to improve cancer care and outcomes globally.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research links individual animal behavior with social spacing

Researchers have discovered that animals deposit marks to show their presence and retreat from similar marks, revealing the importance of spatial overlap in understanding epidemic disease spread. This finding has significant implications for bio-inspired technologies and animal sociality.

Depression and mental health services usage

A new study found that over half of Ontarians with major depression did not use physician-based mental health services, highlighting a gap in accessing clinician-based care. Research suggests that women are more likely to seek help and that cultural and stigma barriers may contribute to underutilization.

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.

Optical sensors improve railway safety

A recent study tested fiber-optic sensors on a 36-km stretch of high-speed commuter railroad lines in Hong Kong, detecting over 10 million measurements and identifying anomalies such as excessive vibrations and mechanical defects. The system saves the rail company around $250,000 annually in maintenance costs.

UC Davis researchers discover a biological link between diabetes and heart disease

A recent study published in Nature reveals that high blood sugar levels can cause irregular heartbeats, or cardiac arrhythmia, by activating a protein called CaMKII. The researchers found that O-GlcNAc, a sugar molecule, attaches to CaMKII and causes it to become overactive, leading to pathological changes in the heart's calcium signal...

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.

Climate change: Fast out of the gate, slow to the finish the gate

A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters suggests that about half of global warming occurs within the first decade after an instantaneous step increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, while about one-quarter occurs more than a century later. The research brings together results from leading climate models, revealing...

What works for women doesn't work for men

Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center studied 120 men undergoing hormone therapy for prostate cancer and found that neither soy protein nor an antidepressant provided relief from hot flashes. The study highlighted the need for treatments specifically developed for men with hot flashes.

New findings on combined radiation injury from nuclear disaster

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine have discovered that combined radiation and burn injuries trigger 100 times greater bacterial leakage across the intestinal lining, leading to sepsis and death. This finding could lead to new treatments for survivors of nuclear disasters.

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.

Do black holes have hair?

According to a new hypothesis, black holes may have distinct features, dubbed 'hair', which are influenced by the surrounding matter. This concept contradicts the traditional 'bald' model proposed by Roy Kerr in 1963.

Secrets of Antarctic extremohiles that survive in cold salty water

Researchers at the University of New South Wales discovered the genetic secrets of Antarctic extremophiles that can thrive in extremely cold and salty water. The study found that these microorganisms engage in extensive DNA swapping, enabling them to coexist despite their vastly different niches.

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.

New study shows blood test detected cancer metastasis

Researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect cancer metastasis in dogs by analyzing cell-free DNA in blood plasma. The test has shown promising results in detecting minimal residual disease and tracking tumor progression, with potential implications for human cancer treatment.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Medicare plans understate risky prescribing rates

A study by Brown University researchers found that Medicare Advantage health plans significantly understated their rate of high-risk medication prescriptions. The average plan reported a 5.8 percentage point difference in favor, resulting in about 500,000 more seniors receiving high-risk medications than reported.

Treating heart failure with exercise

A new study aims to investigate the potential of exercise in treating and preventing heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFPEF). The OptimEx study will examine the effects of different exercise protocols on HFPEF, including their impact on pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

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.

Improving lithium-ion batteries with nanoscale research

Researchers developed nanowires that block lithium diffusion, promoting layer-by-layer lithiation and potentially minimizing cracking and improving durability. This breakthrough could lead to more effective electrode architectures for lithium-ion batteries.

Liquid biopsy could improve cancer diagnosis and treatment

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a microfluidic chip that can capture elusive circulating tumor cells from blood, supporting their growth for further analysis. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment by providing accurate prognoses and testing treatment options on cultur...

New insights into DNA repair process may spur better cancer therapies

Researchers have gained a better understanding of how cells deal with DNA damage that can contribute to cancer and other diseases. The study identified new prospects for developing cancer therapies by targeting the protein nucleolin to enhance sensitivity of tumor cells to radiation or chemotherapies.

And in the beginning was histone 1

Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified a crucial protein called dBigH1 that regulates zygotic genome activation in the fly Drosophila. This discovery has significant implications for understanding embryonic development and potential connections to infertility, gestational disorders, or early miscarriage.

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.

The immune system benefits from life in the countryside

Research from Aarhus University shows that exposure to a farming environment can prevent or dampen hypersensitivities and allergies, even in adults. The study found that working in farming environments stimulates the immune system, dampening its response to environmental irritants, which may trigger hypersensitivity.

Finding the place where the brain creates illusory shapes and surfaces

A team of neuroscientists has identified a specific area in the visual cortex called V4 that is involved in creating illusory contours. The brain's neural activity in this region correlates with the perception of these illusions, which are thought to be an evolutionary adaptation for detecting predators or prey.

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.

Emergency room visits for kids with concussions skyrocketing

A study published in Pediatrics shows a significant increase in emergency room visits for children with sports-related traumatic brain injuries, including concussions. The number of admissions also rose, with patients with less severe injuries being treated in the hospital more frequently.

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.

Researchers ferret out function of autism gene

A team of scientists has developed a process to connect an autism-linked gene to its function. They found that mutations in the NHE9 gene cause communication problems among brain cells, contributing to autism. The study used a step-wise strategy to screen variants and identified changes that affect endosomal pH, altering cell traffic.

Concerns over mercury levels in fish may be unfounded

New research from the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol suggests that fish accounts for only seven per cent of mercury levels in the human body. This finding has significant implications for official advice warning against eating too much fish during pregnancy, which may need to be reviewed.

Skin receptors convey sensation of texture through vibrations

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has discovered that two sets of nerve receptors in the skin convey information about fine textures through vibrations. This finding suggests that humans can discriminate between different fine textures, such as silk and satin, through these subtle vibrations.

Leisure-time exercise could lower your risk of high blood pressure

A new study suggests that regular leisure-time exercise can significantly lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers found that individuals who exercised for four hours or more per week had a 19% lower risk compared to those who exercised less than one hour per week.

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.

Erratic proteins: New insights into a transport mechanism

The study reveals that membrane proteins use a dynamic, constantly changing state to transport proteins across the outer membrane without requiring energy. This finding provides an exceptional insight into the transport mechanism and has implications for understanding protein folding and transport in bacteria.

Study examines adverse neonatal outcomes associated with early-term birth

Researchers analyzed data from 33,488 live births to find that early-term births (37-38 weeks gestation) are associated with higher risks of birth complications, including hypoglycemia, respiratory support, and NICU admissions. Cesarean deliveries among early-term births also pose a significant risk for NICU admissions and morbidity.

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.