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Science News for September 13, 2013


Software may be able to take over from hardware in managing caches

Researchers at MIT have developed a software system, Jigsaw, that optimizes cache management for multicore chips, improving performance by an average of 18% and reducing energy consumption by up to 72%. The system adapts to changing computational patterns, allowing it to dynamically allocate cache space and minimize energy usage.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateSep 13, 2013

Warm ocean rapidly melting Antarctic ice shelf from below

A team led by NASA's Robert Bindschadler measures the rate at which warm ocean water melts Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier ice shelf from underneath. The study reveals melt rates of up to 2.36 inches per day, with implications for sea level rise and glacier stability.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 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.

Webb receives Lifetime Achievement Award for hypertension research

Dr. R. Clinton Webb, a leading expert in hypertension research, is honored with the American Heart Association Council on High Blood Pressure Research's Lifetime Achievement Award. He is recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of hypertension and his dedication to mentoring and service.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateSep 13, 2013

NASA sees southwesterly wind shear weakened hurricane Humberto

Hurricane Humberto's strongest precipitation was concentrated in the northwestern quadrant due to intense southwesterly wind shear. The storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm late on September 13, with winds near 75 mph and shifting trajectory towards the west-northwest.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 13, 2013

The '50-50' chip: Memory device of the future?

A new, environmentally-friendly electronic alloy consisting of 50 aluminum atoms bound to 50 atoms of antimony may be promising for building next-generation 'phase-change' memory devices. The material has high thermal stability and can store three bits of data in a single memory cell.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 13, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Young people choose education based on parents' background

A new study from the University of Copenhagen found that young people in Denmark choose studies based on their parents' social class and educational background. Students from working-class backgrounds opt for '9 to 5' studies with clear job profiles, while those from university-educated families pursue prestigious studies with strong i...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalComparative Education Review·DateSep 13, 2013

EORTC at 2013 ECCO-ESMO-ESTRO meeting in Amsterdam

The EORTC will present various cancer research studies, including a phase III trial on breast cancer radiation therapy and a study on the use of data warehouses for response measurements. The organization will also showcase its clinical trials and discuss regulatory issues.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·DateSep 13, 2013

Vaccination with GM2-KLH-QS21 does not improve outcome of melanomas patients in EORTC study

The EORTC trial found that vaccination with GM2/KLH-QS-21 did not improve relapse-free or overall survival rates for patients with stage II melanoma. The vaccine was expected to stimulate antibodies against the GM2 ganglioside, but instead, it led to a higher risk of death and decreased survival rates.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateSep 13, 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.

UNC research points to promising treatment for macular degeneration

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have found a class of drugs known as MDM2 inhibitors effective in regressing abnormal blood vessels responsible for vision loss associated with macular degeneration. The treatment has potential to reduce the burden on patients and physicians.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 13, 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.

Unexpected interaction between ocean currents and bacteria

Scientists found that ocean currents carrying anammox bacteria produce vast amounts of nitrogen gas in the Pacific Ocean, weakening the ocean's ability to absorb CO2. This process also leads to fewer algae in the water, less food for marine microorganisms and ultimately, a decrease in fish populations.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology·DateSep 13, 2013

To touch the microcosmos

Researchers have developed a new technique called haptic optical tweezers, enabling scientists to 'feel' the microscopic structures under the lens. This technology allows users to explore the microworld by sensing and exerting piconewton-scale forces with trapped microspheres.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateSep 13, 2013

NIH clinical study establishes human model of influenza pathogenesis

A new study provides a clearer picture of how much time elapses between known infection, viral shedding, immune response, and onset of flu symptoms. Researchers found that a minimum dose of 10^7 TCID50 virus is needed to induce mild-to-moderate illness in 60% of volunteers.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateSep 13, 2013

Toward a truly white organic LED

Researchers at the University of Utah have created a polymer that emits light in multiple colors, including blue and red, and can be tuned to cover the entire visible spectrum. This breakthrough holds promise for more efficient and less expensive white organic LEDs, which could replace traditional light bulbs.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 13, 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.

Carbon farming schemes should consider multiple cobenefits

Carbon farming schemes can sequester carbon while providing environmental benefits like reduced pollution, erosion, and improved biodiversity. Local participation is key to long-term success, as it leverages local knowledge and draws in more landholders.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateSep 13, 2013

New findings from UNC School of Medicine challenge assumptions about origins of life

Researchers from UNC School of Medicine challenge the widely-held theory that RNA self-replicated without protein enzymes, instead suggesting a 'Peptide-RNA World' scenario where proteins accelerated key chemical reactions. The study's findings support the idea that ancient protein enzymes played a vital role in life's emergence.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateSep 13, 2013

Model organism gone wild

Scientists studying the wild strain of the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum discovered that some clones can farm bacteria and carry defensive symbionts to protect their crops. The researchers isolated wild clones from soil and found that these clones were more complex than previously thought.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 2013
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.

Sleep better, look better? New research says yes

Researchers found significant improvements in facial appearance, including reduced puffiness and redness, after just a few months of CPAP treatment for middle-aged patients with sleep apnea. The study used face mapping and photogrammetry techniques to measure changes in facial contours.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateSep 13, 2013

Potential new drug target for cystic fibrosis

Scientists at EMBL and Regensburg University identify DGKi as a potential drug target for cystic fibrosis, which regulates ENaC activity and reduces mucus thickness in patients' airways. The discovery uses large-scale screening to uncover genes not previously linked to the disease.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateSep 13, 2013

Immune to aging

Researchers found that yeast S. pombe remains youthful when reproducing under favorable conditions, producing offspring younger than the parent. However, after stress or negative influences, the yeast ages and produces cells with damaged material.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 13, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Friday the 13th brings double tropical trouble to Mexico

Residents of Mexico's eastern and western coast are experiencing double tropical trouble as two storms, TD13E and Ingrid, form in the Pacific Ocean. The storms have the potential to drop up to 20 inches of rain, causing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 13, 2013

'Red nugget' galaxies were hiding in plain sight

New research reveals that 'red nugget' galaxies, previously thought to be extinct, were actually hidden within previous survey data. These compact galaxies may represent a missing link between distant 'red nuggets' and nearby elliptical galaxies.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 13, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers capture speedy chemical reaction in mid-stride

Scientists have isolated and characterized a stable intermediate in a dirhodium metal complex reaction, allowing them to study its mechanism for the first time. The discovery opens new avenues for the field of catalysis and could lead to more efficient chemical reactions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2013

'Terminator' polymer that regenerates itself

Researchers in Spain have created a 'Terminator' polymer that spontaneously regenerates itself, displaying impressive 97% healing efficiency. The material could enhance the security and lifetime of plastic components in various industries.

SourceRoyal Society of Chemistry·JournalMaterials Horizons·DateSep 13, 2013

Fate of new genes cannot be predicted

Researchers confirmed Haldane's 90-year-old theory that new genes may get lost from populations but found it cannot predict the ultimate fate of beneficial alleles. Genetic diversity can be maintained indefinitely through complex population dynamics.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 13, 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.

Marine species distribution shifts reflect local climate conditions

A new study suggests that local climatic conditions, rather than biological differences among species, explain observed shifts in marine species distribution. Researchers analyzed four decades of data from NOAA and Canadian fisheries surveys and found that 74% of species shifted latitude in the same direction as climate velocity.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2013

CPAP therapy provides beauty sleep for people with sleep apnea

A new study suggests that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can improve the subjective impression of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), making them appear more alert, youthful, and attractive. The study used digital photos to assess facial changes before and after at least two months of CPAP treatment.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateSep 13, 2013

Tiny plankton could have big impact on climate

Research found that tiny plankton thrive under elevated CO2 levels, drawing down nutrients and reducing carbon export to the deep ocean. This could lead to a decrease in ocean's ability to regulate global climate, with significant implications for ecosystem balance and greenhouse gas production.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalBiogeosciences·DateSep 13, 2013
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.

Fish skin immune responses resemble those of the gut, Penn study finds

A recent Penn study found that fish skin and gut immune responses are similar, with key components resembling those in mammals. The study suggests IgT plays a crucial role in regulating host-microbiota homeostasis and may be involved in developing improved fish vaccines.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Reviews Immunology·DateSep 13, 2013

Earth's wobble 'fixes' dinner for marine organisms

Researchers discovered that the Earth's cyclic wobble affects the production of fixed nitrogen, a nutrient crucial for marine organisms. The study reveals that precession-driven upwelling brings nitrogen-poor water to the surface, where blue-green algae convert it into biologically usable forms.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2013

Catalysts team up with textiles

Researchers have developed a process for immobilising organic catalysts on textiles using ultraviolet light, enabling simple textiles to be used in complex chemical reactions. The method results in excellent yields, little wear and tear, and provides several advantages over other forms of catalyst immobilisation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2013