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Science News for September 17, 2013


New study shows solar manufacturing costs not driven primarily by labor

A new report from NREL and MIT reveals that China's dominance in solar manufacturing is largely due to its production scale advantages, including access to capital and supply chain benefits. The study suggests that these advantages can be replicated in the US with innovative technology and scale-up.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateSep 17, 2013

Death & disability from air pollution down 35 percent in the US

A new study by Brigham Young University professor Arden Pope found a 35% reduction in deaths and disability attributable to air pollution in the US since 1990. This improvement is attributed to cleaner air quality, with significant reductions in cardiovascular disease and respiratory problems.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJAMA·DateSep 17, 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.

Physical contact + ethical marketing = increased consumer preference

A study from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business found that physical contact and ethical marketing can boost consumer preference. The research shows that utilitarian claims should be paired with practical products, while symbolic claims should be paired with symbolic products.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Business Ethics·DateSep 17, 2013

New marker identified for early diagnosis of lung cancer

A new marker called isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) has been identified as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for lung cancer, with high sensitivity and specificity in detecting non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). IDH1 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with lung cancer compared to healthy controls.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateSep 17, 2013

Financial incentives motivate sedentary adults to exercise

A review study of 1,500 patients found that financial incentives can increase exercise amounts, helping to overcome time commitment and discomfort barriers. The study suggests providing short-term incentives can drive long-term behavior change, preventing repeat heart events and saving the health system millions.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

Clean energy least costly to power America's electricity needs

A new study finds that replacing coal-fired power plants with wind turbines is the most cost-effective way to cut carbon pollution and reduce health impacts. The switch can also lead to lower electricity generation costs, making clean energy a more economically viable option for powering America's electricity needs.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences·DateSep 17, 2013

Lawrence Livermore study finds human activity affects vertical structure of atmospheric temperature

A recent study by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and six other institutions found that human activity has a discernible impact on the thermal structure of the atmosphere. The research compared satellite records with simulations and revealed a unique pattern of global-scale tropospheric warming and stratospheric cooling.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 2013

Innovative auto steering device could save lives

A new auto steering device, proposed by Rene Guerster, aims to reduce the risk of accidents caused by sudden turns. The device, which uses computer-mediated steering, would enable drivers to steer around obstacles without releasing the wheel.

SourceHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society·DateSep 17, 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.

Self-referral spurs unnecessary MRI exams for patients

A study published in Radiology found that patients referred by physicians with financial interest in imaging equipment were more likely to receive negative findings on knee MRI exams. This suggests that financial incentives may drive overuse of high-tech imaging, contributing to escalating medical costs.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateSep 17, 2013

New technology for bioseparation

A new technology developed by Brown University researchers simplifies biomolecule separation using microfluidics and magnets, increasing accuracy and sensitivity in disease detection. The technique has great applicability for point-of-care platforms and specific applications include testing for HIV and influenza.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateSep 17, 2013

Neonatal livers better source for hepatocytes than adult livers

Researchers have developed a high-yield method for isolating viable hepatocytes from cryopreserved neonatal livers, showing better thawing recovery than those from adult livers. This breakthrough may provide an alternative source for liver cell transplantation, potentially improving patient outcomes.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateSep 17, 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.

NIH-funded study suggests brain is hard-wired for chronic pain

Researchers used brain scans to find an anatomical marker for chronic pain in the brain, which may lead to changes in treatment. The study found a consistent difference in white matter between subjects who recovered and those with persistent pain.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalPain·DateSep 17, 2013

Urban agriculture: The potential and challenges of producing food in cities

Researchers are studying the effects of urban climates on crop yields to develop new crops adapted to urban gardens and provide recommendations for urban farmers. The benefits of urban agriculture include increased food production, community engagement, and access to healthy fresh produce.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateSep 17, 2013

Online citizen scientists: Classify plankton images

Researchers launched an online platform called Plankton Portal, allowing citizens to classify millions of underwater images to study plankton diversity. The project uses high-resolution digital sensors from the In Situ Ichthyoplankton Imaging System (ISIIS) to detect plankton and other organisms in the open ocean.

SourceUniversity of Miami·DateSep 17, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Predicting who will have chronic pain

New research from Northwestern University predicts chronic back pain after lower back injuries based on abnormalities in brain structure connections. The study found that specific irregularities in the axons of the brain's white matter can trigger chronic pain with high accuracy, offering new hope for early treatment and prevention.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPain·DateSep 17, 2013

Recent highlights in Molecular Biology and Evolution

Researchers developed a high-throughput assay to track cell growth at low nutrient concentrations, revealing metabolic differences among cells of the same strain in the same environment. The study also found significant genetic variation in Sherpa populations' mitochondrial genomes, suggesting an adaptation for low oxygen environments.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

Beyond peer review: NIST and 5 journals find a way to manage errors in research data

A collaboration between NIST and 5 technical journals found that one-third of papers contained erroneous or incomplete chemical property data. A new online tool was developed to identify and eliminate errors in experimental data, using expert software system for data evaluation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Chemical & Engineering Data·DateSep 17, 2013

MOOCs Forum -- preview issue of groundbreaking publication

The new MOOCs Forum publication delves into the credibility, standards, and value of Massive Open Online Courses. Key findings include discussions on student identification and security, institutional benefits and liabilities, and platform advancements. The publication provides a voice for key stakeholders to shape the future of MOOCs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalMOOCs FORUM·DateSep 17, 2013

Carbonation alters the mind's perception of sweetness

A study published in Gastroenterology found that carbonation can trick the brain into perceiving artificially sweetened drinks as just as sweet as regular ones. This effect may facilitate weight loss by making low-calorie drinks more palatable, but it also increases sugar and food consumption.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

A protein that can mean life or death for cells

A team from IRB Barcelona discovered Mitofusin 2 plays a crucial role in measuring cellular stress levels. Removing Mfn2 leads to disrupted stress response pathways, reducing the capacity of cells to overcome stress.

SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateSep 17, 2013

Chronic care management does not result in increased abstinence from alcohol

A recent study published in JAMA Network found that chronic care management did not result in increased abstinence from alcohol among individuals with alcohol and other drug dependence. The study compared participants receiving chronic care management with those receiving usual primary care, but no significant difference was found.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateSep 17, 2013

Are nanodiamond-encrusted teeth the future of dental implants?

Nanodiamonds have been found to promote bone growth and deliver proteins to treat osteonecrosis, a debilitating disease that causes bones to break down. The tiny diamonds can be administered non-invasively, potentially revolutionizing dental implant procedures.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Dental Research·DateSep 17, 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.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may heal a mother's childbirth injury

Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can promote recovery from simulated childbirth injury and reduce symptoms of stress urinary incontinence. The treatment uses multipotent cells found in connective tissues, which home to damaged pelvic organs and release trophic factors to stimulate repair.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateSep 17, 2013

Need steroids? Maybe not for lower back pain

A Johns Hopkins analysis found that epidural steroid injections are only twice as effective as injections of any fluid, including anesthetics and saline, for treating lower back pain. The study suggests that smaller doses of steroids may be just as beneficial, and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnesthesiology·DateSep 17, 2013

Professor wins medal for graphene research

Professor Alexander Balandin receives MRS Medal for his groundbreaking work on graphene's thermal properties and development of a new materials characterization technique. His discoveries have led to major advances in understanding phonon transport and the application of graphene in heat removal and thermal management.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateSep 17, 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.

Novel vaccine approach to human cytomegalovirus found effective

A novel vaccine approach against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been shown to be safe and more effective than previous vaccines in an animal model. The vaccine targets CMV's ability to hijack the immune system, inducing broader immunological protection.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJournal of Virology·DateSep 17, 2013

Evolutionary medicine of skin cancer risk among Europeans

Researchers found strong selection for MC1R gene variants in South Europeans, associated with fair skin and increased melanoma risk. The V60L allele variant has been linked to both benefits and drawbacks, highlighting evolutionary trade-offs.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateSep 17, 2013

OptSwap optimizes microbial strain design for production-scale bioprocessing

The OptSwap method enables scientists to predict and optimize microbial strain designs for increased yield of valuable biobased chemicals. Researchers identified optimal strain designs for L-alanine, succinate, acetate, and D-lactate production under modeled conditions.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalIndustrial Biotechnology·DateSep 17, 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.

Study determines best arrangement of tidal sails device

Researchers found that blades with equal chord length, angled at 79 degrees and moving at 1.5 times the current speed can extract maximum energy from tidal currents. A Norwegian company's pilot project is already generating 28 kilowatts of power.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateSep 17, 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.

What a pain in the… groin!

A literature review found that one in four people develop hip arthritis before age 85, contributing to groin pain. Contributing factors include sports-related injuries, prior surgery, and traumatic occupational history. A detailed medical history and examination are crucial for diagnosing the source of groin pain.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateSep 17, 2013

Why kids breathe easier in summer

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that viral respiratory infections may be behind the seasonal spike in sleep-disordered breathing among children. The study, published in Sleep Medicine, suggests that winter months are when pediatric sleep-disordered breathing worsens, contrary to previous assumptions about asthma and allergies.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalSleep Medicine·DateSep 17, 2013

New insight into reducing racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes

A new UMass Medical School study reveals that all postmenopausal women with diabetes, irrespective of their racial or ethnic background, are at a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The research underscores the importance of prevention strategies to reduce disparities in diabetes-related mortality...

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalAmerican Journal of Epidemiology·DateSep 17, 2013

Speeding up cancer diagnosis during surgery

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a highly accurate prototype technique to detect cancerous tissue during surgery. This technique can produce detailed maps of tissue rich in information at the molecular level, enabling fast and objective diagnosis of cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 17, 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.

Racism linked to depression and anxiety in youth

A review of 461 cases found strong associations between racism and detrimental health outcomes such as low self-esteem, reduced resilience, and behaviour problems in children and youth. The study identified an important issue that needs to be addressed in society, schools, and communities to improve child and youth health.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateSep 17, 2013

Red grapes, blueberries may enhance immune function

Researchers at Oregon State University found that resveratrol in red grapes and pterostilbene in blueberries can boost the innate immune system by increasing CAMP gene expression. This synergy is significant and has been shown to increase CAMP expression by several times.

SourceOregon State University·JournalMolecular Nutrition & Food Research·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

The importance of keeping a beat

A Northwestern University study of over 100 high school students found a significant link between music, beat-keeping and language skills. Accurate beat-keeping involves synchronization between the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and movement.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateSep 17, 2013

Wetlands more cost-effective in nutrient removal, but multiple payments would be of uncertain value

Researchers found that installing a few wetlands was more cost-effective than upgrading wastewater treatment plants to remove nitrogen pollution. However, the benefits of offering multiple payments for environmental services from wetlands are unclear, and their impact on market outcomes is still debated. The study's findings suggest th...

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association·DateSep 17, 2013

NASA's TRMM satellite adds up Tropical Storm Manuel's amazing rainfall

Tropical Storm Manuel dropped heavy rains causing widespread flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of 21 people. The TRMM satellite's data showed rain totals exceeding 350mm along Mexico's Pacific coast, with some areas experiencing extreme rainfall that forced the closure of Acapulco airport.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

First-time measurements in Greenland snowpack show a drop in atmospheric co since 1950s

A recent study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics found that atmospheric carbon monoxide levels have been declining in Greenland since the 1970s, despite a global increase in vehicle emissions. The research suggests improvements in combustion technology, such as catalytic converters, may have driven this decline.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateSep 17, 2013
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.

Proton weak charge determined for first time

Scientists have made the first experimental determination of the proton's weak charge, combining new data with published results. The result provides a rigorous test of the Standard Model and constraints on potential new physics at the Large Hadron Collider.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 2013

Stronger winds explain puzzling growth of sea ice in Antarctica

A new study reveals that stronger westerly winds around the South Pole can explain 80% of the increase in Antarctic sea ice volume over the past three decades. This is achieved through the creation of thicker, longer-lasting ice and exposure to blistering cold winds.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Climate·DateSep 17, 2013

Pancreatic stem cells isolated from mice

Researchers have developed a method to isolate and grow pancreatic stem cells from mice, which can differentiate into hormone-producing beta cells or pancreatic duct cells. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new therapeutic interventions for pancreatic diseases like diabetes.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateSep 17, 2013