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Science News for April 7, 1998


Among Wrens, Moms Teach Daughters To Call, Dads Teach Sons, Study Reveals

Researchers discovered that certain male songbirds like stripe-backed wrens learn calls only from their fathers, while females exclusively learn from their mothers. This unique vocal instruction system reflects sex and kinship in birds' communication, providing insights into avian behavior and social dynamics.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society of London·DateApr 7, 1998

Tinkertoy Robot Shows How Humans Walk

A Cornell University robot made from plastic Tinkertoy parts has been shown to perform repeatable, chattering, human-like stable steps without falling over on a gentle slope. The robot's design provides new insights into the mechanics of walking and may have implications for designing better powered and controlled biped robots.

SourceCornell University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 7, 1998

Extra Choline During Pregnancy Enhances Memory In Offspring

Researchers found that choline supplementation during pregnancy led to increased memory capability in offspring, as brain circuits were primed to learn and retain new information. This finding has implications for pregnant women and their children, potentially leading to the development of dietary supplements to enhance memory function.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalNeurophysiology·DateApr 7, 1998
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.

New Test Predicts Crash Risk Of Older Drivers

Researchers developed a new vision test to predict the likelihood of future crashes for individual older adults. Drivers with poor performance on the test, indicating an impaired useful field of view, were more than twice as likely to be involved in a crash within 3 years.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalJAMA·DateApr 7, 1998

Microchip Sensor Detects Bacteria

Cornell University researchers have developed simple but effective means to detect harmful bacteria using nanofabrication and biology. The new biosensors can be read using a laser beam and provide an instant reading of bacterial contamination, making them ideal for use in food production lines or other sensitive areas.

SourceCornell University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateApr 7, 1998
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New Test Identifies People Who Can Handle High-Pressure Jobs Requiring RapidDecision Making, Large Amounts Of Information

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new test to assess rapid decision-making skills under heavy information load. The test, called the Abstract Decision Making task, was found to be predictive of performance in jobs such as emergency dispatching and air traffic control.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Experimental Psychology·DateApr 7, 1998