Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for December 29, 2011


Great apes make sophisticated decisions

Research reveals that great apes like chimpanzees and orangutans use complex decision-making strategies to weigh risks and rewards. The study found that the apes chose the smaller piece more often when uncertain, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of probability and risk assessment.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 29, 2011

Don't put all your eggs in 1 basket -- or all your horses on 1 pasture

A severe climate event in Mongolia devastated the country's livestock and Przewalski's horse population, with losses averaging 60% for horses and minimal impact on wild asses. The study emphasizes the need for managing migratory species across large landscapes to ensure their survival.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 29, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Key to school improvement: Reading, writing, arithmetic ... and character?

A study of 20 elementary schools in Hawaii found that a focused character-building program improved overall education quality, as evaluated by teachers, parents and students. The program resulted in lower suspensions, absenteeism and better reading and math scores on standardized tests.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of School Health·DateDec 29, 2011

The art of molecular carpet-weaving

Researchers at TUM develop process to build high-quality polymer networks with strong covalent bonds, resulting in stable and durable molecule carpets. The method eliminates weaving mistakes by correcting bad bonds during self-organization.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 29, 2011

I know something you don't know -- and I will tell you!

Researchers found that wild chimpanzees were more likely to alarm call to a snake when group members were unaware, indicating they recognize knowledge states. This study suggests that sharing new information with others is a fundamental aspect of language evolution, present in our common ancestor with chimps.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 29, 2011
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.

People don't just think with their guts; logic plays a role too

Research suggests that people's gut feelings are not entirely disregarded logic, but rather an intuitive sense of conflict. Wim De Neys' study found that brain activity indicates a 'sense of something fishy' when people make decisions, highlighting the importance of logical intuitions in decision-making.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateDec 29, 2011

Van Andel Research Institute findings provide more complete picture of kidney cancer

Researchers distinguish cancer subtypes and provide a more complete understanding of Type 2 papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC2), an aggressive type of kidney cancer. They also identify genes involved in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) development and progression, highlighting PLK1 as a promising potential therapeutic target.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalCancer Cell·DateDec 29, 2011

Gene identified in increasing pancreatic cancer risk

Researchers have identified mutations in the ATM gene as a potential risk factor for increased pancreatic cancer risk. Studies found that ATM gene mutations were present in four of 166 patients with pancreatic cancer, but absent in healthy spousal controls.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateDec 29, 2011

Before sounding an alarm, chimps consider their audience

Wild chimpanzees make selective decisions about warning calls based on the information available to other group members. They voluntarily produce calls to inform unaware individuals of potential dangers, but not those who already know.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 29, 2011
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.

Brain's connective cells are much more than glue

New Tel Aviv University research reveals glia cells' pivotal role in brain plasticity, adapting to new stimuli and regulating neural activity. Glia cells sort information for learning purposes, controlling the transfer of signals between neurons.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateDec 29, 2011