Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for August 30, 2013


From cancer treatment to ion thruster

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed a new type of micro rocket engine using ferrofluids, which could enable efficient propulsion for nanosatellites. The thrusters use electrically sprayed fluid to produce thrust, with the ferrofluid forming a stationary pattern of sharp tips that can spray jets of fluid.

SourceMichigan Technological University·DateAug 30, 2013

BUSM researchers call for individualized criteria for diagnosing obesity

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine advocate for a more individualized approach to diagnosing obesity, considering factors beyond Body Mass Index (BMI). This shift could help identify healthier obese individuals and prevent unnecessary medical interventions.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEndocrinology·DateAug 30, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain imaging study reveals the wandering mind behind insomnia

Researchers found that people with primary insomnia have difficulty modulating brain regions used for working memory, leading to decreased efficiency during the day. The study provides a biological marker for treatment success and sheds light on the daytime problems associated with insomnia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 30, 2013

The more the merrier

A study found that female mice mate with multiple males when they produce similar levels of scent markings, indicating a preference for reducing the danger of infanticide. Litters sired by multiple males were larger than single-sired litters under intense competition among males.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateAug 30, 2013

Drug design success propels efforts to fight HIV with a combination of 2 FDA-approved drugs

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center have developed a new delivery system for a combination of two FDA-approved drugs that may serve as an effective treatment for HIV. The discovery allows for a pill-form combination of decitabine and gemcitabine, marking a major step forward in patient feasibility.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalAntiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy·DateAug 30, 2013

Study reveals the face of sleep deprivation

A new study reveals that sleep deprivation causes noticeable changes in facial appearance, including more hanging eyelids, redder eyes, and paler skin. These changes can have social consequences, affecting how others perceive and interact with individuals who are sleep-deprived.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateAug 30, 2013

Membranes contain beautiful patterns -- but their function is a mystery

Scientists have identified two distinct patterns in cell membranes: spiral and uniform. The patterns are formed by highly organized lipids and vary according to temperature and lipid molecule type. Further research is needed to understand the significance of these patterns for biological functionality.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateAug 30, 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.

Red spruce reviving in New England, but why?

Scientists discovered a surprising rebound in red spruce growth in New England, with trees growing at rates almost twice the average for the last 100 years. The study suggests that reductions in pollution made possible by the Clean Air Act of 1990 may be contributing to this turn-around.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateAug 30, 2013

New superheavy elements can be uniquely identified

Researchers at GSI Helmholtz Center and Mainz University successfully identify element 115 using a novel detector system. The experiment confirms the existence of the superheavy chemical element, providing a way to directly identify new elements beyond atomic number 104.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 30, 2013

New insights on wildfire smoke could improve climate change models

A team of researchers has discovered key properties of tar balls and soot particles in wildfire smoke, which could improve climate change forecasts. The study provides new insights into how these particles affect climate, including their role in cloud formation and potential warming or cooling effects.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2013

Possible links: Epigenetics, aging, nucleus protein mutations to cancer, rare disorders

A study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine reveals that epigenetic factors play a role in senescence, a process linked to normal aging and tumor suppression. The researchers found large-scale changes in gene expression and chromatin architecture when a nuclear protein called lamin B1 is deleted in senescent cells.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalGenes & Development·DateAug 30, 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.

Researchers a step closer to finding cosmic ray origins

Researchers have used data from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory to identify new information about the origin of cosmic rays. The study provides new constraints for models explaining the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays, with potential implications for understanding their impact on human DNA and electronics in space.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPhysical Review D·DateAug 30, 2013

Alaska tundra shows surprising resilience after unprecedented fire

Despite its severity, the 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska's North Slope surprisingly allowed vegetation to recover and potentially return to pre-fire conditions. Researchers found that post-fire plant succession resulted in a mixture of shrubs and sedges similar to those before the fire.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateAug 30, 2013
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Little changes -- large effects

Researchers at the University of York found that small chemical changes to dietary flavonoids significantly impact the production of inflammatory mediators. The study demonstrates the importance of a molecule's shape in its recognition by immune cells, paving the way for designing new drugs and immunomodulators.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateAug 30, 2013

AGU Journal Highlights -- Aug. 30, 2013

Researchers found that the Amazon rainforest's stability and resilience to widespread deforestation may be lower than previously thought. Deforestation-induced precipitation changes can trigger a forest-to-grassland shift in different zones of the Amazon, with some areas experiencing sharp declines in rainfall. Meanwhile, scientists al...

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 30, 2013

Whales feel the (sun)burn!

Researchers found that some whale species darken their skin with UV exposure, accumulating DNA damage, similar to humans. Fin whales, however, were resistant to sun damage, offering insights into evolutionary adaptations to counteract UV radiation.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2013

Mosquitoes smell you better at night, study finds

Researchers found that mosquitoes have higher olfactory sensitivity and protein abundance of odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) at night, making them more effective at detecting human hosts. This discovery has significant implications for developing novel insect control methods to reduce malaria transmission.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 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.

Rim Fire update -- Aug. 30, 2013

The Rim Fire has burned over 40,000 acres within Yosemite National Park, destroying at least 111 structures. Firefighters are optimistic that containment can be achieved by September 20, 2013, with the rate of spread slowing in recent days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 30, 2013

A deep-sea squid with tentacle tips that 'swim' on their own

A deep-sea squid, Grimalditeuthis bonplandi, has been found to use its long, thin tentacles with fin-like membranes to create the illusion of swimming clubs. This unique strategy may attract prey and deter predators by mimicking the movements of small animals.

SourceMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute·DateAug 30, 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.

How vegetation competes for rainfall in dry regions

Researchers use mathematical models to predict vegetation pattern formation in dry environments. The Klausmeier model determines the critical rainfall level needed for banded vegetation patterns to form. This study has significant implications for land management and environmental concerns.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·DateAug 30, 2013

New ocean forecast could help predict fish habitat 6 months in advance

Researchers have developed a new tool that can predict fish habitat conditions six months in advance. The JISAO Seasonal Coastal Ocean Prediction of the Ecosystem (J-SCOPE) uses global climate models and regional coastal ocean simulations to forecast ocean temperatures, oxygen levels, and phytoplankton blooms.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 30, 2013

Study finds increased menthol cigarette use among young people

A new study on mentholated cigarette use in the U.S. reveals an increase in menthol cigarette smoking among young adults and adolescents, with youth heavy consumers of mentholated cigarettes. The study also shows that non-menthol smoking rates have decreased among all age groups.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalTobacco Control·DateAug 30, 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.