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Science News for February 16, 2013


Flow of research on ice sheets helps answer climate questions

Researchers studying ice sheet movement in Greenland and Antarctica have found that warming temperatures cause sea levels to rise. The speed of ice shelf movement has nearly doubled in recent years, leading to increased sea level rises and uncertainty about future projections.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 16, 2013

Mussels cramped by environmental factors

Researchers found that warmer ocean temperatures weaken mussels' fibrous threads, making them more prone to detachment. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web and commercial mussel farming.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateFeb 16, 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.

Historic legacy of lead pollution persists despite regulatory efforts

Efforts to reduce lead pollution have been largely successful, but the problem persists due to new industrial inputs and consumer product contamination. Blood lead levels remain high, with no known threshold for toxicity, posing ongoing health risks to people and animals worldwide.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·DateFeb 16, 2013

Mentoring models to move minorities to majorities in STEM

Mentoring models can significantly improve diversity in STEM, according to Arizona State University's executive director, who will share concrete strategies at the AAAS annual meeting. The institute has developed successful programs that have contributed to over 89 PhDs and 59 underrepresented minorities since 2005.

SourceArizona State University·DateFeb 16, 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.

Teaching the brain to speak again

Researchers at Northwestern University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the effects of brain damage on language processing and recovery. Studies have shown that with targeted training, patients can regain speech abilities years after a stroke.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 16, 2013

MBL scientist Bruce Peterson wins ASLO Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·DateFeb 16, 2013

Malawi's bountiful harvests and healthier children

A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.

SourceMichigan State University·DateFeb 16, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Strengthening speech networks to treat aphasia

Aphasia affects 80,000 people annually in the US, causing difficulty speaking and understanding language. Researchers at Brown University have developed a therapy to strengthen speech networks using guided speech and repetition exercises. Early testing with four patients showed improved precision and reduced errors.

SourceBrown University·DateFeb 16, 2013

Studying networks to help women succeed in science

A study by Northwestern University's Noshir Contractor aims to enhance cross-cultural mentoring among women in sustainable development. The researcher has created a social media recommender system that connects mentors and mentees across different regions and cultures.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 16, 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.

When good habits go bad

Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.

SourceDuke University·DateFeb 16, 2013

Using transportation data to predict pandemics

A computational model developed by Northwestern University's Dirk Brockmann can pinpoint the source of an outbreak and predict disease spread using transportation data. The model generates accurate findings on origin and predicted arrival times, providing a lifesaving advantage in responding to diseases.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 16, 2013

Brain prostheses create a sense of touch

Researchers at Duke University have developed a brain prosthetic that allows rats to sense infrared light as a tactile sensation, enabling them to navigate virtual environments and recognize textures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of neural prosthetics for quadriplegics to regain sensory perception.

SourceDuke University·DateFeb 16, 2013