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Science News for July 4, 2013


Octopus' blue blood allows them to rule the waves!

Researchers discovered that Antarctic octopods have genetically and functionally distinct haemocyanin forms that facilitate oxygen release at sub-zero temperatures. This physiological adaptation allows octopods to sustain aerobic life in cold environments.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 4, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

No single origin for agriculture in the Fertile Crescent

Archaeologists uncover evidence of ancient grain cultivation between 12,000 and 9,800 years ago in eastern Fertile Crescent. Plant remains found at Chogha Golan site show simultaneous development of Neolithic culture across region.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

Scientists explore the mind with epigenomic maps

Researchers discovered unique patterns of DNA methylation that emerge when neurons form new connections in children's developing brains, shedding light on the role of epigenomics in learning, memory, and mental illness. The study provides a new framework for understanding brain development and function.

SourceUniversity of Western Australia·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

University of East Anglia research reveals true cost of farming to UK economy

A new report from the University of East Anglia finds that current UK farming subsidies distort land use decisions, resulting in significant financial and environmental costs. The research suggests that reforms to EU subsidies could improve land use efficiency and reduce costs, while also conserving wild species and promoting recreation.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

Brain epigenome changes from birth to adolescence

Researchers discovered significant brain epigenome changes from birth to adolescence, transforming the frontal cortex and shaping communication spaces between neurons. The study's findings have profound implications for understanding brain biology and potentially treating neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 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.

Long-lived mice are less active

A study published in PLOS ONE found that long-lived female house mice are less active than shorter-lived counterparts, consuming less food and displaying reactive personality traits. The researchers suggest that life-history theory predicts individuals with greater life expectancy to be more cautious and energy-conserving.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 4, 2013

Spider webs more effective at ensnaring charged insects

Researchers found that spider webs are more effective at capturing charged insects, with positively charged insects attracting the negatively charged web. This discovery suggests that electrostatic charges may have driven the evolution of specialized webs.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 4, 2013

New marker substance for cancer cells

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new PET tracer that targets the folic acid receptor on cancer cells, enabling precise diagnosis and predicting patient response to therapy. The tracer also has potential for displaying inflammatory diseases and medication development.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·DateJul 4, 2013

Technological breakthrough paves the way for better drugs

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet developed a breakthrough method called CETSA to measure drug molecules' binding to target proteins. This enables more efficient development of new drugs and potential improvement in cancer treatments.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 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.

Jumping snails leap over global warming

Researchers found snails increased oxygen consumption 4-5 times during jumping to cope with rising temperatures. The study suggests the snails can maintain this strong increase in oxygen uptake even at high temperatures that would be lethal to fish.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 4, 2013

Australian physicists cast new light on spin-bowling

Researchers developed equations governing trajectory of spinning ball as it moves through air in presence of wind. The study reveals how cross-wind affects spin-bowler's delivery, changing pitch point on wicket.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysica Scripta·DateJul 4, 2013
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Feeding galaxy caught in distant searchlight

Astronomers have observed a galaxy feeding on material from its surroundings, shedding light on galaxy formation. The study used ESO's VLT to analyze the properties of gas around the galaxy, providing unique insights into the growth of galaxies.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

Saarland University scientists reveal structure of a supercooled liquid

Researchers at Saarland University used DESY's x-ray source to study the transformation of supercooled liquids. They observed that these liquids transition from a 'fragile' to a 'strong' state with increasing order despite constant density, and this process was detectable in temperatures ranging from 1200 K to 800 K.

SourceSaarland University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 4, 2013

New research could pave the way to safer treatments for arthritis

A new study has revealed that the COX-2 enzyme is largely absent from major blood vessels, instead found in brain, kidney, thymus, and gut. This knowledge paves the way for the development of safer, more targeted drugs for arthritis patients with fewer side effects.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 4, 2013
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Seeing starfish: The missing link in eye evolution?

Researchers found that starfish with intact eyes move towards the reef, while those without eyes walk randomly. The study suggests that starfish nervous system can process visual information, pointing to an underestimation of echinoderms' capacity.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 4, 2013

A route for steeper, cheaper, and deeper roots

Plants with thinner roots show natural variation in cortical cell number, reducing energetic cost of soil exploration and increasing rooting depth. This trait could lead to improved seed production for agriculture, maintaining high yields in drought-prone regions.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology·DateJul 4, 2013

Exercise rescues mutated neural stem cells

Researchers at Helmholtz Association discovered that exercise can fully rescue the phenotype of CHD7-deficient neural stem cells, allowing them to differentiate into mature neurons. This breakthrough provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying CHARGE syndrome and may lead to potential treatments.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 4, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Unique epigenomic code identified during human brain development

A new study by Salk scientists reveals that the landscape of DNA methylation in brain cells is highly dynamic during brain circuitry formation, helping to understand how information in the genome is controlled from fetal development to adulthood. The discovery opens a deeper understanding of how intricate patterns of connectivity in th...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

Protecting drinking water systems from deliberate contamination

A four-year EU-funded project has developed a response programme to rapidly restore drinking water networks following a deliberate contamination event. The SecurEau toolbox includes tools for detecting water quality changes, identifying sources of contamination, and cleaning distribution systems.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·DateJul 4, 2013

The balancing act of producing more food sustainably

A team of scientists from the University of Oxford proposes sustainable intensification as a policy to meet increasing food demands. The approach focuses on improving agricultural productivity while reducing environmental harm, but also acknowledges the need for broader policy changes, including dietary shifts and waste reduction.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 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.

Study reveals ancient jigsaw puzzle of past supercontinent

Researchers used a computer program to recreate the ancient supercontinent Gondwana by aligning geological boundaries across Australia, India and Antarctica. The study improves understanding of plate tectonics and its impact on oil and gas deposits.

SourceRoyal Holloway, University of London·JournalGondwana Research·DateJul 4, 2013

Molecular chains hypersensitive to magnetic fields

Scientists at Twente University successfully created one-dimensional molecular wires with near-zero electrical conductivity when exposed to a weak magnetic field. The phenomenon is attributed to the Pauli exclusion principle and has potential applications in smartphone technology and hard disk read heads.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 2013

Cosmic radio bursts point to cataclysmic origins

A team of international researchers discovered four fast radio bursts from cosmological distances, suggesting they originate from extreme events involving relativistic objects. The findings provide a way to study space between galaxies and understand the properties of missing matter in the Universe.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateJul 4, 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.