Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive June 2013


Page 18 of 30

Questions rise about seeding for ocean C02 sequestration

A new study on ocean microbes calls into question the potential use of algal blooms to trap carbon dioxide. Diatoms are found to be using more iron than needed for photosynthesis, storing it in their shells and reducing the amount available for other phytoplankton.

Deep biosphere harbors active, growing communities of microorganisms

Researchers found evidence of actively metabolizing and proliferating bacteria, archaea, and fungi in the deep biosphere, with implications for global biogeochemical cycles. The study revealed diverse biochemical pathways and movement mechanisms, including flagellar-driven locomotion and gliding.

Fossil kangaroo teeth reveal mosaic of Pliocene ecosystems in Queensland

The analysis of fossil kangaroo teeth reveals a diverse prehistoric habitat in southeastern Queensland, including tropical forests, wetlands, and grasslands. The findings suggest that extinct marsupials occupied specialized dietary niches, contradicting previous assumptions about the region's aridity.

Jammed molecular motors may play a role in the development of ALS

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago discovered that genetic mutations associated with inherited ALS can cause delays in nutrient and protein transport within nerve cells. This slowdown can lead to cell death, contributing to the neurodegenerative disorder.

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.

Spanish researchers sequence the genome of global deep ocean

A team of Spanish researchers has sequenced the global deep ocean genome using over 2,000 samples of microorganisms collected from the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. This groundbreaking study reveals a vast unknown species of microorganisms with intense biological activity.

Sleep mechanism identified that plays role in emotional memory

Researchers have identified a sleep mechanism that enables the brain to consolidate emotional memory and found that Ambien heightens recollection of and response to bad memories. This discovery has implications for individuals with anxiety disorders, such as PTSD, who are prescribed Ambien to help them sleep.

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.

EULAR honors outstanding contributions to rheumatology

Professors Barry Bresnihan and Jean-Michel Dayer received the Meritorious Service Award from EULAR for their dedication to advancing rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. They have conducted pivotal research that substantially improved patient lives, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Fingernails reveal clues to limb regeneration

Scientists at NYU Langone Health have discovered a population of self-renewing stem cells in the nail matrix that depend on Wnt signaling proteins to regenerate bone and tissue. This breakthrough holds promise for therapies to help people regenerate lost limbs, affecting an estimated 1.7 million Americans with amputations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Resilience in trying times -- a result of positive actions

A new study by John Helliwell and colleagues found that communities with better social capital and pro-social behaviors are more resilient during crises, leading to improved happiness. The research suggests that social trust and quality social networks play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of economic shocks.

World Oceans Month brings mixed news for oysters

Ocean acidification is altering shell formation rates and energy usage in young oysters, leading to increased mortality. However, interventions at hatcheries, such as buffering water with antacids, may help mitigate these effects.

Laws help limit junk foods in schools

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that laws and district policies limiting sugar content in foods reduced sweets sales to 32.3% of schools. The availability of sugar-sweetened beverages decreased significantly, with only 3.6% of schools with a ban compared to 13.1% without one.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Infants express non-verbal sympathy for others in distress

Researchers found that 10-month-old infants preferentially reach for the victim rather than the aggressor in an animated sequence test. This suggests that infants may exhibit rudimentary sympathy toward others in distress based on their evaluation of roles in interactions.

Luminous bacterial proteins detect chemicals in water

Researchers have developed a color sensor method using luminous bacterial proteins to detect pharmaceutical residues and pollutants in water. The method uses a red and green fluorescent dye, with the dyes shining green when present and red when not present, making it suitable for detecting a wide range of substances.

Turtles watch for, snack on gelatinous prey while swimming

Researchers found that loggerhead turtles rely on sight to identify and move towards gelatinous, floating prey like jellyfish and other organisms. They can snack on these low-energy foods approximately twice every hour, suggesting they may rely on such prey for energy more than previously thought.

Moving iron in Antarctica

A new study at Georgia Tech suggests that diatoms stuff more iron into their silica shells than needed, limiting its availability and reducing productivity. This can negatively affect the ecosystem, including plankton production and competition for iron.

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.

New method successfully scores joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis

A new study demonstrates the efficacy of a radiographic scoring method to evaluate joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis, revealing progressive destruction even under TNF-blocking therapies. Patients with pre-existing damage showed significant increases in joint damage, highlighting the importance of early and accurate evaluation.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Hot flashes before menopause? It can happen

A study of 1,500 women reveals that hot flashes and night sweats can occur before menopause, particularly among white women, Asian women, and those with certain dietary habits. The findings shed light on the complex factors influencing midlife symptoms and provide reassurance for women experiencing unexpected hot flashes.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Nanoelectronics Center at UT Austin receives $7.8 million award

The University of Texas at Austin's Nanoelectronics Center will receive a five-year, $7.8 million award from SRC and NIST to develop novel ultra-low-power transistor research. The goal is to create transistors that consume significantly less energy than current devices, with potential applications in mobile computing and manufacturing.

An ultrasensitive molybdenum-based image sensor

A new molybdenum-based image sensor has been developed, featuring a single pixel that requires only 1/5th the light energy of current silicon-based sensors. This breakthrough enables high sensitivity in low-light conditions, opening up new possibilities for astrophotography and biological imaging.

Hands-free talking and texting are unsafe

A new study by the University of Utah found that hands-free devices can overload drivers' attention and impair their ability to drive safely. The study used advanced metrics to assess driver mental workload and reaction time, revealing a five-fold increase in infotainment systems in new vehicles by 2018

Age-related smelling loss significantly worse in African-Americans

Research reveals African-Americans have a greater decline in their sense of smell as they age, which can lead to impaired nutrition and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that racial disparities in olfactory function cannot be explained by social, environmental or medical factors.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

NYC-style cap on soda size would target the overweight, not the poor

A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health suggests that restricting large sugar-sweetened beverages in food service establishments would primarily affect overweight individuals, including teenagers. The proposed restrictions aim to reduce obesity, which is linked to excess calories from sugary drinks.

Caregiving dads treated disrespectfully at work, new study finds

A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that caregiving dads are treated disrespectfully at work due to non-traditional gender roles. The study suggests that employees who violate traditional gender norms, such as men doing less caregiving and domestic tasks, face harassment in the office.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Protein database for biomedical research

The new ProteomicsDB contains over 11,000 datasets from human cancer cell lines and tissues, enabling real-time analysis of large data sets. The database provides instant value for researchers to test analytical hypotheses and develop new drugs with reduced side effects.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Flu vaccines aimed at younger populations could break annual transmission cycle

A new report suggests that vaccinating more children and young adults for influenza could significantly reduce the number of lives lost and economic burden associated with seasonal influenza. The study's findings suggest that programs targeting these age groups would have the best payoff in breaking the annual transmission cycle.

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.

Retailers should referee customer conflict

A new study suggests retailers can mitigate conflict by calling out bad shopping etiquette. In an experiment, shoppers who left clothing in disarray received less help from fellow customers after being reprimanded.

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.

Study finds cancer guidelines do not fully meet IOM standards

Researchers found that none of the 169 cancer clinical practice guidelines met all eight criteria set by the Institute of Medicine. However, some guidelines were rated as 'good,' highlighting the need for a balance between ideal standards and practical implementation.

Experimental vaccine shows promise against TB meningitis

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed an experimental vaccine that prevents the virulent TB bacterium from invading the brain and causing TB meningitis. The new vaccine was tested in guinea pigs and showed promise in reducing brain damage and death, with higher levels of protective antibodies and interferons.

Research paints new picture of 'dinobird' feathers

The study analyzed chemical traces from the first complete Archaeopteryx feather, revealing a patterned plumage. The findings contradict previous assumptions that all feathers were black and provide crucial insights into the evolution of bird feathers.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tillage and reduced-input rotations affect runoff from agricultural fields

Researchers compared nutrient and sediment loss from no-till, conventional tillage, and reduced-input rotation watersheds, finding that no-till reduces soil erosion but may increase dissolved phosphorus. Reduced-input rotations strike a balance between conventional tillage and no-till, but led to higher levels of soil loss.

Obesity increases the risk of preterm delivery

Women with obesity have a higher risk of giving birth to preterm infants, particularly those born extremely preterm. Obesity-related diseases and increased inflammation contribute to this increased risk.

Frequent soccer ball 'heading' may lead to brain injury

Researchers found white-matter abnormalities in soccer players who headed the ball over 885-1,550 times a year, associated with cognitive impairment. Players with more than 1,800 headings per year showed poorer memory scores, suggesting frequent heading may cause brain injury.

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.