Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2014


Page 170 of 376

Mixed genes mix up the migrations of hybrid birds

Research finds hybrid birds take longer, more difficult routes than their parent species, with strong genetic control of migratory behavior. The study suggests that mixed genetic background helps maintain the diversity of songbirds.

NASA provides double vision on Typhoon Matmo

NASA's Aqua satellite provided dual views of Typhoon Matmo, capturing its visible clouds and infrared temperatures. The storm made landfall on Taiwan's east coast, generating rough seas and typhoon-force winds.

Vitamin D deficiency raises risk of schizophrenia diagnosis

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that individuals with schizophrenia have lower levels of vitamin D than healthy people. People with vitamin D deficiency are 2.16 times more likely to have schizophrenia, highlighting a potential connection between vitamin D and psychi...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research finds pathogenic connection between autoimmune disorders and cancer

A new study by George Washington University researchers found that autoimmune disorders and cancer share common pathogenic mechanisms. The study identified survivin as a key mediator of autoreactive cell survival in myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that can lead to severe muscle weakness. The findings suggest a potential therap...

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Philosopher uses game theory to understand how words, actions acquire meaning

Researchers used evolutionary game theory models to study information flow in the natural world, finding that arbitrary signals can come to mean something through a natural process. This discovery may help explain how words gain meaning and acquire meaning through biological evolution, social learning, or other adaptive processes.

LEDs shine in bedding plant production study

A new study shows that LED lighting can produce favorable results in greenhouse grown annual bedding plant seedlings. The optimal LED red:blue light ratio was found to be between 70:30 and 100:0, resulting in higher stem caliper and root dry mass compared to high-pressure sodium lamps.

'Moral victories' might spare you from losing again

Researchers analyzed NBA coaching decisions over two decades, finding that hasty adjustments following close losses backfire, resulting in extra losses per season. Coaches also underreact to close wins, particularly those with large margins, making it essential to consider all information when evaluating performance.

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.

The real price of steak

The study found that beef is the most costly to the environment, followed by dairy and poultry, while pork and eggs are relatively similar. The researchers developed equations to calculate the environmental costs per calorie and protein unit, providing a comprehensive picture of the ecological impact of various foods.

Young women with a heart attack continue to fare worse than men

A new study analyzing hospital data from 2001 to 2010 found that young women with a heart attack have longer hospital stays and are more likely to die in the hospital compared to men. The study suggests that raising awareness of controlling cardiovascular risk factors is crucial for improving outcomes in this population.

Healing the heart with fat

Researchers discovered that a particular EPA metabolite, 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE), plays a crucial role in protecting against cardiovascular diseases. This metabolite was produced by immune cells and confirmed its heart-protective effects.

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.

Fires in Indonesia, July 2014

A significant increase in forest and land fires was detected in Riau province, with 154 hotspots reported on July 20, 2014. The smoke from these fires poses a risk to air quality, potentially spreading to neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore.

Global warming 'pause' since 1998 reflects natural fluctuation

A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests that the slowdown in global warming between 1998 and 2013 was due to a natural cooling fluctuation, rather than human-induced emissions. The study uses statistical analysis to identify patterns consistent with pre-industrial temperature swings.

Fires and smoke in Canada's Northern Territories

Severe forest fires are burning across the region, with 160 wildfires currently active, and a total of 855,000 hectares burned so far this year. The area burned has grown eight-fold compared to the 10-year average, posing high fire danger in the region.

Mothers of children with autism benefit from peer-led intervention

A new study found that peer-led interventions targeting parental well-being can significantly reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in mothers of children with disabilities. The interventions led to improvements in mental health, sleep, and life satisfaction, as well as fewer dysfunctional parent-child interactions.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Parents rank their obese children as 'very healthy'

A study found that parents of obese children frequently misjudge their child's health and prioritize dietary changes over increased physical activity. The researchers suggest that education, income, and race/ethnicity have no bearing on a parent's willingness to make dietary changes.

Study links enzyme to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that an enzyme called acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) disrupts autophagy in patients with Alzheimer's disease, leading to toxic protein accumulation. Reducing ASM activity restored autophagy and improved memory in mice with AD-like disease.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Diagnostic criteria for Christianson syndrome

A new study doubles the number of documented Christianson Syndrome cases and proposes the first diagnostic criteria for the condition. The criteria include symptoms such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, and hyperactivity, and are based on genetic analysis that reveals distinct mutations in the SLC9A6 gene.

NASA satellite sees Typhoon Matmo brush eastern Philippines

A NASA satellite captured a visible image of Typhoon Matmo's western quadrant sweeping over the eastern Philippines on July 20. The storm is intensifying, with maximum sustained winds near 70 knots and expected to peak at 105 knots by July 23.

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.

Seals forage at offshore wind farms

Researchers tracked seals' movements using GPS and found some individuals repeatedly visiting offshore wind farms, where they foraged on turbines and pipelines. This behavior suggests that man-made structures serve as attractive hunting grounds, potentially impacting seal populations and prey availability.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for July 22, 2014

Hospital performance measures must be adjusted to consider patient sociodemographic status factors or disparities in outcomes and access. Long-term remission of HIV returns after patients stop antiretroviral treatment through allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but virus rebounds when therapy is restarted.

Refined biological evolution model

A new study by Petri Kärenlampi refines the biological evolution model by incorporating species interactions and varying degrees of symmetry. The results show that anti-symmetric interactions lead to large, stable ecosystems, while symmetric systems remain small.

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.

Mammoth and mastodon behavior was less roam, more stay at home

A UC research study reveals that mammoths and mastodons were likely year-round residents of the Cincinnati region, with distinct diets and habitats. The findings suggest a greater understanding of these prehistoric creatures' behaviors, which could inform modern-day elephant conservation efforts.

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.

Parenting skills tied to reduced inflammation in low-income children

A new Northwestern University study finds that an intervention focused on strengthening families can reduce inflammation in children from low-income backgrounds. The training program improved parenting and communication between parents and children, leading to reduced inflammation.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Study provides insights into birds' migration routes

Researchers used geolocators to track songbirds' migration patterns, finding that hybrid species exhibited increased variability in their routes. This study supports the hypothesis that differences in migratory behavior can act as postmating reproductive isolating barriers.

Temple study compares deep vein thrombosis therapies

A recent Temple University Health System study compared the safety of two treatments for deep vein thrombosis (DVT): catheter-based clot removal and blood-thinning medication. The study found similar in-hospital mortality rates for both groups, but higher bleeding risks with the catheter procedure.

Filter bed substrates, plant types recommended for rain gardens

Researchers from North Carolina State University assessed the effectiveness of three filter bed substrates (sand, soil, and slate) in reducing pollutants and supporting plant growth in rain gardens. The study found that all three substrates functioned in reducing pollutant quantity, but with varying levels of success.

Examining the causes of a devastating debris flow

A recent study by Ren examined the causes of a devastating debris flow in China, which killed over 1000 people. The research found that geological conditions, surface loading, vegetation roots, and extreme precipitation all contributed to the disaster.

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.

Schizophrenia's genetic 'skyline' rising

Researchers have discovered 108 genetic loci associated with schizophrenia, a significant increase from the 30 previously reported. The study suggests that these genetic variations may exert their effects by turning genes on or off rather than coding for proteins.

Missing sleep may hurt your memory

A study by Michigan State University researchers found that sleep deprivation can lead to errors in memory, particularly in simulated crimes, with those getting less than five hours of sleep more likely to misremember event details.

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.

Dr. Surendra Sharma honored by professional association

Dr. Surendra Sharma, a research scientist and professor at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, has received the Distinguished Service Award for advancing reproductive immunology research. His laboratory focuses on understanding premature birth and pregnancy complications.

UCI researchers find epigenetic tie to neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers discovered that faulty dopamine signaling can alter the activity of over 2,000 genes in the brain's prefrontal cortex, potentially leading to schizophrenia and other complex neuropsychiatric disorders. The study suggests a potential therapeutic approach using dopamine activators to restore normal signaling.

Catching grease to cut grill pollution

A team of University of California, Riverside students designed a tray that reduces particulate matter pollution from grilling by 70% when placed under grill grates. The tray, which can be installed in existing grills, draws untreated air through a filter to decrease PM2.5 emissions.

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.