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Science News Archive 2014


Page 275 of 376

Revive your smartphone in 30 seconds

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new prototype battery that can fully charge a smartphone in under a minute, using nanodots derived from bio-organic materials. The technology increases electrode capacity and electrolyte performance, making it more efficient and eco-friendly than current battery technologies.

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.

Brainy courage of the rainbowfish

A study published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that rainbowfish born in the wild are braver than those bred in captivity. The researchers suggest that fear is heightened when primarily processed by a single brain hemisphere, making lateralized fish less bold.

Plants evolve ways to control embryo growth

A new study from the University of Warwick found that plant cells send specific signals to developing embryos to direct their growth and development. This discovery opens up possibilities for breeding more robust plant varieties with higher yields.

Experts disagree on horses with incoordination

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found significant disagreement among experts about the severity of horse incoordination, also known as ataxia. The study aimed to establish clearer definitions for normal and abnormal gait patterns in horses, which could lead to greater agreement among specialists.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Appearance of night-shining clouds has increased

Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.

Enzyme 'wrench' could be key to stronger, more effective antibiotics

Researchers may be able to design and synthesize stronger, more adaptable antibiotics from less expensive natural compounds using a specialized enzyme. By modifying an enzyme called KirCII, scientists hope to turn it into a set of wrenches that can install different molecular pieces to create new antibiotics.

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.

Study resolves controversy over nitrogen's ocean 'exit strategies'

Researchers found that both denitrification and anammox are at work in the oceans, with a 70-30 ratio of nitrogen removal. The study settles a decades-long debate over how nitrogen is removed from the ocean and has real-world applications for understanding global climate and productivity.

Proof that antidepressants and breastfeeding can mix

Researchers found that two-thirds of women on antidepressants stopped breastfeeding after pregnancy, while one-third continued with successful outcomes. The health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and children far outweigh any potential risks from medication.

Enzyme revealed as promising target to treat asthma and cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified SGK1 enzyme as a potential target for treating asthma and boosting the effects of certain cancer therapies. The enzyme's role in regulating immune system T cells suggests that blocking it could inhibit asthma symptoms and enhance cancer treatment.

Laboratory-grown vaginas implanted in patients, scientists report

Researchers have successfully implanted laboratory-grown vaginal organs in four teenage girls with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, achieving normal function and structure over eight years post-surgery. The treatment shows promise for patients requiring vaginal reconstructive surgeries or those with vaginal cancer or injuries.

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.

Health of ecosystems on US golf courses better than predicted

Researchers found that improved turf management practices on US golf courses enhance biodiversity and provide a habitat for stream salamanders. Simple management practices such as retaining woody debris and leaf litter can make a significant ecological difference.

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.

Researchers develop novel molecular blood group typing technique

Researchers developed a novel molecular blood group typing technique that offers blood banks the possibility of extensive screening of blood donors at a relatively low cost. This technology can reduce adverse reactions and decrease blood bank costs by facilitating support for patients undergoing long-term transfusions.

Pseudo-mathematics and financial charlatanism

The article examines how backtesting can lead to overfitting, resulting in misleadingly good results that don't translate to real-world performance. Researchers argue that few companies and researchers conduct out-of-sample testing, leading to a lack of transparency in investment strategies.

New research on gigabit wireless communications

The study proposes enhanced technologies and algorithms to increase data capacity and densification in short-range wireless networks, achieving speeds of up to 7Gbps per link. Beamforming is also explored as a solution for multi-gigabit connections between base stations and users, with an adaptive algorithm reducing interference.

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.

INFORMS awards 2014 UPS George D. Smith to MIT LGO Program

The LGO program is a two-year dual degree program that prepares students to be good practitioners of operations research through a combination of technical skills and soft skills training. The program's emphasis on practical training, including a six-month internship at an industry partner company, has earned it international recognition.

News from the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, April 2014

A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines developed recommendations for the care of pediatric patients with intestinal failure at risk of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, while a prospective observational study found that feeding interruptions led to negative outcomes in critically ill patients. Intensive nutrition therapy also show...

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Medicare's flawed adjustment methodology poor way to spend billions

A new study by Dartmouth investigators finds Medicare's current risk-adjustment methodology is flawed and ineffective in adjusting for population differences. The researchers suggest using wealth and health indices as an alternative to explain regional mortality rates, outperforming the current diagnosis-based method.

Thermoelectric generator on glass fabric for wearable electronic devices

KAIST researchers developed a flexible thermoelectric (TE) generator on glass fabric that produces electricity from human body heat, overcoming the limitations of existing TE generators. The new generator is extremely light, flexible, and compact, with a self-sustaining structure that eliminates thermal energy loss.

Princeton, PPPL join major arms-control project

Researchers at Princeton University and PPPL are developing a unique process to verify that nuclear weapons contain true warheads. The goal is to confirm the authenticity of inspected items without revealing sensitive information.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Uncovering a new angle on mental distance

A study published in Psychological Science found that people's orientation affects their perception of distance. The researchers discovered that moving in a certain direction makes places ahead feel nearer than those behind, regardless of actual distance. This phenomenon is linked to feelings of social similarity and emotional engagement.

Too much protein may kill brain cells as Parkinson's progresses

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene may cause excessive protein production, leading to cell death. This could provide a new target for monitoring Parkinson's disease and developing therapies.

Genetic distinctness to guide global bird conservation

The study identifies the world's top 50 most evolutionarily distinct bird species, including the South American oilbird and the Christmas Island frigatebird. These species have unique genetic characteristics that make them crucial for preserving the tree of life.

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.

Paul Sally honored for impact on education

The American Mathematical Society has recognized Paul Sally's contributions to mathematics education, including the establishment of programs such as SESAME and YSP. His work with teachers and students at the precollege level has had a significant national impact.

Sunlight generates hydrogen in new porous silicon

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to manufacture porous silicon using solar energy, which can generate hydrogen from water when exposed to sunlight. The material's high surface area and nanoscale size enable it to act as an effective catalyst, aiding in the production of hydrogen gas.

Recycling astronaut urine for energy and drinking water

Scientists have developed a new technique to convert astronaut urine into fuel and drinking water, reducing the waste burden in space missions. The Urea Bioreactor Electrochemical system efficiently converts urea into ammonia, which is then turned into energy with a fuel cell.

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.

No compromises: JILA's short, flexible, reusable AFM probe

JILA researchers developed a new AFM probe design that improves precision and stability in picoscale force measurements. The shorter, softer probes enable rapid, precise measurements of biomolecules like proteins and DNA, allowing for the study of folding and stretching events.

One of the last strongholds for Western chimpanzees

A recent survey by an international research team found that Liberia's chimpanee population is one of the most viable in West Africa, with over 70% living outside protected areas. The results provide crucial information for site prioritization and conservation efforts.

GM crops under the microscope at international debate

A panel of international experts will discuss the pros and cons of genetically modified (GM) crops in improving European food security. Recent research shows that consumers are increasingly concerned about GM foods, with 11% checking labels for information on GM content.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Vigilance for kidney problems key for rheumatoid arthritis patients

Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients have a 1 in 4 chance of developing chronic kidney disease over a 20-year period, compared to the general population's 1-in-5 risk. Patients should work to keep blood pressure under control and avoid medications damaging to the kidneys.

Study confirms impact of clinician-patient relationship on health outcomes

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that relationship-focused training had a small but statistically significant effect on measured health outcomes in patients with conditions such as obesity and diabetes. The study suggests that a good patient-clinician relationship can produce health effects similar to some common t...

Europeans and biomedical research

A majority of Europeans view biomedical research as a source of hope and trust the public to challenge opinion. However, most lack scientific literacy and rely on experts for understanding, highlighting the need for education and communication about research findings.

Reef fish arrived in 2 waves

A new study reveals that reef fish diversified into two distinct groups of fish, with the first group arriving around 70-90 million years ago, during a time when coral reefs were built by mollusks called rudists. By 50 million years ago, modern coral reefs and their inhabitants had largely taken shape.

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.

Technical tests of biodiversity

Researchers from SISSA and Polytechnic University of Turin used a mathematical model to study the effect of migration on biodiversity. They found that higher migration rates can actually increase genetic variability, contradicting previous common assumptions.

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.

UC San Diego researchers develop bacterial 'FM radio'

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel method of encoding multiple environmental inputs into a single time series using frequency multiplexing, inspired by FM radio. This breakthrough enables the creation of genetic circuits that can react with the execution of a sequence of instructions in real-time.

A bad penny: Cancer's thirst for copper can be targeted

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that cancers with a BRAF gene mutation require copper for tumor growth, leading to potential new treatments using copper-reducing drugs. The study provides hope for patients with melanoma and other BRAF-driven cancers.

Extinct carnivorous marsupial may have hunted prey larger than itself

Scientists reconstructed the skull of Nimbacinus dicksoni and found that it had a high bite force for its size, suggesting it could hunt vertebrate prey exceeding its own body mass. The research suggests that Nimbacinus dicksoni was an opportunistic hunter with potential prey including birds, frogs, and other marsupials.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Love is a many-faceted thing

Researchers found that regular churchgoers, married people, and those with harmonious social ties are most satisfied with their love lives. The study also revealed that education does not impact love life satisfaction but religious involvement does, with believers having positive attitudes towards their relationships.