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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 365


Page 365 of 376

2-proton bit controlled by a single copper atom

A team of researchers successfully controlled the positions of two protons in a porphycene molecule by approaching a single copper atom. This breakthrough demonstrates a new way to manipulate matter at the atomic level, paving the way for the development of nanomachines and other cutting-edge technologies.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJan 15, 2014

Crittercam captures crocodilian foraging behaviors

Researchers used animal-borne cameras to monitor alligator behavior, revealing that time of day significantly affects prey capture success. Alligators are most successful in the morning while attacking prey below the surface.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2014
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Fast food not the major cause of rising childhood obesity rates

A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that children's fast food consumption is only a small part of a larger problem: poor dietary habits fostered at home. The study highlights the importance of addressing these underlying habits to reduce childhood obesity.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 15, 2014

Don't just sit there! Prolonged sitting linked to early mortality in women

A new study of 93,000 postmenopausal American women found that those with the highest amounts of sedentary time had a 12% increase in all-cause premature mortality compared to their most active peers. Regular exercise and daily movement can help counteract these declines.

SourceCornell University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

Women with a high economic status claim to have better sex

A Spanish study finds that women with lower socioeconomic status claim less sexual satisfaction, particularly in their first sexual intercourse. People with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to have safer and more satisfying sex lives.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Research: 'Sourcing hub' could help create more efficient supply chain

A new research suggests that developing relationships between companies, suppliers, and raw material suppliers can lead to significant cost savings and improved designs. By creating a sourcing hub, firms can simplify their supply chains and gain access to better advice on raw material selection.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalCalifornia Management Review·DateJan 15, 2014

Gold nanoparticles help to develop a new method for tracking viruses

Researchers developed a novel method to study enterovirus structures and functions, allowing for tracking of viruses in cells and tissues. The method involves attaching gold nanoparticles to viruses, enabling studies on structural changes and mechanisms of virus uncoating.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

When a doctor's visit is a guilt trip

A recent study from UC San Diego found that nearly half of patients experience shame or guilt during doctor visits, with weight and sex being common triggers. Focusing on behaviors rather than self-attributions can lead to positive changes in patient behavior and health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBasic and Applied Social Psychology·DateJan 15, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ramularia and the 4 Rs

Scientists confirm that the mlo gene, which provides resistance to powdery mildew, also increases susceptibility to Ramularia leaf spot. The research found that this trade-off is most significant in spring barley and can be mitigated by breeding lines resistant to both diseases.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 15, 2014

How fiber prevents diabetes and obesity

Researchers discovered that fermentable fibers help regulate glucose production in the intestine, reducing the risk of diabetes and obesity. Animals fed a fiber-rich diet became less fat and developed insulin sensitivity.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalCell·DateJan 15, 2014

Nationwide minimally invasive surgery rates triple for pancreatic disease

A nationwide study reports a three-fold increase in minimally invasive surgery rates for patients with pancreatic disease, resulting in reduced bleeding, infections, and shorter hospital stays. Surgery performed at teaching hospitals is associated with better outcomes and lower complication rates.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJan 15, 2014

Popular blood type diet debunked

Researchers at the University of Toronto found that the popular blood type diet theory is not valid, as associations between diets and health markers are independent of an individual's blood type. The study suggests that adherence to a sensible vegetarian or low-carbohydrate diet is key to improving health, regardless of blood type.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Ray of hope for magazines in digital era

Research from the University of Toronto Scarborough finds that print magazines with online presence can charge more for their advertising space due to attracting a homogeneous, targeted audience. This study suggests that magazines need to integrate their print products with digital platforms to remain competitive.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalManagement Science·DateJan 15, 2014

Megafloods: What they leave behind

Researchers suggest that megafloods created the unique amphitheater-headed canyons in Idaho and on Mars, replacing traditional theories of groundwater sapping. The team analyzed rock samples and scour marks to support their claims, pointing to much larger water discharges and shorter flow durations.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

Key species of algae shows effects of climate change over time

A study reveals a shift in competitive dynamics among crustose coralline algae due to ocean acidification, altering biodiversity. The researchers found that the dominant species, Pseudolithophyllum muricatum, no longer enjoys its competitive advantage, likely due to lower pH levels recorded over the last 12 years.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Scientists warn: Conservation work in zoos is too random

Zoos spend significant resources on endangered species, but their efforts are often ineffective due to a lack of coordination and international legislation. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark found that certain groups of threatened species are overrepresented in zoos, while others are underrepresented.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 15, 2014

Multihormone reverses metabolic damage of high calorie diet

A new peptide treatment has been shown to restore leptin responsiveness, improve body weight and glucose metabolism in obese mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet. The treatment overcomes leptin resistance, a major obstacle in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalDiabetes·DateJan 15, 2014

Low national funding for LGBT health research contributes to inequities, analysis finds

A study analyzing NIH-funded studies between 1989 and 2011 found that only 0.5% of funded studies focused on LGBT health, with significant gaps in representation and research areas. The authors recommend increasing funding for evidence-based interventions to reduce health inequities among LGBT populations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 15, 2014

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Colin's final bow

Tropical Cyclone Colin is becoming an extra-tropical system in the Southern Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image of the transitioning storm. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 35 knots/40 mph/62 kph and was weakening.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Heart attack damage slashed with microparticle therapy

Researchers have developed a microparticle therapy that targets inflammatory cells causing damage after a heart attack, reducing lesion size by 50%. The therapy has potential to transform treatment of cardiovascular disease and could be translated for clinical use within two years.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

Discovery of an early predictor of increased diabetes risk

A study discovered that PGC-1α, a protein regulating energy production in cells, may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Chronically low levels of this protein in muscle tissue were linked to increased risk and detrimental effects on other tissues, including inflammation in the liver and adipose tissue.

SourceInstitut de recherches cliniques de Montreal·DateJan 15, 2014

Camera-carrying falcons reveal mystery of raptor pursuit

Researchers from Haverford College discovered that falcons head off their prey by flying so the target appears stationary in the falcon's visual field, reducing energy expenditure and increasing hunting success. This strategy is also employed by bats and humans when chasing prey or evading threats.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateJan 15, 2014

Coral reefs in Palau surprisingly resistant to naturally acidified waters

Researchers discovered that coral reefs in Palau's Rock Islands are surprisingly diverse and healthy despite being exposed to acidic water. The unique conditions in Palau, including a residence time of seawater that allows for continuous calcification and respiration, contribute to the corals' resilience.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Joslin finds metabolic clues to diabetic kidney failure

A recent study by Joslin Diabetes Center researchers has identified key metabolic factors that may contribute to diabetic kidney failure. The study found increased levels of uremic solutes and myo-inositol in patients who developed end-stage renal disease, suggesting a potential link between tubular injury and kidney failure.

SourceJoslin Diabetes Center·JournalKidney International·DateJan 15, 2014

Hugging hemes help electrons hop

Bacteria use molecular groups called hemes to transfer electrons through tiny protein-based wires. The researchers found that evolution has set the protein up so that when electrons have a strong drive to hop, heme stepping stones are less tightly connected, and when the drive is low, they are more closely connected.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014

Global warming's biggest offenders

A new study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals the US and China are among the 7 countries most accountable for global warming. The study assigns a temperature change value to each country reflecting its contribution to observed global warming, with the US responsible for a significant 20% of the observed warming.

SourceConcordia University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

NASA sees system 94S still trying to organize near Darwin

System 94S continues to develop over the Northern Territory of Australia, with strong central convection and spiral bands of thunderstorms pushed west by moderate to strong vertical wind shear. The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the affected areas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 15, 2014

Brain regions 'tune' activity to enable attention

Researchers discovered that brain regions synchronize their activity to make it possible for people to pay attention, with the process likened to tuning multiple walkie-talkies to the same frequency. The findings have implications for understanding attention deficits in brain injuries or strokes.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 15, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study explores possible costs, benefits of making movies with 'Oscar appeal'

Researchers found that making movies with 'Oscar appeal' comes with both risks and rewards, including increased box office receipts but also a decrease in audience enjoyment. The study used data on nearly 3,000 Oscar-eligible films to build an algorithm predicting Oscar nominations based on film characteristics.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 15, 2014

Study shows elevated rates of inadequate pap tests in transgender men

A new study finds that FTM transgender patients have over 10 times higher odds of having an inadequate Papanicolaou (Pap) test compared to female patients. The researchers also found that FTM patients were more likely to have multiple inadequate Pap tests and had longer latency to follow-up testing.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

Exposures to some phthalates fall after federal ban

Exposures to some phthalates have decreased since the 2008 federal ban, while others are rising due to industry replacement. The study found significant decreases in exposure to banned phthalates like BBzP and DEHP, but increases in alternative chemicals like DiNP.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Living in fantasyland? Luck is more important than fantasy sports players think

A new study reveals that fantasy sports players tend to overestimate the role of skill and knowledge in building a winning team, while underestimating the impact of luck. The researchers found that even small amounts of misinformation can significantly affect players' perceptions of their chances of winning.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Sport Management·DateJan 15, 2014

Finally, a way to authenticate premium chocolate

Researchers at ACS report a new authentication method for cacao beans, enabling verification of varietal purity and origin. This innovation has significant implications for the global chocolate industry, including conserving biodiversity and preventing adulteration.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Next-gen reappraisal of interactions within a cancer-associated protein complex

Researchers used biochemical, structural, and global sequencing techniques to study the H3K4 trimethylation mechanism in a cancer-associated protein complex. They found that the methylase's activity was directed towards specific targets through COMPASS factors that bind to the SET1/MLL front end.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalGenes & Development·DateJan 15, 2014

Oldest trees are growing faster, storing more carbon as they age

Scientists have found that most tree species grow faster and sequester more carbon as they age, challenging the long-held assumption that older trees are less productive. This finding is based on data from over 673,000 individual trees measured across six continents.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateJan 15, 2014

An international study allows a better prediction of the risk of hereditary cancer

An international study has developed a refined method to identify people at risk for certain inherited cancers associated with Lynch syndrome. The study uses genetic data from thousands of variants identified worldwide to classify variants of unknown significance and improve genetic counseling for families.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJan 15, 2014

Leukemia: Mode of action of a targeted treatment clarified

Researchers discovered a targeted treatment's mechanism of action, which involves the PML/p53 pathway and senescence. The treatment's effectiveness relies on reorganizing nuclear bodies and triggering p53 activation, leading to the elimination of cancer cells and patient recovery.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

IU study: Copycats pave the way to problem-solving success

A new IU study explores social learning dynamics and finds that being surrounded by copycats can lead to better problem-solving success. The researchers created a virtual problem landscape using a computer game and found that imitators often make their own improvements, which are then adopted and improved upon by others.

SourceIndiana University·JournalCognitive Science·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

Alaskan caribou and ptarmigan migrations recorded

Researchers used automated cameras to track the northern spring migrations of Alaskan caribou and ptarmigan, estimating 40,000 images were analyzed. The study shed light on caribou and ptarmigan behavior, including speed, foraging habits, and avoidance of water.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJan 15, 2014

UD-developed smart gels deliver medicine on demand

Researchers at UD developed a smart hydrogel that delivers medicine in response to mechanical force, reducing inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis. Preliminary results indicate biocompatibility and potential applications beyond osteoarthritis.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateJan 15, 2014
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.

'Barcode' profiling enables analysis of hundreds of tumor marker proteins at once

Researchers have developed a novel DNA-barcoded antibody sensing approach to analyze hundreds of cancer-related protein markers from miniscule patient samples. This technology enables comprehensive analysis of protein expression patterns in single cells, revealing significant differences between tumors and predicting treatment response.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 15, 2014

Head injuries triple long-term risk of early death

Researchers found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors are three times more likely to die prematurely from suicide or fatal injuries. The study also showed that TBI survivors who have a history of substance abuse or psychiatric disorders are at highest risk of premature death.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 15, 2014

Genes and calls reveal 5-fold greater diversity of Amazon frog species

A study published in ZooKeys found up to 11 species among populations previously considered two widespread treefrog species. The genetic variation of dozens of Amazonian populations across six countries revealed a large amount of cryptic diversity, with four new species formally described.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJan 15, 2014