Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive April 2014


Page 1 of 32

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.

Stem cells from teeth can make brain-like cells

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that stem cells taken from teeth can grow to resemble brain cells, suggesting they could be used as a therapy for stroke. These cells have the potential to form complex networks and communicate like normal neurons, offering hope for new treatments.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Watch out: Children more prone to looking but not seeing

A new UCL study found that children under 14 are more prone to inattentional blindness, failing to notice their environment while focused on simple tasks. This can lead to increased risk of accidents and safety hazards, especially for young children crossing roads or engaging in activities.

Sell-side analysts lean towards high valuation companies for comparison

A study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that sell-side analysts tend to compare companies in the same category but with expensive stock prices. This can lead to undervalued companies being perceived as good buys compared to high-valuation peers. The research also shows a greater tendency to choose hig...

Hope for better drugs to treat stroke and heart attacks

Researchers have taken 'snapshots' of a critical receptor involved in blood coagulation, paving the way for novel, reversible blood-thinning substances. These new therapies aim to provide more effective control over platelet aggregation, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Study challenges concept of 'healthy' obesity

Researchers found obese patients with no heart disease have greater risk of future disease due to early plaque buildup in the arteries. The study's lead author emphasizes the importance of counseling obese individuals about their risks and providing tips for achieving a healthy weight.

NYU neurosurgeon Douglas Kondziolka receives Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award

Douglas Kondziolka received the 2014 Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award for his extensive research and clinical work in stroke-related cell transplantation. He is principal investigator on several neurotransplantation clinical trials, including a trial evaluating bone marrow-derived neuroprogenitor cells for implantation.

Water-based 'engine' propels tumor cells through tight spaces in the body

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered a novel method cancer cells use to migrate through the body by leveraging a propulsion system based on water and charged particles. The Osmotic Engine Model reveals how sodium-hydrogen ions, aquaporins, and water create a flow that propels cells forward.

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.

Competition for ecological niches limits the formation of new species

Researchers found that filling of ecological niches slows the diversification of Himalayan songbirds. The study, which analyzed genetic relationships between 461 songbird species, discovered that eastern Himalayan species are separated from each other by six to seven million years, suggesting a slowing of evolution.

Columbia engineers grow functional human cartilage in lab

Researchers at Columbia University successfully grew fully functional human cartilage from adult human stem cells, marking a significant breakthrough in tissue engineering. The developed cartilage exhibits physiologic architecture and strength, with potential applications in repairing cartilage defects or reconstructing complex tissues.

New fluid fats fuel frozen flies

Goldenrod gall fly larvae produce a novel class of lipids that remain fluid at low temperatures, allowing them to survive freezing winters. These acetylated triacylglycerols are less energy dense than standard lipids and have antifreeze characteristics.

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.

New version of old MS drug performs well in clinical trial

Researchers found that a new version of an old MS drug reduced patient relapses and lesion development by 36% compared to placebo. The updated formulation allowed for longer injection intervals, potentially increasing compliance and quality of life for MS patients.

Faster dental treatment with new photoactive molecule

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new Germanium-based photo initiator that hardens dental fillings faster. This innovation increases the hardening depth from 2 mm to 4 mm, making dental treatment more efficient.

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.

Astronomers observe corkscrew nature of light from a distant black hole

Researchers measured circular polarisation in the bright flash of light from a dying star collapsing to a black hole, giving insight into an event that occurred 11 billion years ago. This discovery challenges current understanding of Gamma-ray Bursts and suggests a more complex mechanism for their formation.

New experimental vaccine produces immune response against MERS virus

A new experimental vaccine developed by Novavax has been shown to induce a neutralizing antibody response in mice, blocking infection with the MERS-CoV virus. The vaccine uses recombinant nanoparticle technology and is based on the major surface spike protein of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV.

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.

Study examines UV nail salon lamps, risk of skin cancer

Researchers tested 17 light units from 16 salons to assess the risk of cancer from UV nail salon lamps. The study found that higher-wattage lights emitted more UV-A radiation, but brief exposure after a manicure required multiple visits for potential DNA damage.

Lymph node ultrasounds more accurate in obese breast cancer patients

A Mayo Clinic study found that ultrasound images of underarm lymph nodes are more accurate in overweight and obese breast cancer patients than in those with a normal body mass index. The research suggests that soft fatty tissue can be compressed during ultrasounds, leading to better specificity and accuracy for these patients.

James Wilson, M.D., Ph.D. receives Pioneer Award

Dr. James M. Wilson has dedicated his research to developing gene therapy and vectors for treating inherited diseases. He has made seminal contributions to adenoviral and AAV vector technologies, enabling the successful development of commercial products across various disease targets.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Diagnosis of childhood TB could be improved by genetic discovery

Researchers identified a distinctive genetic signature in the blood of children with tuberculosis, allowing for over 80% accurate diagnosis. The discovery could lead to a cheap and effective diagnostic test to start treatment earlier and prevent unnecessary treatment.

Candid 'insider' views in the NHS could help detect reasons for poor care

A new study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that NHS staff's willingness to recommend their organization is influenced by concerns about reliability, clinical care, and management. Staff highlighted structural issues like under-staffing, poorly designed systems, and lack of resources as major concerns.

New revolutionary sensor links pressure to color change

Researchers at UC Riverside developed a high-resolution pressure sensor that changes color according to stress levels, providing vital information for engineers designing safer automobiles. The technology also has applications in improving everyday devices like smartphones.

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.

A fattening gene

Researchers have identified a key gene in energy metabolism, revealing its crucial role in regulating fat storage. The Sirt7 gene plays a central role in the process, enabling mice to maintain normal weight despite high-fat diets, suggesting new therapeutic approaches for obesity and metabolic disorders.

The pitch drops that got the world talking

A team of researchers from Trinity College Dublin captured a drop of pitch on camera for the first time, generating over two million YouTube views. The attention came from their short and quirky story, which also sparked human interest due to a dramatic sequence of events related to an Australian experiment.

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.

Study questions Neandertal inferiority to early modern humans

A new analysis of archaeological records suggests that complex interbreeding and assimilation between Neandertals and early modern humans may have led to the demise of Neandertals. This contradicts previous theories that suggested modern human superiority was responsible for their extinction.

Multiple consecutive days of tornado activity spawn worst events

A study by Purdue University professor Jeff Trapp found that tornado outbreaks lasting three or more days are more likely to occur, with a 74% probability of an outbreak during such periods. The Enhanced Fujita scale indicates stronger tornadoes were also more likely to hit during these extended periods.

Dispatcher-assisted CPR increases survival among children

A large Japanese study found that dispatcher-assisted bystander CPR increased the delivery rate of CPR and was associated with improved neurological and overall outcomes. Children who received dispatcher-assisted CPR had a significantly higher chance of survival and better brain function compared to those who did not receive CPR.

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.

Shockwave findings set to rewrite scientific theories

Research by Dr Klaas Wiersema's team has discovered that Gamma-Ray Bursts behave differently than previously thought, challenging existing theoretical predictions. The study used observations of a GRB to rule out most existing theories and instead found evidence for circular polarisation in visible light.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Neanderthals were not inferior to modern humans, says CU-Boulder study

A recent CU-Boulder study contradicts the widely held notion that Neanderthals were dimwitted and primitive, suggesting they had cognitive abilities comparable to those of anatomically modern humans. The researchers found evidence of complex communication, efficient hunting strategies, and a diverse diet among Neanderthals.

Children's TV time is closely linked to parents' viewing habits

A new study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that children aged five and six spend more time watching TV on weekends than during the week, with parents playing a significant role. The research suggests that there is a need to find ways to help families reduce screen-viewing time.

Entire star cluster thrown out of its galaxy

Researchers found a runaway star cluster named HVGC-1 in the M87 galaxy, moving at over two million miles per hour. The cluster was likely flung out of the galaxy by supermassive black holes at its core.

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.

Length of exoplanet day measured for first time

Astronomers from Leiden University and SRON have measured the spin of Beta Pictoris b, an exoplanet orbiting a naked-eye star 63 light-years from Earth. The planet's day length is just 8 hours, despite being over 16 times larger and 3000 times more massive than Earth.

Algae 'see' a wide range of light

Researchers at UC Davis discovered that aquatic algae can perceive light across the visible spectrum, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions. This broad spectral coverage helps algae make use of whatever light they can in the ocean.