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Science News Archive April 2014 - Page 2


Page 2 of 32

Seeing the bedrock through the trees

Researchers propose a method to determine underground details without drilling, improving climate models and predicting water runoff, landslides, and plant response to climate change. The technique uses groundwater drainage to predict weathered bedrock thickness across landscapes.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 30, 2014

Babies recognize real-life objects from pictures as early as 9 months

Researchers found that babies can learn about a toy from a photograph well before their first birthday. The study used high-quality images and showed that infants formed a mental idea of the object after a brief exposure to the picture, even when it was out of sight.

SourceRoyal Holloway, University of London·JournalChild Development·DateApr 30, 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.

Predators predict longevity of birds

Researchers found a negative relationship between predation pressure and bird longevity, supporting the classical theory of ageing. The study analyzed data from nearly 1400 bird species, revealing that larger species with faster reproductive rates tend to live shorter lives.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalEcography·DateApr 30, 2014

New insights into gamma-ray burst afterglows

A team of researchers has discovered that the afterglow from a gamma-ray burst behaves differently than expected, with 10,000 times more circularly polarised light detected. The findings provide new insights into the extreme properties of matter under shockwave conditions.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 30, 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.

Simple sequence repeats for population-level studies of pines

A new method for genotyping pine species has been developed using simple sequence repeats, allowing for efficient and cost-effective population-level studies. The technique was tested on over 900 individuals across 100 species, revealing six markers that are particularly useful for understanding genetic structure within ponderosa pine.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateApr 30, 2014

Putting the endoparasitic plants Apodanthaceae on the map

The Apodanthaceae family comprises 10 species of endo-parasitic plants, specialized to parasitize legumes or willow family species. The study provides a key, distribution map, and color photos of most species, shedding light on their ecology and evolution.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalPhytoKeys·DateApr 30, 2014

European seafloor survey reveals depth of marine litter

A large-scale seafloor survey found widespread presence of bottles, plastic bags, fishing nets, and other types of human litter across European seas. Litter was found at all depths, from shallow waters to 4500-meter waters, with the highest density in submarine canyons.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 30, 2014

Your stress is my stress

Researchers found that even brief observations of stressed individuals can increase cortisol levels in observers, particularly when social closeness is involved. This phenomenon, known as empathic stress, has significant implications for the healthcare system and our understanding of stress transmission.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateApr 30, 2014

Throwing injuries no longer just for the pros

A recent study found a 10-fold increase in UCL reconstruction among youth athletes, with year-round play contributing to the rise. Experts recommend preventing overuse injuries by following recommended guidelines, including pitch count limits and adequate rest. Early recognition of symptoms is also crucial to prevent unnecessary surgery.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateApr 30, 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.

Damage control: Recovering from radiation and chemotherapy

New study finds that beta-catenin plays a critical role in promoting recovery of hematopoietic stem cells after radiation exposure. The researchers discovered that mice deficient in beta-catenin had impaired hematopoietic stem cell regeneration and bone marrow recovery after radiation.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 30, 2014

Cutting cancer to pieces: New research on bleomycin

Bleomycin's ability to cut through double-stranded DNA in cancerous cells leads to cell death. The new study presents alternative biochemical mechanisms for DNA cleavage by bleomycin.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 30, 2014

New UT Arlington research could improve pharmaceuticals testing

Researchers at UT Arlington have developed a new method for measuring water content in pharmaceuticals that is up to 100 times more sensitive than current methods. The new technique uses headspace gas chromatography and an ionic liquid column, offering improvements in sensitivity, accuracy, and sample size requirements.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis·DateApr 30, 2014
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.

Prostate cancer and blood lipids share genetic links

Research refines association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and prostate cancer, highlighting LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as key players. The study identifies 17 related gene loci that contribute to both high blood lipid levels and prostate cancer risk.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateApr 30, 2014

New lab-on-a-chip device overcomes miniaturization problems

Researchers at UNSW Australia developed a novel lab-on-a-chip device using non-volatile ionic liquids to overcome evaporation issues. The device has potential applications in environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis and process control.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 30, 2014

In recognizing speech sounds, the brain does not work the way a computer does

Research at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the brain decides whether sound combinations are permissible by referencing known words, rather than applying abstract rules. This new understanding may lead to better comprehension of how brain processes are disrupted in stroke patients with aphasia.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 30, 2014
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.

Playing pool with carbon atoms

Scientists at the University of Arizona have developed a way to control graphene's crystal structure using an electric field. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of faster and more versatile transistors, which would enable faster computing and new applications for graphene in microelectronics.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 30, 2014

Professional musicians run almost fourfold risk of noise induced deafness

Research published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found professional musicians are almost four times as likely to develop noise-induced hearing loss and 57% more likely to experience tinnitus. Repeated exposure to loud music can lead to permanent damage, emphasizing the need for protective measures.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalOccupational and Environmental Medicine·DateApr 30, 2014

Robots may need to include parental controls

Penn State researchers found that older adults fear companion robots will negatively affect young people, leading to design challenges for developers. To address this concern, robot designers may need to include parental controls to monitor children's use of robots and prevent dependency.

SourcePenn State·DateApr 30, 2014
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.

Widespread hydrogen fueling infrastructure goal of H2FIRST project

The H2FIRST project aims to reduce costs and time of new fueling station construction, improving stations' availability and reliability. By developing low-cost, high-performance materials and components, the effort hopes to accelerate the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateApr 30, 2014

Study: Women leaders perceived as effective as male counterparts

A meta-analysis by American Psychological Association found women rated as highly as men in leadership effectiveness, contradicting long-held stereotypes. The study also discovered that women are viewed more favorably when holding senior management positions, highlighting a shift towards greater gender equality in the workplace.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateApr 30, 2014

DNA repair gene provides new ideas for disease treatment

A DNA repair gene may hold the key to treating a genetic disorder, according to Caltech researchers. The study found that manipulating another gene, DNA2, could improve the survival of cells lacking FANCD2 and potentially lead to new treatments for Fanconi anemia.

SourceLandes Bioscience·JournalCell Cycle·DateApr 30, 2014

Infertile women want more support

A study at the University of Iowa found that infertile women want more than just practical aid but also emotional reassurance and empathy. The researchers suggest spouses, friends, and family can help by being more supportive and emotionally invested in the process.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalCommunication Monographs·DateApr 30, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Light activity every day keeps disability at bay

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that engaging in daily light physical activity can help prevent disability in people with or at risk of knee arthritis. Spending more time in light activities reduced the risk of disability by over 30% compared to those who spent less time in such activities.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalThe BMJ·DateApr 30, 2014

Social media users need help to adjust to interface changes

Research suggests that social media companies can reduce stress and defections by giving users more control over new interfaces. Users who feel in control adapt better to changes by focusing on solving problems rather than emotions. Companies can improve site longevity by being responsive to user feedback.

SourcePenn State·DateApr 30, 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.

Harnessing magnetic vortices for making nanoscale antennas

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully synchronized magnetic spins in nanoscale devices to build tiny yet more powerful signal-generating or receiving antennas. The technology harnesses the power of an electron's spin, opening doors for novel types of antennas and electronics.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 30, 2014

People rely on what they hear to know what they're saying

Researchers at Lund University found that participants accepted manipulated words as their own in 85% of non-detected trials, suggesting a significant role of auditory feedback in speech meaning. This challenges traditional models of speech production, instead suggesting that speech is influenced by both internal and external factors.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 29, 2014

Deep origins to the behavior of Hawaiian volcanoes

A team of researchers analyzed 25 Kīlauea eruptions over the past 600 years to determine that the variability in deep magma composition strongly influences eruption styles. The study found that more gas-rich magmas produce explosive eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii ‑ SOEST·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 29, 2014
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.

Breath analysis offers non-invasive method to detect early lung cancer

Researchers used breath analysis to detect lung cancer with a sensitivity comparable to PET scanning and a higher specificity, distinguishing patients with benign disease from those with early-stage cancer. The method shows promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, expediting treatment for patients with lung cancer.

SourceAmerican Association for Thoracic Surgery·DateApr 29, 2014

Molecular networks provide insights for computer security, Carnegie Mellon finds

The Carnegie Mellon team developed an algorithm that generates robust architectures for computer networks by analyzing the evolution of molecular connections in yeast cells. This approach can help understand how networks respond to cascading failures and external threats, offering insights into designing secure systems.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateApr 29, 2014

How a fish can fry: Scientists uncover evolutionary clues behind electric fish

Electric fish have evolved sophisticated communication systems using modified muscle cells, allowing them to bypass predators in the dark. A gene duplication event led to the specialized Scn4aa sodium channel gene, which may have driven quicker evolution and adaptation in electric fish.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 29, 2014

Live virus implicates camels in MERS outbreak

Researchers have found a complete, live infectious sample of MERS coronavirus in camels, suggesting the animals are a likely source of the outbreak. The study provides new evidence for camel-to-human transmission and highlights the need for further investigation into potential routes of exposure.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalmBio·DateApr 29, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Graphene not all good

Researchers found graphene oxide nanoparticles more stable in groundwater and unstable in surface waters. The material's mobility in water has significant implications for its potential environmental impact. The study highlights the need for further research on the stability and transport of these engineered nanomaterials.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science·DateApr 29, 2014

Experiment on Earth demonstrates effect observed in space

Researchers recreated space-like conditions in a laboratory to study the formation of beam-like jets, confirming a proposed mechanism through experimental results. The experiment used extreme laser powers to create supersonic plasma flows, which interacted to sharply collimate an iron plasma flow.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 29, 2014

Urban river pollutants suppress wild bird development

Research reveals that urban river pollutants are suppressing the health and development of wild birds, with chicks from contaminated rivers showing signs of underweight and hormonal imbalance. The study highlights the importance of monitoring bird populations as indicators of environmental well-being and food-web contamination.

SourceCardiff University·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateApr 29, 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.

GWAS study ties ABCC9 anomalies, sulfonylurea exposure to HS-Aging

A genome-wide association study found a strong link between ABCC9 gene variations and an increased risk of Hippocampal Sclerosis of Aging (HS-A). The study also suggests that sulfonylurea medication use is associated with an elevated risk for HS-A. Researchers hope this discovery may inform new strategies to search for cures.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalActa Neuropathologica·DateApr 29, 2014

Preliminary results show improvement in MS symptoms

A clinical study of 158 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) found that combining Copaxone with estriol improved symptom reduction by 12 months, but the effect waned over time. The results suggest a potential benefit to supplementing Copaxone therapy with estrogen.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·DateApr 29, 2014

Study highlights importance of parents talking to kids about money

A new study from North Carolina State University and the University of Texas found that children are paying close attention to financial issues and need parental guidance. Parents should make an effort to talk to their kids about money, including saving, spending, and earning, as well as family finances and debt.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCommunication Research Reports·DateApr 29, 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.

When harm done can never be balanced: Vicarious revenge and the death of Osama bin Laden

A new study from social psychology researchers found that while Osama bin Laden's assassination may have satisfied some Americans' sense of justice, it did not fully quench their desire for revenge. Respondents who felt justice was achieved also showed a stronger desire for further revenge against those responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateApr 29, 2014

You took the words right out of my brain

Researchers found that brain activity is more similar to that of speakers when listeners can predict what they will say, even before a sentence is spoken. This suggests the brain acts as a prediction machine, anticipating events in communication.

SourceNew York University·DateApr 29, 2014

Stem cells aid heart regeneration in salamanders

Researchers discovered that salamanders can regenerate their hearts within six weeks by activating stem cells from the blood. This finding raises hope for new treatments for people with damaged tissue, potentially paving the way for clinical trials and improved therapies.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·DateApr 29, 2014
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.

Proving uncertainty: New insight into old problem

Researchers provide first rigorous formulation supporting Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, enabling precise characterization of information accessible in quantum experiments. The work highlights the fundamental limits of measurements in quantum physics and may corroborate the security of quantum cryptographic protocols.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Mathematical Physics·DateApr 29, 2014

Low cholesterol in immune cells tied to slow progression of HIV

Researchers found that people infected with HIV who have low cholesterol levels in their immune cells experience slower disease progression. The study suggests that this inherited trait may affect the body's ability to transmit the virus to other cells, leading to a slower progression of AIDS.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalmBio·DateApr 29, 2014