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Science News Archive December 2014


Page 24 of 28

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Satellite time-lapse movie shows California soaker

A new time-lapse animation of data from NOAA's GOES-West satellite reveals the movement of a record-setting storm system that brought heavy rainfall to Southern California. The storm, fueled by warm moisture from the Pacific Ocean, merged with a low-pressure system, resulting in torrential rains and setting new records for some areas.

Higher blood clot risk in longer surgeries

A large-scale national study found that longer surgical procedures significantly increase the risk of life-threatening blood clots. The study analyzed over 1.4 million patients and found a 18-26% increase in clot risk with each additional hour of surgery.

Geckos are sticky without effort

Researchers from UC Riverside have discovered that dead geckos can adhere to surfaces with the same force as living geckos, eliminating the need for active control. This finding has significant implications for robotics and other fields where adhesion is crucial.

Colorful nano-guides to the liver

Researchers create dye-functionalized nanoparticles that selectively deliver siRNA to liver cells, reducing cholesterol production and offering new hope for personalized therapy approaches. The method uses near-infrared fluorescent dyes as address labels and tracking numbers, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of the transport process.

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.

Gut bacteria from a worm can degrade plastic

Researchers have identified two strains of waxworm gut microbes that can break down polyethylene without pretreatment, pointing towards a direct way to biodegrade plastic. The finding has significant implications for the global plastics industry, which produces over 140 million tons of polyethylene annually.

World's fastest 2-D camera may enable new scientific discoveries

A team of biomedical engineers developed a 2-D camera that can capture events up to 100 billion frames per second. This technology, called compressed ultrafast photography (CUP), enables the creation of high-speed movies of various phenomena, including laser pulse reflection and photon racing in two media.

Not all induced pluripotent stem cells are made equal: McMaster researchers

Scientists at McMaster University have discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells retain a memory of their original tissue type, allowing for more targeted regeneration and therapy development. This breakthrough challenges the conventional thought that any pluripotent human stem cell can be used to generate mature tissue cells.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Carrot or stick?

Researchers found that a sequential use of reward and punishment can promote cooperation in collaborative endeavors. The study suggests that initially rewarding minor cooperators and then punishing free riders can lead to better outcomes.

Brain research reveals new hope for patients with anorexia nervosa

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that brain shrinkage associated with anorexia nervosa can be reversed through successful weight restoration therapy. The research analyzed cortical thickness in over 100,000 brain locations and showed significant improvements in patients who achieved normal weight and eating behavior.

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.

Taming neural excitations

Researchers aimed to control harmful signals in strokes by understanding neural excitation pulses. The study found that non-local couplings can produce various spatio-temporal patterns, including acceleration, deceleration, and suppression of pulses.

Novel approach to treating asthma: Neutralize the trigger

Scientists have developed a novel approach to treating asthma by targeting the trigger - dust mite allergens. The newly created compound significantly dampened immune responses in rats exposed to various allergens, suggesting a potential breakthrough in asthma treatment.

Bioplastic -- greener than ever

A new method to produce lactic acid from glycerol, a waste feedstock, has been introduced, reducing CO2 emission by 30% compared to conventional fermentation. The process also lowers production costs, increasing the potential profit by 17-fold.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Does your boss find you proactive ... or pushy?

Employees who take personal initiative but lack social acumen may be seen as troublemakers. A study found that proactive behavior is only beneficial if combined with social skills and sensitivity to favorable opportunities. Employers are looking for employees with both personal initiative and political skill.

Koalas selective about eucalyptus leaves at mealtime

A study found that koalas selectively eat eucalyptus leaves with higher available nitrogen, indicating a preference for nutritious food. The researchers suggest that access to quality food plays a crucial role in shaping the distribution of koala populations in habitats with low nutritional value.

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.

Study discovers RX approach that reduces herpes virus infection

A new study found an effective treatment approach to inhibit latent herpes simplex viruses from reactivating and causing disease. The research used existing drugs, such as tranylcypromine, to block proteins involved in viral replication, reducing symptoms and shedding of the virus.

Study set to shape medical genetics in Africa

The study characterizes genetic diversity across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing valuable resources for medical researchers. It identifies 30 million genetic variants, including those associated with high blood pressure and infectious diseases like malaria and Lassa fever.

How to create and sustain clinical-research partnerships

Pragmatic clinical trials require collaboration between researchers and health care providers. A new guide emphasizes building strong partnerships, defining clinically important questions, and involving stakeholders in study design. Successful trials produce long-term scientific relationships and evidence for improving care.

Barrier-breaking drug may lead to spinal cord injury treatments

A new drug called ISP was designed to mimic a critical part of an enzyme found in damaged axons, promoting recovery from spinal cord injuries. Injections of the drug partially restored axon growth and improved movements and bladder functions in paralyzed rats.

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.

Lethal control of wolves backfires on livestock

Researchers found that killing wolves increases livestock depredations, with a 4% increase in sheep deaths and 5-6% in cattle deaths after one wolf is killed. The trend continues until 25% of the wolves are killed, leading to unsustainable livestock losses.

Tinkering with the Tao of pandas

A new study reveals that giant pandas are not as picky about their habitat as previously believed. The research, led by Michigan State University, found that pandas are willing to live in secondary forests, climb different slopes, and choose areas with varying amounts of sunshine.

3-D compass in the brain

Researchers have identified neurons in the hippocampal formation that sense the direction of an animal's head and enable 3D navigation. This discovery supports the idea that these cells serve as a 3D neural compass.

Space travel is a bit safer than expected

The MATROSHKA experiment found that doses of cosmic radiation inside the International Space Station were lower than those recorded by astronauts' personal dosimeters. In open space, the overestimation was even higher, exceeding 200%.

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.

Toward a low-cost 'artificial leaf' that produces clean hydrogen fuel

Researchers have made significant strides toward a stand-alone system for large-scale, low-cost production of hydrogen fuel. The team's nanowire mesh design harnesses sunlight to split water and harvest hydrogen, offering a promising solution for environmentally friendly energy production.

Many chest X-rays in children are unnecessary

A study found that approximately 88% of pediatric chest X-ray exams did not alter clinical treatment, highlighting potential waste in the healthcare system. In cases where patients were ordered for symptoms like syncope or dizziness, no findings were made that affected treatment over a five-year period.

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.

SHSU eyewitness ID study earns gold for Houston police

A study conducted by Sam Houston State University and the Houston Police Department found that no single method of eyewitness identification is more reliable than others. The experiment tested four different methods, including sequential and simultaneous presentations, and revealed surprising consistency in results.

Low-grade waste heat regenerates ammonia battery

Researchers at Penn State have developed a thermally regenerative ammonia-based battery that converts low-grade waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The battery can produce up to 60 watts per square meter of power, making it six to 10 times more efficient than other liquid-based thermal-electric energy conversion systems.

Computer model enables design of complex DNA shapes

Researchers at MIT have developed a new computer model that allows them to design the most complex three-dimensional DNA shapes ever produced. The model enables nanometer-scale precision and can be used to create DNA scaffolds for anchoring proteins, chromophores, and nanoparticles.

Parasites and the evolution of primate culture

A new study examines how parasites impact primate culture, finding that socially transmitted pathogens increase with learning from others and environmentally transmitted pathogens with exploratory behavior. This research sheds light on the evolutionary pressures driving primate cultural development.

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.

Reducing drug allergies without compromising efficacy

A new approach uses a comb-shaped polymer to protect enzymes from the immune system, reducing allergic reactions and maintaining efficacy. The method has potential applications in treating allergies and protecting rapidly degraded therapeutic molecules.

Wireless nanorod-nanotube film enables light stimulation of blind retina

Researchers at Hebrew University developed a new light-sensitive film that can stimulate neurons in response to light without using wires or external power sources. This innovative technology has the potential to form the basis of a prosthetic retina for people with retinal damage or degeneration.

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.

Brain study from UT Dallas uncovers new clues on how cues may affect memory

A new study from UT Dallas reveals that pre-stimulus brain activity predicts later memory performance, contradicting previous findings on the role of the hippocampus in memory. Greater frontal and parietal cortex activity was linked to false recall, while increased hippocampal activity predicted forgetting.

Virginia Tech researchers connect sleep cycle, cancer incidence

Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a link between the body's sleep cycle and cancer incidence. The human period 2 protein, which regulates the sleep cycle, was found to protect against sporadic forms of cancers. This breakthrough may lead to new prevention strategies for populations at risk due to circadian disruption.

Mapping the interactome

Researchers at the National University of Singapore have comprehensively described the network of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesions. The study reveals 561 proteins associated with E-cadherin, including adaptor proteins and those involved in cellular transport and protein synthesis.

Common prostate cancer treatment associated with decreased survival in older men

A new study published in European Urology has found that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with decreased survival in men with localized prostate cancer, particularly those with longer life expectancies. The research highlights the need to reconsider the use of ADT as a primary treatment for low-risk or localized cancers.

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.

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.

Researchers get a rabbit's-eye view

The study uses LiDAR and remote sensing to create detailed maps of vegetation cover that provide concealment for prey, helping researchers understand the impact of human activities on wildlife habitats. The findings have implications for land management decisions and restoration of landscapes.

Check less to reduce email stress

A University of British Columbia study found that limiting email checks to three times a day can significantly reduce psychological stress. Participants who checked their email less often reported feeling less stressed compared to those who checked it more frequently.