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Science News Archive February 2014


Page 11 of 30

An innovative approach to promote water use efficiency

A UC Riverside study suggests that increasing block-rate water budgets can effectively promote water use efficiency by sending a price signal to customers regarding water scarcity. The study found that average household water use decreased by 15% under the new pricing structure, while overall prices only rose 4%.

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.

Whole genome analysis, stat

A University of Chicago-based team used Beagle, a powerful supercomputer, to analyze genomic data, significantly accelerating speed and accuracy. The findings have immediate medical applications, enabling rapid diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases.

Managed honeybees linked to new diseases in wild bees

Research finds that common honeybee diseases can infect and spread to wild bumblebees, potentially causing decline. The study suggests that managing honeybees is crucial for supporting wild bee populations and reducing the impact of emerging diseases.

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.

Newly developed chemical restores light perception to blind mice

A new compound called DENAQ has been found to restore light perception in blind mice by conferring sensitivity on ganglion cells. The treatment, which requires only a single injection, shows promise as a potential vision-restoring drug, but further testing is needed for safety and efficacy

An essential step toward printing living tissues

Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have developed a bioprinting method to create intricately patterned 3D tissue constructs with multiple cell types and tiny blood vessels. The breakthrough enables the creation of thicker, functional tissues that can be used for drug testing and potentially replaced damaged human tissue.

Ants build raft to escape flood, protect queen

Researchers observed that worker ants and broods were extremely resistant to submersion during floods. The ants protected the queen by placing her in the center of the raft, with workers using the brood's buoyancy and their own recovery ability to minimize injury or death.

Chemical leak in W.Va. shows gaps in research, policy

A chemical leak in Charleston, W.Va., highlights the shortcomings of policies and research on thousands of chemicals. The incident led to 300,000 residents relying on bottled water due to the lack of complete toxicology studies on the leaked chemical, MCHM.

Addicted to tanning?

A study by Bowling Green State University researchers suggests a correlation between excessive tanning and mental health symptoms such as OCD and BDD. The findings indicate that prevention messages may not be effective for those with these conditions, highlighting the need for further assessment and treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Better cache management could improve chip performance, cut energy use

Researchers at MIT and UConn developed new caching strategies that significantly improved chip performance while reducing energy consumption. The new approaches address the challenges of managing data access and communication between cores, resulting in faster execution times and reduced power usage.

New sitting risk: Disability after 60

A new Northwestern University study finds that excessive sitting time is a major risk factor for disability in people over 60. Sedentary behavior is almost as strong a risk factor as lack of moderate exercise.

Clutter cutter

Researchers created computer models using PySB framework to explore biochemical processes driving cancer growth. The models aim to identify what goes wrong in cancer cells' self-destruction signals, potentially leading to novel therapies.

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.

RXTE reveals the cloudy cores of active galaxies

Astronomers using data from NASA's RXTE satellite discovered a dozen cloud events where gas clouds moved across the line of sight, dimming X-ray light produced by supermassive black holes in active galaxies. The study triples previous cloud event counts and provides new insights into the environments around supermassive black holes.

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.

Chronic pain relief more likely when psychological science involved

A comprehensive review by the American Psychological Association highlights psychologists' expertise in addressing chronic pain. Successful treatment approaches include cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and hypnosis, which offer more relief than prescription drugs or surgery.

Springer to publish Journal of Nephrology

The Italian Society of Nephrology and Springer are joining forces to promote renal diseases research. The new partnership aims to increase the quality and visibility of the Journal of Nephrology.

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.

Kinetic battery chargers get a boost

Researchers have developed a kinetic energy harvester that captures the energy generated by human movements and converts it into electrical energy. The system uses a flexible cantilever to bend with body movements, producing a small but significant voltage that can be stored in a capacitor.

Kessler Foundation researchers study impact of head movement on fMRI data

Researchers found that discarding data from subjects with multiple sclerosis who exhibit significant head movement during fMRI may bias sampling away from those with lower cognitive ability. This could lead to skewed results if not addressed by correcting for motion or recruiting a diverse range of participants.

A step closer to a photonic future

Researchers demonstrate low-power photonic devices fabricated using standard chip-making processes, achieving energy efficiencies competitive with electronics. The advancements enable the commercialization of photonic technology, accelerating its adoption in computing and communication applications.

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.

Gene sequencing project discovers common driver of a childhood brain tumor

Researchers have identified a genetic alteration in the NF-κB pathway that drives tumor development and provides clues for treating ependymoma, a devastating childhood brain cancer. The study offers new insights into how abnormal proteins can lead to cancer and may aid efforts to understand and intervene against other cancers.

Study reveals workings of working memory

Researchers at Brown University discovered that working memory uses similar brain circuits to those involved in planning motion. They found that the caudate and dorsal anterior premotor cortex contribute to output gating, a crucial process for selecting from working memory. The study's findings provide insight into how the brain effici...

Clouds seen circling supermassive black holes

Astronomers have observed huge clouds of gas circling supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies, revealing a previously unknown phenomenon. These clouds can intermittently dim X-ray sources, providing evidence for their existence and confirming predictions made by recent models.

U of I study: Couples, pay attention to your relationship work ethic

A University of Illinois study recommends that couples adopt a relationship work ethic that equals or surpasses their professional one, focusing on active listening and quality time. The research found that couples who attended an Intentional Harmony workshop improved significantly in managing work-partner role conflict and reported re...

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.

Joseph Glorioso, Ph.D., receives Pioneer Award

Joseph C. Glorioso, III, PhD received a Pioneer Award from Human Gene Therapy for his leadership and accomplishments in developing herpes viruses as efficient vectors for delivering therapeutic genes into cells. His research has shown promise for treating complex genetic and acquired diseases, including brain degeneration and cancer.

UK failing to harness its bioenergy potential

New research suggests the UK can produce up to 44% of its energy needs from biomass sources like household waste and agricultural residues. The study highlights the potential for biomass resources to contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy 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.

Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered

Researchers have developed a biologic drug that prevents the production of HE4 protein, allowing ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively and resist chemotherapy. The novel biologic has shown promising results in cell and animal models, increasing the potential for improved treatment and survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.

The nose knows in asthma

Researchers have discovered that genes expressed in the nasal passages can serve as accurate proxies for those expressed deeper in the lungs. This breakthrough allows for less invasive and more affordable genetic profiling of asthmatic patients, potentially leading to improved treatment options and better understanding of the disease.

How stick insects honed friction to grip without sticking

Research reveals stick insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when walking upright through a hierarchy of grip with the slightest pressure, allowing them to grip but not stick. The insect's hairy friction pads employ three main tricks to increase contact area under pressure, creating a scale or hierarchy of grip.

Using holograms to improve electronic devices

A team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside has demonstrated a new type of holographic memory device that uses spin waves to store data. The device has unprecedented data storage capacity and processing capabilities, making it potentially revolutionary for electronic devices.

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.

The ups and downs of early atmospheric oxygen

Oxygen production by cyanobacteria may have initiated 3 billion years ago, with dynamic concentrations rising and falling over billions of years. This new understanding sheds light on the balance between photosynthesis and consumption, impacting life on Earth.

Huntington's disease: Hot on the trail of misfolded proteins' toxic modus operandi

Huntington's disease is caused by an expansion in the polyglutamine tract of a protein called Huntingtin, leading to its misfolding and aggregation. Researchers have discovered that transient intermediate species called oligomers play a key role in neurotoxicity, rather than fibrillar aggregates. Modulating these oligomers through mole...

Remote Antarctic telescope reveals gas cloud where stars are born

A team of researchers has identified a giant gas cloud in the Milky Way galaxy, shaped like a long filament and about 50,000 times the mass of our sun. The discovery was made using the High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz telescope, which detects atomic carbon and is located at Ridge A in Antarctica.

Peru's Manu National Park sets new biodiversity record

Peru's Manu National Park has been recorded with 287 species of reptiles and amphibians, surpassing the previous record in Yasuní National Park. The park's high species diversity is attributed to its large area and steep topographic variation, despite being only 0.01 percent of the planet's land area.

What is El Nino Taimasa?

During strong El Niño events, tropical western Pacific sees a sudden drop in sea level, causing prolonged droughts in Samoa and triggering tropical cyclones near Tahiti. Computer climate models predict that these drops could become seasons ahead, helping island communities prepare for the next event.

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.

Managing chronic bone and joint pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, with low back pain and degenerative joint processes being common causes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not effective in many chronic pain scenarios, but antidepressants and anticonvulsants can provide remarkable relief.

UNH research: Most of us have made best memories by age 25

Researchers at UNH found that by age 25, most people have made the most important memories of their lives, with a 'reminiscence bump' between ages 17 and 24. This period is characterized by an over-representation of positive and negative memories.

Molecular aberration signals cancer

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have discovered that non-coding RNAs are perturbed in cancerous human cells, allowing for early detection of breast and lung cancers. The study's findings suggest that these molecules can be used to classify patients into subgroups with different survival outcomes.

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.

Rocks around the clock: Asteroids pound tiny star

Researchers found a massive asteroid around PSR J0738-4042, which is being pounded by asteroids and could form planets. The asteroid's mass is about a billion tonnes, and its formation is linked to the star's intense radiation.

NuSTAR telescope takes first peek into core of supernova

The NuSTAR mission has produced the first map of high-energy X-ray emissions from a supernova remnant, revealing details about the core explosion and its effects on the surrounding gas and dust. The observations provide new insights into the fundamental physics of nuclear explosions and their role in creating life's essential elements.

Self-employment growth does not bank on access to capital

Researchers found that counties with a history of favoring entrepreneurship and fostering economic self-dependence tend to predict higher self-employment growth rates in the future. The availability of capital matters minimally to self-employment growth, except in small rural counties near metro areas.

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.