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Science News Archive January 2014


Page 14 of 28

Melatonin may lower prostate cancer risk

A study of Icelandic men found that higher melatonin levels were associated with a 75% reduced risk for developing advanced prostate cancer. Men who reported sleep problems had lower melatonin levels, suggesting the importance of maintaining a stable sleep-wake cycle.

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.

Exposure to pesticides results in smaller worker bees

A new study by Royal Holloway University of London found that prolonged exposure to a widely used pesticide causes smaller worker bees. The research revealed that the pesticide reduces the size of individual bees produced by a colony, potentially impacting colony success.

York scientists investigate the fiber of our being

Researchers at the University of York have discovered how one group of gut bacteria, Bacteroidetes, digest complex sugars found in fruits and vegetables. This understanding sheds light on nutritional issues like prebiotics and probiotics.

The water cycle amplifies abrupt climate change

A new study reveals that changes in the water cycle were the main drivers of widespread environmental change during the Younger Dryas period in western Europe. The researchers used a novel method to analyze organic remains extracted from lake sediments, showing that dry polar air intrusion led to ecosystem collapse and mass extinctions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Solar-power device would use heat to enhance efficiency

A new approach to harvesting solar energy could improve efficiency by using sunlight to heat a high-temperature material whose infrared radiation is then collected by a conventional photovoltaic cell. The technique makes it possible to take advantage of wavelengths of light that ordinarily go to waste.

Distant quasar illuminates a filament of the cosmic web

Researchers detected a distant quasar illuminating a vast nebula of diffuse gas, extending about 2 million light-years across intergalactic space. The study provides the first image of extended gas between galaxies, offering insight into the overall structure of the universe.

Researchers discover how heart arrhythmia occurs

Scientists at University of Calgary's Libin Cardiovascular Institute have discovered a calcium-sensing-gate mechanism responsible for initiating calcium waves and arrhythmias. This breakthrough may lead to new drug interventions for treating calcium-triggered arrhythmias.

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.

Health in the Arab world

The Arab world has made significant strides in reducing premature death and disability, but still struggles with substantial burdens of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Governance and health systems are also critical to addressing these challenges.

New hope for Gaucher patients

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a key player in triggering brain inflammation and nerve cell death in severe forms of Gaucher disease. This discovery may lead to new treatments, including those that can cross the blood-brain barrier to target neurological symptoms.

What comforts targets of prejudice the most

Researchers found that homosexual youth found comfort in messages supporting them and advocating for social change, with such messages being more comforting than those focused solely on social connection. The study highlights the importance of intergroup communication and its impact on targets of prejudice.

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.

NASA tracks soggy System 94S over Western Australia

NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.

Colby fire near Los Angeles, California

A wildfire broke out in the foothills of Angeles National Forest, spreading quickly and prompting air quality concerns. Nearly 500 firefighters battled the blaze, which destroyed over 1,700 acres and at least two homes due to gusty winds and low humidity.

High volume of severe sepsis patients may result in better outcomes

A recent study led by Boston University School of Medicine found that hospitals caring for more sepsis patients have significantly lower mortality rates than those with lower volumes. The superior outcomes were achieved at similar costs, suggesting improved processes of care for patients with severe sepsis.

Tiny swimming bio-bots boldly go where no bot has swum before

Engineers developed tiny self-propelled swimming bio-bots that can traverse viscous fluids and sense chemicals, opening up possibilities for medical and environmental applications. The bio-bots use heart cells to create movement through a wave-like motion, enabling unique navigation capabilities.

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.

NASA satellite catches birth of Tropical Cyclone Deliwe

Tropical Cyclone Deliwe forms in the Mozambique Channel and Southern Indian Ocean after a tropical depression developed on January 16. Forecasters predict it will move southwest and then curve northwest due to high pressure system changes.

Poison-breathing bacteria may be boon to industry, environment

Researchers discovered bacteria that breathe toxic metals, which could be used to produce industrial products and remove pollutants from wastewater. The bacteria can produce high-quality antimony trioxide crystals without creating byproducts or requiring specialized equipment.

Penn researchers run successful HIV intervention project in S. Africa

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a large-scale HIV intervention project in South Africa, involving nearly 1,200 individuals. The program showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sex among men, with participants reporting increased discussions about safe sex and condom use.

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.

New sea anemone species discovered in Antarctica

Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a new species of small sea anemones, Edwardsiella andrillae, burrowed into Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. The anemones have adapted to live upside down in ice, creating a previously unknown ecosystem.

Researchers awarded grant from the DeGregorio Family Foundation

Researchers at Boston University are developing a new approach for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma using a sponge-containing capsule. This non-invasive method could lead to wider screening, earlier detection, and improved survival rates for patients with Barrett's Esophagus.

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.

Clever chemistry improves a new class of antibiotics

Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics called acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) that kill bacteria in a unique way by altering protein degradation pathways. By modifying the ADEP molecule's structure to make it more rigid, they increased its potency up to 1,200 times that of the naturally occurring molecule.

Statin use reduces delirium in critically ill patients

A new UK study found that continued statin use may help prevent delirium in critically ill patients who received statins before hospital admission. The study used a validated delirium screening tool and showed a significant lower risk of delirium associated with statin administration.

At arm's length: The plasticity of depth judgment

Researchers found that people have a preferred distance for judging depth most accurately, which depends on their mind's perception of arm length. The study shows that manipulating perceived arm length can influence depth perception and tactile sensitivity.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Mass. General researcher Gary Ruvkun a co-recipient of 2014 Wolf Prize

Gary Ruvkun, PhD, and Victor Ambros, PhD, discovered that microRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs, controlling protein-coding genes in animals. The researchers' work is recognized as a significant contribution to understanding the human genome and its role in disease.

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.

Feast or fancy? Black widows shake for love

Research by Simon Fraser University biologists found that male black widow spiders produce carefully pitched vibrations to signal their presence and desirability to females. The team also discovered that these vibratory signals can help avoid potential attacks from the females, allowing males to successfully court and mate.

New insights into facial transplantation

Researchers have found that during active rejection episodes, many to most of the immune cells involved are of donor origin. This discovery provides new insights into the rejection process, suggesting that transplanted faces carry their own army of immune cells that may defend against rejecting recipient cells.

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.

Highly efficient broadband terahertz radiation from metamaterials

Researchers at the Ames Laboratory have developed a new method to generate broadband terahertz waves using metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as non-invasive imaging and sensing, as well as high-speed information communication, processing, and storage.

Here comes the sun

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, found that vitamin D deficiency stifferens blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study used genetically modified mice to explore the effects of vitamin D deficiency on blood vessel flexibility.

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.

Researchers collaborate to reduce effects of the aging eye

A special issue of IOVS addresses the aging eye, focusing on unmet needs and accelerating clinical care. The issue features new research on genetics, biology, and prevention/treatment of age-related diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

The bigger the tree, the faster it grows

A new study found that tree growth rate increases with size, with older trees removing a larger share of carbon from the atmosphere. This means that massive, old trees can remove huge amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, playing a disproportionate role in the global carbon cycle.

Smooth sailing: Rough surfaces that can reduce drag

Researchers have found that properly designed rough surfaces can reduce skin-friction drag in turbulent conditions. The study models fluid flow between two surfaces covered with tiny ridges, which trap air bubbles and create a hydrodynamic cushion.

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.

2 million people eligible for weight loss surgery

A new study published by JRSM Open suggests that up to 2 million people in England could benefit from bariatric surgery due to obesity-related diseases. The researchers highlight several factors contributing to low surgery rates, including patient awareness and socioeconomic status.

Arctic cyclones more common than previously thought

A new study of vast weather data reveals hundreds of smaller storms that had previously escaped detection, increasing the number of Arctic cyclones by 40% to around 1,900 per year. This finding is important for understanding current weather patterns and potential climate change in the future.

BUSM study associates pro-inflammatory molecules with early death in HIV patients

A study found that pro-inflammatory molecules were strongly associated with increased mortality in alcohol-abusing HIV patients. IL-6 was identified as the molecule most closely linked to mortality, regardless of antiretroviral therapy use. This research may inform strategies to improve mortality rates among this vulnerable population.

Narcissism and leadership: Does it work to be a jerk?

A recent study finds that narcissistic leaders face a double-edged sword, with extremely high or low levels of narcissism leading to poorer organizational outcomes. Moderation is key, as confidence without antisocial tendencies can lead to effective leadership.

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.

Fighting flies

A team of researchers from Caltech identified specific brain cells in male fruit flies that release a hormone promoting aggression. These findings suggest that aggression is genetically controlled and may be linked to personality disorders in humans. The study validates the use of fruit flies as a model for studying human aggression.

Big-headed fossil flies track major ecological revolution

Three new extinct fossil species of big-headed flies were discovered in Eocene epoch fossil beds, dating back 49-52 million years. These finds show early evolution parallels a significant ecological revolution, which formed modern natural communities.

Typhoid fever -- A race against time

Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered how Salmonella bacteria outsmart the host's immune cells, allowing them to survive and spread infection. This knowledge may lead to new treatments for typhoid fever, a life-threatening disease affecting millions worldwide.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

International recognition for Queen's microneedles research

The Queen's team received the award for their paper on polymeric microneedle arrays prepared by a novel laser-based micromoulding technique. Their breakthrough research has developed tiny projections that can painlessly penetrate the skin and deliver medication or monitor drug levels without drawing blood.