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Science News Archive January 2014


Page 28 of 28

Under pressure

A recent study found that guide dogs experience the most tension on their chest when wearing a harness, with pressure equivalent to up to 10% of their weight. Flexible harnesses are recommended to minimize stress and promote healthy exercise for guide dogs.

El Nino tied to melting of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier

A new study suggests that El Nino events are tied to the rapid melting of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier. The glacier's ice shelf has been thinned nearly continuously since observations began in the 1970s. Under certain conditions, a thick layer of warm water surrounding the continent can flood the glacier margin and accelerate melt.

Are sweetpotato weevils differentially attracted to certain colors?

Researchers found that sweetpotato weevils prefer red light for indoor conditions and green light for outdoor field conditions. The study suggests that understanding the differences in insect behavior between indoors and outdoors may help develop more effective control methods without toxic pesticides.

Environment affects an organism's complexity

Researchers found that complex landscapes led to more complex organisms due to the cost of morphological complexity. The study used a program to simulate the evolution of virtual creatures in various landscapes.

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.

Roses are red -- why some petunias are blue

Scientists discover novel proton-pumping pathway in plant cells that allows for hyperacidification of vacuoles, resulting in blue flower colors. This breakthrough could lead to new color varieties and applications in fruit and wine production.

Trapping insects by color: Will it work in Montana?

A new study tests the effectiveness of color-based traps against major pests in Montana, finding that red and green traps are most effective. The researchers also discovered that insects use chromatic cues to identify colors and will pursue further studies on this topic.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Odor receptors discovered in lungs

Scientists have found odor receptors in lung tissue that can detect cigarette smoke and other irritants, triggering a response to constrict airways. These receptors, called pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, may be responsible for the chemical hypersensitivity characteristic of respiratory diseases such as COPD.

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.

Earthquake lights linked to rift environments, subvertical faults

A new study found that earthquake lights are more likely to occur on or near rift environments and adjacent to subvertical faults. The study analyzed 65 documented cases of earthquake lights, finding that 85% appeared spatially on or near rifts and 97% appeared adjacent to subvertical faults.

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the loss of RGCs in diabetic retinopathy

A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that endoplasmic reticulum stress plays a crucial role in the death of ganglion cells and impairment of retinal microvessels in diabetic retinopathy. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid treatment effectively inhibited this pathway, providing protection against diabetic retinopathy.

When being called 'incredibly good' is bad for children

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that inflated praise can have negative effects on children with low self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem actually benefit from inflated praise, while those with low self-esteem may become more cautious and less willing to take on challenges.

Methane hydrates and global warming

Scientists from GEOMAR found that methane hydrate outgassing off Svalbard is likely caused by natural processes, rather than global warming. The team discovered that seasonal temperature fluctuations can push the stability zone of gas hydrates, leading to outgassing.

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.

Amber fossil reveals ancient reproduction in flowering plants

A 100-million-year-old piece of amber has revealed the oldest evidence of sexual reproduction in a flowering plant, featuring a cluster of tiny flowers and pollen tubes. Researchers from Oregon State University discovered the fossilized scene, which appears identical to modern angiosperm reproduction.

Chinese herbal compound relieves inflammatory and neuropathic pain

Researchers discovered a compound in traditional Chinese herbal medicine that effectively alleviates both inflammatory and nerve pain, with no tolerance to addiction. The compound, dehydrocorybulbine, was found to be reproducible and has potential as a new nonaddictive treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.

Want a good night's sleep in the new year? Quit smoking

New research published in The FASEB Journal found that tobacco smoke disrupts the circadian clock function in both lungs and brains, leading to reduced productivity, mood disorders, and depression. Quitting smoking may improve sleep quality and cognitive function by targeting a specific pathway involving the anti-aging molecule SIRT1.

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.

Study on pregnancy and alcohol fails to take psychological factors into account

A recent study by Janni Niclasen found that children of mothers who consumed small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy showed improved emotional and behavioral outcomes at age seven. However, the study also highlighted the importance of considering psychological factors such as attachment between mother and child. The research, conduct...

Novel noninvasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice

A novel breast-cancer therapy has been developed that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice. The therapy uses a sophisticated method to identify genes that drive cancer and blocks them using RNA interference, offering new hope for early-stage treatment without surg...

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.

Insight into likelihood of retinal detachment following open globe injury

A study published in Ophthalmology found that open globe injuries increase the risk of retinal detachment, particularly among older patients with poorer visual acuity. Researchers developed a new scoring system to predict which patients are at higher risk, which may help prevent or identify and repair retinal detachment more quickly.

Research into fruit fly cells could lead to cancer insights

Scientists at the University of Exeter have identified four distinct routes for cell division, which could lead to errors in cell division and increase cancer risk. The study also found a central molecular complex, Augmin, essential for all these pathways.

How best to go about getting seed money through crowdfunding

A study of over 20,000 Kickstarter campaigns found that entrepreneurs who emphasized their own projects were more likely to succeed than those who focused on themselves. The research also suggests that this approach is particularly effective for artistic ventures.

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.

Alcohol, tobacco, drug use far higher in severely mentally ill

Researchers analyzed nearly 20,000 people with severe psychiatric illness, finding that 30% engaged in binge drinking, 75% were regular smokers, and 50% used marijuana regularly. These findings are concerning because individuals with severe mental illness tend to die younger due to health problems caused by chronic substance use.

Drivers engaged in other tasks about 10 percent of the time

A recent NIH study using video technology and in-vehicle sensors found that drivers engage in distracting activities about 10% of the time, with risks being greatest for newly licensed teen drivers who are eight times more likely to crash or have a near miss while texting.

US global share of research spending declines

The US has lost its lead in global biomedical research spending, with Asia's share increasing from 18% to 24%, while the US dropped from 51% to 45%. Industry funding cuts drove this decline, not public sector reductions. Increased support from governments and lower labor costs in Asia are key factors.