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Science News Archive July 2014


Page 16 of 34

A new view of the world

Exercise and relaxation techniques have been found to alter how people perceive their environment, making it less threatening for those with mood and anxiety disorders. This breakthrough could explain why these treatments are successful in managing symptoms.

NASA's Aqua satellite sees birth of Tropical Depression 10W

Tropical Depression 10W was born when NASA's Aqua satellite passed overhead, with powerful thunderstorms developing around its center. The depression is expected to strengthen due to favorable sea surface temperatures and improved upper-level conditions.

Cost of kidney donation may be too much for potential donors with low income

A study found that lower income populations have consistently had lower rates of living donation compared to higher income populations. The difference in living donation rates between lower and higher income populations has become larger over time, implying a need for more effective strategies to overcome financial barriers.

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.

Adolescent alcohol abuse disrupts transitions into early adulthood

A study of Finnish twins found that adolescent drinking problems were strongly associated with adverse outcomes in early adulthood, including substance abuse, poor health, and relationship problems. The researchers controlled for genetic and environmental factors to isolate the causal effect of adolescent drinking on adult outcomes.

A national study of colleges identifies gaps in efforts to enforce alcohol laws

A new national study examines campus police/security responses to serious, underage, and less-serious alcohol incidents on and off college campuses. The study found that campus security or law enforcement officials rarely issue citations for alcohol-law violations, instead referring students to discipline or sanctions from other univer...

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.

Orthopedic surgery generally safe for patients age 80 and older

New study finds orthopedic surgeries for patients aged 80+ generally safe, with significant decreases in mortality and complication rates. Spinal fusion, total knee replacement, and total hip replacement procedures show improved outcomes in patients without comorbidities.

Estimating earthquake frequency and patterns in the Puget Lowland

Researchers estimate four to five large earthquakes occurred on the Seattle fault or related faults during the past 3,500 years. The study uses geologic data and new field evidence to reconstruct earthquake patterns in the Puget Lowland, a structurally complex region.

Ultrafast X-ray laser sheds new light on fundamental ultrafast dynamics

Researchers used an ultrafast optical laser and X-ray pulses to study the movement of electrons between atoms in exploding molecules. They observed that electrons can jump over surprisingly long distances, up to 10 times the length of the original molecule, shedding new light on microscopic dynamics.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Physicists reveal random nature of metastasis

A new study suggests that cancer metastasis, the spread of tumors from one part of the body to another, may occur through pure chance. Researchers used statistical models to show that 'common' cancer cells circulating in the bloodstream could, on rare occasions, cause metastasis.

First comprehensive library of master genetic switches in plants

The collection contains about 2,000 clones of plant transcription factors, which can be used to improve plant traits such as cold resistance and seed quantity. The researchers hope that the library will help scientists understand how plants adapt to environmental changes and design more robust crops for future food security.

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.

New study shows how existing cropland could feed billions more

A new study suggests that improving food systems on specific regions and crops can boost global food security and protect the environment. The report identifies key leverage points for reducing environmental impacts and increasing food production in six countries: China, India, U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Closing the yield g...

Gut microbes turn carbs into colorectal cancer

A new study reveals that gut microbes metabolize carbohydrates, causing intestinal cell proliferation and tumor formation in mice genetically predisposed to colorectal cancer. Treatment with antibiotics or a low-carbohydrate diet significantly reduced tumors, suggesting these interventions could prevent this type of cancer in humans.

Lipoic acid helps restore, synchronize the 'biological clock'

Researchers found that lipoic acid improved liver function and synchronized circadian rhythms in older animals, suggesting a potential breakthrough in understanding its benefits for human health. The study sheds light on the role of circadian rhythms in various biological processes and their dysfunction with age.

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.

NIH system to monitor emerging drug trends

The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) will generate critically needed information about new drug trends in specific locations around the country. NDEWS will utilize social media and other innovative technologies to identify emerging drugs and trends, providing real-time information to experts and interested citizens.

Eating lean beef daily can help lower blood pressure

A recent study by Penn State researchers found that eating lean beef daily can effectively lower blood pressure in healthy individuals. The BOLD+ diet, which includes 5.4 ounces of lean beef per day, was more effective at reducing blood pressure compared to other diets tested.

In development, it's all about the timing

A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identified a gene called LIN-42 that controls the timing of events during development, governing a broad range of events throughout growth and behavior. The study provides insight into how species evolve without creating new genes.

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.

Future electronics may depend on lasers, not quartz

Researchers have developed a method to stabilize microwave signals using laser beams as references, potentially replacing quartz crystals. This new technique, called electro-optical frequency division, enables stabilization of high-frequency signals with smaller devices, outperforming current electronic technology in some cases.

Biomarker discovery may lead to new HIV treatment

A potential biomarker associated with participants who experienced a more profound viral load reduction after receiving the vaccine has been identified. The biomarker, anti-C5/gp41732-744 antibody levels above 4μg/ml, may be able to predict which patients will benefit most from the therapeutic HIV vaccine candidate Vacc-4x.

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.

Is the universe a bubble? Let's check

Researchers simulate bubble universe collisions to predict observable signatures, ruling out certain models and providing a proof of principle for the multiverse hypothesis. By producing testable predictions, the multiverse model has crossed the line between appealing story and real science.

National Xenopus resource at the MBL innovates new way to study proteins

A new method using mRNA sequences has revolutionized the study of proteins in the African clawed frog, allowing for cost-effective proteomics experiments. The technique enables researchers to identify and estimate protein abundance with high accuracy, opening up new avenues for research in developmental biology and medicine.

Improving the cost and efficiency of renewable energy storage

EPFL researchers have developed a novel method to increase the accessible active sites of metal oxide catalysts in water splitting reactions, resulting in improved catalytic properties. The exfoliation method shows increased rates of up to 4.5-fold compared to conventional methods.

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.

A new stable and cost-cutting type of perovskite solar cell

A team of scientists in China has developed a new type of perovskite solar cell that does not use a hole-transportation layer, showing high efficiency and stability. The innovation reduces production costs and paves the way for a cost-effective branch of development in this type of solar cell.

Vision loss associated with work status

A study of 19,849 participants found that those with vision impairment had significantly lower employment rates, especially among women and younger individuals. Poor eyesight was also associated with a higher likelihood of not working due to its impact on income.

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.

Exploiting gastric vulnerability

Researchers found that H. pylori bacteria can rapidly detect minor injuries in the stomach and navigate toward them. The study shows how H. pylori causes disease by interfering with healing at these injury sites.

Scientists track gene activity when honey bees do and don't eat honey

Researchers tracked changes in gene activity when Western honey bees eat different diets, finding significant differences between those eating honey and those consuming sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup. Gene expression changes support the potential role of diet in maintaining bee health.

Choosing cheese

Researchers at Harvard University studied 137 varieties of cheese from 10 countries to identify three general types of microbial communities. These findings provide a model for studying microbial communities and their interactions, with potential applications in understanding various biological processes. The study also reveals the imp...

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.

Help wanted: Principals who love change

US Department of Education reforms place demands on principals' expertise and time; new report recommends coaching teachers, redesigning job descriptions, and university partnerships to support principals. Effective principal training is crucial to implementing stronger teacher evaluation systems, according to researchers.

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.

Peering into giant planets from in and out of this world

Researchers have experimentally re-created conditions deep inside giant planets like Jupiter and Saturn using the National Ignition Facility. They successfully compressed diamond to unprecedented densities, providing new constraints for dense matter theories and planet evolution models.

Adding alcohol to energy drinks leads to an increased urge to drink

New research suggests that combining energy drinks with alcohol can increase the urge to keep drinking. Study participants who consumed A+EDs had higher ratings of liking and wanting to drink more than those in an alcohol-only condition. The findings highlight concerns about energy drink consumption among young adults.

The Lancet: Causes of death shifting in people with HIV

A large international study has found that overall death rates among HIV-positive adults have almost halved since 1999, while deaths due to AIDS-related causes and cardiovascular disease have declined significantly. Non-AIDS cancers remain a leading cause of non-AIDS deaths in people with HIV.

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.

Untangling spider's webs

A groundbreaking study by Harvard University researchers shows that orb-weaver spiders do not share a single origin, contrary to long-held popular opinion. The study's findings suggest that the orb web evolved independently in two groups of spiders, with distinct behaviors and silk characteristics.

Do urban casinos increase local crime? Not in this case study

Researchers at Drexel University and Temple University found that the introduction of SugarHouse Casino had no significant impact on violent street felonies, vehicle crime, residential burglary, or drug crimes in the immediate neighborhood. Crime rates were largely unaffected, with some displacement to surrounding areas observed.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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