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Science News Archive July 2014


Page 18 of 34

Asteroid Vesta to reshape theories of planet formation

Researchers have redefined the asteroid Vesta's internal structure based on Dawn data and simulations, questioning previous models of rocky planet formation. The study found that Vesta's crust is 3 times thicker than expected and lacks olivine, a mineral common in planetary mantles.

Study: Climate-cooling arctic lakes soak up greenhouse gases

Researchers found that arctic thermokarst lakes switch from a net radiative warming to a net cooling climate effect about 5000 years ago. The lakes' carbon uptake rates are among the highest in the world due to the fertilization of mosses and other plants by thawing permafrost.

Promising medication counteracts constipation caused by opioid painkillers

A new drug, naloxegol, has shown promising results in relieving constipation caused by opioid painkillers. The once-a-day pill maintains opioids' pain-killing effect and blocks their effects in the bowels without diminishing pain relief, offering relief to millions of patients experiencing chronic severe pain.

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.

Tracking the breakup of Arctic summer sea ice

Researchers are monitoring the physics of the ice edge in the Beaufort Sea to better understand and predict open water in Arctic seas. The international effort aims to study how processes drive sea ice melt will change with increasing open water.

What do Google searches tell us about our climate change fears?

A study found that people search for climate information during extreme weather events, with Republicans seeking info during hot spells and Democrats during temperature changes. This suggests a connection between individual experiences of weather and their perceived threat of climate change.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Poor sleep quality linked to lower physical activity in people with PTSD

A new study reveals that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who experience poor sleep quality are more likely to exhibit lower physical activity. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, suggests a potential behavioral pathway from disturbed sleep to negative health outcomes such as obesity.

Research connects pregnancy loss and cardiovascular disease

A recent study analyzing data from 77,701 women found that those who experienced a history of miscarriage or stillbirth had a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in adulthood. Women with two or more miscarriages were found to have an odds ratio of 1.18 for coronary heart disease compared to those with no miscarriages.

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.

Live kidney donors face 'pointless' insurance troubles

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that healthy living kidney donors often face pointless insurance hurdles after donation. Despite being heavily screened before approval, these donors are frequently denied or charged higher premiums for life insurance, highlighting the need for better support systems.

The race is on to power the next generation of electric cars

Several companies are racing to develop new battery technologies for electric vehicles, including sodium-ion and lithium-metal options. These alternatives could potentially improve range and reduce costs, making them more viable for mass production.

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.

New study links dredging to diseased corals

Researchers found more than twice as much coral disease at dredging sites compared to control sites, highlighting a direct link between dredging and coral disease. Dredging impacts corals by reducing light for photosynthesis and interfering with feeding, leading to chronic stress and increased disease prevalence.

Marijuana dependence alters the brain's response to drug paraphernalia

A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that marijuana-dependent individuals' brains respond differently to drug-related cues compared to non-dependent users. The research used fMRI scans to reveal altered brain activity patterns, which may inform tailored addiction treatment strategies.

Cases of drug-resistant superbug significantly rise in southeastern US

A new study reports a significant increase in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cases in community hospitals across the Southeastern US. The rise is attributed to factors such as increased antibiotic use, transmission between facilities, and inadequate laboratory detection protocols.

Organismal biologists needed to interpret new trees of life

Rapidly accumulating molecular sequence data is changing our understanding of major animal groups' evolution. Organismal biologists are needed to ensure their scenarios remain consistent with new information and evaluate alternative perspectives.

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.

No-wait data centers

A new network-management system, Fastpass, can reduce average queue length of routers in a Facebook data center by 99.6 percent and shrink latency nearly as much. By using a central server called an arbiter, the system efficiently assigns transmission times to nodes in the network.

Improving tumor radiation therapy: When basic ions break DNA down

Scientists have discovered new fragmentation pathways that occur universally when DNA strands are exposed to metal ions, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. This finding could contribute to optimizing cancerous tumour therapy by improving understanding of how radiation interacts with complex DNA structures.

Worm study provides hope for deadly disease of the brain

Researchers have successfully treated a neurodegenerative disease in worms using resveratrol, which could lead to new treatments for humans. The disease, adult onset neuronal lipofuscinosis, affects only 1 in 100,000 people and has no known cure.

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.

Study: Smoking may contribute to suicide risk

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that cigarette smokers are more likely to commit suicide than non-smokers. Implementing higher taxes on cigarettes and stricter smoking policies led to a 15% decline in suicide rates relative to the national average.

Elsevier announces the launch of open access journal: Bone Reports

Elsevier has launched Bone Reports, an open access journal publishing research articles and case reports on basic, translational, and clinical aspects of bone and mineral metabolism. The journal aims to publish reproducibility studies and null findings, complementing its sister journal Bone.

Borneo deforested 30 percent over past 40 years

Forest cover in Borneo declined by up to 30% between 1973 and 2010, with logging and fire contributing to the loss. The study analyzed LANDSAT satellite images to understand long-term forest change patterns, aiming to aid conservation planning.

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.

New view of Rainier's volcanic plumbing

Scientists have created a detailed picture of Mount Rainier's deep volcanic plumbing, revealing a partly molten rock reservoir approximately 30 percent molten. The study used both seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to capture the melting process that feeds magma into the crustal reservoir.

New knowledge about the brain's effective bouncer

Researchers have recreated the complex blood-brain barrier in a laboratory model to study the obstreperous bouncer proteins that protect the brain. The model can be used to test drive difficult ways into the brain and investigate complex phenomena in simple experiments.

ORNL, UTGSM study compares structures of Huntington's disease protein

A study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory reveals structural differences between normal and diseased forms of the huntingtin protein, which is involved in Huntington's disease. The researchers used neutron scattering to compare the structures over time, finding key discrepancies that support a growing focus on amyloid disorders.

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.

Dozens of fires plague Oregon

Multiple wildfires are burning in Oregon, threatening private property, livestock, and agriculture lands. The fires, fueled by lightning strikes and hot, windy conditions, have burned over 90,000 acres in the state's forest areas.

Even mild traumatic brain injury may cause brain damage

A study published in Neurology found that even mild traumatic brain injury can cause brain damage and disrupt nerve axons in white matter. Cognitive tests showed a 25% decline in verbal letter fluency task scores for patients with injuries, strongly related to imaging measures of white matter damage.

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.

Walking on all fours is not backward evolution, study shows

A new study by Liza Shapiro at the University of Texas at Austin contradicts earlier claims that quadrupedal humans are a product of backward evolution. The research, published in PLOS One, shows that people with Uner Tan Syndrome (UTS) walk on all fours but use lateral sequences, not diagonal patterns characteristic of nonhuman primates.

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.

Study examines shift in resuscitation practices in military combat hospitals

The study analyzed data from combat hospitals and found that damage control resuscitation policies led to a decrease in average crystalloid infusion volume and increased use of fresh frozen plasma. This shift resulted in better survival outcomes for severely injured patients, particularly those with severe head trauma.

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.

Efficient structures help build a sustainable future

The study reveals that steel cable structures have a significantly lower environmental impact, with 29% less mass and 65.1% less embodied energy than traditional truss systems. This finding highlights the importance of material selection in reducing construction's environmental damage.

National Psoriasis Foundation awards $1.05 million in research grants

The National Psoriasis Foundation has awarded $1.05 million in research grants to 13 scientists studying new treatments and a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The grants will support projects focused on translating laboratory findings into improved treatments and methods for managing the diseases.

Are ants the answer to carbon dioxide sequestration?

A 25-year-long study reveals that ants can accelerate mineral decay, which may help geoengineer accelerated CO2 consumption. The researchers suggest that understanding ant-mineral interactions could offer a solution to sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere.

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.

Researchers demonstrate health risks posed by 'third hand' tobacco smoke

A new study estimates the potential cancer risk by age group for non-dietary ingestion and dermal exposure to third hand tobacco smoke. The results indicate potentially severe long-term consequences, particularly to children, with cancer risks exceeding EPA recommendations in three-quarters of smokers' homes.

Tooth plaque provides insight into our prehistoric ancestors' diet

A new study reveals that prehistoric humans consumed purple nut sedge for at least 7,000 years, demonstrating their understanding of nutritional and medicinal properties. The analysis of dental calculus from ancient human teeth found evidence of cooking, plant processing, and the use of this plant as a food source.

NASA sees Typhoon Rammasun exit the Philippines

Typhoon Rammasun passed through central Philippines, bringing soaking rains and powerful thunderstorms to the region. The storm made landfall near Legazpi City on July 15 with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Preeclampsia may share cause with disorders such as Alzheimer's

Researchers have identified a connection between misfolded proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and preeclampsia, potentially leading to improved diagnostic methods. A new urine test using Congo Red dye has already shown promise in identifying the presence and severity of preeclampsia.