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Science News Archive March 2014


Page 24 of 34

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.

Empathy chimpanzees offer is key to understanding human engagement

Researchers Matthew Campbell and Frans de Waal found chimpanzees display contagious yawning to familiar and unfamiliar humans, but not to unfamiliar chimpanzees or gelada baboons. This flexibility in empathy may help explain how humans choose to engage with others and offer flexibility.

Researchers slow pancreatic cancer growth by blocking key enzyme

Researchers from Imperial College London have discovered that blocking Hhat slows pancreatic cancer growth by preventing Hedgehog from stimulating nearby cells. The study found that genetic techniques could prevent the process from starting in the first place, leading to reduced cancer cell growth and ability to spread.

Crowdsourced rain samples map Hurricane Sandy's evolution

Researchers used crowdsourcing to collect hurricane rainwater samples during Hurricane Sandy, revealing the storm's chemical signature and improving understanding of extra-tropical hurricanes. The study provides new insights into how these storms interact with weather systems, aiding in hurricane forecasting.

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.

Soil microbes shift as shrubs invade remnant hill prairies

Researchers found a shift in soil microbial communities as shrubs invaded remnant hill prairies, with woody fungal communities emerging in response to increased shrub density. This change could impact the ability to restore prairies, as shrubs may outcompete grasses and alter ecosystem function.

AGU journal highlights -- March 11, 2014

Recent AGU publications explore the surface dynamics of Titan's second-largest lake, Ligeia Mare. Researchers found that the lake's surface is flat, suggesting no waves or wind in the region. Additionally, new research on U-shaped glacial valleys suggests a tectonic stress feedback loop played a crucial role in their formation.

Cancer cells don't take 'drunken' walks through the body

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that cancer cells do not follow a 'drunken' walk through the body, but rather move in more direct lines. This new understanding could lead to more accurate results for scientists studying how cancer spreads and may lead to more effective treatments.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Imbalanced hearing is more than a mild disability

Researchers at WashU Medicine are studying asymmetric hearing loss, which affects communication difficulties beyond mild disability. They aim to understand brain reorganization and develop new treatments to restore hearing in adults and children with one ear deaf and the other ear partially or fully hearing.

Exotic plant species alter ecosystem productivity

Researchers found that exotic plant species increase biomass production in ecosystems, regardless of native species presence or climate. Herbivorous small mammals play a key role in resisting invasive plant species, but their exclusion allows for increased productivity.

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.

Fruit flies help uncover tumor-preventing protein complex

A team of researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School discovered a protein complex that disrupts dedifferentiation, a process promoting tumor development. This breakthrough has implications for understanding neural stem cells and developing future cancer therapies.

Statins may lower blood clot risk following joint replacement surgery

Researchers found that statins significantly reduced VTE events following total hip and knee replacements, with a 48% lower risk compared to non-statin groups. The study, which included over 400 patients, suggests that statins may have anti-inflammatory effects that contribute to their ability to decrease VTE risk.

Ocean food web is key in the global carbon cycle

A novel mechanistic model assesses the global ocean carbon export by incorporating the lifecycle of phytoplankton and zooplankton into a food-web-based approach. The researchers found that oceans are a central component in the global carbon cycle, with a mean global carbon export flux of 6 petagrams per year.

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.

New prognostic test for breast cancer could improve patient treatment

A new clinical test called NPI+ has been developed to improve breast cancer treatment by providing more detailed information about a patient's cancer type and behavior. This will help clinicians create a more personalized treatment plan, leading to improved outcomes and reduced costs.

Researchers show that bold baboons learn to solve tasks from other baboons

A new study published in PeerJ reveals that bold baboons are more likely to learn and demonstrate new skills to others, while shy individuals watch but do not participate. Personality differences play a significant role in social learning among animals, challenging previous assumptions about animal cognition.

Examining potential of clinical applications of whole-genome sequencing

A study of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) found it can aid clinical diagnosis and reveal genetic bases of rare diseases, but also raises questions about reproducibility and reportable findings. Comprehensive interpretation and reporting of clinically significant findings are seldom performed.

Plaques detected in brain scans forecast cognitive impairment

Researchers detected early evidence of Alzheimer's disease using brain scans and found that those with positive scans had a faster rate of decline on memory, language, and reasoning over three years. This biomarker could help clinicians better evaluate and treat patients at risk for cognitive decline.

Some galaxies in the early universe grew up quickly

A team of astronomers discovered mature galaxies at a record-breaking distance, containing 100 billion stars each. These galaxies formed rapidly over 1 billion years, with star formation rates hundreds of times higher than observed today.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Gesturing with hands is a powerful tool for children's math learning

Research from University of Chicago finds that gesturing with hands is more effective in teaching math than concrete action. Children who use gestures to solve problems generalize the knowledge better, showing an underlying principle. Gestures help children learn abstract concepts and symbols.

Scientists 'herd' cells in new approach to tissue engineering

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, used electrical current to direct the movement of epithelial cells, a breakthrough that could lead to controlled forms of tissue engineering. The study demonstrates the potential for 'smart bandages' that use electrical stimulation to aid wound healing.

Personality may be key risk factor in preventive health care

Conscientious personality traits appear to be a key risk factor for better health, with participants who were more conscientious having lower rates of obesity, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Researchers suggest that incorporating personality assessments into preventive healthcare could lead to more effective care plans.

Community action not enough to reduce problem drinking and related harms

A cluster randomized controlled trial in 20 communities found no significant difference in alcohol-related harms between intervention and control groups, despite reported reductions in self-reported average weekly consumption of alcohol. The study suggests that community action alone may not be sufficient to reduce problem drinking and...

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.

Time versus money? Placing a value on buyer's remorse

A recent study suggests that consumers who choose more expensive products based on perceived value may experience buyer's remorse in the long run. The researchers observed that participants valued functionality over ease of use and preferred products with more features despite the higher price.

Getting hyperspectral image data down to a sprint

Researchers unveil SpectralFinder, a software that can record and analyze hyperspectral data in real-time on a mobile platform. The technology differentiates materials based on unique color spectra, enabling applications such as environmental monitoring and quality control.

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.

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.

Researchers closer to improving safety, effectiveness of lithium therapy

A new study by University of South Florida researchers found that lithium salicylate produced steady blood and brain lithium levels for up to 48 hours after oral dose, reducing the risk of toxicity associated with current lithium therapy. This could lead to a less frequent dosing regimen and fewer side effects.

Research consortium identifies predictors of successful ACL reconstruction

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and six other institutions present findings on surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments. They found that using auto-graft tissue resulted in lower failure rates for high school, college, and competitive athletes. The study aimed to improve ACLR outcomes and highlight changes in practice.

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.

NREL examines solar policy pathways for states

The report analyzes state demographics and policy characteristics to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic installations. Four peer groups reveal different policy effectiveness based on demographic factors such as median household income and community interest in renewable energy.

Lignin breakthroughs serve as GPS for plant research

Lignin breakthroughs provide a new approach integrating biology, chemistry and engineering to understand how plants make products and structures needed for growth and development. The research team developed models that predict how pathway enzymes affect lignin content and composition.

Tracking neighborhood eating habits to promote healthier diets

Researchers used digital checkout data from Montreal neighborhoods to monitor food choices and socioeconomic factors. The study found that lower-income neighborhoods consume more soft drinks, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to encourage healthier diets.

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.

Long-term warming likely to be significant despite recent slowdown

A new NASA study suggests that Earth's climate will continue to warm during this century, with a possible 20% increase in warming compared to previous estimates. The research focuses on improving the understanding of how airborne particles drive climate change, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.

LED lamps: Less energy, more light

LEDs are expected to capture up to 90% of the lighting market by 2020, offering environmental benefits and high efficiency. GaN transistors enable faster switching speeds, leading to reduced energy consumption and increased light output.

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.

Acoustic cloaking device hides objects from sound

Researchers at Duke University have successfully demonstrated the world's first three-dimensional acoustic cloak, rerouting sound waves to create an illusion of emptiness. The device has potential applications in sonar avoidance and architectural acoustics, altering sound wave trajectory to match a flat surface.

Power play: Empowered consumers are more likely to switch brands

A study found that consumers who feel powerful are more inclined to switch products or services. Brands can benefit by measuring consumer empowerment and diversifying their product lines. Empowering consumers through marketing campaigns can also lead to increased business.

California and Arizona amaze with 2 new species of desert poppy

Researchers have identified two new species of desert poppies in California and Arizona, challenging the notion that deserts are devoid of vibrant flowers. The newly described plants belong to the Eschscholzia genus and possess unique characteristics, including vibrant yellow-colored inflorescences.

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.