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Science News for May 23, 2014


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.

Rising star uses paper to tackle food-borne diseases

A University of Alberta researcher has developed a paper-based diagnostic tool to detect deadly food-borne pathogens such as E. coli. The device, slightly larger than a postage stamp, is designed to be extremely portable and self-contained, allowing for daily testing on farms in developing countries.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·DateMay 23, 2014

Slide Fire update May 23, 2014

The Slide Fire has burned 7,500 acres in Oak Creek Canyon, threatening 300 structures, including private homes and a Forest Service lookout tower. Over 840 personnel are fighting the fire, which is 5% contained, with crews conducting burnout operations along the north and east flanks.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 23, 2014

Nature inspires drones of the future

Drones have been developed with flight control mechanisms inspired by birds, bats, insects, and snakes to navigate through urban environments. Researchers have made significant advancements in drone technology, enabling them to perform complex tasks such as obstacle avoidance, pick-up and delivery, and landing on tricky surfaces.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateMay 23, 2014
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.

Personal judgments are swayed by group opinion, but only for 3 days

Researchers found that people's private opinions are influenced by group norms, but this effect only lasts for three days. The study controlled for methodological issues and suggests a neurological explanation for the short-lived impact of social influence.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 23, 2014

SLU virologists harness adenovirus to kill breast cancer cells

Researchers at SLU's Institute for Molecular Virology have discovered a small fragment of adenovirus that can repress HER2 cell growth and kill breast cancer cells. The discovery offers a promising new therapy for the deadly disease, which affects 20-30% of breast cancers.

SourceSaint Louis University·DateMay 23, 2014

Rapid evolution aids spread of exotic plant species

Researchers at KU Leuven found that the Pyrenean rocket, a plant from southern Europe, genetically adapted rapidly to its new environment in Belgium, allowing it to spread quickly. This study provides evidence that rapid evolution can aid the spread of non-native plant species.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMay 23, 2014

A new way to make sheets of graphene

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to produce graphene directly on materials like large sheets of glass, enabling scalable manufacturing. This breakthrough could lead to advances in display screens, solar cells, and other electronic devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 23, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Straw from oilseed as a new source of biofuels

Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have found ways to improve the efficiency of turning straw into biofuel. By varying pre-treatment stages, they increased cellulose conversion and sugar yield.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalBioresource Technology·DateMay 23, 2014

Flatland optics with graphene

Researchers successfully trapped and controlled light using graphene-based optical antennas, demonstrating the fundamental principles of conventional optics. The discovery paves the way for the development of compact and faster photonic devices and circuits, which could revolutionize signal processing and computing.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateMay 23, 2014

The protective milk shot

Researchers discovered that pigs from infected mothers suffer less from the infection than those from non-infected mothers. The study found that maternal antibodies in the sow's milk protect piglets from infections in the first few weeks of life, leading to fewer cases of severe diarrhoea and faster recovery.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalVeterinary Parasitology·DateMay 23, 2014
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.

Breakthrough method for making Janus or patchy capsules

Researchers have developed a new method for creating Janus and patchy capsules using electro-coalescence and electro-hydrodynamic flow. These capsules can be used to transport substances and release them in specific environments, making them useful for biomedical applications.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2014

Risk is much more than a game

Researchers develop a new framework for risk assessment that incorporates sociological perspective and human risk perception, leading to more effective mitigation plans. The framework helps decision-makers understand public perception of natural hazards, resulting in better policy decisions.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Risk Assessment and Management·DateMay 23, 2014

New sensor could light the way forward in low-cost medical imaging

A new multispectral light sensor can detect ultra-violet to near infrared light, enabling non-invasive medical procedures like oxygen level measurement and tumor detection. The sensor's low cost and flexibility make it suitable for various applications, including security cameras and consumer products.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 23, 2014

Untangling whole genomes of individual species from a microbial mix

A new approach enables researchers to distinguish between different microbial species in complex communities, allowing for the discovery of previously unknown species and a better understanding of their genomic content. This breakthrough has significant implications for studying the human microbiome and its impact on individual health.

SourceGenetics Society of America·DateMay 23, 2014
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.

Failed dwarf galaxy survives galactic collision thanks to full dark-matter jacket

Researchers believe a high-velocity hydrogen cloud, known as the Smith Cloud, contains and is wrapped in a substantial halo of dark matter, allowing it to survive a collision with the Milky Way. The discovery could provide insights into the formation of galaxies and the earliest star formation in our galaxy.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMay 23, 2014

Lack of plant diversity spurs cankerworm damage in cities

A recent study published in Urban Ecosystems found that a lack of plant diversity is a significant contributor to the widespread defoliation caused by cankerworms in cities. Increasing plant diversity can help limit future damage. Native plants were particularly hard hit, while nonnative species were largely ignored.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalUrban Ecosystems·DateMay 23, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

An infrared NASA eye sees a weaker System 92B

Tropical System 92B has weakened due to persistent easterly vertical wind shear, according to NASA's infrared data. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center downgraded the potential for significant tropical cyclone development within the next 24 hours to medium.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 23, 2014

Social marketing at the movies

Research by Chong Oh found that Twitter activity has a direct positive effect on movie attendance and online word-of-mouth chatter. Engaging with followers on social media increases the likelihood of higher box office performance.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Information Systems and Change Management·DateMay 23, 2014

Mapping atherosclerotic arteries: Combined approach developed

Researchers develop protocol combining hard X-ray tomography and histology to visualize constricted vessels, enabling simulation of blood flow and targeted drug delivery. The method also characterizes soft tissues in the vicinity of calcified arteries with high precision.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Protocols·DateMay 23, 2014
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.

Poor diet before pregnancy is linked with preterm birth

A study by the University of Adelaide found that women who eat a poor diet before becoming pregnant are around 50% more likely to have a preterm birth than those on a healthy diet. Women who consistently ate high protein and fruit prior to conception were less likely to have a preterm birth.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMay 23, 2014

Tiny muscles help bats fine-tune flight, stiffen wing skin

Researchers at Brown University discovered that tiny muscles called plagiopatagiales embedded in a bat's wing membrane can adjust stiffness and curvature during flight, fine-tuning aerodynamic performance. The muscles tense on the downstroke and relax on the upstroke, working in synchrony to stiffen the wing.

SourceBrown University·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateMay 23, 2014