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Science News Archive May 2014


Page 30 of 31

Leaf chewing links insect diversity in modern and ancient forests

A team of researchers found a strong correlation between the number of insect species and the types of damage they cause to leaves in modern tropical forests. The study also compared these findings with fossil data from ancient settings, showing consistency in how insects have divided up their leaf resources over time.

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.

Maternal deaths on the rise in the United States

The US has seen a disturbing trend of increasing maternal mortality, ranking 60th globally with 796 maternal deaths in 2013. The largest increase occurred among women aged 20-24, and possible explanations include lack of prenatal care access and high caesarian section rates.

Nature's chemical diversity reflected in Swedish lakes

A comprehensive study of lake water composition reveals its strong connection with environmental factors, such as climate and hydrology. The research found that the chemical diversity of dissolved organic matter in lakes varies significantly depending on these factors.

High quality 3-D nanoporous graphene

Scientists at AIMR successfully synthesized three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous graphene with preserved two-dimensional Dirac electronic characters. The material exhibits exceptional electron mobility and a massless Dirac cone system, making it an attractive alternative to silicon-based devices.

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.

Key protein, FABP5, enhances memory and learning

Researchers discovered that fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) enhances cognitive function and improves learning and memory functions in the brain's hippocampus region. FABP5 deficiency impairs learning and memory, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for cognitive dysfunction.

Penn State researchers believe ants can offer human-disease insights

A team of researchers led by David Hughes is studying the role of group size, complexity, and connectedness in driving infectious disease transmission. By analyzing ant colonies, they aim to develop strategies to reduce the spread of diseases, including those affecting humans in schools, hospitals, and farms.

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.

Drinking poses greater risk for advanced liver disease in HIV/hep C patients

A new study reveals that even light drinking increases the risk of liver fibrosis in people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Researchers found a stark difference between co-infected and uninfected groups, highlighting the importance of counseling patients to reduce alcohol consumption.

New insights into bacterial substitute for sex

Scientists have found that bacteria can undergo two distinct types of recombination, which enables them to evade vaccines and become drug-resistant. The study, published in PLoS Genetics, used DNA sequencing data to reconstruct an evolutionary tree for pneumococcus bacteria.

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.

Australian tsunami database reveals threat to continent

A revised Australian tsunami database, updated by UNSW researchers, has revealed up to 145 possible tsunamis since prehistoric times, with 11 reported deaths in Australia. The database indicates the east coast faces the most significant risk from tsunamis.

Breaking up water: Controlling molecular vibrations to produce hydrogen

Researchers at EPFL used lasers to study how specific vibrations in a water molecule affect its ability to dissociate, enabling the optimization of theoretical models for water dissociation. This breakthrough can impact the design of future catalysts for industrial and commercial chemical reactions.

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.

Crocodile tears please thirsty butterflies and bees

In a rare observation, butterflies and bees were seen drinking the tears of a spectacled caiman in northeastern Costa Rica. Researchers have found that this behavior is more common than previously thought, with many instances recorded by wildlife enthusiasts and scientists.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Til sickness do us part: How illness affects the risk of divorce

A recent study analyzed 20 years of data on 2,717 marriages and found that when the wife becomes seriously ill, the risk of divorce rises. Women are more likely to be widowed and get divorced when they become ill, possibly due to caregiving responsibilities and limited marriage market options for divorced men.

Scientists figure out staying power of HIV-fighting enzyme

Researchers have discovered how the HIV-fighting enzyme SAMHD1 works, allowing for potential new treatments to prevent HIV infection. By understanding its dual role in breaking down nucleotides and regulating its activity, scientists may be able to develop more effective prevention strategies.

Tapah downgrades to a depression

Tapah downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression due to strong vertical windshear and decreased sea surface temperature. The storm is currently tracking northwest at 10 knots per hour and expected to recurve to the northeast.

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.

A new syndrome caused by mutations in AHDC1

Researchers identify AHDC1 gene as cause of newly recognized genetic syndrome with symptoms of sleep apnea, delayed speech and hyptonia. The study analyzed DNA sequences from patients and their families, revealing damaging mutations in the same gene across multiple cases.

Autoimmune diseases may succumb to new drug strategy

A new study identifies three potential drug candidates for treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. The researchers used genome analysis to target a specific molecule within immune cells that drives these diseases.

'Achilles heel' of pancreatic cancer identified

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have identified Yes-associated protein (Yes) as the critical switch that promotes cancer growth and progression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Inhibiting Yes completely shuts down further growth of pancreatic cancer, offering a promising therapeutic target.

Scientists propose amphibian protection

Scientists propose new climate adaptation tools to reduce threats to amphibians, prioritizing habitat restoration in Western North America's mountainous regions. Removing non-native fish is a key strategy to restore resilience to landscapes.

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.

Remodelling damaged nuclei

Researchers have identified a key chemical that can repair damaged cell nuclei, a breakthrough in treating Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare and devastating ageing disease. The compound, Remodelin, also shows promise in reducing DNA damage and improving cellular health.

Antimicrobial edible films inhibit pathogens in meat

Researchers developed antimicrobial edible films using pullulan and essential oils, which significantly inhibit bacterial pathogens in meat and poultry. The films provide immediate and sustained kill of bacteria, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

Network for tracking earthquakes exposes glacier activity

Scientists can use the seismic signals to better understand glacier behavior and track changes in real-time. The Alaska Earthquake Center has recorded over 2,800 glacial events, which could provide new insights into glacier dynamics and potential advances in field studies.

Pioneering forensics research into body fluids in sexual assaults

A researcher is working on procedures to identify female menstrual blood and vaginal material at crime scenes, while also identifying male fluids. This study aims to differentiate between seminal fluid and semen to prove the occurrence of sexual intercourse in cases of false accusation or prosecution.

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.

Kempe Scientific Impact Award

The Kempe Center presents its first National Kempe Scientific Impact Award to Dr. David Finkelhor for his sustained scientific contributions to the field of child abuse and neglect. Finkelhor's extensive research has informed policy and practice to benefit children and families.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to aggressive prostate cancer

A study found that vitamin D deficiency was associated with aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis and tumor progression in both European-American and African-American men. Lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D) were linked to higher odds of having aggressive prostate cancer and faster disease progression.

Delving deep into the brain

Researchers at MIT have developed a technique that allows them to track neural communication in the brain over time, offering a new window on brain function. The technique uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with a specialized molecular sensor to monitor dopamine levels in specific regions of the brain.

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.

Collaborative 'metasurfaces' grant to merge classical and quantum physics

The project aims to create rapidly configurable metasurfaces that can be tuned in real-time, enabling the development of advanced optical technologies and quantum information devices. The research team will combine nanophotonics with quantum photonics to achieve unprecedented control over photon emission.

Shining a light on heart disease

A £3 million project aims to develop nanoparticles for early detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The researchers will use surface enhanced Raman scattering to quantify vascular inflammation and deliver drugs directly to diseased vessels.

NASA begins field campaign to measure rain in southern Appalachians

The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment field campaign aims to better understand mountain weather patterns and improve precipitation measurement. Researchers will combine ground-based measurements with airborne sensors and satellite data to gain insights into the complex processes of mountain rainfall.

Viruses hijack deep-sea bacteria at hydrothermal vents

Researchers found viruses force bacteria to burn sulfur reserves, releasing energy for viral replication. The study reveals a new microbial interaction in deep-sea environments, hinting that viruses act as agents of evolution in chemosynthetic systems.

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.

Killing Kindlin-3 to cure breast cancer: 'Blood' protein implicated

A protein called Kindlin-3 has been identified as a key player in both the formation and spread of breast cancer. The discovery suggests that targeting Kindlin-3 could lead to an entirely new class of breast cancer drugs, potentially slowing or reversing disease progression.

NASA sounding rocket to study interplanetary medium

The Hydrogen Polarimetric Explorer mission will measure the nature of interplanetary hydrogen, providing insights into the size and shape of the heliosphere and its interactions with the local interstellar medium. The sounding rocket's results will be combined with other NASA missions to improve models of the heliospheric boundary.

Unlocking a mystery of thalidomide

Researchers at Tel Aviv University pinpoint a genetic regulator, p53 and MicroRNA34, as the cause of phocomelia syndrome in mice. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of teratogens and may lead to better understanding of toxin-induced birth defects.

Many Ivy League students don't view ADHD medication misuse as cheating

A study found that nearly one in five Ivy League college students misused prescription stimulants to help them study and write papers. The misuse was often viewed as a common occurrence on campus, with 37% of those who used stimulants believing more than 30% of their peers had done the same.

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.

Stimulated mutual annihilation

The Joint Quantum Institute theorists have made detailed calculations of the dynamics of a positronium Bose-Einstein condensate. They report that above a critical density, collision processes destroy the internal coherence of the gas, posing challenges for the operation of a gamma-ray laser.

Electronic nose sniffs out prostate cancer using urine samples

A novel electronic nose technique has been successfully used to discriminate between prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia in a proof-of-principle study. The eNose system demonstrated sensitivity and specificity comparable to traditional testing methods, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), with rapid and non-invasive re...