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Science News Archive May 2014


Page 4 of 31

Flame retardant exposure linked to lower IQs -- study

A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a significant link between prenatal exposure to flame retardants and lower IQs in five-year-old children. The researchers discovered that elevated levels of PBDE concentrations were associated with a 4.5 IQ decrement, comparable to environmental lead exposure.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

3,000 rice genome sequences made publicly available on World Hunger Day

The 3000 Rice Genomes Project provides a massive rice genomic sequence resource for worldwide use, quadrupling the current amount of publicly available rice sequence data. This will aid in improving crop yield, reducing environmental impact, and developing food crops suitable for stressed environments.

A cure for dry eye could be a blink away

Researchers studied the basic motion of tear film traversing the eye to develop a potential cure for dry eye. The simulation found that blinking is necessary to stop the thinning of the tear film, and flooding the eye with liquid does not relieve the issue.

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.

Fish more inclined to crash than bees

New research reveals that zebra fish use optic flow but steer towards stronger flows instead of away from them. This may be due to the turbid underwater environment where visibility is limited.

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.

Melting Arctic opens new passages for invasive species

The opening of new Arctic shipping routes poses significant risks to the north Atlantic and north Pacific coasts from invasive species. Scientists warn that unchecked commercial shipping could drastically alter the exchange of invasive species across the region.

Large muskies lured by the moon

Researchers analyzed angler catch records for evidence of a lunar cycle's effect on muskie behavior. They found that muskellunge are caught consistently more around the full and new moon phases, with anglers catching 5% more fish during peak lunar days.

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.

A more earth-friendly way to make bright white cotton fabrics

Researchers at the American Chemical Society have developed a novel compound that reduces the bleaching temperature of cotton fabrics from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees, significantly lowering energy consumption and producing less wastewater. The new method also improves fabric quality and maintains vibrant colors.

PTSD treatment cost-effective when patients given choice

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found that letting patients choose their PTSD treatment can lead to significant cost savings and a higher quality of life. The study showed that patients who were allowed to select their own treatment spent an average of $1,622 less per year compared to those who were assig...

NASA IceBridge concludes Arctic field campaign

NASA's Operation IceBridge concludes its 11-week Arctic field campaign, collecting data on rapidly changing areas of sea and land ice. The mission released two new sea ice data products and provided a professional development opportunity for science teachers.

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.

Artificial lung the size of a sugar cube

Researchers have created an innovative 3D test system that allows them to simulate human body functions, enabling the development of more effective cancer treatments. The artificial lung model, no bigger than a sugar cube, can be used to analyze treatment resistance and metastasis formation, potentially leading to personalized medicine.

'Nanodaisies' deliver drug cocktail to cancer cells

Researchers have developed nanoscale structures called 'nanodaisies' that can deliver multiple anti-cancer drugs to cancer cells. These daisy-shaped structures show promise in treating lung, leukemia, breast, prostate, liver, ovarian and brain cancers.

Researchers use light to coax stem cells to repair teeth

A Harvard-led team uses low-power laser therapy to stimulate human dental stem cells into forming dentin, a hard tissue similar to bone. The approach, led by David Mooney, could radically shift dental treatment and lead to broader clinical applications in regenerative medicine.

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.

Salk professor named grantee in new pancreatic cancer research program

Ronald M. Evans, director of the Gene Expression Laboratory at Salk Institute, is one of three scientists chosen for The Lustgarten Foundation's Distinguished Scholars program to focus on finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. He will expand his research on Vitamin D therapies using clinical trials in patients.

NASA sees northern Indian Ocean System 92B's end

System 92B dissipated on May 27 after struggling to develop in the Bay of Bengal, with NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites capturing data on its rainfall rates and cloud heights. The storm had strong thunderstorms and generated heavy rainfall before wind shear took its toll.

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.

Demographic of heroin users change in past 50 years

A study published in JAMA Psychiatry analyzed heroin use patterns from 1970 to 2014, revealing significant changes in demographics. The findings indicate that heroin users are becoming increasingly young, urban, and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, reflecting broader societal trends.

Wild coho may seek genetic diversity in mate choice

A study by Oregon State University researchers found that wild coho salmon choosing mates with dissimilar MHC profiles have higher reproductive success. Hatchery-reared coho, however, lack this ability to select genetically diverse mates.

Cats found to eat more in the winter

Researchers tracked cat food intake over four years and found a 15% decrease during summer months. Cats were more inclined to 'comfort eat' when it's cold outside.

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.

Dads who do chores bolster daughters' aspirations

A new study suggests that fathers' involvement in household chores plays a significant role in shaping their daughters' career goals. Girls growing up in households where domestic duties are shared more equitably are more likely to have broader career ambitions.

What shaped it, how old is it, and are they connected?

Two articles investigate influence of climate, erosion, and tectonics on Bolivian Andes landscape. Researchers conclude that tectonics play primary role in shaping Earth's surface, not rainfall patterns. Tectonic deformation controls pattern of rock uplift and erosion rates.

A path toward more powerful tabletop accelerators

Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered that certain requirements for laser pulses in emerging small-area particle accelerators can be significantly relaxed. This finding has the potential to bring about a new era of accelerators that would need just a few meters to accelerate particles to great speeds, rather than traditional accelerat...

Antarctic ice-sheet less stable than previously assumed

A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet is less stable than previously thought, with massive iceberg calving events causing rapid global sea level rise. The findings, published in Nature, provide direct evidence of the impact of Antarctic ice sheet instability on climate and sea levels.

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.

Increased social network can have big payoff for nonprofits, study shows

Researchers found that even small organizations can employ social media to ride the new wave of charitable giving, increasing their support bases and ability to generate donations. The study highlights the importance of understanding and cultivating the 'social network effect' to experience a payoff in donations and supporters.

Can Tai Chi slow the aging process?

A recent study found that Tai Chi intervention increased the number of CD34+ cells in young adults, a potential indicator of anti-aging effects. This increase was comparable to brisk walking, suggesting that Tai Chi may be an effective exercise for promoting healthy aging.

Chapman University research article wins 'Best of 2013' award

A Chapman University research team, led by Yakir Aharonov and Jeff Tollaksen, has challenged long-held beliefs about the transition from microscopic to macroscopic scales in nature. Their paper proposes a new theory that gives different predictions than classical physics for certain phenomena.

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.

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.

Meek male and fighting female scorpions

Female bark scorpions exhibit poor sprinting ability but rapidly sting in response to simulated threats. In contrast, male scorpions have superior sprinting ability and longer legs.

Diesel bus alternative

Researchers analyzed the cost-effectiveness of electric school buses that discharge their batteries into the electrical grid when not in use. Over 14 years, a V2G-capable electric bus fleet could save an estimated $38 million compared to diesel buses.

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.

Cynical? You may be hurting your brain health

People with high levels of cynicism are three times more likely to develop dementia than those with low levels, according to the study. High cynicism was also initially linked to earlier death, but this association disappeared after adjusting for other factors.

Vocal fry hurts women in the labor market

A study by University of Miami researcher Casey Klofstad found that vocal fry is perceived negatively, particularly in labor market contexts, affecting women's hiring prospects. Women who use vocal fry are seen as less attractive, competent, educated, trustworthy, and ultimately less hirable than those with normal speech.

Parasitic fig wasps bore with zinc-hardened drill bit tips

Researchers discovered that female parasitic fig wasps possess zinc-tipped ovipositor drill bits, allowing them to efficiently navigate and lay eggs within the fruit's woody interior. The drill bit's hardness and wear resistance were found to be remarkable, comparable to dental implants.

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.

Uncovering clues to the genetic cause of schizophrenia

A study sequencing the exome of 231 schizophrenia patients and their unaffected parents found that collective damage across several genes contributes to the disease. This discovery could lead to early detection and treatment strategies.

Surface physics: Leaving the islands

A team of scientists has visualized the desorption of oxygen molecules from a silver surface using low-energy electron microscopy. They found that the process involves isolated islands breaking up on the surface, leading to discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements.

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.

Suspect strep throat? Re-check negative rapid test results with lab culture

A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that nearly seven million Americans seek medical attention for sore throats each year, with one in 10 cases being strep throat. The researchers concluded that performing a laboratory culture can help doctors and patients avoid both under-treatment and over-treatment of sore throats.