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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 11 of 35

Fires in the southern United States

NASA's MODIS instrument detects high temperatures indicative of fires in the southern United States, including small wildfires and prescribed burns. Prescribed fires offer numerous ecological benefits, such as reducing hazardous fuels and promoting tree growth.

Herbal medicines could contain dangerous levels of toxic mold

A recent study found that 43% of medicinal plants in Pakistan were naturally contaminated with toxins produced by moulds. The levels exceeded permissible limits in 70% of the samples, and 31% produced harmful toxins. This highlights a need for stricter regulation to protect people using herbal medicines.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The Lancet: The hidden truth about the health of homeless people

A new series on homelessness in high-income countries highlights the alarming health risks faced by homeless individuals, including higher rates of tuberculosis and depression. The series also notes that despite an expansion of services, the risk of death among homeless people has remained similar over the past 20 years.

Bristol team creates designer 'barrel' proteins

Researchers design manmade proteins with new structures, including central cavities, to enhance biological functions and create novel molecules. The discovery is part of the growing field of synthetic biology at the University of Bristol.

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.

Gene identified for immune system reset after infection

Researchers at Duke University have discovered a key gene that regulates the immune system's transition from high alert to recovery after an infection. The finding, published in PLOS Genetics, highlights the importance of cellular homeostasis in repairing tissue damage and eliminating bacterial toxins.

Screening questions fail to identify teens at risk for hearing loss

A study by Penn State researchers found that subjective screening questions used in adolescent hearing screenings are unreliable and miss high-frequency hearing loss. Objective hearing tests were more effective, but refining them is necessary to accurately identify teenagers at risk for hearing loss.

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.

Protecting us from our cells

Researchers at EMBL found that IGF-1 enhances T-reg cell production, suppressing auto-immune diseases like type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The molecule is already approved for use in patients, paving the way for clinical trials.

Fast modeling of cancer mutations

MIT researchers have developed a new way to model the effects of genetic mutations in mice using CRISPR, enabling rapid analysis of genes linked with cancer growth. This approach fills a gap in understanding the role of cancer-gene candidates and offers new ways for personalized treatments.

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.

Quality of biopsy directly linked to survival in bladder cancer patients

A UCLA study found that patients with bladder cancer who did not receive optimal biopsies had a significantly higher risk of death from the disease. In fact, about half of patients' biopsies lacked sufficient material to accurately stage their cancer, leading to incorrect tumor staging and increased mortality rates.

NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP Satellite team ward off recent space debris threat

The Suomi NPP mission team successfully repositioned the satellite on September 30 to avoid a close approach with a debris object traveling at nearly 17,000 mph. The maneuver was planned after a high-risk assessment, and the team's quick action prevented potential catastrophic damage to the satellite.

Camera-traps capture wild chimps' nighttime raiding activities

Researchers observed large parties of chimpanzees foraging crops at night in maize fields of Kibale National Park, Uganda. Chimpanzees also presented few signs of vigilance and anxiety during nighttime crop-raids, indicating a high level of adaptability to human activities.

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.

UT Arlington researcher earns NSF grant to protect financial institutions

A University of Texas Arlington associate professor has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to assess insider threats in financial institutions. The research aims to develop effective protection strategies using criminology theories and large-scale field data from two regional institutions.

When heart cancer hides in the brain

Two patients with cardiac lymphoma presented with brain metastasis, highlighting the need for identifying prognostic factors that predict brain relapse. Cardiac lymphoma is a rare condition often overlooked due to its potential for central nervous system metastasis.

Arrested development -- Sediment wreaks havoc with fish larvae

Researchers found that sediment concentrations in plumes from dredging or floods can delay clownfish larvae development by up to two weeks. This delay has a significant impact on adult populations as it increases the risk of mortality for young fish during their most vulnerable stage.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

UH researcher wins $1.5 million federal solar energy award

The University of Houston researcher aims to produce high-efficiency, inexpensive thin film photovoltaics with a goal of achieving 24% efficiency and 20 cents per watt. His innovative approach utilizes roll-to-roll manufacturing technology to create solar cells on low-cost metal substrates.

Study finds no increase in pregnancy-related death for African-American women

A study of 77 women who died during pregnancy or childbirth found no racial difference in the risk of pregnancy-related death, contrary to national trends. However, distance from the hospital was significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality, suggesting that differences in health care access may be a contributing factor.

The 2011 English summer riots: Courts accused of 'collective hysteria'

A study by the University of Manchester and Liverpool John Moores University found that courts imposed excessive and arbitrary punishments during the 2011 English riots. The research suggests that both courts and law enforcement agencies were influenced by a desire to restore order, leading to a 'collective hysteria' approach.

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.

Research reveals how lymph nodes expand during disease

Researchers discovered that dendritic cells trigger lymph node expansion by producing CLEC-2, allowing immune cells to gather and launch an attack against infections and cancer. The study provides new insights into the immune system's role in diseases, including cancer.

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.

Researchers record sight neurons in jumping spider brain

A team of researchers has successfully recorded sight neurons in a jumping spider's brain for the first time. The study reveals that jumping spiders use different sets of eyes to process acuity and motion, requiring integration of inputs from multiple eyes in the brain.

Cooling with molecules

Researchers at Bielefeld University and colleagues successfully cooled to minus 272.15 degrees Celsius using magnetic molecules, surpassing absolute zero. The discovery could provide an alternative to helium-based refrigerants and has implications for various applications such as transparent magnets and nano data memoires.

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.

Early intervention could boost education levels

Researchers found that progressive educational interventions can improve school entry academic skills and later educational outcomes, leading to a potential 5% increase in population-level academic achievement. The study suggests that pre-school education is crucial in setting children on the right path, with the potential to reduce so...

The unexpected benefits of adjustable rate mortgages

Researchers found that reduced mortgage payments of $150 a month led to decreased mortgage defaults, increased consumer spending on automobile purchases, and improved household credit ratings. Additionally, households applied most of the saved mortgage money towards reducing outstanding credit card debts.

A 'Star Wars' laser bullet -- this is what it really looks like

Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences have developed a new compact high-power laser that can create ultrashort pulses. The laser generates powerful femtosecond pulses that can penetrate long distances, allowing for real-time atmospheric pollution detection using LIDAR technology.

Hospital logs staggering 2.5 million alarms in just a month

A study by UCSF researchers found that cardiac monitor alarm frequency and accuracy are crucial to improving patient safety. The study suggests that medical devices should focus on using all available ECG leads and provide prompts for optimal alarm settings.

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.

Organic molecules in Titan's atmosphere are intriguingly skewed

Scientists have found intriguing zones of organic molecules shifted away from Titan's north and south poles, contradicting expectations. The discovery may provide insights into the complex chemistry of Titan's atmosphere and its potential connection to Earth's early atmosphere.

New feather findings get scientists in a flap

Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered that feather shafts exhibit varying layer thickness and orientation according to flight style. This finding challenges previous assumptions about feather morphology and opens doors for innovative engineering applications.

Bipolar disorder discovery at the nano level

Researchers found concentrated levels of ANK3, a gene linked to bipolar disorder risk, in nanodomain structures within brain synapses. This discovery could provide insight into the biology of bipolar disorder and potentially lead to new treatments.

Molecule could suppress immune system's 'friendly fire'

Researchers have discovered a molecule, IGF-1, that can induce the production of T-reg cells, suppressing symptoms of autoimmune diseases. The findings confirm IGF-1's direct action on T-reg cells, making it a promising therapeutic option for conditions like type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New tool identifies high-priority dams for fish survival

A study identified 181 California dams that may need increased water flows to protect native fish, with the top priority dams including Trinity Dam and New Melones Dam. The new tool provides a scientific basis for dam operators to prioritize management and reduce the risk of extinction for many native species.

UTMB researchers uncover powerful new class of weapons in the war on cancer

Researchers at UTMB have discovered three small-molecule compounds that activate Bax and induce high levels of cell death in lung cancer cells without harming noncancerous tissues. These findings represent a new class of anticancer drugs with a unique therapeutic target for the treatment of cancers expressing Bax, including lung cancer.

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.

Clinical trial could change standard treatment for stroke

A large international clinical trial has shown that current hospital protocols for managing blood pressure in stroke patients may not be effective. The ENOS trial found that early treatment with glyceryl trinitrate patches improved outcomes in patients who received treatment within 6 hours of symptom onset.

Two families of comets found around nearby star

The study reveals two distinct families of exocomets in the Beta Pictoris system: old and recent ones. The old family has weak activity with low gas production rates, while the second family is more active and likely originates from a single object's breakup.

BJOG releases MPT special supplement

A new supplement in BJOG explores the potential of broad-spectrum prevention methods that can prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs, including HIV. The research highlights the need for funding to spur innovation and close gaps in development.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Skin patch could replace the syringe for disease diagnosis

A new skin patch has successfully detected malaria proteins in live mice, paving the way for a less painful and more accessible diagnostic method. The patch, designed by Simon R. Corrie's team, captures multiple biomarkers for diseases like malaria, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment.

Strengthening thin-film bonds with ultrafast data collection

Scientists have developed a new device that captures information about both temperature and crystal structure during extremely fast reactions in thin-film materials. This breakthrough will help researchers optimize the process of making advanced technologies, including state-of-the-art semiconductors.