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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 12 of 35

Some scientists share better than others

A study published in Bioscience explores the paradox of ecologists not sharing data, despite sharing findings. The researchers argue that increased data sharing will allow more diverse people to participate in research, leading to greater impact on science.

An effective, cost-saving way to detect natural gas pipeline leaks

Researchers developed a cost-saving software-based method that compares pressure and flow rate measurements with mathematical models to accurately detect small leaks in pipelines. This technique successfully reduced errors by 18% and estimated potential savings of millions of dollars compared to existing leak-detection methods.

Human skin cells reprogrammed directly into brain cells

Researchers successfully converted adult human skin cells into medium spiny neurons, a subtype of brain cells affected in Huntington's disease. The newly generated cells survived and functioned like native cells in the mouse brain, demonstrating a promising approach for treating the disease.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Cause of aging remains elusive

A recent study aimed to determine the role of free radicals in aging, but was refuted due to limitations with the measurement tool used. The researchers found that changes in pH levels inside mitochondria, rather than free radical release, were responsible for the signals detected by the probe.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New window on the early universe

Researchers at the University of Bonn and Cardiff develop a new observational strategy for imaging extremely distant galaxies, using ALMA radio telescope data. This method improves upon previous efforts by accurately estimating molecular hydrogen presence in these galaxies, providing insights into galaxy formation and star creation.

Third substantial solar flare in 2 days

A substantial X1.6 class solar flare occurred on October 22, 2014, peaking at 10:28 a.m. EDT, as observed by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory. This is the third significant flare from the same region of the sun since October 19, indicating increased solar activity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Brain simulation raises questions

Researchers discuss the limitations of brain simulations, citing the need to account for individual experience and social context. They also raise concerns about the potential creation of artificial consciousness and the technical challenges of simulating complex biological systems.

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 insights on carbonic acid in water

Researchers have gained valuable new information about carbonic acid, a critical intermediate species in the equilibrium between carbon dioxide, water, and minerals. The study's findings provide detailed insights into the hydration properties of aqueous carbonic acid, benefiting the development of carbon sequestration technologies.

Sopping up proteins with thermosponges

The study demonstrates that thermosponge nanoparticles can effectively deliver a variety of proteins while preserving their biological activity. The new platform is designed to eliminate the need for harsh solvents and shows promise for delivering protein-based drugs for human therapeutics.

Can bariatric surgery lead to severe headache?

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension, a condition causing severe headaches, has been linked to bariatric surgery. A study found that gastric bypass and banding surgeries were associated with a small percentage of people developing the condition.

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.

UT Austin leads $58 million effort to study potential new energy source

A research team led by UT Austin is studying frozen methane under the Gulf of Mexico, a substance with huge potential to increase the world's energy supply. The four-year project will acquire intact samples to better understand how to produce these deposits and unlock their enormous energy resources.

Lessons from the 'Spanish flu,' nearly 100 years later

A Michigan State University study of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic offers insights into infection control measures for the flu and other epidemic diseases. The research found that locations close to an entry point will have extremely short windows of time to deal with a virulent pathogen, emphasizing emergency management.

Rapid test to diagnose severe sepsis

A new rapid test developed by University of British Columbia researchers can predict severe sepsis within an hour, allowing timely treatment to begin. The genetic signature associated with the disease has been identified and can be tested as soon as a patient arrives in the emergency ward.

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.

Online dermatologic follow-up for atopic dermatitis earns equivalent results

A one-year randomized controlled trial found that patients with atopic dermatitis who accessed online dermatologic follow-up care achieved equivalent clinical improvement as those receiving traditional in-person care. The study included 156 patients and showed significant improvements in disease severity, including a reduction in POEM ...

Trans fats still weighing Americans down

A study found that American consumers consume more than 1% of their daily calories from trans fats, exceeding the American Heart Association's recommendation. Omega-3 fatty acids have not changed significantly over the past thirty years and may help improve cardiovascular disease risk.

Ph.D. designs new devices based on metamaterials

The researcher designed and manufactured new devices based on epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterials, achieving high speed transmission and radiation focusing properties. The devices have potential applications in nanocircuits, electrical levitation, invisibility, and multiple-frequency spectroscopy experiments.

New 3-D display technology promises greater energy efficiency

Researchers developed ultra-thin LCD screens that maintain 3D images without power consumption, ideal for e-book readers and battery status monitors. The technology uses bi-stable displays to store an image for several years with low power consumption.

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.

Baby cries show evidence of cocaine exposure during pregnancy

A new study found that babies whose mothers used cocaine during pregnancy have increased amounts of hyperphonation in their cries, indicating nervous system damage. The researchers also identified a similar spectral characteristic in rat pups treated with prenatal cocaine exposure, paving the way for translational analyses to detect is...

Recently discovered microbe is key player in climate change

A new species of microbe, Methanoflorens stordalenmirensis, has been found to control the release of methane from thawing permafrost soils, affecting global climate change predictions. The study reveals that this microbe plays a significant role in amplifying climate change by controlling greenhouse gas emissions.

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.

UNL researcher wins federal grant for groundbreaking solar energy project

A UNL researcher has received a $1.2 million grant to improve the efficiency of solar cells using perovskite technology, aiming for at least 30% efficiency. The project seeks to refine silicon-based cells by overlaying them with perovskite, taking advantage of the material's natural abundance and properties.

Olive oil more stable and healthful than seed oils for frying food

A recent study by Mohamed Bouaziz and colleagues found that olive oil maintains its quality and nutrition better than seed oils when deep-fried or pan-fried. The researchers tested four different refined oils and found that olive oil was the most stable, while sunflower oil degraded the fastest.

Secret wing colors attract female fruit flies

New study reveals that females choose mates based on hidden wing colours, important for female choice in fruit flies. Researchers found that the transparent wings shimmer with beautiful colours due to thin-film interference.

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.

NASA-led study sees Titan glowing at dusk and dawn

Researchers found large patches of trace gases shining brightly near Titan's poles, with unexpected east-to-west variations. These findings are consistent with observations made by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which found cloud caps and high concentrations of gases over the poles.

Tackling blindness, deafness through neuroengineering

The Bertarelli Program has awarded $3.6 million in grants to five research projects focused on diagnosing and treating hearing loss, as well as developing new treatments for blindness. The projects aim to combine technologies and approaches to accelerate the delivery of new treatments to the clinic.

Autism Speaks commits $2.3 million to research on gut-brain connection

Two major research projects will investigate the microbiome and its impact on autism symptoms, as well as chronic constipation treatment to improve behavioral symptoms. The studies aim to establish clear guidelines for personalized treatments and may lead to stool tests guiding treatments for autism and its associated medical conditions.

NASA's Terra Satellite sees wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Ana

Tropical Storm Ana was impacted by strong southwesterly wind shear, causing the bulk of clouds and showers to be pushed north and east of its center. The storm's minimum central pressure is estimated at 1005 millibars, with forecasters predicting some strengthening through early Friday.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NIH begins early human clinical trial of VSV Ebola vaccine

The NIH is conducting an early phase trial to evaluate the VSV-ZEBOV vaccine candidate, which was developed by researchers at Canada's National Microbiology Lab. The trial will enroll 39 healthy adults aged 18-65 and assess the vaccine's safety and ability to generate an immune response.

Producing solar power with impure silicon

NTNU researchers have developed a technique to produce solar cells using impure silicon, reducing energy consumption and production costs. The new method uses glass fibers coated with a silicon core, which is heated and stretched to create a thin fiber filled with silicon, resulting in lower energy requirements and fewer production steps.

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.

Tropical Depression 9 forms in Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Depression 9 has formed over the western Bay of Campeche and is expected to produce life-threatening flash floods in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The depression is predicted to intensify into a tropical storm before landfall.

Disease outbreak management -- flexibility can save lives and money

A flexible approach to managing disease outbreaks, called adaptive management, allows for real-time updates to contain outbreaks more quickly and efficiently. This approach could lead to significant savings in livestock losses and improved outcomes in cases like foot-and-mouth disease.

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.

Super stable garnet ceramics may be ideal for high-energy lithium batteries

Researchers have discovered a highly stable cubic garnet material called LLZO that can enable the development of higher-energy battery designs. The material remains structurally stable over time across neutral and extremely alkaline environments, making it an ideal separator material for lithium-ion batteries.

Animal therapy reduces anxiety, loneliness symptoms in college students

A study published in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health found that animal-assisted therapy significantly reduced anxiety and loneliness symptoms among college students. The program, led by Dr. Leslie Stewart, involved interacting with a registered therapy dog named Sophie, resulting in a 60% decrease in self-reported symptoms.

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.

Large variation in cesarean rates across US hospitals

A study analyzing 1.5 million births in US hospitals found significant variation in cesarean delivery rates, with rates ranging from 8% to 48% across hospitals. The analysis adjusted for maternal factors and hospital characteristics but did not account for parity or gestational age.

Extremely high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging

The researchers have developed a novel measurement technique for MRI signals using a diamond sensor chip, detecting the signal from a single hydrogen atom and achieving an accuracy of better than one angstrom. This breakthrough brings them closer to imaging at the level of single molecules, with potential applications in structural bio...