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Science News Archive October 2014


Page 24 of 35

Researchers compare efficacy of 'natural' bed bug pesticides

Two non-synthetic bed bug pesticides, EcoRaider and Bed Bug Patrol, showed promise in laboratory tests, killing over 90% of bed bugs. However, their effectiveness is likely to be much lower in real-world settings due to the difficulty of applying insecticides directly on hidden bed bugs.

Solid nanoparticles can deform like a liquid

Researchers found that metal nanoparticles appear to be liquid droplets on the outside but maintain a stable crystal configuration within. This phenomenon, known as Coble pseudoelasticity, could impact nanotechnology applications.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NASA sees a weaker Typhoon Vongfong near Amami Oshima

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP and Aqua satellites monitored Typhoon Vongfong's weakening, showing strongest thunderstorms in the northern quadrant. The storm is now forecasted to spread out and become an extra-tropical storm, tracking over Japan's islands.

A novel platform for future spintronic technologies

Researchers have discovered a new way to control electron spin in an insulating material, paving the way for more efficient spintronics devices. This breakthrough could lead to the development of spin-polarized materials and directly observe elusive Majorana fermions.

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.

NASA sees Cyclone Hudhud approaching India's coast

Cyclone Hudhud is forecast to peak near 115 knots before quickly weakening, dissipating over land on Monday. The storm has strengthened in the last day, indicated by cloud top temperatures dropping and stronger thunderstorms developing.

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.

Oral capsule as effective as invasive procedures for delivery of fecal transplant

A non-invasive oral capsule approach has been shown to be as effective as colonoscopy or nasogastric tube delivery in eliminating recurrent diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection. The study found a 90% success rate for the oral capsule method, with most participants experiencing complete symptom resolution after a single treatment.

Mineralization of sand particles boosts microbial water filtration

Researchers found that microbial activity increases with mineral deposits on sand particles in rapid sand filters, removing impurities like iron and ammonia. The study refutes the conventional assumption that minerals interfere with microbial colonization, suggesting potential improvements in drinking water production.

Hidden population: Thousands of youths take on caregiver role at home

A study found that thousands of youth caregivers in the US face significant challenges, including school failure and poor health. The caregivers, who are often girls between 12 and 15 years old, spend up to 4 hours per day caring for family members with physical or mental illnesses.

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.

Real-life social networking prompts people to get tested for HIV

A study by the Infectious Diseases Society of America found that social networking strategies are more efficient and targeted, resulting in 2-1/2 times more positive test results. As many as one in five HIV-positive people is unaware of their infection, making testing critical to prevent disease spread.

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.

In-home visits reduce drug use, depression in pregnant teens

A new study finds that intensive parenting and health education provided in homes of pregnant American Indian teens reduced drug use, depression, and behavior problems. The Family Spirit intervention was also cost-effective and created badly needed jobs in low-income communities.

Mechanism that repairs brain after stroke discovered

Researchers at Lund University have identified a previously unknown mechanism by which the brain produces new nerve cells after a stroke. Astrocytes, support cells in the brain, can form immature nerve cells that mature into functional neurons.

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.

Parental misconceptions about concussions could hinder treatment and recovery

Two studies presented at a pediatric sports medicine symposium found that many parents lack knowledge about concussions, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment. The studies reveal common misconceptions about concussion symptoms and diagnosis, emphasizing the need for education and proper evaluation.

Virtual worlds to be used to trial potential new water systems

Experts from the University of Exeter are developing a computer platform to simulate how existing and prospective new water systems will cope with issues such as land management and flooding in a virtual environment. The Nexus Game, a Serious Gaming approach, will focus on the unique interplay of infrastructure and the Nexus in the UK.

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.

Professor examines terrorist propaganda

A new study analyzing terrorist propaganda has revealed increasing language intensity in jihadist magazines, suggesting a shift in strategy. The research also found that Inspire, an online magazine published by al-Qaida, is experimenting with gamification strategies to increase motivation for lone-wolf attacks.

Tiny travellers of the animal world: Hitchhikers on marine driftwood

Researchers have discovered a new group of tiny animals, specialist driftwood talitrids, that live on and feed from decomposing marine driftwood. These hitchhikers use floating driftwood logs to disperse across distant oceanic islands, with adaptations like dwarfism allowing them to survive long journeys.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

BIDMC researchers looks at impact of patient-to-physician messaging

A new study from BIDMC found that while patients didn't message doctors more over time, the overall number of messages per doctor increased as more patients enrolled in secure patient web portals. Primary care doctors received 85% of email traffic, despite representing only 40% of the system.

No single explanation for biodiversity in Madagascar

Researchers analyzed Madagascar's lizard, snake, frog, and tortoise populations to understand how biodiversity hotspots come to be. Climate change and land use affect different species differently, with some doing better while others decline.

NASA gathering data on Super Typhoon Vongfong as Japan prepares

NASA's TRMM and Aqua satellites provide forecasters with detailed data on Super Typhoon Vongfong's cloud extent, rainfall rates, and distribution. The storm is expected to slowly weaken as it moves north, passing just east of Okinawa before turning northeast and changing to an extra-tropical cyclone over Japan.

An enzyme and synaptic plasticity

Researchers found that Pin1, a small enzyme, modifies the number of postsynaptic receptors and regulates signal transmission. This discovery sheds light on the biochemical mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, offering insights into healthy mechanisms and potential treatments for pathological conditions.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

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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.

Longer-term outcomes of program to reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions

A study found that an outpatient antimicrobial stewardship intervention lost its initial benefits after discontinuing audit and feedback to clinicians. The program reduced broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing rates by nearly 50 percent initially, but saw a significant increase in prescriptions after termination of the feedback component.

Charged graphene gives DNA a stage to perform molecular gymnastics

University of Illinois researchers use charged graphene to control the movement of DNA through a nanopore, allowing for faster and more accurate DNA sequencing. The study reveals that changing the graphene's charge can stop or speed up DNA movement, and even force it into specific conformations.

The dwindling stock of antibiotics, and what to do about it

The number of antibiotics available for clinical use has declined to 96 from a peak of 113 in 2000, with the rate of withdrawals being double the rate of new introductions. Pharmaceutical companies are leaving the antibiotic space due to financial constraints and patent law, forcing research universities to step in.

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.

Big data sharing for better health

A $9.2 million grant from the NIH will help researchers share, use and cite biomedical datasets more efficiently. The project, led by UC San Diego, aims to create a searchable online digital library for health-related datasets.

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.

NAMS to launch free menopause mobile app

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) has launched a free menopause mobile app, MenoPro, that uses an algorithm to help clinicians and patients make personalized treatment decisions. The app offers two modes, including one for healthcare providers and one for patients, and provides access to NAMS resources and a cardiovascular di...

Getting sharp images from dull detectors

Scientists at the Joint Quantum Institute use thermal light and cheap detectors to achieve sub-wavelength imaging, overcoming classical optical limitations. They observe an interference pattern with fringes as narrow as 30 nm, pushing the boundaries of extreme quantum coherence.

Interactive history beats interactive chat for website engagement

Researchers found that displaying a user's interaction history on a website can offer a sense of conversation, making it more engaging than traditional websites. This approach also fosters positive attitudes towards the site, improving user trust and awareness of their actions.

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.

Fish moving poleward at rate of 26 kilometers per decade

Climate change is projected to drive large-scale shifts in fish populations, with some species moving away from their current habitats at a rate of up to 26 kilometers per decade. This could lead to significant losses in tropical regions, including the loss of important fisheries and communities that rely on fish for food and nutrition.