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Science News Archive 2015


Page 122 of 402

Economic prosperity can't break chains of child labor

Research finds child labor stubbornly persists in developing countries due to unequal access to education and income inequality. The QUT study suggests that targeting schooling costs for the poor and improving public health infrastructure could help eliminate child labor.

Saving the last groups of wild Sumatran rhinoceros

Consolidation of small populations and protected areas are key to saving the critically endangered species, researchers say. The study provides vital data to support a final attempt to prevent extinction, with priority forest protection zones identified as irreplaceable.

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.

ESA receives NSF award to seed new Network for Next Generation Careers

The Ecological Society of America will create a new network for 21st century STEM professionals in environmental biology with an innovative mindset. The project aims to prepare students for rapidly evolving career tracks and addresses NSF's goal of building the professional STEM workforce for tomorrow.

Can mindfulness help patients stay in treatment?

Researchers at Brown University are conducting a five-year study on mindfulness and patient treatment adherence, funded by a $4.7 million NIH grant. The study aims to determine whether mindfulness interventions can influence self-regulation related to medical regimen adherence, with the goal of improving health outcomes.

China's protection of giant pandas good for other species too

A new study by Duke University finds that China's giant panda conservation measures also protect 70% of forest bird, mammal, and amphibian species found in mainland China. The research identifies high-priority areas for conservation to protect endangered native species.

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.

Pinpointing punishment

A new study has pinpointed the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as a critical brain region responsible for coordinating punishment decisions made by judges and juries. The DLPFC integrates information from other parts of the brain to determine punishment, with disruption leading to reduced punishments for morally responsible agents.

Synthetic biology needs robust safety mechanisms before real world application

Synthetic biology holds promise for revolutionizing science and medicine, but its safe and stable application is crucial before being applied in real-world settings. Engineers are working on developing safety infrastructure, including kill switches and microbial sensors, to ensure the reliability and predictability of engineered microbes.

Criminals acquire guns through social connections

A new study by Duke University researchers found that 60% of criminals obtain guns through purchase or trade with family and acquaintances. The study also identified straw purchasers and gun traffickers as key sources of crime guns in Chicago.

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.

Hearts build new muscle with this simple protein patch

A team of researchers has identified a protein that helps heart muscle cells regenerate after a heart attack, improving cardiac function and survival rates in mice and pigs. The protein patch, loaded with Follistatin-like 1, showed remarkable results in animal models, regaining nearly normal function within four to eight weeks.

Undiagnosed Diseases Network launches online application portal

The Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) has launched an online patient application portal called the UDN Gateway. The new system streamlines the application process and allows patients to be matched with top diagnostic teams and advanced diagnostic tools, aiming to improve diagnosis and care for those with undiagnosed diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UW labs win $4.5 million NSF nanotechnology infrastructure grant

The University of Washington has won a $4.5 million NSF grant to advance nanoscale science, engineering and technology research in the Pacific Northwest. The funding will support the Washington Nanofabrication Facility and the Molecular Analysis Facility, providing critical tools and resources for academic and industrial users.

Cornell nanotech facility receives $8 million NSF grant

The Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility will receive $8 million from the National Science Foundation over five years. This grant, combined with a matching commitment from New York state, will provide long-term infrastructure support for ambitious research.

Immune system may be pathway between nature and good health

Research finds that spending time in nature enhances the functioning of the body's immune system, providing protections against a range of diseases including depression and cardiovascular disease. The immune system plays a crucial role in every one of these diseases, highlighting the importance of exposure to nature for overall health.

New oral drug effective treatment for ulcerative colitis, researchers say

Researchers at Georgia State University develop an oral drug using microparticles and natural herbal molecules to target colon inflammation in ulcerative colitis. The curcumin-loaded microparticles show potential as a scalable drug carrier for efficient clinical treatment of this chronic gastrointestinal disease.

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.

International team discovers natural defense against HIV

A team of researchers has identified ERManI as a key protein that prevents HIV-1 replication, providing a potential natural defense against the disease. The discovery could lead to the development of new antiretroviral treatments and promote HIV resistance by increasing ERManI levels.

CWRU leads solar power study inspired by field of medicine

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will analyze data from over 5 million solar panels worldwide to identify factors contributing to degradation. By applying an epidemiological approach, they aim to develop more reliable designs and extend the lifespan of solar panels.

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.

No way? Charity's logo may influence perception of food in package

A University of Oregon study suggests that charity logos on food products can trigger quick perceptions about an item's healthiness. The research found that consumers associate certain cause logos with healthier options, even if the partnership is not intended to endorse the product's healthiness.

No such thing as ghosts?

A new method called Phantom Derivative (PhD) has been developed to determine complex structures with limited experimental data. PhD is a competitive approach in protein crystallography, producing results comparable to existing techniques like density-modification and Vive la Difference.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Using ultrasound to clean medical instruments

A pioneering ultrasonic device called StarStream has been developed to improve the cleaning of medical instruments using cold water, eliminating biological contamination and bacterial biofilms. The device has shown significant effectiveness in removing complex contaminants such as brain tissue from surgical steel.

NASA mapped heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Vamco

Tropical Storm Vamco brought extreme rainfall to central Vietnam and Laos, resulting in flash floods and landslides. The NASA GPM mission measured over 220 mm of rainfall along the storm's path, highlighting the importance of monitoring heavy precipitation events.

Citizen scientists contribute to dog research

A study by Duke University analyzed data from 500 citizen scientists worldwide, who played the same games as researchers use in labs. The results showed that dogs rely on memory over sense of smell to solve problems. The dataset also revealed unique cognitive skills among dogs, including communication and problem-solving abilities.

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.

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.

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.

Fearless fowl grow and lay better

Researchers at Linköping University found that domesticated animals grew faster and laid larger eggs when selected for reduced fear of humans. The study used red junglefowl and bred them over five generations to demonstrate the link between tameness and desirable traits.

Bolivian biodiversity observatory takes its first steps

The new repository will help measure the status of biodiversity knowledge in Bolivia and inform conservation efforts. The project brings together over 40 Bolivian scientists with international partners to catalog the country's plants and animals.

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.

A toddler with type 2 diabetes

A 3-year-old girl with obesity and symptoms of excessive urination and thirst was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, reversing the disease through lifestyle modification and medication, highlighting early screening and diagnosis as key factors in disease management.

Novel competitors affect species' responses to climate change

A new study reveals that competition from previously unknown plant species at lower elevations can be decisive for alpine plants in warmer climates. This finding challenges the assumption that higher temperatures are the primary effect of climate change on alpine species, instead highlighting the importance of competition.

Restoring ocean health

After 10 years of monitoring, a UCSB analysis reveals that MPAs in the Channel Islands network are enhancing ecological communities. Fish species targeted by fishermen have greater density and biomass inside MPAs, while unprotected areas show increases in fished species.

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.

Chapman University publishes research on attractiveness and mating

A recent study by Chapman University reveals that men and women differ in their preferences for attractive partners, with wealthier individuals and those with higher education levels having stronger preferences. The study also found that age and income level play a significant role in shaping these preferences.

Twin study suggests genetic factors contribute to insomnia in adults

A twin study found that genetic factors contribute significantly to insomnia in adults, with a higher heritability in females (59%) compared to males (38%). This study provides evidence for sex differences in insomnia development and may inform targeted sleep interventions for women.

UT study: Invasive brood parasites a threat to native bird species

Research by Vladimir Dinets and Mark Hauber found that two invasive Eurasian cuckoo species are on the verge of invading North America, posing a threat to native bird populations. The cuckoos' sophisticated parasitic behavior, including egg mimicry, may evade defenses developed by Native American birds against cowbirds.

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.

Platinum and iron oxide working together get the job done

Researchers have found that platinum nanoparticles sitting on cheap metal oxide materials convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. The chemical reactions occur due to the interplay between platinum particles and the iron-oxide surface, making them efficient. This new knowledge can be used to create better catalysts.