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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 213


Page 213 of 402

Commodity market volatility more perception than reality

Researchers found that commodity price bubbles were short-lived and not as frequent as thought. Bubbles in the grain markets occurred more often during periods of production problems rather than speculative activity. The study's findings suggest that the commodity market is doing a good job of accessing prices, with only minor hiccups.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateJun 23, 2015

'Pick and mix' smart materials for robotics

Scientists at the University of Cambridge developed a method to combine multiple functions in a single material by integrating structure at the nanoscale. This approach enables the creation of multi-functional artificial muscles that can move, sense, and report on their environment.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 23, 2015

Survival of the gutless? Filter-feeders eject internal organs in response to stress

Scientists at Tel Aviv University have found that a tropical ascidian species can expel its digestive tract and rebuild it within 12 days. The study provides new insights into the organism's ability to eviscerate and regenerate its gut, shedding light on potential avenues for human soft-tissue regeneration research.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Fewer than 1 in 10 older heart patients get life-saving defibrillators

A Duke University Medical Center study found that older heart patients with reduced function may benefit from defibrillators, which can lower the risk of death by one-third. However, the devices are underutilized due to factors such as advanced age, transitions in care, and mandatory waiting periods.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalJAMA·DateJun 23, 2015

Neutron star's echoes give astronomers a new measuring stick

Researchers have developed a new method to estimate distances to X-ray sources using the geometry of light echoes and dust clouds. By analyzing the timing and deflection of X-rays as they pass through interstellar space, astronomers can calculate the distance to Circinus X-1, a binary system located in the plane of the galaxy.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateJun 23, 2015

Diabetes medication reduces dementia risk

A study analyzing health insurance data found that long-term treatment with pioglitazone significantly decreases the risk of developing dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes. The medication lowers the risk by approximately half compared to non-diabetics, with a notable protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.

SourceDZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateJun 23, 2015

New model calculates how air transport connects the world

A new model by MIT researchers analyzes flight schedules and ticket sales to determine global air transport connectivity. The study finds that one-stop flights have become more important over time in connecting regions, despite being less preferred by passengers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalTransportation Research Part E Logistics and Transportation Review·DateJun 23, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Physicists fine-tune control of agile exotic materials

Researchers have successfully controlled the length and strength of waves of atomic motion, promising applications in fine-scale imaging and information transmission. Hybrid polaritons propagate throughout many layers of a crystalline material and can be tuned with an electronic gate.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 23, 2015

Drugs for impotence do not increase risk of melanoma

Researchers from Umea University found no association between PDEi drugs and increased melanoma risk; instead, men taking these drugs are more health-conscious and sunbathe more often, increasing their melanoma diagnosis risk.

SourceUmea University·JournalJAMA·DateJun 23, 2015

Louisiana Tech University chemistry student awarded EPA Fellowship

Joshua Tully, a Louisiana Tech University chemistry student, has been awarded a Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowship by the EPA for his research on natural clay nanotubes. The fellowship provides a year of academic support and internship experience, valued at up to $50,000.

SourceLouisiana Tech University·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Biomanufacturing of CdS quantum dots

A team of Lehigh University engineers has developed a novel approach for the reproducible biosynthesis of extracellular, water-soluble quantum dots using bacteria and cadmium sulfide. This method reduces cost and environmental impact by utilizing an engineered strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia to control particle size.

SourceLehigh University·JournalGreen Chemistry·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

The shame of psychology

UCSB sociologist Thomas Scheff argues that psychology's scientific method is blind to the insights of intuition, leading to misconceptions about catharsis, stigma, and self-esteem. Future studies could split scales into cognitive and emotional components to address these issues.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalReview of General Psychology·DateJun 23, 2015

Photo selection study reveals we don't look like we think we look

A new study published in the British Journal of Psychology found that people tend to choose poorly matching passport photos, leading to lower accuracy in face recognition. Strangers were surprisingly more reliable at judging likeness than individuals themselves, with self-selected images being matched seven per cent less accurately.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateJun 23, 2015

UVA fertilization discovery may lead to male contraceptive

Researchers at UVA Health System have identified a critical protein, ESP1, that stabilizes the site of sperm-egg fusion. This discovery may pave the way for the development of a male contraceptive by targeting the protein's interactions.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalBiology of Reproduction·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Quiet that ringing in the brain

A new drug, SF0034, selectively affects potassium channels in the brain to treat epilepsy and prevent tinnitus. It has shown promise in preventing seizures in animals and is being developed as a potential treatment for both conditions.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·DateJun 23, 2015

Researchers identify new class of antifungal agents

Researchers have identified two compounds that target the synthesis of fungal glucosylceramide, leading to highly effective antifungal activity. These new agents may pave the way for a new class of antifungals to treat serious fungal infections, which cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

OSIRIS-REx team prepares for next step

The OSIRIS-REx team is preparing to ship its instruments to the spacecraft's assembly facility, with a launch date of September 2016. The mission aims to bring back a small sample from asteroid Bennu for study, providing insights into the asteroid's composition and properties.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·DateJun 23, 2015

Current blood cancer drug prices not justified, MD Anderson study finds

Current blood cancer drug prices are too high to be considered cost-effective in the US, according to a recent MD Anderson Cancer Center study. The researchers found that 63% of 20 studies evaluated had costs per additional life-year higher than $50,000, indicating that current prices cannot be justified based on improved quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalCancer·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Toward tiny, solar-powered sensors

MIT researchers have created a new ultralow-power circuit that can harness more than 80% of the energy from tiny solar cells, enabling it to run for months without battery changes. The chip achieves this efficiency improvement while powering devices directly from batteries.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJun 23, 2015

NASA sees Tropical Storm Kujira move into the Gulf of Tonkin

Tropical Storm Kujira made landfall on Hainan Island, China, with surface wind speeds near 65 knots, according to NASA's RapidScat data. The storm then moved into the Gulf of Tonkin, where it was centered near 20.1 North latitude and 107.8 East longitude, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

When certain consumers bought its lemonade, did Frito-Lay groan?

A study found that a small group of consumers who consistently purchase and rave about failing products may actually be 'harbingers of failure.' These customers tend to buy niche items that few others choose. Retailers can use this insight to make better decisions about new products.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateJun 23, 2015

Trinity scientists persuade volcanoes to tell their stories

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a way to extract information from magma crystals, allowing them to reconstruct the history of global geography and predict future eruptions. This new method has the potential to improve our understanding of volcanic activity and provide more accurate predictions for eruptions.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalChemical Geology·DateJun 23, 2015

Survey: Many doctors misunderstand key facets of opioid abuse

Primary care physicians incorrectly thought that abuse-deterrent pills were less addictive than standard counterparts, despite evidence showing they are equally addictive. The study highlights the importance of patient and provider education regarding abuse-deterrent products.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalClinical Journal of Pain·DateJun 23, 2015

'Fitness' foods may cause consumers to eat more and exercise

A new study found that fitness-branded foods increase consumption in restrained eaters, while reducing physical activity. Fitness labels on snacks led to increased eating and decreased exercise among participants trying to watch their weight.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateJun 23, 2015

Adolescents uncertain about risks of marijuana, e-cigarettes, Stanford study finds

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that teenagers are unclear about the risks of marijuana and e-cigarettes, receiving conflicting information from various sources. The study suggests that future messages should address the addictive potential, health risks, and presence of nicotine in these products.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateJun 23, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Nanowire implants offer remote-controlled drug delivery

A team of researchers has created a new implantable drug-delivery system using nanowires that can be wirelessly controlled, allowing for precise and targeted treatment. The system showed promise in reducing inflammation and scar formation in mice with spinal cord injuries.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateJun 23, 2015

Can heat be controlled as waves?

Thermal phonons can interfere with their own reflections, suggesting that heat transport occurs through wave-like phenomena. This interference could be used to modify the velocity of phonons and create energy bandgaps, leading to new materials with low thermal conductivity.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 23, 2015

Medical marijuana 'edibles' mostly mislabeled, study shows

A study found that most edible cannabis products sold in dispensaries carried labels with inaccurate THC levels, posing a risk to patients. The researchers called for better regulation and oversight of marijuana edibles to prevent overdosing and ensure accurate labeling.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateJun 23, 2015

Study concludes that racehorses are getting faster

A new study from the University of Exeter has found that racehorse speeds have improved greatly since 1850, with increases in speed greatest in shorter distance races. The researchers used a large data set of racing records to analyze thoroughbred performance at the elite level and found that horses are getting faster.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 23, 2015

When inflammation occurs, kidneys work to protect themselves, researchers find

Inflamed kidney cells produce an enzyme that consumes tryptophan, activating a stress response and inducing autophagy to clear damaged protein. The IDO-GCN2 pathway provides natural protection against inflammation-induced kidney damage, offering new potential treatment targets.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Rare neurons enable mental flexibility

Researchers at OIST have confirmed that specific cholinergic interneurons play a key role in maintaining behavioral flexibility by inhibiting old rules and encouraging exploration. Rats with damaged neurons had difficulty adapting to rule changes, highlighting the importance of these neurons in decision-making.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·DateJun 23, 2015

The true cost of fueling conflict

A recent study by Concordia University researchers found that the US Department of Defense overspends on fuel costs by $1-9 billion annually, with a volatile crude oil market exacerbating the issue. Improving planning and budgeting practices could help mitigate these risks, according to the study.

SourceConcordia University·JournalPublic Budgeting &amp Finance·DateJun 23, 2015

Road traffic noise linked to deaths and increased strokes

Living in areas with high road traffic noise may reduce life expectancy due to an increased risk of heart or blood vessel disease. Adults and the elderly living in noisy areas were found to be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease and experience strokes.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Dietary guidelines for Americans shouldn't place limits on total fat intake

Researchers argue that restrictive guidelines on total fat consumption have led to unhealthy choices and neglect the importance of healthy fats like nuts, vegetable oils, and fish. They advocate for a focus on adopting a healthier food-based dietary pattern with more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJAMA·DateJun 23, 2015

Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

A team of researchers has successfully developed a brain-machine interface that allows paralyzed individuals to remotely control robots with their thoughts. The technology has shown excellent results, enabling users to interact with the robot's surroundings and avoid obstacles without requiring any physical movement.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateJun 23, 2015

Holding on to the blues: Depressed individuals may fail to decrease sadness

New research suggests that depressed people often choose to increase rather than decrease their sadness in daily life. Studies found that depressed participants preferred sad music and re-watched sad images more frequently than non-depressed individuals. The findings highlight the importance of motivation in regulating emotions.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Astronomers explain why a star is so hot right now

Astronomers have solved a mystery over blue hook stars, which form when a star's outer layers are destroyed by rapid rotation. The international team found that these stars consume hydrogen fuel more slowly due to their high spin rates.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2015
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.

Robust new process forms 3-D shapes from flat sheets of graphene

The researchers have developed a robust approach to integrate graphene onto 3D microstructured surfaces, maintaining the structural integrity of graphene. The process incorporates three sequential steps: substrate swelling, shrinking, and adaptation, allowing for damage-free integration of graphene on 3D microstructures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 23, 2015

Smoking may impact survival after a breast cancer diagnosis

Pre-menopausal smokers with breast cancer are at a higher risk of dying from the disease and any cause, according to a new study. The research found that smoking can impact breast cancer survival rates, especially among women whose cancers express estrogen receptors.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer Science·DateJun 23, 2015
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.