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Science News Archive 2015


Page 390 of 402

Satellite telemetry tracks bearded vultures

A study using satellite tracking reveals the home range of bearded vultures in the Pyrenees spans an average 11,700 km2, with notable differences between individuals. The birds' movements are also influenced by supplementary feeding points and predictable food sources.

As Austin grows, so does its traffic woes

The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Transportation Research is using advanced models to understand and visualize alternative solutions for traffic issues. A collaboration with the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) has enabled faster simulations, allowing researchers to better analyze spatial data and gain clarity into t...

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.

The secret of empathy

A new study published in Current Biology found that stress caused by being around strangers limits empathy, but playing games together can increase it. Researchers discovered that spending just 15 minutes playing Rock Band with a stranger can move them from an 'stranger zone' to an 'empathy zone'.

Liquids and glasses relax, too. But not like you thought.

Researchers at NIST discover two environments for molecules in liquids and glasses, shedding light on molecular-level processes that affect protein stability. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for designing optimal sugar coatings to preserve proteins' structure intact.

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.

Early returns on 2014 show significant growth in use of GBIF

The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) reported a 35% increase in the use of biodiversity data accessed via its open-access infrastructure. Meanwhile, web traffic saw significant annual gains, with over 1.13 million sessions logged by users from 236 countries and territories.

Training the next generation of power engineers

The College of Engineering & Computer Science educates students on complex power engineering topics through modernized courses and hands-on experiments. Students learn to work as a team and develop essential skills in open-minded lifelong learning, making them attractive candidates for the smart grid workforce.

MIT team enlarges brain samples, making them easier to image

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to enlarge tissue samples by embedding them in an expandable polymer gel, making it easier to image large biological specimens with nanoscale resolution. This technique allows for the imaging of brain cells and mapping how they connect across large regions.

Difficult behavior in young children may point to later problems

Researchers found that certain symptoms of conduct disorder, such as high-intensity defiant behavior, aggression, and destruction of property, indicate a higher likelihood of problems persisting into school age. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to help young children avoid recurring issues.

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.

UW-Madison scientists find how cancers can evade treatment

Researchers found that inactive EGFR is involved in autophagy, a process where cells consume nonessential contents to survive. Cancer cells use this process to thrive under stressful conditions. Combining drugs that block autophagy with those that inactivate EGFR could be an effective way to treat cancers

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

For sea turtles, there's no place like magnetic home

Researchers found that sea turtles imprint on the unique magnetic field of their natal beach as hatchlings and then use this information to return as adults. The study suggests that tiny magnetic particles in the turtles' brains respond to the Earth's field, providing a basis for their magnetic sense.

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.

Huge 3-D displays without 3-D glasses

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new 3D display system that uses laser beams to create 3D effects without the need for special glasses. The system can display hundreds of images simultaneously, creating a realistic 3D effect similar to walking around an object.

New study reveals crippling financial burden of leprosy

A new study reveals that households affected by leprosy face significant financial burdens due to loss of earnings and treatment costs. The study found that patients with Erythema Nodosum Leprosum, a complication of leprosy, incurred losses equivalent to almost a third of their income.

A fatty acid used to decode weight control

Researchers found that a fatty acid called myristoleic acid can help decode weight control by analyzing the lipidome, gene expression, and phenotype of obese women. This comprehensive insight may improve obesity management by understanding how adipose tissue responds to calorie restriction.

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.

UF/IFAS study: Wheat yield to decline as temperatures increase

A new UF/IFAS study reveals that warming temperatures could lead to a decline in wheat production, with crop losses estimated at one fourth of the annual global wheat trade. The research used computer models to predict the impact of temperature increases on wheat yield and found that warmer temperatures are already slowing yield gains.

Closing your eyes boosts memory recall, new study finds

Researchers from the University of Surrey discovered that closing eyes enhances memory recall in witnesses, while building rapport also increases accuracy. In two experiments, participants showed improved performance when recalling details after closing their eyes, regardless of whether rapport was built beforehand.

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.

New approach to preventing fibrosing strictures in IBD

Researchers found that cathelicidin protein can prevent intestinal fibrosis and scarring in colitis, potentially sparing patients from repeated surgeries. The study used pre-clinical models of disease and human colonic fibroblasts to demonstrate the anti-fibrotic effects of cathelicidin.

Healthy diet associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes in minority women

A healthy diet is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes among women in all racial and ethnic groups, but has an even greater benefit for Asian, Hispanic, and black women. The study found that healthy diets can prevent 5.3 cases of diabetes per 1,000 white women per year, compared to 8.0 cases per 1,000 minority women per year.

New planetary dashboard shows 'Great Acceleration' in human activity since 1950

A new planetary dashboard reveals that human activity has become a prime driver of change on Earth since 1950, with indicators showing significant changes in greenhouse gas levels, ocean acidification, and biodiversity deterioration. This research supports the proposal that Earth has entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.

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.

Bone stem cells shown to regenerate bone and cartilage in adult mice

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered a stem cell capable of regenerating both bone and cartilage. The discovery, published in the journal Cell, suggests that this stem cell could be exploited to treat osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Further study is needed to determine if this technology can be appl...

What drives killers like the Ottawa or Paris attackers?

Researchers suggest that overvalued ideas, often driven by psychopathology, motivate young male offenders to engage in senseless violence. The study, published in Violence and Gender, sheds light on the 'motivating mindset' of attackers like Zehaf-Bibeau, who killed a Canadian military reservist.

Humans at risk from planetary-scale activities

Researchers warn of planetary-scale risks from human activities, citing four processes that have exceeded safe conditions and two that pose serious threats to future human wellbeing. The team's findings indicate that the Earth is entering a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, where the global economic system drives change.

Wildlife loss in the global ocean

A new report by UCSB researchers highlights the alarming rate of marine animal extinctions, driven by industrial activities such as factory farming and seafloor mining. Climate change is also degrading marine habitats, posing a significant threat to ocean wildlife.

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.

Study reveals lack of data on opioid drugs for chronic pain

A National Institutes of Health white paper found little to no evidence for the effectiveness of opioid drugs in treating long-term chronic pain, despite their widespread use. The study's findings suggest that many studies used to justify prescription were poorly conducted or of insufficient duration.

Damaged DNA amplified

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to amplify gene samples containing damaged DNA adducts, which are common in cancer. This breakthrough could enable the analysis of molecular mechanisms involved in cancer initiation and risk factors.

When used effectively, discharge summaries reduce hospital readmissions

Research from Yale University finds that timely, well-communicated discharge summaries can lower hospital readmission rates among heart failure patients. The studies analyzed data from Telemonitoring to Improve Heart Failure Outcomes and found that quality of discharge summaries was associated with readmission risk.

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.

Shining a light on quantum dots measurement

A team of researchers at Syracuse University developed a multilevel computational approach to simulate the formation and behavior of protein coronas on quantum dots. This breakthrough enables more accurate measurements in various biological applications, such as tumor cell imaging and biomolecule detection.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Planets outside our solar system more hospitable to life than thought

A study suggests that exoplanets are more likely to have liquid water and be habitable due to their rotation speed, which can create a day-night cycle. This finding challenges the traditional assumption that all exoplanets exhibit synchronous rotation, potentially increasing their ability to develop life.

Perovskites provide big boost to silicon solar cells, Stanford study finds

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel perovskite-silicon tandem device that dramatically improves the overall efficiency of conventional silicon solar cells. The device achieves an efficiency boost of nearly 50% with relatively low cost, making it a promising solution for the renewable energy sector.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

For sea turtles, there's no place like magnetic home

Researchers found a strong association between sea turtle nesting sites and subtle shifts in the Earth's magnetic field. Turtles pack themselves along shorter stretches of coastline when magnetic signatures diverge, and lay eggs fewer and farther between.

Improved interface for a quantum internet

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have improved an interface for a quantum internet by harnessing superradiant states, which enhance the creation of single photons. This breakthrough enables faster information transfer and more robust storage, paving the way for future quantum computing applications.

New sequencing technique reveals genetic clues to rare breast tumors

Researchers used next-generation sequencing techniques to analyze archived tissue samples of phyllodes tumors, identifying two genes (EGFR and IGF1R) that were amplified in malignant tumors. The study also found the gene MED12 was frequently mutated in all classifications of phyllodes tumors.

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.