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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 46


Page 46 of 402

Can data on TV watching predict presidential election outcomes?

Researchers used TV viewing data from 99 programs with predictive accuracies over 59% and three that predicted outcomes above 79%. The model forecasts election outcomes at the state and county levels, providing insights into key drivers of election results. The study's findings suggest a potential application to future elections.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBig Data·DateNov 17, 2015

Scarcity, not abundance, enhances consumer creativity, study says

Research by Ravi Mehta shows that scarcity leads to increased product-use creativity without compromising appropriateness. In contrast, abundant resources may negatively impact creativity. Mehta's findings suggest that marketers should activate a general sense of scarcity to promote innovation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Every species counts

Researchers found that biodiversity facilitates processes in an ecosystem, especially under harsh environmental conditions. The team tested this hypothesis using microbial communities and demonstrated that functional redundancy varies with prevalent environmental conditions.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2015

Brooding brittle star babies in 3-D

Researchers used microCT scanning to visualize brooding chambers and juveniles in live-bearing brittle stars. The 3D images provide an in situ view of developing young and the position of bursae inside adults, allowing for comparative morphological analyses.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateNov 17, 2015

Living in thin air

A collaborative team of researchers identified over 100 genes crucial for high-altitude adaptation in fruit flies, including more than 40 human equivalents. These genes prioritize respiratory system development and metabolic rewiring, enabling organisms to thrive in low-oxygen environments.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 17, 2015

From nanocrystals to earthquakes, solid materials share similar failure characteristics

Researchers discovered that solid materials, including nanocrystals and the Earth's crust, share similar deformation properties due to slip-avalanches. This study enables the transfer of results across different scales and materials, providing new tools for predicting material deformation and hazard prevention.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 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.

Researcher's work offers more proof of Einstein's general theory of relativity

Researchers predict a physical effect that would help physicists and astronomers test Einstein's general theory of relativity. The gravitational Faraday effect, first predicted in the 1950s, theorizes that light polarization rotates according to Einstein's theory when traveling close to a spinning black hole.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2015

Adelie penguin numbers may expand as glaciers retreat

Adelie penguins' population has seen a 135-fold increase over the last 14,000 years due to retreating glaciers. However, regional variability means some populations are declining despite current favorable environmental conditions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateNov 17, 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.

Radiation blasts leave most Earth-like planet uninhabitable, new research suggests

A new study suggests that vast quantities of radiation from superflaring Red Dwarf stars like Kepler-438 can strip away an atmosphere and make a planet uninhabitable. The energy released by each superflare is equivalent to 100 billion megatons of TNT, posing a significant threat to life on Earth-like planets.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 17, 2015

Small landscape changes can mean big freshwater gains

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that reducing cropland to below 60% or restoring wetlands to above 6% can bring about significant improvements to surface water quality. Small tweaks to landscape composition may also enhance freshwater benefits in urban areas by adding rain gardens or parks.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEcosphere·DateNov 17, 2015

Researchers devise new diabetes diagnostic tool

Researchers at the University of Exeter have created a genetic test to identify young adults at risk of type 1 diabetes. The new tool combines genetic variants to provide a single score, helping doctors diagnose and treat patients more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDiabetes Care·DateNov 17, 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.

Fungus causes emerging snake disease found in Eastern US

Researchers have identified Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola as the definitive cause of snake fungal disease (SFD) in eastern US snakes. The fungus causes skin lesions and can lead to mortality rates of up to 100% in some species, threatening extinction.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateNov 17, 2015

Vitamin D deficiency may limit immune recovery in HIV-positive adults

A University of Georgia researcher found that low levels of vitamin D can hinder the effectiveness of HIV treatment in adults. Participants with sufficient vitamin D levels recovered more of their immune function, on average 65 CD4+T cells more, compared to those with deficiency.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalClinical Nutrition·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Parents aiming too high can harm child's academic performance

A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that high parental aspirations for children's academic achievement can lead to decreased performance when those expectations are unrealistic. The research highlights the importance of giving parents realistic expectations to improve their children's educational success.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 17, 2015

Ringing the changes 'opens the road to new medicines'

Researchers at the University of York have developed a new approach to make medicinally important molecules with large rings, called macrocycles. This method allows for their 'growth' from existing rings using ring enlargement reactions, paving the way for the development of new classes of life-saving medicines.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 17, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

TSRI scientists find surprising trait in anti-HIV antibodies

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have identified four prototype antibodies targeting a weak spot on HIV, which could lead to an effective vaccine. Two of these antibodies use their basic germline structure to bind with the virus, potentially allowing patients with HIV to kick-start a useful immune response.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalImmunity·DateNov 17, 2015

'Good' mozzie virus might hold key to fighting human disease

Researchers have discovered a new virus, Parramatta River virus, carried by saltmarsh Aedes vigilax mosquitoes, which do not pose direct health risks to humans. The discovery may lead to stopping outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases by preventing the spread of 'bad' viruses.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalVirology·DateNov 17, 2015

A new symmetry underlies the search for new materials

Penn State researchers develop a new symmetry operation that can reduce the number of measurements needed to find new materials. This technique uses distortion symmetry groups to analyze physical systems under stress or forces, enabling faster discovery of advanced materials with unique properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Report raises concern over health risks of Tasers

A recent report highlights the health risks associated with Taser use, particularly against mentally ill patients. The device has been linked to eye injuries, seizures, and even death, prompting a review of police use of force.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateNov 17, 2015

CU Anschutz researchers find new risk posed by opioid pain medication

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus discovered that patients given opioid pain medication on discharge had a 25% higher risk of becoming chronic users. The study found that medical patients were more likely to progress to chronic use compared to surgical patients.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateNov 17, 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.

Study shows how crop prices and climate variables affect yield and acreage

A University of Illinois study found that crop prices can increase corn yields by up to one-third due to better management practices and two-thirds due to additional planted acreage. Climate change is expected to reduce corn yields, but farmers' responsiveness to price changes can mitigate this impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Agricultural Economics·DateNov 17, 2015

Mitochondria on guard of human life

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University developed a novel approach to study electron transport chain in living mitochondria using SERS. They successfully observed changes in cytochrome c structure during ATP synthesis and were able to initiate and stop electron transport. This method provides new insights into mitochondrial fu...

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2015

New technique could prevent dangerous biofilms on catheters

Researchers develop a new technique to prevent dangerous biofilms on catheters by coating them with an activator that hinders Staphylococcus aureus from forming biofilms. This approach could lead to a major reduction in hospital-acquired disease and death, saving thousands of lives annually.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Flexoelectricity is more than Moore

Researchers have successfully integrated flexoelectric materials into silicon technology, paving the way for more energy-efficient and sustainable electronics. The development could provide an alternative to traditional piezoelectric materials, which pose toxicity concerns.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 17, 2015

Mother's age at birth may influence symptoms of depression in daughters

A study published by the American Psychological Association found that younger mothers are less likely to experience depression and anxiety symptoms. Daughters of women who give birth at 30 or older are more likely to report higher levels of stress, depression, and anxiety as young adults.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology·DateNov 17, 2015

Fat makes coral fit to cope with climate change

Researchers discovered that coral species storing more fat reserves can survive annual bleaching events and recover fully within a year. The study sheds light on which coral species are most resilient to heat stress, offering crucial information for predicting the persistence of coral reefs.

SourceOhio State University·DateNov 17, 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.

3-D mapping a new drug-delivery tool

Researchers have successfully mapped the 3D structure of cubosomes, a biological 'capsule' that delivers molecules with high efficiency. The breakthrough can help promote the use of cubosomes in medicine and food science.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 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.

Pioneering research boosts graphene revolution

Researchers have developed a new technique to trap light at the surface of graphene using laser pulses, enabling the steered light to be directed across the material's surface. This breakthrough has significant implications for advances in electronic products, such as sensors and miniaturized integrated circuits.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 16, 2015

Moderate coffee drinking may lower risk of premature death

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that moderate coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurological diseases. Drinkers of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee saw benefits, including a lower risk of suicide.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·DateNov 16, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Fit older adults are more active

A recent study published in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found that fitness level is the strongest correlate of physical activity among Norwegian older adults. Higher education was associated with increased physical activity for males but not females. The study, which analyzed data from 850 participants aged 70-77, also disco...

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Aging and Physical Activity·DateNov 16, 2015

How depleting the gut microbiota protects from obesity

Scientists from Université de Genève found that depleting the gut microbiota triggers a metabolic mechanism that transforms white fat cells into beige fat, reducing obesity and insulin resistance. This discovery could lead to new anti-obesity treatments.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 16, 2015

Lung transplant criteria biased against shorter patients

Adults with short stature receive fewer lung transplants, have higher death and respiratory failure rates while waiting, report says. Researchers call for height to be taken into account when allocating donor organs to address disparity.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateNov 16, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Discovery measures 'heartbeats' of distant galaxy's stars

Researchers have discovered thousands of stellar pulses in the galaxy Messier 87 (M87), providing a new method for calculating a galaxy's age. The pulsations are caused by bright, pulsating stars that were previously unknown to affect distant galaxies' light.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalNature·DateNov 16, 2015

Information is contagious among social connections

New research using computer modeling shows that memory of one individual can indirectly influence another via shared social connections. Collaborative inhibition occurs when groups converge on similar information, limiting overall learning.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 16, 2015