Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2015 - Page 76


Page 76 of 402

Japanese sea defense guidelines could assist other tsunami-prone nations, study suggests

A study by Plymouth University suggests that Japan's new sea defense plans could be shared with other nations to improve their preparedness for tsunamis. The research analyzed Japan's history of coastal defense design and measures taken since 2011, highlighting the country's progress in mitigating tsunami impacts.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalInternational Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction·DateOct 23, 2015

NSF awards $2 milion to UT Dallas for international conflict projects

The University of Texas at Dallas will collaborate with researchers to create a research tool that uses big data to provide updated information on civil protests and unrest, as well as study Colombia's efforts to protect its power grid from attacks. The project aims to drive decisions on foreign policy, international relations, civil w...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateOct 23, 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.

NASA analyzes record-breaking Hurricane Patricia

Hurricane Patricia intensified rapidly off Mexico's southwestern coast, breaking records for the strongest Eastern North Pacific hurricane. NASA satellites and instruments tracked its rapid intensification, revealing frigid cloud top temperatures that enabled heavy rainfall.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 23, 2015

Sensing small molecules may revolutionize drug design

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new technique for studying the interactions between small molecules and membrane proteins, allowing for precise control over binding kinetics. This breakthrough has broad implications for basic research and drug design, potentially reducing development time and cost.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Steaming out some of luminol's wrinkles

Researchers at the University of South Carolina have developed a new technique called 'steam thermography' that can detect blood spots in crime scenes more effectively than luminol. The method uses thermal imaging and a hand steamer to highlight where blood is present, even in highly diluted samples.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·DateOct 23, 2015
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.

Tropical Depression 26W moving faster than spinning

Tropical Depression 26W was experiencing wind shear and speeding up as it transitioned from a tropical to an extra-tropical cyclone. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects the storm to continue weakening over open waters of the western North Pacific Ocean.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 23, 2015

New DNA research reveals undiscovered white dots on the map

Researchers have discovered a new function of Histone H1 that helps summon repair proteins, leading to improved understanding of how cells protect and repair DNA damages. This discovery may eventually result in targeted treatments for diseases such as cancer and immune deficiency syndrome.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature·DateOct 23, 2015

A new algorithm to predict the dynamic language of proteins

Researchers have developed a computational method to predict protein dynamics based on co-evolutionary studies, which explains changes in shape or structure to interact with other compounds. This study is crucial for designing drugs and researching genetic diseases like cancer, resulting in higher complexity than current methods.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 23, 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.

Photons open the gateway for quantum networks

Scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute have developed a photon contact that can control the transport of photons in a circuit. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex quantum photonic circuits and paves the way for the development of quantum networks based on photons.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2015

Faster optimization

Researchers have developed a new cutting-plane algorithm that improves upon existing methods, offering huge efficiency gains for specific optimization problems. The algorithm has been applied to various types of problems, including submodular minimization and semidefinite programming, resulting in significant speedups.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 23, 2015

Researchers catch Comet Lovejoy giving away alcohol

Comet Lovejoy released large amounts of ethyl alcohol and glycolaldehyde into space, adding to evidence that comets could be a source of complex organic molecules necessary for life. The discovery supports the idea that comets carried sophisticated chemistry to Earth during its early stages.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2015

Sarcoidosis: Surface marker allows new diagnostic approaches

A new strategy to determine monocyte subsets involved in diseases has been developed, which may improve the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The analysis of an additional marker molecule called slan allows a more precise determination of monocyte subgroups.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalBlood·DateOct 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.

Capacitor breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully developed a new method to increase the energy storage ability of dielectric capacitors using nanotechnology. The innovation achieves an energy density of about two watt hours per kilogram, significantly higher than existing structures.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2015

Potato harvest reduced by half

A new study reveals that potato waste in Switzerland can be reduced significantly through improved cultivation methods and quality standards. The researchers found that 53% of conventionally produced table potatoes are wasted, while organic production leads to a higher waste proportion.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalWaste Management·DateOct 23, 2015

New methane organisms discovered

Researchers have discovered two new organisms that play an unknown role in greenhouse gas emissions and consumption, belonging to a previously unexplored group called Bathyarchaeota. The discovery expands our understanding of life on Earth and suggests we are missing other organisms involved in carbon cycling and methane production.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·DateOct 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.

Blocking enzymes in hair follicles promotes hair growth

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) family of enzymes promotes hair growth in mice and human hair follicles. The study suggests that JAK inhibitors, approved for blood diseases and rheumatoid arthritis, could be used to restore hair growth in humans.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 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.

A longer look at treatments for leg length discrepancies

A study by Eric J. Peng found that each extra inch of adult height correlates with an average increase in yearly income, with men earning $1,660 more per year for every inch above 64 inches and women earning $1,186 more per year for every inch above 59 inches.

SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics·DateOct 23, 2015

Upgrading the quantum computer

Researchers at University of Innsbruck propose new quantum computer architecture that detaches logical qubit from physical implementation, overcoming challenges in adiabatic quantum computation. This approach enables scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2015

Deadly fish virus still present in Wisconsin lake

Researchers have found that a deadly fish virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv), is still circulating in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. Despite efforts to slow its spread, the virus can survive in infected fish, potentially leading to future outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Clinical Microbiology·DateOct 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.

Mini-kidney organoids re-create disease in lab dishes

Researchers have grown mini-kidney organoids in a laboratory by combining stem cell biology with leading-edge gene-editing techniques. These engineered mini-kidneys contain tubules, filtering cells and blood vessel cells, and can mimic both healthy and diseased kidneys.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2015

Protein helps plants avoid accumulation of damaged chloroplasts

A new protein has been identified that selectively clears damaged chloroplasts from plant cells, reducing oxidative stress and maintaining photosynthesis efficiency. The discovery reveals a complex quality control mechanism in plants.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015

Cellular damage control system helps plants tough it out

Plants have developed a unique mechanism to selectively degrade damaged chloroplasts, allowing them to conserve energy and thrive in challenging environments. This discovery could lead to the development of stronger crops with improved yield and resistance to stressors.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 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.

It takes a thief

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered the structural basis by which bacteria capture and utilize foreign DNA, a crucial step in their adaptive immune system. The study reveals that Cas1 and Cas2 enzymes function as molecular rulers to measure and manipulate foreign DNA.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 2015

New gene a key to fighting sepsis

Researchers at Australian National University and Genentech have identified a gene, Gasdermin-D, that triggers the inflammatory condition leading to sepsis. The discovery could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease, which kills an estimated one million people in the US each year.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 2015

Unhealthy pregnancy weight gain tips the scales for mothers 7 years later

Research found that excessive gestational weight gain during pregnancy is associated with greater body fat and weight seven years after delivery, particularly among women who begin pregnancy at normal or slight overweight. The study suggests that these women may need additional support to gain weight appropriately during pregnancy.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 22, 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.

Physicists learn how to control the movement of electrons in a molecule

Researchers from ETH Zurich and an international group of physicists successfully track and control the movement of electrons in molecules. They observed the migration of electrons along a linear molecule, demonstrating that this process can be controlled with a time resolution of 100 attoseconds.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015

Study combats 'anxiety' as barrier to breast cancer screening

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology describes a successful intervention to decrease anxiety related to mammography, increasing breast cancer screening rates. The study found that information about the logistics and outcomes of mammography reduced anxiety and improved understanding among participants.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateOct 22, 2015

3-D map of the brain

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed software to create detailed 3-D models of animal brains, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain connectivity. This new tool can aid in studying mental and neurological conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and autism.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateOct 22, 2015

Plastic litter taints the sea surface, even in the Arctic

Researchers from Alfred Wegener Institute discovered plastic litter on the Arctic sea surface, with 31 pieces found in a 5,600km survey. The litter is likely to pose new challenges for Arctic marine life, which has already seen high levels of plastic pollution in its stomachs.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalPolar Biology·DateOct 22, 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.

Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital™ PCR (ddPCR™) proves highly reproducible at identifying viral RNA mutations in clinical samples

A study published in the Journal of Virological Methods found that Bio-Rad's Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) technology significantly increases the sensitivity and precision of mutation abundance quantification when compared to RT-qPCR. This makes it an ideal tool for detecting viral RNA mutations in clinical samples.

SourceCG Life·JournalJournal of Virological Methods·DateOct 22, 2015

New insights into REM sleep crack an enduring mystery

Researchers identify a neural circuit that regulates REM sleep and show that it controls the physiology of non-REM (NREM) sleep. They also found that REM sleep plays a crucial role in the generation of slow waves during NREM sleep.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015

Fish farming gobbles up phosphorus

A Norwegian study reveals that fish farming consumes a significant amount of phosphorus, with the industry generating 9,000 tonnes of emissions annually. The researchers propose reusing this waste phosphorus to create new products and reduce pollution, offering potential solutions for Norway's aquaculture industry.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Industrial Ecology·DateOct 22, 2015

Evaporation for review -- and with it global warming

Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences discovered that evaporation occurs differently than previously thought. The Hertz-Knudsen equation was found to be incorrect, and a new understanding of evaporation's role in global warming has been gained.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalSoft Matter·DateOct 22, 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.

Turbulences on the rise

Turbulence plays a crucial role in nature and technology, influencing pollutant spread and fuel efficiency. A new study reveals how fully turbulent flows arise in pipe and square duct flows, with potential benefits for oil pipelines and combustion motors.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·DateOct 22, 2015

'Sensor' protein could help fight against obesity and diabetes

Researchers have discovered a biological sensor called NLRP1 that responds to excess energy intake and instructs cells to burn fat stores. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, suggests that activating this protein could help combat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalCell Metabolism·DateOct 22, 2015

Zebrafish study offers insights into nerve cell repair mechanisms

A zebrafish study has discovered that serotonin boosts the growth of new motor neurons after a spinal cord injury, a finding that could lead to new therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers hope that understanding this repair mechanism in zebrafish may eventually trigger similar processes in human stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 22, 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.

CWRU biologists find keys to driving a cockroach

Researchers at CWRU identified key neurons in cockroach brain that control movement, including speed and direction. By stimulating these neurons, scientists can replicate the insect's movements, shedding light on how insects navigate and providing insights into robotic navigation systems.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateOct 22, 2015

Probing the innards of stars

Researchers have developed a new method to probe the internal magnetic fields of red giant stars using asteroseismology. This technique involves analyzing variations in light emitted from a star as due to sound waves from its interior, revealing strong internal magnetic fields in these stars.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2015