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Science News Archive April 2015


Page 32 of 36

Study reveals Internet-style 'local area networks' in cerebral cortex of rats

A massive data compilation of 40 years' worth of research on rat brains reveals local networks of neurons, similar to the Internet, governing various functions such as vision, learning, and bodily concerns. This discovery opens a new avenue for connecting human brain studies with animal models, potentially leading to breakthroughs in n...

Research debunks commonly held belief about narcissism

A study published by the American Psychological Association found no association between excessive use of first-person singular pronouns and narcissistic tendencies. The research used a large sample size of over 4,800 participants and multiple narcissism measures, suggesting that I-talk may not be a reliable indicator of narcissism.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sea sponge anchors are natural models of strength

A team of Brown University engineers found that the unique internal structure of sea sponge spicules contributes to their remarkable anchoring ability. The pattern of decreasing layer thickness from center to edge enhances the spicule's strength and stability, potentially inspiring new engineering designs.

Researchers track protein 'hitchhiker' in fluorescent worms

Researchers at the University of Iowa identified a mechanism in which a protein 'hitchhiker' attaches to the centrosome to regulate gene expression during cell division. This process could have implications for understanding human development and disease, including cancer treatment.

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.

We can fix the Great Barrier Reef

Scientists outline a six-point plan to restore the Great Barrier Reef through better policies on science, protection, and conservation. The plan includes measures to reduce stressors such as fishing, pollution, and coastal development, as well as transitioning away from fossil fuels and limiting coal port development.

UH study links Facebook use to depressive symptoms

A University of Houston study finds that excessive Facebook use and social comparison are associated with depressive symptoms. The research suggests that individuals who spend more time on Facebook and engage in social comparisons may experience heightened levels of depression.

NTU scientists discover new treatment for dementia

NTU scientists have discovered a new treatment for dementia using deep brain stimulation, which can form new brain cells and improve memory retention. The research found that stimulating the front part of the brain led to increased brain cell growth, reducing anxiety and depression, and promoting improved learning.

Climate change, plant roots may accelerate carbon loss from soils

Researchers at Oregon State University found that chemicals emitted by plant roots break bonds between carbon and minerals in the soil, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere. This process could accelerate climate warming by up to 1% per year, as current models may be underestimating carbon loss from soil.

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.

Cells exercise suboptimal strategy to survive

A new study published in BMC Systems Biology uses computational method corsoFBA to model cellular metabolism and discover how organisms adapt to changing environments. The researchers, led by Amina Qutub, aim to develop new treatments for diseases such as stroke and cancer.

How do you feel? Video of your face may tell all

Rice University engineers create a highly accurate, touch-free system that analyzes subtle changes in skin color to monitor patients' vital signs. The technique overcomes challenges of low-light conditions, dark skin tones and movement by averaging skin-color change signals from different face regions.

NASA spots an eye in fast-developing Cyclone Ikola

Cyclone Ikola formed quickly and strengthened to hurricane-force in the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA's MODIS instrument captured an image showing an eye with thunderstorms wrapping into the center, indicating high, strong storms with potential for heavy rainfall.

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.

Antipsychotic use may increase the risk for diabetes in some children

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that antipsychotic medications may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in children by nearly 50% when initiating treatment. The study analyzed national Medicaid data and recommended that clinicians consider thoughtful risk-benefit consideration when prescribing these powerful medications ...

Dwarf dragons discovered in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador

Scientists have discovered three new species of dragon-like woodlizards in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador, increasing the total number of species to 15. The new species differ from their closest relatives in scale features, coloration, and DNA.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Expedition will sample crater left by dinosaur-killing asteroid

A team of scientists plans to take core samples from the Chicxulub impact crater, 65.5 million years old and associated with the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs. The expedition will aim to uncover details about the impact and shed light on the mechanisms of large impacts on Earth and other rocky planets.

Inning limits don't prevent MLB pitching injuries

A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that restricting the number of innings young MLB pitchers throw does not prevent injuries. Gradually increasing the total number of innings pitched per season also has no effect on young pitchers' risk of future injury.

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.

New target for anticancer drugs: RNA

Researchers at UC Berkeley have identified a new target for cancer drugs in messenger RNA molecules, which carry unique tags that can be targeted to regulate translation. These tagged mRNAs play a key role in controlling cell growth and differentiation, making them potential targets for new anticancer therapies.

Northern coastal marshes more vulnerable to nutrient pollution

Northern coastal marshes are more susceptible to overgrazing by herbivores from nutrient-rich runoff, leading to destabilization and reduced function. This study integrates field experiments and finds that latitude plays a key role in mediating the impact of nutrient loading on plant-herbivore interactions.

Saving lives by making malaria drugs more affordable

A new study by University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business researchers found that offering purchase subsidies to retailers can increase the availability and affordability of malaria drugs. This approach is particularly effective for long-shelf life products, such as ACTs, which are considered the best anti-malarial drugs.

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.

Working up a sweat -- it could save your life

A large Australian study of 204,542 people found that vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of early death by 9 to 13 per cent compared to moderate activity. The benefits apply to both men and women of all ages and are independent of total time spent being active.

Study suggests ways to simplify health insurance enrollment

A new study suggests that using plain language, graphics, and stories can simplify the health insurance enrollment process for people who have never had insurance before. The research found that these methods helped participants make informed choices about their coverage options and increased their confidence in their decisions.

Study suggests new role for gene in suppressing cancer

A previously known gene has been found to act as a tumour suppressor by regulating accurate chromosome segregation. Reduced expression of the glucocorticoid receptor is associated with certain cancer cell types and malignant progression.

Water makes wires even more nano

Rice University scientists have developed a technique called meniscus-mask lithography to create sub-10 nanometer wide wires from various materials. The method uses the curvy surface of water as a mask, enabling the production of ultra-nano structures that are crucial for miniaturizing electronic devices.

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.

Tropical Depression Haishen moves away from Fananu

NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Haishen over the Fananu and Federated States of Micronesia. The storm weakened to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds near 25 knots, moving northwest at 7 knots.

Winning women

A study by MIT economists found that increasing female candidates on electoral lists improves a party's chances of winning votes. Voter turnout did not diminish in response to more female candidates, suggesting internal party dynamics may be the main barrier to women's representation.

Discovery by Virginia Tech may be breakthrough for hydrogen cars

A team of Virginia Tech researchers has discovered a way to produce hydrogen fuel using a biological method that reduces the time and money required for its production. The new method uses abundant corn stover to create hydrogen with extremely low carbon emissions.

Lead hokes the age

Researchers found metallic lead nanospheres in 3.4 billion-year-old zircons from Antarctica, which could alter ages determined using high-resolution ion probe techniques. The inhomogeneous distribution of lead in zircon might falsify ages, highlighting the need for reevaluation of geological age determination methods.

Highly competitive NASA grant will fund UT Arlington study of space weather

Physicist Ramon Lopez will use a combination of computer simulation models and real observations to understand the role of solar wind fluctuations in space weather. The research aims to enhance our understanding of the near-Earth space environment and provide critical information for managing satellite and communications technology.

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.

Childhood cancer survivors face chronic health problems

According to a Northwestern University study, nearly 400,000 childhood cancer survivors in the US experience chronic health issues, including mental impairment, anxiety, and physical limitations. The majority face these problems five or more years after diagnosis, highlighting the need for comprehensive care.

With breast cancer treatment, you do get what you pay for

A Yale University study found that higher breast cancer treatment costs are associated with better survival rates. Over a decade, Medicare costs increased from $18,100 to $32,600, while five-year survival improved from 38.5% to 51.9%. The cost increase was largely due to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Fishing amplifies forage fish collapses

A new study reveals that fishing likely contributes to population collapses in forage fish, including herring, anchovies, and sardines. The research suggests that suspension of fishing when populations fall below half their average can prevent 64% of collapses with minimal impact on fisheries.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Endangered tortoises thrive on invasive plants

Research on giant tortoises in the Galapagos Islands reveals that they prefer non-native plants over native ones, with introduced species making up roughly half of their diet. The tortoises' nutritional status shows no negative effects from eating invasive plants, suggesting a potential positive impact on their health.

Women and men have different exclusion criteria for rtPA

Researchers found that women were excluded from rtPA treatment for reasons unrelated to their sex, including advanced age and large strokes. High blood pressure was a common reason for exclusion in women, highlighting the importance of treating this condition to improve stroke treatment outcomes.

Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies

Two independent studies reveal that tumor-secreted molecule ImpL2 causes wasting syndrome, also known as cachexia, in fly cancer models. Researchers found that depletion of ImpL2 levels significantly reduced wasting in flies, suggesting new candidates for mediators of cachexia and novel therapeutic approaches.

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.

NASA catches a tropical cyclone's birth in 3-D

Tropical Cyclone 05W formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on April 3, with NASA's GPM satellite analyzing rainfall rates and creating a 3-D image of high thunderstorms. The storm was moving west-northwest through Micronesia at 11 knots per hour.

New genetic clues emerge on origin of Hirschsprung's disease

Researchers have identified a new pathway guiding the development of the enteric nervous system, which is separate from the central nervous system. This pathway interacts with specific genes and proteins to cause Hirschsprung's disease, a rare condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Doctor at Rhode Island Hospital develops Ebola virus diagnostic tool

A new diagnostic tool for Ebola virus disease was developed by Dr. Adam C. Levine at Rhode Island Hospital, which can help determine the likelihood of a patient having EVD based on six specific symptoms. The tool aims to facilitate timely and effective treatment for patients suspected to have the virus.

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.

Camera chip provides superfine 3-D resolution

A new nanophotonic coherent imager (NCI) developed at Caltech uses an inexpensive silicon chip to provide the highest depth-measurement accuracy of any such device. The NCI produces high-resolution 3D images with micron-level resolution, enabling applications in 3D scanning and printing, driverless cars, and human machine interfaces.

Targeting dangerous inflammation inside artery plaque

A study led by researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital shows that a nanotherapeutic medicine can halt the growth of artery plaque cells and suppress inflammation, leading to reduced heart attack risk. The therapy uses high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to target inflamed immune cells in arterial plaques.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA sees Typhoon Maysak weakening

Typhoon Maysak is weakening due to vertical wind shear as it approaches landfall in Luzon on April 4. The storm had peak intensity of over 130 knots but has weakened to about 115 knots, with heavy rain detected in its northwestern side.

Science and medicine have a 'publication pollution' problem

The scientific community is facing a 'pollution problem' due to plagiarism, fraud, and predatory publishing, threatening the trustworthiness and reliability of research. Dr. Arthur Caplan proposes a national meeting to address this issue and promote sustainable publishing practices.

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.

UCLA research links HIV to age-accelerating cellular changes

Researchers at UCLA find that HIV infection accelerates age-related epigenetic changes, leading to accelerated onset of diseases like cancer and osteoporosis. The study suggests that HIV itself may accelerate these aging-related changes by more than 14 years.