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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 1 of 32

In September's Physics World: The secret life of scientific ideas...

Researchers have found that most ideas are generated through group work and discussions with colleagues, contrary to the traditional image of a single individual having an eureka moment. The study also highlights the importance of mundane activities like taking a bath in sparking creativity.

Circuit in the eye relies on built-in delay to see small moving objects

A new study on mice reveals how motion-sensing cells in the eye form synapses with interneurons, creating a unique delay that allows for accurate tracking of small moving objects. This delay enables the object motion sensors to distinguish between the motion of an object and its background.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Spinal manipulation works for back pain -- in some people

Researchers found that spinal manipulation provides immediate benefits for some patients with low-back pain, but has no effect on others. The study suggests that different groups of people respond differently to the treatment, highlighting the complexity of low-back pain and the need for personalized care.

Inducing metabolic catastrophe in cancer cells

Cancer cells can be made vulnerable to autophagy shutdown by combining an FLT3 inhibitor with an autophagy blocker. This combination prevents cancer cells from metabolizing glucose and mobilizing stored nutrients, leading to cell death. The study provides evidence that this approach could be a new way to treat various types of cancer.

Alzheimer's disease -- Overlooked for 30 years: A new kid on the block

Researchers have identified a new protein fragment, amyloid-η, which antagonizes the hyperactive effect of beta-amyloid on nerve cells. This finding has immediate implications for ongoing clinical trials targeting beta-amyloid, suggesting that unanticipated side-effects may occur if eta-amyloid levels increase

Scientists 'squeeze' light one particle at a time

Researchers successfully demonstrated squeezing of individual light particles, or photons, using an artificially constructed atom. The experiment achieved this by shining a faint laser beam on to their artificial atom, which excited the quantum dot and led to the emission of a stream of individual photons.

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.

Seabird SOS

A new study estimates that almost all seabirds have consumed plastic, with 90% of individual birds ingesting some form of plastic. This widespread impact is a concern, as plastic ingestion can cause gut impaction, weight loss, and death in seabirds.

Magnetic stimulation effective in helping Parkinson's patients walk

A new study published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience reports that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can reduce gait freezing in Parkinson's patients. The treatment, involving high-frequency rTMS, improved motor skills and continued to show benefits even after the intervention was stopped.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

$3.9 million supports search for moral superstars

Researchers aim to identify morally exceptional individuals through competitions, conferences, and research projects to foster moral attributes. The project's goal is to understand the psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that contribute to moral excellence.

New UC Davis environmental research center links science with advocacy

The UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center aims to develop preventions and policies protecting communities from environmental toxins and disease. The center focuses on studying toxic exposures and their effects on human health, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley with high pollution levels and ethnic diversity.

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.

Use of ozone-tolerant cultivars can enhance India's food security

A recent study highlights the importance of ozone research in the IGP region, which is agriculturally important and densely populated. The results show that seven out of 18 rice cultivars are adaptable to high-ozone environments, suggesting a useful strategy for food security in India.

Tail as old as time -- researchers trace ankylosaur's tail evolution

A team of scientists from North Carolina State University and the University of Alberta compared Jurassic and Cretaceous ankylosaur specimens to determine how their tails evolved. They found that the tail stiffened before the growth of the osteoderm knob, with handle-like vertebrae appearing in early ankylosaurs.

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.

Watching more TV as a young adult predicts obesity

A 15-year analysis by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health reveals that young adults who spend more hours watching television each day are more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI) and bigger waist circumference. This association did not hold in later years, indicating that targeting young adults for i...

How neurons get their branching shapes

A study published in Nature Neuroscience reveals how the protein centrosomin controls the growth of microtubules within neurons, influencing dendritic branching. The researchers found that centrosomin acts as a 'glue' to fix microtubules, preventing excessive branching and promoting more complex arbors.

Men who buy sex have much in common with sexually coercive men

A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that men who buy sex have less empathy for women in prostitution and view them as intrinsically different from other women. This aligns with research on sexual aggression, which suggests a lower level of empathy among perpetrators.

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.

DNA-guided 3-D printing of human tissue is unveiled

Researchers have created a technique to build tiny models of human tissues, called organoids, using a process that turns human cells into biological equivalents of LEGO bricks. These mini-tissues can be used to study how structural features affect normal growth or go awry in cancer.

NASA sees Hurricane Jimena's large eye

Hurricane Jimena maintained its large eye and powerful thunderstorms around it, with cloud-free eyes revealed by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm's warm sea surface temperatures fueled its intensification, with NHC predicting little change in strength over the next day.

We've all got a blind spot, but it can be shrunk

Scientists have found that training can effectively reduce the size of the human blind spot, improving vision in individuals with age-related macular degeneration. The researchers trained participants on a direction-discrimination task for 20 consecutive weekdays, resulting in a 10% reduction in functional blindness.

ELIXA trial shows CV safety of lixisenatide

The ELIXA trial demonstrated that lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, did not increase or decrease the rate of cardiovascular events compared to placebo. The study found a modest benefit in weight gain, but also identified patients with heart failure as being at high risk of all-cause death.

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.

Older people getting smarter, but not fitter

A new study found that older populations in Germany and England are scoring better on cognitive tests, while physical functioning and mental health have declined. The increasing use of modern technology and higher education levels contribute to the improvement in cognitive abilities.

Close friendships in adolescence predict health in adulthood

A new study suggests that maintaining close relationships with peers in adolescence can have long-term benefits for adult physical health. The research found that both high-quality friendships and a drive to fit in with peers were associated with lower anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improved overall health.

Plastic in 99 percent of seabirds by 2050

Researchers predict that 90% of all seabirds alive today have eaten plastic, with the majority having it in their gut. Plastic ingestion causes gut impaction, weight loss and death, affecting marine biodiversity.

Preventive medicine experts speak out about reducing firearm violence

A special issue of Preventive Medicine addresses firearm violence, highlighting its impact on public health and the need for increased funding. The article presents key findings on the relationship between alcohol abuse, gun ownership, self-defensive gun use, and criminal acquisition of firearms.

Giant 'sea scorpion' fossil discovered

A newly discovered species of eurypterid, a giant 'sea scorpion', has been found in Iowa, measuring over 1.5 meters long and dating back to 460 million years ago. The fossil provides unique insights into the anatomy and behavior of these ancient predators.

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.

Using ultrathin sheets to discover new class of wrapped shapes

Using ultrathin sheets, researchers have discovered a new regime of wrapped shapes that can efficiently contain toxic or corrosive liquids. The technique, which uses capillary action to wrap droplets in film, enables the creation of non-spherical shapes with minimal material waste.

'But doctor, I'm not ill' -- insight in psychotic patients

A study investigated the link between brain cell dysfunction and poor insight in psychotic patients, finding a correlation between reduced NAA levels and impaired awareness of illness. The research may help develop new treatment options for improving insight and patient outcomes.

Come here and be quiet!

A novel technique identified an unusually strong 3D network of developmental genes in ESCs, physically clustered and silenced by Polycomb repressive complex (PRC1) to maintain the undifferentiated state. This mechanism allows for selective release of genes, controlling early development decisions.

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.

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.

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.

Tiny drops of early universe 'perfect' fluid

New RHIC data reveals clear-cut evidence of primordial soup's signature particle flow in collisions of 3-particle ions with gold nuclei, confirming earlier suspicions that smaller particles can create droplets of free-flowing QGP. The analysis shows a triangular pattern consistent with the creation of three tiny droplets of QGP.

Raising pay can reduce smoking rates

A 10% increase in wages leads to a 5% drop in smoking rates among male workers with low education levels. Increasing the minimum wage could improve quitting rates for smokers and has significant health benefits.

Dialect influences Appalachian students' experiences in college

A study by NC State University researchers found that rural Appalachian students who speak a stigmatized dialect may feel like they're at a disadvantage in the classroom. They reported being met with snickers or feeling singled out, which led to hesitation in speaking up and trying to change their way of talking.

A technique designed to predict how much energy waves will be bringing

The EOLO group has developed a novel method for predicting wave energy up to 16 hours in advance, using a combination of historical measurements and machine learning algorithms. This technique has shown higher reliability than existing methods for forecasting swell and storms in the Bay of Biscay.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Religion, physicians and surrogate decision-makers in the intensive care unit

A study analyzed 249 audio-recorded conversations between surrogate decision-makers and healthcare professionals, finding that religious or spiritual considerations were discussed in 40 cases, mostly initiated by surrogates. The discussions focused on beliefs, practices, community, miracles, and the end-of-life as a new beginning.

Cardiologists fail to identify basic and advanced murmurs

A recent study found that cardiologists failed to identify over half of basic and nearly 35% of advanced pre-recorded murmurs. However, a 90-minute training session significantly improved their ability to recognize indications of heart conditions.

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.

Parents' views on justice affect babies' moral development

A new study from the University of Chicago shows that babies' neural responses to prosocial and antisocial behavior are influenced by their parents' attitudes toward justice. Children as young as 12-24 months old exhibit strong individual differences in moral development, which are predicted by parental sensitivity to justice.

Northwestern, partners launch AIDS research center to stop HIV

The Third Coast Center for AIDS Research aims to slow and stop HIV in young gay men, a demographic group experiencing rising infections at 5% annually. The center will unite HIV researchers from different disciplines and provide services through five cores.