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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 17 of 32

The nonagenarian athlete: Researchers study Olga Kotelko's brain

A study published in Neurocase found that Olga Kotelko's brain showed some promising signs, with intact white-matter tracts and a hippocampus larger than expected. However, her brain also had advanced aging markers, highlighting the need for further research into the effects of exercise on cognition in older adults.

NASA's GPM looks inside Typhoon Goni GPM image of Goni

Typhoon Goni, a powerful storm, was tracked by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission core satellite. The data revealed strong storms surrounding the eye dropping rain at over 65 mm/h and maximum sustained winds near 132.3 mph.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dark Energy Survey finds more celestial neighbors

Scientists using Dark Energy Survey find eight faint celestial objects orbiting Milky Way, which could indicate more galaxies hiding nearby. These discoveries suggest our cosmic neighborhood is more densely populated than previously thought, with implications for understanding dark matter and galaxy formation.

Challenge to classic theory of 'organic' solar cells could improve efficiency

A recent study at Purdue University contradicts a fundamental assumption about organic solar cells, pointing towards a potential path to create inexpensive solar technology that can compete with standard silicon cells. The findings suggest that a design change could improve charge separation and increase efficiency.

FSU research uncovers new pathways for diabetes research

Researchers at Florida State University have uncovered a previously unknown activation mechanism for the glucokinase enzyme, which plays a crucial role in glucose regulation. This discovery sheds new light on how the enzyme's functional properties manifest in disease, including hyperinsulinemia and diabetes.

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.

New Internet technology could aid police, courts and prisons

A new RAND Corporation study suggests that internet-based technologies can improve the criminal justice system by developing a common criminal history record and improving language translation tools. However, issues related to civil rights, privacy rights, and cybersecurity must be addressed before these improvements can be fully reali...

Drinking coffee daily may improve survival in colon cancer patients

A new study from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that consuming four or more cups of coffee daily can lower the risk of colon cancer recurrence by 42% and mortality by 33%. The study's authors suggest that caffeine may increase insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation and cancer risks.

Genomic testing triggers a diabetes diagnosis revolution

Babies diagnosed with diabetes are now immediately tested for all 22 genetic causes, reducing referral time from over four years to under two months. This early comprehensive gene testing provides accurate information on clinical features that haven't yet developed, enabling doctors to anticipate and prevent medical problems.

Frogs exposed to road salt appear to benefit then suffer

A new study by biologists from Case Western Reserve University suggests exposure to road salt increases the size of wood frogs, but also shortens their lives. Wood frog tadpoles exposed to road salt grew larger and turned into larger frogs at metamorphosis than those raised without being subjected to the contaminant.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Opiate addiction spreading, becoming more complex

Researchers found that the simultaneous use of heroin and prescription painkillers is increasing dramatically among whites, particularly young white men. Heroin abuse has also expanded to groups not traditionally seen as widespread opiate users, highlighting the need for tailored treatment approaches.

Securing data from tomorrow's supercomputers

Researchers have developed an upgrade to the Internet's core encryption protocol, making it resistant to future-proofing by powerful quantum computers. The new protocol uses a mathematical technique called 'ring learning with errors problem' to protect information.

Effect of presymptomatic BMI, dietary intake, alcohol on ALS

Research suggests that ALS patients consume more daily calories but have a lower body-mass index (BMI) than those without the disease. Higher premorbid intake of total fat, saturated fat, trans-fatty acids, and cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of ALS, while higher alcohol intake is linked to a decreased risk.

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.

Plant growth requires teamwork between 2 hormones

Researchers at Technical University of Munich discovered that brassinosteroids are necessary for the production of gibberellins, a hormone that regulates cell elongation and division in plants. This finding has important implications for crop breeding and plant growth.

Satellite sees short-lived Tropical Depression 11E

The 11th tropical depression of the season formed near latitude 16.8 North and longitude 113.5 West on August 13, moving northwest towards Baja California. Maximum sustained winds reached 35 mph before gradual weakening was expected.

Genetic test could improve blood cancer treatment

A new genetic test identified nine key genes that can predict which myeloma patients are at risk of developing aggressive disease, leading to the development of personalized treatment plans. The test shows promise in identifying patients who may benefit from intensive treatment and improving survival rates.

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.

New approach could reduce human health impacts of electric power generation

Researchers have developed a new capability to minimize human health effects of air pollution from electric power generating facilities. The Air Pollutant Optimization Model provides a hybrid approach that balances health and cost savings, reducing health impacts by $176 million while increasing costs by $84 million.

Charge transport in hybrid silicon solar cells

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a conductive polymer mixture PEDOT:PSS behaves like a p-type semiconductor when combined with n-type silicon, leading to improved power conversion efficiency. This finding suggests new ways for optimizing devices and could point the way toward future advancements in hybrid solar cells.

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.

On warmer Earth, most of Arctic may remove, not add, methane

New research suggests Arctic soils could remove more methane from the atmosphere than release it, with bacteria playing a key role in this process. As temperatures increase, these soils become more efficient at absorbing methane, which could help offset rising atmospheric levels and slow global warming.

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.

Dancing droplets launch themselves from thin fibers

The 'dancing droplets' phenomenon allows small droplets to launch themselves from moderately hydrophobic surfaces, enabling efficient removal of accumulated droplets in fibrous webs. This technology has potential applications in water purification and oil refining by reducing clogging and improving efficiency.

Maggots in medicine

A clinical trial at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville is testing maggot therapy for veterans with chronic diabetic ulcers. The treatment, which involves sterilized maggots feasting on dead tissue, has shown promise in clearing out wounds and reducing bacterial infections.

Vanderbilt study shifts thinking on how bone fractures heal

A Vanderbilt study found that breaking down fibrin is essential for fracture repair, contradicting previous assumptions. The study also suggests that impaired fibrin clearance may be a key factor in conditions like obesity and diabetes impeding fracture healing.

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.

Urban grime releases air pollutant when exposed to sunlight

Researchers found that natural sunlight triggers release of smog-forming nitrogen oxide compounds from urban grime, leading to greater ozone creation and potentially significant contributor to air pollution in cities. The study confirms laboratory findings using field studies in Leipzig, Germany, and Toronto, Canada.

Scientists discover atomic-resolution details of brain signaling

Researchers have mapped the 3-D atomic structure of a two-part protein complex that controls the release of neurotransmitters from brain cells. This discovery could help launch new research on drugs for treating brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.

Biologist investigates how gene-swapping bacteria evade antibiotics

Researchers are uncovering how bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance genes through conjugation, a process that involves exchanging genetic material with other microbes. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of more effective treatments, such as phage therapy, which uses viruses to target bacterial infections.

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.

Whistled Turkish challenges notions about language and the brain

Researchers discovered that whistled Turkish, a unique form of communication, alters language asymmetries in the brain. Studies show that both hemispheres are equally involved in processing whistled Turkish, contradicting the notion that language is predominantly left-brained.

A brain-computer interface for controlling an exoskeleton

Scientists have developed a brain-computer interface that uses electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to control an exoskeleton. The system allows users to move their limbs by staring at specific LED lights, and has the potential to aid people with motor neuron diseases or spinal cord injuries.

Controlling the uncontrollable

Researchers at Harvard have engineered a new soft actuator that utilizes unstable responses to create fast-moving instabilities. These snap-through instabilities can trigger large changes in internal pressure, shape, and exerted force without significant volume change, enabling fast, untethered motion for soft robots.

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.

Study finds where our brain stores the time and place of memories

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the hippocampus represents time and space for at least a month of memories spanning up to 30 kilometers. The researchers used an Android-based smartphone to collect real-life photos, which were later analyzed using fMRI scanning.

New AUV plankton sampling system deployed

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have developed a novel plankton sampling system utilizing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to collect and analyze small planktonic larvae in coastal waters. The SUPR-REMUS system combines cutting-edge technologies, including DNA barcode analysis, to provide fine-scale information...

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.

Snake scales protect steel against friction

Researchers from KIT developed a process to transfer scale structure of reptiles to components of electromechanical systems. The results show that narrow scale structures increase friction under both lubricated and non-lubricated conditions, while wide scales reduce friction by more than 40%.

UMass Amherst to commercialize math tutoring software

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is set to commercialize its intelligent tutor, MathSpring, a software designed to provide personalized math lessons for K-12 students. The technology has shown promise in improving student performance by up to 10% on standardized test scores.

Researchers study potential cures for congenital blindness

A new laser-based microscope allows researchers to directly measure protein interactions and organization in live cells, providing insights into the chemistry of vision. The project aims to find a potential cure for congenital blindness by understanding how proteins absorb light and trigger visual responses.

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.

Return on investment slipping in biomedical research

Despite significant investment in biomedical research, progress on life expectancy gains and new drug approvals has slowed down, researchers found. The number of new drugs approved by the FDA has increased only a little more than two-fold since 1965, while life expectancy gains have remained constant at roughly two months per year.

Energy in chemical bonds and the plant-pollution connection

PNNL scientists explore molecular hydrogen storage, catalyst development using abundant metals, and the connection between plants and pollution producing aerosols. Their research aims to improve renewable energy efficiency and reduce pollution.

NASA's LADEE spacecraft finds neon in lunar atmosphere

The LADEE spacecraft has confirmed the presence of neon in the lunar atmosphere for the first time, finding it to be relatively abundant. The moon's thin atmosphere is composed mostly of helium and argon, with neon levels varying by time of day.

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.

Frequent volcanic eruptions likely cause of long-term ocean cooling

A study published in Nature Geoscience found that frequent volcanic eruptions were the likely cause of a 1800-year-long cooling trend in the surface layer of the Earth's oceans. The researchers used 57 previously published marine surface temperature reconstructions and climate models to confirm this finding.