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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 18 of 32

Scientists achieve major breakthrough in thin-film magnetism

A team of scientists has discovered a new magnetic phenomenon by growing perfectly-crystalline atomic layers of a manganite on a nonmagnetic substrate. The discovery shows that adding just one extra layer can transform the magnetism, validating the polar catastrophe model.

Fallow deer are all about the bass when sizing up rivals

Researchers discovered that fallow deer bucks respond differently to varying call pitches, indicating they can assess potential rivals. The study suggests that male fallow deer use their vocalizations to gauge competition and avoid confrontations during the annual rut.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The 'End of the high seas,' or we watch the seas die

Coral reef scientists warn that even with a successful Paris climate conference, ocean warming and acidification will continue beyond the end of this century, potentially leading to the extinction of coral reefs. Experts call for more aggressive emissions reduction plans to stabilize CO2 at 350ppm or lower to give reefs a chance.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Revealed -- Helicobacter pylori's secret weapon

Researchers identified the molecular mechanism behind H. pylori's adhesion protein using powerful x-rays, revealing a specific 'groove' that enables attachment to stomach sugars. This discovery could lead to the development of novel strategies to clear H. pylori from the stomach.

Vitamin D in teens: Don't overdo it, bad things might happen

A Mayo Clinic study published in Pediatric Obesity found that excessive vitamin D supplementation in obese teenagers showed no benefits for their heart health or diabetes risk. The study, led by Dr. Seema Kumar, also found increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the teens during supplementation.

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.

BESC creates microbe that bolsters isobutanol production

Researchers have engineered a microbe called Clostridium thermocellum to produce up to 6 grams of isobutanol per liter, a significant improvement over previous results. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient biofuels production and overcome the challenges of recalcitrance in plant biomass.

Young minds think alike -- and older people are more distractible

Researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity while watching Alfred Hitchcock episodes, finding similar responses in younger subjects but not in older adults. The study suggests that attention control declines with age, leading to a greater variety in neural patterns.

Common group identity may motivate Americans to help integrate immigrants

A new study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that white American citizens who believe in a common group identity are less racist toward immigrants and more likely to donate their time and money to help them integrate. This research suggests that acceptance of immigrants as equal members of society hi...

Recipe book for colloids

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich create a comprehensive phase diagram that describes the material properties of colloids based on their structure and concentration. The study finds that the interaction length, which determines the solubility of the colloid solution, can be tuned to achieve specific macroscopic properties.

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.

Look at me! Forest-dwelling anoles 'glow' to attract attention

A new study found that male anole lizards' glowing dewlaps make their visual signals easier to detect by females in shaded habitats. The translucent coloration allows light to pass through, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and making the lizard's colors more conspicuous against a visually noisy background.

NASA's Aqua Satellite sees birth of Tropical Depression 16W

Tropical Depression 16W was born in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean when NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image on August 14. The depression had maximum sustained winds near 30 knots and was moving west at 5.7 mph, heading towards the Northern Marianas.

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.

Study shows how climate change threatens health

A new study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlights the public health implications of climate change on the US Gulf Coast, Northeast, and West Coast. The research emphasizes the need for simultaneous mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the growing threats.

Can your brain control how it loses control?

Researchers found that the brain coordinates vision loss in glaucoma patients, with a 'Jigsaw Effect' where two puzzle pieces fit together. This suggests that the brain optimizes vision in the face of glaucoma's destruction of sight, opening up new areas of research for neuroprotective therapies.

Rural Medicare beneficiaries receive less follow-up care

A study published in Medical Care found that rural Medicare beneficiaries have lower rates of follow-up care after leaving the hospital, which may lead to higher risks of emergency department visits and repeat hospitalizations. The research also highlights the need for policies to improve access to care for patients in rural areas.

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.

Brown University to lead $4-million solar cell research grant

A Brown University-led team has received a $4 million grant to study perovskite solar cells, aiming to improve efficiency and scalability. The researchers will focus on understanding the basic science behind these solar cells, developing new technologies, and investigating lead-free compositions.

Attosecond physics: Attosecond electron catapult

Researchers create a technique to emit electrons in a controlled direction using near-fields induced by strong laser pulses on glass nanoparticles. This method has potential applications in cancer therapy and imaging methods.

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.

Carnivorous conchs to blame for oyster decline

Research finds that a conch population outbreak and high water salinity are causing a sharp decrease in oyster populations on Florida reefs. The study suggests that restoring the habitat may fail if an area contains or is likely to develop an outbreak of conchs like the one in Matanzas.

Surprising discoveries about 2-D molybdenum disulfide

The team used the Campanile probe to spectroscopically map nanoscale excited-state/relaxation processes in monolayer crystals of molybdenum disulfide, revealing significant optoelectronic heterogeneity. The discovery of an unexpected edge region with sulfur deficiency holds implications for future optoelectronic applications.

No link found between PTSD and cancer risk

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine find no evidence of association between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and cancer incidence. The large population sample analyzed various cancer diagnoses among people with PTSD compared to the general population, showing no strong associations even among select groups.

UK researcher awarded grant to study link between obesity and cancer

A £500,000 National Cancer Institute grant has enabled UK researcher Fredrick Onono to explore the potential connection between high-fat diets and breast cancer development. The study may uncover how fats contribute to cell malfunctions, potentially leading to treatment-resistant cases.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The potential in your pond

Researchers at the John Innes Centre found that Euglena gracilis has over 32,000 active protein-encoding genes, significantly more than humans. The single cell algae can produce various natural compounds, including vitamins, essential amino acids, and a sugar polymer with anti-HIV effects.

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.

Higher intelligence score means better physical performance

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found a strong association between male intelligence in early adulthood and midlife physical performance. Men with higher intelligence scores tend to have stronger back, legs, and hands, as well as better balance and improved exercise habits.

European consortium develops new approaches for dealing with Big Data

The BigStorage project aims to develop new approaches for handling Big Data, leveraging theoretical research, complex infrastructures, and software packages. The European consortium will focus on high-performance computing and storage technologies to address the needs of climate research, medicine, and environmental sciences.

New survey on Americans' foreign policy priorities

International terrorism and the Islamic State are top foreign policy issues facing the next president, with most Americans opposing military intervention. Diplomacy is a widely supported approach to addressing global problems, including human rights and economic interests.

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.

Programming and prejudice

A team of computer scientists from University of Utah discovered a way to find bias in algorithms used for hiring decisions and loan approvals. They developed a technique to determine if such software programs discriminate unintentionally, revealing potential issues with disparate impact. The researchers also found a method to fix thes...

NASA's Aqua satellite sees birth of Tropical Depression 17W

Tropical Depression 17W was born in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on August 14, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its formation. The depression is currently drifting north at 6 mph and is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm over the next few days.

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.

Dentists tapped for new role: Drug screenings

A new study found that 77% of dentists ask patients about illicit drug use and 54% believe screenings should be their responsibility. Dentist attitudes toward substance misuse screening vary by age, gender, and prior training, but more educated and younger dentists are more likely to accept such screenings.

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.

Lawrence Livermore scientists discover new young planet

The team discovered a Jupiter-like planet, called 51 Eridani b, about twice the size of Jupiter and featuring the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet. The discovery sheds light on how planets formed around our sun and could unlock secrets of gas giants' planetary systems.

Study suggests Ontario nearing UN targets to help end AIDS epidemic

A new study suggests Ontario is close to meeting United Nations targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020. The study found that 87.3% of people in Ontario with HIV were receiving care, and 76% had a suppressed viral load. However, there are still gaps in healthcare access for younger adults, especially gay men and those with substance u...

Transplant recipients more likely to develop aggressive melanoma

Organ transplant recipients are more susceptible to developing regional stage melanoma due to immunosuppressive medications. The study found that transplant patients were four times more likely to be diagnosed with regional stage melanoma and three times more likely to die from the disease.

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.

Apes may be closer to speaking than many scientists think

Researchers discovered apes can perform voluntary behaviors that require control over vocalization and breathing, such as blowing raspberries or mimicking phone conversations. This finding suggests the evolutionary groundwork for human speech was present in our last common ancestor with gorillas around 10 million years ago.