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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 20 of 32

When fruit flies get sick, their offspring become more diverse

When fruit flies get sick, their offspring become more diverse due to increased genetic variability. This adaptation may help the offspring survive future threats from the same pathogens. The findings demonstrate that parents can alter the genotypes of their offspring, a strategy that could be beneficial for survival.

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.

Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

Scientists have discovered a young Jupiter-like exoplanet, 51 Eridani b, with the strongest methane signature ever detected in an alien planet's atmosphere. The exoplanet is roughly twice the mass of Jupiter and offers insights into planet formation and the early stages of star development.

Exercise-induced hormone irisin is not a 'myth'

Researchers have found that human irisin circulates in the blood at nanogram levels and increases during exercise. The discovery resolves a long-standing controversy over irisin's existence, with alternative start codons explaining its production in skeletal muscle cells.

Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

Scientists have discovered a Jupiter-like planet, 51 Eridani b, in a young star system that could help understand how planets formed around our sun. The exoplanet features the strongest methane signature ever detected and is roughly twice the mass of Jupiter.

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.

UK death rate of pre-school kids almost double that of Sweden

Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found the UK's child mortality rate is nearly double that of Sweden, with premature birth, congenital abnormalities, and infections being major causes. The study calls for a stronger focus on prevention to improve the UK's position on the European child mortality league table.

Exoplanet discovery from next-gen Gemini Planet Imager

The Gemini Planet Imager has made its first exoplanet discovery, revealing a planet that may be the lowest-mass exoplanet ever directly imaged. Weighing twice as much as Jupiter, this finding provides insights into how our solar system was formed and paves the way for further research.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The role of B cells in the enhancement of pollen allergy

Researchers found that B cells enhance the secretion of allergy-driving IgE antibodies when exposed to non-allergenic compounds like PPE1. This discovery reveals a new mechanism for pollen allergy and offers new starting points for therapy development.

NIH study finds cutting dietary fat reduces body fat more than cutting carbs

A recent NIH study found that restricting dietary fat led to a 68% higher rate of body fat loss compared to cutting the same number of carbohydrate calories. The researchers discovered that fat restriction resulted in a greater imbalance between consumed and burned fat, leading to more significant weight loss.

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.

Sex development disorders affect the mind as well as the body

Individuals with sex development disorders face challenges forming positive relationships due to physical differences. Researchers suggest raising public awareness of the diverse nature of bodies and providing practical support mechanisms, such as private locker rooms and support groups.

Biochemist studies oilseed plants for biofuel, industrial development

A Kansas State University biochemist has modified a nonfood oilseed crop to produce high levels of lipids with unique properties. The researchers achieved very high levels of an oil with reduced viscosity and improved cold temperature characteristics, making it suitable for biofuels, industrial applications, and even food-related uses.

Can science predict gang killings?

A Michigan State University study found that gang-related homicides spread in a systematic pattern, clustering in vulnerable areas like Newark, New Jersey. The researchers' analysis could help predict future hotspots of violent crime, informing prevention efforts and targeting resources to communities at risk.

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.

Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

Scientists have discovered a Jupiter-like planet in the young system 51 Eridani b, featuring the strongest atmospheric methane signal ever detected. The exoplanet's unique characteristics hint at its rapid formation process, offering insights into solar system evolution.

Surprise: Baby marmosets learning to 'talk' do listen to adults

A new study reveals that infant marmosets develop vocalizations influenced by cues from caregivers, suggesting a potential key to understanding human-like vocal development in primates. The research found a strong correlation between parental responses and the timing of the cries-to-phees transition.

Scientists discover what controls waking up and going to sleep

Researchers found a 24-hour day 'bicycle' mechanism turning key brain neurons on or off with sodium and potassium currents, awakening animals in the morning and putting them to sleep at night. This ancient mechanism is conserved across hundreds of millions of years of evolution and may lead to new drug targets for sleep-wake trouble.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

The stomach is the way to a woman's heart, too

Researchers found that women's brains respond more to romantic cues on a full stomach, suggesting eating may prime or sensitize young women to rewards beyond food. The study supports a shared neurocircuitry for food and sex.

Team finds a better way to engineer therapeutic proteins into antibodies

A team of scientists at Scripps Research Institute has devised an improved method to engineer therapeutic proteins into antibodies, which can persist long enough to be useful. The technique mimics evolution and harnesses the power of large numbers to select rare junction segments that allow inserted proteins to fold and function normally.

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.

Jupiter-like planet discovered outside our solar system

A team of UCLA scientists discovers a Jupiter-like planet, 51 Eridani b, which orbits a nearby star at a distance similar to Saturn's orbit. The planet has the strongest concentration of methane ever detected on a planet outside the Milky Way and is roughly twice the mass of Jupiter.

Rice, UTHealth win $1.02M grant from NSF to study how brain processes language

Researchers at Rice University and UTHealth aim to develop wireless implants that can help patients regain communication skills after speech impairments. The three-year project will analyze data from intracranial recordings in patients with epilepsy, with the ultimate goal of creating a prosthetic system to reconstruct speech.

Internal climate variability masks climate-warming trends

Researchers argue that internal natural variability can overwhelm background warming, making temperature plateauing rates appear significant. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation and other factors contribute to these variations, which must be considered when developing climate change models.

When it comes to body odor, ants are connoisseurs

Researchers discovered ants can detect subtle hydrocarbon components in body odor, allowing them to recognize individuals and distinguish between castes. This remarkable ability enables social insects to maintain complex colonies.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

When a 'UFO' flies by, does it bother bears?

Researchers found that bears' heart rates increase significantly when exposed to unmanned aerial vehicles, a sign of acute stress. Despite the calm behavior observed in encounters with UAVs, the physiological response is notable, with one bear's heart rate increasing by up to 400 percent.

Satellite sees a fan-shaped Tropical Storm Molave

Tropical Storm Molave was observed by NASA's Suomi NPP satellite on August 13, 2015, with a distinctive fan shape and strong winds near 40 knots. The storm was moving east-northeast at 15 knots and forecasters expect it to continue in that direction.

Progress toward the perfect pea

A research team at the John Innes Centre has identified and studied peas with mutations in genes coding for seed protease inhibitors, which can reduce protein availability by up to 10%. The study provides proof of principle for genetic approaches to improve crop traits, including the removal of allergenic proteins.

Regenerating nerve tissue in spinal cord injuries

A Phase 1 clinical trial is assessing the safety and activity of a special cell therapy for individuals with complete cervical spinal cord injuries. The therapy uses oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to potentially improve motor or sensory function.

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.

Astronomers discover 'young Jupiter' exoplanet

The newly discovered exoplanet, 51 Eridani b, is a young Jupiter-like planet with the strongest methane signature ever detected on an alien planet. Its mass and atmospheric composition suggest that it formed in a similar way to Jupiter in its infancy.

CO2 emissions change with size of streams and rivers

Researchers found that smaller streams carry CO2 produced by plants on land, while larger streams emit more CO2 through respiration and natural decay. The study sheds light on the role of freshwater rivers in the global carbon cycle.

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.

Greenland ice sheet's winds driving tundra soil erosion, Dartmouth study finds

A Dartmouth study reveals that strong winds blowing off the Greenland Ice Sheet are eroding soil and vegetation in the surrounding tundra, making it less productive for grazing animals. The study found that wind-driven soil erosion is more widespread near the ice sheet but restricted to steep south-facing slopes farther away.

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.

Want your company to remain innovative? Think twice before going public

A recent study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that companies going public often adopt a more conservative approach to innovation, introducing fewer groundbreaking products. Despite this, they do innovate more and introduce a wider variety of products, such as new flavors or package sizes.

Competition from cats drove the extinction of many species of ancient dogs

A new study by an international team of scientists found that competition from cats drove the extinction of many ancient dog species. The researchers analyzed over 2000 fossils and discovered that felids had a deadly impact on the diversity of the dog family, contributing to the demise of up to 40 species.

A new CSI tool could pinpoint when fingerprints were left behind (video)

Scientists have developed a technique to estimate the age of fingerprints, which could help investigators determine relevance and exclude older prints. The method uses palmitic acid migration rate to predict fingerprint age, applying to prints up to four days old, with plans to expand that window.

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.

PINK1 protein crucial for removing broken-down energy reactors

Scientists at the NIH discovered that PINK1 triggers an intricate process called mitophagy, which breaks down and removes damaged mitochondria from cells. This discovery suggests a new avenue for treating diseases like ALS and Parkinson's by boosting the disposal of damaged mitochondria.

Improving wildfire management and safety with unmanned aircraft systems

A new partnership aims to reduce wildfire fighting costs by developing and testing UAS platforms for smoke plume sampling, early warning, and detection. The project will leverage DRI's expertise in climate, ecosystem, and fire applications, as well as NASA's research and industry connections.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New research from the Population Council shows child marriage can be delayed

Researchers found that community conversations, educational support, conditional economic incentives, and combined approaches can significantly delay child marriage. In Ethiopia, offering education to girls aged 12-14 reduced marriage likelihood by 94%, while providing chickens resulted in a 50% reduction for those aged 15-17.

McMaster hematologist identifies different limb loss syndromes

A McMaster University hematologist has identified various limb loss syndromes, including symmetric peripheral gangrene and venous limb gangrene, which can be caused by septic shock, cancer, and blood clotting disorders. The treatment for these conditions involves the use of blood thinners and replacement of protective factors.

Debate: Should the NHS provide free access to wi-fi?

Experts argue that free internet access should be rolled out across NHS premises to enhance decision making and patient outcomes. However, others believe that diverting funds from front-line clinical services would be unethical and compromise patient care.

New contrast agent spotlights tiny tumors and micrometastases

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent that can detect small aggressive breast cancer tumors and micrometastases. The agent binds to molecular markers expressed in high-risk primary tumors and metastases, generating increased image contrast.

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.