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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 30 of 32

How to trust what your customers say about your brand

Researchers at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business used fMRI to test the association of human-like characteristics with brands. They found that brain activity could predict survey responses, validating customer insights. This study aims to close the gap between neuroscience and marketing research.

New device converts DC electric field to terahertz radiation

Researchers have designed a new device that can convert a DC electric field into a tunable source of terahertz radiation. The device exploits surface plasmon resonance in hybrid semiconductors to produce coherent terahertz emission, with potential applications in medical imaging and security.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A droplet's pancake bounce

Researchers developed a novel surface structure with gradient features to control droplet bouncing, enabling anti-icing capabilities for various applications. The new surface design prevents ice formation and reduces the contact time between droplets and surfaces.

Spiders quickly learn eavesdropping to gain ground on the mating competition

Researchers discovered that male wolf spiders can learn to associate visual cues of rival males with female presence, allowing them to adapt their courtship behavior. This complex learning process sheds light on the importance of eavesdropping in animal behavior and its potential applications in understanding human physiology.

Exercise during teen years linked to lowered risk of cancer death later

Regular exercise in adolescence is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and all-cause mortality in women. Participation in team sports during the teen years also shows a protective effect against cancer death later in life. The study suggests that promoting exercise participation in adolescence could have important public health im...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

How new moms assess their partners' ability to parent

A new study found that mothers limit their partner's involvement in child-rearing when they perceive a less stable relationship or lower confidence in parenting. Mothers who are perfectionists or anxious/depressed also tend to restrict fathers' involvement.

Researchers strategize to outsmart bacteria

Researchers at Rice University have identified a genetic mechanism that enables bacteria to become more resistant to antibiotics while also spreading their resistance rapidly. The discovery highlights the need for new strategies to predict and prevent the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially halting or slowing down t...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Artificial intelligence improves fine wine price prediction

Researchers at University College London developed a novel AI approach to predict fine wine prices more accurately, outperforming traditional methods by 15% on average. The new method uses machine learning to learn relevant information from data and improve predictive accuracy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

College football head impact study suggests steps to reduce risk

A new study suggests that the NCAA's lack of regulation on full-contact practices comes at a 'high' cost to college players. Researchers found that subconcussive head impacts increased with padding levels, emphasizing the need for changes to reduce head injuries.

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.

Keeping algae from stressing out

Researchers identify two transcription factors that regulate lipid accumulation in stressed algae, enabling sustainable fuels production. The study also demonstrates a strategy for overexpressing PSR1 to trick cells into producing lipids without dying.

Giving robots a more nimble grasp

Engineers at MIT have developed a model that predicts the force needed for robotic grippers to adjust their grasp on an object by interacting with the environment. This approach, called extrinsic dexterity, enables robots to perform more complex maneuvers without needing expensive and complex hand designs.

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.

Understanding the molecular mechanism leading to addiction in humans

Researchers discovered that a small population of neurons in the brain's reward centre can respond with both yes and no, regulating reward behaviour. Shutting down one language increases mice's predilection for cocaine, while humans with mutation of a key gene are 10 times more vulnerable to severe addiction

Robo-whiskers mimic animals exploring their surroundings

Scientists have developed a robotic 'whisker' tactile sensor array that mimics animal navigation in dark environments. The array produces tomographic images by measuring fluid flow and has potential applications in navigation, tracking, and detection.

Brain infection study reveals how disease spreads from gut

Researchers at University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute discovered that prions build up in Peyer's patches before spreading to the brain. This finding could enable earlier detection and treatment of prion diseases, including variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Molecular tinkering doubles cancer drug's efficacy

Researchers at Duke University have successfully packaged a widely used cancer drug into nanoparticles, more than doubling its effectiveness in mice. The new approach delivers the drug directly to tumors while reducing side effects and improving targeting, showing transformative results for patients.

Protecting the environment by re-thinking death

Researchers have developed a new model of survival that can predict the potential harm caused by thousands of chemicals used daily. By considering death as a continuum between random events and individual tolerance, scientists can analyze every chemical using high-throughput screening, paving the way for further testing.

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.

New benchmarks for molecular spectroscopy

The study provides a high-resolution readout of the energy levels for cations from their vibrational ground state to excited states, furthering our understanding of the coupled vibrations in the Renner-Teller effect. The results also shed light on the electronic structure of organic molecules.

North Korea to fight food insecurity and natural disaster with trees

The DPR Korea has launched a national agroforestry strategy and action plan to restore degraded landscapes, enhance soil quality, and increase crop yields. The initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity and reduce the frequency of natural disasters, with a focus on empowering local villagers through legal and institutional frameworks.

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.

Opioid use and sexual violence among drug-using young adults in NYC

A NYU study found that young adult opioid users in NYC are at a higher risk of experiencing sexual violence while under the influence. Participants reported being forced into sex without consent and having quid pro quo expectations surrounding drug use, with service providers and educators urged to address and challenge these issues.

Feed supplement greatly reduces dairy cow methane emissions

A new feed supplement has been shown to reduce dairy cow methane emissions by 30% without affecting feed intake, fiber digestibility, or milk production. This could have significant implications for global climate change, as animal agriculture is a major source of methane emissions.

Biology, not just physics, controls release of scent compounds from plants

Researchers discovered that plants use biological mechanisms to transport volatile compounds to the atmosphere, contradicting the long-held theory of diffusion. This finding could revolutionize our understanding of plant biology and potentially lead to breakthroughs in plant health, defense, and pest management.

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.

Amazon fire risk differs across east-west divide in 2015

Scientists project higher fire risk in eastern Amazon due to warmer Pacific sea surface temperatures, while western Amazon experiences average or below-average risk. The fire season's severity is driven by the El Niño phenomenon and its impact on rainfall patterns.

New biosensors for managing microbial 'workers'

Scientists have created a new suite of biosensors that enable two-way communication between humans and cells, allowing them to control and optimize the production of valuable chemicals. The biosensors can detect which microbial 'workers' are producing the most efficient amounts of desired chemicals.

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.

HIV grows despite treatment, study finds

A recent study found that HIV virus can persist and continue to grow in patients receiving uninterrupted treatment for up to 14 years. This persistence occurs due to the virus's ability to hide inside blood cells responsible for immune response, copy itself, and automatically incorporate its genetic information into DNA.

Atomic view of microtubules

Researchers visualize the atomic view of microtubules, revealing the crucial role of end-binding proteins in regulating their dynamic instability. This understanding could lead to improved potency and selectivity of anticancer drugs targeting microtubule dynamics.

Mobile FabLab helps pediatric patients better understand their condition

The partnership combines UTA's emphasis on health with the FabLab's emerging technologies to create interactive learning experiences for children and families. Pediatric patients will use 3-D printers, scanners, and microelectronics to monitor their heart rate, translate brain signals, and print models of organs.

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.

Trauma experiences change the brain even in those without PTSD

Research by University of Oxford scientists found that trauma can change the brain even in those without PTSD, with potential implications for early diagnosis and treatment. The study identified specific brain network imbalances and suggests a spectrum of traumatic effect on the brain.

Cosmological 'lost' lithium: An environmental solution

A new stellar model developed by researchers at SISSA reveals that cosmological 'lost' lithium in metal-poor stars was not destroyed, but rather accreted from the surrounding environment. The model, which agrees with observations, provides a plausible explanation for the low abundance of lithium-7 in ancient stars.

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.

Satellite sees Tropical Storm Guillermo nearing Hawaii

Tropical Storm Guillermo is creeping closer to the Hawaiian Islands, prompting a tropical storm watch for counties including Maui and Hawaii. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph, with expected slow and steady weakening.

Striking a gender balance among speakers at scientific conferences

A Johns Hopkins researcher reveals that raising awareness of gender disparities can boost the number of female speakers at scientific meetings. By involving women in conference planning, he reports a significant increase in female representation from 27% to nearly 50%. This approach has been successfully implemented at the American Soc...

Head impacts and collegiate football practice and games

Researchers found that the number of head impacts increased with activity intensity, with games having the most impacts. However, average impact severity was similar across practices, with helmet-only practices showing lower severity. Greater regulation of football practices is suggested to reduce the burden of head impact.

Waiting for pleasure

A study published in European Journal of Neuroscience found that the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens work together to make decisions about time and reward. Effective 'disconnection' of these structures can lead to impulsive behavior, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders.

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.

Cures for PTSD often remain elusive for war veterans

A new narrative review published in JAMA found that current psychotherapy treatments are less than optimal for PTSD, with non-medical approaches effective but not universally effective. The study suggests a need for broader and more personalized approaches to care.