Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2015


Page 31 of 32

Eating away at cognitive decline

A recent study found that older adults who followed the MIND diet more rigorously showed equivalent cognitive abilities to those 7.5 years younger, suggesting a potential delay of dementia's onset. The MIND diet emphasizes brain-healthy food groups and limits unhealthy foods, with berries being a key component.

Regular consumption of spicy foods linked to lower risk of death

A large observational study found that regular consumption of spicy foods is associated with a lower risk of death, particularly from cancer and heart disease. Participants who ate spicy foods almost every day had a 14% lower risk of death compared to those who consumed them less than once a week.

Scientists solve mystery behind earthworm digestion

Scientists have discovered how earthworms digest plant material despite toxic chemicals produced by plants. The discovery highlights the importance of drilodefensins, molecules in the earthworm gut that counteract plant defenses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Almost 80 species scavenge hunting remains worldwide

A study describes general structure of scavenger communities worldwide, revealing that birds dominate consumption with 65.8% frequency, while mammals and large predators also play key roles in structuring these communities. The findings highlight the global impact of human activities on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

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.

New strain of yeast to be helpful in toxic waste removal

A new strain of yeast has been discovered that can effectively remove toxic substances from wastewater. Yarrowia lipolytica Y-3492 was found to be highly active against nitro compounds, including those used in explosives and certain medications.

Rutgers tomato reinvented with even more flavor

Researchers at Rutgers University have recreated a classic tomato variety thought to be lost to history, combining nostalgic flavor with modern durability. The new Rutgers tomato boasts improved flavor, earlier ripening, higher yield, and resistance to cracking, making it perfect for home gardeners and farmers alike.

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.

Veterans returning from Middle East face higher skin cancer risk

Soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan returned home with a higher risk of skin cancer, largely due to inadequate sun protection and lengthy daily sunlight exposure. The study found that only 13% of veterans routinely used sunscreen and 63% experienced at least one sunburn during deployment.

Our elegant brain: Motor learning in the fast lane

Researchers at McGill University discovered that a small cluster of brain cells in the cerebellum engage in elegant computations to quickly compare expected and actual sensory feedback. This allows neurons to rapidly readjust and form new patterns in the brain to accomplish tasks.

Modelling the effect of vaccines on cholera transmission

A model investigates optimal vaccination strategies to minimize cholera-related mortality and costs, considering seasonality in pathogen transmission. The study finds that effective vaccination can significantly reduce disease spread and associated expenses.

Cattle movement estimation study sheds light on disease risk

A Kansas State University study uses aggregated data to estimate detailed cattle movement and predict disease risk in the US. The research reveals a significant risk of disease infiltration, highlighting the need for more accurate epidemic models and animal movement parameters.

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.

Women, blacks face larger loss of life expectancy after heart attack

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, women and black patients who experience a heart attack lose significantly more years of their expected life compared to white men. The researchers found that these disparities are not due to differences in comorbidities or treatment utilization.

An orange a day keeps scurvy away

Astronauts' nutritional needs are crucial for long-duration space missions, as microgravity and radiation exposure impact health. NASA's Biochemical Profile project aims to understand the effects of spaceflight on nutrition and develop strategies to mitigate negative effects.

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.

Tel Aviv University researcher discovers trigger of deadly melanoma

A new study published in Molecular Cell identifies the precise trigger that causes melanoma cancer cells to transform into invasive killer agents, pinpointing a key role for 'Notch signaling' in this process. Understanding this mechanism may lead to new prevention and treatment strategies.

MD Anderson study reveals new insight into DNA repair

Scientists at MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered the critical role of fumarase enzyme in DNA repair, revealing a key mechanism for reversing genetic damage leading to cancer and therapy resistance. The study's findings have potential implications for developing new cancer treatments by inhibiting DNA-PKs and fumarase.

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.

Glaciers melt faster than ever

The study reveals that glaciers worldwide are melting at an unprecedented rate, losing half a meter to one meter of ice thickness every year. This is two to three times more than the average for the 20th century, with some glaciers in Norway having retreated by several kilometers from their maximum extents.

NASA sees heavy rainfall in Super Typhoon Soudelor

Super Typhoon Soudelor showed extreme rainfall rates with over 58 mm/hour on its southern side, as measured by NASA's GPM core satellite. The storm is predicted to intensify before making landfall in eastern China.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New approach for making vaccines for deadly diseases

Researchers have devised a new approach to vaccines that creates immunity without standard approaches, offering a rapid solution to deadly diseases like dengue fever. The DMAb platform produces antibodies that do not bind to cell receptors, eliminating the chance for infection and 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.

MIPT researchers clear the way for fast plasmonic chips

MIPT researchers have developed a new method to eliminate energy losses of surface plasmons in optical devices, paving the way for high-performance optoelectronic chips. By pumping extra energy into surface plasmon polaritons, they can compensate for propagation losses and increase integration density.

Septic tanks aren't keeping poo out of rivers and lakes

A Michigan State University study found that septic tanks are contaminating freshwater sources with fecal bacteria, threatening water quality and human health. The research used a novel source-tracking method to analyze 64 river systems in Michigan and identified areas with high numbers of septic systems as hotspots for pollution.

Simple intervention can moderate anti-vaccination beliefs, study finds

Researchers found that reminding skeptics about the importance of vaccines and the risks associated with not being vaccinated can change their attitudes positively. The study tested three groups of participants and showed that even the most skeptical individuals were influenced by the intervention.

BioLEGO

The BioLEGO web application enables single and two-step multiorganism fermentation process design, maximizing feedstock conversion rates. It also evaluates possible biomass-to-product yields and recommends media changes to increase process efficacy.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Ocean changes are affecting salmon biodiversity and survival

A study by the University of California, Davis found that ocean changes are affecting the survival rates of Coho and Chinook salmon, causing them to become more synchronized. This loss in biodiversity can't be addressed through freshwater management alone.

Better together: Graphene-nanotube hybrid switches

Researchers have created digital switches using graphene-nanotube hybrids, outperforming existing graphene-based switches. The material's lopsided band gaps create a potential barrier that stops electrons, enabling high-speed switching.

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.

4 million years at Africa's salad bar

A study found that most major mammal groups in Africa tried grazing on grass around 2 million years ago, but some animals switched to browsing trees and shrubs or became extinct. The bovids, including cattle and antelopes, are the only group still mostly grazing on grass today.

Small tilt in magnets makes them viable memory chips

A small tilt of magnets makes them viable memory chips, opening the door to a memory system that can be packed onto a microprocessor. This breakthrough could lead to computers that turn on instantly and operate with greater speed and significantly less power.

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.

Look into my pupils: Pupil mimicry may lead to increased trust

A study found that participants who mimicked a partner's dilated pupils were more likely to trust them in an investment game. The researchers suggest that group membership plays an important role in interpreting pupil signals, and that mimicry of dilating pupils is particularly beneficial in in-group interactions.

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.

Chronic insomnia sufferers may find relief with half of standard pill dose

Researchers found that changing industry standards for maintenance therapy can maintain treatment responses and lower side effects. The study tested three dosing strategies: nightly dosing with 10mg, intermittent dosing with 10mg 3-5 days a week, or partial reinforcement through nightly pills with half placebo capsules.

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.

Marriage can lead to dramatic reduction in heavy drinking in young adults

Researchers found that marriage leads to a dramatic decrease in heavy drinking among young adults, particularly those with severe drinking issues. This 'marriage effect' may be due to role-incompatibility theory, which suggests that individuals must adapt their behavior to meet the demands of new roles like marriage.