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Science News Archive December 2015


Page 30 of 32

Conductor turned insulator amid disorder

Researchers have discovered a multifractal spatial structure in disordered materials that can turn them from conductors to insulators. This finding has significant implications for understanding the behavior of disordered materials, which are found in amorphous solids like glass and biological tissue.

Little known about children living with HIV-infected adults in Africa

A new study estimates that up to 50% of children in Lesotho live in households with someone infected or are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. The research highlights the substantial number of children affected by HIV-infected adults, often living with parents who are infected, and emphasizes the need for distinct care and outreach efforts.

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.

Vessel speed biggest factor in noise affecting killer whales

A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that vessel speed is the most influential factor in how much noise from boats reaches endangered killer whales. The research used digital acoustic recording tags and laser positioning system to track boat noise levels and found that speed was the main contributor.

Survival has improved for women with stage IV breast cancer

A study of over 20,000 women with stage IV breast cancer found improved survival rates, especially among those who received initial breast surgery. The median survival increased from 20 to 26 months, and age, tumor size, hormone receptor status, and year of diagnosis were associated with prolonged survival.

What is the universe made of?

Researchers discovered the majority of missing ordinary matter in the universe, found in hot gas associated with intergalactic filaments. The study validates models of galaxy formation and could lead to a better understanding of heavy elements formed by stars since the beginning of the universe.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stock market bubbles: Investor emotions fuel the frenzy

Researchers found that investors who experienced intense positive emotions before trading were more aggressive and pushed prices up, while those with negative emotions proceeded cautiously. This study increases understanding of how bubbles work and highlights the importance of considering emotional triggers in asset price inflation.

Fast radio burst hints at its source

Researchers analyzed 700 hours of archival data to discover a burst of radio waves from six billion light years away. The region of space it came from was highly magnetized, suggesting it could be related to a supernova or nebula forming new stars.

Aloysius Helminck to receive 2016 AMS Distinguished Public Service Award

Helminck is honored for increasing the diversity of the mathematical research community through his work at North Carolina State University. He has successfully recruited and retained doctoral students from underrepresented groups, as well as directed programs to foster diversity in mathematics education.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Twitter data can make roads safer during inclement weather

A University at Buffalo study uses Twitter data to enhance computer models guiding traffic during snowstorms and adverse weather. By analyzing over 360,000 tweets, researchers found that including such data improves the accuracy of models, particularly during peak tweeting hours and in densely populated areas.

Mitochondria affect stress responses

Research suggests that mitochondrial function affects hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral systems in response to mild stress. This discovery has implications for understanding the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric diseases and the role of stress in human health.

Protecting the brain from Parkinson's disease

A study at Thomas Jefferson University has successfully increased the production of GM1 ganglioside in mice with Parkinson's disease. The researchers used an enzyme to convert naturally occurring ganglioside molecules into GM1, providing neuronal protection similar to direct GM1 injection.

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.

Trapping climate pollutant methane gas in porous carbon

Researchers develop methods to accurately simulate methane adsorption and desorption in porous carbon, relevant for energy research and climate change mitigation. The study used computational methods to analyze molecular interactions between methane and activated carbon, providing insights into preventing gas adsorption.

Healthful hemp poised to grow in US

The US hemp industry is expected to grow as the country's demand for healthful foods increases, thanks to the nutritional profile of hemp. The crop contains all nine essential amino acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and has been shown to have potential health benefits.

Antidepressant medication protects against compounds linked to dementia

A Loyola University Medical Center study found that antidepressant escitalopram reduces levels of two neurotoxic compounds associated with memory loss and dementia in severely depressed patients. The study suggests a potential link between depression and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

Unfriending on Facebook more likely from politically active users

A study published in Journal of Communication found that 16% of Jewish Israeli Facebook users unfriended friends during the Israel-Gaza conflict due to political comments. Users who unfriended were more likely to be ideologically extreme and less supportive of free speech.

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.

New technology selects high-affinity proteins

Researchers at Kobe University and AIST in Japan developed a technology to select high-affinity proteins that bind with membrane proteins, a key feature in controlling physiological functions. This discovery has potential applications in the development of new biopharmaceuticals for various drug targets, including cancer treatment.

Inequalities in alcohol-related mortality in Europe

A European study reveals alcohol-related conditions significantly contribute to socioeconomic inequality in total mortality among men in some countries. Rates of alcohol-related mortality are highest in individuals with less education or manual occupations across 17 European countries. The disparities are particularly pronounced in Eas...

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.

Adults with cerebral palsy more likely to have chronic health conditions

A recent study published in JAMA Network reveals that adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, and arthritis. The study found significant differences in age-adjusted prevalence rates of these conditions between adults with CP and those without CP.

New diaphragms grown from stem cells offer hope of a cure for common birth defect

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully engineered new diaphragm tissue in rats using stem cells and 3D scaffolds, which can regrow with the same complex mechanical properties as natural diaphragm muscle. The technique offers hope for a cure for congenital diaphragm malformations and possible future heart muscle repairs.

Theory of 'smart' plants may explain the evolution of global ecosystems

Researchers propose that plants 'decide' to thrive in certain environments, influencing biome productivity and composition. Nitrogen-fixing trees, which produce their own fertilizer, flourish in tropical zones but struggle in temperate forests, highlighting the importance of plant strategy in ecosystem evolution.

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.

System boosts resolution of commercial depth sensors 1,000-fold

By exploiting polarization of light, MIT researchers have developed a system that can increase the resolution of conventional 3D imaging devices up to 1,000 times. The technique uses coarse depth estimates and real-time calculations to provide high-quality 3D images.

Biophysicists develop a model for arterial thrombus formation

Researchers created a one-dimensional model of thrombus formation, similar to Tetris, and later expanded to a two-dimensional model. This allows them to study the dynamics of thrombus growth under various conditions, including damage to the vascular wall.

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.

Higher cigarette taxes linked to fewer infant deaths

A new study found that higher cigarette taxes are strongly associated with lower infant mortality rates in the US. The association is stronger for African American infants than non-Hispanic white infants, which has implications for reducing disparities in infant mortality between the two groups.

Why Europe will soon be cold?

Russian scientists have predicted a decrease in solar magnetic activity, which could lead to cooler temperatures in Europe. The researchers used analysis of solar radiation and isotopes to create a model that predicts the Sun's behavior over the next thousand years.

Cognitive-behavioral stress management in breast cancer

A randomized trial shows that cognitive-behavioral stress management improves survival and lengthens time to recurrence in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Women who received stress management training experienced greater length of survival and longer time till disease recurrence over eight to 15 years after diagnosis.

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.

An online game reveals something fishy about mathematical models

Researchers from Uppsala University implemented a Turing test to assess how good their mathematical models were at reproducing collective motion of real fish schools. Despite matching statistical properties, experts and public players could differentiate between simulated and real schools, highlighting areas for improvement.

Chemotherapy can cause tumor evolution

Researchers at National Research Tomsk State University found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy can stimulate evolution of the tumor, leading to resistance and metastasis. The study analyzed biopsies from women with breast cancer before and after surgery, revealing a 23% increase in new tumor formation.

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.

Camouflaged cuttlefish employ electrical stealth

Cuttlefish use electrical fields to mask their presence from sharks, reducing the bioelectric field by up to 89% when arms are over siphons. This technology is used in combination with visual camouflage to protect against predation.

Eliminating 'springback' to help make environmentally friendly cars

Hiroshima University researchers develop a new technique to prevent 'springback' in press-forming high-strength steel, a common problem that causes defects and environmental concerns. By eliminating this issue, they enable the mass production of lightweight cars with reduced emissions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Poor countries are hardest hit by tobacco marketing

A recent study reveals that poor countries are exposed to more aggressive tobacco marketing than affluent nations, with the majority of sales in low-income countries occurring through single cigarettes. This intense marketing can lead to a higher likelihood of young people starting to smoke and becoming lifelong smokers.

Animal evolution: Revolution averted

A recent study by an international group of evolutionary biologists has convincingly refuted the proposition that comb jellies are the phylogenetically oldest extant metazoan group. Sponges are now reaffirmed as the first phylum to diverge from the common ancestor of metazoans, restoring the classical view of early animal evolution.

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.

Xbox gaming technology may improve X-ray precision

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed a new approach to imaging patients using Xbox gaming technology, which measures body-part thickness and checks for motion before taking X-rays. The technology aims to produce high-quality X-ray images at low radiation doses without repeating images.

A radical signal to the progeny

Researchers at Ghent University found a worm globin protein that generates free radical signals, which are essential for reproductive cell generation and regulation of hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Genetic knockdown of the new globin results in sterility, suggesting a crucial role for this signaling process in biology.

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.

A risk management plan for functional imaging in cancer clinical trials

The new risk management plan aims to prioritize data quality, reduce costs, and decrease attrition rates in imaging biomarker-driven trials. By identifying risks at trial initiation and allocating resources effectively, the framework can help minimize variability and ensure reproducibility of data.