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Science News Archive December 2015


Page 4 of 32

Algorithm helps turn smartphones into 3-D scanners

Researchers at Brown University have developed an algorithm that allows off-the-shelf cameras to capture high-quality 3D images without synchronized projector and camera hardware. The technique uses a structured light flash and can assemble images pixel by pixel to create accurate 3D models.

Ringing in a new way to measure and modulate trapped light

Scientists at NIST create non-invasive technique to map trapped light vibrations and fine-tune resonator frequency, enabling ultrasensitive sensors and identical resonances. The focused lithium-ion-beam technique allows for high-resolution imaging without disturbing near-fields.

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.

Chronic kidney disease prevalence varies greatly across Europe

The study found substantial variation in CKD prevalence across European countries, ranging from 3% to 17%, which may be due to factors other than diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The findings could guide future projections of the CKD burden in Europe and inform prevention and disease management strategies.

The components of imitation

Researchers investigate brain structure involved in imitation after stroke or brain injury, discovering the importance of similarity between observed action and produced movement. Lesions in the left hemisphere affect anatomical match, while those in the right hemisphere impact spatial translation.

Beneficial bacteria in Hawaiian squid attracted to fatty acids

Researchers have discovered a novel receptor in Vibrio fischeri that senses fatty acids, allowing the bacterium to migrate towards these compounds. This finding sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid and its luminescent bacteria.

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.

Less financial burden for cancer patients with paid sick leave, study finds

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that paid sick leave can significantly reduce the financial burden on cancer patients. The study, which surveyed over 1,300 patients with stage 3 colorectal cancer, showed that those with paid sick leave were nearly twice as likely to retain their jobs af...

FIU scientists discover how arsenic builds up in plant seeds

Researchers at FIU's Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine have identified how arsenic accumulates in plant seeds like rice, which is a major source of dietary arsenic. The discovery has the potential to develop new cultivation methods with less arsenic in the grain.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mazes and brains: When preconception trumps logic

The study found that brain regions associated with expectation can override objective reality, highlighting the importance of preconceptions in navigation. Researchers hope to apply this knowledge to develop new non-linguistic communication tools.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Are you Facebook dependent?

A new study by University of Akron researchers found that people who use Facebook to meet new friends are most dependent on the platform. The study also discovered personality traits common among specific types of Facebook users, such as extroverts and those with high self-esteem.

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.

Mutation of BAP1 gene passed down over centuries

A study published in PLOS Genetics found that members of four unrelated US families shared an identical BAP1 gene mutation, which increases cancer risk. The researchers traced the ancestral connection back to a couple who immigrated from Germany in the early 1700s.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

An Open Science plan: Wikidata for Research

The project aims to integrate research workflows with Wikidata to facilitate open science and collaboration across disciplines. Key findings include ongoing efforts to handle scholarly references through Wikidata, which can now be queried for information like city data and female mayors.

Seven healthy heart measures may reduce heart failure risk

A study found that people scoring well on the Life's Simple 7 checklist for a healthy heart have lower risk of developing heart failure. The measures include managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels, as well as getting physically active, eating better, losing weight, and quitting smoking.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Are you a 'harbinger of failure'?

A MIT study found that a group of consumers have an unerring knack for buying failed products, time after time. The 'harbingers of failure' tend to purchase all kinds of flop-worthy products, including those with strong initial sales but ultimately poor market reception.

Mental time travel: An exclusively human capacity

A new theoretical model proposes that humans have an exclusively human capacity for mental time travel, composed of episodic memory and scenario construction. However, no definitive evidence supports foresightful behavior in animals, suggesting they may not possess the same level of mental time travel capabilities.

Vitamin D levels linked to weight-loss surgery outcomes

A new Johns Hopkins study of over 930,000 patient records found that patients undergoing bariatric surgery during winter months fared worse than those in the summer due to lower vitamin D levels. The researchers also noticed a disproportionate number of complications occurred north of latitude 37 degrees.

Fighting rice fungus

A study published by University of Delaware plant scientists has identified a stress hormone that appears to increase the virulence of the rice blast fungus. The research may lead to new control methods for the devastating disease.

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.

Brain tumor revealed by treatment-resistant depression

A woman with treatment-resistant depression was found to have a brain tumor after symptoms persisted for six months despite antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. The tumor, located in her left frontal lobe, was later treated successfully with emergency surgery, resulting in the disappearance of depressive symptoms.

Cool roofs in China offer enhanced benefits during heat waves

A new Berkeley Lab study found that cool roofs in Guangzhou, China, can lower average urban midday temperatures by 1.2 degrees Celsius during heat waves, a 50% increase over typical summer conditions. This reduction in temperature also decreases the intensity of the urban heat island effect.

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.

Opioid dependency peaks among younger age group

A Michigan State University study reveals that 14- and 15-year-olds are at a higher risk of becoming dependent on prescription drugs within a year after using them beyond the prescribed amount. The research also confirms that peak risk for starting to use prescription painkillers is seen at 16 and 17 years old.

The mechanism of an AIDS vaccine candidate filmed in vivo

Researchers have filmed in vivo the process by which an AIDS vaccine candidate recruits immune cells to destroy infected cells. The study, published in Nature Medicine, shows how the vaccine induces the formation of the inflammasome, a complex assembly of proteins that triggers an immune response.

Blocking fat transport linked to longevity

A new study reveals that blocking the production of a naturally occurring protein responsible for transporting fats around the body increases life span in nematodes and mice. The research suggests that this protein, VIT, hinders essential cell functions and prevents the reuse of fats for healthier purposes.

Mystery of heat loss from the Earth's crust has been solved

Scientists at the National Oceanography Centre have discovered a new type of hydrothermal vent system, which could improve understanding of how the Earth's interior cools. The unique system, driven by hot rock and faults, was found to release significant amounts of heat and chemicals into the crust.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NREL research advances hydrogen production efforts

Researchers at NREL have developed a new photoelectrochemical process for producing hydrogen that uses molecular catalysts instead of precious metals. The new method is more efficient and cost-effective, making it a promising solution for scalable hydrogen production.

Low rate of job retention following colorectal cancer diagnosis

A study published in JAMA found that nearly half of working individuals with stage III colorectal cancer lost their jobs due to their diagnosis. However, those with access to paid sick leave were more likely to retain their jobs and experience reduced personal financial burdens. The study highlights the importance of providing paid sic...

World's first clinical guidelines for chronic fungal lung infections

The European Respiratory Society and ESCMID have published the world's first clinical guidelines for chronic fungal lung infections, describing key features of the disease and providing comprehensive treatment recommendations. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis affects an estimated 240,000 people in Europe and 3 million worldwide.

Increased toxicity due to migration?

Researchers have discovered that newly introduced populations of the invasive seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla in North America and Europe contain significantly higher levels of toxic compounds, including Prostaglandin. This increase in toxicity poses a risk for food safety and may lead to more frequent cases of human intoxication.

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.

Extremely rare muscle rupture in a professional goalkeeper

A 33-year-old professional goalkeeper suffered an extremely rare complete rupture of his teres major muscle while playing a football match. He recovered after conservative treatment and physiotherapy, eventually returning to competition level without pain or limitation.

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.

£10 million grant awarded for Barts Heart Centre

The £10.2m investment will focus on genomic diagnoses, innovative therapeutics, heart failure, and device innovation to tackle cardiovascular healthcare issues globally. The Barts Heart Centre aims to become the go-to academic medical centre for research and treatment of cardiovascular disease in Europe.

Mixing modern materials? NIST math app helps you manage your mashup

Scientists at NIST developed a new recipe development tool using advanced math to predict the capabilities of polymer-nanoparticle mixtures. By modeling particle shapes more realistically, they created virtual nanoparticles that can analyze real-world particles and make general statements about their behavior in mixes.

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.