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Science News Archive December 2015 - Page 13


Page 13 of 32

Turning point of a lifetime

Scientists have developed a new light sheet microscope that can record the first two to three days of a mouse embryo's life. By tracking each cell's daughters, grand-daughters, great-granddaughters, and so on, they identified a crucial turning point in the embryo's development.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 15, 2015

Seal tagging improves ocean forecasts

A UK-led study found that seal tags can improve ocean forecasts by providing valuable temperature and salinity recordings in regions rarely sampled. This could lead to better weather predictions and improved marine conditions for industries such as shipping and offshore oil and gas operations.

SourceWiley·JournalQuarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society·DateDec 15, 2015

Hot water puts crocs at risk

A University of Queensland study finds that climate warming causes saltwater crocodiles to spend less time submerged, compromising their ability to avoid predators and forage underwater. The research suggests that elevated water temperatures pose a significant threat to the species' survival.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalConservation Physiology·DateDec 15, 2015

Military families benefit from UCLA-developed resilience program

The UCLA-developed FOCUS program significantly improved the ability of military families to cope with deployment-related stresses and combat injuries. The eight-week program reduced anxiety and depression by half and improved family dynamics, particularly in areas such as communication and problem-solving skills.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 15, 2015

Transparent metal films for smart phone, tablet and TV displays

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new material that is both highly transparent and electrically conductive, potentially replacing indium tin oxide in display technology. The new material, a correlated metal, has a structure that allows it to behave like a liquid, resulting in high optical transparency and conductivity.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 15, 2015

Preoperative use of blood-thinning drugs is safe for cancer patients

A new study by the American College of Surgeons found that preoperative use of blood-thinning drugs does not increase major bleeding rates in cancer patients undergoing major operations. The study also revealed a lower risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who received preoperative VTE prophylaxis.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 15, 2015

Building blocks for GaN power switches

A team of engineers has created gallium nitride (GaN) power diodes with record-low defect concentrations, enabling efficient control and distribution of electricity. The discovery is significant as GaN materials are notorious for their defects and reliability issues, but the new devices show promise in addressing these challenges.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 15, 2015