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Science News Archive February 2015


Page 13 of 31

QUT study links daytime naps to poorer night-time sleep in young children

A recent study by Queensland University of Technology found that daytime naps beyond the age of two are associated with poorer quality of night sleep among children. The research reviewed 26 international and Australian studies on children under five years old and showed overwhelming evidence of unnecessary napping.

A close call of 0.8 light years

Researchers analyzed the trajectory of Scholz's star and found it passed through the outer Oort Cloud, 98% certain of its close flyby. The star's proximity to our solar system was confirmed, challenging previous predictions for the closest known flyby.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

New drug target for multiple sclerosis discovered

A promising new approach to treat multiple sclerosis has been discovered by scientists at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. They identified a previously unknown change in the spinal cord related to MS and developed a peptide that disrupts this change, leading to major improvements in neurological functioning.

New solder for semiconductors creates technological possibilities

Researchers have developed compounds that can be applied as a liquid or paste to join two pieces of a semiconductor by heating them to several hundred degrees Celsius, creating seamless joints. This breakthrough technology has diverse applications in industries such as printable electronics, 3-D printing, and solar cells.

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Laser 'ruler' holds promise for hunting exoplanets

Researchers successfully demonstrate a new technique combining a solar telescope with a laser frequency comb to analyze distant stars with unprecedented accuracy, potentially leading to the discovery of Earth-like planets. The technique enhances spectral analysis and advances research in astrophysics.

Schizophrenia: Impaired activity of the selective dopamine neurons

Researchers found altered patterns and frequencies of electrical activity in dopamine midbrain neurons critical for emotional and cognitive processing. These findings suggest that impaired dopamine neuronal activity contributes to schizophrenia's negative symptoms, such as cognitive deficits and impaired motivation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Potential new breathalyzer for lung cancer screening

Researchers have developed a simple and rapid device to detect volatile organic compounds on the breath, demonstrating potential for early lung cancer detection. The device can discriminate different kinds and concentrations of cancer-related biomarkers with high accuracy.

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.

UT Arlington zebra mussels expert to receive national recognition

Robert McMahon, a renowned expert on aquatic invasive mollusks, has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Invasive Species Council. He is recognized for his decades-long work in preventing and managing invasive species, including zebra mussels, Asian clams, and apple snails.

Insight into inner magnetic layers

Measurements at BESSY II have shown how spin filters form within magnetic sandwiches, enhancing understanding of processes critical for future TMR data storage devices and other spintronic components. The discovery reveals new interfacial effects that strongly influence the amplitude of tunnel magnetoresistance.

Crowdsourcing a valid option for gathering speech ratings

A study by New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that crowdsourcing using Amazon Mechanical Turk can produce high levels of agreement among listeners, even when individual responses are not highly accurate. With samples of nine or more AMT users, performance converges with that of ex...

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.

Medication effective in helping smokers quit gradually

A study found that varenicline was effective in helping smokers reduce their cigarette consumption and eventually quit. The medication produced greater reductions in smoking prior to quitting and increased smoking cessation rates at the end of treatment.

Bile duct cancer study may pave way for new treatments

Researchers discovered a key pathway driving tumour growth in bile duct cancer and found that blocking it can prevent cancer cell growth and shrink tumours. The treatment is already being tested in patients with other cancers and shows promise as a potential breakthrough for this devastating disease.

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.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes should exercise after dinner

Research suggests that exercising after a meal can lower blood sugar and fat levels, providing more benefits than exercising before dinner. The study found that resistance exercise performed after dinner had the most powerful effect on reducing glucose and fat levels.

State funding boosts stem cell research in California, other states

State-funded programs in California and Connecticut have contributed to an increase in stem-cell-related publications, with California benefiting most. The study suggests that state funding has established California as a leader in this emerging field, while Maryland and New York saw minimal impact on publication trends.

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.

Mapping seascapes in the deep ocean

Researchers from University of Southampton develop new automated method for classifying hundreds of miles of the deep sea floor, creating broad-scale maps to estimate biodiversity hotspots. The maps cover approximately 125 miles across, using information on topography and sediment type to identify distinct 'geomorphological terrains'.

UI engineers find switchgrass removes PCBs from soils

University of Iowa researchers have discovered that switchgrass can remove up to 40% of PCBs from contaminated soils, with a combined treatment boosting removal rates to 47%. The study suggests a natural and sustainable method for reducing the presence of toxic chemicals in the environment.

New insight into how brain performs 'mental time travel'

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered a specific region of the brain that signals when a memory is being retrieved with high detail, enabling the prediction of recall order. This finding has significant implications for understanding and preserving memories in individuals with diseases like Alzheimer's.

Teen brain scans reveal a key to weight loss

Researchers found that teenagers who relied on executive function processes, particularly in the pre-frontal cortex, were more successful in losing weight. Successful programs involve repeated practice and ramping up challenges to executive control, such as computerized training and aerobic physical activity.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Many pregnant teens use alcohol and drugs, study finds

Nearly 3 in 5 pregnant teens report using substances in the previous 12 months, with alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used. Engaged parents and academically involved teens show lower rates of substance use during pregnancy.

Plants survive better through mass extinctions than animals

A new study reveals that plants have been highly resilient to mass extinction events, with negative rates of diversification never sustained for long periods. Plant groups such as flowering plants (angiosperms) experienced a rapid increase in diversity shortly after the Cretaceous-Paleogene asteroid impact.

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.

Three Waterloo academics named among Canada's top researchers for 2015

The University of Waterloo has three researchers recognized as among Canada's top natural sciences and engineering researchers for 2015. Chris Eliasmith, David Blowes and Michael McTavish are making significant advancements in human brain research, environmental impact reduction and invasive species understanding through their work. Th...

Tadpole model links drug exposure to autism-like effects

A study using a tadpole model reveals parallels between fetal chemical exposure and autism spectrum disorder, highlighting altered neural anatomy and behavior. The research suggests that understanding this connection could lead to discovering mechanisms to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders.

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.

Scientists use MRI to visualize pancreas inflammation in type 1 diabetes

Researchers have developed a novel imaging technique using ferumoxytol and MRI to visualize pancreatic inflammation in patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The study found clear evidence of ongoing inflammation in the pancreas, which could help predict disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets.

From the scent of geranium to cough medicine

Researchers at TUM create self-assembled catalyst to facilitate terpene cyclization, enabling production of complex compounds like taxol, used in cancer treatment. The breakthrough yields higher yields and improves reaction feasibility.

Novel solid-state nanomaterial platform enables terahertz photonics

Researchers have created a novel solid-state technology platform that enables the use of terahertz photonics in various applications. The new nanodetectors can detect frequencies greater than 3 THz and offer competitive noise equivalent powers with commercially available technologies.

An empty stomach can lead to an empty wallet

A University of Minnesota study reveals that hunger increases intention to acquire nonfood objects, resulting in higher spending. Hungry shoppers opt for 70% more products and spend 64% more money than satiated counterparts.

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.

Technology changing teacher's role

A recent Finnish-Swiss-Belgian study finds that technology changes the teacher's role from a traditional knowledge provider into a facilitator guiding students' learning processes and engaging in joint problem-solving. Technology offers new types of learning possibilities, including interactive learning and teaching opportunities.

Even animals compose

Researchers from the University of Vienna found cross-species parallels in song production and perception among animals. Some species, such as songbirds and parrots, can learn to produce new sounds and even identify beats, similar to human music abilities.

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.

Violations in pharmaceutical industry self-regulation of medicines promotion

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that pharmaceutical industry self-regulation in the UK and Sweden had significant violations, with nearly 20% of cases being serious breaches. The researchers analyzed complaints and rulings to find that charges incurred by companies were a small percentage of annual sales revenue.