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Science News Archive February 2015


Page 14 of 31

Study details impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on beach microbial communities

Scientists studied the impact of Deepwater Horizon oil on Pensacola Municipal Beach's microbial communities, finding that generalist microbes were most successful in expanding their populations. After a year, microbial populations buried in beach sands looked similar to pre-spill levels, with some unexplained differences.

White sharks grow more slowly and mature much later than previously thought

Researchers have created a reliable growth curve for white sharks in the western North Atlantic, revealing they grow more slowly and mature later than initially estimated. The study found males reach maturity at around age 26 and females at around 33, leading to new estimates of population replacement rates.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Learning from extinction: New insights on controlling cancer

A new study suggests that understanding species extinction can help drive cancer cells to annihilation. The authors identify two critical factors governing species resistance to extinction: evolveability and robustness to perturbations. These characteristics may have important correlates among some types of cancer cells.

Science: Chromosome 'bumper repair' gene predicts cancer patient outcomes

A study found that TERT mRNA levels are highly predictive of aggressive bladder cancers, allowing doctors to recommend targeted treatments and improve patient outcomes. The study also suggests that telomerase reactivation is crucial for the progression of bladder cancers, highlighting a potential target for disease intervention.

A novel approach for high performance field emission electron sources

A team of researchers from INRS developed novel graphenated-MWCNTs with enhanced field electron emission properties by decorating graphene sheets with gold nanoparticles. This innovation enhances the density of electron-emitting sites, improving FEE performance and opening new prospects for portable X-ray imaging systems.

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.

Brain's iconic seat of speech goes silent when we actually talk

A new study reveals that Broca's area, traditionally considered the command center for human speech, actually switches off when we speak out loud. This finding has major implications for diagnosing and treating stroke, epilepsy, and brain injuries that result in language impairments.

A new spin on spintronics

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University has developed a new radiation-resistant spintronic material that can maintain its spin-dependence after being irradiated. This breakthrough could enable electronic devices to work in harsh environments, such as space-based communications satellites.

Eating disorders linked with financial difficulties in female students

A new study found that experiencing financial difficulties at university may increase the risk of female students developing an eating disorder. The study also found a 'vicious cycle' where negative attitudes towards food and eating can lead to short-term financial difficulties, further exacerbating negative eating attitudes.

How to avoid a bad hire

A new study by University of Vermont researcher David Jones found that job ads focusing on what employers can provide to applicants, such as work autonomy and career advancement, attract more highly rated applicants. These ads received almost three times as many high-quality applications as those emphasizing demands-abilities fit.

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.

Focusing on the success of others can make us selfish

A new study published in PNAS found that people who focus on the success of their peers are more likely to act selfishly in group decisions. This is because success-oriented individuals prioritize information about which behavior pays off best, leading to a greater likelihood of selfish actions.

Researchers report new figures on 2 muscular dystrophy disorders

A recent study found that approximately 1 in 5,000 young boys in the US have either Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy. The disorders affect Hispanic boys more frequently than white or African-American boys. The research team's findings provide valuable information for healthcare professionals to better plan care for affected children.

Study: Global rainfall satellites require massive overhaul

A new study warns that the existing system of space-based rainfall observation satellites requires a serious overhaul due to weak spots in many developing countries. Replacing only two of the four satellites past their design life can help close data deficits considerably.

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.

Study finds fertile women seek variety in men and consumer products

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that ovulating women are more likely to choose multiple partners and products due to their increased fertility. This results in a greater variety seeking mindset, leading to a desire for new options in both personal relationships and consumer choices.

Teens increasingly sleep deprived

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female students, racial/ethnic minorities, and students of lower socioeconomic status are particularly affected by inadequate sleep. The proportion of adolescents who regularly get seven hours of sleep decreased among all groups between 1991 and 2012.

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.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Feb. 17, 2015

Researchers found a simple fiber-rich diet to be nearly as effective as the American Heart Association (AHA) diet for weight loss and improving metabolic health. However, AHA diet's many rules may make adherence challenging for some. Meanwhile, clinical risk calculators seriously overestimate heart attack risk. Sore throats in young ad...

Molecular evidence for the loss of 3 basic tastes in penguins

A University of Michigan-led study has found that penguins have lost the genes for the umami and bitter tastes, as well as a sweeter taste, which is puzzling given their diet of fish. The loss of these tastes likely occurred due to ancient climate-cooling events in Antarctica.

Researchers discover molecular trigger of inflammatory bowel disease

Duke researchers have identified the uhrf1 gene as a key regulator of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels, which are associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study found that loss of uhrf1 leads to increased TNF production, which can cause inflammation and damage to the digestive tract.

Hot flashes, night sweats last for 7+ years in many midlife women

A large study found that hot flashes and night sweats lasted for more than 7 years in half of all midlife women, with African American women reporting the longest total VMS duration. Women with lower educational attainment, greater stress, and higher depressive symptoms experienced longer symptom durations.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How we know where we are

A study by Ruhr-University Bochum scientists and colleagues identifies specific brain regions responsible for spatial memory. The researchers found that suppressing irrelevant activities improves spatial navigation accuracy.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of dieting and fasting revealed

Researchers at Yale University found a compound produced by the body during dieting or fasting can block an immune system part involved in several inflammatory disorders. The compound BHB directly inhibits NLRP3, driving inflammation in diseases like autoimmune disorders, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer

Large scale study warns of unsustainable ecological decline in rural China

A large-scale study by University of Southampton researchers has found that the agricultural development of a region in eastern China is ecologically unsustainable, with losses of ecosystem services and declining water quality. The study suggests that economic development has created a trade-off between gains in agricultural productivi...

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.

Novel crumpling method takes flat graphene from 2-D to 3-D

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a novel single-step process to create three-dimensional (3D) texturing of graphene, increasing surface area. The 3D texturing enables expanded capabilities for electronics and biomaterials, including battery and supercapacitor applications.

Mindfulness meditation appears to help improve sleep quality

A clinical trial found that mindfulness meditation improved sleep quality for older adults with moderate sleep disturbances, reducing symptoms of fatigue and depression. The study suggests that structured mindfulness meditation training may be a useful approach to addressing sleep problems in this population.

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.

Building a more versatile frequency comb

A new frequency comb has been developed that can operate at higher powers and cover the 3-12 micron spectral range. This breakthrough is achieved through a quantum cascade laser-based solution, offering improved performance and potential applications in metrology, spectroscopy, and frequency synthesis.

Support for sleeping in? Half of parents favor later school start times for teens

A national poll of parents found that half would support later school start times to allow teenagers to get more sleep, with benefits including reduced risks of obesity and depression. However, concerns about logistics and school budgets remain, with some parents worried about the impact on after-school activities and transportation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Smoke-free campus policy enjoys wide support, new OSU research shows

A new study by OSU researchers found that 72% of students and 77% of faculty support the university's smoke-free policy, but secondhand smoke exposure remains an issue. The study also revealed that more than half of staff members and students reported encountering secondhand smoke near campus entrances.

Satellite images reveal ocean acidification from space

New techniques using satellite-mounted cameras and microwave sensors can monitor large areas of the ocean, quickly identifying regions most at risk from increasing acidification. This approach offers remote monitoring and could lead to further development of satellite sensors in the coming years.

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.

Time for a bold dingo experiment

The study suggests reintroducing dingoes to Sturt National Park in NSW, Australia, to control invasive predators and native herbivores that degrade rangeland. By monitoring the results, researchers hope to address a national and international issue of significant concern.

Changing stem cell structure may help fight obesity

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found that regulating primary cilia length in stem cells can prevent the production of new fat cells. This study provides new insight into the regulation of fat cell formation and obesity, potentially leading to a new type of treatment called 'cilia-therapy'.

Gene mutation drives cartilage tumor formation

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a link between gene mutations in the IDH gene and the formation of benign cartilage tumors that can evolve into cancerous chondrosarcomas. The study provides insights into the potential development of new treatments using drugs designed to block IDH function.

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.

How the mind processes complex spatial information

A partnership between a cognitive scientist and an environmental scientist has enhanced high school students' learning of basic spatial reasoning, as well as solving complex problems involving climate change and other STEM subjects. The program uses computer-based layered maps to facilitate visualization and reasoning.

New pathways discovered to prevent blindness

Scientists at Monash University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how the brain adapts to vision loss by discovering a second pathway for visual information. This new pathway, through the pulvinar area of the brain, plays a crucial role in rerouting visual information following injury or trauma.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New journal Science China Materials launched by Springer

Science China Materials is an international peer-reviewed journal covering all aspects of materials science, fostering communication of innovative research results. The journal aims to develop into a world-leading academic journal of materials science, benefiting from Springer's international publishing platform.

Most clinical 'calculators' over-estimate heart attack risk

A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that four out of five widely used clinical calculators significantly overestimate the likelihood of a heart attack. The researchers found that these algorithms calculate heart attack probability using factors such as gender, age, smoking history, and cholesterol levels, but may not accurate...

Half spheres for molecular circuits

Researchers discovered corannulene's potential as a material for future electronic devices due to its easily accessible energy levels. The molecule can form a tunneling effect when connected in a row, making it suitable for constructing molecular circuits.

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.

New ozone-destroying gases on the rise

Scientists have identified a rapid increase in atmospheric concentrations of dichloromethane, a man-made substance contributing to ozone depletion. This discovery threatens the recovery of the Ozone Layer, which is still recovering from CFCs.

In rural India, children receive wrong treatments for deadly ailments

A Duke University study found that rural Indian healthcare providers frequently misdiagnose and mistreat childhood diarrhea and pneumonia. The study revealed that even providers with formal medical training were likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics or other potentially harmful drugs.