Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for February 16, 2015


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.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalJournal of Business and Psychology·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateFeb 16, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

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

SourceYale University·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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...

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

Sex has another benefit: It makes humans less prone to disease over time

Researchers found that segments of human genome with low recombination rate carry a higher proportion of disease-enabling genetic mutations, which are eventually shuffled off through sexual reproduction. This discovery can help scientists identify and develop effective treatments for diseases.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature Genetics·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

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.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPreventive Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalRestoration Ecology·DateFeb 16, 2015

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'.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalStem Cells·DateFeb 16, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceMonash University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

Germans want companies to become more democratic

A survey by TUM found that two-thirds of Germans support democratic management, with employees seeking more autonomy in work life. However, managers believe implementing such systems is challenging.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalScience China Materials·DateFeb 16, 2015

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...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateFeb 16, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateFeb 16, 2015

New therapeutic strategy discovered for ovarian cancer

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a new therapeutic target in ovarian clear cell carcinoma, a difficult-to-treat subtype of ovarian cancer. EZH2 inhibition causes regression of ovarian tumors with ARID1A mutation, providing a much-needed therapeutic strategy for clear cell ovarian cancer.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

Terror attacks offer insights for first responders

A study from the University at Buffalo School of Management analyzed surveys and interviews with Mumbai Police officers involved in the response to terrorist attacks. The researchers found that first responders who received timely information access made better decisions, while those without proper training were less effective. To impr...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalIIMB Management Review·DateFeb 16, 2015

Lack of RNA 'editing' leads to melanoma growth and metastasis

A study by Menashe Bar-Eli and colleagues found that a lack of RNA editing contributes to melanoma tumor growth and metastasis by manipulating proteins. The researchers identified a previously unknown target for CREB, a transcription factor involved in melanoma development.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Genetic evidence shows penguins have 'bad taste'

Genetic analysis reveals penguins have lost three basic tastes over evolutionary time, leaving them with only salty and sour flavors. Their unique tongue structure and behavior of swallowing food whole may be adaptations to their environment.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015

Molecular inhibitor breaks cycle that leads to Alzheimer's

Researchers have identified a molecular chaperone that can break the critical cycle leading to Alzheimer's disease. The molecule, Brichos, inhibits secondary nucleation, preventing the formation of toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils, which are hallmark of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateFeb 16, 2015
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.

Unhealthy choices boosted mortality rates for blacks who migrated north

A new study by Duke University found that millions of African Americans who migrated from the rural South to urban areas during the 20th century experienced a significant increase in mortality rates. The study attributed this increase to unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking, which were more prevalent in cities.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateFeb 16, 2015