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Science News Archive February 2015


Page 20 of 31

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Astronomers catch multiple-star system in first stages of formation

Scientists have observed a multiple-star system in its early stages of formation, with three dense condensations that will collapse into stars in just 40,000 years. The system is expected to form a stable triple-star system, with the fourth star potentially leaving the system soon.

Fluorescing food dyes as probes to improve food quality

Researchers found that fluorescent properties of edible food colors increase with the viscosity of surrounding fluids, suggesting they could act as embedded sensors for food's physical consistency. This could provide a less invasive and more accurate way to test food quality, potentially revealing changes in spoilage or consistency.

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.

When is a Pollock not a Pollock?

A machine vision approach has demonstrated 93% accuracy in spotting true Pollocks, verifying the authenticity of Jackson Pollock's drip paintings. The software, developed by Lior Shamir, analyzes numerical image descriptors and quantifies details at the pixel level to reveal specific features and textures unique to Pollock's style.

Caution concerning the possible health benefits of alcohol

Research suggests that any potential health benefits from moderate alcohol consumption may only apply to women over 65, and even then, the evidence is limited. High alcohol consumption is linked to over 200 conditions and costs £55bn annually in England.

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.

Researchers investigate the communications behind swarming

Researchers investigate the communications behind swarming behavior using a combination of robotic replicas and live zebrafish, shedding light on the complex information flow within animal groups. The study's findings have implications for behavioral brain research and neuropsychobiology.

Geoengineering report: Scientists urge more research on climate intervention

A National Research Council committee recommends exploring CO2 removal strategies, while cautioning against sunlight-reflecting tactics due to environmental and health risks. The committee calls for increased research into all climate intervention possibilities to address the urgent need to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Crowdfunding helps solve rare disease mystery

A Tel Aviv University researcher has successfully identified a novel genetic mutation in a rare disease using whole exome sequencing and crowdfunding. The study, led by Dr. Noam Shomron, used DNA sequencing of a three-year-old girl and her family to reveal the genetic cause of her symptoms, which included mental retardation and severe ...

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 fatigue syndrome -- What's in a name?

A new report from the Institute of Medicine proposes revised diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, highlighting its physiologic nature. The criteria also emphasize the debilitating symptom of post-exertional malaise, where exertion triggers prolonged periods of fatigue.

Water ice renders short-lived molecule sustainable

Scientists from Ruhr-University Bochum successfully isolate and analyze the fluorenyl cation, a prototype of antiaromaticity, at extremely low temperatures in water ice. This breakthrough enables standard spectroscopic analysis of antiaromatic compounds for the first time.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Antiviral compound protects nonhuman primates against Ebola virus

Scientists developed an antiviral compound targeting VP24, a key protein in the Ebola virus, which protected 75% of infected monkeys. The compound, AVI-7537, was found to be safe and well-tolerated, offering hope for developing effective therapies against the deadly disease.

Smoking thins vital part of brain

A major study by McGill University and the University of Edinburgh found that long-term smoking causes thinning of the brain's cortex, accelerating cognitive decline. Stopping smoking helps restore part of the cortex's thickness, but recovery is slow and incomplete.

Predicting plant responses to drought

A USGS study reveals how plants' vulnerability to drought varies across landscapes, with factors like plant structure and soil type influencing their response. The model helps forecast the future state of drylands by understanding how climate change affects water availability and use.

Iron supplementation improves hemoglobin recovery time following blood donation

Low-dose iron supplements significantly reduced time to recover from hemoglobin decrease in donors with low or high ferritin levels. Without iron, most participants took over 168 days to recover their iron stores. Regular blood donation leads to progressive iron loss and anemia, emphasizing the importance of prompt recovery.

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.

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.

Does a competent leader make a good friend?

Research by Lasse Laustsen and Michael Bang Petersen suggests that competent leaders are often preferred for leadership roles but not necessarily as friends. In contrast, non-dominant individuals with cooperative traits are often chosen as friends regardless of political ideology or social conflict context.

Unwanted impact of antibiotics broader, more complex than previously known

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered that antibiotics have a profound impact on the microorganisms in an animal's gut, disrupting the natural balance of the microbiota. This can lead to damage to the intestinal epithelium, changes in mitochondrial function and other biological effects.

Understanding how to teach 'intelligence'

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg believe it is possible to teach complex psychological processes enabling people to solve problems, or 'intelligence'. The study highlights the need for cross-curricular skills that can be applied in various situations and domains.

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.

Changes proposed to improve research on health information technology

The RAND Corporation suggests that studies evaluating health information technology should consider both costs and benefits, as well as the long-term implications of adoption. The proposed standards aim to provide a more robust picture of the technology's impact on patients, providers, and payers.

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.

Low childhood vitamin D linked to adult atherosclerosis

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that low childhood vitamin D levels are associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness and subclinical atherosclerosis in adulthood. The study, which analyzed 2,148 subjects from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, ...

Arachnid Rapunzel: Researchers spin spider silk proteins into artificial silk

Scientists at Dalhousie University have developed a new method to create artificial spider silk using its molecular structure. By understanding the relationship between the protein's structure and function, researchers can now optimize smaller components before linking them together, making it easier to produce high-quality fibers.

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.

Worms in space: Exploring health effects of microgravity

Scientists study epigenetic changes in C. elegans worms exposed to simulated microgravity to gain insights into how humans adapt to different gravitational environments. The research reveals an 'epigenetic memory' of microgravity that can be passed on to offspring, sparking new questions about the long-term health consequences of space...

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.

Earthquake activity linked to injection wells may vary by region

A recent study found that earthquake activity near injection wells in the Williston Basin is scarce compared to Texas, where similar activities have been linked to increased seismicity. The study's authors attribute this difference to regional variations in geology and injection practices.

BP-lowering treatment for type 2 diabetes linked to longer survival

A study published in JAMA found that blood pressure-lowering treatment among patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, heart disease events, and improved mortality. By reducing systolic BP by 10 mmHg, patients experienced better clinical outcomes.

Not all EGFR mutations are the same when it comes to therapy for NSCLC

Researchers found that rare EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have distinct impacts on disease outcome and therapy response. Classic EGFR mutations were associated with better overall survival and higher TKI therapy response rates compared to rare mutations, which were linked to tobacco smoking and poorer prognosis.

ORCA prototype ready for the open ocean

ORCA will study microscopic phytoplankton and their impact on the carbon cycle, measuring chlorophyll concentrations and distinguishing between types of phytoplankton. The instrument's hyperspectral capability offers a range of bands to refine ocean observations.

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.

DNA 'cage' could improve nanopore technology

Researchers at Brown University have developed a tiny DNA 'cage' that can trap and hold a single DNA strand after it's been pulled through a nanopore. This allows for the first-time detection of chemical reactions on a single molecule, enabling new biochemistry experiments.

Creatine does not slow rate of Parkinson's disease progression

A recent study published in JAMA found that creatine monohydrate treatment did not improve clinical outcomes for patients with early and treated Parkinson disease. The study, which followed 1,741 participants for up to 8 years, suggests that creatine may not be a viable treatment option for slowing disease progression.

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.

Avian malaria also affects wild birds in Austria

A study by University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna researchers has identified avian malaria in 15% of examined wild birds in Austria, showing that native bird populations are susceptible to the disease. Three different Plasmodium species were also found, with one new species still requiring analysis and classification.

Too much of a good thing: Extra genes make bacteria lethal

A study found that a single genomic change can turn beneficial bacteria into pathogenic bacteria by boosting bacterial density inside the host. The research team identified a region of the Wolbachia genome responsible for regulating bacterial densities in flies.

Surgery for pulmonary embolism may prevent

A new analysis of cases conducted in Northwell Health found that a surgical procedure may be more successful in preventing death than current drug therapies. The study revealed a mortality rate of 4.2% for patients who underwent surgery, compared to higher rates for those who did not.

Grant preparation blowout despite simplified NHMRC process

A new study reveals that simplifying the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant application process did not reduce application time for Australian researchers. Despite the streamlined process, applicants still spent a collective 614 working years on their applications in 2014 compared to 574 years in 2012.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.