Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for July 10, 2015


Spotting the elephant not in the room

Researchers developed a clustering-based image segmentation approach for accurate elephant recognition in infrared images, achieving a 95% recognition rate. The algorithm could serve as the basis for detecting and preventing wild elephants from crossing forest borders and entering villages.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics·DateJul 10, 2015
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.

Could hormone-related cancers start before birth?

Researcher Laura Vandenberg is studying the role of BPS, an estrogen-mimicking chemical found in plastics and food packaging, on breast cancer risk. Exposure to these chemicals in the womb may increase breast cancer risk decades later.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateJul 10, 2015

Ancestral diets determine vulnerability to type 2 diabetes

Research published in Cell Metabolism reveals that ancestral undernutrition can lead to obesity and metabolic disorders, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. A study on rats found that descendants of undernourished ancestors were eight times more likely to develop diabetes when switched to a normal diet.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJul 10, 2015

Neuroscience and technology come together to support people with disabilities

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation have developed Brain Polyphony, a device that produces sounds from brain signals, allowing people with cerebral palsy to communicate their emotions. The system uses real-time analysis of brain waves to translate into code words, providing an alternative communication method.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·DateJul 10, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Men may feel more threatened by female bosses, research finds

Research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology finds that men may feel threatened by female supervisors, acting more assertively towards them. This could disrupt workplace dynamics, stifle team cohesiveness, and negatively affect team performance if not addressed.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 10, 2015

Obesity drug has no effect on baby birthweights, study finds

A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found that treating obese pregnant women with the diabetes drug metformin does not reduce their babies' birth weights. Despite this, the treatment did help lower blood sugar levels in mothers-to-be and markers linked to pre-eclampsia and premature births.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJul 10, 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.

Cutting cost and power consumption for big data

Researchers at MIT developed a new system that makes servers using flash memory as efficient as those using conventional RAM while preserving power and cost savings. The system uses preprocessed data on flash drives to improve distributed computation efficiency.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 10, 2015

To avoid dangerous shark encounters, information trumps culling

Researchers found that the risk of white shark attack for individual ocean users in California has fallen strikingly by over 91 percent since 1950. Information on coastal population growth, seasonal and weekly beach going, surfing, scuba diving, and swimming empowers ocean users to avoid large predators.

SourceEcological Society of America·JournalFrontiers in Ecology and the Environment·DateJul 10, 2015

UB to study dangers of diver dehydration for US Navy

Researchers at the University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions will examine diver physiology during and after underwater activities. The study aims to develop Navy diving protocols to prolong endurance and make missions safer for divers.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·DateJul 10, 2015
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.

The rhythm cells must go by

Researchers investigated daily fluctuations in human buccal mucosa cells over a year, revealing significant daily rhythms in eleven fatty acids. The study suggests that the cellular changes may be linked to environmental conditions and could have implications for human health.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalJournal of Biological Rhythms·DateJul 10, 2015

Neutrons find 'missing' magnetism of plutonium

Researchers have confirmed plutonium's magnetism using neutron scattering, resolving a scientific mystery that had gone unsolved for seven decades. The discovery provides insight into plutonium's unique electronic properties and suggests new avenues for materials science applications.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 10, 2015

Farming is driving force drying soil in Northern China

A 30-year study found Northern China's soil moisture decreased by 6% since 1983, with optimal levels now below 40%. The researchers attribute this decline to increased fertilizer use and crop types with high water demands, posing a risk to agriculture and the fresh water supply.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 10, 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.

Cell machinery wears complex coat

Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg have produced detailed images of the COPI coat surrounding vesicles that transport molecules within cells. The intricate protein structure is composed of repeating building blocks called triads, which organize functional elements in a precise 3D structure.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJul 10, 2015

Graphene-based film can be used for efficient cooling of electronics

Researchers developed a graphene-based film that efficiently cools electronics by increasing thermal conductivity to four times that of copper. The film can be attached to silicon components, overcoming previous adhesion issues, and has been tested with an additive creating stronger silane bonds, resulting in improved heat transfer.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 10, 2015
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

USC Stem Cell researchers poke around for blood genes

Researchers at USC's Stem Cell labs have discovered new genes affecting blood stem cell development and function. The study found that certain genetic regulators, such as Hopx, play a crucial role in the formation of red and white blood cells in adults.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJul 10, 2015

Improved sperm diagnostic test may pinpoint best fertility treatment for couples

Researchers developed a diagnostic test for sperm RNA based on next-generation sequencing, which may help determine the best infertility treatment for couples having difficulty conceiving. The test can identify those who benefit from assisted reproductive technologies and those who may be successful with minimal intervention.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 10, 2015

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to help small 'green' businesses

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been selected as one of five national laboratories to lead the Department of Energy's new Small Business Vouchers Pilot. The lab will provide technology assistance to small clean energy firms in three sectors: bioenergy, water power, and buildings.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 10, 2015

The role of the microbiota in preventing allergies

The study demonstrates how the microbiota acts on the balance of the immune system, specifically blocking type 2 immune responses that lead to allergic reactions. By stimulating type 3 cells, which coordinate phagocytosis and killing of microbes, the researchers provide an innovative therapeutic approach for allergy treatment.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalScience·DateJul 10, 2015

Study identifies factors affecting prescription pain reliever misuse

A nationwide study found that individuals of any age who used illicit drugs had a higher likelihood of misusing prescription pain relievers. Adults aged 50 and above were more likely to acquire pain relievers through multiple doctors, while younger individuals relied on friends, relatives, or drug dealers.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAddictive Behaviors·DateJul 10, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Blood stem cells in a rush -- velocity determines quality

Accelerating the G1 phase transit of human blood stem cells significantly improves their function and promotes prolonged continuous production of mature blood cells. This study reveals a crucial regulator of hematopoietic stem cell function, which may contribute to functional defects in aged mice or elderly humans.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateJul 10, 2015

Scientists simulate the space environment during NASA's New Horizons flyby

Researchers created a simulation of Pluto's space environment to estimate solar wind densities and understand how they affect the dwarf planet's atmosphere. The models, which take into account coronal mass ejections and other factors, suggest that Pluto may experience low solar wind densities for about a month before being compressed.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2015

NASA sees Typhoon Nangka leaving the Marianas

Typhoon Nangka weakened to typhoon status after reaching maximum sustained winds of 126.6 mph, with its strongest winds observed on the western side at over 67 mph. The storm is expected to move west-northwest while steadily weakening before re-strengthening.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 10, 2015

New research allows doctors to image dangerous 'hardening' of the arteries

New imaging technique using radioactive sodium fluoride allows doctors to visualize unstable calcium deposits in arteries, enabling early diagnosis and development of new medicines. The technique non-invasively detects calcification in atherosclerosis, potentially revolutionizing treatment for patients at risk.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 10, 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.

Risk of COPD may already occur in adolescence

A groundbreaking study reveals that COPD can develop without accelerated lung function decline. The research indicates two major trajectories of lung function leading to COPD: a fast decline trajectory and an alternative trajectory where suboptimal lung function development in childhood and adolescence is the primary determinant.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 10, 2015