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Science News Archive July 2015


Page 17 of 34

Polar bear metabolism less resilient to summer ice melt than expected

New research reveals polar bears' metabolic rates remain high during summer ice melt, limiting their ability to conserve energy. The study suggests that as sea ice loss increases, polar bears are unable to adapt by entering a low-energy state, leaving them vulnerable to food shortages and reduced survival rates.

Burrowers playing leapfrog? A new extraordinary diamond frog from Madagascar

The newly discovered Rhombophryne longicrus is an unusually long-legged new species of frog from Madagascar that challenges the traditional burrowing behavior of its relatives. Genetic analyses reveal close relationships to another diamond frog species, highlighting concerns over extinction due to habitat destruction.

New Ice Age may begin by 2030

Researchers predict a new Little Ice Age may begin by 2030, with reduced solar activity leading to significant cooling of the Earth's atmosphere. This decrease in solar irradiance could result in severe winters and cold summers, similar to those experienced during the Maunder minimum in the 17th century.

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.

Research shows how to reduce the cost of modern investment strategies

A study published in the Financial Review shows that frequent portfolio rebalancing can significantly reduce trading costs, leading to higher risk-adjusted returns. Investors can apply these strategies to existing portfolios with ease, reducing costs by up to 90% and improving investment outcomes.

Observing brain network dynamics to diagnose Alzheimer's disease

By analyzing blood flow patterns, researchers have identified 13 main brain networks that work together and can be used to diagnose neurological disorders like Alzheimer's. The study provides new insights into how the brain organizes itself and sets the stage for early diagnosis and treatment.

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.

Mosquitoes use smell to see their hosts

Researchers found that mosquitoes primarily use smell to detect CO2 plumes from 10-50 meters away, then switch to visual cues as they get closer. Visual and thermal sensory information are combined to create a spatial map of the host's location, allowing mosquitoes to pinpoint their target.

NASA spots Hurricane Dolores over Socorro Island

Hurricane Dolores is a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115mph, affecting Mexico's Revillagigedo Islands and generating rough surf. The storm is forecast to weaken gradually over the next 24 hours before moving into colder waters.

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.

Women and fragrances: Scents and sensitivity

A study published in Food Quality and Preference found that women tend to buy fragrances for men, suggesting a desire to influence their partner's scent preferences. In contrast, women are less likely to share or gift fragrances with other women, citing concerns about negative connotations.

Common mental health drug could be used to treat arthritis

Lithium chloride has been shown to prevent cartilage degradation and loss of mechanical integrity associated with osteoarthritis. This breakthrough finding offers a novel potential treatment option for the devastating condition affecting over a third of people over 45 in the UK.

Leaf hormone blocks bacteria from the roots

Researchers discovered that a plant hormone, salicylic acid, acts as a 'bacterial bouncer' below ground, sculpting the microbiome surrounding a plant's roots. This finding suggests that salicylic acid is required to assemble a normal, commensal root microbiome.

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.

UAlberta scientists part of unprecedented worldwide biodiversity study

A worldwide study found a consistent biological rule governing the relationship between plant biomass and species diversity in grassland ecosystems. Plant species diversity is generally greatest at intermediate levels of plant biomass. The research has implications for managing and conserving grassland biodiversity globally.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Whipple earns NHCGNE's Archbold Award

Whipple, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, was awarded the NHCGNE Patricia G. Archbold Scholar Award to support her research and career development. The award aims to increase the cadre of academic geriatric nurses and build leadership capacity in the field.

A most singular nano-imaging technique

Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed a new technique called SINGLE that provides 3D images of individual platinum nanoparticles in solution. This allows for the study of their structures and properties, which is crucial for applications in renewable energy, catalysis, and more.

Burden of dengue, chikungunya in India far worse than understood

A new study found that nearly all people in Chennai, India have been exposed to dengue and 44% to chikungunya, but only a small percentage report symptoms. The research highlights the need for better awareness and control measures to combat these mosquito-borne diseases.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

The emerging science of human screams

Researchers found that human screams occupy a reserved chunk of the auditory spectrum and activate a range of acoustic information. Screams have a property called roughness, which refers to how fast a sound changes in loudness, making them more terrifying.

Making 'miniature brains' from skin cells to better understand autism

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a stem cell study that could help predict autism spectrum disorder and identify new drug targets. The study used skin cells to generate simulated brain organoids, revealing gene expression and developmental abnormalities in autism.

Futuristic brain probe allows for wireless control of neurons

Researchers create remote controlled, next-generation tissue implant that allows neuroscientists to inject drugs and shine lights on neurons deep inside the brains of mice. The device has potential for mapping brain circuit activity and understanding disorders like stress, depression, addiction, and pain.

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.

Device delivers drugs to brain via remote control

Researchers developed a wireless device implanted in mice brains that can deliver drugs via remote control. The technology targets specific brain circuits, promising fewer side effects for neurological disorders.

Study: Virtual research studies feasible

A pilot study in Parkinson's disease suggests that remote recruitment and conduct of research visits is feasible and well-received by participants. The study leverages direct-to-consumer genetic testing and telemedicine to diagnose and treat diseases, potentially increasing participation in clinical research and accelerating diagnosis.

Neuroscientists decipher brain's noisy code

Researchers at Rice University deciphered how individual neurons predict behavior in perceptual tests, finding that neurons often share the same information. The study explains a long-standing paradox in neural activity and has implications for understanding neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

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.

Weyl points: Wanted for 86 years

Researchers find Weyl points, predicted by Hermann Weyl in 1929, in photonic crystals, opening a new area of photonics. The discovery paves the way for new photonic phenomena and applications, including angularly selective materials and powerful single-frequency lasers.

Long-sought phenomenon finally detected

A team of physicists has confirmed the detection of Weyl points, a kind of massless particle predicted by physicist Hermann Weyl in 1929. The finding was made possible by a novel use of a photonic crystal material, which could lead to new kinds of high-power single-mode lasers and other optical devices.

Oskar's structure revealed

The structure of Oskar's two domains has been solved, enabling researchers to understand how the protein functions in developing reproductive cells. The OSK domain binds to RNA, while the LOTUS domain interacts with an enzyme called Vasa helicase, which is crucial for germ plasm formation.

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.

Eating habits matter most with overweight children

A recent study reveals that eating habits play a crucial role in the weight gain of overweight children. The researchers found that children who are triggered by food and eat when they are full tend to have a steeper BMI curve. In contrast, physical activity and TV viewing do not explain why some children's BMI increases more than others.

How birds learn foreign languages

Researchers at Australian National University trained fairy wrens to recognize unfamiliar alarm calls and flee when threatened, demonstrating birds' ability to eavesdrop on other species. This breakthrough could aid in training captive animals to detect danger signals before release.

Eastman Institute for Oral Health awarded $3.5 million

A new study will examine the relationship between family stress, parenting behaviors, and early childhood cavities in children aged 1-3 years. The two-year study aims to identify factors that contribute to the development of Early Childhood Caries and improve prevention strategies.

Healthcare workers are not removing protective garments correctly

A study found that fewer than one in six healthcare workers (4/30) follow CDC guidelines for removing personal protective equipment (PPE). The researchers observed HCWs entering and exiting patient rooms without proper technique, leading to potential pathogen transmission.

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.

Humped-back model of plant diversity withstands controversy

A new study using data from six continents provides strong evidence supporting the humped-back model (HBM) of plant species richness. The HBM theory suggests that environmental stress can lead to low plant productivity, with highly competitive species dominating at high productivity levels. The research found a very strong correlation ...

Can protein 14-3-3 sigma prevent or kill breast cancer tumors?

A new study by MD Anderson researchers found that protein 14-3-3 sigma opposes and reverses tumor-promoting metabolic programs in breast cancer. The study revealed that 14-3-3 sigma suppresses cancer glycosis, preventing tumors from converting glucose into pyruvate.

Are marine ecosystems headed toward a new productivity regime?

A study suggests that massive changes in the oceans' future could lead to a fundamentally different type of production regime. Rising CO2 emissions could result in a shift from phytoplankton-driven primary production to heterotrophy, leading to changes in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.

New resource makes gene-editing technology even more user friendly

Researchers at Harvard University and UC San Diego have developed a new software that predicts the most active guide RNAs for specific gene targets, facilitating faster and more efficient genome engineering experiments. This breakthrough has the potential to accelerate discoveries in gene therapies and basic genetics research.

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.

Graphene electrons share the heat

Researchers discovered that graphene electrons share heat when exposed to ultrafast electrical currents, behaving like a hot gas. This thermodynamic approach allows for better understanding and improvement of graphene-based nano-electronic devices.

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: Health-care providers hold biases based on sexual orientation

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals, hold implicit biases towards lesbian women and gay men. The study used the Sexuality Implicit Association Test to assess attitudes towards sexual orientation among over 200,000 p...

Oceans slowed global temperature rise, scientists report

Scientists analyzed ocean temperature measurements, finding a layer between 300-1,000 feet below the surface has been accumulating more heat than previously recognized. This warming will drive a surge in global surface warming as warm water moves westward, affecting surface temperatures and climate patterns.

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.

Your phone knows if you're depressed

A study by Northwestern University found that smartphone sensor data can detect depression with 87% accuracy, analyzing time spent on phones and daily locations. The research uses GPS tracking and algorithms to identify patterns associated with depression, paving the way for passive detection and potential interventions.