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Science News Archive June 2015


Page 1 of 36

Water: The province of provinces

A recent study published in the International Journal of Water found that decentralized water regulation presents a theoretical benefit, allowing different populations to tailor spending to their particular circumstances. The research suggests that local decision-making can promote good governance and improve outcomes for Canadians.

Level I trauma experience prepares surgeons for battle

Researchers suggest that level I trauma centers can provide training opportunities for military surgeons to maintain their skills. The study found that level I trauma centers closely resemble military Role 3 facilities in terms of case density and work schedules, making them ideal for sustaining combat surgical skills.

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.

Seafood supply altered by climate change

The global seafood supply will be substantially altered by climate change, overfishing, and ocean acidification, leading to a decline in fisheries and marine biodiversity. Researchers recommend improving ocean governance and limiting carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate these effects.

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.

Carnegie Mellon chemists characterize 3-D macroporous hydrogels

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed two novel methods to characterize 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels, a promising material for creating responsive catalysts and tissue engineering scaffolds. The team successfully visualized the reversible porous structure within these materials using noninvasive X-ray microscopy.

Sialic acid: A key to unlocking brain disorders

A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that sialic acid attachment to cell surfaces affects brain structure and function, leading to poor motor skills, hyperactivity, and difficulty in learning. Small changes in sialic acid attachment result in significant neurological problems.

Offering healthier options at carryout stores improves bottom line

A Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health pilot program found that offering healthier menu items at carryout stores increased gross revenue by an average 25%, not just improved health. The study, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, suggests that convincing more carryouts to alter their menus can be profitable.

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.

New genetic form of obesity and diabetes discovered

Researchers at Imperial College London have identified a new genetic defect that causes severe obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans. The defect is associated with an impaired protein called carboxypeptidase-E, which regulates appetite, insulin, and reproductive hormones.

Research redefines the properties of faults when rock melts

Geoscientists investigated fault slip processes using friction experiments, revealing the flow properties of frictional melt control fault movement. The study calls for viscoelastic theory over simple Newtonian analyses to describe molten rock along faults.

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.

Patients with recurrent depression have smaller hippocampi

A global study has found that people with recurrent depression have a significantly smaller hippocampus than healthy individuals. The study, involving nearly 9,000 participants, highlights the need for effective treatment at first occurrence, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

Cheek muscles hold up better than leg muscles in space

Research suggests that cheek muscles can maintain their mass and function better than leg muscles in low-gravity environments, such as space. The study found that the cheek muscles of mice experienced less atrophy when exposed to weightlessness compared to their leg muscles.

Fingerprinting our sense of smell

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute create a complex mathematical formula to determine individual olfactory fingerprints, which are unique patterns based on personal scent preferences. This breakthrough could lead to early disease detection, non-invasive organ matching, and personalized medical treatments.

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.

Friction reduction breakthrough is no snake oil

Researchers have developed a surface texture inspired by snake skin that reduces friction by 40% in tests of high-performance materials. The discovery has significant implications for the reliability of mechanical components in machines such as cars and robots, particularly in dusty environments.

Longer acquaintance levels the romantic playing field

Research found that partners who date soon after meeting are more physically attractive than those who know each other for longer periods. The study suggests that having more time to get acquainted allows other factors like compatibility to make a person appealing, rather than just physical attractiveness.

Biodegradable, flexible silicon transistors

Researchers developed a biodegradable silicon transistor using cellulose nanofibrillated fiber substrate, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional silicon-based transistors. The device exhibited superior performance and microwave-frequency operation capabilities comparable to existing semiconductor transistors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Hello, gorgeous! 'Pulse' technology may replenish skin's collagen

A team of Tel Aviv University and Harvard Medical School researchers has devised a novel non-invasive technique harnessing pulsed electric fields to generate new skin tissue growth, producing scarless skin rejuvenation. This technology may serve as a novel non-invasive skin therapy for multiple degenerative skin diseases.

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.

Colon cancer: Taking a step back to move forward

Researchers have discovered a gene called SMOC-2 that plays a crucial role in the spread of colorectal cancer. Increased levels of SMOC-2 enable tumor cells to 'leave home' and metastasize, while blocking its activation inhibits metastasis. The gene's expression patterns also resemble those of healthy intestinal stem cells.

Where the wild things aren't: Cats avoid places coyotes roam

A North Carolina State University study found that domestic cats avoid places where coyotes are common, instead focusing on residential areas. The research, which analyzed over 2,100 sites across six Eastern states, suggests that the presence of coyotes is a key factor in determining cat behavior.

Winners of 2015 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists announced

Three winners of the 2015 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists are recognized for their pioneering work in neuroscience, sustainable energy, and wireless networks. Dr. Christopher Chang, a chemist, has made discoveries in both fields, while Dr. Edward Chang, a neurosurgeon, mapped the neural code for human language processing...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A single molecule in the building blocks of life

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed new software that enables faster and more precise analysis of individual molecules. This allows for better understanding of molecular interactions and behavior, which can lead to breakthroughs in targeted medicine.

Pinaverium shows promising results for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

A clinical trial confirms that pinaverium is an effective and safe option for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with a significantly higher percentage of patients reporting improved symptoms compared to the placebo group. The medication was also associated with common side effects, but no severe adverse effects were reported.

Spouses & relatives of celiac disease patients at risk for autoimmune diseases

A nationwide observational cohort study found that spouses and first-degree relatives of celiac disease patients are at a higher risk of developing nonceliac autoimmune diseases. The most common conditions were systemic lupus erythematosus, type I diabetes mellitus, and sarcoidosis. Genetic, environmental, and ascertainment bias mechan...

New study re-writes the rules of carbon analysis: ANU media center

A new study published in Nature Climate Change found analyses of carbon emissions may be misleading as they failed to include policy mechanisms. Contrary to previous findings, conserving native forests resulted in better climate outcomes than sustainable harvesting due to policy effects.

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.

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.

Report: Careers outside of academia are richly rewarding for Ph.D. physicists

A new report from the American Institute of Physics finds that Ph.D. physicists in non-academic careers are intellectually stimulating, challenging, and rewarding. Many earn salaries higher than their academic counterparts, with 85% working in STEM fields and 71% describing their jobs as intellectually challenging.

Scientists unravel elusive structure of HIV protein

Researchers at the University of Missouri captured detailed images of the capsid protein in its natural state, revealing ordered water molecules that help stabilize the complex scaffold. This discovery aims to inform the development of new and more effective antiviral drugs.

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.

Does radiation from X-rays and CT scans really cause cancer?

Studies purporting to show a cancer link between radiation from medical imaging and cancer are badly flawed due to reliance on the linear no-threshold model. The human body has evolved to repair damage from low-dose radiation, making it unlikely that exposure would cause cancer.

Small RNAs found to play important roles in memory formation

Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have identified five microRNAs that are necessary for memory formation, while others decrease it, affecting neuronal physiology and nervous system development. The study provides valuable insights into the complex mechanisms of learning and memory.

Protein's impact on colorectal cancer is dappled

A recent study discovered that Daple protein is a tumor suppressor in the early stages of colorectal cancer, but may actually facilitate disease spread at later stages. Researchers found that higher levels of Daple were associated with better patient survival rates and lower tumor growth.

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.

NASA collaborates with DRS Technologies to create mid-infrared detector

The new detector, made of Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride alloy, processes infrared signals at a single-photon level, offering unparalleled sensitivity. It has customers for Earth and planetary remote sensing, as well as potential uses in telecommunications, medical imaging, and materials science.

Suomi-NPP satellite sees formation of Tropical Depression Chan-Hom

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP Satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Depression Chan-Hom on June 30, revealing thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center from the north and west. The depression is expected to strengthen to tropical storm status and move northwest, passing north of Fananu.

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.

Graphene flexes its electronic muscles

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that graphene can be controlled by twisting it, creating an electronic flexoelectric effect. This property can be manipulated to vary the work function and engineer the band-structure stacking in bilayers or multiple layers.

Repeated courses of antibiotics may profoundly alter children's development

A new study by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers found that multiple courses of commonly used antibiotics in children can have significant effects on their development. The study showed that antibiotic-exposed mice gained more weight and developed larger bones than untreated mice, while also disrupting the gut microbiome.

Major Midwest flood risk underestimated by as much as 5 feet, study finds

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that federal agencies are underestimating historic 100-year flood levels on major rivers in the Midwest by as much as five feet. This miscalculation has serious implications for future flood risks, flood insurance, and business development in an expanding floodplain.

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.

Restored streams take 25 years or longer to recover

Research from Umea University found that restored streams in northern Sweden take up to 25 years to recover and reach pre-disturbance levels of plant species diversity. This is due to the complexity of ecosystems and the need for time for natural processes to occur.