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Science News Archive June 2015


Page 16 of 36

NASA shows a weaker compact tropical storm Carlos

Tropical Storm Carlos remains a small, tightly wound storm with thunderstorms wrapped around its center, producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in Mexico. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate over the coast of western Mexico.

Novel battery uses light to produce power (video)

Scientists have developed a novel battery that uses light to produce power, utilizing titanium nitride for the anode. The 'photo battery' demonstrated high stability and safety, discharging electric current within 30 seconds under normal indoor lighting.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Knowledge about alternative medicine connected to education, income

A new study from San Francisco State University found that individuals with lower educational levels and incomes are less likely to know about alternative medicine practices like yoga, acupuncture, and natural products. This lack of knowledge is strongly associated with lower education levels and income.

Lower heart rate variability turns women off

A new study published in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback found a significant link between lower heart rate variability and sexual dysfunction in women. Women with below-average heart rate variability were more likely to report sexual arousal problems and overall sexual difficulties.

Study finds a way to prevent fires in next-generation lithium batteries

Researchers discovered a way to prevent dendrite formation in lithium metal batteries by adding chemicals to the electrolyte, improving safety and performance. The new approach could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting batteries with potential applications in electric vehicles and energy storage.

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.

Climate change may impact future tourism at some US national parks

A study published in PLOS ONE found that climate change may affect tourism at US national parks, with potential increases in visitation in temperate areas and decreases in high-latitude and high-elevation parks. The authors suggest that protected areas can adapt to these changes to minimize detriment.

Wine-making shortcut gives bubbly a fruitier aroma

Researchers found that adding certain yeast autolysates can enhance fruity aromas in sparkling wines without affecting foam quality or phenolic compound content. The study provides new insights into the impact of commercial yeast products on bubbly wines.

Potential downside to domestic surgical tourism

A study published in The Lancet found that readmission to the same hospital after surgery is associated with improved survival rates. Patients who underwent a range of common operations fared better when treated by the same surgical team and returned to their original hospital for post-operative management.

UW microbiologist explains science behind $1m Shaw Prize

Peter Greenberg and colleague Bonnie Bassler's work on quorum sensing has far-reaching implications for medicine and agriculture. Hundreds of bacterial species use quorum sensing to control various things, and the researchers aim to develop novel medicines targeting this process.

Elucidation of chemical ingredients in rice straw

The study analyzed rice straws using integrated analytical techniques, revealing the presence of cellulose and glucose. Glucose levels were found to be influenced by starch levels, paving the way for efficient production of biochemical and biofuels in the future.

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.

Weighing yourself daily can tip the scale in your favor

A Cornell study found that frequent self-weighing and tracking results effective for losing weight and keeping it off, particularly in men. Losing weight is regained in one year, but maintaining it requires consistent behaviors such as eating less and exercising.

New mechanism for male infertility discovered

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new link between male infertility and autoimmune prostatic inflammation. The study found that the immune system reacts to a protein called transglutaminase 4 in men with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, leading to reduced fertility.

Pulsed electrical fields may provide improved skin rejuvenation

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a new method for skin rejuvenation using pulsed electrical fields, which induce cellular death and proliferation without affecting the extracellular matrix. This non-invasive procedure shows promise in improving skin health with minimal risk of scarring or altered pigmentation.

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.

Individuals with social phobia have too much serotonin -- not too little

Research at Uppsala University reveals individuals with social phobia produce too much serotonin, leading to increased anxiety in social situations. The study used PET cameras and tracers to measure serotonin transmission by the brain's fear centre, finding a direct link between excessive serotonin production and social anxiety.

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.

Men get ahead by chatting before negotiations

A study published in Basic and Applied Social Psychology found that men who engage in small talk before negotiations tend to receive more favorable outcomes. In contrast, women who make small talk are perceived less favorably and do not experience the same benefits.

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.

Marine monitoring to help protect lives at sea

The National Oceanography Centre is part of a European Union-funded consortium providing a world-class marine monitoring and forecasting service. The NWS service will utilize data from six research organisations to predict the shelf sea environment, benefiting social and economic interests.

NASA sees Bill make Texas landfall, weaken to a depression

Tropical Storm Bill is expected to bring heavy rain accumulations of 4-8 inches over eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma, with life-threatening flash floods possible. The storm will weaken over the next two days, becoming a post-tropical low pressure area by Thursday.

Humans' built-in GPS is our 3-D sense of smell

New research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that humans have a nose for navigation by converting smells into spatial information. Study participants navigated relatively closely to targeted locations using only their sense of smell, even when other sensory inputs were blocked.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Sunscreen confusion may burn shoppers

A Northwestern Medicine study found that many people are confused by sunscreen terminology, with only 43% understanding SPF values and 7% knowing how to protect against early skin aging. This confusion can lead to inadequate protection against sunburns and premature skin aging.

Astronomers create array of Earth-like planet models

Researchers developed computer models to examine how ultraviolet radiation from nearby suns affects Earth-like planets' biological intricacies. The models simulate four epochs of Earth's history, revealing the impact of UV radiation on the origin of life.

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.

Restoring natural immunity against cancers

Researchers at Institut Pasteur successfully inhibit enzyme DPP4 to increase T lymphocyte infiltration into tumors, leading to efficient cancer cell destruction. This innovative treatment combines with existing immunotherapies to eradicate tumors in mice.

Barnacles go with the flow to find a home on dolphin fins

A study found that highly specialized coronulid barnacles exclusively attach to the fins of dolphins, particularly along the trailing edge facing away from water flow. The barnacles select suitable areas on the fins to filter nutrients and protect developing larvae.

Toward nanorobots that swim through blood to deliver drugs (video)

Scientists have developed nanoswimmers that can navigate body fluids to target specific areas of the body, reducing complications and improving recovery times for cancer patients. The nanoswimmers use magnetic fields to move through blood and are designed to specifically target and destroy cancer cells.

Dietary trans fat linked to worse memory

A study published in PLOS ONE found that men under 45 who consume more trans fats have poorer memory function, with an average drop of 86 words recalled compared to those consuming no trans fats. The researchers linked this association to the adverse effects of trans fats on brain function.

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.

What's on the surface of a black hole?

Physicist Samir Mathur proposes that the surface of a black hole is not a fiery firewall but rather a benign copy machine creating an imperfect hologram. This idea counters the prevailing firewall theory and has significant implications for our understanding of the universe as a hologram.

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.

Renewable energy from evaporating water

Researchers create two novel devices that harness the power of evaporation to generate electricity and propel self-sustaining devices. The floating piston-driven engine generates enough electricity to cause a light to flash, while the rotary engine drives a miniature car.

Businesses don't always get what they want, but try to get what they need

A study of federal policy decisions between 1998 and 2002 found that businesses have a roughly equal chance of success as citizen groups when opposing them. However, businesses may excel in certain types of legislative battles, such as technical projects, where they draw little opposition. The researchers also found that businesses hav...

Study reveals surprising truths about caregivers

The study found that almost one-third of the U.S. population are informal caregivers, with women providing more unpaid care hours than men. Elderly people were frequently cared for by spouses, not adult children. The researchers also estimated the value of unpaid care nationwide at $691 billion in 2012.

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.

Key to quick battery charging time

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered the structure and transport properties of the intermediate state in lithium-ion batteries. This finding may help accelerate battery reaction speed and significantly shorten battery charging time.

Panel urges innovative research to improve diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS

The NIH panel recommends increased research funding and education for healthcare providers to address the diagnostic challenges and limited knowledge surrounding ME/CFS. Recent insights into possible causes, such as brain changes and immune imbalance, offer hope for eventual understanding and effective treatments.

NREL partnerships to help the grid accommodate more renewable energy

NREL is awarding up to $6.5 million in federal funds to technical teams across the US to test advanced control systems, smart consumer devices, energy storage, and emerging communications technologies for grid reliability and efficiency. The projects aim to accelerate modernization of the electric grid and enable a clean energy future.

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.

NASA sees Hurricane Carlos causing coastal complications

Hurricane Carlos has caused coastal complications for western Mexico residents as it weakened and re-strengthened to hurricane force. The storm's compact structure and strong thunderstorms tightly circling the center have extended hurricane-force winds up to 10 miles from the center.

Public divided on heart benefits from alcohol consumption

A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that people are divided on the cardiovascular benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. Those who believe alcohol is 'heart healthy' drink more and have higher education, income, and age compared to those with unfavorable views.

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.