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Science News for June 5, 2015


Memory loss among the elderly is lower than what was originally thought

According to a study by the University of the Basque Country, cognitive decline starts at age 20 but may not be noticeable. Episodic memory deteriorates with age, while semantic and procedural memories remain relatively stable or even improve in some cases.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalConsciousness and Cognition·DateJun 5, 2015

Why good people do bad things

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that anticipating a potential ethical dilemma can lead to improved ethical behavior. Participants who identified similar past incidents and anticipated temptation were more likely to behave honestly than those who didn't.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Booth School of Business·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateJun 5, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

First national study of noninvasive prenatal testing shows it works

A new national study in the Netherlands reveals that non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is accurate and preferred by pregnant women at high risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome. The TRIDENT study found 89 cases of trisomy 21, 11 of trisomy 18, and ten of trisomy 13, with only nine false positives.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Genetics·DateJun 5, 2015

Joint statement outlines guidance on diabetes self-management education, support

The American Diabetes Association, American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics have released a joint position statement outlining when and how to deliver diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) to patients. The guidelines highlight four critical life junctures: diagnosis, annua...

SourceAmerican Diabetes Association·DateJun 5, 2015

Research published about unexpected complications of low-risk pregnancies

Research reveals that nearly a third of low-risk pregnancies experience unexpected complications requiring non-routine obstetric or neonatal care. The study analyzed data from over 10 million birth certificates and found that women without prenatal risk factors may still face unexpected complications during delivery or postpartum.

SourceCare New England·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateJun 5, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Diverse coral communities persist, but bioerosion escalates in Palau's low-pH waters

A new study found that coral reefs in Palau's naturally acidic waters are thriving, despite the expected negative impacts of ocean acidification. However, increased bioerosion was observed, threatening the long-term survival of these ecosystems. The research team hopes to better understand how corals adapt to low pH conditions.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 5, 2015

Rabbit virus improves bone marrow transplants, kills some cancer cells

Researchers have discovered a rabbit virus that can deliver a one-two punch, killing some kinds of cancer cells while eliminating a common complication of bone marrow transplants. The myxoma virus can quell graft-versus-host disease and destroy cancer cells, offering new hope for patients with blood cancers.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalBlood·DateJun 5, 2015

Innovative hybrid-electric powertrain for road sweepers

A Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) project developed an innovative hybrid-electric powertrain for road sweepers, reducing energy consumption by 45% compared to diesel-powered vehicles. The new system also decreases CO2 emissions by 60%, thanks to natural gas's lower carbon content.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·DateJun 5, 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.

Strokes steal 8 years' worth of brain function, new study suggests

A new study suggests that having a stroke can reduce brain function by 8 years, affecting memory and thinking speed equally in black and white patients. The research analyzed data from over 4,900 seniors and found that strokes have serious consequences for cognitive health.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalStroke·DateJun 5, 2015

A genetic approach to understanding addiction

A new study led by Dr. Jinbo Bi at the University of Connecticut School of Engineering aims to find the genetic causes of specific symptoms of substance addiction. The study will use a database of over 11,000 subjects and develop new statistical tools to classify substance dependence more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut School of Engineering·DateJun 5, 2015

Babies who can resettle are more likely to 'sleep through the night'

A new study found that infants who can resettle themselves after waking up are more likely to sleep for prolonged periods at night. By three months of age, most infants develop this ability, which is associated with longer sleep durations and reduced crying at night.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateJun 5, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study of marine reserves published in Oceanography

The study highlights seven potential benefits of pairing territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) and marine reserves, including increased fish abundance, reduced IUU fishing, and improved conservation. TURFs grant exclusive access to designated areas, promoting local ownership and conservation measures.

SourceRare·JournalOceanography·DateJun 5, 2015

Winner announced for NNI's first Nanotechnology Student Video Contest

Abelardo Colon and Jennifer Gill from the University of Puerto Rico won the top honors with their video explaining a new method for disinfecting drinking water using a nanodiamond powder. The process has promising results, reducing fecal E. coli colonies and increasing density.

SourceNational Nanotechnology Coordination Office·DateJun 5, 2015

Noninvasive prenatal testing: Effective, safe, preferred by parents

Researchers from the UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital found non-invasive prenatal testing to be highly effective and acceptable to parents. Over 2,500 women underwent NIPT for high and medium risk pregnancies with Down's syndrome, showing a sharp decrease in invasive tests and increased detection rates.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Genetics·DateJun 5, 2015
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.

A new role for zebrafish: Larger scale gene function studies

Researchers at NHGRI create high-throughput gene editing system in zebrafish, allowing for simultaneous targeting and mutation of multiple genes. This method accelerates discovery of gene function and identification of disease genes in humans.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateJun 5, 2015

UAB researchers design the most precise quantum thermometer to date

Researchers have created a nanothermometer capable of measuring temperature fluctuations in cells, achieving unprecedented precision. By combining thermodynamic tools with quantum metrology, they established the smallest possible fluctuation in temperature that can be measured.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2015

Next-generation illumination using silicon quantum dot-based white-blue LED

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a next-generation illumination device using a silicon quantum dot-based hybrid light-emitting diode. The new LED exhibit higher current and optical power densities, and features an active area 40 times larger than traditional commercial LEDs.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 5, 2015

Archaeologists discover evidence of prehistoric gold trade route

Archaeologists have found evidence of a prehistoric gold trade route between the south-west of the UK and Ireland dating back to the early Bronze Age. The study reveals that gold was imported from Cornwall rather than produced locally, suggesting that it was traded for other valuable goods.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalProceedings of the Prehistoric Society·DateJun 5, 2015
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Moving sector walls on the nano scale

Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a technique to manipulate domain walls in multiferroic materials, which could lead to new technologies in data storage and electronics. The discovery shows that domain walls can be selectively shifted or altered using electrical fields, paving the way for new applications.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 5, 2015

Tiny but precise: The most accurate quantum thermometers

Researchers developed the smallest and most accurate thermometer that can detect tiny fluctuations in microscopic regions, enabling applications in various fields. The study provides a full characterization of temperature estimators with maximum accuracy, shedding light on their margin of error.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2015

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite gets colorful look at Hurricane Blanca

The Suomi NPP satellite gathered infrared data on Hurricane Blanca, which was false-colored to show locations of the strongest thunderstorms. The image revealed two areas of coldest cloud top temperatures and strongest storms west-southwest and east-northeast of Blanca's circulation center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 5, 2015
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 study shows the dynamics of active swarms in alternating fields

Researchers at Uppsala University have studied the dynamics of active swarms using computer simulations and experiments on unicellular algae. They found that the collective response was only possible when the field was varying slowly, resulting in a more persistent motion.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJun 5, 2015

More accurate continuous glucose monitoring systems can reduce frequency of hypoglycemic episodes

In silico experiments show that more accurate continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems can detect dangerously low blood sugar and reduce the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes. The technology improves glycemic control by providing more precise measurements, enabling better decision-making for individuals with diabetes.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateJun 5, 2015

UC Davis awards $1 million to seed brain science research

The University of California, Davis has awarded a total of $2 million to five interdisciplinary teams to explore high-impact discoveries in brain science. The funding will enable researchers to conduct preliminary experiments and develop compelling data to support applications for Brain Initiative awards.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateJun 5, 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.

Personality shapes the way our brains react to eye contact

Researchers found that personality traits, particularly Neuroticism, affect brain activity in response to eye contact. Participants who scored low on Neuroticism exhibited approach-associated brain activity when looking at someone making eye contact, while those with high scores showed avoidance-associated patterns.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJun 5, 2015

Ladybird colors reveal their toxicity

Research found that ladybird color reveals toxicity to predators, with more conspicuous species being less likely to be attacked. The study used modified cameras and artificial versions of each species to test predation risk, revealing that brighter colors act as warning signals.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 5, 2015

Study: Top salads with eggs to better absorb vegetables' carotenoids

Research from Purdue University found that adding eggs to a salad with raw vegetables significantly improves the absorption of carotenoids. This is due to the lipid content in whole eggs, which enhances the absorption of these fat-soluble nutrients.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJun 5, 2015
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.