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Science News Archive March 2015


Page 32 of 38

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.

New detector sniffs out origins of methane

A new instrument can rapidly analyze samples to determine how methane was formed, differentiating between microbial and thermogenic origins. The technique uses isotope ratios to identify clumpiness in methane molecules, revealing slower rates of production for cow-gut methane.

Astronomers see supernova split into 4 images by a cosmic lens

A team of astronomers has discovered a distant star exploding as a supernova, with four images captured by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. The unique alignment is due to the powerful gravity of a foreground galaxy embedded in a massive cluster, providing a rare opportunity to study dark matter.

Energetic immune cells are vital for fighting disease

A team of scientists discovered that HuR protein is critical for controlling metabolism in B cells, which produce antibodies essential for fighting infections. Removing HuR prevents proper growth and function of B cells, highlighting the importance of this protein in immunity.

Seven strategies to advance women in science

The Initiative on Women in Science and Engineering Working Group presents seven strategies to address gender imbalances in STEM fields, including financial support and education initiatives. The working group aims to elevate the entire field and ensure women have equal opportunities for career advancement.

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.

Making our highways safer and more efficient

A new study suggests using a Long Distance Commuter lane (LDC) on the M1 Motorway in Australia could accommodate up to 3000 vehicles per hour while minimizing bottlenecks. The LDC concept has potential for commuter travel between other cities in Australia and worldwide.

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.

Calling your bluff: Supervisors easily sniff out what drives a worker

A study suggests that supervisors can distinguish between selfless and self-servingly motivated employees based on their organizational citizenship behavior. Selfless employees are more likely to contribute positively to the organization, while self-servingly motivated employees focus on personal advancement.

Gut bacteria may contribute to diabetes in black males

Research suggests that African American men with pre-diabetic blood sugar levels have fewer beneficial and more harmful intestinal bacteria. The study found that a specific microbiota is associated with stable, normal blood glucose levels, while a different profile is linked to pre-diabetes.

Space technology investigates large-scale changes to Africa's climate

Researchers mapped the African continent using satellite data, discovering regions that have received drastically different amounts of rainfall over the past decade. The study found that areas such as the Congo, Nigeria, and Madagascar have become drier, while others like the Sahel zone have become greener due to increased rainfall.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Dialysis patients may have faulty 'good' cholesterol

Researchers found that dialysis patients have altered enzyme activities and compromised HDL function, which may lead to advances in protecting kidney disease patients' heart health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in these patients.

Women don't get to hospital fast enough during heart attack

A study found that pre-hospital delays for women with heart attacks were associated with a higher risk of dying. Women waited an average of one hour to call emergency services and over 70% took longer than an hour to get to a hospital equipped to treat them.

Relief for diabetics with painful condition

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.

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.

Gut bacteria may decrease weight loss from bariatric surgery

A recent study found that individuals with high concentrations of methanobrevibacter smithii in their gut may experience lower weight loss after bariatric surgery. Researchers suggest that targeting this organism through dietary interventions or therapeutic drugs could improve post-surgical outcomes.

BBC News team receives Endocrine Society journalism award

A BBC News team received the Endocrine Society's Award for Excellence in Science and Medical Journalism for their coverage of hormonal fluctuations at different times of day. The winning package, 'The Day of the Body Clock,' included TV, radio, and online coverage from May 13, 2014.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Evolving to cope with climate change

A recent study by the University of Connecticut explores the potential of important fish species to adapt to a more acidic ocean due to climate change. The researchers found that related fish had similar lifespans, suggesting a significant genetic component to survival in an acidic environment.

The tides they are a changin'

Scientists at the University of Southampton found that ocean tides have increased by 1-2 mm per year globally, with some sites experiencing changes comparable to global mean sea level rise. This has significant implications for energy extraction, coastal flooding and erosion, navigation and sediment movement.

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.

£10 billion GP incentive scheme has no impact on premature deaths

A £10 billion pay-for-performance incentive scheme for GPs had no effect on reducing premature deaths in England, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal. The researchers analyzed data from 2007 to 2012 and found that GP performance indicators did not correlate with lower mortality rates.

When dad wants to do more than just go to work

A conference at Bielefeld University's Center for Interdisciplinary Research examines the barriers to active fatherhood and opportunities for fathers to achieve it. The event brings together researchers from 12 nations to discuss inequalities and capabilities in work organizations.

A supernova quadrupled

Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers found four separate images of the same distant supernova, enabling them to measure the difference in light paths. This discovery helps refine estimates of dark matter and the expansion rate of the universe.

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.

Poverty, not the 'teenage brain' account for high rates of teen crime

A recent study published in SAGE Open suggests that poverty rates are a more significant factor than age in determining high rates of teen crime. The study analyzed over 54,000 homicide deaths in California and found that when teenagers' poverty levels are low, they have similar murder rates to older adults.

How healthy is genetically modified soybean oil?

Research on mice by UC Riverside scientists reveals that genetically modified soybean oil is just as unhealthy as conventional soybean oil, inducing obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver. However, GM soybean oil does not cause insulin resistance, unlike regular soybean oil.

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.

Losing 30 minutes of sleep per day may promote weight gain

A new study by the Endocrine Society finds that accumulating just 30 minutes of sleep debt on weekdays can lead to significant effects on obesity and insulin resistance at follow-up. The research suggests that avoiding sleep debt could have positive benefits for waistlines and metabolism.

Ancient Mongol metallurgy an extreme polluter

A recent study by Graduate Student Aubrey Hillman found that ancient copper and silver production in southwest China produced tremendous quantities of harmful heavy metals, including lead, silver, zinc, and cadmium. The pollution levels were three to four times higher than those generated by modern metallurgical methods.

Weight-loss surgery can be a safe option for obese children

A new clinical pathway has been shown to significantly reduce complications and improve growth in obese children who undergo weight-reducing procedures. According to the study, the procedure also led to improved management of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.

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.

How drinking behavior changes through the years

Research found that alcohol consumption patterns shift from adolescence to old age, with men increasing their intake more than women. The study suggests incorporating changes in drinking behavior into risk estimates for better public health initiatives.

Gut microbial mix relates to stages of blood sugar control

A new study reveals that changes in the gut microbiota occur early in diabetes development, with beneficial bacteria more prevalent in those maintaining stable blood sugar control. The research suggests a link between gut bacteria and metabolic health, potentially informing strategies to prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

A new way to control information by mixing light and sound

Yale University scientists create a new system that combines photons and phonons to conduct sophisticated signal processing tasks, allowing for faster and more efficient information control. The technology has the potential to be less expensive and adaptable to various complex designs.

Molecule from trees helps female mice only resist weight gain

A molecule found in some plants, 7,8-DHF, has been shown to mimic the effects of a growth factor induced by exercise in female mice. It increases energy expenditure without suppressing appetite, helping them maintain a healthy weight on a high-fat diet. In contrast, male mice still develop obesity and diabetes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

An alternative to medical marijuana for pain?

Researchers discover cannabinoid CB2 agonist AM1710 suppresses chemotherapy-induced pain in mice without tolerance or withdrawal symptoms. The therapeutic effect of AM1710 is preserved even after repeated dosing and blocking CB1 receptors produces no signs of withdrawal.

Family interventions reduce smoking rates in children and adolescents

A global review found family-based programs can effectively stop children from taking up smoking, with high-intensity interventions showing the most promising results. The programs encourage parents to set limits, strengthen nurturing skills, and discuss substances with their adolescents, helping them resist peer pressure.

Experiment and theory unite at last in debate over microbial nanowires

Scientists have devised a combination of new experiments and better theoretical modeling to settle the dispute between experimental and theoretical scientists. The new results are consistent with the hypothesis that microbial nanowires possess metallic-like conductivity, contrary to previous models.

Chance as a motivator? Uncertainty can make people work harder

A study by Luxi Shen and colleagues found that uncertainty motivates people to put in more effort to obtain uncertain rewards. In experiments, consumers completed tasks for lower potential rewards when the outcome was uncertain, highlighting the motivating-uncertainty effect.

UH researchers find link between flame retardants and obesity

Researchers at the University of Houston found a link between flame retardants and obesity in zebrafish exposed to compounds, suggesting these chemicals may contribute to weight gain. The study used zebrafish as a model organism to investigate the effects of two common flame retardants on body mass.

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.

Think twice about investing in own company

Researchers found that employees do not disinvest in their company's stock even when the company is failing, resulting in average losses of nearly $30 million. Employees should diversify their retirement plans to avoid significant financial losses.

Strength in numbers

Quantum physicists at the University of California - Santa Barbara have developed a quantum circuitry system that self-checks for errors and suppresses them, preserving qubits' state(s) and imbuing the system with reliability. The system uses the surface code scheme to detect errors based on parity information.

Scientists quantify healthy years gained by avoiding risk factors

A study has quantified the average number of heart failure-free years a person gains by not developing risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes by age 45. The results show that individuals with all three risk factors are diagnosed with heart failure an average of 11 to 13 years earlier than those without any risk factors.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

L.A. story: Cleaner air, healthier kids

A 20-year study found that improved air quality in Southern California led to significant gains in lung function development among millennial children. Lung growth accelerated as air pollution declined, resulting in lower rates of abnormally low lung function and reduced risks of respiratory disease.