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Science News Archive May 2015


Page 2 of 31

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.

A patient's budding cortex -- in a dish?

Researchers have developed mini cultured 3-D structures that grow and function like the outer mantle of the brain, allowing for modeling and understanding of mental illnesses. The new 'human cortical spheroids' buzz with neuronal network activity, providing a potential breakthrough in personalized medicine.

Researchers find 'lost' memories

Researchers at MIT have successfully reactivated lost memories in mice using optogenetics, revealing that memories are stored in a circuit of multiple brain areas and interconnected engram cells. This breakthrough challenges the long-held storage theory and proposes a new concept of memory consolidation.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

ASCO: Component in green tea may help reduce prostate cancer in men at high risk

Researchers found that Polyphenon E, a green tea extract, reduced combined rates of prostate cancer and atypical small acinar proliferation, as well as decreased levels of prostate-specific antigen in men with premalignant lesions. The study suggests that EGCG, the most abundant catechin in green tea, may play a role in these effects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Northern ice caused southern rain during last ice age

Researchers discovered a link between iceberg discharges and increased tropical methane production, suggesting that cold water from the North Atlantic could have crippled the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, leading to changes in precipitation patterns.

The new normal? Addressing gun violence in America

The article discusses the impact of mass shootings on individuals and communities, highlighting the need for proactive strategies to prevent gun violence. Commentaries from experts offer scientifically grounded solutions, including threat assessment strategies and community-based approaches to address fear and distrust.

New study shows influence on climate of fresh water during last ice age

A new study has identified a critical piece of evidence for how the Earth responds to changes in climate, finding that cold water influx from icebergs altered rainfall patterns and led to rapid increases in atmospheric methane. The findings suggest that Heinrich events, which caused huge icebergs to enter the North Atlantic, had a sign...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Genetic analysis of the American eel helps explain its decline

A new study finds that genetic differences between American eels that feed in freshwater and brackish environments explain their decline. The research identifies 99 genes associated with growth rate, heart development, and smell, highlighting the importance of genetics in determining eel survival.

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.

Life's a yawn for budgie buddies

Contagious yawning has been observed in budgies, a bird species for the first time, corroborating previous observations in social parrots. In experiments, yawns occurred more frequently when birds could see each other or viewed video clips of another bird yawning.

Research links impulsivity and binge eating

A study published in International Journal of Eating Disorders found a strong association between impulsivity and binge eating, suggesting that individuals with impulsive tendencies may be at higher risk for overeating when experiencing negative emotions.

Unlearning implicit social biases during sleep

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that a sleep-based intervention after training can significantly reduce implicit social biases. The study, published in Science, found that participants who received the intervention showed stronger bias reduction one week later. The findings challenge traditional views on habit learnin...

Deciphering dark and bright

Studies reveal differences in statistical regularities between dark and bright components of the natural world, with implications for understanding cortical networks and perceptual asymmetries. The findings suggest that the brain exploits these patterns to better navigate its surroundings.

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.

Physicists precisely measure interaction between atoms and carbon surfaces

Researchers at the University of Washington have made the most precise measurements yet of atom-surface interactions crucial for improving lithium batteries and air filters. By studying gas atoms' behavior on a carbon nanotube surface, they found a measurable change in electrical resistance occurs when an atom sticks to the surface.

Out of Africa via Egypt

The study, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, used 225 human genome sequences from Egyptians and Ethiopians to determine the most likely route of human migration out of Africa. The research found that Egypt was the primary gateway for humans migrating north, supporting a northern route rather than a southern one.

Bladder cells regurgitate bacteria to prevent UTIs

Researchers discovered that bladder cells can physically eject bacteria that invade the host cell, similar to vomiting. This finding may help treat recurring UTIs by eliminating bacterial reservoirs in the bladder cells. The study also identified a potential way to accelerate and amplify this expulsion mechanism using chemical targets.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Microscopic sonic screwdriver invented

Researchers at University of Bristol invent a microscopic acoustic vortice that can grip and spin small particles, opening new possibilities for biological cell sorting and water purification. The device uses sound waves to rotate particles, with larger objects being drawn into the core and spinning at high speeds.

Restricting firearms access for people who misuse alcohol may prevent violence

Restricting access to firearms for people who misuse alcohol is associated with reduced risk of committing firearm violence. Studies link binge drinking and heavy chronic drinking to aggressive firearm behaviors, while policies in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and the District of Columbia show varying degrees of enforcement.

Understanding how cells follow electric fields

Researchers at UC Davis identified genes linked to electrotaxis in amoebas, which could help understand electrical signals detection. The study's findings may lead to new insights into wound healing and tissue development.

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.

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.

How sleep helps us learn and memorize

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that sleep strengthens and weakens synapses, leading to memory erasure or new memories. The results provide an empirical framework for understanding the complex role of sleep in learning and memory.

Spinning a new version of silk

Scientists have successfully produced samples of strong and resilient synthetic silk with properties tailored for biomedical applications. The new material is created by genetically modifying bacteria to produce spider-like proteins, which are then extruded through microfluidic channels to form fibers.

Study shows treatment for genetically caused emphysema is effective

A new clinical study published in The Lancet shows that augmentation therapy can preserve lung structure and add years of life for patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The treatment has been found to be effective in slowing the progression of emphysema in severe cases.

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.

The Arctic: Interglacial period with a break

Researchers found indications of a 6-million-year interruption in the interglacial period in the Arctic Ocean during the Cretaceous period. The team analyzed glendonites and sediment cores to reconstruct climate conditions, including a severe cold snap that interrupted the warmest era of the past 145 million years.

Researchers retrieve 'lost' memories

Researchers from the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics demonstrated that traces of old memories remain in the amnestic brain and can be reactivated, allowing lost memories to be found. The study suggests that past memories may not be erased but lost and inaccessible for recall.

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.

Severe flooding hits central Texas, Oklahoma

Record-breaking floods hit central Texas and Oklahoma, with the Blanco River reaching a new crest of over 40 feet in Hays County. The floods are attributed to persistent widespread storms across the Southern Plains, fueled by El Nino.

Stanford breakthrough heralds super-efficient light-based computers

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a breakthrough technology that enables the efficient transmission of data using light, potentially replacing wires in computing systems. The innovation uses inverse design algorithm to fabricate silicon structures that can carry infrared light, paving the way for faster and more energy-...

First Eastern Pacific tropical depression runs ahead of dawn

The first tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season formed on May 28, 2015, about 685 miles southwest of Mexico. The depression is expected to turn northwest and remain over open ocean, potentially becoming a tropical storm or hurricane by Friday.

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.

How we make emotional decisions

MIT researchers discovered a neural circuit that underlies approach-avoidance conflict, a type of decision-making that elicits anxiety. By manipulating this circuit in rodents, they showed that it can transform preferences for lower-risk choices into those for bigger payoffs despite their costs.

SDSC, UCSD focus on sustainable computer science courses

The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego, has received a $1 million NSF grant to help school districts develop model 'villages' for introducing and sustaining up-to-date computer science courses.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rubbers, roughness and reproduction

University of Leicester researchers found that more fluid formulations have greater reliability than thick and sticky rubbers. They discovered that high viscosity rubber compounds produce less desirable replicas.

Inmates denied methadone treatment less likely to seek it once free

A new trial shows that inmates who were allowed to continue methadone maintenance treatment while incarcerated were more than twice as likely to engage in treatment after release. The study suggests that interrupting treatment during incarceration may make people with addiction more vulnerable to relapse and overdoses.