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Science News for November 20, 2015


Export of wood pellets from US to EU more environmentally friendly than coal

A new study finds that US wood pellet exports to the EU have a significant environmental advantage over coal, with carbon emissions savings ranging from 74-85%. The research suggests that using agricultural biomass in wood pellet production can further increase these savings.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateNov 20, 2015

Microevolutionary evidence: The eyes have it

A study by the University of South Carolina team found that larger eye size in Daphnia results in an average clutch size increase of one egg beyond the average six eggs. The research team measured the effect of variation in body size, demonstrating that eye size has a greater impact on reproductive success.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateNov 20, 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.

Ground-breaking research could challenge underlying principles of physics

A team of physicists has made a groundbreaking calculation on the decay of subatomic particles called kaons, which could change how scientists understand the formation of the universe. The research finds that the behavior of kaons differs when matter is swapped out for antimatter, challenging current understanding of the Standard Model.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 20, 2015

Research ushers in new era of boutique chocolate

Researchers discovered that yeasts used to ferment cocoa can modify aroma, enabling creation of unique flavors in boutique chocolates. The findings could lead to a wider range of flavors similar to wines and coffee.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 20, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sea traffic pollutes our lungs more than previously thought

Researchers at Lund University estimate that sea traffic emissions account for almost half of measured particles in coastal air, exceeding previous estimates. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeper into the lungs than larger particles, contributing to health issues.

SourceLund University·JournalOceanologia·DateNov 20, 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.

High-frequency stimulation in pain medicine

Researchers have investigated high-frequency repetitive sensory stimulation as a therapeutic approach for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) patients. The study showed significant improvement in tactile performance after stimulation, with individual patients reporting substantial pain relief.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateNov 20, 2015

Hospitals overlook every other person with HIV

A new study found that many European hospitals fail to routinely test patients at risk of HIV infection, missing out on diagnosing nearly two-thirds of those living with the condition. In Northern Europe, this results in a significantly lower test rate compared to Eastern Europe.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 20, 2015

Hardened steels for more efficient engines

Researchers at KIT scientists have developed a new process for low-pressure carbonitration using methylamine, which combines advantages of low-pressure processes with atmospheric carbonitration. The method results in more homogeneous hardness profiles and improved efficiency.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalHTM Journal of Heat Treatment and Materials·DateNov 20, 2015

Artificial pancreas therapy performs well in pilot study

A pilot study has demonstrated that a mechanical artificial pancreas can better maintain normal blood glucose levels than multiple daily insulin injections in patients with pancreatitis. The treatment combines an AI-powered pump with islet cell transplantation, enabling the transplanted cells to survive longer and produce more insulin.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateNov 20, 2015
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.

Grow your own way

A new study suggests that climate change will significantly impact global farming productivity, with a one-sixth decline in production under projected scenarios. Altering crop patterns within countries is key to mitigating these effects, rather than relying on international trade.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Political Economy·DateNov 20, 2015

NASA sees In-Fa get better organized, re-strengthen

Data from NASA's GPM core satellite showed Tropical Storm In-fa becoming better organized over the previous 24 hours, with rainfall rates reaching up to 55 mm/h. The storm is expected to intensify through the weekend, bringing maximum sustained winds of 115 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 20, 2015

How fast you move can predict how healthy you'll be

Researchers discover regulatory mechanism that extends 'healthspan', the time an organism is at its optimal health, using C. elegans roundworms. Maximum velocity (MV) of wild-type worms at day 9 adulthood reliably predicts longevity and physical decline.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 20, 2015
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.

Shaping contraction

Researchers at EMBL used a new technique to prevent cell contraction, identifying crucial cells for ventral furrow formation. The shape of the tissue dictates the direction of contraction, not internal programming.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateNov 20, 2015

Half of Amazonian tree species may be threatened

A new study by James Cook University scientist Professor William Laurance suggests that over half of Amazonian tree species are globally threatened. Protected areas and indigenous territories have the potential to protect many of these species if properly managed.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 20, 2015

Substantial funding for DFG Transregional CRC on 'Arctic Climate Change'

The German Research Foundation supports a new Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TR 172 'Arctic climate change' with up to two additional funding periods. The project aims to investigate the causes of the above-average warming in the Arctic and improve the accuracy of climate models.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS)·DateNov 20, 2015

Supercomputing the strange difference between matter and antimatter

An international team of physicists has calculated direct 'CP' symmetry violation, a tiny effect in particle decays. The calculation does not yet indicate a difference between experiment and theory, but future precision may uncover new physics.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 20, 2015

Supporting life on Earth

Scientists found evidence of O2 fluctuations in Western Australian rocks, suggesting a temporary increase in atmospheric oxygen levels around 2.5 billion years ago. The data supports the 'Great Oxidation Event' theory, where multiple 'whiffs' of O2 accumulated until a tipping point was crossed.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 20, 2015
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.

Half of all Amazonian tree species may be globally threatened

A new study suggests that up to 57% of Amazonian tree species are globally threatened, but protected areas and indigenous territories can protect most of the affected species. The study's findings highlight the importance of preserving these critical ecosystems.

SourceField Museum·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 20, 2015

Inflammation linked to weakened reward circuits in depression

High levels of inflammation markers in blood are connected to stubborn symptoms of depression, such as anhedonia. Researchers believe blocking inflammation or its effects on the brain may reverse anhedonia in depressed individuals who fail to respond to antidepressants.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateNov 20, 2015

New detector perfect for asteroid mining, planetary research

A new gamma-ray spectroscope using europium-doped strontium iodide detects valuable minerals in asteroids, moons, and other celestial objects. The breakthrough technology enables accurate analysis of rock-forming elements and precious metals at lower costs and with reduced power requirements.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateNov 20, 2015

Low-oxygen 'dead zones' in North Pacific linked to past ocean warming

A new study found a link between abrupt ocean warming at the end of the last ice age and low-oxygen conditions that led to vast marine dead zones. Warming surface temperatures triggered loss of oxygen in the North Pacific, raising concern that similar events will occur again as oceans warm.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 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.

First-in-man use of virtual reality imaging in cardiac cath lab to treat blocked coronary artery

A team of cardiologists used a virtual reality device to guide the recanalization of a chronically blocked right coronary artery. The procedure was completed successfully with implantation of two drug-eluting stents, demonstrating potential for improved operator comfort and efficiency in interventional cardiology.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateNov 20, 2015

Addition of sugars plays a key developmental role in distantly related plants

Researchers have found that deleting certain sugar-adding enzymes from plants results in similar defects across distantly related species, highlighting the importance of these modifications. The addition of sugar molecules to proteins controls tip growth, a process critical for cell wall formation and seed production.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateNov 20, 2015
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.

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.

Climate change: Warm water is mixing up life in the Arctic

Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that a 15-year observation series reveals how sensitive arctic marine ecosystems are to change. The study indicates that even a short-term influx of warm water can fundamentally impact local symbiotic communities, leading to changes in deep-sea life.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·JournalEcological Indicators·DateNov 20, 2015

Electronic plants developed at Linköping University

Researchers at Linköping University successfully integrated electronic components into living roses, enabling the creation of digital logic gates, displays, and even electrochemical transistors. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative applications in energy, environmental sustainability, and plant science.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 20, 2015

ADHD meds may be a prescription for bullying

A new University of Michigan study found that kids and teens taking ADHD medications are twice as likely to be bullied by peers than those without ADHD. Middle school students who sold or shared their medications were four-and-a-half times more likely to be victimized.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·DateNov 20, 2015

New UTA research will automatically check for bugs in cyber-physical systems

Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using formal, methods-based testing to automatically discover bugs in development environments for cyber-physical systems. The technique, known as randomized differential testing, generates random programs and models, then translates and compiles them to identify defects.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateNov 20, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The cuckoo sheds new light on the scientific mystery of bird migration

A new study shows that cuckoos use a highly complex individual decision-making process to navigate during migration. The birds can assess advantages and disadvantages of different routes, adjusting their behavior based on health, age, experience, or personality traits.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 20, 2015

Surprising signal to control male fertility

Scientists have discovered a surprising role of Wnt signaling in controlling male fertility. The research found that Wnt protects proteins from degradation, allowing sperm to mature and move forward. This discovery has potential implications for the treatment of infertility and contraception.

SourceGerman Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)·JournalCell·DateNov 20, 2015

Half of all Amazonian tree species may be globally threatened

A new study estimates that up to 8,690 Amazonian tree species may face extinction, with more than half of the world's tropical tree species at risk. Protected areas and indigenous territories have made strides in preserving biodiversity, but further management is crucial to prevent extinctions.

SourceNaturalis Biodiversity Center·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 20, 2015

The economic significance of cities increases while that of countries falls

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that global cities have a greater economic significance than countries. Cities with strong economic and political leadership, as well as innovative activity, are more competitive. The top-ranking cities include London, Paris, Tokyo, Madrid, Barcelona, and Milan.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalCities·DateNov 20, 2015