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Science News Archive November 2015


Page 21 of 35

Simple errors limit scientific scrutiny

More than half of public datasets provided with scientific papers are found to be incomplete, hindering reproducibility tests and follow-up studies. Simple errors made by researchers can compromise the process of making research data publicly available.

Dark matter research earns doctoral student a fellowship at Fermilab

A doctoral student at the University of Kansas has been awarded a yearlong Fermilab Graduate Student Fellowship in Theoretical Physics to work on dark matter research. He aims to investigate the universe's deepest riddles, including its place in the cosmos and the history of human existence.

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.

Nanopores could take the salt out of seawater

A team of University of Illinois engineers has created a new, energy-efficient material for desalination by exploiting the unique properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanopores. The material can filter through up to 70% more water than graphene membranes, making it a promising solution to the global water crisis.

A protein-RNA structure hints at how viruses commandeer human proteins

A team of scientists at Case Western Reserve University has produced the first image of a human protein binding with ribonucleic acid (RNA), shedding light on how some viruses, including HIV, replicate their genetic material. The discovery could lead to new strategies to block viral replication and limit or halt infection.

Astronomers eager to get a whiff of newfound Venus-like planet

The discovery of GJ 1132b, a rocky planet orbiting a red dwarf star, has sparked excitement among astronomers. With temperatures potentially conducive to hosting an atmosphere, this planet is close enough (39 light-years away) to be studied in detail with the Hubble Space Telescope and future observatories.

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.

Brain scans may help predict recovery from coma

Researchers found significant disruption in brain area connections and coordination between the posterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex in comatose patients who remained minimally conscious or vegetative. However, those who recovered from coma showed similar coordination with healthy participants.

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 new countryside legacy from Roman Britain

New research reveals more of Britain's countryside dates back to Roman period, shaping modern land management approaches. The Fields of Britannia project highlights the enduring legacy of Roman land practices.

New 'short-crested lizard' found in Montana

A new short-crested lizard, Probrachylophosaurus bergei, has been found in Montana, exhibiting an intermediate nasal crest between non-crested ancestors and larger crests of adult Brachylophosaurus. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of dinosaur species and sheds light on the transitional forms between different groups.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Zooplankton: Not-so-passive motion in turbulence

Researchers found that zooplankton copepods display energetic behavior in turbulent flows, amplifying the flow's intermittent properties. Their self-induced motion adds to fluctuations in speed, affecting feeding efficiency and ecological modeling.

A mouse model offers new insights into a rare lung disease

Researchers have identified biomarkers and potential therapeutic approaches for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM), a rare lung disease. A low-phosphate diet and EDTA treatment were found to prevent stone development and reverse lung calcification in animal models.

How antibiotics may worsen drug-resistant bacterial infections

A pre-clinical study reveals that treatment with first-line antibiotics can make MRSA skin infections worse by inducing a harmful inflammatory response. Newer tests are being developed to quickly diagnose and treat these infections, but caution is needed before extending the findings to humans.

Melanoma's genetic trajectories are charted in new study

A new study maps out the genetic changes in melanoma development, confirming sun exposure's role and identifying an intermediate disease stage between benign moles and malignancy. The research provides evidence of UV-induced mutations in benign lesions, precursor lesions, and melanoma, highlighting the importance of sun protection.

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.

Change in a single DNA base drives a childhood cancer

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia identified a crucial change in a single DNA base that both predisposes children to aggressive neuroblastoma and drives disease progression. This discovery may lead to novel therapies for the complex and deadly disease.

New Super H-mode regime could greatly increase fusion power

Researchers have discovered a new super H-mode regime in tokamak plasmas, which could sharply boost fusion power production. The new state allows for higher pressure at the edge of the plasma, creating potential for increased power output from the superhot core.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Shrubs on warming North Slope attract moose, hares

A recent study found that climate change has led to the establishment of moose and snowshoe hares on Alaska's North Slope, with warmer temperatures supporting denser vegetation. The shift in ecosystem is attributed to the increased growth of shrubs, which provides a habitat boost for these animals.

Human handouts could be spreading disease from birds to people

Researchers at the University of Georgia are studying the effects of feeding wildlife at public parks on the health and ecology of white ibises in south Florida. The study found that being fed by humans is changing the behavior of the birds, making them more susceptible to disease.

Daring move for first US-China fusion team

A US-China fusion research team has made a significant breakthrough by moving plasma closer to the wall, increasing power and efficiency of magnetic fusion energy. This achievement paves the way for future development of tokamaks like ITER, which is currently under construction in France.

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.

Asteroid ripped apart to form star's glowing ring system

Researchers capture first image of a debris ring orbiting a white dwarf star, revealing a spiral-like structure and 'inside-out' structure. The ring system is formed by the star's gravity tearing apart asteroids, emitting a dark red glow from gas produced by collisions.

No more brown apples?

Plant tyrosinase enzyme, responsible for browning of apples and other fruits, has been structurally elucidated by researchers at the University of Vienna. The discovery reveals new insights into the enzyme's function and opens up potential avenues for controlling browning reactions.

Light wave technique an advance for optical research

RMIT University researchers created artificial microflowers in water, mimicking natural blooming processes for optoelectronics and other applications. The tiny structures, just 10 microns wide, have potential to break frontiers in scientific fields with easy and reliable building.

Diagnosis before disease breaks out

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a strategy to discover disease progression at its earliest phase by analyzing T-cells. The study found that specific genes can serve as early disease markers, even before symptoms appear.

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.

Mechanical heart valve prosthesis superior to biological

A Swedish registry study found that mechanical heart valve prosthesis has superior long-term survival rates compared to biological valve prosthesis, particularly for relatively young patients. The risk of stroke was similar for both types of prostheses, but patients with biological valves were more likely to require re-operation.

Researchers detail how to control shape, structure of DNA and RNA

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed techniques to control the shape and structure of DNA and RNA using charged gold nanoparticles. This breakthrough has significant implications for developing applications such as storing and transporting genetic information, creating custom scaffolds for bioelectronics, and c...

Natural selection and inflammation may hold key to age-associated cancer risk

Research suggests that healthy cells are optimized for a healthy ecosystem; changes in this ecosystem allow cancer-causing mutations to outcompete healthy rivals, leading to an increase in cancerous cells. Inflammation is a critical factor in this process, hurting the growth and maintenance of healthy B-cell progenitor cells.

Idea of slow climate change in the Earth's past misleading

Researchers at FAU found that global warming in Earth's history occurred at a similar rate to today. The team analyzed climate changes over the past 250 million years and discovered that rapid fluctuations were invisible but not absent. Current temperature increases appear slower due to longer observation periods.

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.

Medicines do not seem to degrade faster in space

A study on medicines stored in space for up to 550 days revealed that they do not degrade faster than on Earth. The research found that some medications were still viable beyond their expiration dates, while others showed minimal degradation.

Pancreatic cancer: CD44 protein induces metastases

Researchers discovered peptides that inhibit metastatic spreading and even lead to regression of existing metastases in pancreatic cancer models. The CD44v6 protein drives the spread of tumor cells, but small segments of the protein can be successfully inhibited by peptides.

Scientists date the origin of the cacao tree to 10 million years ago

New research suggests the cacao tree is 10 million years old, offering a chance for genetic variation to improve disease resistance and flavor diversity in the industry. This ancient origin provides a solution to the lack of genetic variation in cultivated cacao, making it vulnerable to pests and climate change.

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.

Close-up view of galaxies prompts re-think on star formation

Astronomers have identified a type of gas found in galaxy voids that appears to fuel star formation under certain conditions. Researchers used radio telescopes to measure atomic gas levels in galaxies with gamma-ray bursts, finding large amounts of the gas near these events.

A treasure trove of new cancer biomarkers

Researchers have discovered a large number of genes that are upregulated in various types of cancer, which could be used to develop early detection tests and targeted therapies. The study, published in Cancer Research, utilized two different technologies to identify 128 markers that were consistently perturbed in both datasets.

Sugar molecules lose their 'Cinderella' status

A team from the University of York has developed user-friendly software called Privateer to analyze and study sugar molecules. This will enable scientists to better exploit carbohydrates in medicines, which have been poorly defined in databases.

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 counts as fair?

A new study found that counting ability was a strong predictor of whether children would distribute resources based on merit, not age or education. Children as young as 3 can understand the concept of rewarding more effort, but struggle to translate it into an accurate distribution.

Clay makes better high-temp batteries

Researchers at Rice University have developed clay-based electrolytes that can supply stable electrochemical power in temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius, addressing a challenge for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The materials offer thermal stability and wetting properties, enabling good contact with electrodes.

Science Bulletin published a special topic on 'stem cell, basis and application'

Recent stem cell research has made significant progress in deriving induced pluripotent stem cells from various sources, including adipose tissue-derived cells. The study also explores epigenetic roles in somatic reprogramming, embryonic development, and disease treatment. Researchers have identified critical factors for efficient gene...

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.

Dust, iron, life

A team of scientists has found evidence of iron-rich dust from 300 million years ago, which suggests that atmospheric dust acted as a fertilizer for life. The discovery provides new insights into the biogeochemical impacts of iron on the oceans and the climate system during the late Paleozoic era.

Researchers find way to create wide variety of new holograms

NC State University researchers developed techniques to create ideal geometric phase holograms for any type of optical pattern. These holograms can focus, disperse or modify light efficiently. The breakthrough enables creation of new displays, imaging systems, telecommunications technology and astronomical instruments.

Achieving Life's Simple 7 reduces more than heart disease

A study of 6,814 adults found that achieving the seven heart-health metrics of the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 reduces rates of non-cardiovascular diseases overall. Those in the ideal category had a 20% lower risk for cancer and a 62% lower risk for chronic kidney disease.

NASA spots Kate speeding away from the Bahamas

Tropical Storm Kate is moving northeastward at 21 mph with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph, forecast to become a hurricane by night. The storm's center was located near latitude 30.2 North, longitude 74.7 West, 350 miles south of Cape Hatteras and 600 miles west of Bermuda.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Faster brain waves make shorter gaps in the visual stream

Researchers found that individuals with faster alpha oscillations can perceive two flashes of light in 25 milliseconds, whereas those with slower frequencies require a 45-millisecond delay. This suggests that finer resolution in visual perception is linked to faster brain waves.