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Science News Archive November 2015 - Page 14


Page 14 of 35

Researchers create cheaper, high performing LED

Researchers from Florida State University have created a new type of high-performing LED using organometal halide perovskites, which outshines traditional LEDs by about 25 times. The material is also quick and easy to produce, reducing production costs.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateNov 17, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Many hands make light work and improve health, researchers have found

A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that cooperative bird behavior can reduce oxidative stress and cell damage during the breeding season. In groups with shared workload, birds showed stronger antioxidants and lower free radical damage compared to those with heavy breeding workloads.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateNov 17, 2015

Stretch mark science: What happens to your skin when pregnancy gives you a stretch mark?

Researchers investigated skin samples from pregnant women with recent-formed stretch marks, finding disrupted elastic fibers that remain damaged after giving birth. The study suggests that preserving existing elastic fibers may be a more effective approach than repairing damaged ones within stretch marks.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateNov 17, 2015

Study quantifies risk of cardiac arrest in children during spine surgeries

Children with neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy are three times more likely to experience cardiac arrest during spine surgeries. The study found that the absolute risk of cardiac arrest is minuscule, but knowing who's at highest risk can improve preparedness and response time.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalSpine·DateNov 17, 2015

Self-help books: Stressed readers or stressful reading?

Researchers found that consumers of problem-focused self-help books present greater depressive symptoms, while growth-oriented book consumers show increased stress reactivity. Further research is needed to determine the cause of this observation.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNeural Plasticity·DateNov 17, 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.

Understanding seal movement can help mitigate seal-fishery conflict

A new study reveals differences in seal species' behavior, influencing effective measures to mitigate seal-fishery conflict. The study suggests that developing fishing gear and practices can provide more effective mitigation measures than removing individual seals away from fishing gear.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 17, 2015

UT Dallas researchers use vagus nerve stimulation outside the forebrain

Researchers at UT Dallas have made a breakthrough in developing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for spinal cord injuries outside the forebrain. The study found that VNS paired with rehabilitation can restore 75% more forelimb strength after a cervical spinal cord injury, opening up new possibilities for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·DateNov 17, 2015

Stacking instead of mixing

Scientists at Jülich and Aachen have developed a method to control the conducting properties of topological insulators more precisely. By stacking materials instead of mixing, they optimized conductivity and reduced energy requirements. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient computers and mobile phones.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 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.

NASA measures India's deadly flooding rains

Heavy flooding in southeastern India has caused at least 70 reported deaths, with Chennai experiencing exceptionally high casualties. NASA's Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data indicate rainfall totals of over 200mm in large areas of Tamil Nadu and northern Sri Lanka.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 17, 2015

Electrons always find a (quantum) way

Researchers at the University of Basel successfully transport electrons from a superconductor through a quantum dot into a metal with normal conductivity. The team measured discrete resonances, confirming theoretical predictions and demonstrating the phenomenon's applicability to quantum technology applications.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 17, 2015

Mathematical model helps show how zebrafish get their stripes

A mathematical model developed by Brown University researchers sheds light on how zebrafish get their iconic stripes. The model simulates the movement of pigment cells and birth and death of cells to recreate the development of stripes as seen in experiments.

SourceBrown University·JournalInterface·DateNov 17, 2015

Eating to impress

A Cornell University study found men will eat significantly more food in the company of women than other men, consuming 93% more pizza and 86% more salad. When dining with men, many women felt they overate and were rushed through their meal.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateNov 17, 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.

Success in producing a completely rare-earth free Feni magnet

Scientists successfully produced a high-quality FeNi magnet using natural meteorite material in just ten days, significantly reducing the production time from billions of years. This breakthrough resolves issues related to rare-earth supply and paves the way for industrial superiority in future magnets.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2015

Obesity and type 2 diabetes harm bone health

Researchers found obesity and Type 2 diabetes negatively impact bone health, while exercise prevents weight gain, diabetes, and increases bone strength. This study informs interventions to improve bone health in individuals with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMetabolism·DateNov 17, 2015

Hallucinations linked to differences in brain structure

Research found structural differences in brain regions of people with schizophrenia who experience hallucinations compared to those without hallucinations. The paracingulate sulcus, a fold towards the front of the brain, was shorter in individuals prone to hallucinations.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2015

Managing the data deluge for national security analysts

The PANTHER team developed software that can represent remote sensor images and make them searchable. Tracktable code automates observation of motion and trajectories, enabling faster analysis of huge data sets.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalStatistical Analysis and Data Mining The ASA Data Science Journal·DateNov 17, 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.

Bright prospects: Repairing neurons with light

Researchers successfully promoted the repair of an injured neural circuit in zebrafish using a special form of inducible adenylyl cyclase that responds to blue light, increasing repair rates by up to 30%. This breakthrough has potential therapeutic implications for conditions like diabetes-related neuropathies.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 17, 2015

Research reveals connections between social science and high fashion

A University of Cincinnati professor examines how casting agents with anthropological training navigate conservative views in the fashion industry. Her research reveals that these individuals often turn to creative outlets like documentaries and blogs, highlighting the evolving role of anthropology in understanding professionals.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateNov 17, 2015

The South American origins and spread of the Irish potato famine pathogen

Researchers have linked the Irish potato famine pathogen to a fungus-like organism from South America using ancient DNA. The study suggests that early European activities in the New World led to the origin of this devastating pathogen.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 17, 2015

What's in a name? More than you think...

A study by psychologists at the University of York analyzed anonymized data from League of Legends to find correlations between user names and in-game behavior. Positive usernames were linked to positive personality traits, while anti-social expressions correlated with similar behavior. Age was also indicated by numbers in user names.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateNov 17, 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.

Perpetual youth for batteries?

Researchers at Technical University of Munich identify key mechanisms behind lithium ion battery capacity loss due to aging. The study reveals that a pacifying layer on the anode consumes active lithium and protects the electrolyte from decomposition.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateNov 17, 2015

Melting Scandinavian ice provides missing link in Europe's final Ice Age story

Researchers have found evidence that the melting of Scandinavian ice sheet drove a catastrophic freshwater flood, plunging the planet into a sudden cold snap, reconciling climate models with reconstructions. The study provides the missing link to understanding current inconsistencies between climate models and reconstructions.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Gene mutation linked to reckless drunken behavior

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have found a genetic mutation that renders carriers susceptible to impulsive and reckless behavior when drunk. The study, led by Dr. Roope Tikkanen, discovered a point mutation in the serotonin 2B receptor gene associated with increased impulsivity, particularly in response to alcohol consumption.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateNov 17, 2015

Ranibizumab found effective against diabetic retinopathy

Researchers have found ranibizumab to be an effective alternative to laser therapy for treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a disease that causes extensive harm to the blood vessels in the retina. The drug carries fewer side effects and improves vision by about half a line on an eye chart compared to the laser group.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateNov 17, 2015

Scientists take aim at disease-carrying 'kissing bug'

Researchers identify unique expansions of gene families related to chemoreception and feeding in Rhodnius prolixus, the kissing bug that transmits Chagas disease. These findings may lead to novel approaches for controlling or eliminating the disease by targeting specific genes or processes.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

OU-led study links deep-time dust with major impacts on carbon cycling

A University of Oklahoma-led study reveals that vast amounts of iron-rich dust deposits from 300 million years ago had a significant impact on ecosystem fertilization and atmospheric carbon levels. The research offers insights into the potential consequences of geoengineering schemes to control climate change.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalGeology·DateNov 17, 2015

Team approach may reduce readmissions due to falls in seniors

A comprehensive care program involving a team of specialists from multiple medical disciplines has reduced hospital readmissions for seniors due to falls by 10%. The multidisciplinary approach emphasizes early intervention and patient-centered care, leading to improved safety outcomes and reduced risk of future complications.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateNov 17, 2015

Merging alcohol giants threaten global health, warn experts

The merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller poses significant global health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The new company's expansion plans in Africa are driven by targeting low-income consumers, echoing the strategies of transnational tobacco companies.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateNov 17, 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.

Recognizing the basic structure of language is not unique to the human brain

The study reveals that both humans and monkeys have a common brain area that recognizes the orderliness of sound sequences, suggesting evolutionary origins of cognitive functions underlying language. This knowledge may help understanding how we learn and lose language, such as in aphasia after a stroke or dementia.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2015

Scientists find bone protein inhibits prostate cancer invasion

Researchers found that a secreted bone protein called Sclerostin inhibits prostate cancer metastasis to bone. The study also showed that lack of SOST in the bone microenvironment promotes expression of genes associated with cell migration and invasion.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 17, 2015

Blood test results vary from drop to drop in fingerprick tests

A Rice University study found that hemoglobin content, platelet count, and WBC count vary significantly from drop to drop in fingerprick tests. To achieve accurate results, healthcare professionals must take care to avoid skewed data when designing new protocols and technologies.

SourceRice University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Pathology·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Can data on TV watching predict presidential election outcomes?

Researchers used TV viewing data from 99 programs with predictive accuracies over 59% and three that predicted outcomes above 79%. The model forecasts election outcomes at the state and county levels, providing insights into key drivers of election results. The study's findings suggest a potential application to future elections.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBig Data·DateNov 17, 2015

Scarcity, not abundance, enhances consumer creativity, study says

Research by Ravi Mehta shows that scarcity leads to increased product-use creativity without compromising appropriateness. In contrast, abundant resources may negatively impact creativity. Mehta's findings suggest that marketers should activate a general sense of scarcity to promote innovation.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Every species counts

Researchers found that biodiversity facilitates processes in an ecosystem, especially under harsh environmental conditions. The team tested this hypothesis using microbial communities and demonstrated that functional redundancy varies with prevalent environmental conditions.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2015

Brooding brittle star babies in 3-D

Researchers used microCT scanning to visualize brooding chambers and juveniles in live-bearing brittle stars. The 3D images provide an in situ view of developing young and the position of bursae inside adults, allowing for comparative morphological analyses.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigaScience·DateNov 17, 2015

Living in thin air

A collaborative team of researchers identified over 100 genes crucial for high-altitude adaptation in fruit flies, including more than 40 human equivalents. These genes prioritize respiratory system development and metabolic rewiring, enabling organisms to thrive in low-oxygen environments.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 17, 2015

From nanocrystals to earthquakes, solid materials share similar failure characteristics

Researchers discovered that solid materials, including nanocrystals and the Earth's crust, share similar deformation properties due to slip-avalanches. This study enables the transfer of results across different scales and materials, providing new tools for predicting material deformation and hazard prevention.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2015
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.

Researcher's work offers more proof of Einstein's general theory of relativity

Researchers predict a physical effect that would help physicists and astronomers test Einstein's general theory of relativity. The gravitational Faraday effect, first predicted in the 1950s, theorizes that light polarization rotates according to Einstein's theory when traveling close to a spinning black hole.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2015

Adelie penguin numbers may expand as glaciers retreat

Adelie penguins' population has seen a 135-fold increase over the last 14,000 years due to retreating glaciers. However, regional variability means some populations are declining despite current favorable environmental conditions.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateNov 17, 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.

Radiation blasts leave most Earth-like planet uninhabitable, new research suggests

A new study suggests that vast quantities of radiation from superflaring Red Dwarf stars like Kepler-438 can strip away an atmosphere and make a planet uninhabitable. The energy released by each superflare is equivalent to 100 billion megatons of TNT, posing a significant threat to life on Earth-like planets.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateNov 17, 2015

Small landscape changes can mean big freshwater gains

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that reducing cropland to below 60% or restoring wetlands to above 6% can bring about significant improvements to surface water quality. Small tweaks to landscape composition may also enhance freshwater benefits in urban areas by adding rain gardens or parks.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEcosphere·DateNov 17, 2015

Researchers devise new diabetes diagnostic tool

Researchers at the University of Exeter have created a genetic test to identify young adults at risk of type 1 diabetes. The new tool combines genetic variants to provide a single score, helping doctors diagnose and treat patients more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDiabetes Care·DateNov 17, 2015
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.