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Science News Archive October 2015


Page 10 of 38

Steaming out some of luminol's wrinkles

Researchers at the University of South Carolina have developed a new technique called 'steam thermography' that can detect blood spots in crime scenes more effectively than luminol. The method uses thermal imaging and a hand steamer to highlight where blood is present, even in highly diluted samples.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Tropical Depression 26W moving faster than spinning

Tropical Depression 26W was experiencing wind shear and speeding up as it transitioned from a tropical to an extra-tropical cyclone. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects the storm to continue weakening over open waters of the western North Pacific Ocean.

New DNA research reveals undiscovered white dots on the map

Researchers have discovered a new function of Histone H1 that helps summon repair proteins, leading to improved understanding of how cells protect and repair DNA damages. This discovery may eventually result in targeted treatments for diseases such as cancer and immune deficiency syndrome.

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.

A new algorithm to predict the dynamic language of proteins

Researchers have developed a computational method to predict protein dynamics based on co-evolutionary studies, which explains changes in shape or structure to interact with other compounds. This study is crucial for designing drugs and researching genetic diseases like cancer, resulting in higher complexity than current methods.

Photons open the gateway for quantum networks

Scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute have developed a photon contact that can control the transport of photons in a circuit. This breakthrough enables the creation of complex quantum photonic circuits and paves the way for the development of quantum networks based on photons.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Faster optimization

Researchers have developed a new cutting-plane algorithm that improves upon existing methods, offering huge efficiency gains for specific optimization problems. The algorithm has been applied to various types of problems, including submodular minimization and semidefinite programming, resulting in significant speedups.

Researchers catch Comet Lovejoy giving away alcohol

Comet Lovejoy released large amounts of ethyl alcohol and glycolaldehyde into space, adding to evidence that comets could be a source of complex organic molecules necessary for life. The discovery supports the idea that comets carried sophisticated chemistry to Earth during its early stages.

Sarcoidosis: Surface marker allows new diagnostic approaches

A new strategy to determine monocyte subsets involved in diseases has been developed, which may improve the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The analysis of an additional marker molecule called slan allows a more precise determination of monocyte subgroups.

Capacitor breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully developed a new method to increase the energy storage ability of dielectric capacitors using nanotechnology. The innovation achieves an energy density of about two watt hours per kilogram, significantly higher than existing structures.

Potato harvest reduced by half

A new study reveals that potato waste in Switzerland can be reduced significantly through improved cultivation methods and quality standards. The researchers found that 53% of conventionally produced table potatoes are wasted, while organic production leads to a higher waste proportion.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New methane organisms discovered

Researchers have discovered two new organisms that play an unknown role in greenhouse gas emissions and consumption, belonging to a previously unexplored group called Bathyarchaeota. The discovery expands our understanding of life on Earth and suggests we are missing other organisms involved in carbon cycling and methane production.

Blocking enzymes in hair follicles promotes hair growth

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that inhibiting the Janus kinase (JAK) family of enzymes promotes hair growth in mice and human hair follicles. The study suggests that JAK inhibitors, approved for blood diseases and rheumatoid arthritis, could be used to restore hair growth in humans.

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.

A longer look at treatments for leg length discrepancies

A study by Eric J. Peng found that each extra inch of adult height correlates with an average increase in yearly income, with men earning $1,660 more per year for every inch above 64 inches and women earning $1,186 more per year for every inch above 59 inches.

Upgrading the quantum computer

Researchers at University of Innsbruck propose new quantum computer architecture that detaches logical qubit from physical implementation, overcoming challenges in adiabatic quantum computation. This approach enables scalable and fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Deadly fish virus still present in Wisconsin lake

Researchers have found that a deadly fish virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv), is still circulating in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin. Despite efforts to slow its spread, the virus can survive in infected fish, potentially leading to future outbreaks.

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.

Mini-kidney organoids re-create disease in lab dishes

Researchers have grown mini-kidney organoids in a laboratory by combining stem cell biology with leading-edge gene-editing techniques. These engineered mini-kidneys contain tubules, filtering cells and blood vessel cells, and can mimic both healthy and diseased kidneys.

Cellular damage control system helps plants tough it out

Plants have developed a unique mechanism to selectively degrade damaged chloroplasts, allowing them to conserve energy and thrive in challenging environments. This discovery could lead to the development of stronger crops with improved yield and resistance to stressors.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

It takes a thief

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered the structural basis by which bacteria capture and utilize foreign DNA, a crucial step in their adaptive immune system. The study reveals that Cas1 and Cas2 enzymes function as molecular rulers to measure and manipulate foreign DNA.

New gene a key to fighting sepsis

Researchers at Australian National University and Genentech have identified a gene, Gasdermin-D, that triggers the inflammatory condition leading to sepsis. The discovery could lead to new treatments for this deadly disease, which kills an estimated one million people in the US each year.

Unhealthy pregnancy weight gain tips the scales for mothers 7 years later

Research found that excessive gestational weight gain during pregnancy is associated with greater body fat and weight seven years after delivery, particularly among women who begin pregnancy at normal or slight overweight. The study suggests that these women may need additional support to gain weight appropriately during pregnancy.

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.

Physicists learn how to control the movement of electrons in a molecule

Researchers from ETH Zurich and an international group of physicists successfully track and control the movement of electrons in molecules. They observed the migration of electrons along a linear molecule, demonstrating that this process can be controlled with a time resolution of 100 attoseconds.

Study combats 'anxiety' as barrier to breast cancer screening

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology describes a successful intervention to decrease anxiety related to mammography, increasing breast cancer screening rates. The study found that information about the logistics and outcomes of mammography reduced anxiety and improved understanding among participants.

3-D map of the brain

Researchers at the University of Utah have developed software to create detailed 3-D models of animal brains, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain connectivity. This new tool can aid in studying mental and neurological conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and autism.

Plastic litter taints the sea surface, even in the Arctic

Researchers from Alfred Wegener Institute discovered plastic litter on the Arctic sea surface, with 31 pieces found in a 5,600km survey. The litter is likely to pose new challenges for Arctic marine life, which has already seen high levels of plastic pollution in its stomachs.

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.

New insights into REM sleep crack an enduring mystery

Researchers identify a neural circuit that regulates REM sleep and show that it controls the physiology of non-REM (NREM) sleep. They also found that REM sleep plays a crucial role in the generation of slow waves during NREM sleep.

Fish farming gobbles up phosphorus

A Norwegian study reveals that fish farming consumes a significant amount of phosphorus, with the industry generating 9,000 tonnes of emissions annually. The researchers propose reusing this waste phosphorus to create new products and reduce pollution, offering potential solutions for Norway's aquaculture industry.

Evaporation for review -- and with it global warming

Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences discovered that evaporation occurs differently than previously thought. The Hertz-Knudsen equation was found to be incorrect, and a new understanding of evaporation's role in global warming has been gained.

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.

Turbulences on the rise

Turbulence plays a crucial role in nature and technology, influencing pollutant spread and fuel efficiency. A new study reveals how fully turbulent flows arise in pipe and square duct flows, with potential benefits for oil pipelines and combustion motors.

'Sensor' protein could help fight against obesity and diabetes

Researchers have discovered a biological sensor called NLRP1 that responds to excess energy intake and instructs cells to burn fat stores. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, suggests that activating this protein could help combat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Zebrafish study offers insights into nerve cell repair mechanisms

A zebrafish study has discovered that serotonin boosts the growth of new motor neurons after a spinal cord injury, a finding that could lead to new therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers hope that understanding this repair mechanism in zebrafish may eventually trigger similar processes in human stem cells.

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.

CWRU biologists find keys to driving a cockroach

Researchers at CWRU identified key neurons in cockroach brain that control movement, including speed and direction. By stimulating these neurons, scientists can replicate the insect's movements, shedding light on how insects navigate and providing insights into robotic navigation systems.

Probing the innards of stars

Researchers have developed a new method to probe the internal magnetic fields of red giant stars using asteroseismology. This technique involves analyzing variations in light emitted from a star as due to sound waves from its interior, revealing strong internal magnetic fields in these stars.

A biomarker for premature death

Researchers identified GlycA, a molecular byproduct of inflammation, as a predictor of premature death due to infections. High GlycA levels indicate chronic inflammation, which damages the body and increases susceptibility to severe infections.

When queuing in a supermarket, who do you let go first?

A new study on supermarket queuing behavior found that customers are more willing to cooperate if the recipients can save significant waiting time. The authors propose a model of indirect reciprocity, where potential helpers' readiness to cooperate depends on their image of the recipient.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Middle schoolers may benefit academically from extracurricular activities

A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that participating in extracurricular activities can be protective for low-income youth academically. Community engagement and sports were the most highly associated with better academic performance, while school-based activities had little effect.

Blocking differentiation is enough to give cells 'stemness'

Researchers at RIKEN have discovered a method to maintain immune cells in a stem cell-like state by inhibiting differentiation, allowing them to proliferate extensively. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for regenerative medicine and immune therapy.

FAU receives $620,000 NSF grant for STEM retention program

Florida Atlantic University has received a $620,000 NSF grant to collaborate with UCF and WCU on a STEM retention program. The project aims to train 512 undergraduate students in research through structured coursework and direct research experiences.

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.

Speedy evolution affects more than 1 species

A study by Michigan State University researchers found that changes in a new species of fruit fly have an almost domino effect on several species, including parasitic wasps. The research reveals how these sequential events can generate a large number of species in a short period.

New UW model helps zero in on harmful genetic mutations

Researchers have developed a new model that can accurately predict which genetic mutations significantly change how genes splice and may warrant increased attention from disease researchers. The model, trained on vast amounts of synthetic biological data, is available online and can help rule out unwanted variations in genetic sequences.

Plague infected humans much earlier than previously thought

Researchers discovered evidence of plague infections in humans 4,800 years ago using DNA sequencing from ancient tooth samples. The Yersinia pestis lineage is believed to have acquired key virulence genes around 3,700-3,000 years ago, allowing it to spread via fleas.

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.