Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive October 2015


Page 6 of 38

Mammoths might have survived except for bad 'mineral diet'

Researchers from National Research Tomsk State University found that mammoths suffered from skeletal diseases due to chronic mineral hunger, leading to high traumatism and eventual extinction. The study suggests that geochemical stress caused by acidic landscapes may have played a crucial role in the demise of these majestic creatures.

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.

How sensorimotor intelligence may develop

Robots develop self-taught behaviors through sensory input and adaptation, mirroring natural sensorimotor development. This concept has implications for understanding early stages of evolution and may lead to new strategies for robotic learning.

Let your head do the talking

Researchers from McGill University found that people are highly accurate at judging emotions based on head movements alone, even without sound or facial expressions. This discovery could aid in the development of automated emotion recognition systems or human-interaction robots.

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.

Brownian Carnot engine

ICFO researchers create a microscopic Carnot engine that operates between two thermal baths using a temperature difference, exactly as car engines work. The engine is powered by a single particle, lasers, and electrical fields, allowing for the experimental validation of thermodynamic principles.

Singing's secret power: The Ice-breaker Effect

A new study by University of Oxford researchers found that singing groups bonded more quickly than creative writing or craft classes. Singing broke the ice better, getting classmates closer right at the start of the course, but in the longer term, all group activities brought people together similarly.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

On the road to ANG vehicles

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed flexible metal-organic frameworks that can store methane efficiently, addressing the low energy density issue with natural gas as a transportation fuel. The new design enables higher usable capacity and internal heat management during adsorption and desorption.

Treatments offer hope for chronic fatigue syndrome

A follow-up study found that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) improved fatigue and physical functioning in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, maintaining these improvements over time. The treatments also reduced the likelihood of seeking additional therapy.

Artificial intelligence finds messy galaxies

PhD student Elise Hampton uses AI to analyze thousands of galaxy spectra, identifying the most turbulent and messy galaxies. Her goal is to understand how galaxies form, live, and die, and how different processes compete in these galactic systems.

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.

Grant funds computer simulation to train social work students, clinicians

A federal grant will fund a new course at the University of Illinois and support training for clinicians in conducting early interventions with people who abuse substances. The training uses a computer simulation called SBIRT, which identifies clients at risk of substance abuse problems and teaches clinicians how to respond accordingly.

Chicken study reveals evolution can happen much faster than thought

A new study of chickens overturns the popular assumption that evolution is only visible over long time scales. The researchers found two mutations in the mitochondrial genomes of the birds in just 50 years, revealing a rate of evolution that is 15 times faster than previously believed.

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.

Physics of booming and burping sand dunes revealed

A team of researchers from Caltech and the University of Cambridge discovered that booming and burping sounds emanating from sand dunes are different acoustic phenomena governed by distinct physical principles. The study found that booming sounds originate from linear P-waves, while burping sounds correspond to surface Rayleigh waves.

Singing calms baby longer than talking

Researchers from the University of Montreal found that singing calmed infants twice as long as talking, with an average duration of 9 minutes for songs and 4.5 minutes for baby talk. The study suggests that singing has emotion-regulatory properties that can help parents soothe their children.

The great northern cod comeback

Researchers tracking northern Atlantic cod stock off Newfoundland and Labrador report significant recovery over the past decade, with tens of thousands to several hundred thousand tonnes of fish. The study credits favourable environmental conditions, including an increase in capelin as a key food source, and severe reduction of fishing.

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.

May the 5th force be with you

Fischbach's work on the Eötvös Experiment led to a reevaluation of data suggesting a possible new force in the universe. Despite no experimental confirmation, his theory has stimulated novel experiments and theories, including the quest for new macroscopic fields of gravitational strength.

Decreases seen in leading causes of death

The age-standardized death rate for all causes combined decreased by 43% between 1969 and 2013, driven by declines in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and unintentional injuries. While the rate of decrease has slowed for these leading causes, other factors such as tobacco control efforts and advances in early detection and treatment have...

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.

Improving risk profiling is key to preventing many GI cancers

New risk profiling approach aims to detect GI cancers, such as oesophageal adenocarcinoma, in early stages. The five-tier strategy involves lifestyle changes, non-invasive testing, and genetic analysis to tailor screening and prevention options for each individual.

Negative publicity reduces police motivation

A study by the American Psychological Association found that negative publicity surrounding police actions can reduce officers' motivation to perform their duties, but does not decrease their willingness to engage in community partnerships. Fair treatment and confidence in authority can counteract these effects.

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.

New growth charts developed for US children with Down syndrome

Pediatric researchers have developed new growth charts for U.S. children with Down syndrome, providing a tool for pediatricians to evaluate growth patterns and nutritional status. The new charts show improvements in weight gain and height for children under age three, while also creating BMI charts to screen patients for excess body fat.

Coating cancels acoustic scattering from odd-shaped objects

Scientists developed a more general approach for controlling acoustic scattering on complex, odd-shaped objects using a coating of two thin fluid layers. The coating significantly reduces the scattering strength, allowing for ideal acoustic measurements in laboratories.

Secrets of a rice-killing fungal toxin

Scientists have identified the enzyme responsible for synthesizing tenuazonic acid (TeA), a well-known fungus-killing toxin that affects rice and other crops. The unique TeA synthetase 1 (TAS1) enzyme has an NRPS-PKS structure, previously thought to be exclusive to bacteria.

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.

From science fiction to reality -- sonic tractor beam invented

A team of researchers has created a working sonic tractor beam that uses high-amplitude sound waves to generate an acoustic hologram, allowing them to lift and move small objects. The technique could be developed for applications such as transporting delicate objects or gripping drug capsules through living tissue.

RI Hospital researcher confirms praziquantel safe after first trimester

Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital confirmed that the drug praziquantel is safe for use in pregnant women following their first trimester, a finding that could spur improved access to treatment for millions of women worldwide. The study showed no adverse events for pregnant women or newborns, and iron status improved in both groups.

Distressed damsels cry for help

Researchers found that when damselfish release chemical alarm cues on coral reefs, additional predators are attracted, allowing prey a greater chance of escape. This mechanism boosts the sender's survival rate by about 40 percent.

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.

Seismological Research Letters: Nepal earthquake was less intense than feared

A study published in Seismological Research Letters found that the 2015 Nepal earthquake produced less damage than expected, with researchers attributing this to the Kathmandu valley's ancient lake bed sediments. The shaking was reportedly amplified by these sediments for small and moderate earthquakes, but not as much for larger ones.

Attosecond physics: Film in 4-D with ultrashort electron pulses

Physicists have developed ultrashort electron pulses to capture atomic motions in four dimensions, providing a sharp snapshot of molecular processes. The new technique enables the visualization of single atoms and reconstruction of atomic structures, revolutionizing our understanding of molecular dynamics.

Diabetes identified as a risk factor for surgical site infections

A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that diabetic patients are 50% more likely to develop surgical site infections compared to non-diabetic patients. The study analyzed data from 94 studies and estimated the annual financial impact of SSIs to be over $3 billion nationally.

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.

Graphene flakes as an ultra-fast stopwatch

Researchers developed a graphene broadband detector that reacts rapidly to incident light and works at room temperature. The device can synchronize laser pulses with high accuracy, enabling precise measurements at room temperature.

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.

Wall-less Hall thruster may power future deep space missions

Researchers have optimized a novel wall-less Hall thruster design, suitable for long-duration deep space missions. The new design enables scientists to observe hidden plasma regions, facilitating investigation of plasma instability and anomalous electron transport.

WSU partners to develop new anti-inflammatory drug

Researchers at WSU will collaborate with Botanisol to study TAI-LCx, a newly identified active component of turmeric, and develop better means to isolate it. Early research showed TAI-LCx to be effective at reducing inflammation using biologic pathways different from NSAIDs.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Acid reflux medications may increase kidney disease risk

Two new studies show that increased use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may contribute to the CKD epidemic. PPI users were between 20% and 50% more likely to develop CKD than non-PPI users, even after accounting for baseline differences.

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.