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Science News Archive September 2015


Page 14 of 35

Even mild depression puts a burden on Alzheimer's family caregivers

A recent University of Eastern Finland study found that spousal and family caregivers experiencing depressive symptoms after an Alzheimer's diagnosis experience greater psychological stress. The study suggests it is essential to consider the caregiver's mental health at diagnosis time for providing adequate support.

A thermal invisibility cloak actively redirects heat

A new thermal cloak developed by researchers in Singapore can render objects thermally invisible by redirecting incident heat. The active thermal cloaking system has the potential to fine-tune temperature distribution and heat flow in electronic and semiconductor systems.

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.

Role of cancer-suppressing gene uncovered

Researchers have identified a key role for the WWOX gene in suppressing cancer development. Lower levels of WWOX are associated with more aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. The study suggests that targeting the enzyme activity of WWOX could influence cancer cell properties.

Greening the electric grid with gas turbines

A new Harvard study finds that the supply of wind and solar power could be increased tenfold without additional storage, making gas turbines cost-effective carbon mitigation candidates. Low capital cost and good emissions performance also make them a viable alternative to intermittent renewables.

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.

Deforestation can have devastating impacts on frog populations

A new study found that deforestation in Borneo's forests leads to a decline in frog species richness, with only 20% of primary forest species remaining in young oil palm plantations. The study highlights the need for rigorously enforcing riparian buffer zones to mitigate the impact of industrial monocultures on amphibian populations.

'Delayed remembering': Kids can remember tomorrow what they forgot today

A study found that 4- and 5-year-olds who played a video game after a two-day delay scored more than 20 percent higher than kids who re-played it later the same day. The researchers discovered 'delayed remembering,' a phenomenon where children can recall previously forgotten information days later.

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.

Species extinction can doom parasites important for ecosystem health

A new study found that species extinction can lead to secondary extinctions of parasites, compromising ecosystem stability and biodiversity. Researchers identified key host species that contribute to the overall network structure of fish communities and are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Over 50 percent don't go for new bowel cancer test

A new bowel cancer screening test has seen low uptake in pilot areas, with only half of those invited taking the opportunity. Despite its potential to reduce cases by up to 33%, more men than women took the test, and people from poorer neighbourhoods were less likely to participate.

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.

Digestible batteries needed to power electronic pills

Researchers are exploring how minerals from a healthy diet can be used in bioelectronics to create ingestible devices that power electronic pills. The goal is to reduce the amount of expensive medications needed for each patient, making them more cost-effective.

Chronic diseases may increase risk of dementia

A study of 2176 cognitively normal participants found that those with multiple chronic conditions were 38% more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Preventing chronic diseases may help maintain mental health in aging adults.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Experiment confirms fundamental symmetry in nature

The ALICE experiment confirms a fundamental symmetry between nuclei and antinuclei in terms of charge, parity and time. The measurements were made possible by the ALICE experiment's high-precision tracking and identification capabilities.

Genetic link between being tall and being slim, study shows

A study of nearly 10,000 people from 14 European countries found a strong correlation between genes that increase height and those that produce reduced body mass index. This discovery could help explain why people from northern Europe are often taller and slimmer than others.

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.

As polar ice melts, seabed life is working against climate change

A recent study reveals that life on the seafloor in Antarctica is acting as an important carbon sink, absorbing nearly 2.9 ? 106 tons of carbon per year. This discovery suggests a new and unexpected way to combat climate change, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 50,000 hectares of tropical rainforest.

Obamacare saps enthusiasm for government health-care spending

A Johns Hopkins University study found that Obamacare led to a decline in support for government health-care spending among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Before the law's passage, about two-thirds of independents and Republicans supported increased health spending, but this dropped significantly after its enactment.

Pushing the limits of lensless imaging

Scientists from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have created a custom-built ultrafast laser that can produce extremely high-resolution images of materials in real time. By using extreme ultraviolet light streaming at a 100,000 times per second, the researchers achieved an image resolution of 26 nanometers, surpassing previous limits.

Identifying the 'dimmer switch' of diabetes

A study by University of Alberta researchers discovered a new molecular pathway that manages insulin production, offering hope for restoring the 'dimmer switch' in Type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest that this pathway can be revived to control insulin secretion from islet cells.

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.

GPM sees powerful storms within Tropical Storm Ida

The GPM mission satellite detected extremely high-altitude thunderstorms and heavy rainfall within Tropical Storm Ida. The storm's powerful convective storms reached altitudes above 17 km, indicating potential intensification.

'SafePay': First anti-fraud system to use existing credit card readers

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an inexpensive and secure method to prevent mass credit card fraud using existing magnetic card readers. The SafePay system transforms disposable credit card information into electrical current and simulates a physical magnetic card, making it backward compatible with existing readers.

Emissions from melting permafrost could cost $43 trillion

The study predicts that increased greenhouse gas emissions from thawing permafrost will result in significant economic losses. Researchers estimate that the total predicted impact of climate change by 2200 could be as high as $369 trillion, with $43 trillion in additional damage expected by end of century.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Insects passed 'the Turing Test'

Russian scientists confirm Turing reaction-diffusion model's predictions in insect corneas, revealing four main morphological patterns and their universal presence among arthropods. The findings demonstrate a promising future for designing artificial antireflective nanosurfaces.

Selectively logged Amazon forests play important role in climate

Researchers found that sustainably logged tropical Amazonian forests can recover their carbon stocks within a cutting cycle of 20 to 30 years. The study suggests that the time to recover initial carbon stocks depends almost exclusively on logging intensity, providing useful insights for forest managers and policy makers.

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.

Alzheimer's drug could prevent bone fractures

Researchers found that the Alzheimer's drug donepezil increases bone mass in mice by preventing osteoclasts from being made, reducing the risk of bone fractures. The study suggests that treating Alzheimer's disease with donepezil may also be beneficial for patients with osteoporosis.

Astronomers identify a new mid-size black hole

A team of astronomers at the University of Maryland and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has found evidence for a new intermediate-mass black hole about 5,000 times the mass of the sun. The discovery adds to the list of potential medium-sized black holes and strengthens the case for their existence.

Pioneer ACO program sees modest reduction in low-value services

The Medicare Pioneer ACO program saw a modest reduction of 0.8 low-value services per 100 beneficiaries, with a 1.9% decrease in service quantity and a 4.5% reduction in spending on these services. Organizations providing more low-value care saw greater reductions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Acoustic imaging with outline detection

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a new type of acoustic imaging device that extracts contour information during measurement, creating detailed outline images of objects. The method uses evanescent waves and is useful for quickly recording relevant information about objects.

How mercury contamination affects reptiles in the Amazon basin

Researchers found high mercury levels in Amazonian reptiles, with liver concentrations above recommended limits for pregnant women and children. The study suggests using reptiles as indicators of environmental mercury concentrations, shedding light on the region's mercury cycling.

Secret unlocked to rice seed survival when underwater

A team of scientists identified the AG1 gene, which helps seeds survive under flooded conditions by efficiently moving energy reserves. This finding has implications for direct seeding, a method that allows seeds to be sown directly into fields without pre-germination.

Public health must be top priority if cannabis is legalized in Canada

If Canada legalizes cannabis, public health must be the top priority to prevent commercialization and potential harms. Experts argue that policy-makers should draw from research on tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis to create a regulatory framework that maximizes benefits and minimizes harm.

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.

Study: It's not cheating unless a species gets hurt

A review of dozens of ecological studies found little proof of cheating among cooperating species, challenging a commonly held belief. The study's authors provided a scientific definition of cheating that ecologists can use to determine whether one species is cheating its mutualist partner.

Exercise reduces suicide attempts by 23 percent among bullied teens

A new study finds that regular exercise significantly reduces both suicidal thoughts and attempts among students who are bullied. Being physically active four or more days per week resulted in a 23 percent reduction in suicidal ideation and attempts in bullied students. Exercise is also associated with significant reductions in sadness.

Eye-tracking glasses reveal the learning process

Researchers developed a method to measure cognitive load in medical assessments using eye-tracking glasses. Novices expend more mental effort than experts when answering medical questions, even when the answers are correct.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Task force releases recommendations for smoking cessation

The American College of Physicians task force recommends counseling and pharmaceutical interventions to help adults and pregnant women quit smoking. Behavioral therapy or medications with FDA approval are recommended for nonpregnant adults, while pregnant women receive only behavioral interventions.

Proteins assemble and disassemble on command

Researchers at Duke University have deciphered the genetic code that instructs proteins to assemble or disassemble in response to environmental stimuli. This discovery provides a new platform for designer proteins and investigations into nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical treatments.

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.

Printing lightweight, flexible, and functional materials

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created a new multimaterial printhead that enables the simultaneous control of composition and geometry during printing, paving the way for entirely 3D-printed wearable devices, soft robots, and electronics.

Five ways individualized medicine is impacting health care

Individualized medicine is revolutionizing patient care through precision diagnostics, such as preventing drug-related adverse effects and identifying disease susceptibility. Whole exome sequencing is also offering new diagnoses for patients with undiagnosed diseases.

Unemployment takes its toll on young people's mental health

A study of over 2,000 British young people found that those not in education, employment or training (NEET) were more likely to experience mental health problems and substance abuse disorders. However, when interviewed, NEET youths reported higher levels of commitment to work and job searching behaviors compared to their non-NEET peers.

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.