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Science News Archive September 2015


Page 8 of 35

Small-scale nuclear fusion may be a new energy source

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new type of nuclear fusion process that produces almost no neutrons, instead releasing fast and heavy electrons. This allows for the creation of smaller and simpler fusion reactors with instant electrical energy production.

Study adds to evidence that viruses are alive

Researchers have developed a reliable method to trace viral evolution, supporting the hypothesis that viruses are alive and share a long evolutionary history with cells. The study found that viruses possess unique genetic sequences and protein folds that are unlike anything seen in cells.

Tick spit protein may trigger allergic reactions

Researchers believe that tick spit proteins, such as alpha-gal, can cause severe allergic reactions in humans. A vaccine could be created to target these proteins, potentially providing protection against tick bite allergies.

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.

Breaking the anxiety cycle

A new study by UConn Health psychiatrist Golda Ginsburg found that family-based intervention works to prevent anxiety in children. The study, published online September 25 in The American Journal of Psychiatry, found only 9% of children who participated in a therapist-directed family intervention developed anxiety after one year.

EUROCARE data show large variations in survival from blood cancers in Europe

The EUROCARE 5 study shows significant geographical variations in survival from blood cancers in Europe, with the highest five-year relative survival rate for Hodgkin lymphoma at 81% in Northern European countries. In contrast, chronic myeloid leukemia had a significantly lower survival rate of 53%, particularly in Eastern Europe.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

ORNL demonstrates road to supercapacitors for scrap tires

Researchers at ORNL have created flexible polymer carbon composite films as electrodes for supercapacitors, achieving high power and energy density. The technology can consume up to 50 tons of scrap tires daily, providing relief from the expected 1.5 billion discarded tires by 2035.

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.

Bravo to biomass

Researchers found significant environmental and public-health benefits from co-firing oat hulls with coal, including 90% reduction in filterable particulate matter. Burning oat hulls also reduced hazardous air pollutants by 41% and heavy metals by 51%.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Root microbiome engineering improves plant growth

Researchers have found that artificially selected microbiomes can improve plant growth in genetically identical plants. This method of root microbiome engineering uses bacteria from the roots of large plants and transfers them to other plants, leading to improved growth over time.

War's greatest picture

Seventy-five years after the start of the WWII Blitz, Herbert Mason's portrait of St. Paul's Cathedral stands as an enduring symbol of Britain's resilience amidst destruction. The iconic image has been widely reproduced and continues to have a lasting impact on visual shorthand for momentous events.

Simulation of chiral edge states in a quantum system

Researchers have successfully simulated chiral edge states in a quantum system using ultracold ytterbium atoms. The experiment demonstrates the ability to observe chiral currents at the boundaries of two-dimensional materials, similar to those observed in condensed matter physics.

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.

The origin and spread of 'Emperor's rice'

Researchers have solved the mystery of black rice's origin and spread, revealing a genetic basis for its color. The trait arose due to a rearrangement in a gene called Kala4, which activates anthocyanin production, and was later transferred into other varieties through crossbreeding.

Research shows dried plums can reduce risk of colon cancer

Research shows that a diet containing dried plums can positively affect microbiota in the colon, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer. The study found increased Bacteroidetes and reduced Firmicutes in the distal colon, as well as reduced aberrant crypts and precancerous lesions.

'Fossils' of galaxies reveal the formation and evolution of massive galaxies

Researchers discovered massive dead galaxies with stellar content similar to local elliptical galaxies, revealing the formation and evolution of massive galaxies. The team found progenitors of these dead galaxies when they were forming stars at an earlier cosmic epoch, uncovering a consistent picture of galaxy history.

Scientists stop and search malware hidden in shortened URLs on Twitter

A Cardiff University team developed an intelligent system to detect malicious links disguised in shortened URLs on Twitter, identifying cyber-attacks within 30 seconds with 98% accuracy. The system was tested using tweets from high-traffic events and showed promise in preventing malware infections.

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.

Diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence

A new study suggests that a diabetes medication could be used to treat alcohol dependence, with results showing a 30-40% reduction in consumption and prevention of relapse. The medication works by interfering with the hormone GLP-1, which regulates food intake and reward centers.

Opening new doors

The University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the US Department of Education to strengthen student success and retention. The grant will focus on two main areas: first-year experiences and faculty professional development, targeting underrepresented students in specific majors and courses.

Development of trust in B2B relationships calls for common goals

A recent University of Eastern Finland and Cranfield University study found that goal congruence, not power symmetry, drives the development of trust in business-to-business relationships. This finding has implications for companies seeking to establish successful partnerships across different types and sizes of organizations.

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.

Stem cell research hints at evolution of human brain

Researchers have identified a unique group of stem cells in the human brain that generate most neurons, expanding the cortex by 1,000-fold. These stem cells, called outer radial glia (oRGs), exhibit remarkable generative capacity and self-renewal properties.

New theory of stealth dark matter may explain universe's missing mass

A new theory suggests that dark matter could be composed of electrically charged constituents that interact with ordinary matter in the early universe. This 'stealthy' dark matter would have been easy to detect at high temperatures but is now difficult to see due to its compositeness and confinement.

Arteries better than veins for liquid biopsy

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that arterial blood contains a higher number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) than venous blood in uveal melanoma patients. This discovery raises concerns about the effectiveness of current detection techniques, which often rely on venous blood samples.

Hope against disease targeting children

Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers discovered molecular changes in SMA that explain why motor neurons are affected, diverging from other neurodegenerative diseases. The findings suggest a stress response pathway convergence between SMA and ALS, potentially leading to a single treatment.

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.

Purdue study: Climate change consensus extends beyond climate scientists

A Purdue University-led survey of nearly 700 scientists from non-climate disciplines found that an overwhelming majority believe in anthropogenic climate change and are highly certain of their beliefs. The study suggests that cultural values, political ideologies, and personal identity influence scientists' views on climate change.

Brown University Superfund Research Program earns $10.8M for five-year renewal

The Brown University Superfund Research Program will advance research on toxicant exposures and safety, focusing on biomedical and engineering solutions for regulatory uncertainty. Researchers will investigate physiological effects of toxicants on the male reproductive system and explore graphene's potential to block toxicant releases.

In the dark polar winter, the animals aren't sleeping

Researchers discovered a world of biological activity beneath the Arctic's polar night, with diverse species reproducing and thriving in the darkness. The findings raise questions about how marine species adapt to the changing climate and highlight the importance of this period for ecosystem reproduction.

NSF awards Lehigh engineering $5 million for natural hazards research facility

Lehigh University has received a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to improve infrastructure resilience and sustainability. The award supports research using Lehigh's ATLSS facilities, which will conduct real-time structural experiments to evaluate engineering designs and materials during natural disasters.

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.

Sticky gel helps stem cells heal rat hearts

Researchers have developed a sticky gel that helps stem cells adhere to and restore their metabolism in rat hearts, improving cardiac function after simulated heart attacks. The gel, which combines serum and hyaluronic acid, has been shown to retain up to 73% of transplanted cells in the heart.

INRS professor Jasmin Raymond recognized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society

Professor Raymond received the Canadian Geotechnical Society's 2016 Colloquium Lecture honour for his proposed talk on precise measurement of thermal properties in geological materials. He is a scientific leader in geothermal energy, advancing knowledge of analysis and energy modelling for geothermal applications.

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.

Telecommuting works best in moderation, science shows

A comprehensive report finds telecommuting can boost job satisfaction and productivity, but only when implemented carefully. Key moderating factors include employee choice, scheduling control, relationships with supervisors and coworkers, and work dependency.

Promising drugs turn immune system on cancer

Researchers have discovered that a class of experimental drugs already in clinical trials can help the body's immune system fight cancer. The drugs target a protein called Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), which is often overproduced in tumors and enables them to evade the immune system.

How fossil corals can shed light on the Earth's past climate

Researchers used radiocarbon in deep-sea fossil corals to reconstruct CO2 levels and ocean circulation during the last deglaciation. The study found two massive transient events that flushed out respired carbon, causing rapid CO2 rise and abrupt warming in the North Atlantic region.

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.

Mobile app records our erratic eating habits

A mobile app collected data from over 150 participants, showing that a majority of people eat for 15 hours or longer. The study aimed to test whether reducing daily food intake duration impacts health and found that time-restricted feeding can lead to weight loss and improved energy levels.

Scientists win $6.4 million to probe smell navigation

Researchers aim to create a 'smellscape' to understand how critters navigate by scent and convert odors into spatial information. They will use computational modeling to simulate odor navigation processes and test their models on diverse species.

DNA-based nanodevices for molecular medicine

Researchers from Aalto University have developed DNA nanostructures for smart drug-delivery vehicles and molecular devices. These structures provide new applications in molecular medicine, such as targeting cancer cells with tailored payloads.

Flower declines shrink bee tongues

A new study finds that climate-related changes in flower diversity are causing a significant shortening of alpine bumble bees' tongues, making them poorly suited to feed from deep flowers they were adapted to. This loss of mutualism highlights how climate change can decouple well-established relationships between bees and plants.

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.

If it's not a norm, why practice female genital cutting?

New research questions prevailing theory on female genital cutting as a social norm, finding no correlation between community norms and cutting practices. Alternative forces like sexual fidelity benefits may sustain the practice, highlighting the need for more effective policy interventions.

Cooled down and charged up, a giant magnet is ready for its new mission

A giant magnet is now ready to drive high-energy particle experiments at Fermilab, aiming to test the Standard Model's deficiencies and discover new particles. The Muon g-2 collaboration, including the University of Washington, will conduct precise measurements using muons generated by protons.

Computer scientist seeks stronger security shroud for the cloud

Dr. Zhiqiang Lin has developed a technique that allows monitoring of virtual machines for invasions and viruses, bridging the semantic gap in data structures. This breakthrough has the potential to improve cloud security and protect online services from malicious intruders.

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.

Geneticists launch Matchmaker Exchange for rare disease gene discovery

The Matchmaker Exchange platform harnesses collective data from across rare disease repositories to uncover similar symptoms and genetic profiles. By protecting patient data privacy while connecting databases through APIs, researchers can identify the genetic causes of rare diseases more efficiently.

The life and times of domesticated cheese-making fungi

Researchers have identified crucial metabolic genes that enable cheese-making fungi to thrive on cheese, while also raising concerns about food safety. The study provides insights into the evolutionary history of these fungi and their ability to adapt to domesticated environments.