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Science News Archive April 2016


Page 1 of 39

Scientists establish first map of the sea lion brain

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a detailed map of the California sea lion's brain, highlighting its unique somatosensory system. The study revealed specific areas in the brain responsible for processing touch information from whiskers and flippers, similar to those found in mice and humans.

Breastfeeding app shows promise in supporting first-time mothers

A mobile phone app providing supportive texts and an online community increased breastfeeding rates among new mothers, with 95% continuing to breastfeed three months postpartum. The app also boosted confidence in breastfeeding issues, leading to higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Inadequate financial savings tied to increased childhood health risks

A new study by UCLA researchers reveals that children in households with less than three months of savings are at a higher risk of obesity and chronic illnesses. Having enough savings to cover basic expenses for three months is crucial in avoiding debt and maintaining good health, according to the study.

Diluted apple juice, preferred fluids for treating mild gastroenteritis in kids

A study published in JAMA found that children with mild gastroenteritis and minimal dehydration experienced fewer treatment failures when offered half-strength apple juice followed by their preferred fluid choice compared to those who received electrolyte maintenance solution. The results suggest that diluted apple juice may be an appr...

Study identifies factors that can help children thrive in the face of adversity

A new study suggests certain family, social and community assets can boost a child's chances of flourishing in the face of adversity. Researchers found protective factors such as access to medical care, mothers' mental health, fathers' mental health, and community supports like trustworthy adults and good neighborhood amenities.

Survey suggests children of gay fathers are well adjusted

A study of 732 gay fathers found that they rate their children's self-esteem, peer relationships, and other measures of well-being similarly to parents in the general US population. The findings suggest that children of gay fathers do as well in every way as children whose parents are heterosexual.

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.

Stress and depression is linked to HPV-related health problems

A new study suggests that stress and depression play a significant role in whether a woman with human papillomavirus (HPV) can clear her infection or not. Women who reported self-destructive coping strategies and those who were depressed were more likely to develop an active HPV infection.

One-third of autistic children likely to wander, disappear

A study of 1,420 autistic children found that one-third had wandered away within the past 12 months. The researchers identified behavioral traits that increase the likelihood of elopement, highlighting the need for effective strategies to prevent such tragedies.

Mental health diagnoses rise significantly for military children

A recent study found a significant rise in mental health diagnoses among military-connected children, with anxiety and suicidal ideation experiencing the largest increases over the past 15 years. Diagnoses for other disorders also rose, with treatment visits doubling during the same period.

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.

Combination of face-to-face and online bullying may pack a powerful punch

A new study shows that teens who experience both face-to-face and cyber-bullying are more than twice as likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. Victims of multiple forms of bullying have over twice the odds of showing hostile behavior, such as verbal hostility, physical fighting, or damaging property.

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.

Breast milk linked to significant early brain growth in preemies

A study found that premature babies fed mostly breast milk had larger brains and more brain tissue than those given little or no breast milk. The researchers used MRI scans to measure brain volume and cortical surface area, and the results showed a significant correlation between breast milk consumption and brain development.

Concerns raised with products marketed as 'first finger foods'

A study found that many products marketed as first finger foods for babies do not meet American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, posing a risk of choking. The study tested nine products and found only two to meet the criteria, raising concerns about four others.

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.

Study suggests breastmilk promotes brain development in preemies

A new study suggests that breastmilk consumption can promote brain development in premature infants, leading to better developmental outcomes. The research found a positive correlation between the amount of breastmilk consumed and increased brain volume and cortical surface area in preterm babies.

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.

Percentage of US children who have chronic health conditions on the rise

New research reveals a disproportionate increase in chronic health conditions among US children living in poverty. Children with asthma, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and autism are more likely to have co-existing medical conditions, such as developmental delays or depression.

Finding sheds light on what may kill neurons after stroke

Researchers found that acidity can reactivate dormant N3A receptors, causing neurons to become more sensitive to glutamate, which can kill them. This finding sheds light on the role of N3A receptors in brain function and may lead to new treatments for strokes, seizures, and schizophrenia.

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.

Experts link up to improve South Asia's potatoes

A new public-private partnership aims to develop better potatoes for tropical and subtropical conditions in South Asia. CIP, HZPC, and SFSA will combine their expertise to breed and select potato varieties suitable for local markets.

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.

Exposure to particulate air pollutants associated with numerous cancers

Researchers found that long-term exposure to environmental pollutants, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), was linked to a higher risk of death from multiple types of cancer in an elderly Hong Kong population. The study showed a significant association between PM2.5 and increased mortality from breast, lung, and other cancers.

Scientists map brain's 'thesaurus' to help decode inner thoughts

Researchers create a detailed semantic atlas of the brain's language processing areas, revealing similarities in semantic topography across individuals. The study has potential applications in brain-machine interfaces, decoding difficult-to-speak patients, and translating languages.

Nanoparticles present sustainable way to grow food crops

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way to improve the growth of protein-rich bean crops by using zinc oxide nanoparticles, reducing the need for rock phosphorus fertilizer. The nanoparticles increase nutrient uptake and enzyme activity, leading to a lesser need for external phosphorus application.

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.

Scientists discover oral sexual encounters in spiders

Researchers found that male Darwin's bark spiders salivate onto female genitalia as an obligatory behavior before and after copulation. This unusual practice is thought to boost the male's chances of paternity by signaling quality or favoring one sperm over rivals.

Spintronics for future information technologies

Researchers have successfully controlled spin currents in topological insulators using circularly polarised laser light, opening the door for ultra-energy efficient data processing. The findings, published in Physical Review B, demonstrate the potential of these materials for spintronic applications.

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.

Why can't a woman play tennis like a man?

Researchers found that modifying tennis to match men's and women's physical characteristics could increase competitiveness in women's matches. The study controlled for physical factors like height and body mass index, but not other variables like strength and speed.

HPV infection can be identified in self-collected vaginal swabs

Researchers have developed a method to identify HPV infections using self-collected vaginal swabs, which provides accurate results similar to clinician-collected cervical specimens. This technology enables same-day screening and treatment, critical for preventing premature deaths from HPV-associated cancers in low-income countries.

Trauma in a bee

Entomologists have described a traumatic insemination process in which male twisted-winged parasites inject semen directly into the female's body cavity. The fertilization process is unusually prolonged, lasting up to 30 minutes, and is likely used to reduce sperm competition.

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.

Don't retweet if you want to remember

Experiments at Cornell University and Beijing University found that retweeting creates cognitive overload, leading to poor comprehension and recall of information. The study suggests that web interfaces should be designed to promote rather than interfere with cognitive processing.

Clay nanotube-biopolymer composite scaffolds for tissue engineering

Researchers developed clay nanotube-biopolymer composite scaffolds that improve mechanical strength, water uptake, and thermal properties. The scaffolds demonstrated enhanced biocompatibility and encouraged cell adhesion, proliferation, and neo-vascularization in vitro and in vivo.

Stansfield honored by Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Dr. Stansfield received a Clinical Science Young Investigator Award for his studies of cardiovascular risks associated with being a low- or high-birthweight baby. His research shows that extreme birthweights increase the risk of visceral adiposity and heart disease.

The gut microbiomes of infants have an impact on autoimmunity

A global study found that gut microbiomes of infants in Finland and Estonia are dominated by Bacteroides species, while Russian Karelian infants have an overrepresentation of Bifidobacterium. This difference may contribute to the spike in immune disorders seen in western societies.

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.

'Machine learning' may contribute to new advances in plastic surgery

Researchers explore machine learning's potential to enhance plastic surgery with algorithms for predicting burn healing times and suggesting reconstructive approaches. The field also holds promise for improving microsurgery, craniofacial surgery, hand and peripheral nerve surgery, and aesthetic surgery outcomes.

Good long-term quality of life after 'DIEP flap' breast reconstruction

A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that DIEP flap breast reconstruction provides good long-term quality of life for women who have undergone mastectomy for breast cancer. The reconstruction method allowed patients to maintain a good QOL in the long-term, comparable to women without breast cancer.

Salts in the brain control our sleep-wake cycle

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of salts in the brain controlling our sleep-wake cycle. By influencing salt levels, it is possible to control a mouse's sleep-wake cycle independently of neuromodulators like adrenalin.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Evidence points to widespread loss of ocean oxygen by 2030s

A new study led by NCAR scientist Matthew Long finds that ocean deoxygenation caused by climate change will become detectable between 2030 and 2040, posing a major threat to marine life. The researchers used the Community Earth System Model to quantify large-scale changes in oxygen in the oceans.