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Science News Archive April 2016


Page 12 of 39

Inspirational managers may harm workers' health

Researchers found that transformational leadership can increase sickness absence levels among employees who ignore their ill-health and frequently show up for work while ill. The study suggests that managers should strike a balance between encouraging staff to perform well and prioritizing their health and well-being.

Mechanism behind plant withering clarified

Researchers have reproduced the reaction behind plant withering, revealing a mechanism involving reactive oxygen species during photosynthesis. This discovery could help ensure stable food supplies by cultivating plants resistant to global warming.

Does a parent's perception of their child's weight impact on child weight gain?

Researchers found that parental perceptions of a child's weight status are not protective against weight gain during childhood. Children whose parents perceived their weight as 'overweight' gained more weight over time. This association holds true even if the parent accurately or inaccurately believed their child was overweight.

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.

Outwitting poachers with artificial intelligence

Researchers use AI and game theory to improve anti-poaching patrols, reducing poacher activities per kilometer and saving time and energy. The system also incorporates complex terrain information and natural transit paths to create practical patrol routes.

Need to remember something? Better draw it, study finds

A study by University of Waterloo researchers found that drawing pictures of information improves memory, outperforming other known encoding strategies. The 'drawing effect' was observed, where students recalled more drawn words than written ones, even with poor artistic skills.

The atom without properties

Researchers have observed Bell correlations for the first time in a large system of 480 atoms, indicating that properties may exist independently but not deterministically. This finding opens up new possibilities in quantum technology and basic research.

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.

Wellderly study suggests link between cognitive decline genes and healthy aging

Researchers from Scripps Translational Science Institute discovered a higher-than-normal presence of genetic variants offering protection from cognitive decline in the 'Wellderly' study. These variants were found to be associated with long-term cognitive health and protection from chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.

Crayfish may help restore dirty streams, Stroud study finds

A study found that crayfish increase macroinvertebrate density in polluted streams. The presence of crayfish also reduces sediment settling, creating a more favorable habitat for these organisms. This research highlights the potential benefits of invasive species like crayfish in alleviating problems in impaired streams.

Rex Griswold Foundation gives $50,000 to TGen for MSA research

The Rex Griswold Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to investigate Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare nerve disorder affecting fewer than 5 in every 100,000 people. TGen's whole genome sequencing aims to uncover novel genetic associations with MSA.

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.

HIV infection prematurely ages humans by an average of 5 years

A recent study found that HIV infection can lead to an average age acceleration of 4.9 years due to epigenetic changes, increasing the risk of mortality by 19%. The researchers suggest that early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices may help mitigate these risks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers identify key factor for reprogramming adult cells into stem cells

A team led by John P. Cooke identified reactive oxygen species as critical to the transformation of adult somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The researchers discovered that a 'Goldilock's zone' of free radical generation is optimal for iPSC production, with too little or too much ROS impaireding colony formation.

Bakery switches to propane vans

A Midwest bakery's switch to propane from diesel resulted in significant petroleum displacement and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Alpha Baking Company saved seven cents per mile on fuel costs with the new vehicles.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Can changes to your diet help you sleep better?

A review of 21 studies on dietary interventions and sleep found significant effects in nearly half of the laboratory-based studies. However, overall findings suggest that a single diet change is unlikely to drastically improve sleep quality for most people.

New study looks at safety of outpatient hand and shoulder surgeries

A large study of nearly 29,000 outpatient hand and shoulder surgeries found a 0.2 percent complication rate, with most complications being post-operative infections or blood clots. The study suggests that proper patient selection can make these procedures safe at freestanding ambulatory surgery centers.

USU chemists shed new light on global energy, food supply challenge

Researchers at Utah State University and other institutions have developed a light-driven process for nitrogen fixation, which could revolutionize agriculture and reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. The new process uses nanomaterials to capture light energy, making it more energy-efficient than traditional methods.

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.

Numerical simulations shed new light on early universe

The BURST code simulates conditions during the first few minutes of cosmological evolution to model the role of neutrinos, nuclei and other particles in shaping the early universe. This allows physicists to investigate existing puzzles of cosmology, including the nature and origin of visible matter and dark matter.

Preparations for a US west coast tsunami look to the past and future

Scientists are evolving plans for managing tsunami risk on the US Pacific coastline, using historic data and new technologies like camera-bearing drones. California officials are refining their response playbooks after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, while geologists search for evidence of past tsunamis to better estimate risks.

2+1 is not always 3

Researchers measured critical Casimir forces with two and three particles to demonstrate nonadditivity and show that these forces are crucial for designing micro-machines. The study used colloids immersed in fluid and optical tweezers to measure the effects of many-body interaction.

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.

Nearby supernova ashes continue to rain on Earth

Scientists have discovered a nearby supernova's ash continuing to fall on Earth, with rare iron-60 isotope detected in cosmic rays. The findings suggest another supernova occurred near the previous one, contributing to the ongoing acceleration of these nuclei.

Discovery could lead to better asthma treatment

Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a signaling molecule that can alleviate asthma symptoms such as mucus production and airway constriction. The study found that blocking this molecule can help regulate the allergic immune response, potentially leading to improved treatment options for asthma sufferers worldwide.

Evolution in action detected in Darwin's finches

A team of scientists has identified a gene, HMGA2, that explains variation in beak size among Darwin's finches. The gene contributed to a rapid shift in beak size following a severe drought, enabling the medium ground finch to adapt and survive.

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.

Columbia Engineering-led team advances single molecule electronic DNA sequencing

Researchers have developed a complete system to sequence DNA in nanopores electronically at single molecule level with single-base resolution. The system uses a protein nanopore array and polymer-tagged nucleotides to perform single molecule electronic DNA sequencing, enabling real-time and parallel sequencing of multiple DNA molecules.

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.

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.

Overall stability analysis of improved buckling restrained braces

The improved buckling restrained braces (IBRBs) feature contact rings between inner and outer tubes for lateral constraint, resulting in better behavior. Numerical simulations agree with test results, demonstrating the program's feasibility in analyzing overall stability strength capacity.

For American youth, rich-poor gap in life expectancy narrowing: Free

A new study by Janet Currie and colleagues reveals a decline in mortality inequality among poor children up to age 20, with improvements most pronounced in poorer counties. This finding suggests that the life expectancy gap is likely to continue decreasing as younger generations form the future US population.

The importance of resting phases in B cell development

Researchers discovered that B cells rely on RNA binding proteins ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 to induce quiescence, allowing them to 'rest up' between developmental events. This mechanism is crucial for proper B cell development, as seen in mice where a 98% reduction of mature B cells was observed when these proteins were absent.

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.

DNA proves mammoths mated beyond species boundaries

A new DNA analysis suggests that North American mammoths interbred more frequently than previously thought, blurring the lines between species. The study found that woolly and Columbian mammoths could produce fertile offspring, contradicting historical notions of separate species.

UF Health researchers develop unique model for studying ALS

Researchers created a mouse model that closely replicates the symptoms and gene expression patterns of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The model allows scientists to understand how the C9orf72 gene mutation causes paralysis and dementia, and potentially develop treatments.

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.

Volcanoes tied to shifts in Earth's climate over millions of years

A new study reveals that volcanic activity associated with continental plate movement may have driven climatic shifts from hot to cold over tens and hundreds of millions of years. The research found that periods of high volcanic activity coincided with warmer conditions, while low volcanic activity was linked to colder, icehouse periods.

Increasing cases of anaphylaxis among children

A new study found that anaphylaxis rates among Canadian children have doubled over four years, highlighting the need for increased awareness and proper use of epinephrine auto-injectors. The majority of cases were triggered by food, particularly peanut and tree nut allergies.

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.

Study shows how to make fertilizer from sunlight

Scientists at NREL developed a new, light-driven chemical process to produce ammonia, the main ingredient of fertilizer. The research uses nanocrystals to harness light energy, which then energizes electrons to trigger nitrogen transformation.

This is why you feel groggy after sleeping in a new place

Researchers discovered that when people sleep in an unfamiliar place, one hemisphere of the brain stays more awake to keep watch. This phenomenon is related to the difficulty a person experiences in falling asleep and can be reduced by bringing familiar comforts.