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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 23


Page 23 of 39

Understanding ocean processes

Using satellite data and subsurface observations, researchers aim to better understand the ocean's biological carbon pump and its response to climate change. The study's findings have significant implications for predicting CO2 levels and understanding the Earth's climate.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Using data to protect coral reefs from climate change

A global index detailing vulnerable corals and their susceptibility to thermal stress is now available. The index, based on nearly half a century of historical data, will help conservationists and scientists understand the effects of climate change on coral reefs.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 13, 2016

Detection of atomic scale structure of Cooper-pairs in a high-TC superconductor

A team of scientists from Seoul National University and the Center for Correlated Electron Systems has made the first-ever observation of Cooper-pair density waves at an atomic level. The detection was achieved using Scanning Josephson Tunneling Microscopy, allowing researchers to directly measure Cooper-pairs in atomic resolution.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Elusive state of superconducting matter discovered after 50 years

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have produced direct evidence of a predicted state of electronic matter in superconductors. The discovery, confirmed through the use of scanning tunneling microscopy, reveals periodic variations in Cooper pair density across space, validating the 50-year-old prediction.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

The economic crisis has worsened the hard lives of homeless people

A study by the University of the Basque Country found that the economic crisis has worsened the lives of homeless people, especially those who are foreign. The research revealed a rise in homelessness, primarily due to difficulties accessing jobs and cuts to financial aid, leading to increased duration of integration into society.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEuropean Journal of Social Work·DateApr 13, 2016

New imaging technique reveals vulnerability of coral reefs

A novel imaging technique using µCT scans has revealed that coral reefs are more vulnerable to bioerosion than previously thought, with changes in ocean pH having a significant impact on reef growth and breakdown. The study provides new insights into the complex relationships between environmental conditions and reef processes.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Anti-fibrotic peptide shows early promise against interstitial lung disease

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina discovered that the M10 peptide protects against fibrotic damage in a mouse model of ILD and is likely due to its modulation of the TGF-β1 pathway. The anti-fibrotic effects of M10 may also be effective in treating other forms of pulmonary fibrosis.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalTranslational Research·DateApr 13, 2016

Headdress reconstruction throws light on hunter-gatherer rituals

A research team used traditional techniques to create replicas of ritual headdresses made by hunter-gatherers 11,000 years ago in North Western Europe. The study suggests that expedient manufacturing techniques were employed, involving packing the skull with damp clay and placing it in a bed of embers.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016

Changes in state policies impact fatal and non-fatal assaults of law enforcement officers

A new study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health researchers found that three-strikes laws increase fatal and non-fatal assaults on officers by 33% and 62%, respectively. In contrast, permit-to-purchase handgun laws appear to protect law enforcement officers against handgun assaults, with Missouri's repeal associated with...

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalInjury Prevention·DateApr 13, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Chemical weathering controls erosion rates in rivers

New research finds that chemical weathering can weaken rock structures in river beds, making them more susceptible to erosion. The study reveals a positive feedback loop where high precipitation rates maintain high erosion rates despite continuously exposing 'fresh rock'.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Computers in your clothes? A milestone for wearable electronics

Ohio State University researchers develop functional textiles that can transmit digital information, enabling applications such as smart clothing, health monitoring, and brain implants. The technology reduces material cost by 24 times, making it more accessible for widespread adoption.

SourceOhio State University·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateApr 13, 2016

How LSD can make us lose our sense of self

A new study using fMRI images has found that LSD causes regions of the brain involved in higher cognition to become heavily over-connected, leading to a sense of ego dissolution. This phenomenon is also seen in certain psychiatric and neurological disorders.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Fast food may expose consumers to harmful chemicals called phthalates

A study by George Washington University researchers found that people who ate more fast food had higher levels of phthalates in their urine, which have been linked to reproductive damage and infertility. The study also discovered that grain and meat items were significant contributors to phthalate exposure.

SourceGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateApr 13, 2016

New research explains why HIV is not cleared by the immune system

Scientists at UNC School of Medicine and Sanford Burnham Prebys discovered a human protein, NLRX1, that represses the innate immune response to HIV. This finding provides critical insight into improving HIV antiviral therapies and has implications for cancer treatment.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateApr 13, 2016

On-the-go diagnosis of HIV and HCV co-infections

The researchers created a portable, paper-based electrochemical 'immunosensing' platform for rapid diagnosis of HIV and HCV co-infections. The device can detect HIV and HCV antibodies at lower concentrations than existing tests, with high accuracy and sensitivity.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Bubbles lead to disaster

Researchers used computer models and laboratory experiments to study bubble behavior in magma reservoirs. They found that bubbles accumulate faster in crystal-rich zones, leading to overpressurization and potential sulfur emissions. This discovery sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of super-volcanic eruptions.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

University research reveals greatest Formula One driver of all time

A statistical analysis by the University of Sheffield ranks Juan Manuel Fangio as the greatest Formula One driver in history, with teams playing a significant role in success. The study found that teams are around six times more important to success than individual drivers.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalJournal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports·DateApr 13, 2016

Trap and neutralize: A new way to clean contaminated groundwater

Researchers have discovered a chemical method to immobilize uranium in contaminated groundwater, which could lead to more precise water remediation efforts. The technique involves adding specific amounts of phosphate to form a calcium phosphate barrier that traps uranium, rendering it inert.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

After 18 million years, a new species of extinct rodent discovered in Israel

A new species of extinct rodent, Sayimys negevensis, has been discovered in Israel's Negev desert, providing insights into the early dispersal route of mammals from Asia to Africa. The discovery bridges the gap between primitive ctenodactylines and gundis, highlighting Israel's unique paleogeographic position.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016

Drug candidate halts crippling excess bone growth in animal model of a rare bone disease

Scientists have found that palovarotene, a previously tested emphysema drug, prevents multiple skeletal problems caused by fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) and maintains normal limb motion in lab animals. The drug has potent effects, preventing heterotopic ossification and preserving bone growth.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 13, 2016

Michael Gage and Arnold Pizer receive 2016 AMS Impact Award

WeBWorK, created by Michael Gage and Arnold Pizer, has made an invaluable contribution to teaching mathematics through its open-source online homework system. The system provides immediate feedback to students and is used in mathematics classes across the country, covering courses from college algebra to linear algebra.

SourceAmerican Mathematical Society·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Scorpion toxin insights may lead to a new class of insecticides

Research has identified molecular clues driving the effectiveness of scorpion toxins, including the tuning that makes them more toxic to insects. The study found eight protein hot spots indicative of adaptive evolution, which could lead to promising new candidates for insecticides.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateApr 13, 2016

What Flint's water crisis could mean for the rest of the nation

Aging lead pipes pose health risks across the US, with federal funding called for to address concerns sparked by the Flint water crisis. Scientists recommend replacing deteriorating infrastructure to prevent lead leaching into drinking water supplies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·DateApr 13, 2016

Expanding insurance for single-embryo IVF could improve pregnancy outcomes

A national survey of IVF cycles found that elective single-embryo transfer results in fewer adverse outcomes and ideal pregnancy outcomes, including single, full-term babies of normal birth weight. The study also shows that insurance coverage for infertility treatment is associated with increased use of elective single-embryo transfer.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalFertility and Sterility·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Physicists gain new view of superconductor

Researchers directly observed waves in superconductivity for the first time using scanning tunneling microscopes. They found relatively modest wave amplitude, but discovered that tuning different materials could produce more dramatic results.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Exposure to American Indian mascots activates stereotypes

A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that exposure to American Indian sports mascots can strengthen negative stereotypes, especially among liberal individuals. The researchers also discovered that a person's political identity can predict how susceptible they are to adopting stereotypes associated with bran...

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Ice streams can be slowed down by gas hydrates

A study suggests that gas hydrates in sediments slowed down an ice stream in the Barents Sea during the last ice age. The sticky spots under the ice act like hook and loop fasteners, creating friction and lubrication that can stop or slow the flow of the ice stream.

SourceUiT The Arctic University of Norway·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 13, 2016

City moths avoid the light

A new study by Swiss zoologists found that urban moths have learned to avoid light due to high mortality rates in rural populations. The researchers observed a significant decrease in flight-to-light propensity among moths exposed to heavy light pollution.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalBiology Letters·DateApr 13, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Genetic diversity helps to limit infectious disease

Research by University of Exeter academics reveals that genetic diversity in bacterial populations can help control the spread of diseases. By generating a diverse CRISPR-Cas immune system, host diversity limits parasite evolution, leading to rapid extinction of viruses on mixed-population hosts.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Some frogs are adapting to deadly pathogen

Researchers found that some frogs in Arizona are rapidly adapting to the fungal pathogen Batrachochrytrium dendrobatridis, which causes chytridiomycosis. The study identified a specific genetic variant, allele Q, that confers immunity to the disease, and showed that these variants were being rapidly inherited and evolving.

SourceCornell University·DateApr 13, 2016

Biophysics: Sorting the wheat from the chaff

Temperature gradients within pore channels in rock can separate primitive biopolymers based on their sequences, enabling the formation of self-replicating systems. This process is thought to have played a key role in the origin of life.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 13, 2016

GPM sees heavy rain in Tropical Cyclone Fantala

Tropical Cyclone Fantala intensified with sustained winds near 80 knots, prompting heavy rainfall of up to 189 mm/h. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts further intensification and potential impact on northern Madagascar.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 13, 2016

Spotting DNA repair genes gone awry

Scientists have identified 182 genome instability suppressing (GIS) genes in yeast and over 400 previously unknown cooperating GIS genes. These findings suggest a complex genetic network maintaining genome integrity and highlight potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

SourceLudwig Institute for Cancer Research·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

A new roundworm species from India is a link between 2 genera

A new roundworm species discovered in India is a bridge between two genera, Acrostichus and Diplogastrellus. The species exhibits intermediate characteristics, such as a narrow mouth cavity and robust male copulatory organs, making it a transitional species.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateApr 13, 2016

Repairing DNA damage in the human body

Researchers found increased mutations at gene promoter sites are caused by a compromised nucleotide excision repair system. This highlights the need for further research into gene promoter mutations and their role in cancer development.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Scientists grow a material based on hafnium oxide for a new type of non-volatile memory

Researchers have successfully grown ultra-thin ferroelectric films based on hafnium oxide, which could potentially be used to develop non-volatile memory elements. The films' ferroelectric properties are compatible with silicon technology, paving the way for the creation of new non-volatile memory devices.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 13, 2016

Animal study paints picture of the earliest immune responses to HIV

Researchers exposed monkeys to SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV, and found that the virus triggers early host responses that suppress antiviral immunity. This early inflammation promotes viral replication, highlighting the need for effective prevention tools.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalCell·DateApr 13, 2016

Drug candidate stops extra bone growth in animal model of rare, genetic disease

A preclinical study shows that palovarotene, a repurposed drug, inhibits extra bone growth and preserves normal skeletal bone growth in mice with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). The drug balances the effects of the FOP mutation, effectively restoring near-normal growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Scientists discover how to control heart cells using a laser

Researchers have found a way to control heart muscle cells using laser radiation, which could lead to new treatments for arrhythmia. The study used azoTAB molecules and found that controlling the ion channels in cardiomyocytes can reduce abnormal heart rhythms.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016

Study discovers link between cancer and autism

Researchers found patients with autism have higher gene mutations that drive cancer, but lower cancer rates. Autistic patients have significantly higher rates of DNA variation in oncogenes and are less likely to have a co-occurring diagnosis of cancer.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016