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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 26 of 38

Engineering a better biofuel

A team from Washington University in St. Louis has developed a new method to produce biofuels in E. coli bacteria, boosting BCFA manufacture to 80 percent of all fuel products, and opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals and other useful products.

Improved knowledge of shelf life of food

A recent study from Aarhus University found that Danes' knowledge of shelf life labels has improved, with 70% correctly identifying the difference between labels. However, many consumers throw away food after the 'best before' date without checking its edibility, highlighting a need for greater awareness and education.

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.

Specialized life forms abound at Arctic methane seeps

A new study found that Arctic methane seeps have a strong localized influence on benthic organism abundance and diversity. The total biomass at seepage sites was significantly higher than nearby non-seepage sites, but with lower species diversity due to the presence of a few highly tolerant or specially adapted species.

User-friendly language for programming efficient simulations

Researchers developed a new language called Simit that automatically switches between low-level and high-level descriptions of physical systems, reducing simulation time and code complexity. The language has applications in various fields, including machine learning, data analytics, and robotics.

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.

'Cultural learners' in the cradle

Researchers found that infants selectively paid attention to native speakers of their language, even when the information was not transmitted through verbal speech. This behavior was replicated with 5-month-old infants and suggests that children use native speakers as a way to efficiently learn relevant cultural knowledge.

Discovery of a time-resolved supernova signal in Earth's microfossils

Researchers found a time-resolved supernova signal in biogenically produced crystals from Pacific Ocean sediment cores, indicating the solar system spent 1 million years transiting through a supernova's debris. The signal was first detectable at 2.7 million years ago and ended around 1.7 million years ago.

How mouth microbes may worsen colorectal cancer

Researchers discovered that oral microbes like fusobacteria travel through the bloodstream to reach colorectal tumors, where they proliferate and accelerate cancer. The study sheds light on how these bacteria home in on tumors using a protein called Fap2.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Thymectomy benefits myasthenia gravis patients without chest tumor

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that thymectomy significantly improves disease status measures, reduces need for corticosteroids, and decreases hospitalization needs in MG patients without a chest tumor. This confirms the early use of thymectomy as an effective treatment option for MG.

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.

Frankfurter fraud: Finding out what's in your hot dog

Researchers create technique to identify pairs of short DNA sequences from beef, buffalo, and pork in hot dogs, providing a more reliable approach than existing methods. The study found that all 'beef' hot dogs contained buffalo meat, highlighting the need for accurate food testing.

Unraveling the jaw-dropping goblin shark

Researchers at Hokkaido University analyzed footage of goblin sharks capturing prey using a high-speed jaw projection, called 'slingshot feeding', which propels the jaws at speeds of up to 3.1 meters per second. This adaptation allows the shark to compensate for its slow swimming speed in deep-sea environments where food is scarce.

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.

Diagnoses: When are several opinions better than 1?

Researchers found that collective intelligence is more accurate than individual diagnoses when doctors have similar levels of accuracy. The study suggests that assembling groups with similar diagnostic abilities can lead to better medical outcomes.

How climate change will hurt humanity's closest cousins

A new Concordia study reveals that climate change may be one of the biggest emerging threats to primates, with 419 species expected to experience 10% more warming than the global average. The researchers identified hotspots of primate vulnerability in Central America, the Amazon, and Southeast Asia.

TSRI and NIH scientists show molecule in brain may drive cocaine addiction

A new study by TSRI and NIH scientists found that hypocretin levels may contribute to cocaine addiction. Blocking hypocretin activity reduced compulsive drug-seeking behavior in rat models. The research suggests a potential role for the hypocretin system as a pharmacological target for treating cocaine addiction.

Breastfeeding twice as likely after home births than hospital births

A study by Trinity College Dublin found that home births are associated with higher breastfeeding rates due to midwife-led care, skin-to-skin contact, and reduced stress. In contrast, hospital births have been linked to lower breastfeeding rates due to interventions, pain-relieving medications, and formula supplementation.

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.

Going the distance: Babies reach farther with adults around

Research reveals that 8-month-old infants are more likely to reach for distant toys when an adult is present, indicating they understand the social context and plan their actions. The study suggests that babies perceive adults as expanding their ability to act in the world.

Managing climate change refugia to protect wildlife

A new study led by the Northeast Climate Science Center at UMass Amherst offers a framework for conserving areas naturally buffered from climate change. The researchers provide specific steps for identifying and managing climate change refugia, which can serve as short-term sanctuaries for species of conservation concern.

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.

Dear future US president: A wish list from a physician-scientist

Scott Friedman calls on the next president to boost NIH funding, invest in physician-scientists, and promote disease prevention and access to medical care. He advocates for public-private partnerships, clinical trials with repurposed drugs, and democratizing access to clinical trials.

Are violent video games associated with more civic behaviors among youth?

A study published in Psychology of Popular Media Culture found that violent video game use was associated with increased civic behaviors, such as volunteering, among youth. The relationship was small and correlational in nature, suggesting that violent games may not be a significant contributor to problem behaviors.

The healthiest eaters are the most culturally 'fit'

A recent study by Cynthia Levine suggests that people who fit better with their culture have healthier eating habits. In the US, independent behavior predicts a healthy diet, while in Japan, interdependence is linked to healthier eating.

Managing climate change refugia to protect wildlife

A new USGS study identifies specific steps to manage climate refugia for plants, animals, and fishes. These 'refugia' are areas that will remain relatively stable due to climate change, providing temporary sanctuaries for species of conservation concern.

In search of a golden age

Linguistic anthropologist Piers Kelly argues that the Philippines' 'golden age' war treasure myth is rooted in local folklore, not WWII-era plunder. The tale of hidden riches thrives during times of crisis to boost morale and challenge economic inequality.

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.

New hope for shock patients in intensive care

A new medical device that combines laser spectroscopy and precise flow measurement has shown promise in improving care for shock patients. The device, which fits into a standard ventilation tube, allows doctors to monitor oxygen consumption in real-time, potentially leading to more effective treatment.

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.

Two become one: How to turn green light blue

Karlsruhe researchers created a new piggyback structure for metal-organic frameworks that enables photon upconversion, transforming low-energy photons into high-energy photons. This process has potential applications in solar cells and LEDs, increasing efficiency and reducing limitations.

Loophole for cancer cells

Cancer cells use DR6 to kill endothelial cells, allowing them to slip through the vascular wall and form metastases. This process is known as necroptosis, which enables cancer cells to overcome an endothelial cell layer in the laboratory and in living organisms.

Marine citizen science: Room for growth

A recent survey of 1145 marine users found strong public support for citizen science projects, highlighting room for growth in this field. The study's findings have implications for both researchers and the general public, emphasizing the need for further research on citizen science's effectiveness.

Simplified approach to drug development with Upsalite

Upsalite's pore size control allows for tuning of amorphous phase stabilization and release rate of poorly soluble drugs like itraconazole. This breakthrough simplifies the synthesis of mesoporous materials, enabling industrial up-scaling.

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.

How incivility spreads in the workplace

A study by Michigan State University found that incivility spreads through condescending comments and put-downs, reducing employees' self-control and leading to uncivil behavior. Workplace incivility has a significant impact on employees and companies, with an estimated $14,000 annual loss per employee.

New method helps stabilize materials with elusive magnetism

Researchers introduce two approaches to stabilize itinerant ferromagnetic state in quantum gases, allowing for experimental detection and study of this elusive physical state. By imposing moderate optical lattices or studying cloud evolution, the methods reduce three-body recombination rates, enabling longer-lived ferromagnetic domains.

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.

Discovery of key component of HIV virus yields new drug target

Scientists have discovered a key component of the HIV virus that it uses to infect cells while avoiding detection by the immune system. They identified iris-like pores in the capsid shell that suck in nucleotides needed for replication, explaining why HIV is successful at evading the immune system.

Deer evolution: Ancient DNA reveals novel relationships

Researchers at LMU Munich have sequenced mitochondrial DNA from museum specimens of rare deer species, refining the evolutionary history of cervids. The study identifies novel relationships among species, including confirmation of a second muntjac species in Borneo and polyphyletic genera in New World deer.

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.

Origin of the turtle shell lies in digging

Researchers found that ancient turtles' shells evolved from broadened ribs for burrowing, not protection, in a study published in Current Biology. The discovery sheds light on the earliest beginnings of the turtle shell's unique structure.

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.