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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 10 of 32

Newly discovered 'Casper' octopod at risk from deep-sea mining

A new species of octopod, the 'Casper', has been found at record-breaking ocean depths, and its eggs are laid on sponges attached to seafloor nodules rich in valuable metals. The removal of these nodules may put the lifecycle of these octopods at risk due to their association with manganese crusts.

Neglect and abuse in childhood could have long-term economic consequences

A new study published in Pediatrics found that children who experienced neglect and abuse are more likely to have time off work due to sickness and less likely to own their own homes by middle age. The researchers also identified poor reading and mathematics skills as a key factor contributing to these outcomes.

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.

Ultra-thin solution to primary obstacle in solid-state battery development

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a game-changing ultra-thin aluminum oxide layer that decreases impedance in garnet-based solid-state batteries, allowing for efficient charging and discharging. This breakthrough technology solves the primary obstacle in solid-state battery development, increasing safety, perform...

Hybrid wheat breeding gets almost $1 million USDA investment

The project aims to increase hybrid wheat yield potential by 15-20 percent, making it climate resilient and attractive to producers. The team will develop tools and germplasm for efficient hybrid seed production and create hybrids to establish and confirm heterotic pools in wheat.

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.

Arctic lakes thawing earlier each year

Scientists found Arctic lakes are melting an average of one day earlier per year over a 14-year period, with Central Siberia showing the strongest trend. This early thawing has implications for energy balance, CO2 emissions, and winter transport.

Media coverage of studies needs more independent commentary

A study found that only 1 in 6 news stories included quotes from independent commenters, and many lacked relevant clinical and academic expertise. The authors suggest developing strategies to improve the quality and independence of comments in health news stories.

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.

UMN researchers provide molecular portraits of a new cancer drug target

University of Minnesota researchers have provided unprecedented images of cancer genome-mutating enzymes acting on DNA, offering vital clues into how these enzymes promote tumor evolution. The findings suggest ways to block enzyme activity in cancer, potentially making current anti-cancer therapies more effective.

An ancient mechanism helps a cell to resist stress

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University demonstrate how an evolutionary ancient mechanism of protein biosynthesis helps a cell resist stress. They developed a technique called FLERT, which allows studying the impact of cell stress on protein synthesis in a short-time scale.

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.

White matter structure in the brain predicts cognitive function at ages 1 and 2

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that patterns of white matter microstructure present at birth and after birth predict cognitive function in children at ages 1 and 2. The study used diffusion tensor imaging to identify 12 white matter fiber tracts important for cognitive function, which wer...

Clownfish adapt for population survival

Researchers found that clownfish can change hormone levels to become female and restore balance after the death of a female. The team identified key molecular pathways involved in this process, including aromatase, which is linked to estrogen production.

Depressed patients are less responsive to chemotherapy

A study found that cancer patients with depression have lower levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), making them less responsive to chemotherapy. Low BDNF levels are associated with reduced treatment tolerance and poorer outcomes.

Routine blood test predicts how long cancer patients will survive

A routine blood test can predict how long cancer patients in palliative care will survive, researchers report. The Six Adaptable Prognostic models use three laboratory measurements to estimate death within 1-6 months, allowing physicians to re-evaluate prognosis at any time point.

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.

Anxiety and depression a major issue for cancer survivors

A Malaysian study found that four in five cancer survivors suffer from anxiety and depression a year after diagnosis. The study also highlighted the importance of addressing quality of life for cancer patients beyond clinical outcomes.

Cancer costs leaving patients in debt

A study found that cancer patients spend a significant portion of their household income on treatment, transport, and childcare. The economic burden is often referred to as the 'financial toxicity' of cancer.

Many muons: Imaging the underground with help from the cosmos

Researchers at PNNL have created a smaller muon detector that can be used to monitor CO2 movement or leakage underground. The detector uses optical fibers and electronics to count muons passing through it, allowing for the detection of anomalies in density and the creation of images.

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.

Fundamental solid state phenomenon unraveled

Physicists at Goethe University Frankfurt have made a pioneering discovery about the phase transition from an electrical conductor to an insulator. The researchers found that both electrons and the atomic lattice play a significant role in the transition, contrary to common textbook opinion.

Investigating kidney biomarkers to track lupus

A new study found that urinary epidermal growth factor levels provided improved ability to distinguish between patients with kidney involvement and those without. The biomarker was also associated with overall lupus damage, suggesting its potential role in monitoring disease progression.

Artificial intelligence to predict odors

Researchers at FAU's Computer Chemistry Center are developing an AI application to predict odor molecules, neutralizing undesirable smells in packaging and products. The project aims to improve product development efficiency, reducing trial-and-error experiments.

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.

Ultrafast lasers reveal light-harvesting secrets of photosynthetic algae

Scientists at Princeton University have discovered a vibrational resonance mechanism that enables the efficient transfer of light energy in cryptophyte algae. This finding provides valuable insights for designing artificial light-harvesting systems, potentially leading to more efficient solar energy collectors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Quantifying radiation damage in SAXS experiments

Radiation damage hinders SAXS experiments' success due to protein aggregation and fragmentation. A new software, RADDOSE-3D extensions, calculates doses for SAXS experiments, reducing manual burden and assessing radioprotectant efficacy.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Internet data could boost conservation

Researchers used internet data to track public interest in conservation over time, finding sudden spikes linked to media coverage and seasonal events. The study suggests harnessing these peaks to aid protection efforts, using methods that are relatively cheap and produce huge sample sizes.

Movable microplatform floats on a sea of droplets

A new approach by researchers at MIT offers a way to make movable parts with no solid connections between the pieces, potentially eliminating wear and failure. The system uses a layer of liquid droplets to support a tiny, movable platform, which can be controlled electrically.

Hookah tobacco labels are misleading, Roswell Park, UB researchers find

Research at Roswell Park and University at Buffalo found that many hookah tobacco products have inaccurate labeling regarding nicotine content. The study revealed significant variations in nicotine and pH levels among different types of tobacco, highlighting the need for standardized testing and regulation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Outdoor recreation in protected areas negatively impacts wildlife

A study led by Colorado State University found that outdoor recreation in protected areas leads to negative effects on wildlife, including decreased species diversity and survival rates. However, some studies suggest positive effects on certain species, such as birds and rodents, with increased abundance and reduced stress.

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.

Internet use in class tied to lower test scores

Researchers found that laptop use in class was linked to poorer test scores, with social media and non-academic internet use being the biggest distractions. The study suggests that encouraging students to bring laptops to class without a clear purpose can negatively impact academic performance.

Method enables machine learning from unwieldy data sets

Researchers developed an algorithm that extracts diverse subsets from large data sets, improving machine learning efficiency and diversity. The new method is 1 billion times faster than existing algorithms, enabling real-time analysis of vast amounts of data.

What makes influential science? Telling a good story

A study published in PLOS ONE found that scientific papers with a narrative style, including sensory language and emotional appeals, were more highly cited and featured in top journals. Researchers hope this work will improve scientific communication and lead to better policy decisions.

Ocean temperatures faithfully recorded in mother-of-pearl

A team of researchers led by University of Wisconsin-Madison physics Professor Pupa Gilbert has discovered that mother-of-pearl can accurately record ancient ocean temperatures. By analyzing the thickness of microscopic tablet layers in nacre, they found a reliable method for measuring past climate conditions.

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.

Toward energy solutions for northern regions

The workshop emphasized social acceptability, aboriginal community involvement, and improving energy demand forecasts for northern regions. Researchers from Iceland and Quebec explored geothermal energy potential, data limitations, and demonstration projects to validate assumptions regarding low-temperature heat pumps.

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.