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Science News Archive February 2016


Page 34 of 39

In the Southern Ocean, a carbon-dioxide mystery comes clear

The study found that sediments from the deep Southern Ocean carried smaller amounts of oxygen, indicating phytoplankton took up large amounts of carbon dioxide. This led to a buildup of decaying organic matter that stored extra carbon in the deep sea.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Nutrient deprivation kills kidney cancer cells

Researchers found that deprivation of cystine triggers necrosis in renal cell carcinoma cells, leading to cell death and delayed tumor growth. This approach may offer a new therapeutic strategy for treating this aggressive form of kidney cancer.

Organic crystals allow creating flexible electronic devices

Researchers from Moscow State University have grown organic semiconductor crystals with extremely high light-emitting efficiency, promising a bright future for wet-processed organic optoelectronics. The solution-grown crystals outperform vapor-grown ones in luminescence efficiency and quantum yield.

Media stereotypes fuel support for anti-Muslim action, new research shows

New research from Iowa State University finds that negative media stories about Muslims can lead to increased support for military action and restrictions against Muslim Americans. The study suggests that positive news stories about Muslims can help stem the tide of anti-Muslim sentiment, prejudice, and behavior.

What's the impact of new marijuana laws? The data so far...

According to a review in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, new marijuana laws have led to an increase in marijuana use among adults but not teens, with some evidence of harmful effects. The potency of marijuana is also increasing, leading to more drivers testing positive for it.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

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Parental depression negatively affects children's school performance

A new study found that parental depression can significantly negatively affect children's school performance, with mothers' diagnoses having a greater impact on girls. Children whose parents have depression are more likely to achieve lower grades, similar to those in low-income families but with smaller effects.

Parasitic ants alter how captive ants recognize nest mates

Researchers found that enslaved Formica ant colonies were more genetically and chemically diverse than their free-living counterparts. This diversity is likely caused by seasonal raids to steal pupae from adjacent host colonies, leading to changes in how the ants recognize nest mates.

Researchers develop hack-proof RFID chips

A new type of RFID chip is virtually impossible to hack, preventing identity theft and high-tech burglaries. The chip uses ferroelectric crystals to thwart power-glitch attacks and features a bank of capacitors as an on-chip energy source.

On the origin of Eukaryotes -- when cells got complex

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona, Spain, have shed new light on the evolution of eukaryotic cells by studying mitochondrial acquisition. The study found that acquiring mitochondria occurred late in cell evolution, suggesting a crucial milestone in life's complexity.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Helping turn waste heat into electricity

Researchers found a way to control energy transfer between electrons and bismuth crystal lattice, enabling efficient conversion of waste heat into electricity. This discovery could improve the overall efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess heat.

Smartphones for sensing

Smartphone sensors can measure various physical quantities such as ultraviolet index, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and air quality. A smart home system has been developed using mobile phones to detect CO2, temperature, humidity, and other parameters.

Women are seen more than heard in online news

The study found men's views and voices are represented more in online news than women's, while women appear proportionally more in images. Women feature more in fashion and entertainment articles, but are least present in sports and politics topics. The research highlights the marginalization of women's voices in the media.

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.

Researchers propose high-efficiency wireless power transfer system

Scientists from ITMO University developed a novel WPT system that maintains up to 80% transfer efficiency across 20 centimeters, making it suitable for commercial applications. The system uses spherical dielectric resonators and a higher-order resonant frequency mode to reduce power losses.

Clean kitchens cut calories

A recent study conducted at the Cornell Food and Brand Lab found that cluttered kitchens can lead to over-snacking. Women who waited in a messy kitchen ate 53 more calories from cookies compared to those waiting in an organized kitchen.

Practice makes perfect: Switching between languages pays off

Research from Concordia University reveals that bilingual children are better at certain types of mental control, with those who practice more language switching showing greater skills. This advantage is attributed to the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, including increased cognitive flexibility and selective attention abilities.

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.

Cause for hope: Secondary tropical forests put on weight fast

A study of secondary tropical forests reveals that they can recover biomass levels comparable to old-growth forests in as little as 66 years. The research highlights the potential of regenerating these forests to play a critical role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration.

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.

Parental depression associated with worse school performance by children

A Swedish study of over 1.1 million children found that parental depression was associated with poorer school performance at age 16, with maternal depression having a larger negative effect on girls. The study suggests that early intervention and support for affected parents could have far-reaching effects on child development.

Purified cashew proteins lend insight into allergic reactions

Scientists have developed a method to purify cashew proteins, shedding light on their effects and potential treatments for allergies. The study found differences in how allergens bind to antibodies in children and adults, highlighting the importance of geography and age in allergies.

NIH scientists discover genetic cause of rare allergy to vibration

Researchers identify ADGRE2 gene mutation responsible for vibratory urticaria, a rare inherited disorder causing hives and allergic symptoms upon vibration. The study reveals a key role of the mast cell response to physical stimuli in disease development, offering new insights into immune system functions.

Safeguarding sturgeon

Researchers at the University of Delaware used satellite measurements to predict Atlantic sturgeon locations. They identified six seascapes that sturgeon prefer and combined them with ocean color and temperature data to create a map that can help fishermen avoid catching the vulnerable species.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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Scripps-led team discovers 4 new deep-sea worm species

A Scripps-led team has discovered four new deep-sea worm species, expanding the diversity of known species from one to five. The discovery has significant implications for understanding early animal evolution and the development of organ systems such as guts, brains, and kidneys.

Greenland ice sheet releasing 'Mississippi River' worth of phosphorus

Researchers found that the Greenland ice sheet is releasing a significant amount of phosphorus into the Arctic Ocean, with annual input equal to some of the world's largest rivers. The nutrient could stimulate growth of plankton at the base of the ocean food web, impacting birds, fish, and marine mammals higher up the chain.

Chip enables navigation aids for the visually impaired

Researchers developed a low-power chip that can process 3-D camera data and guide the visually impaired through wearable devices. The chip, about one-thousandth as powerful as conventional processors, enables a prototype navigation system that conveys distance information to users.

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.

Investigating potential fetal exposure to antidepressants

Researchers studied exposure to antidepressants in mice, finding that SSRIs like citalopram rapidly transfer to fetuses and brains. The study's findings suggest potential risks for children of mothers taking these medications during pregnancy.

Gender diversity in the boardroom key for LGBT friendly firms

A study published by SAGE in Human Relations found that diversity in the boardroom is key to advancing LGBT-inclusive policies. Firms with a higher percentage of women on the board are more likely to adopt a broad range of LGBT-friendly policies and practices.

Model helps decide drug dose for clinical testing

A mathematical model accurately predicted the results of a herpes drug study, pinpointing the most effective dose for treatment. The model considers the complex immune response against the virus, improving upon current methods that neglect this aspect.

Financial industry coping with issues of elder exploitation, cognitive decline

The financial industry is facing a major economic threat from elder financial exploitation and cognitive decline, which can result in significant losses for individuals and society. New research and initiatives are being developed to detect, prevent, and intervene in these cases, including predictive models and algorithms.

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.

Promising compounds against a cancer target

Researchers at IRB Barcelona have synthesized peptides that target the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) protein, which accelerates tumour cell growth. These peptides show promise as a potential treatment for cancer, and further studies are underway to develop stronger compounds.

UT Dallas study: Most NFL arrests not for violent crimes

A new UT Dallas study suggests that most NFL arrests are not for violent crimes, but rather minor offenses. The majority of players involved in violent incidents have only one arrest during the studied period, highlighting a small fraction of repeat offenders.

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.

Indiana University paleobotanist plays role in discovery of 'Jurassic butterflies'

A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society: B identifies a Jurassic-age insect whose behavior and appearance closely mimic those of butterflies. The discovery was made possible by the examination of well-preserved fossils from ancient lake deposits in China and Kazakhstan. Researchers found that these 'Jurassic butterfli...

Chip could bring deep learning to mobile devices

Researchers at MIT have developed a new chip called Eyeriss that can enable mobile devices to run powerful artificial-intelligence algorithms locally. This could improve performance, reduce latency and allow for more efficient processing of data without relying on Wi-Fi connections.

Fruit flies adjust their courtship song based on distance

Researchers discovered that male fruit flies adjust the amplitude of their courtship song based on distance from females, conserving energy and competing more effectively. This complex behavior sheds light on social interactions across the animal kingdom.

Significant changes in rhino bone health over 50 million years

A study of rhinoceros bones reveals a significant increase in osteopathology as new species evolved, from 28% to 65-80%. The black rhino showed 50% fewer osteopathologies than derived extinct taxa, suggesting that long-term bone health may have been compromised by adaptations for increased mass and activity.

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.

Same switches program taste and smell in fruit flies

Fruit flies develop complex nervous systems through a set of genetic control switches that interact early in development to generate dozens of types of olfactory neurons. The same gene network also plays a role in programming taste neurons, suggesting the same basic mechanism could be at work in other animals.

High risk of falling -- an early sign of Parkinson's

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that Parkinson's patients experience a higher risk of injurious falls and hip fractures up to 30 years before diagnosis. This suggests early signs of balance issues may be an indicator of the disease.

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.

Study reveals how herpes virus tricks the immune system

Researchers at Rockefeller University have captured atomic images of the herpes simplex 1 virus revealing how it inserts itself into another protein to evade detection by immune cells. The study provides a mechanistic explanation for the virus's ability to escape immune system recognition.

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.