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Science News Archive February 2016


Page 35 of 39

Misery of work second only to illness

Researchers found a 7-8% drop in happiness among British workers compared to leisure activities outside of work. The Mappiness app, which quizzes users on their wellbeing, debunks the myth that Brits love queuing and reveals lovemaking as the most pleasurable experience.

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.

Seeing exemplary peer work can undermine student performance

A new study published in Psychological Science found that exposure to exemplary peer work can undermine student motivation and lead to quitting. Researchers discovered that students who assessed exemplary peers' essays were substantially less likely to earn course credit than those who assessed average peers' essays.

With ravens, out of sight is not out of mind

New research suggests that ravens share human-like ability to think abstractly about other minds, attributed to mental states including vision. Ravens guarded food caches in response to auditory cues from unseen competitors, demonstrating a level of Theory of Mind previously unknown in non-human animals.

What goes wrong in the brain when someone can't spell

Studies of stroke victims with spelling impairments reveal distinct brain regions responsible for long-term and working memory, offering new insights into the mechanics of language and memory. Damage to these regions can lead to different symptoms, including difficulty guessing or assembling words.

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.

New Zealand's little penguins are recent Australian invaders

A new study found that New Zealand's little penguin species is a recently introduced Australian invader, replacing the native species that was hunted by early human settlers and introduced predators. The Australian penguins arrived in Otago between 1500 and 1900 AD.

Front of package food labels do not mean a food is healthy

Researchers analyzed over 2,200 breakfast cereals and prepared meals with front-of-pack (FOP) claims, finding no correlation between the claims and nutritional quality. The FDA defines four types of FOP claims, but none can distinguish 'healthy' foods.

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.

Listeria: Hypervirulent strains with cerebral and placental tropism

Researchers identified hypervirulent strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with human infections, which are more invasive and infect central nervous system and fetus more often than those linked to food. The study used large-scale analysis of epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data.

'Gene fusion' mutation uses 3-way mechanism to drive childhood brain cancers

A powerful three-way mechanism driving childhood brain cancer growth has been discovered by scientists. The MYB-QKI gene fusion is found in rare pediatric glioma subtype angiocentric glioma and drives tumor formation through abnormal expression, disruption of tumor suppression, and activation via a positive feedback loop.

Longer shifts for surgical residents are safe for patients

A new landmark national study by Northwestern Medicine found that allowing surgical residents to work longer hours without compromising patient safety improved patient care and resident training. The FIRST trial investigated 4,330 residents and 138,691 patients, with similar rates of complications in both groups.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Greenland model could help estimate sea level rise

Researchers used computer models and field data to accurately depict current flow conditions in Greenland's topographically complex ice sheet. The study aims to improve knowledge of subglacial topography and predict potential effects on sea levels from a melting ice sheet.

New light shed on anti-adhesive molecule in the vascular endothelium

Researchers from Harvard Medical School have gained new understanding of how endomucin, a key molecule with anti-adhesive properties, prevents inflammatory cells from adhering to blood vessels. By promoting the expression of endomucin, they believe it may be possible to develop treatments for inflammation.

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.

Women more sensitive to irksome behavior than men

A recent study by Michigan State University suggests women are more likely to get irked at irritating behavior exhibited by acquaintances and partners. Women's heightened social awareness may contribute to their increased sensitivity to annoyance.

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.

Four new algae species discovered in Hawaii's deep waters

Scientists have discovered four new species of deep-water algae from Hawaii, which are similar in appearance to limu palahalaha and hold great cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. The newly discovered species were collected between 200-400 feet deep and are believed to redefine our understanding of algal distributions in Hawaii.

Backing from their GP could lead thousands more to take bowel cancer test

Research suggests that adding a simple endorsement from a patient's GP practice to the invitation letter could increase the number of people taking the bowel cancer screening test by up to 40,000 annually. This would lead to an additional 61 cases of bowel cancer and 165 high or medium-risk polyps being detected each year.

Is being a morning person in your DNA?

A recent study published in Nature Communications has identified genetic variants linked to a preference for mornings or nights, revealing the biological basis of morningness. The research found that individuals with a 'morning' genotype tend to have lower BMI and are less likely to suffer from depression.

New drug target for Rett syndrome

Harvard researchers have identified a disrupted signaling pathway that, when corrected, can ameliorate symptoms of Rett syndrome in mice. The findings may lead to the discovery of compounds or drugs that can benefit children affected by the disease.

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.

Antiseptic baths to prevent infections deemed effective for long-term use

A study published by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America found that long-term use of antiseptic soap in bathing critically ill patients did not cause high levels of resistance in bacteria on their skin. The prevalence of MRSA-resistant strains decreased after starting chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing.

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.

Logging helps black rats invade rainforests

A new study shows that logging in tropical rainforests creates micro-environments that black rats love, facilitating their invasion into the habitat. This can lead to displacement of native small mammals and have negative impacts on the forest ecosystem.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Effects on HIV and Ebola

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discover that Cistus incanus extracts prevent human immunodeficiency viruses from infecting cells and block Ebola- and Marburg viral envelope proteins. The study demonstrates broad antiviral activity of Ci extracts against various major human viral pathogens.

Seafood consumption may play a role in reducing risk for Alzheimer's

Research suggests that eating at least one seafood serving per week may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in older adults with the APOE-4 gene. The study found no association between seafood consumption and increased brain mercury levels or beta amyloid protein plaques, key markers of the disease.

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.

NASA's ICESat-2 equipped with unique 3-D manufactured part

ICESat-2 will employ a novel technique to determine ice sheet topography and sea ice thickness, leveraging a 3D-printed PEKK bracket that offers electrostatic dissipation and minimal outgassing. The satellite's Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) will utilize photon counting for precise surface elevation measurements.

Ravens attribute visual access to unseen competitiors

Researchers tested ravens' understanding of 'seeing' as mental state, using their predisposition to compete for hidden food. The birds showed cache protection behaviors when dominants were visible or audible, indicating they mentally integrate information about others' presence and their own visual experience.

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.

Researchers sequence bedbug genome, find unique features

The completed genetic blueprint of the bedbug reveals key findings on mechanisms for resisting pesticides and mitigating the effects of rough sexual insemination practices. The genome sequence shows genes that encode enzymes and proteins to fight insecticides and reduce traumatic effects of copulation.

Heliophysics CubeSat to launch on NASA's SLS

The Heliophysics CubeSat will measure incoming radiation that can affect Earth's radio communications, satellite electronics, and power grids. The satellite will provide unprecedented insight into the sun's impact on our planet.

You can teach an old dog new tricks

A study by Lisa Wallis and Friederike Range found that older Border Collies perform slower in tasks requiring learning, logical reasoning, and cognitive flexibility. However, the dogs' long-term memory for touchscreen stimuli remained unaffected by age.

Height influences risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer

A recent study by DZD researchers found that height has a significant impact on the mortality from certain common diseases. Tall people have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, but a higher cancer risk. The study suggests that increased height may be related to overnutrition during growth stages.

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.

Penn Nursing study answers: What's a good breakfast for kids?

A study published in Eating Behaviors found that a breakfast high in protein, such as eggs, can keep children fuller for longer and reduce their energy intake at lunch by approximately 70 calories. However, the effects of this protein-rich meal do not last throughout the day.

Humans evolved by sharing technology and culture

Researchers found similar patterns in engraved ostrich eggshells across different sites, indicating the sharing of symbolic material culture. This exchange enabled groups to adopt and adapt new technologies and cultures, contributing to the survival and development of Homo sapiens.

Scientists map the genome of the common bed bug

Researchers have successfully mapped the genome of the common bed bug, identifying 805 possible instances of genes transferred from bacteria. The findings suggest that these genes, such as a patatin-like gene, could become effective targets for pest control.

Lack of data increases risk to species' survival

A recent study has found that the majority of species are poorly known, making it difficult to determine their conservation status. Newly discovered species are often found to have smaller ranges and occupancies, as well as greater perceived extinction risk.

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.

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.

Risk of breaking a bone in childhood depends on where you live

A new study has found that children from different ethnic backgrounds in the UK are at varying risk of breaking a bone. The research, published in the journal Bone, analyzed data from 1988 to 2012 and discovered that white children were more likely to fracture than South Asian or black children.