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Science News Archive February 2016


Page 8 of 39

Study examines heart structure, function of NBA players

The study provides information that can be incorporated into clinical assessments for the prevention of cardiac emergencies in basketball players. The analysis reveals that left ventricular cavity sizes in NBA players are larger than in normal adults, but proportional to body size.

Pulling water from thin air

Researchers develop new material to collect condensed water droplets using bio-inspired approach combining multiple natural systems. The material harnesses the power of desert beetles' bumps, cactus spines and slippery surfaces to facilitate condensation, promising applications in thermal power plants.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study suggests that longer-distance migratory birds may be smarter

A study published in Scientific Reports found that birds migrating greater distances have more new neurons in brain regions responsible for navigation and spatial orientation. The research team discovered a trend of increasing new neurons in line with migration distance, with different brain regions affected in two species.

Pancreatic cancer is 4 diseases, each with new treatment possibilities

A new study reveals that pancreatic cancer is composed of four distinct subtypes, each with its own unique genetic profile and treatment possibilities. These findings have significant implications for diagnosis and treatment, potentially allowing for more accurate prognoses and targeted therapies.

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.

Ocean acidification already slowing coral reef growth

Scientists have found that ocean acidification is already slowing coral reef growth, with the potential for widespread devastation if left unchecked. Researchers manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural ecosystem to determine the impact of excess CO2 on coral reefs.

NASA contributes to global standard for navigation, studies of Earth

The International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) has been updated by NASA, enabling more detailed studies of global changes in Earth's ocean, ice sheets, land, and atmosphere. Four measurement techniques, including Satellite Laser Ranging and GNSS, contribute to the reference frame.

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 laser achieves wavelength long sought by laser developers

Researchers at the University of Bath created a new laser capable of pulsed and continuous mid-infrared emission between 3.1-3.2 microns, overcoming a major challenge in laser development. The achievement uses silica hollow-core fibers to confine light and gas, enabling efficient interaction and mid-IR emission.

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.

What makes penguin feathers ice-proof

Researchers found that Humboldt penguins' unique feather structure is anti-adhesive and hydrophobic, preventing ice from accumulating. The discovery led to the creation of a nanofiber membrane with similar properties, which could be used in applications like electrical insulation.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Study predicts salt marshes will persist despite rising seas

A new study suggests that traditional assessment methods overestimate the vulnerability of salt marshes to sea-level rise. Salt marshes can generally survive higher rates of sea-level rise than predicted by current models, thanks to their ability to grow vertically and migrate landward.

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.

The prolonged death of light from type Ia supernovae

Researchers have observed that three years after its explosion, the brightness of a type Ia supernova continues to shine brighter than expected. This finding suggests that the powerful explosions produce an abundance of heavy cobalt, which provides an extra energy boost.

The Mesoamerican bean decoded

An Ibero-American team has sequenced the Mesoamerican common bean genome, which will aid in improving production and conserving genetic varieties. The discovery has significant implications for agriculture, as it will help identify genes involved in disease resistance, drought tolerance, and seed quality.

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.

Solved! First distance to a 'fast radio burst'

A team of scientists has confirmed that a 'fast radio burst' originates in the distant universe, using CSIRO radio telescopes and the National Astronomical Observatory's Subaru telescope. The breakthrough allows researchers to weigh the normal matter in the universe, confirming the presence of missing ordinary matter.

A mathematical advance in describing waves

Mathematicians Gino Biondini and Dionyssios Mantzavinos develop a new mathematical model describing wave patterns with small irregularities. Their research shows that many disturbances evolve into single-class wave forms, answering a question scientists have been trying to answer for 50 years.

Potatoes wild with calcium

Researchers found a wild potato with almost seven times as much calcium as usual varieties. Breeding programs can now use molecular markers to identify high-calcium traits, speeding up the breeding process. This discovery aims to improve crop quality and reduce cosmetic issues in potatoes.

Evidence of early medieval Muslim graves found in France

Researchers from PLOS ONE discovered three skeletons buried in medieval graves in France that may have belonged to Muslims, with DNA analysis revealing paternal lineage from North Africa. The burials follow Islamic rites and radiocarbon dating suggests the skeletons are from the 7th-9th centuries.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Computers can tell if you're bored, shows new BSMS study

A new study from BSMS shows that computers can detect boredom by monitoring non-instrumental movements. The research has the potential to develop more engaging online tutoring programs and companion robots. By tracking subtle changes in body language, computers can adapt to a user's level of interest.

Too much salt could potentially contribute to liver damage

A high-salt diet has been found to contribute to liver damage in adult mice and embryonic chicks, with excessive sodium leading to cell death and decreased cell proliferation. Vitamin C treatment may partially counteract the negative effects of excess salt.

Bacteria overgrowth could be major cause of stunting in children

Research suggests excessive bacterial growth in small intestine may be causing malnutrition and stunting in children living in low-income countries. A study of 103 2-year-old children in Bangladesh found that one in six showed signs of small intestine bacterial overgrowth, which was associated with gut inflammation and stunted growth.

More hands-on training for doctors required if policy changes

Research suggests that medical students benefit from more hands-on training and responsibility, and assessments of their clinical capabilities need improvement. The study recommends greater emphasis on undergraduate clinical placements and postgraduate supervision to enhance medical education.

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.

World's large river deltas continue to degrade from human activity

Researchers are racing to understand and mitigate the degradation of major river deltas worldwide, primarily caused by human activities such as damming, groundwater extraction, and agriculture. The study highlights that more than two-thirds of the world's 33 major deltas are sinking at an alarming rate.

Shaping lumens by force

A team of scientists from Singapore and France has revealed the underlying mechanism for the formation and growth of epithelial tubes. They found that the shape and size of these tubes are governed by mechanical forces arising from cell interaction with the extracellular matrix, influencing lumen morphology and elongation direction.

Everyday mindfulness linked to healthy glucose levels

A study of 399 participants found an association between higher mindfulness scores and healthier glucose levels. The researchers identified obesity risk and sense of control as potential mediators of this link, with mindful individuals being less likely to be obese and more likely to believe they can change their lives.

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.

It's great to have siblings, but they're also hard work

A study by Aarhus University explores what happens to sibling relationships when parents get divorced and find new partners. The research reveals that children have different experiences depending on whether they live in multiple homes or traditional families.

New wheat genetic advancements aimed at yield enhancement

The study confirms 13,000 previously mapped SNPs and newly maps 2,190 unique SNPs to improve drought tolerance, greenbug and wheat curl mite resistance. The research aims to develop high-yielding wheat varieties with improved resilience to stressors across different climates.

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.

New Nature Communications study says 'fear itself' can help restore ecosystems

A new study published in Nature Communications demonstrates that the fear of large carnivores can have cascading effects on the food chain and restore ecosystems. The researchers found that instilling fear in raccoons reduced their time spent feeding and reversed their impacts on their prey, leading to a healthier ecosystem.

Science achievement gaps begin by kindergarten

A study found that kindergarten general knowledge is the strongest predictor of first-grade and third-grade science achievement. Children's science achievement gaps persist from third to eighth grade, with low-income and minority students facing larger gaps.

New therapeutic pathway may keep cancer cells turned 'off'

A new therapeutic pathway has been discovered to keep cancer cells dormant, offering hope for treating osteosarcoma and potentially other cancers. Researchers found three microRNAs that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, allowing them to remain asymptomatic and manageable.

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.

El Niño prolongs longest global coral bleaching event

The current global coral bleaching event, started in 2014, could extend into 2017 due to record ocean temperatures caused by El Niño. Corals are stressed when expelling symbiotic algae, leading to erosion and destruction of fish habitats.

Described a powerful drug to advance in the fight against familial amyloidosis

Researchers have identified a powerful drug, SOM0226 (tolcapone), that can significantly improve the pharmacological treatment of familial transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Tolcapone has been shown to inhibit the aggregation of amyloid fibers by TTR and stabilize the protein structure, slowing down disease progression.

Copper destroys MRSA at a touch

Researchers at the University of Southampton found that copper can destroy MRSA bacteria by damaging their DNA and respiration, making it difficult for them to survive. This discovery explains why touch surfaces made from solid antimicrobial copper are effective in reducing the spread of infections.

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.

Humans speeding up evolution by causing extinction of 'younger' species

Researchers at University of British Columbia found that human-induced introduction of new species can cause 'reverse speciation', where two similar species merge into one hybrid species. This shift has significant consequences for the ecosystem, altering ecological roles and impacting biodiversity.