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Science News Archive January 2016


Page 11 of 31

Why some cuckoos have blue eggs

Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that the blue egg color in cuckoos is inherited solely from the mother through mitochondrial DNA. This discovery challenges previous theories and highlights the importance of genetic inheritance in avian species.

Empathy more common in animals than thought

A new study by James Burkett and colleagues found that prairie voles console loved ones who are feeling stressed, suggesting a complex form of empathy. The researchers discovered that the 'love hormone' oxytocin is involved in this behavior, which occurs only between familiar individuals, not strangers.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Survey: Most Americans support smart guns

A survey of nearly 4,000 people found that 60% of Americans would buy a smart or childproof gun, debunking the argument that there is no market for such guns. The technology uses fingerprint or RFID verification to prevent unauthorized use.

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.

Mitochondrial troublemakers unmasked in lupus

Researchers discovered that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species induce cell death by NETosis in a process dependent on RNA-protein immune complexes found in lupus patients. The extracellular release of oxidized mitochondrial DNA promotes an inflammatory reaction, and scavengers that clean up the overflow can reduce type I interferon ...

Guidelines for human genome editing

McGill University researchers suggest a model for guiding policy on germline gene editing, based on pre-implantation genetic diagnosis after in vitro fertilization. The PGD model provides a robust approach to regulation, outlining medically determined requirements and substantial risk of occurrence for genetic testing.

Evolutionary clock ticks for snowshoe hares facing climate change

A North Carolina State University study finds that snowshoe hares experiencing a mismatch in their coat colors due to climate change suffer a 7% drop in weekly survival rate. The researchers suggest that natural selection may enable the adaptation of some individuals, but whether it can save hare populations quickly enough is uncertain.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Smithsonian botanist discovers new ground-flowering plant in Panama

The discovery of Calathea galdamesiana highlights the importance of botanical research and conservation efforts in Panama. The new species is distinguished by its unique leaf shape and ground-dwelling inflorescences, and was discovered during a biological diversity inventory organized by the Panamanian Ministry of the Environment.

University of Arizona sociologists: Teen pregnancy not an isolated issue

Researchers Christina Diaz and Jeremy E. Fiel found that socioeconomic disadvantage can mitigate the negative impact of young motherhood on educational attainment and future wages. Their study analyzed data from over 3,600 young women and found that better-off teenagers were more affected by early pregnancy.

Diagnosing depression before it starts

A new brain imaging study from MIT and Harvard Medical School may lead to a screen that could identify children at high risk of developing depression later in life. The researchers found distinctive brain differences in children known to be at high risk due to family history of depression, suggesting an early intervention strategy.

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.

Sensory function: Thalamus enhances and stores sensory information

The thalamus enhances and stores sensory information, allowing the brain to filter out important data and forward it in an amplified form. Researchers have identified the higher-order thalamus as a key player in this process, which has implications for understanding sensory perception and behavior.

Personal history with street gangs sparks U. of I. graduate student's research

A recent study by University of Illinois graduate student Gabriel Merrin found that youths who resisted pressure to join street gangs were more likely to perceive fair treatment by teachers and have at least one adult in their life for support. These findings underscore the importance of positive educational experiences and supportive ...

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.

New study zeros in on plate tectonics' start date

A new study from the University of Maryland provides geochemical evidence for the onset of plate tectonics around 3 billion years ago. The analysis of trace element ratios correlates to magnesium content in ancient rocks suggests that this process began during the Archean eon.

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.

Seeing the big picture in photosynthetic light harvesting

The new model simulates light-harvesting across a thylakoid membrane, enabling the explanation of PSII's high quantum efficiency. The research paves the way for improving food crop yields and developing artificial photosynthesis technologies for solar energy systems.

NYU study explains why mistakes slow us down, but not necessarily for the better

A NYU study investigates how brain mechanisms affect decision-making after errors. The research found that a combination of adaptive and maladaptive neural processes influence slowing, but ultimately lead to no change in accuracy. Insights from the study may offer new perspectives on afflictions like Alzheimer's Disease and ADHD.

Kidney fibrosis in older transplants links to failure

Researchers found mild fibrosis in biopsies taken a few months after transplant correlated with acute kidney injury gene expression, while advanced fibrosis reflected ongoing injury. Older transplants with fibrosis were associated with an increased risk of kidney failure.

Glowing tumors could help surgeons cut out cancer

Researchers have made significant progress in developing fluorescent chemical probes that can target specific cancer cells, allowing for more accurate tumor removal. These probes have the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the need for repeat surgeries.

Mitochondrial DNA levels in the blood may predict risk of developing kidney disease

A study found that high levels of mitochondrial DNA in the blood are associated with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). The researchers analyzed data from over 9,500 participants and discovered that individuals with higher mitochondrial DNA copy numbers had a 25% lower risk of CKD compared to those with lower levels.

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.

Small farms benefit significantly from a few extra pollinators

Small-scale agriculture in developing nations can significantly benefit from increased pollinator density, with a 24% yield increase possible. Large farms may require diverse pollinators to achieve similar benefits, highlighting the importance of agricultural strategies to support pollinator health.

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.

Why sports wins and sunshine may lead you to gamble

Researchers found that unexpected sports wins and sunny days increased daily lottery purchases in New York City neighborhoods. The effect was seen across both wealthy and poorer areas, with a total increase of $160,000 in spending on lottery gambling on days with multiple sports team wins.

Antibodies may provide 'silver bullet' for Ebola viruses

Human monoclonal antibodies isolated from Ebola survivors can neutralize multiple species of the virus, including Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Zaire viruses. These findings suggest a common therapeutic or vaccine strategy could solve all Ebola viruses.

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.

Screening gets top marks for picking up bowel cancer early

New figures show that screening picks up the majority of bowel cancer cases at an early stage. Screening detected more than a third of bowel cancers at stage one and fewer than one in ten advanced to stage four. Patients whose cancers are picked up at an earlier stage have better chances of survival due to effective treatment.

60 genetic disorders affect skin and nervous system

Researchers from Loyola University Medical Center identified 60 genetic diseases that involve the skin, central nervous system, and/or peripheral nervous system. These conditions, including neurofibromatosis, can cause a range of symptoms such as tumors, learning disabilities, and bone deformities.

Study examines associations of HPV types, risk of head and neck

A new study reveals a strong association between human papillomavirus (HPV) types and the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Detection of HPV-16 in the oral cavity significantly increases the risk of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting the role of HPV in HNSCC.

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.

New insights into the supercritical state of water

Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study supercritical water, revealing differences in hydrogen bond networks between three states: liquid water at room temperature, high-density and low-density supercritical states. The study aims to interpret experimental results using terahertz spectroscopy.

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.

Study: Controlling parents create mean college kids

A new study by University of Vermont psychologist Jamie Abaied found that college students whose parents exert psychological control are more likely to engage in hostile behavior with their peers. The study suggests that parental control can stunt independence and lead to relational aggression, which involves harming feelings or damagi...

Why are habits so hard to break?

New research by Duke University scientists suggests that habits like sugar addiction manifest in the brain's basal ganglia circuitry, leading to a 'go' signal that primes cravings. The study found that mice with formed habits had altered brain activity patterns, including a change in timing between go and stop signals.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Identification of a driver of fibrosis in chronic kidney disease

A study in JCI Insight identifies Dickkopf-3 as a driver of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. DKK3 expression is elevated in stressed tubular epithelia and associates with profibrotic T cell responses, leading to interstitial fibrosis and impaired kidney function.

Study reveals climate change impacts on Buzzards Bay

A long-term analysis of water quality monitoring data reveals that climate change is affecting Buzzards Bay's ecosystem by increasing average summertime temperatures by almost 2 degrees Celsius. This warming fueling an increase in algae growth, which in turn worsens water quality and poses challenges for coastal ecosystems.

New finding may explain heat loss in fusion reactors

Researchers at MIT have found a key to solving the great unsolved problem of heat loss in fusion reactors. Interactions between turbulence at the tiniest scale, that of electrons, and turbulence at a much larger scale, that of ions, can account for the discrepancy between theory and experimental results.

When it comes to newborns, age matters

Researchers at the University of Iowa have found a reliable method to estimate an infant's gestational age using a metabolic profile derived from routine newborn screenings. This technique can help doctors determine if a baby was born on time or prematurely, which is crucial for deciding medical care and identifying potential health is...

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.

Examining genetic diversity of T. cruzi from California kissing bugs

The study reveals a low prevalence of T. cruzi parasites with limited genetic diversity, contradicting previous assumptions about the parasite's presence in the US. This suggests that local transmission of Chagas disease may be lower than previously thought, but also highlights the need for increased awareness and diagnosis.