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Science News Archive January 2016


Page 25 of 31

Electronically connected graphene nanoribbons foresee high-speed electronics

Researchers at Tohoku University successfully demonstrated electronic connection between graphene nanoribbons by molecular assembly, showing that GNR electronic properties are directly extended through the interconnected structures. This breakthrough enables the development of high-performance, low-power-consumption electronics based o...

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.

Optimum band gap for hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell

Researchers have developed a hybrid silicon/perovskite tandem solar cell with an optimum band gap of 1.75eV, achieving a significant increase in efficiency due to improved light absorption and stability. This breakthrough could lead to the development of high-efficiency solar modules with increased theoretical maximum efficiency.

Ebola medical team develops guidelines for treating infected children

A team of healthcare workers developed guidelines for treating Ebola-infected children, recommending an aggressive approach that includes fluid therapy, highly fortified food, and increased bedside care. The protocol aims to improve survival rates among young patients and provide a basis for future outbreaks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers reveal mechanisms of how body remembers, fights infections

Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have found a way to influence long-term memory formation in the immune system. The researchers discovered that proteins responding to the cells' environment can push effector cells towards memory, leading to the creation of specialized cells to combat specific invading pathogens.

The status quo on Europe's mussels

The first comprehensive survey on freshwater mussel species in Europe reveals declining stock sizes and habitat degradation. Mussels play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems, filtering water and maintaining ecosystem balance.

Breakthrough in the early diagnosis of preeclampsia

Researchers have developed a blood test to predict the development of preeclampsia, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of complications. The test measures the ratio of serum sFlt-1 to PlGF proteins, allowing for reliable prediction within one week.

Visualizing atoms of perovskite crystals

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) researchers conduct the first atomic resolution study of organic-inorganic perovskites used in next generation solar cells. The study reveals positions and orientations of atoms and molecules, providing detailed information on structural defects.

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.

Risk taking across life span: The effects of hardship

Researchers found that risk-taking propensity decreases with age in most countries, but remains high in countries with poverty and inequality. The study, published in Psychological Science, analyzed data from 77 countries and showed a clear connection between country standards of living and citizens' willingness to take risks.

Scientists find key driver for treatment of deadly brain cancer

Researchers at Salk Institute identify nuclear factor kB as a key player in glioblastoma multiforme proliferation. Targeting this protein with NBD peptide or Timp1 gene slows tumor growth and increases mouse survival time, offering potential new treatment avenues.

Novel metasurface revolutionizes ubiquitous scientific tool

Researchers at Harvard have built a polarimeter on a microchip, shrinking the widely used instrument to make it more accessible for various applications. The device provides high-performance polarization measurements at reduced size and cost, promising enhanced network security and real-time monitoring.

X-rays reveal details of plastic solar cell production

Researchers have observed molecular processes in real-time using X-rays, gaining insights into the printing process. This understanding can help control the arrangement of materials, improving the efficiency of organic solar cells.

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 looks at storms hitting California

NASA estimated rainfall over a 7-day period while analyzing satellite data from the Eastern Pacific Ocean, revealing extreme rain events affecting southern California. The analysis showed highest rainfall totals of over 4.5 inches in the eastern Pacific and 4 inches near Lake Tahoe.

How seashells get their strength

Researchers discovered a new mechanism for incorporating soft biological matter into calcium carbonate crystals, creating strong biominerals. The study provides insight into the formation of natural minerals with composite properties, which could lead to sustainable energy materials.

Stem cells regulate their own proliferation and their microenvironment

A study by CNIC researchers has identified a new mechanism through which blood stem cells regulate their proliferation and microenvironment. The protein ESL-1 controls the production of TGF-, a cytokine with antiproliferative properties, and is essential for maintaining HSCs in diseases like anemia.

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.

Quiet quasar has apparently eaten its fill

Astronomers discovered a distant quasar that has apparently run out of gas, leading to a significant decrease in its brightness. The quasar, SDSS J1011+5442, was found to have consumed all the glowing-hot gas in its vicinity, causing it to dim drastically.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NOAA's GOES-S, T and U satellites are shaping up

The NOAA GOES-S, T, and U satellites are nearing completion with six new instruments that will offer advanced imaging capabilities for more accurate weather forecasts. The instruments include the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS), Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) and others.

Turning on the thyroid

Thyroid disease affects about 12% of the US population, with an overactive or underactive thyroid causing problems like weight gain or loss and mood changes. Researchers have now identified a common thread among autoantibodies and receptor mutations that trigger abnormal hormone production.

Small males have more sex appeal, new research shows

Female burying beetles prefer smaller male partners due to reduced competition and potential for squabbles. Despite being less successful as parents, small males still breed more often in faithful pairs than larger males.

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.

A carbon sink that can't be filled

A long-term study at Harvard Forest found that adding litter accelerated the breakdown of organic matter, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere. The experiment contradicts previous assumptions about soil's ability to store carbon.

NSF commits $30 million to expand the frontiers of computing

The NSF is investing $30 million in three Expeditions in Computing projects that aim to explore the frontiers of theoretical computer science, synthetic biology and computational sustainability. The grants will support large-scale research teams working on formal methods for software development, a novel toolkit for computational bio-d...

In rainforests, battle for sunlight shapes forest structure

A new study reveals that tropical rainforests' predictable structure is driven by competition for sunlight, which fuels the growth of small trees in sunlit patches. This finding can improve climate simulations and estimate carbon storage in tropical forests.

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.

A nanoscale look at why a new alloy is amazingly tough

A Berkeley Lab-led team has identified mechanisms that make the new CrMnFeCoNi alloy incredibly tough and strong at room temperature. The alloy's unique nanoscale mechanisms, including crack bridging and three-dimensional stacking fault defects, work together to resist damage.

Low-income communities more likely to face childhood obesity

A study published in Childhood Obesity found that low-income communities have higher rates of childhood obesity, with each 1% increase in low-income status corresponding to a 1.17% increase in overweight/obese students. Family income, not race, is the stronger predictor of obesity among children.

The Anthropocene: Hard evidence for a human-driven Earth

A recent paper confirms the existence of the Anthropocene, a new geological epoch driven by human activities such as material dispersal and greenhouse gas emissions. The study, co-authored by 24 geoscientists, identifies distinct signals in sediments and ice that justify recognition of this new time unit.

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.

ISHLT issues updated candidacy criteria for heart transplantation

The International Society for Heart Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) has updated its listing criteria for heart transplantation, expanding eligibility to patients with HIV and hepatitis. The new guidelines also relax the BMI threshold for overweight patients with heart failure.

Valuing your time more than money is linked to happiness

New research published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found an almost even split between people who value their time or money, with prioritizing time associated with greater happiness. The study, which included over 4,600 participants, also found that older people were more likely to prioritize their time.

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.

New research grant awarded to help cut heart disease in South Asia

A new international collaboration has received a £2 million award to fund research into combatting cardiovascular disease in rural South Asia. The study will test low-cost strategies by health workers and doctors to lower blood pressure among adults and reduce their risk of heart disease.

Student-built experiment integrated onto NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission

A student-built experiment aboard NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission has been integrated to study asteroid Bennu's elemental abundances. The Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (REXIS) will observe solar X-rays and their interaction with the asteroid's surface material, providing maps of elements present on its surface.

Saliva test to detect GHB and alcohol poisonings

Researchers developed a saliva-based test detecting methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propan 1,3 glycol and γ-hydroxybutyric acid. The test uses gas chromatography-differential mobility spectrometry for accurate detection of toxic levels in saliva samples.

'Window of recovery' can reopen after stroke

Studies show that inducing a second stroke nearby in the brains of mice can help them regain motor function to pre-stroke efficiency. This suggests that the optimal recovery window after a stroke may not be permanently closed and can reopen under certain conditions.

Negotiation tip: Gain sympathy and gain the advantage

Research by Laura Kray at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that sympathy can motivate stronger parties to help weaker ones, leading to more compassionate solutions. Being transparent about misfortune is more effective when initiated by a low-power negotiator or someone in the weaker position.

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.

Gene editing technique improves vision in rats with inherited blindness

A new gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 has been shown to improve vision in rats with inherited blindness. The researchers successfully removed a genetic mutation that causes the disease, allowing the rats to see better. Further development is needed, but this breakthrough offers hope for treating inherited diseases.

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.

Tiny 'flasks' speed up chemical reactions

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have created miniature 'flasks' that can accelerate chemical reactions by trapping molecules in a highly selective manner. The dynamic and reversible clusters can be reused multiple times, making them useful for applications such as drug delivery and industrial manufacturing.

Genetic traffic signal orchestrates early embryonic development

Researchers have discovered that the DNA-binding protein Foxd3 acts as a genetic traffic signal, holding stem cells in readiness for transformation during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on how development works and has important implications for understanding developmental and adult diseases.

Overcoming hurdles to climate change adaptation in the Arctic

Researchers found that Arctic communities' ability to adapt to climate change is hindered by non-climatic factors such as resource availability, local governance, and economic disparities. However, with the right policies and practices, these communities can overcome these hurdles and successfully adapt to projected changes in climate.

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.

Your symptoms? Evolution's way of telling you to stay home

Research suggests that symptoms of illness are not caused by direct infection but rather serve as a mechanism to isolate the infected individual and prevent further transmission. This 'selfish gene' hypothesis proposes that evolution has preserved such behavior over millennia.