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Science News Archive January 2016 - Page 25


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...

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 8, 2016
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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2016

Xistential crisis: Discovery shows there's more to the story in silencing X chromosomes

Scientists discover that Xist RNA is insufficient to silence one of the two X chromosomes in every female cell, suggesting a complex interplay between molecules. This finding could lead to new ways to fight X-linked diseases in females, including those linked to autism, hemophilia, and muscular dystrophy.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalBiological Reviews·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 8, 2016
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 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.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·DateJan 8, 2016
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.

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2016
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.

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.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 8, 2016

New work on knee cartilage structure to aid better replacements and injury treatments

A new study by Penn and Delaware researchers sheds light on the mechanics and biology of natural and engineered tissue, informing ways to treat injuries like knee meniscus tears and age-related tissue degeneration. The team developed micro-engineered models that replicate key features of degenerating native tissue, enabling testing of ...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 8, 2016
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.

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceAmerican Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 8, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Evolutionary Biology·DateJan 8, 2016
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 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.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalBiogeochemistry·DateJan 7, 2016

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...

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 7, 2016

Exercise DVDs could be psychologically harmful for users, new OSU research shows

A study of popular commercial exercise DVDs found that they often feature unrealistic body images and demotivating language, which can lead to reduced motivation and increased risk of psychological harm. The researchers recommend consumers be aware of these potential pitfalls when selecting exercise videos.

SourceOregon State University·JournalSociology of Sport Journal·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalChildhood Obesity·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJan 7, 2016

Teens with autism and caregivers should plan early for adulthood

Researchers highlight the need for early planning and support for teens with autism and their caregivers to transition into adulthood successfully. Caregivers are encouraged to start discussing future plans with their children as early as age 12 or 13.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Breath Research·DateJan 7, 2016

'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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalOrganizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes·DateJan 7, 2016

Improving musical synchronization with mathematical modeling

Researchers propose a stochastic differential equation model to simulate musical performance synchronization. The model accounts for internal tempo preservation, noise distraction, and phase correction.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateJan 7, 2016

IOP publishing launches Quantum Science and Technology

The new journal aims to highlight the emergence, progress, and impact of quantum information science and related technologies. It will be led by Editor-in-Chief Dr Robert Thew and offers open access publishing options.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalQuantum Science and Technology·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 7, 2016
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 7, 2016

Gun, fire, motor vehicle safety practices linked to parents' depressive symptoms

Research by AU School of Public Affairs professor Taryn Morrissey found that mothers with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were less likely to ensure car seat safety and have working smoke detectors. The study also linked households with gun ownership to increased risk of firearm-related injuries among children.

SourceAmerican University·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 7, 2016

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.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 7, 2016
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.