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Science News Archive March 2016


Page 23 of 41

Settlement history determines regional development

The study found that local governance institutions and attitudes contribute to frontier-specific effects, including lower levels of law and order and public goods provision. Frontier settlers have developed a strong sense of autonomy, supporting right-wing parties and politicians who prioritize populist and patriotic statements.

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.

Understanding obesity from the inside out

Researchers developed a new laboratory method to study the function of GABA in brain processes controlling appetite and metabolism. The study found that mice lacking GABA in their hypothalamus, a key brain area regulating appetite, experienced significant weight loss and improved glucose tolerance.

You are what your parents ate!

A recent study published in Nature Genetics found that mice offspring inherited epigenetic information from their parents' diets, leading to severe obesity. The research suggests that this epigenetic inheritance could be a major cause of the global increase in diabetes prevalence since the 1960s.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Robot learning companion offers custom-tailored tutoring

A new social robot from MIT offers personalized learning experiences for students through emotional interpretation and customized motivational strategies. The system was tested in a preschool classroom, showing increased student engagement and positive attitudes towards the robot.

Medical students, burnout and alcohol

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that medical students are more prone to alcohol abuse, with one-third experiencing clinical problems. The causes include burnout, being young and unmarried, and substantial educational debt. The authors recommend wellness curricula for medical schools to address these issues.

'Cold turkey' wins for successful smoking cessation

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that quitting smoking abruptly is more likely to lead to lasting abstinence compared to quitting gradually. The researchers found that patients who quit abruptly were 25% more likely to stop smoking in both the short and long term.

Spongy material helps repair the spine (video)

Researchers have developed biodegradable polymer grafts that can be placed in damaged vertebrae to grow and fix the spinal column. These grafts are designed to expand in size after implantation, providing a less invasive approach than current surgical methods.

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.

The quest for spin liquids

Spin liquids are rare phenomena where magnets inside atoms don't order when cooled, exhibiting movement like a liquid. Researchers created a kagome map to understand these materials, potentially leading to new magnetic properties and advancing quantum computing.

Obesity is risk factor for rare type of stroke in women using oral contraceptives

A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that obese women who use oral contraceptives are at a higher risk for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. The study also suggests that alternative methods of contraception, such as intrauterine devices, may be safer options for obese women.

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.

UT Austin engineers design next-generation non-reciprocal antenna

Researchers at UT Austin break reciprocity in conventional antennas, enabling independent control of incoming and outgoing signals with large efficiency. This breakthrough technology may lead to faster data rates, improved connections, and reduced bulky systems in various applications.

Degrading ice wedges reshape Arctic landscape

A new study finds that ice wedge degradation is widespread throughout the Arctic, altering ground topography and creating connective drainage systems. This leads to increased runoff and drying of the landscape, with significant implications for the region's hydrology.

Starving eye cells contribute to blindness in elders

Researchers found that photoreceptors use both glucose and lipids as fuel substrates, debunking previous scientific beliefs about the cause of abnormal blood vessel growth leading to blindness. This discovery opens new therapeutic avenues for retinal diseases such as AMD.

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Light illuminates the way for bio-bots

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new class of miniature biological robots powered by muscle cells genetically engineered to respond to light. The breakthrough allows for non-invasive control over the bots' motion, paving the way for applications in diagnostics, medicine and sensing.

Hydrocarbon storage, fracking and lightning risk

Researchers quantify lightning threat to hydraulic fracturing operations, citing potential $10 million incidents and third of all modern hydrocarbon tank accidents associated with lightning strikes. The study suggests increasing frequency due to burning fossil fuels contributing to climate change.

Gravity glasses offer a view of the Earth's interior

Geophysicists use GOCE data to visualize the Earth's crust beneath, shedding new light on plate tectonics and geological characteristics. The technique, developed by TUM researchers, enables three-dimensional imaging of the Earth using two grids – similar to stereoscopic vision with two eyes.

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.

Climate change redistributes global water resources

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that climate change is redistributing global water resources, with more water originating from the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. This shift can drastically affect the availability of potable water and contribute to increased coastal flooding.

Inventory of moths

A recent study has identified nearly 2,000 species of looper moths in the Andes mountains. The researchers used DNA barcodes to categorize and identify the species, revealing a higher diversity than previously estimated.

Searching for big insights from online reviews

RevEx performs faceted searches and analyzes text and data across multiple domains to reveal important findings. Its applications range from investigating medical services to visualizing humanitarian data on a country-by-country basis.

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.

Genetic cause of neurological disease identified

Researchers have identified a new genetic mutation responsible for Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), a degenerative and fatal movement disorder. The mutated Cav3.1 protein, encoded by the CACNA1G gene on Chromosome 17, was found to cause abnormal Calcium ion flow in nerve cells.

Broccoli ingredient has positive influence on drug efficacy

Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered that sulforaphane, a broccoli ingredient, increases the concentration of enzymes in colon cancer cells, making it more effective for chemotherapy. This natural compound can reduce medication doses and is non-toxic with no unwanted side effects.

Advanced magnetic resonance imaging technology to track cells in the body

Researchers at University of California, San Diego have developed a new cell labeling probe using fluorine-19, which can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allowing for the visualization of cell behavior. The addition of iron enhances the MRI signal, making it possible to track cells quickly and clearly.

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.

New drug combination shows promise against childhood brain cancer

Researchers have identified a new combination therapy for the most aggressive form of medulloblastoma, a fast-growing type of pediatric brain cancer. The study found that combining two drugs, histone deacetylase inhibitors and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, potently kills cancer cells with minimal toxicity.

Genetically inherited high cholesterol twice as common as believed

A new study reveals genetically inherited high levels of cholesterol are more prevalent than previously believed, affecting an estimated 834,500 U.S. adults. Researchers found that familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) affects both men and women equally, with varying prevalence rates across racial groups.

HIV drug could stop skin cancer becoming drug-resistant

A Cancer Research UK-funded study suggests an HIV drug could block the molecular switch that boosts cells' ability to survive treatment, making treatments more potent and delaying drug resistance. The research, carried out in mice, implies that nelfinavir could be used to combat melanoma skin cancers.

Newly found species reveals how T. rex became king of dinosaurs

A newly discovered species of horse-sized dinosaur provides key insights into the evolution of Tyrannosaurus rex as a top predator. The discovery reveals that tyrannosaurs developed huge body sizes rapidly at the end of the age of dinosaurs, with their keen senses enabling them to dominate the food chain.

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.

Carbon from land played a role during last deglaciation

A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirmed that the ocean played a significant role in the rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide during the last deglaciation. The researchers found that during this period, there were rapid releases of carbon from land sources such as plants and soils, contributing t...

In today's advertising environment, cleverness can backfire

Research from the University of Maryland and Tilburg University suggests that simpler, upfront ads perform better than complex ads, regardless of exposure duration. The study found that viewers actively try to avoid online ads due to their complexity, but shorter exposures can have different effects on ad ratings.

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.

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.

Now researchers can follow the hectic life inside a cell

Researchers have developed a new model that allows them to monitor the molecular traffic inside a single cell. This is crucial for studying diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's, where faulty transport can be fatal.

MIT develops nontoxic way of generating portable power

Researchers at MIT have developed a new battery system that harnesses heat and uses no toxic materials, with efficiency improvements of over 1,000 times. The technology, based on carbon nanotubes, shows promise for powering small devices and has potential applications in fields such as energy storage and aerospace.

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.