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Science News Archive May 2016


Page 6 of 38

New NIH-EPA research centers to study environmental health disparities

The NIH has partnered with EPA to fund five new research centers studying environmental health disparities, including air and water pollution, housing conditions, and diet. The centers will work with community organizations to develop culturally appropriate strategies to reduce exposure to harmful environmental conditions.

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.

TGAC trains the next generation of rice breeders in Vietnam

The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is training the next generation of rice breeders in Vietnam in advanced bioinformatics and genomics. The programme aims to characterise genetic diversity in Vietnamese native rice lines to accelerate crop breeding and improve yields, addressing climate change threats such as drought and rising sea levels

The future of sonar in semiheated oceans

Scientists studying climate change's impact on underwater sound propagation and sonar transmission. Warmer oceans increase sound speed, making detection of submarines more challenging.

Neuroscientists illuminate role of autism-linked gene

A study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the Shank gene plays a crucial role in the formation and maturation of synapses. In fruit flies lacking this gene, researchers found reduced functional synapses and improper development, which could impair neural circuit development and contribute to autism symptoms.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study reveals protein that dials immune responses up and down

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a new regulator of immune responses, PSGL-1, which acts as a negative regulator of T cell function. The study found that PSGL-1 is required to increase levels of immune checkpoints, allowing T cells to remain active longer than normal.

High altitude archaeology: Prehistoric paintings revealed

Archaeologists have published scans of prehistoric animal paintings from Abri Faravel in the Southern French Alps. The site's rock shelter has seen human activity from Mesolithic to medieval periods, featuring unique high-altitude Bronze Age structures and artefacts.

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.

Brit accents vex US hearing-impaired elderly

A study from the University of Utah finds that older Americans with hearing loss have more trouble understanding British accents when there is background noise. The study also explores how transgender women can adopt a clearer speaking style to sound more feminine and how fast-talking affects speech intelligibility.

The next generation of carbon monoxide nanosensors

Researchers from OIST have created a new method to build sensitive CO sensors using copper oxide nanowires integrated with micro-hotplates. The approach enables controlled growth, integration, and measurement of CO concentrations, overcoming previous challenges in sensor production.

Boosting productivity at work may be simple: Stand up

New research from Texas A&M University finds that standing desks can increase productivity in adults by 46%, with workers completing more successful calls per hour. Standing for shorter periods also reduces body discomfort and improves cognitive functioning.

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.

New concept turns battery technology upside-down

A new concept in liquid battery design uses a passive, gravity-fed arrangement to eliminate the need for complex plumbing systems, reducing cost and increasing simplicity. The system can be adjusted by changing the angle of the device, allowing for faster or slower energy production.

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.

From Jungfraujoch Station: How new atmospheric aerosols form

Researchers at a high-altitude research station in Switzerland used state-of-the-art instruments to study new particle formation and its role as cloud condensation nuclei. They found that highly oxygenated organic compounds contribute to nucleation for a short window after vertical transport from the planetary boundary layer.

Prenatal fruit consumption boosts babies' cognitive development

A recent study found that mothers who consumed more fruit during pregnancy gave birth to children with better cognitive development. The study, led by University of Alberta researcher Piush Mandhane, discovered that increased prenatal fruit intake was associated with higher IQ scores in one-year-old infants.

Scientists block breast cancer cells from hiding in bones

Researchers have identified a molecular key that allows breast cancer cells to invade bone marrow in mice, where they may be protected from chemotherapy or hormonal therapies. The study found ways to outmaneuver this tactic by preventing cancer cells from entering the bone marrow and flushing them into the bloodstream for destruction.

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.

Is symptom expression a form of communication?

Research at Arizona State University suggests that symptom expression can be used to signal for aid, prevent exploitation, or attract potential mates. The study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of symptoms in communication.

Scientists create 'magnetic charge ice'

A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory created a new material called rewritable magnetic charge ice, allowing unprecedented control over local magnetic fields. This innovation could pave the way for smaller and more powerful computers or even play a role in quantum computing.

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.

Exploring gender perception via speech

University of Utah researchers explore gender perception via speech, finding that adopting a clear speaking style can increase perceived femininity. However, the effect is small and variable, with male talkers showing larger changes in femininity ratings.

Forget peacock tails, fruit fly sperm tails are the most extreme ornaments

A new study in Nature found that fruit fly sperm tails are the most extreme ornament, with lengths of up to 6 cm, due to female preference for longer sperm. This preference is linked to genetic correlations between female reproductive tracts and male sperm length, as well as a trade-off between sperm length and number.

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.

What can Pavlov's dogs tell us about drinking?

A study by Concordia University researchers found that cues associated with alcohol can trigger behaviors leading to addiction. The study used lab rats conditioned to associate a visual cue with ethanol, showing the rats began interacting with the cue rather than waiting for the reward.

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.

Clouds provide clue to better climate predictions

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University have discovered a new process behind the formation and evolution of small atmospheric particles free from pollution, key to creating accurate models for global climate change. The findings suggest that up to half of the warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions may be masked by aerosol cooling.

Speech-language pathologists can help kids who struggle to read

Researchers at University of the Pacific found strategies to improve young readers' comprehension of expository writing, such as RAP and graphical organization. These techniques can increase reading comprehension by up to 36 percentage points among struggling students.

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.

Revealed mechanism for inhibiting bacterial invasion of colonic epithelia

Research at Osaka University reveals Lypd8's role in preventing intestinal bacteria invasion, shedding new light on ulcerative colitis pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. The study found that Lypd8 decreases in patients with ulcerative colitis, leading to increased susceptibility to inflammation.

40-year math mystery and 4 generations of figuring

Mathematicians at Georgia Institute of Technology have finally solved the 40-year-old Kelmans-Seymour Conjecture in Graph Theory, a field used to model complex networks and optimize connections. The proof required collaboration from six mathematicians over four decades.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Following tricky triclosan

A study found triclosan in nearly 58% of freshwater streams, contaminating crops and potentially harming humans. Triclosan degrades quickly but breaks down into more harmful compounds, affecting soil microbial communities and plant growth.

Charismatic speaking strategies of presidential candidates

Scientists at UCLA's Voice Center for Medicine and the Arts studied Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, and Carly Fiorina's speech patterns across various settings. They discovered that despite differing messages, the politicians employed similar voice modulation strategies to convey charisma.

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.

Why fruit fly sperm are giant

Researchers found that larger males with more sperm are favored by females, driving the evolution of longer sperm. This study provides the first explanation for the development of giant sperm in fruit flies.

What are the timing and risk factors for suicide attempts in the army?

A new US Army study found that soldiers who never deployed were at greatest risk for suicide attempts, with the highest risk occurring in the second month of service. The study also identified other factors contributing to increased risk, including deployment status, gender, and mental health diagnoses.

Parents favor boys over girls for free heart treatment in Northern India

Research reveals significant gender disparity in referrals to a cardiac center in Northern India, with boys outnumbering girls by more than two-to-one. The study suggests that societal attitudes towards the value of girls contribute to this disparity, prompting calls for medical professionals and policymakers to address these issues.

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.

Researchers make a key discovery in how malaria evades the immune system

A recent study by Penn State researchers has revealed how the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exploits the human immune response to infect red blood cells. The parasite uses the complement system, a key part of the immune response, to evade detection and invasion, making it more challenging to develop an effective vaccine.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Number of habitable planets could be limited by stifling atmospheres

Recent studies suggest that many planets orbiting M dwarf stars, which are similar in size to Earth, may retain thick atmospheres due to their strong gravity, making them inhospitable to life. However, smaller planets comparable to Venus or Mars could potentially lose these atmospheres through evaporation.