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Science News Archive October 2016


Page 41 of 44

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.

Turning to the brain to reboot computing

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories explore neural computing applications, including adaptive learning, dynamical systems, and spiking network algorithms. These approaches aim to overcome the static learning bottleneck and enable precise computations.

Historical records may underestimate global sea level rise

A team of earth scientists evaluated how various processes affect past measurements, revealing that many high-quality historical records are from locations with reduced local sea level change compared to the global average. This suggests a minimum 14cm increase in global sea level rise during the 20th century.

Cold and bubbly: The sensory qualities that best quench thirst

Research finds that cold and carbonation reduce thirst more effectively than room temperature, with astringency, sweetness, or mild acidification having no effect. This knowledge could help guide sensory approaches to improve hydration in elderly, soldiers, and athletes at risk for dehydration.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New treatment for depressed smokers trying to quit

Researchers have identified two key symptoms that make it harder for depressed smokers to quit: low positive affect and cognitive impairment. A new treatment approach, combining Chantix with behavioral activation therapy, is being tested to target these challenges.

Bone marrow inflammation predicts leukemia risk

Researchers discover that inflammatory signaling in bone marrow tumor environment drives malignancy and predicts leukemia development. The study reveals that mesenchymal stem cells under stress release inflammatory molecules causing DNA damage in hematopoietic stem cells, increasing leukemia risk.

How to control polarization of light

Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have successfully controlled the polarization of light, reducing its speed by up to 10 times. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of spatial light modulators, which could enable faster and more efficient data processing in photonic computers.

Consumption from within: How the brain controls our appetite

Scientists from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology have identified a key enzyme in regulating our appetite, revealing how low glucose levels activate AMPK to control food intake. This breakthrough provides new insights into the complex mechanisms governing our eating behavior.

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.

'Open science' paves new pathway to develop malaria drugs

A unique open science project has been developed to address the lack of commercial incentive for industry to develop drugs for neglected diseases like malaria. Over 50 researchers from 21 organizations contributed to the project, sharing data and collaborating on finding new antimalarial compounds.

Researchers discover more efficient way to split water, produce hydrogen

A team of researchers from the University of Houston has reported a more efficient catalyst for producing hydrogen gas by splitting water. The new hybrid catalyst requires significantly less energy than existing methods, making it a promising alternative to traditional platinum-based catalysts.

Abnormal brain protein may contribute to Alzheimer's disease development

A study by Rush researchers found that TDP-43, a previously recognized pathologic protein, is more likely to result in diagnosed Alzheimer's dementia when combined with plaques and tangles. Mixed pathologies increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia above and beyond just having these brain abnormalities.

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.

How safe and effective are new drugs for stroke prevention?

A Mayo Clinic study found that NOACs dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are at least as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. However, apixaban was associated with lower major bleeding rates, while rivaroxaban had a higher risk of serious bleeding.

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.

Gut bacteria differ between obese and lean youth

A new study has identified a connection between gut microbiota and fat distribution in children and teenagers, with obese youth having different microorganisms living in their digestive tracts. The research suggests that short-chain fatty acids produced by certain gut bacteria can contribute to the development of obesity.

Vast majority of impoverished fathers involved with their children

Despite President Obama's criticism, a new study suggests that the vast majority of impoverished fathers are involved with their children, including those who have been incarcerated. The research reveals concrete examples of father involvement, such as writing letters and maintaining relationships through phone calls and visitations.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Environmental change drove diversity in Lake Malawi cichlids

A new study shows that dramatic environmental changes in Lake Malawi's water levels and clarity likely drove the diversification of hundreds of cichlid species. The researchers found alternating periods of deep and shallow water, which created new habitats for fish to adapt into.

Where you live shapes your immune system more than your genes

Recent studies suggest that our environment, including lifestyle choices and living conditions, plays a significant role in shaping our unique immune systems. The review highlights the importance of understanding how environmental influences can be harnessed to improve human health.

Teacher pension plans plagued by debt

States could absorb pension burdens and reserve resources for current teacher salary increases, while reforming plans to prevent large debts from reemerging. Research found nearly 11% of teacher earnings goes towards pension debt, affecting services and increasing costs.

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.

Blocking key gene reduces cigarette smoke toxicity in fish embryos

A study led by Duke University researchers found that blocking the production of a key receptor can reduce the toxicity of cigarette smoke on zebrafish embryos. The receptors were found to play a role in early embryonic development, particularly the formation of bone, heart and muscle tissues.

Research provides new information on cancer and sugar-sweetened beverages link

A study by LSU Health New Orleans found that people with cervical cancer history consumed significantly more sugar-sweetened beverages, while younger, male, black individuals with high sugar intake were also at higher risk. The researchers recommend targeting lower socio-economic status and young males in intervention programs to reduc...

Foreign farms increase the risk of conflicts in Africa

A study from Lund University finds that foreign agricultural companies' crop choices and water management contribute to increased water shortages and competition for resources. This leads to a higher risk of conflicts between humans, plants, and animals in affected areas.

Researchers probe secrets of bacterial immune system

Bacteria have a flexible immune system called CRISPR-Cas that can remember and destroy invading DNA. A new study reveals how this system selects new memories from mutated threats, proposing a positive feedback loop to reduce the risk of evading defences.

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.

Researchers describe new large prehistoric shark

A new extinct shark species, Megalolamna paradoxodon, was identified from fossilized teeth in the eastern and western United States, Peru, and Japan. The shark lived during the early Miocene epoch and is a close cousin of the megatoothed lineage, with characteristics similar to the modern-day salmon shark.

Climate change will see some males get sexier

A University of Adelaide study found that warmer waters and higher CO2 levels can lead to a twenty-fold increase in the population of a common marine crustacean. Males become larger and more attractive to females, resulting in a massive population explosion.

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.

Hunger may be more motivating than thirst, anxiety, or fear

A recent study published in Neuron found that hunger is a strong motivational force that can curb rival drives states like thirst, anxiety, and social needs. In the presence of food, activated neurons mimic the state of hunger, suppressing competing systems and guiding motivated behavior.

A terrible rift

Researchers have discovered a giant scar beneath the Midwest using a network of seismometers. The Midcontinent Rift, which spans across the region, was formed when the core of North America nearly ripped apart millions of years ago.

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.

Thinking globally linked to optimism

A global mindset is associated with optimistic goals, such as personal growth and advancement, whereas a local mindset focuses on stability and prevention. Researchers found that individuals with a global identity scored higher in signal detection tasks and preferred positive advertisements.

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.

Bacteria could detect leaks at carbon capture sites

Researchers propose using bacteria and archaea to monitor stored CO2 and convert it into useful products, such as ethanol and acetate. This approach could enable the detection of potential CO2 leaks and contribute to making large-scale capture and storage of CO2 feasible.

Our galaxy's most-mysterious star is even stranger than astronomers thought

Astronomers analyze Kepler observations of KIC 8462852 and find the star dimming slowly for almost three years before suddenly losing 2% of its brightness. The star's unusual behavior has sparked speculation about comets, alien megastructures, or planetary collisions, but the new findings will make it harder to explain.

Removing cellular bookmarks smooths the path to stem cells

UAB researchers found that removing transcriptional bookmarks can improve reprogramming of human fibroblasts to create induced pluripotent stem cells. This process may increase the yield and quality of iPS cells, essential for patient-specific cell-replacement therapies.

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.

Genomic imprinting gets complicated in adults

A recent study found that genomic imprinting, a process silencing one set of parental genes, can be regulated in adult tissues. The researchers observed variation in epigenetic marks between cell types, indicating a need for fine-tuned gene expression in different tissues throughout development and adulthood.

NASA sees Chaba intensifying to a super typhoon

Typhoon Chaba intensified into a super typhoon, with extremely heavy precipitation and towering storm tops. NASA satellites used GPM data to track its movement and formation, which was influenced by warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear.

Farming with forests

Agroforestry practices such as alley cropping, silvopasture, and forest farming offer benefits for conventional and organic agroecosystems. By integrating trees into agricultural landscapes, farmers can sequester carbon, prevent soil erosion, and increase crop yields.

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.

Unique bacterial chemist in the war on potatoes

Researchers discovered a rare enzyme called 5NAA-A in bacteria Bradyrhizobium sp. JS329 that breaks down the toxic compound 5-NAA, rendering it harmless to potatoes. This mechanism could inspire future work to engineer an enzyme or bacterium to detoxify thaxtomin.