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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 13 of 37

Cutting-edge cameras reveal the secret life of dolphins

A world-first study has used custom-made non-invasive cameras to capture over 535 minutes of rare dolphin activities, including mother-calf interaction and social behaviors. The results provide unprecedented insight into the lives of these marine top predators.

Warming ponds could accelerate climate change

A new study found that warming ponds can release almost twice as much methane and absorb half as much carbon dioxide over a seven-year period. This amplifies the effects of global warming on these small ecosystems, contributing significantly to climate change.

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.

Many cancer survivors change their prescription drug use for financial reasons

A new study found that cancer survivors are changing their prescription drug use due to financial constraints, with a significant proportion of non-elderly adults skipping medication or seeking cheaper options. This phenomenon has important policy implications and highlights the need for improved doctor-patient communication about the ...

Creative people have better-connected brains

A new study suggests that the communication between brain hemispheres is key to creativity. Highly creative individuals have significantly more nerve connections between their right and left hemispheres, particularly in the frontal lobe.

Child obesity '35-40 percent' inherited from parents, study finds

A new study by the University of Sussex found that around 35-40% of a child's BMI is inherited from their parents. The intergenerational transmission of BMI is approximately constant across countries, suggesting that genetics and family environment are key factors in obesity.

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.

Mercury in fish, seafood may be linked to higher risk of ALS

A new study suggests that consuming fish and seafood with higher levels of mercury may increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found that individuals who ate fish and seafood regularly were at double the risk for ALS compared to those with lower mercury intake.

Those who help each other can invade harsher environments

A new study from Lund University and international researchers reveals that cooperative breeding of offspring is key to successful colonization in harsh environments. By sharing genes, helpers and offspring benefit from monogamous breeding females, enabling species to invade previously inaccessible areas.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Study points to treatment strategy for anorexia

New research in adolescent rodents identifies under-expression of α4βδ-GABAA receptors as a risk factor for anorexia nervosa-like behavior. Boosting receptor activity may be a promising treatment strategy, addressing the high mortality rate of this mental illness.

Pitt study finds potential marker of drug response in many cancer types

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a novel genetic mechanism and marker that may predict response to a class of drugs in many cancer types. Elevated levels of IGF2BP3 protein were found in both thyroid and other common cancers, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for treatment response.

An alternative to opioids? Compound from marine snail is potent pain reliever

Scientists at the University of Utah have discovered a compound from the venom of a small Caribbean Sea snail that blocks pain by targeting a distinct pathway not associated with opioid drugs. The benefits of the compound continue even after it has cleared the body, suggesting a potential new therapy for chronic pain.

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.

UBC study links slot-machine addiction to immersion in the game

A new UBC study reveals that gamblers who feel immersed in slot machines are more likely to have gambling problems. The research suggests that designing slots with eye-catching messages and disrupting the 'slot machine zone' state can promote more responsible play.

Decision-making suffers when cancer patients avoid math

Research shows that people who are less numerate experience worse health outcomes, including for cancer patients. To cope, patients can ask for numbers, understand what the numbers mean, consider absolute risk, and narrow down treatment options.

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.

Dream of energy-collecting windows is one step closer to reality

The development of efficient luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) using silicon nanoparticles has the potential to create photovoltaic windows that can capture over 5% of the sun's energy at unprecedented low costs. The technology, developed by researchers from the University of Minnesota and University of Milano-Bicocca, uses silico...

Long-term heavy drinking may age arteries over time

Researchers found that male former drinkers were at increased risk for accelerated rates of arterial stiffness compared to moderate drinkers. Long-term heavy drinking habits over 25 years may affect the elasticity of arterial walls and premature age arteries, interfering with blood flow.

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.

Volcano Samalas mystery revealed

The Samalas volcano's massive eruption in 1257 is believed to have had a significant impact on European climate conditions. However, new research published in Nature Geoscience suggests that its effects were exaggerated and not the primary cause of the Little Ice Age.

Family focused interventions for at risk children and youth

A new special section in Child Development outlines evidence-based interventions to support at-risk families and promote resilience among children. The focus is on nurturing primary caregivers, promoting positive parenting behaviors, and fostering self-regulation skills among parents and children.

Prospect for more effective treatment of nerve pain

Researchers have discovered a novel substance that may effectively treat trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic nerve pain condition. The substance, BIIB074, inhibits the sodium channel 1.7, reducing pain intensity without burdening side effects.

Fluorescence method detects mercury contamination in fish

Researchers developed a fluorescent polymer that can detect high levels of mercury in fish, which can lead to reduced fetal growth and placental development. The study found increased mercury levels in swordfish and tuna, with no mercury detected in farmed salmon.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cardiomyocyte autophagia and morphological alterations

Researchers studied cardiomyocyte autophagia in rabbits with acute focal ischemia. The study found that autophagy increases immediately after ischemia to protect cells, but decreases over time due to energy conservation. This mechanism helps prevent necrotic area expansion and cardiac death.

Unlocking crop diversity by manipulating plant sex

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a key to increasing crop diversity by manipulating plant sex through the HEI10 gene. This breakthrough has significant implications for introducing novel disease resistance genes into elite crop varieties, addressing a major limitation in crop improvement.

Winners and losers: Climate change will shift vegetation

A new study predicts that climate change will convert much of temperate grasslands and deserts to subtropical vegetation, leading to changes in precipitation and soil moisture. This shift could have significant impacts on ecological services and human populations, particularly for agriculture and ecosystems.

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.

Metabolism drives growth and division of cancer cells

Researchers found that cancer cells rely on metabolic processes, specifically the use of intermediates for energy production, to drive growth and division. A specific variant of STAT5, which cannot detect a marker indicating a full energy supply, prevents sustained activation necessary for leukemia development.

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.

Pest ant control improved with water-resistant bait

A new water-resistant ant bait has been shown to offer significant advantages over existing baits in controlling invasive species such as the red imported fire ant. The bait's ability to withstand moisture makes it an effective tool for managing pest ants, especially in humid environments.

A maintenance program key to keeping off lost weight

Researchers found that a telephone-based weight loss program combined with a maintenance intervention slowed the rate of weight regain in obese outpatients. The study suggests that incorporating weight maintenance interventions into clinical programs could make them more effective over the long term.

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.

Basking sharks seek out winter sun

Researchers used satellite tracking to study basking shark migrations, revealing they don't hibernate in UK waters but instead seek out warmer temperatures. The data provides crucial information for conservation efforts, as the species is classified as 'vulnerable' and faces threats from human activities.

Selenium deficiency promoted by climate change

Scientists modelled global soil selenium concentrations using data mining techniques and found dominant role of climate-soil interactions. Climate change scenarios predict selenium levels to increase in some regions but decrease overall, with up to 66% of croplands expected to lose selenium by the end of the century.

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.

Significant epilepsy gene discovery in dogs

A collaborative study has discovered a genetic cause for myoclonic epilepsy syndrome in dogs, the DIRAS1 gene. This finding has significant implications for both veterinary diagnostics and breeding programs, as well as human epilepsy research.

Impacts of mass coral die-off on Indian Ocean reefs revealed

New research reveals that mass coral die-offs in the Maldives and other Indian Ocean reefs have caused widespread bleaching and erosion, leading to a rapid decline in reef growth rates. The study found that reefs are now eroding at a faster rate than they are growing, with severe consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Experiments call origin of Earth's iron into question

A team of researchers has found that the Earth's iron composition is not linked to its core formation, sparking alternative theories on why our planet has higher levels of heavy iron isotopes. The study suggests light iron isotopes may have been vaporized into space or incorporated into rock through slow mantle churning.

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.

Understanding how HIV evades the immune system

Researchers from Monash University and Cardiff University have made a breakthrough understanding how HIV evades the immune system by mutating key molecules, which will help design better therapies and vaccines. The study provides new insights into HIV's ability to evade the immune system.

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.

Mindfulness shows promise as we age, but study results are mixed

A review of mindfulness research found that focused attention practices may benefit older adults by fostering a greater quality of life and improving cognitive functioning. However, the field is limited and would greatly benefit from larger randomized controlled trials to confirm results.

Study reveals 'nightmare' for Central Africa's forest elephants

The study found that Central Africa's forest elephant population has dropped by over 80% in a decade, mainly due to illegal poaching. The researchers emphasize the need to reduce demand for ivory and recognize forest elephants as a distinct species to save them from extinction.

Buying green doesn't make you green: QUT study

A QUT study found that investing in Green IT solutions can reduce costs, but to generate substantial environmental and innovation benefits, companies must adopt more comprehensive green practices. This includes process re-engineering, environmental management systems, and digital innovations that promote sustainability.

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.

Molecular biology: Fingerprinting cell identities

Researchers compared six methods for single-cell RNA sequencing and found that some commercial kits are ten times more expensive than homemade versions. The choice of method depends on the experiment's conditions and demands. This study is valuable for further developing the technology, particularly in the Human Cell Atlas project.