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Science News Archive May 2017


Page 30 of 42

Study investigates collapse of natural or social systems

Numerical simulations by Everton Santos Medeiros provide a better understanding of the characteristics of tipping points in natural and social systems. The study highlights the persistence of system dynamics after irreversibility, masking the transition itself.

The veins in your brain don't all act the same

A new study reveals that blood vessels in the brainstem constrict when oxygen levels rise, unlike other parts of the body. This specialized response helps maintain proper breathing and is made possible by astrocytes releasing signaling molecules.

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.

Anti-hypertension DASH diet may reduce the risk of gout

A study found that the DASH diet reduced gout incidence in men with similar dietary patterns, while a Western diet increased risk. The diet's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products may help lower uric acid levels and reduce cardiovascular problems.

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.

NASA team pursues blobs and bubbles with new PetitSat mission

The petitSat mission aims to study the link between plasma enhancements and Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) in Earth's ionosphere. The satellite will measure plasma densities and ion distributions using two instruments, providing valuable insights into the transmission of GPS and radar signals.

Aging gracefully in the rainforest

The Tsimane Health and Life History Project found that many individuals reach a social and economic peak between the ages of 40 and 60. They adapt by devoting less time to hunting and more to horticulture, producing the majority of calories for their extended families.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Massachusetts 'Wildlife Climate Action Tool' wins national award

The Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool has received a national award for its exemplary leadership in addressing climate change impacts on fish and wildlife species and their habitats. The tool, launched in 2015, provides information on climate change vulnerabilities and offers adaptation strategies to protect natural resources.

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.

Researchers provide update on popular fish model of development

The annual killifish has evolved to survive in temporary ponds without water, allowing embryos to arrest development and survive for months. The new study provides an updated methodological guide for scientists studying this fascinating vertebrate model system.

Larger swaths of tropical forest being lost to commercial agriculture

A Duke University study reveals that larger patches of tropical forest are being lost worldwide due to industrial-scale agricultural expansion. The trend is most pronounced in Southeast Asia and South America, where clearings for large-scale agriculture account for more than half of all observed forest loss between 2000 and 2012.

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.

ORION, a new European initiative to open up research to society

The ORION project aims to explore ways to open up research funding, organization, and processes to the public. It will develop good practices and concrete actions for research organizations to implement Open Science and Responsible Research Innovation (RRI). The project will generate new training content, share lessons learned, and dis...

Exploring the conversion of heat to electricity in single molecules

Researchers at Osaka University investigated the geometry of single molecule-electrode contacts on thermoelectric behavior. They found that the largest thermoelectric effect was observed for structures containing a stretched thiol linkage, which shifts the energy level to a more favorable position.

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.

Age no barrier for back surgery benefits

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that herniated disc surgery can bring relief to patients 65 and older, with the condition improving more in this age group than younger patients. However, complications were more common and hospital stays longer among seniors compared to younger patients.

Natural disasters pose grave threat to planet's last Javan rhinos

A new study warns that natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis could wipe out the world's only population of Javan rhinoceros. The authors urge establishing additional rhino populations away from disaster zones to increase survival odds for at least part of the population.

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.

Looking at light to explore superconductivity in boron-diamond films

A research group from India used Raman scattering to study the vibrational properties of heavily boron-doped diamond, revealing a Fano resonance that is sensitive to impurity band evolution with boron doping. The study aims to increase the superconducting transition temperature in boron-doped diamond.

Pupils' mental health improved through school-based program, study shows

A new school-based program called SPARK has been shown to promote resilience and prevent depression in 11-12 year old girls. The program, which provides tools to identify stressful situations and learn to control negative reactions, increased self-reported resilience and decreased depression symptoms after its implementation.

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.

Computer-generated doctor explains test results to patients

A computer-generated physician is being developed to explain medical test results to patients in layman's terms, using graphics and videos. The system aims to improve health literacy and patient engagement, particularly among older adults with lower health literacy levels.

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.

A new tool to decipher evolutionary biology

Researchers have developed a new tool called ModelFinder to study the evolution of proteins. The program allows for more accurate scientific estimates of evolutionary processes, which will help unravel the mysteries behind life's diversity on Earth.

Safety events common for pharmaceuticals and biologics after FDA approval

Between 2001 and 2010, nearly a third of FDA-approved pharmaceuticals and biologics experienced postmarket safety events. These events, including withdrawals and boxed warnings, affect patient care and decision-making. Postmarket risks are often only apparent in larger patient populations and longer durations.

Right-or left-handedness affects sign language comprehension

A new study found that sign language users' speed of comprehension depends on their conversation partners' handedness, with left-handers responding better to fellow left-handers and right-handers to right-handers. The research suggests that how signers produce their own signs plays a role in understanding others' signing.

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.

How Pokémon GO can help students build stronger communication skills

A study by Emily Howell at Iowa State University suggests that playing Pokémon GO can enhance students' writing and research skills. By incorporating different modes of communication, such as gestures and visuals, the game provides a unique platform for students to practice multimodal text and develop their communication skills.

Grape seed extract could extend life of resin fillings

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a natural compound in grape seed extract that can strengthen dentin and increase the life of resin fillings. The study found that the extract can make composite-resin fillings stronger, allowing them to last longer.

Tell me what languages you know and I'll tell you how you read

Researchers found that bilingual people's reading strategies are affected by the languages they speak, leading to a different pattern of reading than monolingual speakers. This discovery has implications for clinical and education practice, including diagnosing dyslexia and developing tailored reading strategies.

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.

A suspicious mind leads to a suspicious face

A series of studies shows that Black participants who hold suspicious views of Whites visualize White faces as less trustworthy, authentic, and sometimes more hostile. The authors suggest both potential advantages and drawbacks to these biases. Recruiting minority group participants is crucial to understanding intergroup dynamics.

Rice's Gustavo Scuseria wins Royal Society of Chemistry award

Gustavo Scuseria, a renowned chemist at Rice University, has won the Royal Society of Chemistry S F Boys - A Rahman Award for his outstanding innovative research in computational chemistry. He will share his exciting new results during a lecture tour in the U.K., focusing on solving the strong correlation problem.

Materials bend as they 'breathe' under high temperatures

A new system of oxide materials can be used to create actuators that function at temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius, enabling devices to open and close valves in hot environments. This technology could revolutionize maintenance tasks in nuclear plants and other high-temperature settings.

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.

Vitamin D levels not linked to asthma or dermatitis

A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that genetic alterations associated with lower vitamin D levels do not predispose individuals to asthma, atopic dermatitis, or high IgE levels. The researchers looked at data from over 100,000 individuals and found no statistically significant difference between rates of these conditions.

Study finds Alzheimer's disease likely not caused by low body mass index

Researchers analyzed DNA samples from over 95,000 participants to examine the association between Alzheimer's disease and low BMI. The study found no causal relationship, suggesting that individuals with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to have low BMIs due to weight loss in the early stages of the disease.

Abusing power hurts leaders, too

A new study from the University of Florida found that leaders who act abusively to colleagues experience negative effects on their well-being, including reduced relaxation and self-competence. The researchers suggest that agreeable leadership qualities may be less susceptible to the negative consequences of power.

Screening for thyroid cancer not recommended

The USPSTF concludes that screening for thyroid cancer in asymptomatic persons results in harms that outweigh the benefits due to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Most cases of thyroid cancer have a good prognosis with a 98.1% 5-year survival rate.

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.

Closing the gate to mitochondria

Researchers create 'ImportOmics' method to identify proteins imported into mitochondria, uncovering new insights into cell function and potential disease causes. The study reveals over 1,120 mitochondrial proteins, including previously unknown associations.

Protecting life's tangled ecological webs

A new theory from McGill University researchers suggests that protecting remnant habitats and corridors can help preserve biodiversity by allowing species to move in response to environmental change. This approach is crucial for maintaining ecosystem structure and preventing extinctions.

Most home kitchens in Philadelphia study would earn severe code violations

A recent Drexel University study found that most Philadelphia home kitchens have evidence of pest infestations and improper raw meat storage, with bacteria-laden sponges being a common issue. The study also revealed that refrigeration temperatures were often above recommended levels, allowing bacteria to grow rapidly.

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.

Severe foot pain linked to recurrent falls

Researchers found that severe foot pain and flat feet were associated with a higher risk of recurrent falls. The study suggests that targeting foot pain may help reduce hospitalizations and loss of independence for older adults.