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Science News Archive April 2018


Page 39 of 42

Tropical Cyclone Josie's deadly flooding rainfall examined with IMERG

NASA analyzed Tropical Cyclone Josie's heavy rainfall using Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data, revealing extreme rainfall totals of over 450 mm in some areas. The study showed that Josie's clockwise circulation caused flooding leading to at least four deaths in Fiji.

Here, there and everywhere: Across the universe with the Beatles

Astronomers have discovered that the Beatles' record company funded Godfrey Hounsfield's X-ray research, leading to the invention of the CT scanner. The band's music has also inspired NASA to name their Lucy mission after the 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' song.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Considering an employee for an overseas assignment?

A recent study from Florida Atlantic University suggests that expatriates' personality characteristics have a significant impact on their ability to adjust to new environments. The research found that extraverts who are emotionally stable and open to new experiences tend to perform better in foreign assignments.

Flare-responsive hydrogel developed to treat arthritis

Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital have created a hydrogel that responds to increased disease activity during flares, releasing drugs to alleviate symptoms. The technology has shown promise in preclinical models and could provide a new treatment option for patients with arthritis.

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.

The plant hormone auxin coordinates wood formation

Researchers found that auxin hormone controls stem cell division and WOX4 gene expression, essential for wood formation. The study revealed a direct regulation of WOX4 by auxin signaling factors, shedding light on the complex mechanism behind plant growth.

For women with kidney cancer, belly fat matters

A new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that women with kidney cancer who have substantial abdominal fat are more likely to die within 3 1/2 years after diagnosis, while those with little belly fat tend to live longer. For men, the amount of abdominal fat does not appear to affect survival rates.

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.

Your wood stove affects the climate more than you might think

A Norwegian study reveals that wood stove emissions have a complex effect on the climate, with black carbon being the primary warming agent. The research suggests that reducing soot emissions from wood stoves could also improve air quality and mitigate health risks.

Partner's finances impact well-being, even in young love

Research finds that young adults' own financial behaviors have the most impact on their well-being, followed by their romantic partners' behaviors. Parents' financial expectations had the least impact, but still influence young adults' objective financial knowledge. The study suggests that even in non-marital relationships, a partner's...

Apps to keep children safe online may be counterproductive

Research from the University of Central Florida suggests that parental-control apps may be counterproductive, reducing trust and increasing online risks for teens. Studies found that authoritarian parents are more likely to use these apps, which can limit teen autonomy and hinder their ability to respond to online threats.

Cells are pretty much smarter than previously supposed

Researchers have discovered that cells' G protein-coupled receptor signaling systems can pass more than 2 bits of information per interaction with external stimuli, exceeding previous estimates. This finding has crucial implications for biology and drug discovery, particularly in the development of novel anti-cancer agents.

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.

Portland State study links outdoor recreation with water quality concerns

A recent Portland State University study reveals people who engage in outdoor activities such as camping and fishing are more attuned to water quality issues than the general population. The research found that higher levels of education and socioeconomic status correlate with increased concern for water quality.

Spa therapy helps Japan's snow monkeys cope with the cold

Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, have been enjoying regular baths in the hot spring at Jigokudani in Japan for decades. A recent study found that female snow monkeys use the hot spring more often in winter than in spring to lower stress levels.

Scientists create 'Swiss army knife' for electron beams

Researchers have developed a 'Swiss army knife' for electron beams, combining acceleration, compression, focusing and analysis in a single device. The Segmented Terahertz Electron Accelerator and Manipulator (STEAM) uses precise timing control to perform these functions with ultra-high precision.

Study reveals a way to make prostate cancer cells run out of energy and die

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that cancer cells lacking tumor-suppressor protein PTEN are vulnerable to mitochondrial inhibitors, which induce them to consume glucose and quickly run out of energy. This finding suggests that such drugs could eliminate cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Physicists at FAU demonstrate demixing behavior of rotating particles

Physicists at FAU have demonstrated that macroscopic particles rotating in opposite directions form homogeneous groups. The researchers used miniature robots manufactured using 3D printing methods for their experiment. After only one minute, single domains were clearly visible, and after 15 minutes, the robots had almost entirely demixed.

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.

Preprints accelerated between Ebola and Zika epidemics

The study found that preprint posting increased during the Zika epidemic compared to the Ebola outbreak, providing earlier access to scientific reports. The authors advocate for broader use of preprints to facilitate criticism, analysis, and further studies in infectious disease outbreaks.

Losing your nest egg can kill you

A new Northwestern University study reveals that losing 75% of one's wealth in two years increases the risk of death by 50% over the next 20 years. The research also found that socially vulnerable individuals, including low-income people, are more likely to die after a financial shock.

Timing of stress-hormone pulses controls weight gain, Stanford study finds

Research by Stanford University School of Medicine researchers provides the first molecular understanding of why people gain weight due to chronic stress and disrupted circadian rhythms. The team identified key molecules involved in controlling fat-cell maturation and found that the timing of glucocorticoid pulses controls weight gain.

A New Metasurface Model Shows Potential to Control Acoustic Wave Reflection

Researchers developed a nonlinear elastic metasurface that can convert a soundwave's fundamental frequency to its second harmonic, advancing noise control technologies. This concept could isolate low frequencies, making it easier to absorb them, and potentially lead to new acoustic devices like diodes and transistors.

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.

Inner ear provides clues to human dispersal

Researchers analyzed inner ear structure in humans from diverse populations, finding variation within populations greater than between them. The shape of the labyrinth correlates with dispersal distance from Africa, providing insights into human migration history and population movements within continents.

Mantle minerals offer clues to deep Earth's composition

Scientists used lab-cooked recipes to model mantle minerals, providing clear measurements of density, compressibility and electronic conductivity. This study will help scientists interpret seismic waves and accurately map the amount of iron in the mantle.

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.

Genes can help predict children's risk of type 1 diabetes

Researchers calculated genetic scores from over 30 genes in 3000 children with no family history of type 1 diabetes. The upper quartile of scores was associated with a greater than 10% risk for pre-symptomatic stage of multiple islet autoantibodies by age 6.

Gender roles highlight gender bias in judicial decisions

A study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that judges may be biased against women in sexual discrimination lawsuits and favor mothers in custody cases, even when similar to the general public's views. This bias is linked to traditional gender roles and their influence on court decisions.

Human daily rhythms: Clocks vs. light/dark cycle

A study by University of Seville finds that human primary activities are synchronized with the winter day as a synchronizer, rather than clock time. The study characterizes laborer's activities along the daily and yearly cycle of light and dark, revealing latitudinal patterns tied to the light/dark cycle.

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.

How to cool a smartphone

Scientists at NUST MISIS have developed composites that can efficiently remove heat from electronic devices, potentially replacing traditional materials like fiberglass. The new material has high thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in smartphones and other electronics.

Medical marijuana gets wary welcome from older adults, poll shows

Most older adults (4/5) support allowing medical marijuana if recommended by a physician, while 2/3 advocate for more government-sponsored research on its health effects. The poll also reveals conflicting views on pain management, with prescription medications seen as more effective in controlling dosages.

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.

Smokers have worse diets than non-smokers

A study of 5293 US adults found that smokers consumed around 200 more calories a day than non-smokers or former smokers, despite eating smaller portions. Smokers' diets were also high in energy density, meaning they consumed food with fewer nutrients and potentially increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

High-speed and on-silicon-chip graphene blackbody emitters

Researchers have developed highly integrated graphene blackbody emitters with a fast response time of ~100 ps, outperforming previous emitters. The emitters' properties are controlled by the number of graphene layers and can be used for real-time optical communication.

Anticipating the dangers of space

Researchers estimated radiation risks for astronauts in low Earth orbits, finding they would have faced toxic doses during a massive solar event. The study used supercomputers to model the Manned Orbiting Laboratory's orbit profile and simulate space weather.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Paper: Surprise can be an agent of social change

Researchers found that surprises can have far-reaching effects on attitudes and behavior, making them a valuable tool for communication. Surprises can also rapidly spread through networks, creating collective effects on culture.

Monitor detects dangerously low white blood cell levels

A new device developed by MIT researchers can monitor white blood cell levels at home without taking blood samples, potentially preventing thousands of infections among chemotherapy patients. The technology uses a tabletop prototype that records video of blood cells flowing through capillaries beneath the skin's surface.

Study explains resurgence of pertussis

A study reveals that incomplete vaccination coverage is causing a predictable increase in pertussis cases. The vaccine's effectiveness decreases over time, allowing susceptible individuals to contract the disease. Researchers recommend targeting schoolchildren for vaccination campaigns.

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.

Reversal of fortunes

A new study reveals the Mississippi River Delta is experiencing seafloor erosion at an alarming rate, threatening marine ecosystems and infrastructure. The research, published in Marine Geology, found that sediment deposition has stopped, leading to land loss and degradation of wetlands and seafloors.

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.