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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 17 of 33

Mini-detectors for the gigantic?

Researchers from HZDR found that Bose-Einstein condensates, which can be thought of as heavily diluted vapor from individual atoms cooled to extreme temperatures, are not sensitive enough to detect gravitational waves. The team discovered that the power of these gravitational waves is too weak to be measured using current methods.

Climate change imperils Midwest ag production

A Cornell University-led study finds that Midwest agriculture is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with a clear escalation in climate sensitivity between the 1960s and '70s and more recent years. The region's reliance on rain-fed crops and specialization in crop production contribute to this vulnerability.

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.

Tiny tech tracks hummingbirds at urban feeders

A study led by the University of California, Davis tracked over 230 Anna's and Allen's hummingbirds around urban feeders, providing insights into their interactions and health. The research found that females stayed longer at feeders than males and males overlapped their visits with other males more frequently than with other females.

Study shows benefits of sex for older adults

A study published in Sexual Medicine found that sexual activity improves wellbeing in older adults, with both sexes experiencing benefits. For older women, activities like kissing and fondling are more closely linked to enjoyment of life, while intercourse is more important for men.

Rethinking school suspensions: School climate offers a clue

A study by University of Missouri researchers found that creating a positive school climate can reduce suspension rates by 10 percent. A positive climate features clear expectations, consistent discipline and supportive relationships between students and teachers.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Researchers design technology that sees nerve cells fire

A new noninvasive technology detects nerve cell firing based on changes in shape, allowing for quantitative monitoring of visual function at the cellular level. This technique could be used to observe nerve activity in light-accessible parts of the body, such as the eye.

Scientists develop a cellulose biosensor material for advanced tissue engineering

Scientists developed a hybrid biosensor scaffold material based on cellulose matrices labeled with pH- and calcium-sensitive fluorescent proteins. This allows visualization of cell growth and metabolism in engineered tissues by microscopy. The study was published in Acta Biomaterialia and has promising prospects for regenerative medicine.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Biologists shed new light on an old question

New research suggests sex-specific dominance reversal for fitness is a strong and common phenomenon throughout the genome. This mechanism helps maintain genetic variation that has led to life's spectacular diversity.

Are suicidal thoughts, attempts more likely in people with eczema?

A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology found a significant association between eczema and suicidal thoughts or attempts. The research, analyzing data from over 310,000 patients with eczema and 4.4 million without, suggests individuals with eczema are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and attempts compared to those without.

Fallen through the net?

A study using long-term data from 'Butterfly Monitoring Germany' found more butterfly species in Natura 2000 areas, but a significant decline in species numbers regardless of location. The network appears to protect valuable habitats, but its overall effectiveness remains unclear.

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.

Fire's effects on soil moisture, runoff

Researchers created an experimental model to evaluate fire and water interactions in soil, finding low- to moderate-severity wildfires result in wetter soil. High-severity burns lead to increased surface runoff, leaving drier soils after the fire.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

CU Anschutz to partner with Allen Institute for Immunology

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus will partner with the Allen Institute for Immunology to understand the human immune system and find novel mechanisms to halt or reverse rheumatoid arthritis. The research program aims to identify biomarkers for early detection and develop new treatments for this debilitating disease.

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.

Researchers report acute findings from Havana embassy phenomenon

US diplomats experienced sudden-onset symptoms including dizziness and cognitive impairment after exposure to a high-frequency noise at the Havana embassy. Researchers found an inner ear abnormality and evidence of cognitive dysfunction in affected individuals, with symptoms persisting even after treatment.

UNLV study unlocks clues to how planets form

A team of UNLV and international astronomers has conducted the first large-sample survey of protoplanetary disks using ALMA, yielding high-resolution images of 20 nearby disks. The results reveal a large population of young planets at wide-orbit similar to Neptune or Jupiter, which may be similar to our solar system

More 'heatwave' summers will affect animals

A new study from Lund University finds that heatwaves can lead to smaller offspring and lower survival chances for animals. Researchers observed that birds with easier access to cooling mechanisms have larger and more viable offspring.

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.

New method for studying ALS more effectively

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have devised a new method called Axon-seq to study axons and better understand the pathological development of ALS. The method reveals significant differences in RNA profiles between healthy cells and those with mutated SOD1 genes, which causes ALS.

Gut hormone increases response to food

New research found that ghrelin hormone makes people associate food odours with reward, leading to increased eating and obesity risk. Ghrelin also reduces response time and increases pleasantness of food images

3D-printed reconstructions provide clues to ancient site

Researchers at UC Berkeley created accurate 3D-printed miniature models to reconstruct Pumapunku building in Tiwanaku site, shedding light on its purpose and alignment. The study provides clues about the site's layout and potential connections to Incan beliefs.

'Eavesdropping' on groupers' mating calls key to survival

A new technique uses deep neural networks to classify grouper species by their unique sounds, achieving accuracy of about 90 percent for four species. This technology is crucial for conservation efforts aimed at reversing depletion of endangered fishes and sustaining marine biodiversity.

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.

Buzz! Slap! Ow! Taking the virus out of a mosquito's bite

Scientists visualized a real virus with a three-dimensional model to track its movement within a mosquito's body. The study found that the virus leaves the midgut within 32-48 hours, revealing a narrow window for prevention. Researchers aim to inhibit genes involved in virus release to prevent future transmission.

Helping the anti-parasitic medicine go down

A team of researchers has developed a novel pharmaceutical formulation to administer triclabendazole, an anti-parasitic drug used to treat flatworm infections. The new nanocapsule formulation produces capsules less than one micron in size and is 100 times more soluble than its current tablet form.

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 strategy for brain regeneration after stroke

Researchers have identified a novel mechanism for neuronal regeneration after stroke. By overproducing the protein Slit in neuroblasts, these cells can migrate past activated astrocytes and mature into functional neurons.

Legal system may lead many UK parents abroad to find a surrogate

A new study reveals that many UK parents opt for overseas surrogacy to access better legal frameworks, but face significant challenges upon return, including delayed recognition of parenthood. The research highlights the need for clearer and more secure laws to support families undergoing surrogacy.

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.

The epoch of planet formation, times 20

Researchers have discovered that large planets form quickly and in the outer reaches of their solar systems, which could explain the formation of rocky Earth-size worlds. High-resolution images of 20 nearby protoplanetary disks show common substructures, including concentric gaps and narrow rings.

Hearing loss is a risk factor for premature death

A new study finds that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of mortality before age 75 due to cardiovascular disease. Adults with a well-hearing partner experience diminished mortality risk, suggesting social support plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of hearing loss.

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.

Large restaurant portions a global problem, study finds

A new study found that large, high-calorie portion sizes in fast food and full service restaurants are not unique to the US, affecting people globally. The research measured calorie content in popular meals from five countries and found that fast food meals contained fewer calories than full service meals.

Earth's cobalt deposits formed much later than previously believed

A new dating technique has pushed the formation of Earth's cobalt deposits back by 100-150 million years, according to a University of Alberta study. This revised timeline offers a fresh perspective on the global distribution of cobalt and its potential for sustainable exploration and mining.

Cloud or no cloud, that is the question

Researchers at PNNL developed a deep learning model that surpasses current cloud detection algorithms by nearly doubling precision and reducing processing time. The model's performance is promising for global forecasting applications.

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.

Chickens to be marker of Anthropocene

Modern broiler chickens are a defining feature of the Anthropocene, shaped by human biology and consumption. The rapid evolution of these chickens reflects a biosphere dominated by human activity.

A device that illuminates the invisible

Engineers at the University of Delaware have developed a camera-like device that generates and detects millimeter waves to 'see' through solid objects. The device can detect concealed objects and see through non-metallic objects, making it useful for military operations and improved security in various settings.