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Science News Archive December 2018


Page 3 of 33

Estimates of global migration

Research estimates that approximately 1.2% of the global population migrates every five years, resulting in up to 87 million people moving each year. Notably, around one-quarter of all migrations involve return journeys to individuals' countries of birth.

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.

Socioeconomic status and the developing brain

A longitudinal neuroimaging study of over 600 healthy young people found positive associations between socioeconomic status and the size and surface area of brain regions involved in cognitive functions. Greater childhood SES was associated with larger volumes of subcortical regions, extending previous research on SES and cortical morp...

Catheter ablation superior to standard drug

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found catheter ablation superior to conventional drug therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The procedure was associated with reduced all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.

How climate affects forest biodiversity

A global study analyzed 421 tree communities to understand how climate affects functional traits in forests. Climate factors like temperature variability and vapor pressure have the greatest impact on trait diversity across all species.

Brain activity predicts fear of pain

Researchers used machine learning to translate brain activity into fear of pain questionnaire scores, revealing distinct neural patterns for different constructs. The study may reconcile self-reported emotions and their neural underpinnings, providing new insights into pain-related fear.

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.

Dust and social change in Mesopotamia

A study found a significant increase in dust in northern Iran around 4,200 years ago, suggesting a period of drying and relatively arid climate conditions. This event coincided with the decline of the Akkadian Empire and the abandonment of North Mesopotamian settlements.

Communication interception can be traced through meteor trails

Physicists at Kazan Federal University developed a refined simulation of joint reception areas for meteor radio reflections. The study reveals that unpredictable nature of meteors makes signal interception challenging, with practical possibilities disappearing at 30 km distances.

Cost-efficiency of high-yield urban gardens

Urban gardens in Australia achieve high yields comparable to commercial farms, yet face challenges due to higher material and labor costs. The study emphasizes the need for judicious management of inputs to ensure sustainability.

Genetic legacy of state centralization

A study analyzing genome-wide data from 693 individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo found that present-day Kuba are genetically diverse and similar to neighboring groups, suggesting historical unification during state centralization. This research underscores the potential of genomics to reconstruct societal histories.

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.

Sustainable 'plastics' are on the horizon

A new process produces 'plastic' from marine microorganisms that completely recycle into organic waste, providing a biodegradable and non-toxic material. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the world's efforts to clean the oceans without affecting arable land or using fresh water.

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.

Climate change and electricity consumption in China

Climate change is projected to significantly impact electricity consumption in China's Yangtze River Delta, with daily consumption increasing by 14.5% for every 1°C rise in temperature above 25°C. By the end of the century, annual mean and peak consumption are expected to increase by approximately 9.2% and 36.1%, respectively.

Hotter days will boost Chinese residential electric use

A new study from Duke University and Fudan University found that China's residential electricity consumption will increase by 9% for every degree Celsius rise in global mean surface temperature. Peak usage is projected to rise by 36%, with estimates suggesting a minimum of 72% increase, driven mainly by hotter days.

Breast cancer drug impairs brain function

A study using monkeys with the breast cancer drug letrozole found significant behavioral changes and impaired brain function, including hot flashes, increased anxiety, and spatial memory issues. The research highlights the importance of studying the effects of estrogen-reducing treatments on the nervous system.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

U-M howler monkey study examines mechanisms of new species formation

A University of Michigan study reveals that hybridization between black and mantled howler monkeys is playing a direct role in completing the speciation process by enhancing genetic differences. The researchers found evidence for multiple forms of natural selection, including reinforcement, driving species differences.

Influences of maternal diabetes on fetal heart development

Research suggests that maternal hyperglycemia is a primary teratogen in all forms of diabetes, causing birth defects through dysregulation of epigenetic processes and oxidative stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding the gene-environment interactions involved in fetal heart development.

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.

Kidney patients are the most complex patients

A study reveals that nephrologists treat the most complex patients, with kidney disease patients having the highest number of comorbidities and medication needs. The findings highlight the need for better financial funding and awareness for kidney diseases in European healthcare systems.

Forget-me-not: Scientists pinpoint memory mechanism in plants

Researchers have discovered a mechanism that enables flowering plants to 'remember' changes in their environment, triggering flowering in response to stress or seasonal changes. The PRC2 complex, containing the VRN2 protein, detects environmental signals and becomes stable under challenging conditions.

Simple method rescues stressed liver cells

Scientists from Uppsala University have devised a simple method to rescue stressed liver cells by temporarily reducing cellular stress. This approach allows suboptimal human hepatocytes to be revived with restored functionality, increasing the availability of high-quality cells for laboratory experiments.

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.

Laser diode combats counterfeit oil

Researchers at UCM have designed a laser sensor that can detect counterfeit olive oil labelled as extra virgin or protected designation of origin. The tool uses laser diodes to distinguish between adulterated and pure oils due to differences in fluorescence.

Strong interactions produce a dance between light and sound

A team of researchers has successfully demonstrated the 'strong-coupling regime' between light and high-frequency acoustic vibrations in a tiny glass structure. By overcoming friction-like processes, they were able to observe signatures of the light-sound dance and pave the way for future experiments at near-absolute zero temperatures.

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.

Droughts boost emissions as hydropower dries up

A new study from Stanford University finds that droughts cause a 10% increase in carbon dioxide emissions from power generation in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington between 2001 and 2015. Drought-induced shifts in energy sources led to an additional 100 million tons of carbon dioxide across 11 western states.

Dust threatens Utah's 'greatest snow on earth'

A University of Utah study found that a single dust storm in 2017 accelerated snowmelt in the Wasatch Mountains by 25 percent. Dust deposition was linked to declining water levels in the Great Salt Lake, which may lead to more frequent and severe snowmelt events.

What do we see in a mirror?

Aalto University scientists develop gradient metasurfaces that can appear 'bright' at one direction and 'dark' for the opposite direction, breaking conventional symmetric responses of mirrors. This innovation uses evanescent fields engineering to engineer contrast ratios in angle spectrum.

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.

Statins are more effective for those who follow the Mediterranean diet

Researchers found that statins combined with a Mediterranean diet reduced cardiovascular mortality, particularly in those who had already experienced a heart attack or stroke. The study suggests that the Mediterranean diet may facilitate the beneficial effect of statins by reducing subclinical inflammation.

Bees can count with just four nerve cells in their brains

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that bees can solve simple counting tasks with minimal brainpower, using a miniature 'brain' with just four nerve cells. This finding suggests that intelligence and cognitive abilities do not require large brains, but rather efficient algorithms and specific strategies.

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.

What really happens at femtosecond junctions?

The latest version of Hussar software simulates the interaction of ultra-short laser pulses with unprecedented accuracy and speed. It allows researchers to model non-collinear beam intersections, enabling the design of innovative optical experiments and devices.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

How kindergartens serve as 'gendergartens'

Researchers found that kindergartens transmit social norms on femininity and masculinity to children, including expectations of girls' behavior and interests. The hidden curriculum in preschool education can limit girls' development as individuals, favoring traditional feminine roles.

'Frozen' copper behaves as noble metal in catalysis: study

Researchers have found that copper's electron structure can be altered, enabling it to act as a noble metal in catalyzing the preliminary hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate into methyl glycolate with high selectivity. The 'frozen' state of copper at zero valence is crucial for this process.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce brown adipose tissue

Research reveals that cholesterol-lowering statin drugs decrease the formation of brown adipose tissue in adults. Brown adipose tissue plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature and insulin sensitivity. The study found that people taking statins have significantly lower rates of brown adipose tissue compared to non-statins users.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Surfer's ear points to ancient pearl divers in Panama

Researchers found seven cases of surfers' ear in males and one in a female skull from sites near the Gulf of Panama. The bony growths are believed to be caused by cold water or stress in the ear canal, similar to bone spurs.

Antibiotic overuse is high for common urology procedures

A new study found that antibiotics are being overused in up to 50% of patients undergoing common urological procedures, with extended use following the procedure being the main issue. This excessive use can promote antibiotic resistance and expose patients to potential harm.

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.

Description of rotating molecules made easy

An interdisciplinary team of scientists developed a new method to describe molecular rotations in solvents, paving the way for controlling chemical reactions. The technique, based on Feynman diagrams, delivers precise results and has potential to simulate molecular behavior.