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Science News Archive July 2018


Page 13 of 38

Study shows how the brain controls food cravings

A study from the University of Waterloo found that suppressing brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex increases desire for high-calorie foods. Participants who underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation showed stronger urges and consumption of such foods after a placebo stimulation.

Ocean acidification a challenge for science, governments & communities

Researchers have found that ocean surface pH has fallen ten times faster than in the past 300 million years, impacting ecosystems, economies, and communities globally. The economic cost of Ocean Acidification is projected to reach over $300 billion annually, highlighting the need for international collaboration and adaptation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Managerial support for depressed employees linked to fewer days off work

An international survey of 16,000 employees and managers in 15 countries found that managerial support for depression is associated with lower rates of workplace absenteeism. Managers who offered help and support had employees take fewer days off work, while those who avoided discussing the issue led to more absences.

Honeybee pheromones safely repel elephants, study finds

A study conducted at Kruger park in South Africa found that honeybee pheromones safely repel elephants, showing promise for a safe elephant management tool. The pheromone-laden socks were effective in deterring elephants from approaching water holes, with 25 of 29 elephants moving away after getting close enough to smell the formulation.

Cognitive consequences of age-related increase in brain activity

A study published in JNeurosci found that increased frontal brain activity in healthy older adults is associated with reduced cognitive efficiency, not compensation for age-related decline. The research suggests that the extent to which an older brain operates like a younger one is a key determinant of cognitive function in old age.

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.

Humans, climate, and fire regimes

A study analyzed prairie fire charcoal deposits to examine fire activity over the last millennium in Montana, revealing high activity during 1100-1650 CE and a strong link between humans and climate on fire regimes. Climate records showed that more than half of the fire deposits coincided with modest or short wet periods.

NIST unblinded me with science: New application of blue light sees through fire

Researchers at NIST demonstrate a new method for visualizing objects engulfed by large gas fires using ordinary blue light. This technique improves the accuracy of material testing by reducing image distortion and enhancing signal clarity. The study has potential applications in fire-resistance standards testing and could lead to more ...

Alarming error common in survey analyses

A recent study found that many researchers overlook the importance of weighting and sample design in survey data, leading to incorrect estimates. The American Statistical Association has identified this issue as a systemic problem, with only half of secondary analyses accounting for weighting.

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.

Two quality improvement programs lead to fewer postoperative complications

The Strong for Surgery program improved glycemic control among diabetic patients, with 97.31% achieving proper blood sugar levels after six months. The program also increased smoking cessation rates, with 10.5% of tobacco users quitting before operations. An enhanced recovery approach reduced hospital length of stay and costs.

Fluctuations in early Earth oxygen levels

Researchers found low oxygen levels in early Earth rocks, indicating significant atmospheric variations during early life development. Oxygen concentrations were around 0.1% of present levels, affecting the evolution of complex organisms.

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.

Overnight brain stimulation improves memory

Researchers have found that non-invasive brain stimulation during sleep can improve memory consolidation and generalization. The study used a closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation system to synchronize brain activity during slow-wave oscillations, leading to enhanced performance in detecting targets in novel situations.

Largest genetic database on Alzheimer's disease now re-open for business

The National Institute on Aging Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Data Storage Site (NIAGADS) has made large-scale DNA sequence data available to researchers. The database includes whole-genome sequence data from 5,000 subjects with Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal controls from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The short, tumultuous working life of a major league baseball pitcher

Researchers used cohort change ratios to estimate working life expectancies in MLB pitchers, revealing that most careers are much shorter than the few stars who stick around. This method could be applied to other sports, like American football and basketball, where contact is more prevalent.

Women under-treated for heart attacks die at twice the rate of men

A study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that women under-treated for heart attacks die at twice the rate of men. The study adjusted for confounding factors and analyzed data from 41 hospitals across Australia, revealing significant disparities in treatment outcomes between men and women.

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.

First dementia prevalence data in lesbian, gay and bisexual older adults

The study found significant rates of depression, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease among sexual minority older adults, contributing to the level of dementia. The prevalence of dementia increases with age, even in 'oldest old', and survival time for people with dementia is six years regardless of age.

Saliva test could improve diabetes control and treatment

Researchers found that proteins in saliva reflect high blood sugar levels in young patients with type 1 diabetes, allowing for early prediction of complications. A potential new preventive treatment has been identified using gene database searching.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Wearable device from Stanford measures cortisol in sweat

A Stanford University team has created a stretchy patch that measures cortisol levels in sweat, offering non-invasive and continuous monitoring of physiological conditions. The device, which uses a membrane bound to cortisol, detects charged ions in sweat and provides results in seconds.

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.

Keck Foundation grants CSU $1 million to make and measure nanoscale spin waves

Colorado State University researchers will use a new grant to create nanoscale spin waves with uncommonly short wavelengths, enabling unprecedented control of electron spins. A tabletop soft X-ray microscope will be developed to study these waves, laying the groundwork for low-power storage and quantum computing applications.

The genes are not to blame

A systematic literature analysis by TUM researchers found no evidence for genetic factors affecting total calorie, carbohydrate, or fat consumption. However, genes like FTO and MC4R were linked to energy intake in some studies, but the findings were inconsistent.

Texas A&M study: Sahara dust may make you cough, but it's a storm killer

A study published by Texas A&M University found that Saharan dust suppresses cloud formation and decreases the occurrence of hurricanes over the Gulf of Mexico region. The research suggests that dust can reduce the sea surface temperature, leading to more stable atmospheric conditions unfavorable for storm formation.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Eagle-eyed machine learning algorithm outdoes human experts

Researchers trained a machine learning algorithm to analyze microscopic radiation damage, achieving an accuracy of 86% compared to humans. The algorithm can process images faster and more efficiently than humans, making it a promising tool for developing safe nuclear materials.

Action on Hearing Loss UK awards NCBS scientist

Dr. Raj Ladher of NCBS receives grant to study protein protocadherin-15 and its role in hearing loss. The funds will aid in understanding how modified protocadherin-15 affects hair cell response to sound, which could lead to treatment development for hearing loss.

New study shows video games can improve health in children with obesity

A new study from Louisiana State University found that video games, combined with fitness coaching and a step tracker, helped overweight children reduce their body mass index, cholesterol levels, and increase physical activity. Children who played video games also showed increased self-efficacy towards physical activity.

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.

Doctors rely on more than just data for medical decision making

A new study from MIT found that doctors' written notes reveal their 'gut feelings' play a significant role in determining how many tests they order for patients, beyond just analyzing symptoms and medical data. The researchers used sentiment analysis to uncover this correlation, which was strongest at the beginning of a patient's hospi...

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.

ASHG honors Eric S. Lander with William Allan Award

Eric S. Lander, a pioneer in the study of the human genome and Human Genome Project, has been honored with the William Allan Award for his substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics. The award recognizes his work on genetic mapping, genome-wide association studies, and cancer genomics.

Parakeet pecking orders, basketball match-ups, and the tenure-track

Researchers from the Santa Fe Institute developed a new algorithm called SpringRank that analyzes wins and losses in networks to predict outcomes. The algorithm outperformed others in efficiency and accuracy, even when applied to diverse datasets such as NCAA basketball teams and animal social behaviors.

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.

Can greening vacant urban land improve mental health?

A cluster randomized trial in Philadelphia found that greening vacant urban land improved self-reported mental health, with participants experiencing less depression and anxiety after the intervention. The study's results suggest that investing in green spaces can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing in urban areas.

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.

People love to hate on do-gooders, especially at work

A recent study published in Psychological Science found that cooperative individuals are more likely to face social punishment in competitive environments, even if it harms the entire group. In egalitarian societies, this dynamic has prevented dominant individuals from dominating the group.

Current noises of Majorana fermions

Majorana fermions, which are self-antiparticles, can be detected using current noise in a topological Josephson junction. The study found that the non-equilibrium current noises exhibit peaks at specific frequencies, indicating the presence of these particles. This method provides a direct detection method for Majorana fermions.

Urgent change needed to regulate the environmental impacts of chemicals

The research identifies 22 key questions to address the most pressing knowledge gaps in chemical regulation, including identifying hotspots of contaminants and developing methods to protect biodiversity. Scientists emphasize the need for a holistic approach to assessing the effects of combinations of chemicals on ecological communities.

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.