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Science News Archive June 2018


Page 17 of 40

How vaping helps even hardened smokers quit

A study by University of East Anglia found that vaping supports long-term smoking abstinence and even encourages those who don't want to quit. Vapers reported improved respiratory function, taste, and smell after switching from cigarettes.

Machine learning may be a game-changer for climate prediction

Researchers used machine learning to improve cloud representation in climate models, which is crucial for predicting global warming and greenhouse gas concentrations. The approach, called Cloud Brain, demonstrates promising results in fully coupled climate models.

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.

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.

Can psychological stress cause vision loss?

A comprehensive analysis of research and clinical reports reveals that psychological stress contributes to vision loss and disease progression. A holistic treatment approach combining stress management, patient education, and vision recovery techniques may be effective in interrupting this cycle.

Spintronics: Controlling magnetic spin with electric fields

Researchers at EPFL demonstrated electric field control of spin in germanium telluride and multiferroic semiconductors using SARPES technique. This breakthrough enables programmable semiconductor-based spintronics with reduced energy consumption.

Toothpaste and hand wash are causing antibiotic resistance

Researchers at the University of Queensland found that triclosan can induce antibiotic resistance by accelerating the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria. The study suggests that high residual levels of triclosan in everyday environments are contributing to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Say cheese! Why a toothy smile makes it easier for you to be identified

A study by researchers at the University of York found that smiling images are more easily matched to other images of the same person and distinguished from similar-looking identities. The team's research suggests replacing neutral expressions with open mouth smiles can improve face matching accuracy.

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.

Study: Climate action can limit Asia's growing water shortages

A new study led by MIT researchers found that taking modest climate action could prevent extreme water-shortage scenarios in Asia by 2050. The study simulated various economic and climate pathways for the continent, revealing a 50% chance of increased water stress in southern and eastern Asia.

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.

When photons spice up the energy levels of quantum particles

A team of mathematical physicists has developed a new theoretical calculation that predicts new possible states for quantum particles that have received a photon. These states are distinct from conventional coherent states and can be applied to various models satisfying shape-invariance conditions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Responses of the tropical atmospheric circulation to climate change

Climate change-induced tropical circulation slowdowns are linked to poleward Hadley cell expansion and intertropical convergence zone shifts. Regional precipitation redistribution involves complex thermodynamic and dynamical processes, including surface warming effects over oceans and land.

Political leaning influences city water policies as strongly as climate

A new study by Vanderbilt University researchers reveals that urban water conservation policies are closely tied to a city's political leaning, with left-leaning cities adopting stronger water-saving measures. This finding suggests that water conservation may be more politicized than previously thought, and could have important implica...

Risks of cancer and mortality by average lifetime alcohol intake

A study of 99,654 individuals found that lifetime light alcohol drinkers had the lowest combined risk of mortality or developing cancer. The risk increased linearly with lifetime alcohol consumption, with heavy and very heavy drinkers facing significantly higher risks.

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.

Researchers gain insight into infant handling by young bonobos

A study of young bonobos in captivity reveals that immature females prepare for motherhood by helping mothers care for infants and forge alliances with them. This behavior is linked to increased oxytocin production, associated with complex social behaviors and maternal activities.

Daily fasting works for weight loss

Researchers found that participants who followed a 16:8 diet consumed fewer calories, lost weight, and had improvements in blood pressure. The study suggests that daily fasting is an effective tool for weight loss in obese adults.

Why being left-handed matters for mental health treatment

A study by Daniel Casasanto at Cornell University reveals that left-handed individuals' emotions are housed in the right side of their brains, contradicting traditional models. This suggests a revised approach to treating anxiety and depression, with strong left-handers potentially benefiting from an opposite treatment.

Rewiring plant defence genes to reduce crop waste

A new defensive feedback control system has been developed to enable plants to strengthen their defenses against deadly pathogens, reducing crop waste globally. The system mimics an aircraft autopilot, detecting pathogen attacks and preventing weakening of the plant's immune response.

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.

Human impacts and coral reef conservation

A study evaluating human pressures on coral reefs found that high human pressure decreases effectiveness of conservation strategies, while low pressure preserves fish biomass and top predator populations. Conservation gains were highest in areas with moderate human pressure, highlighting the need for targeted management approaches.

Lots of news and lots of contacts at ZPID Twin Conference

The ZPID Twin Conference brought together over 150 participants to discuss Big Data in Psychology and Research Synthesis. Keynote speakers highlighted the importance of psychology's theoretical strength in addressing big data challenges, while also emphasizing the need for innovative methods and tools for research synthesis.

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.

Use of alternative medicines has doubled among kids, especially teens

A new study reveals that supplement use among children has doubled since 2003, with adolescents using alternative medicines to treat health conditions or side effects of prescription medications. The prevalence of supplement use varies by gender, reflecting other health issues such as depression and insomnia.

Hunting molecules to find new planets

An international team of astronomers detected molecules on an exoplanet, allowing it to be visualized. The technique reveals the planet's surface composition and temperature, providing new insights into planetary atmospheres. Future spectrographs will enhance this method, enabling more accurate characterization of planets.

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.

Nature programs could put a spring in your step

A new study by Anglia Ruskin University finds that watching short films set in natural environments can improve body appreciation, while urban settings have no effect. This suggests a potential low-cost solution for promoting healthier body image, especially for those with limited access to real natural environments.

Constructing new tissue shapes with light

EMBL researchers used optogenetics to reconstruct epithelial folding in cells that normally don't undergo the process. This allowed them to build tissues in customized shapes without affecting cell function. The technique has implications for regenerative medicine and ex vivo stem cell culture systems.

Odors are perceived the same way by hunter-gatherers and Westerners

A recent study found that Jahai speakers and Dutch individuals have similar emotional responses to odors, indicating universal perception. Despite their distinct vocabularies for smelling, both groups showed the same facial reactions to unpleasant smells, highlighting the universality of olfactory experience.

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.

Scientists find potential disease-fighting 'warheads' hidden in bacteria

A new study by Scripps Research reveals that bacteria-derived molecules called thiocarboxylic acids have potential as warheads and could be used to create more effective drugs. The discovery was made after researchers found that these natural products can bind to biological targets better than lab-made molecules.

When consumers don't want to talk about what they bought

A study by Ohio State University found that when consumers feel financially constrained, they are less likely to discuss their purchases with others. This holds true regardless of income level or type of purchase. Researchers suggest this may be because discussing purchases reinforces negative feelings about one's financial situation.

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.

360 degrees, 180 seconds: Technique speeds analysis of crop traits

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have developed a 360-degree LiDAR technique to automatically collect millions of 3-D coordinates about plant traits. This approach improves accuracy and speed in collecting phenotypic data, which is essential for breeding crops that produce more food.

Scientists learn more about how gene linked to autism affects brain

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have uncovered the biological role of the CHD8 gene in developing oligodendrocytes, cells that form a protective insulation around nerves. Modulating CHD8 activity may help restore neuronal connections and reduce symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorder.

Diabetes may be an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer

A new study suggests that recent-onset type 2 diabetes may be an early manifestation of pancreatic cancer. The research found a two-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer among individuals with recent-onset diabetes compared to those with long-standing diabetes, particularly in African Americans and Latinos.

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.

In the gaping mouth of ancient crocodiles

A new study explores the mouth of ancient crocodilians, shedding light on their evolution and behavior. The discovery of a closed secondary palate in early shartegosuchids, a group thought to be extinct, has significant implications for understanding the purpose of this feature in modern crocodiles.

Mechanical logic for soft robots

Soft robots are enabled by origami mechanisms that transform environmental stimuli into mechanical signals, allowing for basic Boolean logic operations and locomotion. The design uses a polymer actuator that changes shape in response to humidity, paving the way for environmentally responsive soft robotics.

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.

Blue gene regulation helps plants respond properly to light

Scientists at RIKEN have identified a key mechanism by which plant genes are regulated in response to light. The research found that blue light triggers a shift in the start site of gene expression, allowing plants to carry out photosynthesis and grow.