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Science News Archive June 2018


Page 18 of 40

Rising sea temperatures threaten survival of juvenile albatross

Researchers found that changes in sea surface temperature during late winter have a significant impact on juvenile survival, with reduced food availability due to warmer waters. The study suggests that climate change will lead to a faster decline in albatross populations.

Groundwater methane and hydraulic fracturing

Methane levels in groundwater were found to be mostly unaffected by hydraulic fracturing operations, with concentrations rarely exceeding regulatory action levels. Groundwater salinity and isotopic data suggest natural shifts in aquifer recharge may have contributed to increased methane concentrations.

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.

Faster, cheaper, better: A new way to synthesize DNA

Researchers have developed a new way to synthesize DNA sequences using enzymes, promising to accelerate the pace of science. The innovative approach uses TdT enzyme to add nucleotides in a controlled manner, eliminating drawbacks of existing methods and enabling faster, cheaper and more accurate synthesis.

Electrical wire properties of DNA linked to cancer

A new study reveals that a DNA repair protein associated with cancer can disrupt electron transport through DNA, leading to mutations. The researchers found that a specific mutation in the MUTYH protein causes the iron-sulfur cluster to degrade when exposed to oxygen.

Local interventions boost coral's resilience to bleaching

Researchers found that removing coral-eating snails significantly boosted corals' resilience to bleaching, with only 50% of corals experiencing bleaching when snails were removed. In contrast, corals with high snail densities experienced near 100% bleaching.

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.

Brain stimulation and connectivity in mice

Researchers used laser stimulation to increase oligodendrocyte proliferation and alter myelination in the mouse brain, highlighting potential mechanisms underlying brain stimulation and connectivity. These findings suggest a new avenue for exploring the neural basis of brain stimulation therapies.

Keyhole may trump robotic surgery for mitral valve repair

Research comparing keyhole, robotic, and conventional mitral valve repair surgeries found that keyhole surgery had higher success rates and fewer complications, including lower rates of subsequent heart flutter and blood transfusions. Robotic surgery required more blood transfusions but still provided excellent outcomes.

Deaths from cardiac arrest are misclassified, overestimated

A study found that nearly half of deaths attributed to cardiac arrest were not sudden or unexpected, and a significant portion were not arrhythmic. In San Francisco, nearly 1 in 7 deaths from apparent out-of-hospital cardiac arrests were due to hidden drug overdoses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fish harvest estimates using household surveys

A study using household surveys estimated that 9.26 million metric tons of wild-caught freshwater fish were consumed in low-income and middle-income countries, compared to the reported 5.6 metric tons. This represents a significant underreporting of global freshwater fish catches, with potential implications for food security and susta...

Everything big data claims to know about you could be wrong

Researchers suggest studying individuals, not groups, to understand human health and behavior, as averaging out data from a large group can offer only a snapshot of individual differences. The findings have implications for customizing health therapies and analyzing mental and physical disorders.

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.

Sources of aerosols in the Himalayan atmosphere

Researchers analyzed a 200-year sediment core from a Himalayan lake, finding increased sulfate concentrations starting at the end of the Second Industrial Revolution. The findings suggest that atmospheric sulfur isotope ratios in the region were influenced by pre-industrial biomass burning and post-1930 anthropogenic dust emissions.

Diagnosing Diabetes from a single blood sample

Researchers found that positive results for glucose and HbA1c in one blood sample are a highly accurate predictor of diabetes and major complications. The study suggests a single blood sample may be sufficient to diagnose diabetes, potentially reducing the need for repeat tests.

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.

Two new creatures discovered from dawn of animal life

Two new Ediacaran era fossil animals, Obamus coronatus and Attenborites janeae, have been discovered by a UC Riverside-led team. These soft-bodied creatures represent the dawn of animal life and were named after President Barack Obama and Sir David Attenborough, respectively.

Bolder targets needed to protect nature for people's sake

University of Queensland researchers recommend diverse, ambitious and area-specific conservation targets to support critical services that nature provides. The current 17% target is insufficient to protect all species and provide benefits to humanity.

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.

Heart disease sufferers not exercising enough

A study of 3000 people in South Australia and Brazil found that nearly 70% with heart conditions or risk factors do not follow recommended exercise plans. This under-reported issue affects long-term quality of life, despite advances in treatment.

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.

BPA can induce multigenerational effects on ability to communicate

Researchers found that BPA exposure in grandparents of mice led to altered vocalization patterns in their offspring, potentially affecting parental care. The study suggests multigenerational effects of BPA on communication deficits in humans with autism or neurobehavioral disorders.

Study finds 'hidden harvest' in world's inland fisheries

A new study estimates that 65% of global freshwater fish catch is underreported, with millions of people relying on these 'hidden harvests' for protein. Inland fisheries play a crucial role in food security, especially in low-income countries where they are dispersed across the landscape.

Cementless fly ash binder makes concrete 'green'

Researchers create environmentally friendly composite binder using fly ash, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and the need for sodium-based activators. The new binder replaces Portland cement in concrete production with minimal impact on compressive strength.

UNH researcher captures best ever evidence of rare black hole

Researchers capture strong evidence for intermediate-mass black holes using satellite imaging and multiwavelength radiation flares. The discovery provides insight into the nature of these elusive objects and their potential prevalence in galaxy peripheries.

Algorithm speeds up process for analyzing 3D medical images

Researchers developed an algorithm that accelerates the registration of 3D medical images by learning from previous registrations, reducing processing time to minutes or seconds. The 'VoxelMorph' algorithm uses convolutional neural networks and achieves comparable accuracy to state-of-the-art systems.

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.

Scientists create continuously emitting microlasers with nanoparticle-coated beads

Researchers have found a way to convert nanoparticle-coated microscopic beads into lasers smaller than red blood cells. These microlasers can constantly and stably emit light for hours at a time, even when submerged in biological fluids. The innovation opens up the possibility for imaging or controlling biological activity with infrare...

Neuroscientists map brain's response to cold touch

Researchers have mapped the feeling of cool touch to the brain's insula in a mouse model, providing an experimental model for studying conditions like pain and hypersensitivity. The study found that the region was activated in mice with functional TrpM8 receptors, suggesting a highly specific response to cold exposure.

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.

Farm size and agricultural chemical use in China

Increasing farm size in China is associated with lower fertilizer and pesticide use per hectare, yet yields remain relatively stable. Removing policies constraining land-use rights could significantly reduce chemical usage while doubling farmers' incomes.

Bees love blue fluorescent light, and not just any wavelength will do

Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that bees are attracted to blue fluorescent light, particularly within a specific wavelength range of 430-480 nanometers. This finding has significant implications for bee population assessment and manipulation, such as attracting large numbers of bees for crop pollination.

Observation of anisotropic magneto-Peltier effect

Researchers at NIMS and Tohoku University observed an anisotropic magneto-Peltier effect, a phenomenon that manipulates the temperature of magnetic materials through simple redirection of charge current. This discovery has the potential to develop thermal management technologies for energy-efficient electronic devices.

Silence is golden when it comes to how our brains work

Researchers have discovered that neurons use the duration of silence between electrical pulses to encode information. This breakthrough, known as Neural Self-Information Theory, suggests that groups of neurons work together to enable real-time thinking and action despite ongoing variability in their responses.

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.

Organic crystals twist, bend, and heal

Scientists have engineered a molecular soft cocrystalline structure that exhibits reversible twisting upon heating, elastic bending under mechanical force, rapid reversible bending under UV light, and self-healing properties. This multifunctional quality makes it an attractive candidate for advanced materials in electronics and optics.

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.

New material for splitting water

Researchers have discovered a new class of materials that can harness sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Cs2BiAgCl6 and Cs2BiAgBr6 are promising photocatalytic materials due to their ability to absorb visible light and generate sufficient energy to split water.

Risky opioid prescriptions linked to higher chance of death

A recent study by RAND Corporation found that more than 6 percent of Massachusetts adults received risky opioid prescriptions over a five-year period, increasing their chances of death. The study identified six types of risky prescribing practices linked to fatal opioid overdoses and other causes of mortality.

Study finds reduction in sulfur emissions from power plants in China

A new study found that China's sulfur emissions from coal-fired power plants decreased by 13.9% after implementing a law requiring significant reductions, but compliance varied widely among regions. The research used satellite data and on-the-ground emissions monitoring systems to pinpoint discrepancies and suggest policy lessons.

Devastating plant virus is revealed in atomic detail

Researchers at the University of Leeds have revealed the 3D structure of a deadly plant virus in unprecedented detail using cryo-electron microscopy. The discovery could help virologists and molecular biologists develop new ways to stop the spread of these viruses and the diseases they cause.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Study finds a pesticide-free way to combat mosquitos and West Nile

Researchers have discovered a pesticide-free way to limit mosquito populations by introducing hungry minnows into breeding areas. The study found that this method can reduce adult mosquito numbers capable of carrying the disease, providing a low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative.

Dietary supplement use in children, adolescents

A study of US children and adolescents found nearly a third use dietary supplements, including multivitamins. Many commonly used supplements are implicated in preventable adverse drug events in this population.

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.

Coral reef 'oases' offer glimmer of hope

Researchers identified small coral 'oases' thriving against the odds, with some areas rebounding from devastation. These 'escape', 'resist', and 'rebound' oases offer insights into why some ecosystems are more resilient to climate change and local impacts.

AcuraStem receives fast-track SBIR grant

AcuraStem has been awarded a $3.7 million SBIR grant to continue research on a small molecule therapeutic for ALS, utilizing induced motor neuron cellular models and precision platform iNeuroRx°. The grant supports the development of AS2015, targeting expansion repeats in the C9ORF72 gene.

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.