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Science News Archive February 2019


Page 8 of 40

Climatic factors and decline of Cahokia

Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Horseshoe Lake adjacent to Cahokia settlement, finding a correlation between climate shifts and population decline. Climate changes, including decreased summer precipitation and flooding, stressed Cahokia's agricultural system, contributing to its depopulation.

Patients' HIV status should not impact their cancer care

Patients living with HIV have equal access to optimal cancer therapy, according to a recent study in the journal CANCER. The findings challenge traditional beliefs that HIV infection is a contraindication for intensive cancer treatment.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Pink or brown?

New research finds humans struggle to accurately classify snail shells due to differences in colour perception. A study using spectrometry reveals distinct clusters for brown, pink, and yellow snails, providing a baseline measure for future studies on animal colour and genetics.

Ancient wetlands and global carbon cycle

Researchers used over 1,000 records and a global ecosystem model to reconstruct peatland dynamics. They found peatlands expanded during warm periods and were buried during glacial expansion, providing potential long-term carbon storage.

Laser drill leads to world record in plasma acceleration

Researchers at DESY achieved a world record in plasma acceleration using a laser drill, accelerating electrons to an energy of 7.8 billion electron volts. The technique uses a laser pulse to drill through a plasma, confining the beam and enabling the acceleration of particles hundreds of times stronger than conventional accelerators.

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.

Cool adaptations to the cold

Researchers found that icefish have evolved transparent blood, increased energy production, and specialized proteins to protect against cold damage. These adaptations enable them to thrive in Antarctica's frigid waters.

Documenting and decoding the dynamics between work and pain

A special issue of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation explores the dynamics between work and pain. The study found that presenteeism, repetitive work, and job stress are linked to chronic pain, with psychological symptoms intensifying physical ones.

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.

New chimpanzee culture discovered

Researchers document a new 'behavioral realm' in Eastern chimpanzees of the Bili-Uéré region, characterized by novel tool use and expanded food processing technologies. This discovery sheds light on the likely incipient traditions of early hominin ancestors and highlights the importance of studying intact ape cultures.

Oxygen-tracking method could improve diabetes treatment

Researchers at MIT have developed a way to measure oxygen levels of pancreatic islet cells over long periods, enabling them to predict which implants will be most effective in treating diabetes. This breakthrough could lead to better designs for artificial pancreas systems.

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.

Nitrogen-fixing trees 'eat' rocks, play pivotal role in forest health

Red alder trees have been found to tap nutrients from bedrock through their symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This process accelerates rock dissolution, releasing mineral nutrients that allow plants and trees to grow. The study highlights the importance of nitrogen-fixing trees in sustaining forest ecosystems.

Gradual demise of Angkor

Researchers found fire, forest disturbances, and soil erosion decreased in the 14th century, indicating a gradual decline in land-use intensity. The moat was covered with floating vegetation by the end of the 14th century, indicating it was no longer maintained.

Limits to water availability

A study by Joep Schyns et al. estimates limits to green water availability due to limited annual rainfall, affecting global food and production systems. The analysis reveals that green water scarcity is a significant concern, particularly in regions with low rainfall.

Money-savers focus attention -- and eyes -- on the prize

A new study from Duke University reveals that patient savers quickly choose the higher amount, screening out irrelevant factors, and making decisions with minimal analysis. The research aims to provide strategies for improving financial literacy and promoting savings.

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.

Childhood environments and mental health

A Danish study of 943,027 individuals found that growing up in areas with abundant vegetation was associated with a lower risk of developing psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that incorporating natural environments into urban spaces can improve the mental health of urban residents.

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.

India's integrated child development program increases educational attainment

The study found that men aged 15-54 years and women aged 15-49 years exposed to the ICDS program during their first three years of life completed 0.1-0.3 more grades of schooling than those not exposed. This significant long-term benefit highlights the importance of early-life interventions in improving educational outcomes.

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.

Is the most effective weight-loss strategy really that hard?

A new study published in Obesity found that successful weight losers spent an average of just 14.6 minutes per day on dietary self-monitoring, confirming the reality of its effectiveness rather than the perceived time-consuming nature. The most predictive factor was logging in three or more times a day with consistency.

Bacteria walk (a bit) like we do

Scientists have developed a microscopy method that directly observes bacterial filaments, revealing a new mechanism by which bacteria interact with surfaces. The study shows that type IV pili movements are coordinated through sequential control of pilus extension and retraction, enabling efficient movement across surfaces.

'Star Wars' characters' costumes reflect shift from power to romance

A study examines how costume changes in Star Wars female leads Padmé and Leia parallel shifts in their positions of power and romantic relationships. The researchers argue that these changes contribute to the objectification of women through costume design, highlighting the importance of considering the portrayal of women in media.

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.

Cognitive functioning and childhood affluence

Research suggests that childhood affluence may hinder cognitive development in adulthood, as those with the most advantageous conditions experience stronger cognitive decline over time. This study analyzed data from 24,066 individuals and found a paradoxical relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive aging.

Migrants face a trade-off between status and fertility

Researchers found that evacuees who returned to their homes after initial evacuation had more children, while those who stayed in western Finland had fewer. Those who intermarried with the host population increased their social status, but were less likely to have children.

You probably don't have a penicillin allergy

Researchers debunked a common misconception that millions of people have an antibiotic allergy. Studies show that only 10% of reported allergies are true, and many lose their allergy over time.

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.

Elucidation of molecular-targeted drug resistance mechanism by lung cancer cells

Researchers found that lung cancer cells acquire resistance to molecular-targeted drugs by transforming epithelial characteristics into mesenchymal ones, leading to reduced miR-200c expression. Sequential treatment with an HDAC inhibitor and a next generation molecular-targeted drug overcomes this resistance, offering new potential for...

Salisbury Award launched by National Foundation for Cancer Research

The National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR) has launched the Salisbury Award, a new program aimed at supporting translational cancer research. The award will provide funding and resources to researchers with early-stage projects deemed to have the best combination of novel and impactful technology.

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.

High CO2 levels can destabilize marine layer clouds

A new study suggests that high CO2 levels above 1,200 ppm could lead to the loss of low-level clouds, resulting in a 8-Kelvin temperature increase globally. The researchers used a small-scale model to simulate cloud instability and found that once the clouds vanish, they do not reappear until CO2 levels drop significantly.

Health literacy can promote older people's health

A new study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research found that high health literacy can be a resource in old age, leading to better physical functioning, fewer illnesses, and improved health ratings. The study also highlighted the importance of evaluating media health information's reliability.

Face it -- our faces don't always reveal our true emotions

Researchers challenge decades-old research on emotional intelligence, finding that context is crucial for reading emotions. Study participants accurately identified characters' emotions from background and interactions, not just facial expressions.

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.

A gene involved in ADHD could be related to addictive substance use

A study of 2,700 patients with ADHD found that variations in the LPHN3 gene increased the risk of nicotine dependence by 40%. The findings suggest a link between ADHD and addictive substance use, highlighting the need for new genetic tools to prevent addictive behaviors in people with ADHD.

Brain cells involved in insomnia identified

Researchers have identified specific brain cell types, areas and biological processes linked to the genetic risk of insomnia, a major step towards understanding its mechanisms. The study found that over 100 genes contribute to insomnia, with some influencing the functionality of axons and specific cell types in the frontal cortex.

New targets for ischemic drugs found

Researchers investigate opioid receptors' effect on cardioprotection against coronary disease and find that certain subtypes have a special role in adapting to oxygen lack. The study suggests new targets for developing ischemia prevention drugs, with promising results.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Ancient rocks provide clues to Earth's early history

Researchers have discovered evidence of significant ocean oxygenation before the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), which occurred around 2.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding of oxygen accumulation, suggesting it may have extended over large regions of the ocean and even reached the sea floor.

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.

£7 million funding to grant XMaS wish

The XMaS facility will receive a £7.2million upgrade to enhance its capabilities for studying materials' atomic and microscopic structures. This will support research into various fields, including energy storage, climate change, and healthcare.

Rapid normalization of changing weather

A study using Twitter data found that people tweet more about unusual temperatures, but comment less when those temperatures recur. The study suggests that major warming from climate change may not be perceived as remarkable due to a rapidly adjusting normal baseline.