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Science News Archive June 2019


Page 29 of 41

Sex, lice and videotape

Researchers successfully filmed the mating process of feather lice on two different-sized pigeon hosts, revealing that size matters for reproduction. The study demonstrates ecological speciation by showing how adaptation to a new host can lead to reproductive isolation and the origin of a new species.

Nanoparticles underlie optical effects of daguerreotypes

The scattering spectrum of individual nanoparticles on daguerreotype surfaces exhibits a narrow blue/UV peak and broader red peak, resulting in a blue tone when viewed from above. The tone shifts to brown/red as the viewing angle increases due to changes in nanoparticle morphology and size.

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.

Marijuana and fertility: Five things to know

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that marijuana use can decrease sperm count and delay ovulation. The study also suggests that marijuana may affect couples with subfertility or infertility but has no impact on those without fertility issues.

New microneedle technique speeds plant disease detection

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new microneedle technique for rapid plant disease detection, extracting DNA from plant tissues in under a minute. The method promises to revolutionize on-site plant disease detection and diagnosis.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Chickenpox vaccination lowers risk of pediatric shingles

A Kaiser Permanente-led study found that routine varicella vaccine significantly lowers the likelihood of painful shingles disease in children. The study, which looked at over 6.3 million children, showed that vaccinated kids had a 78% lower risk of contracting HZ compared to unvaccinated children.

The cholera bacterium's 3-in-1 toolkit for life in the ocean

Researchers discovered a grappling hook-like appendage called type IV pili that enables Vibrio cholerae to take up DNA, bind to nutrient-rich surfaces and recognize 'family' members. The findings reveal a multifunctional toolkit for the bacterium's survival in ocean environments.

Drinking alcohol even at conception damages placenta development

Researchers found that early alcohol exposure restricted placenta growth and blood vessel formation, leading to reduced nutrient delivery to the embryo. This study has significant implications for understanding pregnancy-associated conditions like fetal growth restriction.

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.

Scientists discover gene that could help us grow crops faster

Plant scientists at Cambridge and Bordeaux have discovered a gene called Phloem Unloading Modulator (PLM) that affects nutrient trafficking in plants. The study found that PLM relieves a bottleneck, allowing plants to transport nutrients more efficiently, resulting in faster-growing roots.

Being denied a wanted abortion may have detrimental health effects in the long term

A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who were denied an abortion due to gestational age limit reported worse health 5 years later compared to those who underwent an abortion. The study also found similar physical health outcomes between women who had abortions in the first or second trimester and those who ...

In romantic relationships, people do indeed have a 'type'

A University of Toronto study reveals that individuals often repeat patterns with the same personality traits in their current and past partners, indicating a strong tendency to date similar types. This finding suggests that people may indeed have an innate 'type' when it comes to romantic relationships.

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.

To protect kids and teens from firearm harm, answer these questions first, experts

A team of experts from the Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens (FACTS) consortium has published a list of 26 urgent questions for rigorous studies to address pediatric firearm injury prevention. The questions cover various aspects, including access, storage, and exposure to firearms, as well as the effectiveness of programs and tec...

Sexual-orientation study

A new study from Professor Doug VanderLaan's lab found evidence for at least four different subgroups of men, each with distinct biomarkers associated with same-sex attractions. The study suggests that there are multiple and distinct pathways influencing male sexual orientation in men.

Researchers 'stretch' the ability of 2D materials to change technology

University of Rochester researchers create a transistor-scale device platform that combines 2D materials with oxide materials, enabling phase changes in response to applied strain. This technology has the potential to transform electronics, optics, computing, and other technologies by controlling previously uncontrollable properties.

A new picture of dengue's growing threat

A new study predicts that more than 6 billion people will be at risk of contracting the dengue virus by 2080. The greatest shifts in dengue risk are projected to occur on the African continent, particularly in the Sahel and southern Africa.

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.

Our tears could one day tell us if we have glaucoma

Scientists are working on a new method to detect glaucoma by analyzing the protein profile in eye fluid. They compare this profile with clinical data, including images of optic nerve damage, to identify a 'proteomic signature' for glaucoma. The goal is to develop a reliable diagnostic tool and monitor patients' progress.

Ancestral pigments and night vision evolution

Vertebrates have evolved advanced night vision due to the adaptation of ancestral rhodopsins. Early tetrapods likely developed nocturnal traits, while mammals occupied both nocturnal and crepuscular niches.

Poison dart frog brains can hold a mental map

Researchers found that poison dart frogs possess a sophisticated brain capable of forming a cognitive map of their environment. They demonstrated this by testing the frogs' spatial awareness in a modified Morris water maze, where they successfully located a hidden platform using visual cues and landmarks.

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.

Multicolored light twists in new knotted ways

Researchers at ICFO have discovered a new type of optical singularity with the topology of a knot, which is topologically protected and robust against perturbations. This discovery expands light's degree of freedom and opens up new possibilities for applications in communication, microscopy, lithography, and spectroscopy.

ACP releases paper on methods for developing evidence-based clinical policy papers

The American College of Physicians has released a new paper outlining its methods for developing high-quality, evidence-based clinical policy papers. The methodology ensures that recommendations are based on the best available scientific evidence, considering clinical benefits, harms, costs, and patient values. ACP's approach includes ...

Similarities between romantic partners

A study found that individuals tend to date people with similar personalities, as described by their current and ex-partners. The research suggests that partnering patterns may be more predictable than previously thought, particularly among those high in extraversion or openness to experience.

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.

How cryptocurrency discussions spread

Data scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory studied three years of discussions on Reddit from January 2015 to January 2018, analyzing the speed and scale of discussion spread related to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Monero. The findings reveal that Bitcoin discussions grow the fastest, followed by Ethereum and then Monero.

Snowmelt timing and plant seed production

A study found that earlier snowmelt timing reduces subalpine plants' seed production, threatening their long-term survival. Climate change poses a significant threat to these populations, even without noticeable changes in bloom timing.

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.

Undetected diabetes linked to heart attack and gum disease

Research reveals undetected glucose disorders significantly increase risk of myocardial infarction and severe periodontitis, prompting closer collaboration between dentistry and healthcare. The study emphasizes the importance of considering patients' dental health in diabetes diagnosis.

Mass anomaly detected under the moon's largest crater

Researchers have discovered a large mass of material beneath the South Pole-Aitken basin, the Moon's largest crater. The mass, weighing over half a mile, may contain metal from an asteroid that crashed into the Moon and formed the crater.

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.

Antennas of flexible nanotube films an alternative for electronics

Researchers at Rice University have developed flexible nanotube film antennas that match the efficiency of copper, but with improved flexibility and thinner dimensions. The new material could enable lighter, stronger, and more resistant antennas for various applications including 5G networks and aerospace.

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.

Developmental pathways influencing male sexual orientation

Researchers used latent profile analysis to examine biomarkers associated with male sexual orientation in over 800 men. The study identified four subpopulations with differing biomarker profiles, suggesting possible distinct biological mechanisms for nonheterosexual men.

Ancient DNA from Roman and medieval grape seeds reveal ancestry of wine making

Scientists have discovered that a grape variety still used in wine production today can be traced back 900 years to just one ancestral plant. The study, which analyzed 28 archaeological seeds from French sites dating back to the Iron Age and medieval period, found genetic connections between ancient seeds and modern-day grape varieties.

What's your poison? Scrupulous scorpions tailor venom to target

Researchers found that scorpions adapt their stingers and venom use to minimize costs, with strategies including avoiding venom, using claws or pedipalps, and adjusting sting volume and composition. Scorpions can also tailor venom to a target through on-the-fly adjustments and over weeks of exposure.

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.

WVU researchers thirsty for reducing fresh water use by power plants

Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a unique solution to reduce the water used by thermoelectric power plants. By combining blowdown water with produced water from Marcellus gas wells, they can create clean enough water for reuse. This process also produces two valuable products: chlorine and 10-pound brine.

DNA base editing induces substantial off-target RNA mutations

Researchers have discovered that DNA base editors can induce tens of thousands of off-target RNA single nucleotide variants (SNVs). To address this issue, they engineered deaminases to eliminate the off-target effects, providing a solution for the clinical application of these methods.

Light energy and biomass can be converted to diesel fuel and hydrogen

Researchers have developed a method to produce diesel fuel and hydrogen by harnessing light energy and biomass-derived feedstocks. The process uses light energy to drive the valorization of downstream biomass products, resulting in high-light transformation efficiencies and higher rates of hydrogen production.

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.

Exploring the causes of persistent corruption

Researchers analyzed bribery in public institutions using evolutionary game theory, finding that socioeconomic role-players are guided by self-interest. Successful anti-corruption measures can lead to a feedback cycle where they undermine their own success, perpetuating corruption.

The Neolithic precedents of gender inequality

The study analyzed life conditions, demographic aspects, funerary practices and genetic data to conclude that male domination emerged in later periods. Archaeological evidence suggests men's association with violence and force played a key role in shaping social complexity.

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.