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Science News Archive February 2020


Page 14 of 40

People who eat a big breakfast may burn twice as many calories

A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that eating a large breakfast instead of a large dinner creates twice as high diet-induced thermogenesis. This process measures how well metabolism is working, and can differ depending on mealtime.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Flapping wings' powered by the sun (video)

Scientists develop flexible bio-butterfly-wing that converts natural sunlight into a flapping motion, producing a frequency exceeding actual butterfly wings. The device demonstrates potential applications in flying animal robots and solar energy harvesting.

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.

New study results consistent with dog domestication during ice age

A new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science found evidence consistent with dog domestication during the ice age through dental microwear analysis on 28,500-year-old fossil teeth. The research identified distinct diets for two groups of canids, one dog-like and one wolf-like.

Diabetes patients who use online tools manage disease better

A Kaiser Permanente study found that diabetes patients who used the patient portal and mobile phone app showed significant improvements in health outcomes. The use of these online tools was associated with increased medication adherence and lower blood glucose levels, particularly among patients with higher baseline HbA1c levels.

Methane emitted by humans vastly underestimated, researchers find

University of Rochester researchers found that the amount of methane emitted by humans is significantly higher than previously thought. By analyzing ancient air samples, they determined that reducing fossil fuel use can help curb climate change. The study suggests that anthropogenic methane emissions account for a larger portion of the...

Magnet-controlled bioelectronic implant could relieve pain

A team of Rice University engineers has introduced the first neural implant that can be both programmed and charged remotely with a magnetic field. The integrated microsystem, called MagNI, incorporates magnetoelectric transducers that allow it to harvest power from an alternating magnetic field outside the body.

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.

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.

Time-resolved measurement in a memory device

The study achieved time-resolved measurement of a single magnetic memory event using a tunnel junction, revealing two stages: incubation and actual reversal. The researchers developed a strategy to minimize time fluctuations, reducing the total time for the reversal event to less than 0.3 nanoseconds.

When parents should worry about teen girls' selfies

A study found that excessive selfie editing and time invested in creating perfect selfies are related to self-objectification, leading to body shame and anxiety. Researchers advise parents to monitor their teens' phone behavior and engage in conversations about self-esteem.

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.

Improving assessments of an endangered lion population in India

A new study provides alternative method for monitoring endangered lions, estimating an overall density of 8.53 lions per 100 square kilometers. The researchers found that prey density does not influence variations in lion density within the study site, and baiting lions for tourism perturbs their natural density patterns.

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.

Communicating science can benefit from scientists 'being human'

A team of researchers found that scientists who share their personal stories and values through first-person narratives are more likely to be perceived as authentic and trustworthy. This can help build trust with the audience and enhance science communication.

New type of heart valve may be the only replacement a child needs

A new type of heart valve, inspired by human venous valves, has been designed to adapt to a child's growth without losing functionality. The biomimetic two-leaflet design has shown promising results in benchtop studies and large animal models, potentially reducing the risk of blood clots and improving long-term device durability.

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.

Tart cherry juice concentrate found to help improve endurance exercise performance

A new meta-analysis found that tart cherry concentrate significantly improved endurance exercise performance when consumed for seven days to 1.5 hours before cycling, swimming or running. The study pooled results from 10 previously published studies and concluded that tart cherries improved performance in endurance-trained individuals.

One drug, many diseases

Researchers are working on developing drugs that inhibit the function of NLRP3, an inflammatory protein involved in various diseases such as atherosclerosis, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and arthritis. Several NLRP3 inhibitors are currently in preclinical trials with varying mechanisms.

Mixed-signal hardware security thwarts powerful electromagnetic attacks

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a mixed-signal hardware security solution that thwarts powerful electromagnetic attacks on Internet of Things devices. This breakthrough technology enhances security by 100 times compared to current solutions, making it essential for protecting resource-constrained edge devices.

Grabbing atoms

Researchers at the University of Otago have successfully trapped and cooled three individual atoms, allowing them to observe previously unseen complex atomic interactions. This breakthrough has significant implications for future quantum technologies, including the potential to build and control single molecules of particular chemicals.

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.

Freedom of Information legislation: Fit for purpose?

A study by University of Leeds researchers found high levels of non-disclosure due to refusal, partial refusal, or non-response to FOI requests. The current FOI Act is deemed unfit for purpose, with only 24% of requests resulting in full disclosure, and many authorities failing to respond within the statutory 20-day period.

Global relationships that determine bird diversity on islands uncovered

A recent study published in Nature has shed light on the global relationships that determine bird diversity on islands, revealing that colonisation decreases with isolation and extinction decreases with area. The research also found that most island bird species represent unique evolutionary branches with no close relatives.

A new way to assess male fertility

A new microfluidic chip developed by researchers can quickly identify small differences in sperm chemotactic behavior, providing a more complete picture of male fertility. The device uses a concentration gradient of progesterone to guide sperm towards the egg, offering a pump-free alternative to existing tests.

Future soldiers may get improved helmet padding

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed new materials and manufacturing methods to create higher performing helmet padding that reduces the likelihood of head injury. The new padding consists of highly-tuned open-cell lattice structures, demonstrating a 27% increase in energy attenuation efficiency compared to existing foam pads.

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.

Lensless on-chip microscopy platform shows slides in full view

A new lensless on-chip microscopy platform developed at UConn removes traditional lenses to provide a fuller picture of tissue samples, leading to more accurate diagnoses. The platform uses ptychography and achieves an ultra-high Fresnel number, allowing for a 30 mm2 field of view and eliminating the need for cell staining.

Cracks make historical paintings less vulnerable to environmental variations

A study found that historical wood panel paintings with developed craquelure patterns are significantly less vulnerable to environmental variations than previously assumed. The research team investigated the susceptibility of gesso layers, the most brittle component of a wood painting, to fracture under different environmental conditions.

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.

Certain factors linked with discontinuing breast cancer therapy

A new study reveals that habit, tradeoffs, and resource barriers are key factors influencing breast cancer therapy discontinuation. Black women were more likely to report challenges related to these barriers, highlighting the need for multi-barrier intervention strategies.

Random gene pulsing generates patterns of life

Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that random gene pulsing plays a key role in establishing spatial structures during biofilm development. This process allows for the distribution of cell states within a population, enabling the formation of complex patterns.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Antidote to pain and negativity? Let it be

A new study by Yale researchers found that a brief introduction to mindfulness concepts can significantly reduce physical pain and negative emotions in people. The study's results showed that even when participants were subjected to high heat on their forearm, their brain responded as if it was experiencing normal temperature.

Prenatal phthalate exposure associated with autistic traits in young boys

A UMass Amherst study found that prenatal phthalate exposure is associated with autistic traits in young boys, but adequate folic acid supplementation during early pregnancy may mitigate these effects. The study analyzed data from over 2,000 pregnant women and followed the development of their children until age 3 and 4.

Count me out of counting seeds

A team of researchers used a computerized particle analyzer to count weed seeds with high accuracy. The technology can process 2,000-2,500 seeds in just three minutes, significantly reducing the time required for seed counting.

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.

Right place, right time

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a control mechanism in the brains of mice that ensures adequate blood flow to areas of heightened neural activity. The study found that arteries actively regulate neurovascular coupling and that the protein Mfsd2a plays a critical role in this process.

Illuminating interactions between decision-making and the environment

A new publication in Nature Communications presents a unifying model that explains diverse interactions between decision strategy and the environment, highlighting the similarity of their features. The findings shed light on the tight-knit forces that link changes in strategic action to environmental change, and vice versa.

Research shows the way to more efficient EPO production

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark have discovered a way to improve EPO production by knocking out specific genes in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. This results in a 1.4-fold increase in production and significantly improved product quality, with up to 40% of the most active EPO form produced.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Journey to the center of Mars

Scientists Takashi Yoshizaki and Bill McDonough developed a new compositional model for Mars, predicting the depth to its core-mantle boundary at around 1,800 km. The model suggests moderate amounts of sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen in Mars' core, with the core accounting for only about one-sixth of the planet's mass.