Fetal magnetocardiography using optically pumped magnetometers: a more adaptable and less expensive alternative?

Fetal magnetocardiography provides the requisite precision for diagnostic measurement of electrophysiological events in the fetal heart. Despite its significant benefits, this technique with current cryogenic based sensors has been limited to few centers, due to high cost of maintenance. In this study, we show that a less expensive non-cryogenic alternative, optically pumped magnetometers, can provide similar electrophysiological and quantitative characteristics when subjected to direct comparison with the current technology. Further research can potentially increase its clinical use for fetal magnetocardiography. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Climate Warming and Calling Phenology of Frogs near Ithaca, New York, 1900–1999

Abstract: Because ambient temperature strongly influences reproduction in frogs, the seasonal timing of frog calling provides a sensitive index of biotic response to climate change. Over the last century, daily temperatures increased during 5 of the 8 months key to gametogenesis in frogs and toads near Ithaca, New York ( U.S.A.). Earliest dates of calling frogs recorded by Albert Hazen Wright between 1900 and 1912 near Ithaca were compared to those from the New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project for 1990–1999 for the three counties surrounding Ithaca. Four species are now calling 10–13 days earlier, two are unchanged, and none is calling later. The data suggest that climate has warmed in central New York State during this century and has resulted in earlier breeding in some amphibians—a possible first indication of biotic response to climate change in eastern North America.     

Cadmium uptake by the water hyacinth: Effects of root mass,solution volume,complexers and other metal ions1

At a fixed Cd²⁺ concentration water hyacinth ($\text{Eichhornia crassipes}$) plants with greater root mass (dry weight) take up more metal ions as a function of time, and more metal ions are taken up by a plant as the solution volume is increased. Experiments in which several different metal ion complexers were present suggest that (1) the roots possess sites which initially reversibly bind free Cd²⁺, (2) some added complexers can compete with these root sites for free Cd²⁺, and (3) with time Cd²⁺ bound to the roots is translocated into into the root tissues effectively removing it from the equilibrium processes in solution. Many metal ions are taken up by the plant but only the micronutrient Zn²⁺ competes well with Cd²⁺ for uptake. Thus, there may be binding sites on the roots for specific metal ions.