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Science News Archive October 2013 - Page 27


Page 27 of 34

Juno slingshots past Earth on its way to Jupiter

Juno will explore Jupiter's northern and southern lights by flying through electrical current systems that generate them. The mission aims to understand the origin and evolution of the solar system's largest planet by mapping magnetic and gravity fields, determining atmospheric composition, and observing upper atmosphere dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateOct 8, 2013

Air pollution increases heart attacks

Research presented at the Acute Cardiac Care Congress 2013 found a significant association between air pollution levels and admission for acute cardiovascular events. The study also showed that older people and men were more susceptible to arrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes at increasing levels of air pollution.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

Neurological researchers find fat may be linked to memory loss

Neurological researchers have discovered a significant link between abdominal fat and memory loss, finding that the same protein controlling fat metabolism in the liver also resides in the memory center of the brain. This study suggests that people with high levels of abdominal fat may be at risk for memory-related problems later in life.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateOct 8, 2013

MIT Deshpande Center announces fall 2013 research grants

The Deshpande Center is awarding grants to researchers developing innovative technologies in disease monitoring, cancer treatment, water desalination, and digital printing. The project focuses on developing proof-of-concept explorations and validation for emerging technologies with a potential impact on quality of life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 8, 2013

UT Arlington engineers making batteries safer, cooler

Researchers at UT Arlington are working on a $152,077 Office of Naval Research grant to improve the thermal properties of lithium-ion batteries. They aim to devise better designs for cooling and operating these batteries safely in high-power applications, reducing the risk of fires and battery degradation.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

Residents willing to pay for water improvements

A University of Illinois survey found that homeowners are willing to pay for storm-water runoff management to reduce flooding in their basements. The study also showed a strong demand for water quality improvements and environmental benefits, with residents willing to pay for low-impact development approaches.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalWater Resources Research·DateOct 8, 2013

Clues to foam formation could help find oil

Rice University scientists have discovered two novel mechanisms for bubble formation in foam, known as pinch-off behaviors. This discovery could improve the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery methods by making gas act more like a liquid and increasing its contact with reservoir rock.

SourceRice University·JournalSoft Matter·DateOct 8, 2013

Something in the (expecting mother's) water

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Economics found that contaminated water is linked to lower birth weights and prematurity, especially among less-educated mothers. Infants exposed to contaminated water are also more likely to have mothers who are younger, less educated, or African-American.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·DateOct 8, 2013

Team uses a cellulosic biofuels byproduct to increase ethanol yield

Scientists at the University of Illinois have engineered yeast to consume acetic acid, a previously unwanted byproduct of biofuel production, resulting in a 10% increase in ethanol yield from lignocellulosic sources. This breakthrough could simplify cellulosic ethanol production and make it more efficient.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

'Mobility shoes' take a load off for knee osteoarthritis sufferers

A new study by Rush University Medical Center found that mobility shoes significantly reduced knee loading in osteoarthritis patients, even after the shoes were no longer worn. The study suggests that footwear choice may be an important consideration in managing knee osteoarthritis.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalArthritis & Rheumatism·DateOct 8, 2013

A slow, loving, 'affective' touch may be key to a healthy sense of self

Research suggests that slow tactile stimulation can increase brain's ability to construct body ownership and create a healthy sense of self. The study found that participants who received synchronized slow touch believed the rubber hand belonged to them more than those who received faster neutral touch.

SourceNeuropsychoanalysis Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 8, 2013

HIV vaccines elicit immune response in infants

Researchers found that two HIV vaccine trials stimulated a critical immune response in infants, which has been linked to reduced HIV infection. The findings suggest that infant vaccination can elicit a robust anti-HIV envelope IgG immune response and highlight the importance of including pediatric populations in vaccine studies.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·DateOct 8, 2013

Solving the internet capacity crunch

The University of Bristol and NICT successfully demonstrated a multicore fibre-based network, utilizing Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) and Software Defined Network (SDN) control. This breakthrough enables the efficient handling of emerging Internet applications such as global cloud computing.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

Scientists 'bad at judging peers' published work,' says new study

A new study found that scientists are unreliable judges of their peers' scientific output, with subjective post-publication peer review and impact factor being poor measures. The study suggests using a suite of article-level metrics to assess merit, which could have major implications for research assessment processes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 8, 2013

New study shows link between car crashes and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Researchers found elevated rates of preterm birth, placental abruption, and premature rupture of the membranes among pregnant drivers involved in a single or multiple car crashes. Stillbirth rates were also significantly higher for unbelted pregnant drivers. The study highlights the importance of crash prevention strategies during preg...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

UW, local company building innovative deep-sea manned submarine

The University of Washington is partnering with OceanGate to develop a five-person deep-sea manned submarine that can reach depths of over 9,842 feet. The Cyclops submarine features a carbon-fiber hull and advanced control systems, allowing for increased safety and efficiency in ocean research and exploration.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateOct 8, 2013

AGU journal highlights -- Oct. 8 2013

Researchers have developed a method to measure global sulfur dioxide emissions using satellite sensors, identifying large sources such as smelters and factories. A seismic network also detects landslides on a broad area scale in Taiwan's Chenyoulan watershed, providing insights into natural hazard occurrence and watershed dynamics.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 8, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Sunscreen saves superhero gene

Researchers found sunscreen provides 100% protection against all three forms of skin cancer: BCC, SCC, and malignant melanoma. The study also revealed sunscreen shielded the p53 gene, which prevents cancer. No DNA changes were detected in skin samples where sunscreen was applied.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalPigment Cell & Melanoma Research·DateOct 8, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Oct. 8, 2013

Genetic mutations in two families with eating disorders were found to be linked to decreased estrogen-related receptor alpha and histone deacetylase 4 activity, increasing the risk of developing an eating disorder. CHST3 mutations also led to early-onset lumbar disc degeneration.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

Rural land use policies curb wildfire risks -- to a point

A Washington State University researcher found that moderately restrictive land-use policies can significantly reduce rural wildfire risk in Flathead County. The model predicts a 10-fold increase in residential losses under increased but still moderate restrictions, while highly restrictive policies show only a nine-fold increase.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateOct 8, 2013

Penn study shows the high costs of unnecessary radiation treatments for terminal cancer patients

A new study published in JAMA found that over 95% of advanced prostate cancer patients receive multiple radiation treatments for pain control, despite the equivalent effectiveness of single treatments. The study reveals substantial cost savings with single-fraction treatment, with mean radiotherapy-related expenditures 62% lower for pa...

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateOct 8, 2013

Geoscience Workforce Currents #77

The study analyzed over 400 geoscience student exit survey responses, identifying that 70% of participants took Calculus I and II, with a drop in further mathematics coursework after those classes. PhD candidates pursued multiple courses beyond Calculus II, while all three groups took at least one chemistry and physics course.

SourceAmerican Geosciences Institute·DateOct 8, 2013

Surgeons report 2 new approaches to lessen postoperative pain

Researchers have found that applying ice packs after major abdominal operations reduces postoperative pain and opioid use, with patients experiencing 50% less pain on the first and third days. An experimental prolonged drug delivery system using lidocaine also showed superior results in animal studies.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateOct 8, 2013

New center for water research

The 'Center for Advanced Water Research' will address global problems concerning integrated water resources management jointly. With the foundation of the CAWR, partners aim to overcome the challenges in the water sector using integrated approaches.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·DateOct 8, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

'Brain training' may boost working memory, but not intelligence

New research suggests that brain training programs strengthen working memory capacity but do not improve general fluid intelligence. The study found that students who trained on complex span tasks showed transfer to other working memory tasks, but none of the groups showed benefits on measures of fluid intelligence.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 8, 2013

Studying the social side of carnivores

A study by Michigan State University neuroscientist Sharleen Sakai found a correlation between the size of carnivores' frontal cortices and their social nature. The coatimundi, a highly social animal, had the largest frontal cortex, while raccoons had the smallest.

SourceMichigan State University·DateOct 8, 2013

Flawed diamonds: Gems for new technology

A team of researchers has made the first detailed observation of how energy travels through diamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy centers, defects that can be manipulated with optical methods. The findings could help scientists understand the properties of these diamonds, which have potential applications in quantum computing and imagin...

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 8, 2013

2 genes linked to increased risk for eating disorders

Researchers have identified two genes that increase the risk of developing eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia. The genes, ESRRA and HDAC4, interact in a brain signaling pathway and produce the same biological effect, suggesting a new potential target for understanding and treating the complex condition.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

New urine test could diagnose eye disease

A new urine test has been developed to diagnose retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. The test uses mass spectrometry to analyze dolichol profiles in urine and blood samples, distinguishing between different gene mutations that cause the disease. This non-invasive test could provide personalized care for patients with RP.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Lipid Research·DateOct 8, 2013

A better breathalyzer

Researchers developed a novel breathalyzer that uses a reusable, color-changing opal sensor to detect alcohol vapor concentration. The device can provide precise digital readings and is usable multiple times, making it a promising solution for police officers.

SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateOct 8, 2013

Empathy helps children to understand sarcasm

A new study found that children with stronger empathy skills are better at recognizing sarcasm. Children began to detect sarcasm between ages 6 and 8, but some took longer to develop this skill. Empathy skills were measured using eye gaze and reaction time during a task that required recognizing sarcastic language.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

No viral cause for breast cancer and brain tumors

A major study has disproven the theory of a viral cause for breast cancer and glioblastoma, with over seven billion DNA sequences analyzed. The research found no genetic traces of viruses in these forms of cancer, contradicting previous theories suggesting Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus involvement.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 8, 2013

Public health does not 'lose out' when merged with Medicaid programs

Researchers found no evidence that state public health departments lose funding when merged with Medicaid programs. In fact, the study suggests that strong public health agencies can help save Medicaid money by preventing costly diseases.

SourceGeorge Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice·DateOct 8, 2013

First ever evidence of a comet striking Earth

A team of scientists has discovered the first-ever evidence of a comet striking Earth, with implications for understanding the solar system's formation. The discovery involves a mysterious black pebble containing the first known hand specimen of a comet nucleus.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateOct 8, 2013

LSTM Professor Richard Pleass wins Prix de l'Innovation 2013

Professor Richard Pleass of LSTM has developed a biomimetic called Hexagard, which is approximately 50 fold more effective than current IVIG therapy. The innovative treatment aims to replace IVIG therapy for treating autoimmune diseases in developing countries where it is unaffordable.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

UCLA Dentistry discovers cellular signals between pancreatic cancer tumors and saliva

Researchers at UCLA School of Dentistry validated that pancreatic cancer biomarkers reside in saliva through a study on tumor-ridden mouse models. The team demonstrated that tumor-derived extracellular RNA molecules are transported through exosome vesicles and re-processed into saliva as biomarkers.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateOct 8, 2013

Major leap towards graphene for solar cells

Researchers have discovered that graphene remains its conductive properties even when coated with silicon, a breakthrough for transparent solar cells. The study shows that the embedded graphene layer has a carrier mobility roughly 30 times greater than conventional zinc oxide-based contact layers.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 8, 2013

Study shows snacking on almonds decreased appetite without increasing body weight

A new study found that consuming 1.5 ounces of dry-roasted almonds daily reduced participants' hunger and improved their dietary intake of vitamin E and monounsaturated fat without gaining weight. The study, led by Purdue University researchers, suggests almonds may be a smart snack choice to support a healthy weight.

SourcePorter Novelli·JournalEuropean Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateOct 8, 2013
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.

Nearly 1 in 10 young people report perpetrating sexual violence

A study of 1,058 young people aged 14-21 found nearly 9% reported coercive or forced sex, with males more likely to start at a younger age. The study suggests monitoring adolescents' consumption of violent media and implementing bystander intervention programs to prevent victim blaming.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateOct 7, 2013

Methane seeps of the deep sea: A bacteria feast for lithodid crabs

A team of researchers discovered that lithodid crabs subsist on bacterial mats at cold sea methane seeps. Crabs were observed grazing on the mats for 400 hours, taking up chemically-produced carbon, and even showing signs of photosynthesis in their bodies.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 7, 2013

Minute traits and DNA link grass species from Old and New Worlds

Researchers have discovered a link between grass species from Africa and America through DNA analysis, revealing unique traits such as 'clavicorniculate' hairs. The four species are now classified in the same genus, Disakisperma, shedding new light on plant taxonomy.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalPhytoKeys·DateOct 7, 2013

What makes triathletes so tough?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that triathletes experience lower pain intensity and have a higher pain tolerance due to a combination of physiological and psychological factors. They were able to withstand pain for longer periods and had better pain regulation, which may be attributed to their attitude towards pain.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPain·DateOct 7, 2013
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.

South Africa reverses mortality trend in children under 5

South Africa has made significant progress in reducing child mortality rates, mainly due to improved HIV/AIDS care. The country's under-five mortality rate has decreased by six to 10 percent per year since 2006, with the proportion of deaths due to AIDS falling from 39% to between 11 and 24%.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalAIDS·DateOct 7, 2013