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Science News Archive September 2013 - Page 19


Page 19 of 32

Exposure/ritual prevention therapy boosts antidepressant treatment of OCD

A form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) called exposure and ritual prevention has been shown to augment antidepressant treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 80% of patients responding compared to 23% on antipsychotics. The therapy works by retraining the brain's habit-forming circuitry to unlearn compulsive rituals.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateSep 12, 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.

Dali gets a health check: Using medical devices to diagnose art

Scientists have developed a new method to non-invasively assess the health of painting canvases, similar to blood sugar testing without needles. This allows conservators to evaluate the brittleness of canvases and identify potential issues before they occur, improving the standard of management and care in galleries and museums.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalAnalytical Methods·DateSep 12, 2013

Everyday sadists take pleasure in others' pain

New research suggests that sadistic tendencies are a distinct aspect of personality, joining psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism to form a 'Dark Tetrad'. Studies reveal that individuals with high levels of sadism experience pleasure from causing or observing others' suffering.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateSep 12, 2013
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.

Functioning 'mechanical gears' seen in nature for the first time

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified curved cog-like strips of opposing 'teeth' in the hind-leg joints of a plant-hopping insect, demonstrating precise synchronicity in leg movement. This natural gear mechanism bears remarkable engineering resemblance to those found on bicycles and car gear-boxes.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2013

Biologists measure evolution's Big Bang

Researchers measured evolution rates during the Cambrian explosion, resolving 'Darwin's dilemma' and explaining the sudden appearance of modern animal groups. The study found that moderately accelerated evolution was sufficient to explain the emergence of arthropods.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 12, 2013

Are women less corrupt?

A new study from Rice University finds that women are more likely to disapprove of and participate in anti-corruption efforts in countries where corruption is publicly condemned. However, the relationship between gender and corruption depends on institutional context.

SourceRice University·JournalPolitics and Gender·DateSep 12, 2013

Current pledges put over 600 million people at risk of higher water scarcity

A new study warns that current global climate change pledges will lead to increased water scarcity, affecting 668 million people worldwide. The research also reveals that a further 11% of the global population will live in water-scarce river basins or experience aggravated effects in existing regions.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 12, 2013

Living the good life, longer

A new study by Harvard researchers found that Americans can look forward to over two extra years of healthy life compared to the past. The study analyzed data from multiple government-sponsored health surveys and found improvements in overall health, with reduced symptoms of disease and increased vitality.

SourceHarvard University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateSep 12, 2013
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.

Study sheds light on genetics of how and why fish swim in schools

A new study found that specific genomic regions control the tendency of fish to school and their ability to do so effectively. The research has potential implications for understanding complex human social behavior, suggesting a possible genetic link between fish and humans.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 12, 2013

Delaying climate policy would triple short-term mitigation costs

A new study finds that delaying climate policy could lead to increased short-term mitigation costs, higher energy prices, and reduced emission reductions. If climate policies are delayed beyond 2030, global energy price levels may increase by 80% in the short term.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 12, 2013

Voyager 1 spacecraft reaches interstellar space

University of Iowa researchers confirm Voyager 1's entry into interstellar space after detecting electron plasma oscillations at a frequency corresponding to an electron density about 40 times greater than expected. The spacecraft is now the most distant human-made object at over 11.6 billion miles from the sun.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2013

Bacteria responsible for gum disease facilitates rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers discovered that Porphyromonas gingivalis produces an enzyme that enhances collagen-induced arthritis, leading to earlier onset and greater severity of rheumatoid arthritis. The bacteria worsens joint destruction by changing proteins into citrulline, triggering an immune attack.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateSep 12, 2013
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.

Medicare Center of Excellence Policy may limit minority access to weight-loss surgery

A new study published in JAMA found that the Medicare centers of excellence policy limited minority access to weight-loss surgery, with a 4.7 percentage point decline in non-white patients receiving bariatric surgery after policy implementation. The policy restricts patients to high-volume hospitals designated as centers of excellence.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·DateSep 12, 2013

Better sharing of genetic information in human health

A new resource, IPAC, has been launched to address the lack of international mechanisms for ensuring ethical and legal interoperability in sharing genetic information. The initiative aims to harmonize projects and provide normative tools and frameworks for accessing clinical and research data.

SourceGénome Québec·DateSep 12, 2013
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.

Health care safety net catches suburban poor

A new study shows significant health benefits for uninsured people living in suburban areas when they receive access to primary care. After one year, participants reported improved preventive care and screenings, as well as better overall health status.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Community Health·DateSep 12, 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.

Insights into evolution of life on Earth from 1 of Saturn's moons

Recent research from the Cassini-Huygens mission provides insights into the evolution of life on Earth from Titan, Saturn's moon. The findings shed light on the origin of life and the potential for life beyond Earth, with organic chemicals present on Titan's surface being influenced by sunlight and energy sources.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateSep 12, 2013

A clinician's guide to managing moral distress

A new framework provides guidance for clinicians to manage moral distress, which can interfere with patient care and clinician well-being. The framework aims to create a healthy work environment supporting clinicians to practice with integrity and reduce the toll on caregivers and patients.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Palliative Medicine·DateSep 12, 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.

Protein essential for maintaining beta cell function identified

A new study by UC San Diego researchers reveals that the pancreatic protein Nkx6.1 is crucial for regulating insulin biosynthesis and secretion in beta cells. The study found that impaired Nkx6.1 levels contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, leading to rapid onset of diabetes in mice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 12, 2013

Dogs' behavior could help to design social robots

A study found that dogs react sociably to robots that behave socially towards them, even if the devices look nothing like a human. The research suggests that designers of social robots should consider how their designs interact with users and animals.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateSep 12, 2013

Antarctic research details ice melt below massive glacier

Scientists have measured ice-shelf melting rates and processes beneath Pine Island Glacier, revealing a critical need to understand channelized melting under massive glaciers. The findings could lead to the break-up of the ice shelf and contribute to global sea-level rise.

SourceNew York University·JournalScience·DateSep 12, 2013
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.

Study finds 30 percent lower risk of dying for diabetics with bypass surgery vs. stent

A recent study published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology found that people with diabetes have a 30% lower risk of dying if they undergo coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) rather than angioplasty and inserting a stent (PCI). This significant finding has public health implications due to the large difference in outcomes.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateSep 12, 2013

The peanut at the heart of our galaxy

Astronomers used ESO's VISTA telescope to create the best 3D map yet of the Milky Way's central bulge, revealing an X-shaped structure. The galactic bulge is composed of 22 million red giant stars that can be used as standard candles to measure distances.

SourceESO·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 12, 2013

Research shows denser seagrass beds hold more baby blue crabs

A new study by researchers at Virginia Institute of Marine Science shows that denser seagrass beds hold exponentially more juvenile crabs per square meter than more open beds. The quality of seagrass habitat can influence the population dynamics of blue crabs on a baywide basis.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateSep 12, 2013

Viruses associated with coral epidemic of 'white plague'

Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a group of viruses associated with the coral epidemic 'white plague,' which has killed 70-80% of some reefs. The study suggests that viral diversity is higher in diseased corals, highlighting the need for further research to prevent this disease.

SourceOregon State University·DateSep 12, 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.

Revised Medicaid policy could reduce unintended pregnancies, save millions in health costs

A revised Medicaid sterilization policy could remove logistical barriers, reducing unintended pregnancies by 29,000 annually and saving $215 million in public health costs. The updated policy would prioritize informed decision-making and equitable access to sterilization, benefiting vulnerable populations.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalContraception·DateSep 12, 2013

The UK is not investing enough in research into multi-drug resistant infections, say researchers

A UK study finds that only 3.9% of total infectious disease research funding was allocated to antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for increased investment in this area. The study calls for strong leadership and sustained targeted spending to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateSep 12, 2013

Inner ear hair cell regeneration: A look from the past to the future

The use of stem cells, gene therapy, and neurotrophic factors has been shown to play a crucial role in the regeneration of inner ear hair cells. Cochlear gene therapy has also been successfully used in treating neurosensory hearing loss and other inner ear disorders.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateSep 12, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Molecules pass through nanotubes at size-dependent speeds

Researchers found that molecules of precise size can zip through nanotubes five times faster than those of a different size. This discovery could be used to design better membranes for desalination and develop sensors capable of detecting specific contaminants in water.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 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.

Entomological Foundation announces 2013 Insect Science Award winners

The Entomological Foundation awards Dr. John Acorn the Entomological Foundation Medal of Honor for his preeminence in the field through outstanding contributions. The foundation also recognizes Dr. Douglas B. Walsh's efforts in integrated pest management, resulting in a reduction of over 100,000 pounds of insecticide use annually.

SourceEntomological Society of America·DateSep 11, 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.

In odd-looking mutant, clues about how maize plants control stem cell number

A new study reveals how maize plants regulate stem cell activity through a functional interaction between a G protein and an unexpected class of cell-surface receptors. The research, led by Professor David Jackson, provides insights into the CLAVATA signaling pathway and has implications for increasing crop yields.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature·DateSep 11, 2013

Mosquito bites deliver potential new malaria vaccine

A study published in Vaccine suggests that genetically engineered malaria parasites can be used as a vaccine to protect against infection. The attenuated parasites, which are stunted through precise gene deletions, induce robust immune responses that provide long-lasting protection.

SourceElsevier·JournalVaccine·DateSep 11, 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.

Iowa State, IBM astronomers explain why disk galaxies eventually look alike

Researchers Struck and Elmegreen found that the gravitational pull of young galaxy clumps is responsible for the smooth universal brightness profile in older disk galaxies. This process takes a few hundred million years to a few billion years, scattering stars from their original orbits.

SourceIowa State University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 11, 2013

Scientific symposium on the toxicology of alternate fuels

Researchers investigate toxicology of alternate fuels, finding emissions from biodiesel vehicles are less mutagenic than petroleum-based diesel. The symposium also discusses human health effects of biofuels and engine changes with changing fuels.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateSep 11, 2013

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons releases Choosing Wisely list

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has released a list of five targeted, evidence-based recommendations to support conversations between patients and physicians about necessary care. The recommendations aim to reduce waste and overuse in the healthcare system by identifying unnecessary tests and procedures in orthopaedics.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateSep 11, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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