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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 167


Page 167 of 376

Researchers unlock the protein puzzle

Researchers have discovered an innovative way to visualize where proteins touch each other using brightly hued dyes, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for various diseases. The technique involves mixing dyes with proteins and then separating them to reveal the 'hot spots' where proteins interlock.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 23, 2014

UNC researchers find unsuspected characteristics of new CF drugs, offering potential paths to more effective therapies

A new study by UNC researchers provides evidence that could help improve CF pharmacotherapies. They found that a mutant CFTR protein loses its ability to function properly when in the presence of two drugs, suggesting that drug developers should take this destabilization effect into account.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 23, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists find way to maintain quantum entanglement in amplified signals

Physicists Sergei Filippov and Mario Ziman have found a way to preserve quantum entanglement in particles passing through an amplifier and when transmitting signals over long distances. This breakthrough allows for more efficient quantum computing and secure communication channels.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review A·DateJul 23, 2014

Sleep deprivation may increase susceptibility to false memories

Research found that sleep-deprived individuals who viewed photos of a crime and then read false information were more likely to report remembering the false details. The study suggests that chronic sleep deprivation may increase susceptibility to false memories, with implications for eyewitness reliability.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Ketamine can be a wonder drug for ER patients and their physicians

A systematic review of 10 studies confirms ketamine's safety in critically ill patients, providing analgesia, sedation, and amnesia without significant increases in intracranial pressure or neurological outcomes. The findings support the use of ketamine as a routine treatment for life-threatening infections and unconscious patients.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 23, 2014

Nano-sized chip 'sniffs out' explosives far better than trained dogs

A new electronic chip with nano-sized chemical sensors can detect miniscule concentrations of hazardous materials in the air, surpassing even the most advanced detection dogs. The breakthrough technology has been tested on various explosives and shows great promise for providing a safer world.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 23, 2014

Targeting the brain to treat obesity

Researchers focus on areas of memory and learning to treat obesity, suggesting a link between the two diseases. The 'vicious cycle' model proposes that overeating leads to brain pathologies, which can weaken control over thoughts and behaviors.

SourceAmerican University·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateJul 23, 2014

Nearly 50 years of lemur data now available online

The Duke Lemur Center has made nearly 50 years of life history data for endangered primates available online. The database contains detailed records of over 3600 animals representing 27 species, including birth and death dates, breeding habits, and health information.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Dog jealousy: Study suggests primordial origins for the 'green-eyed monster'

A new study from UC San Diego suggests dogs may have a more basic form of jealousy that evolved to protect social bonds from interlopers. Dogs exhibited aggressive behaviors like snapping and pushing when owner showed affection to a stuffed dog, indicating they were motivated to break up the connection.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Dogs exhibit jealous behavior

Researchers tested dogs' reactions to owners' affection for realistic and non-realistic objects, finding stronger jealous behaviors towards the dog-like object. This study suggests jealousy may have a primordial form in animals, including humans.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Combination antiretroviral therapy helps treat HCV in patients co-infected with HIV

A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that combination antiretroviral therapy can reduce HCV viral loads and liver injury in HIV patients co-infected with HCV. This approach supports the concept of early and uninterrupted HIV therapy to prevent liver disease in individuals with HCV/HIV infection.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 23, 2014

MIPT-based researcher models Titan's atmosphere

A researcher from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology has developed a reliable mathematical model of Titan's atmosphere, which matches the latest data surprisingly well. The model takes into account various chemical reactions between neutral molecules and ions in the upper layers of Titan's atmosphere.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalIcarus·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Study links autistic behaviors to enzyme

Researchers have linked autistic behaviors in Fragile X syndrome to the MMP-9 enzyme, which can be targeted therapeutically. The study found that deleting MMP-9 favorably impacts behaviors associated with FXS, offering new hope for treating the disorder.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJul 23, 2014

Obesity linked to low endurance, increased fatigue in the workplace

A new study found that obese workers have significantly shorter endurance times when performing workplace tasks compared to their non-obese counterparts. The study also revealed greater declines in task performance among females with obesity, highlighting the need for longer rest breaks and ergonomic redesigns.

SourceAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·DateJul 23, 2014

Strategy proposed for preventing diseases of aging

Researchers propose a new strategy for preventing age-related diseases, focusing on treating metabolic and molecular causes. They suggest lifestyle interventions such as personalized diets and exercise programs to delay chronic disease onset.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Knowledgeable consumers more likely to buy when given fewer options

A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with high subjective knowledge are more prone to choice overload and are less likely to purchase products with numerous options. In contrast, those with low subjective knowledge tend to prefer a wide range of choices when the information is easily understandable.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJul 23, 2014

Discovery is key to metal wear in sliding parts

A team of researchers has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for wear in metals, which could lead to improved durability of metal parts. The findings show that tiny bumps and surface defects can form through a swirling, fluid-like behavior in solid metals, leading to cracks and wear particles.

SourcePurdue University·DateJul 23, 2014

Hormones after breast cancer: Not fuel for the fire after all?

Researchers found that bioidentical hormone treatments reduced tumor recurrence and improved cardiovascular and bone health, while also increasing physical activity and cognition. The study's results are promising but require further validation, providing a new direction in the search for alternative hormone therapies.

SourceParsemus Foundation·JournalReproductive Biology and Endocrinology·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Physical work environment in hospitals affects nurses' job satisfaction

A new study by New York University found that a well-designed physical work environment can improve nurses' efficiency, teamwork, and communication, leading to higher job satisfaction. The study also revealed that this indirect impact on job satisfaction is associated with better patient outcomes.

SourceNew York University·JournalResearch in Nursing & Health·DateJul 23, 2014

Blue whales' dangerous feeding grounds

A 15-year study reveals that blue whales consistently return to specific feeding grounds along the US West Coast, despite busy shipping lanes. The findings highlight the need for modifications in ship routing to reduce human threats to the endangered species.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Statin use decreases the risk of Barrett's esophagus

A new study finds that statin use significantly reduces the risk of developing Barrett's esophagus, with the greatest effect seen in obese patients. Those with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 had a 74 percent reduction in Barrett's esophagus odds.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Wide-faced men negotiate nearly $2,200 larger signing bonus

Research finds men with wider faces excel in solo negotiations, securing higher bonuses and sale prices, but falter when collaborating or selling to others. In contrast, more attractive men perform better in team settings.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateJul 23, 2014

Studying impacts of indoor air pollution on tribal communities

A three-year grant will measure indoor air quality in tents used by Native subsistence hunters in subarctic North America to determine possible health effects of wood smoke exposure. The study aims to provide information on emissions mitigation methods and improve understanding of multipollutant emissions.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Monitoring pulse after stroke may prevent a second stroke

A new study published in Neurology suggests that regularly monitoring pulse after a stroke can detect irregular heartbeats and prevent a second stroke. The study found that healthcare professionals had a high sensitivity rate of nearly 97% in detecting irregular heartbeats.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 23, 2014

K computer runs largest ever ensemble simulation of global weather

Researchers successfully ran 10,240 parallel simulations of global weather using Japan's K computer, achieving a significant improvement in forecasting accuracy. The study found that faraway observations can have an immediate impact on weather forecasts, highlighting the need for advanced methods to utilize this data.

SourceRIKEN·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 23, 2014

Study reveals medical students believe health policy education is improving

A multi-center study found significant improvements in medical students' perceptions of their health policy education between 2008 and 2012. The study revealed gains in three domains: systems and principles, value and equity, and quality and safety. However, the domain politics and law experienced a decline due to inadequate training.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Rosemary and oregano contain diabetes-fighting compounds

Lab tests reveal that oregano and rosemary, commonly used herbs, have potent compounds against type-2 diabetes. Greenhouse-grown herbs contained more polyphenols but required less to inhibit a key enzyme.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJul 23, 2014

New York law offers nurses more recognition, responsibility

A study by Columbia University School of Nursing found that NPs in Massachusetts have better relationships with physicians and administrators compared to those in New York State. The researchers recommend improving the practice environment for NPs in NY by promoting their role and providing opportunities for involvement in organization...

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalHealth Care Management Review·DateJul 23, 2014

Controlling childbirth pain tied to lower depression risk

A new study found that controlling pain during childbirth and post delivery may reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Women who had epidural anesthesia during labor had a significantly lower rate of depression compared to those without pain control.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnesthesia & Analgesia·DateJul 23, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Enhanced recovery program following colorectal surgery at community hospitals

A study found that implementing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program in a community hospital setting reduced length of stay from 6.7 days to 3.7 days without increasing readmissions. The ERAS program also decreased use of opioid analgesia and intra-abdominal infections, resulting in estimated cost savings.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 23, 2014

Australian researchers pioneer a 'Google Street View' of galaxies

A team of Australian astronomers has created a 'Google Street View' of the cosmos using a novel optical-fibre instrument. By analysing light spectra from 60 points in each galaxy, they can study gas and star movement, young star formation, and old star populations, gaining insights into how galaxies change over time.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·DateJul 23, 2014

'Big picture' thinking doesn't always lead people to indulge less, study says

Research from University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that people are self-controlled in everyday behavior, but indulge when thinking long-term. Abstract thinking can lead to feelings of missing out, regret, and corrective overindulgence, contradicting common consumer psychology literature.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 23, 2014

How much magma is hiding beneath our feet?

Researchers developed a new method to estimate magma volume and flow, enabling more accurate predictions of future volcanic eruptions. This technique uses zircon crystals to determine the age and injection rate of magma, providing insights into Earth's crust formation, mineral deposits, and natural resources.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

Spinach could lead to alternative energy more powerful than Popeye

Researchers at Purdue University are using spinach to study photosynthesis and convert sunlight into a clean, efficient alternative fuel. The team has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the protein complex responsible for this process, which could lead to the creation of artificial photosynthesis.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014

Rising temperatures hinder Indian wheat production

Researchers at University of Southampton found a link between increasing temperatures and reduced wheat yield in India. Warmer nighttime temperatures had the most significant impact on crop yield, highlighting the vulnerability of Indian wheat production to climate change.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJul 23, 2014

NASA team lays plans to observe new worlds

The Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) mission aims to study dark energy, the mysterious form of energy that accelerates the universe's expansion. ATLAST would also detect signatures of life in the atmospheres of Earth-like planets and resolve stars in distant galaxies.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 23, 2014

Genetic study shows major impact of climate change on Antarctic fur seals

A genetic study reveals that climate change has significantly impacted Antarctic fur seals, leading to a decline in the population due to changes in food availability. The seals' ability to adapt is hindered by the lack of heritability of 'fitness genes', resulting in a decrease in survival and breeding success.

SourceBritish Antarctic Survey·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014
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.

The physics of lead guitar playing

Physicist Dr David Robert Grimes has derived equations to explain how guitar techniques manipulate pitch, shedding light on string bending, vibrato, and whammy bars. His research provides insights into the physics behind iconic guitarists' sounds.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Urban heat boosts some pest populations 200-fold, killing red maples

New research from North Carolina State University reveals that urban heat is killing red maples by boosting pest populations. Warmer temperatures lead to a 300% increase in young gloomy scale insects, resulting in 200 times more adult scales on urban trees. This stress can also limit tree growth and kill trees.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Smarter than a first-grader?

Researchers found that New Caledonian crows can discriminate between different volumes of water and pass a modified test, previously only achieved by 7- to 10-year-old children. The birds' ability to choose options that displace more water suggests they attend to cause-and-effect relationships.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 23, 2014

Bats use the evening sky's polarization pattern for orientation

Researchers found that greater mouse-eared bats can calibrate their inner compass using the polarized light of the evening sky. The bats deviated from the control group when exposed to a 90-degree shifted polarization pattern, indicating they used this visual cue for orientation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 23, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA's HS3 mission spotlight: The HIRAD instrument

The Hurricane Imaging Radiometer (HIRAD) will fly aboard a NASA Global Hawk aircraft during the HS3 mission, providing unique observations of sea surface wind speed, temperature, and rain. HIRAD's data will advance understanding and predictability of hurricane intensity, helping to determine maximum wind speed and structure of the vortex.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 23, 2014

New method for reducing tumorigenicity in induced pluripotent stem-cell based therapies

Mayo Clinic researchers discover a strategy to significantly reduce the risk of tumor development using pretreatment with genotoxic etoposide. This approach establishes an adjunctive therapy to harness the clinical value of iPSC-derived cardiac regeneration, providing a promising breakthrough for heart disease treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 23, 2014