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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 332


Page 332 of 376

Investment bankers lead businesses to better mergers, acquisitions

A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Management found that companies with investment banking directors are more likely to make better acquisitions, resulting in increased shareholder value. These directors help firms select better targets, accurately determine their value, and negotiate lower advisory fees.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Financial Economics·DateFeb 18, 2014

Two NYU faculty win Sloan Foundation research fellowships

Two NYU faculty members, Roozbeh Kiani and Nicholas Stavropoulos, have been awarded Sloan Foundation fellowships for their innovative research in neuroscience and sleep. Their work has the potential to lead to new medical interventions for mental and cognitive disorders and improve understanding of human sleep and its regulation.

SourceNew York University·DateFeb 18, 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.

Controlling magnetism with an electric field

Scientists have developed a new method to control magnetism using an electric field, reducing heat generation and increasing memory density. This innovation has significant implications for the development of more efficient electronic devices, such as MRAM and logic chips.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 18, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Magnesium may protect against hip fractures

A study found that magnesium protects against hip fractures for both men and women, but calcium has no independent protective effect. Enriching drinking water with dolomite may also be beneficial, according to the researchers.

SourceNorwegian Institute of Public Health·JournalBone·DateFeb 18, 2014

Computer arranges pictures based on their artistic aspects

Researchers at Saarland University have developed a method to arrange numerous pictures fast based on visual characteristics like size and intensity. Users can interactively click and drag images to create an order that creates a harmonious overall picture.

SourceSaarland University·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateFeb 18, 2014

Chance of falling after knee replacement not increased by regional anesthesia

Research using nearly 200,000 patient records found that regional anesthesia types do not make patients more prone to falls after knee replacement surgery. Spinal or epidural anesthesia may even decrease the risk of falls compared to general anesthesia, according to a study published in Anesthesiology.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateFeb 18, 2014

Baby hearts need rhythm to develop correctly

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered that mechanical forces generated by the rhythmic expansion and contraction of cardiac muscle cells play an active role in the initial stage of heart valve formation. This study provides a new perspective on the process, shedding light on how to create artificial heart valves.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalBiomaterials·DateFeb 18, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Metal in the heart is non-hazardous to health

A long-term study by University of Jena scientists found that nickel-titanium alloy implants release low levels of nickel over time, posing minimal health risk. The research used a longer testing period than usual to examine the metal's behavior and concluded that it is safe for patients with no adverse effects.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalActa Biomaterialia·DateFeb 18, 2014
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.

Healthy Lunchbox Challenge helps influence healthy eating habits in children

Researchers developed the Healthy Lunchbox Challenge, a low-cost program that encourages parents and staff to bring healthier foods to summer day camps. The program resulted in significant increases in fresh fruit, vegetables, and water consumption among children, while decreasing sugary snack intake.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateFeb 18, 2014

Food & moods

Researchers found that individuals in positive moods prefer healthy foods for long-term health benefits, while those in negative moods opt for indulgent foods for immediate mood management. The studies suggest that perspective on time plays a crucial role in food choice, with people in positive moods considering future health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Consumer Psychology·DateFeb 18, 2014

COXEN model picks the best drug for ovarian cancer

A University of Colorado study used a COXEN model to match tumors with optimal drugs, significantly extending patient survival. The model analyzed genetic data from thousands of tumor samples to identify response patterns.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 18, 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.

'Legal highs,' PMMA and zombie panic

A recent study published in Drug Science Policy and Law finds a significant rise in PMA/PMMA contamination in ecstasy pills from 2001 to 2007, resulting in deaths in both countries. The authors advocate for harm reduction strategies and education over criminalisation of new drugs.

SourceSAGE·JournalDrug Science Policy and Law·DateFeb 18, 2014

Medicare beneficiaries return to emergency rooms after nursing home discharge

A recent study found that nearly 22% of Medicare patients require emergency care within 30 days of discharge from a nursing facility, highlighting the need for improved transitions. Factors such as race, diagnosis, and previous hospitalizations are associated with a higher risk of rehospitalization.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateFeb 18, 2014

Nanodiamond-embedded contact lenses may improve glaucoma treatment

Researchers from UCLA have developed a drug delivery system that may improve glaucoma management by reducing side effects and increasing patient compliance. The nanodiamond-drug compound was released into the eye through contact lenses, showing great promise for sustained treatment.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 18, 2014
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Molecular biology mystery unravelled

Researchers at the University of Bristol and EMBL have identified the 'holo-translocon' as the machinery responsible for inserting proteins into cell membranes. This breakthrough could lead to the design of new anti-bacterial drugs and applications in synthetic biology.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

Evolution stuck in slime for a billion years

Researchers in Tasmania reveal ancient conditions that stifled evolution for a billion years, but then oxygen levels surged, triggering the 'Cambrian explosion of life'. The study uses a new technique to analyze ancient seafloor rocks, shedding light on the emergence of life and its impact on Earth.

SourceScience in Public·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·DateFeb 18, 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.

Probiotic treatment for vaginal thrush on the way

Researchers are testing probiotic pessaries containing 'good' bacteria against Candida infections. The study shows that a combination of two strains can kill or restrict growth of yeast cells, offering a viable alternative to precious antimicrobial drugs.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Microbiology·DateFeb 18, 2014

'It takes a village' -- Community-based methods for improving maternal and newborn health

A series of studies published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health highlights the effectiveness of community-based interventions in improving maternal and newborn health in rural Ethiopia. The Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership initiative has reduced mortality rates by increasing demand for focused maternal and...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Midwifery & Women s Health·DateFeb 18, 2014
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Bats inspire 'micro air vehicle' designs

Researchers at Virginia Tech used experimental measurements and analysis software to understand how fruit bats use their wings to manipulate airflow. They found that bat wings can generate forces up to two-to-three times greater than a static airfoil wing, making them ideal for designing micro air vehicles with flapping wings.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateFeb 18, 2014

Ticks may cause double trouble, Stanford scientists find

Researchers have discovered two bacteria, Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi, in nearly every park sampled throughout the region. The findings raise questions about the prevalence of B. miyamotoi infections in California residents and highlight the need for improved diagnostic tests.

SourceStanford University·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 18, 2014

Kidney cancer care improves with vaccine-based approach

A new Phase III clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute aims to provide kidney cancer patients with long-term control of their disease. The vaccine-based approach uses a patient's own immune system to fight the disease, potentially improving survival outcomes and quality of life.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·DateFeb 18, 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.

More women receiving breast reconstruction after mastectomy, study finds

A study found that breast reconstruction rates have increased significantly since 1998, with a six-fold increase in bilateral mastectomies and three-quarters of women receiving reconstruction. However, radiation therapy is less likely to be followed by reconstruction, raising concerns about the impact on patient outcomes.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateFeb 18, 2014

Artificial cells and salad dressing

A team of researchers developed methods to screen thousands of synthetic molecular oscillators in small droplets, finding diverse behavior in terms of period, amplitude and phase. This diversity will play a crucial role in engineering complex behaviors in artificial cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Chemistry·DateFeb 18, 2014

Regenerating orthopedic tissues within the human body

Duke researchers have successfully used gene therapy to induce stem cells to produce growth factor proteins, overcoming the challenge of delivering these proteins after implantation. The technique allows for long-term delivery and could be applied to various orthopedic tissues, presenting a significant step toward commercialization.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014

Crowdsourced testers prefer new cyber search method

A new tool, Conjunctive Exploratory Navigation Interface (CENI), combines two search modes to provide a more focused search and retrieve the most pertinent information. CENI outperformed traditional keyword-based lookup interfaces in a study involving crowdsourced testers.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateFeb 18, 2014
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.

One-quarter of high risk patients denied anticoagulation after AF ablation

A recent survey found that 25% of high-risk patients were not taking anticoagulants one year after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, despite a success rate of 74%. This highlights the need for improved follow-up and cooperation between centers to ensure appropriate treatment.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateFeb 18, 2014

Study points out inequalities in prescribing blood pressure meds

A study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that young adults with hypertension are less likely to be prescribed antihypertensive medication, even when they have regular primary care visits. This delay can increase the risk of future cardiovascular events.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 18, 2014

A stretchable highway for light

A team of Belgian researchers successfully developed a stretchable optical interconnection that can be bent and stretched without losing its light-gathering ability. The new material consists of a transparent core surrounded by a lower refractive index layer, which traps light and causes it to propagate along its length.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 18, 2014

Mandel Foundation awards $13 million grant to Ben-Gurion U.

The Mandel Foundation awards Ben-Gurion University of the Negev a $13 million grant to establish the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Institute for Social Leadership. The gift will support the development of a new honors program in social leadership, incorporating existing academic programs and research initiatives.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·DateFeb 18, 2014
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.

Almost 13 million smoking deaths could be prevented in China by 2050

New estimates suggest that China can prevent over 13 million smoking-related deaths by 2050 through effective tobacco control measures. Implementing World Health Organization guidelines could lead to a relative reduction in smoking of over 40 percent, resulting in significant public health gains.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 18, 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.

Can marijuana protect the immune system against HIV and slow disease progression?

Chronic THC administration has been shown to increase survival of T cell populations and reduce overall cell death in the gut of monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). This finding suggests that marijuana may have a protective effect against HIV-related inflammation and disease progression.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateFeb 18, 2014

Breakthrough development of flexible 1D-1R memory cell array

Researchers at KIST developed a 64-bit, non-volatile memory cell array using flexible and twistable carbon nano material and organo-polymer compound. The 1D-1R architecture enables accurate data storage and retrieval in a curved state.

SourceKorea Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 18, 2014

Scientists identify 'long distance scanner' for DNA damage

Researchers discovered a mechanism preventing mutation in genes involves long distance scanning of DNA by Mfd protein, detecting damage within active genes. This discovery sheds light on the complicated genome-wide patterns of mutation underlying species evolution and cell behavior changes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 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.

Can you boost your brain power through video?

A study found that watching videos of tasks before performing them can boost brain structure and increase motor skills in healthy adults. The group who completed this type of training showed significantly improved motor skill abilities compared to those who watched landscape videos.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateFeb 18, 2014

Researchers propose a better way to make sense of 'Big Data'

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have proposed a new method for analyzing Big Data using mutual information, which can reveal patterns without prior assumptions. This approach challenges the latest statistical tools and has the potential to greatly benefit modern data analysis in biology and other fields.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2014