Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2014 - Page 337


Page 337 of 376

Could action video games help people with dyslexia learn to read?

Researchers found that individuals with dyslexia have difficulty shifting attention from visual to auditory stimuli, leading to slower response times. A new approach using action video games may improve literacy skills by training the brain to associate sounds with corresponding letters.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 13, 2014

Discovery may help to explain mystery of 'missing' genetic risk

A new study in PLOS Genetics finds common genetic variants may indicate the presence of influential rare mutations that have yet to be discovered. This 'synthetic association' sheds light on the genetic make-up's large influence on cancer risk, highlighting the importance of identifying causal genetic changes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateFeb 13, 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.

Valentine's Day: True love makes pacific salmon healthier

Female Pacific salmon that mate with their chosen partner produce healthier babies than those with selected mates, according to research by the University of Waterloo. This allows for a more robust stock, reducing the use of antibiotics and vaccines, which benefits both producers and fish health.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·DateFeb 13, 2014

Researchers find breast cancer drug in bodybuilding supplement

A study found tamoxifen, a breast cancer treatment, in three out of four samples of the bodybuilding supplement Esto Suppress. The product label suggested a dosage that may provide enough to treat gynaecomastia. Off-the-shelf supplements have been known to contain pharmacologically active substances, posing risks to users.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateFeb 13, 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 discover the mechanism of heart failure in fish exposed to oil spills

Researchers from NOAA Fisheries and Stanford University found that some petroleum compounds disrupt normal cardiac function in young tuna by blocking ion channels. This discovery provides new insights into the impact of oil pollution on fish hearts, with potential applications for assessing environmental damage.

SourceNOAA National Marine Fisheries Service·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2014

Robotic construction crew needs no foreman

A team of researchers created an autonomous robotic construction crew that builds complex structures without a central command, using collective intelligence and stigmergy. The TERMES system consists of simple robots that cooperate to modify their environment, achieving impressive results in building towers, castles, and pyramids.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2014

Muscle loss ups mortality and sepsis risk in liver transplant candidates

A Japanese study found that sarcopenia, a loss of skeletal muscle mass, increases the risk of sepsis and mortality in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation. Early nutritional support with enteral nutrition reduced sepsis rates in these patients. Treating malnutrition may reduce mortality risk following transplantation.

SourceWiley·JournalLiver Transplantation·DateFeb 13, 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.

Berkeley Lab researchers at AAAS 2014

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers present on topics including improved climate models, synthetic biology for better biofuels, emerging materials for photovoltaics, and efforts to detect Dark Matter. The presentation highlights the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and exploring innovative solutions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateFeb 13, 2014

UEF study: Metabolic syndrome is similar in different age groups

A recent study published in Diabetologia found that metabolic risk factors cluster similarly in children and adults, increasing the risk of premature death caused by type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle interventions aiming at prevention should be invested in childhood to reduce the risk.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalDiabetologia·DateFeb 13, 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.

Protein switch dictates cellular fate: stem cell or neuron

Researchers discovered that a well-known protein UPF1 controls the biological circuit to determine whether an immature neural cell remains in a stem-like state or becomes a functional neuron. The study's findings have significant implications for developing new therapies for neurological disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 13, 2014

Light-induced degradation in amorphous silicon thin film solar cells

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin identify microvoids as a source of 10-15% degradation in amorphous silicon thin film solar cells. The discovery is part of the EPR-Solar network funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2014

Could restless sleep cause widespread pain in older folks?

Researchers found that non-restorative sleep is a strong predictor of widespread pain onset among adults over 50. Anxiety and poor physical health also increase the risk of developing widespread pain. The study suggests combined interventions for both site-specific and widespread pain are needed for older adults.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateFeb 13, 2014

Scientists reveal cosmic roadmap to galactic magnetic field

Recent measurements have validated IBEX's signature finding on the local interstellar magnetic field direction. The consistent picture reveals how the heliosphere is shaped by the interstellar magnetic field, influencing cosmic rays and life on Earth.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 2014

Mixed genes

Researchers created a global map detailing the genetic histories of 95 populations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. The study found evidence of previously unrecorded genetic mixing, including European DNA in modern-day China and Mongol DNA in Pakistan.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateFeb 13, 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.

Cancer drugs hitch a ride on 'smart' gold nanoshells

Researchers have developed 'smart' gold nanoshells that target cancer cells specifically, delivering anticancer drugs and converting near-infrared light into heat. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer treatments by overcoming the limitation of traditional chemotherapy techniques.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiomedical Materials·DateFeb 13, 2014

Rebuilding the brain after stroke

Researchers have discovered a potential therapy to enhance brain repair after a stroke by stimulating the brain's inherent plasticity with molecular components of stem cells. This approach has shown promising results in promoting neurological recovery and may lead to revolutionary treatments for other diseases.

SourceHenry Ford Health·DateFeb 13, 2014

Ambulance magnesium treatment fails to improve stroke outcome

Researchers found that intravenous magnesium did not improve stroke-related disability, but was safe for delivery by paramedics within an hour. The study aimed to test the efficacy of magnesium as a neuroprotective agent, and its results will help inform future stroke treatment strategies.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 13, 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.

Study: Beauty not disease motivates teens to wear sunscreen

A University of Colorado study shows that teens who watched a video about the cosmetic effects of UV exposure were more likely to use sunscreen than those who watched a health-based video. This finding suggests that addressing appearance-related concerns can be an effective way to modify sun-protective behaviors in teenagers.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateFeb 13, 2014

Study highlights indigenous response to natural disaster

The study highlights the effectiveness of traditional institutions like Fa'aSamoa and The Samoan Way in responding to natural disasters. These community-based approaches have strong social capital and can be leveraged in disaster management policies and programs, providing a 'win-win' scenario.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalEcology and Society·DateFeb 13, 2014

Efficient treatment a step closer in the fight against cancer-causing herpes

Scientists have discovered that herpes virus proteins use their flexible arms to pass on viral building blocks to hijacked cell proteins, providing insight into the virus's ability to hijack cells. The study's findings may lead to new treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer caused by the herpes virus.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateFeb 13, 2014
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.

Male Pinterest users are more interested in art than cars

Research by the University of Minnesota and Georgia Tech found that male Pinterest users are more interested in photography, art, design, and home decor than sports, technology, and cars. In contrast, women tend to focus on traditional female categories such as food and drink, crafts, and fashion.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·DateFeb 12, 2014

Four new galaxy clusters take researchers further back in time

A team of astronomers has discovered four new galaxy clusters, each containing thousands of individual galaxies, some 10 billion light years away. The clusters are seen as they existed 3 billion years ago, providing insights into the formation of giant elliptical galaxies.

SourceImperial College London·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 12, 2014

Poaching threatens savannah ecosystems

A new study highlights the role of white rhinos in shaping savannah ecosystems, suggesting that their loss could have significant effects on ecosystem functioning and fire regimes. The research found that areas previously colonized by rhinos had higher levels of short grass cover and more grazing lawns.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalJournal of Ecology·DateFeb 12, 2014
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.

New target for psoriasis treatment discovered

Researchers at King's College London have discovered a new gene (PIM1) that could be an effective target for innovative treatments and therapies for psoriasis. The study highlights the role of PIM1 and the IL-22 cytokine in skin inflammation, suggesting a direct link between these two.

SourceKing's College London·DateFeb 12, 2014

Advanced techniques yield new insights into ribosome self-assembly

A new study reports that the ribosome's small subunit assembles itself through a dynamic interaction between proteins and RNA. The team discovered that a specific protein plays a crucial role in this process, allowing for the binding of subsequent proteins.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 2014

More awareness, fast response key to combatting stroke in children

Researchers found that most parents thought symptoms were serious but only half called emergency services, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prompt action. The study emphasizes the importance of educating healthcare professionals and parents about stroke recognition in children.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateFeb 12, 2014

Use of mortality as measure of stroke care questioned

A new study challenges the use of mortality as a measure of stroke care quality, citing variations in do-not-resuscitate orders that can significantly skew hospital rankings. The researchers found a wide range of variation in early DNR use, with hospitals using them an average of 2.2-23.2% of the time.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalStroke·DateFeb 12, 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.

2013 AAAS Mentor Award goes to Paul B. Tchounwou of Jackson State University

Paul B. Tchounwou, associate dean of graduate studies at Jackson State University, received the 2013 AAAS Mentor Award for his significant contributions to mentoring African American students in environmental sciences. He has mentored over 75 students and has played a key role in increasing research productivity at the university.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·DateFeb 12, 2014

Jaw dropping: scientists reveal how vertebrates came to have a face

Researchers used micron resolution X-ray imaging to study the skull of Romundina, an early armoured fish with jaws. The study shows that the face assembly during the evolutionary transition was a gradual process, with key features emerging before the final shape of the jawed vertebrate face.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 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.

Cancer researchers discover pre-leukemic stem cell at root of AML, relapse

Cancer researchers have discovered a pre-leukemic stem cell that may initiate disease and trigger relapse in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This finding offers a potential tool for earlier diagnosis and targeted therapy, as the pre-leukemic stem cell can survive chemotherapy and be found in the bone marrow at remission.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 2014

Prenatal vitamin A deficiency tied to postnatal asthma

Researchers found that prenatal vitamin A deficiency leads to airway hyperresponsiveness in adult mice by causing abnormal smooth muscle development. The study suggests that structural and functional changes in the lungs due to vitamin A deficiency during development may be an important factor in asthma susceptibility.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 12, 2014

GVSU researchers draw link between zebra mussels, risk of algae blooms

Researchers at Grand Valley State University found a link between zebra mussels and increased risk of algae blooms in Muskegon Lake and Bear Lake. The invasive mussels stimulate nutrient releases, while native chironomids increase oxygen levels, making the lakes more prone to toxic blooms.

SourceGrand Valley State University·JournalOikos·DateFeb 12, 2014

UK study finds doctors are missing chances to diagnose COPD earlier

A recent UK study found that doctors are missing opportunities to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in up to 85% of cases. The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, analyzed data from 38,859 patients and found that missed opportunities for diagnosis were most common in the years preceding diagnosis. T...

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateFeb 12, 2014
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.

Jawed vertebrates get a face

Fossil evidence reveals the step-by-step assembly of the face during the evolutionary transition from jawless to jawed vertebrates. The Romundina skull shows primitive and modern features, shedding light on the origin of the jawed vertebrate face.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 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.

Filling me softly

Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that implant stiffness is a major cause of foreign body reactions. The team found that stiff materials trigger inflammation and cell shape changes in brain cells, leading to encapsulation with scar tissue.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBiomaterials·DateFeb 12, 2014

San Francisco's big 1906 quake was third of a series on San Andreas Fault

Researchers have uncovered geologic evidence supporting two earthquakes in 1838 and 1890 that match historical accounts. The team used LiDAR technology to map the active fault trace and found ax-cut wood chips, tree stumps, and charcoal fragments confirming the quakes.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateFeb 12, 2014

NASA satellite sees Tropical Cyclone Fobane spinning down

Tropical Cyclone Fobane is weakening due to increasing vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. The storm is moving southward through the Southern Indian Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots/51.7 mph/83.3 kph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 12, 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.

U-M scientists & colleagues investigate the fiber of our being

Researchers at U-M Medical School and institutions worldwide investigate the fiber of our being, discovering how one group of gut bacteria digests complex sugars. Their findings shed light on the science of human nutrition and have implications for commerce and industry.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 2014

Thatcher's policies condemned for causing 'unjust premature death'

Research finds Thatcher's policies led to unnecessary unemployment, welfare cuts, and damaging housing policies resulting in excess deaths. The study also highlights the rise in income inequality and regional disparities in health standards during the Thatcher era.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalInternational Journal of Health Services·DateFeb 12, 2014

Prostate cancer advance could improve treatment options

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have made a significant advance in understanding genetic changes associated with terminal prostate cancer. A genetic mutation has been identified as a key factor in the development of aggressive cancer later in life. This discovery could help identify patients who are at risk of developing f...

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalBritish Journal of Cancer·DateFeb 12, 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.

When is the right time to discuss delivery room research with parents?

A Saint Louis University pediatric researcher is conducting a study to determine the best time to discuss obtaining parental consent for clinical research involving treatment of newborns in the delivery room. The goal is to develop a method that satisfies ethical requirements while making it easier for parents to understand the researc...

SourceSaint Louis University·DateFeb 12, 2014