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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 52


Page 52 of 376

School lunches offer better average nutrition than packed lunches

Virginia Tech researchers found that school lunches have greater nutritional quality compared to packed lunches. School lunches were lower in energy and iron but higher in protein and fiber. The study suggests promoting healthier options in packed lunches through nutrition education programs.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateNov 7, 2014

You might be allergic to penicillin -- then again, you might not

According to two studies, 94% of patients who believed they had a penicillin allergy actually tested negative. Consulting an allergist and conducting skin testing can help determine if alternative treatment is necessary before surgery. This can significantly lower prescription costs by reducing the use of high-cost antibiotics.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 7, 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.

Theory or not? Best study designs for increasing vegetable intake in children

A systematic review found that theory-based interventions were beneficial for vegetable intake only, with limited overall effects. The authors recommend future research examining the causality and strength of relationships between theoretical variables and dietary change behaviors.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateNov 7, 2014

Research shows easy-to-walk communities can blunt cognitive decline

A new study from the University of Kansas found that neighborhoods that encourage walking for leisure and transportation are associated with improved physical health and cognition in older adults. The research suggests that easy-to-walk communities can help stave off cognitive decline, even in individuals with mild Alzheimer's disease.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·DateNov 7, 2014

Dip in emergency hospital admissions via GPs while figures soar for A&E

Emergency hospital admissions to A&E departments rose by 72% between 2001/2 and 2010/11, while those via GPs decreased by 17%, suggesting a shift in the role of these services. Researchers suggest that changes in patient behavior, demographic shifts, and policy factors contributed to this trend.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of the Royal Society of Medicine·DateNov 7, 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.

Brain's response to threat silenced when we are reminded of being loved and cared for

New research from the University of Exeter found that viewing pictures of others receiving emotional support reduces the brain's response to threatening facial expressions or words. This effect was particularly pronounced in more anxious individuals, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for mental health conditions like PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateNov 7, 2014

Nurse navigators may aid colon cancer screening follow-up

According to a randomized trial, nurse navigators can aid in colon cancer screening follow-up by increasing follow-up rates exceeding 92 percent. The study, led by Beverly B. Green, MD, MPH, found that combining a systems approach with nurse navigation resulted in improved follow-up rates.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalThe Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine·DateNov 7, 2014

New Zealand's moa were exterminated by an extremely low-density human population

A new study suggests that the flightless birds, moa, were completely extinct when New Zealand's human population reached around 2500 people. Researchers found that during the peak period of moa hunting, there were fewer than 1500 Polynesian settlers in NZ, with a population density of about 1 person per 100 square kilometers.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2014

New treatment for life-threatening bacterial diseases identified

Researchers have identified a new treatment using specially engineered liposomes to neutralize bacterial toxins, preventing cell death and disease progression. This treatment offers an alternative to current medications for infections resistant to antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateNov 7, 2014

New antibiotic in mushroom that grows on horse dung

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new agent in fungi that kills bacteria, known as copsin, which has the same effect as traditional antibiotics but belongs to a different class of biochemical substances. The substance was found in the common inky cap mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea and is responsible for its antibiotic effect.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 7, 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.

Moving calves, managing stress

A study evaluating 2,238 Canadian beef calves found that trailer microclimate significantly impacts calf welfare during transport. Calves experienced more shrink in summer months and higher salivary cortisol levels in winter, but overall arrived healthy.

SourceAmerican Society of Animal Science·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateNov 6, 2014

Sorting bloodborne cancer cells to better predict spread of disease

A new device has been developed to visualize and differentiate between cancer cells in the bloodstream, enabling a more focused understanding of tumour properties. This technology shows promise for better diagnosis and improved patient outcomes by identifying aggressive tumours and metastatic disease.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 6, 2014

Retaining military veteran employees is all about the right fit

Research by University of Cincinnati professor Stacie Furst-Holloway reveals veterans face challenges transitioning to civilian careers, with lower perceptions of job fit and limited opportunities for advancement. The study suggests developing interim vocational training can help retain veteran employees in the VA workforce.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateNov 6, 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.

'Rewriting' the way to make natural drug compounds

By rewriting genes from a fungus to produce a specific compound of potential therapeutic importance, researchers have successfully synthesized natural drug compounds in large quantities. This innovative approach leverages the native machinery of an organism to address long-standing challenges in drug synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalACS Synthetic Biology·DateNov 6, 2014

Failed Alzheimer's test shows in which direction the research should continue

Researchers, led by Bart De Strooper, have found that failed Alzheimer's tests can teach valuable lessons for future research. Studies on γ-secretases and Aβ-peptides may still hold promise in treating the disease, but more fundamental research is needed to bridge the current knowledge gap.

SourceVIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)·JournalCell·DateNov 6, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers develop new model to study epidemics

A new model developed at NYU School of Engineering aims to accurately predict the spread of epidemics by accounting for individual human behavior and contagion. The researchers hope this model will help determine who should be vaccinated or isolated first and what travel restrictions are most effective in preventing different epidemics.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review E·DateNov 6, 2014

Study highlights prevalence of mistreatment between nursing home residents

A recent study from Weill Cornell Medicine found that nearly one in five nursing home residents experienced mistreatment from fellow residents, including verbal and physical abuse. The research suggests targeting interventions towards vulnerable individuals with dementia or mood disorders to address this widespread problem.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·DateNov 6, 2014

Migration negation

Researchers identified a cellular culprit in metastasis, finding that an overabundance of Frizzled-2 and its activator Wnt5 triggers EMT in cancer cells. This discovery informs the design of new treatments to prevent or delay metastasis.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateNov 6, 2014

Nutrients that feed red tide 'under the microscope' in major study

Researchers found 12 diverse sources of nutrients that fuel Florida red tides, including undersea sediments, decaying fish, and atmospheric deposits. The study's findings suggest a complex interplay between natural and human-contributed nutrient sources, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate the impacts of red tide blo...

SourceBigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences·JournalHarmful Algae·DateNov 6, 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.

Ancient DNA shows earliest European genomes weathered the Ice Age

A new study on ancient DNA from a 36,000-year-old fossil in western Russia found that the earliest European humans' genetic ancestry survived the Last Glacial Maximum. The research also sheds light on Neanderthal interbreeding and an early contact between European hunter-gatherers and Middle Eastern farmers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 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.

Research resolves contradiction over protein's role at telomeres

Research at Rockefeller University resolves the long-standing debate on Rap1's role at telomeres, revealing that human Rap1 plays a minor role in protecting telomeres. The study contradicts previous findings and sheds light on the protein's potential unrelated function.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 6, 2014

By studying twins, psychologist researches proactivity in the workplace

A Kansas State University professor is using twin studies to understand the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in employee proactivity. He found that about 40% of differences among individuals can be attributed to their distinct genetic makeup, while 60% can be attributed to environmental factors.

SourceKansas State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateNov 6, 2014

Hungry bats compete for prey by jamming sonar

Mexican free-tailed bats employ a unique strategy by jamming the sonar of competitors to capture prey in complete darkness. The researchers observed that bats almost always missed their prey when another bat was jamming them, and this behavior increased with precise timing and frequency.

SourceWake Forest University·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 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.

Denying problems when we don't like the political solutions

A new Duke University study finds that people evaluate scientific evidence based on its policy implications, leading to denial of problems even when faced with strong evidence. The study sheds light on why conservatives and liberals disagree so vehemently over issues like climate change.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateNov 6, 2014

Sense of meaning and purpose in life linked to longer lifespan

A UCL-led study found that individuals with the greatest sense of wellbeing were 30% less likely to die over an eight and a half year period than those with the least wellbeing. People with higher wellbeing lived on average two years longer than those in lower wellbeing groups.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 6, 2014

Manipulating complex molecules by hand

Jülich researchers create a word using 47 molecules by manipulating them with a novel control system. The technique allows for the first time to remove large organic molecules from associated structures and place them elsewhere in a controlled manner.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalBeilstein Journal of Nanotechnology·DateNov 6, 2014

Images of a nearly invisible mouse

Researchers at RIKEN Quantitative Biology Center in Japan have developed a method to image tissues and whole organisms with high precision. They discovered that aminoalcohols included in the CUBIC reagent can elute heme from hemoglobin, making organs dramatically more transparent.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell·DateNov 6, 2014

Salk scientists discover a key to mending broken hearts

Researchers at Salk Institute have healed injured hearts of living mice by targeting four specific molecules that suppress regenerative programs. This finding provides proof-of-concept for a new type of clinical treatment to fight against heart disease, which kills over 600,000 people annually in the US.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateNov 6, 2014
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New laws threaten Brazil's unique ecosystems

Researchers warn that new Brazilian laws could weaken environmental protection and threaten protected areas. At least 20% of Brazil's most strictly protected areas overlap with mining interests, while large hydroelectric dams will influence many river systems.

SourceLancaster University·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 2014

NASA's Hubble surveys debris-strewn exoplanetary construction yards

The largest visible-light imaging survey of dusty debris disks has been conducted around stars as young as 10 million years old and as mature as over 1 billion years. The diversity of these systems suggests gravitational effects from unseen exoplanets or interactions with interstellar material.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 6, 2014

Twins study shows how genes shape body weight by affecting gut microbes

A twin study found that specific gut microbes are heritable and more common in lean individuals, protecting against weight gain. The findings suggest that genetic variation influences the composition of gut microbes, which can be used to develop personalized probiotic therapies to reduce obesity-related diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateNov 6, 2014

Carving memories at their joints

A study published in PLOS Computational Biology proposes a theoretical framework for understanding memory formation and modification. The researchers suggest that large prediction errors lead to memory formation, while small errors result in memory modification. Damage to the hippocampus can impair the brain's ability to carve memories.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 6, 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.

New knowledge about the human brain's plasticity

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that human brains have a higher rate of oligodendrocyte maintenance and can modulate myelin production, enabling faster adaptation and learning. This finding has significant implications for understanding neurological diseases such as MS.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell·DateNov 6, 2014

Scientific collaborative publishes landmark study on the evolution of insects

A landmark study published by an international team of over 100 researchers reconstructs the insect tree of life, answering longstanding questions about their origins and evolution. The study reveals that insects originated at the same time as early terrestrial plants and developed wings 400 million years ago.

SourceCalifornia Academy of Sciences·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Synthetic biology for space exploration

Researchers have used synthetic biology to produce affordable alternatives to anti-malaria drugs, clean fuels, and pharmaceuticals. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by up to 85% for future long-duration space missions, including those to Mars and the Moon.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateNov 6, 2014

Caltech rocket experiment finds surprising cosmic light

Researchers detected a diffuse cosmic glow originating from stripped stars flung out into space after galaxies collided and merged. The findings suggest previously undetected stars permeate dark spaces between galaxies, forming an interconnected sea of stars.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 6, 2014

Black, Hispanic kids underrepresented in autism identification

A study by a University of Kansas professor found that black and Hispanic children were significantly underrepresented in autism identification rates from 2000 to 2007, despite the overall increase in diagnoses. This disparity may reflect unequal access to services and diagnosis, with white students receiving more intensive supports.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalThe Journal of Special Education·DateNov 6, 2014

Cellular extensions with a large effect

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that cilia on pancreatic beta cells are covered with insulin receptors, and altered ciliary function is associated with type 2 diabetes. The research found that ciliary defects impaired insulin release, leading to elevated blood glucose levels in mice.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 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.

Rabbit-proof hoof: Ungulates suppressed lagomorph evolution

A new study reveals that competition with ungulates, intensified by climate change, is the main reason for lagomorphs' limited diversity. Fossil records show that lagomorphs were capable of becoming larger than today, but were suppressed by the presence of competitors.

SourceSociety of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateNov 6, 2014

ORNL thermomagnetic processing method provides path to new materials

Scientists have developed a thermomagnetic processing method that controls the orientation of molecules in liquid crystalline epoxy resins. This leads to highly aligned structures with near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion, potentially enabling new structural designs and functional composites.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 6, 2014

Pneumonia vaccine reducing pediatric admissions: Report

A new pneumonia vaccine has led to a 27% decline in hospital admissions among children under 2 in Tennessee, with an overall 72% reduction since introduction of the first vaccine in 2000. The success of pneumococcal vaccines challenges common assumptions about antibiotic treatments for childhood pneumonia.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateNov 6, 2014

Allergy sufferers are allergic to treatment more often than you'd think

An allergic response to a medication for allergies can often go undiagnosed due to its initial purpose of reducing inflammation. Patients experiencing worsening symptoms or an unresponsive rash may be reacting to the medication itself or one of its components, such as antibiotics or antifungals.

SourceAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology·DateNov 6, 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.

A new approach to single-ventricle heart surgery for infants

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, propose a new surgical intervention that combines the first and second steps of single-ventricle heart surgery. This approach aims to reduce the workload on the patient's heart, increase blood flow to the lungs, and improve oxygen delivery.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·DateNov 6, 2014