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Science News Archive April 2014


Page 21 of 32

New research puts conventional theories on Titanic disaster on ice

Researchers from the University of Sheffield have challenged long-held assumptions about the Titanic's fate, revealing that the risk of icebergs is actually higher now. The study used data on iceberg locations dating back to 1913 and found that while 1912 was a significant ice year, it was not extreme in the long term.

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.

Drug provides health benefits to diabetics with kidney disease

Atrasentan has been shown to lower albuminuria by 36% without major side effects in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. The drug also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, suggesting a potential benefit for patients at high risk of serious medical problems.

Global poverty could be up to a third higher than reported

A new study suggests that global poverty figures could be underestimated by up to a third due to the use of an arbitrary 'dollar a day' poverty line. The research, conducted in Vanuatu, found that a more comprehensive picture of poverty takes into account basic human needs such as shelter, sanitation, and nutrition.

Yale researchers search for earliest roots of psychiatric disorders

New research sheds light on how environmental stressors affect the cells of the developing brain, leading to conditions like schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder. Yale scientists discovered a single molecular trigger, HSF1, that activates in brain cells exposed to toxins, making them susceptible to neuropsychiatric disorders.

New report provides solution to NEET challenge in UK and abroad

A new strategy to help young people find jobs with fair wages and high-quality training has been developed by Professor Robin Simmons. The Youth Resolution concept tackles entrenched social problems, driving local growth and giving young people better career opportunities.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists grow cartilage to reconstruct nose

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a method to grow cartilage in the lab, enabling successful nose reconstruction surgery. The technique, known as tissue engineering, uses patients' own cells to create engineered cartilage that is implanted into the defect, resulting in improved functionality and cosmetic appearance.

Head injuries can make children loners

A new study by Brigham Young University researchers has linked lingering brain injury from head trauma to social difficulties in children. The study found that the thickness of a specific brain region was associated with a child's social life and thinking skills.

New towns going up in developing nations pose major risk to the poor

A new study reveals that rapid development of new towns in Asia, Africa, and Latin America exposes low-income workers to natural disasters, diseases, and health risks. The research highlights the need for urban planners to consider the needs of poor communities when designing these cities.

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.

Using mathematics to beat jetlag effectively

Researchers calculate optimal schedules for thousands of situations, condensing findings into four general principles for rapid circadian shifting. An app called Entrain is available for free via the Apple store, providing a simple and mathematically optimal way to adjust across time zones.

Revive your smartphone in 30 seconds

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new prototype battery that can fully charge a smartphone in under a minute, using nanodots derived from bio-organic materials. The technology increases electrode capacity and electrolyte performance, making it more efficient and eco-friendly than current battery technologies.

Brainy courage of the rainbowfish

A study published in Springer's journal Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology found that rainbowfish born in the wild are braver than those bred in captivity. The researchers suggest that fear is heightened when primarily processed by a single brain hemisphere, making lateralized fish less bold.

Plants evolve ways to control embryo growth

A new study from the University of Warwick found that plant cells send specific signals to developing embryos to direct their growth and development. This discovery opens up possibilities for breeding more robust plant varieties with higher yields.

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.

Experts disagree on horses with incoordination

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found significant disagreement among experts about the severity of horse incoordination, also known as ataxia. The study aimed to establish clearer definitions for normal and abnormal gait patterns in horses, which could lead to greater agreement among specialists.

Appearance of night-shining clouds has increased

Research using data from NASA missions and computer simulations indicates an increase in noctilucent cloud presence between 40 and 50 degrees north latitude. Temperatures at high altitudes have decreased, raising questions about climate change.

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.

Enzyme 'wrench' could be key to stronger, more effective antibiotics

Researchers may be able to design and synthesize stronger, more adaptable antibiotics from less expensive natural compounds using a specialized enzyme. By modifying an enzyme called KirCII, scientists hope to turn it into a set of wrenches that can install different molecular pieces to create new antibiotics.

Study resolves controversy over nitrogen's ocean 'exit strategies'

Researchers found that both denitrification and anammox are at work in the oceans, with a 70-30 ratio of nitrogen removal. The study settles a decades-long debate over how nitrogen is removed from the ocean and has real-world applications for understanding global climate and productivity.

Proof that antidepressants and breastfeeding can mix

Researchers found that two-thirds of women on antidepressants stopped breastfeeding after pregnancy, while one-third continued with successful outcomes. The health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and children far outweigh any potential risks from medication.

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.

Enzyme revealed as promising target to treat asthma and cancer

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified SGK1 enzyme as a potential target for treating asthma and boosting the effects of certain cancer therapies. The enzyme's role in regulating immune system T cells suggests that blocking it could inhibit asthma symptoms and enhance cancer treatment.

Laboratory-grown vaginas implanted in patients, scientists report

Researchers have successfully implanted laboratory-grown vaginal organs in four teenage girls with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, achieving normal function and structure over eight years post-surgery. The treatment shows promise for patients requiring vaginal reconstructive surgeries or those with vaginal cancer or injuries.

Health of ecosystems on US golf courses better than predicted

Researchers found that improved turf management practices on US golf courses enhance biodiversity and provide a habitat for stream salamanders. Simple management practices such as retaining woody debris and leaf litter can make a significant ecological difference.

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.

Researchers develop novel molecular blood group typing technique

Researchers developed a novel molecular blood group typing technique that offers blood banks the possibility of extensive screening of blood donors at a relatively low cost. This technology can reduce adverse reactions and decrease blood bank costs by facilitating support for patients undergoing long-term transfusions.

Pseudo-mathematics and financial charlatanism

The article examines how backtesting can lead to overfitting, resulting in misleadingly good results that don't translate to real-world performance. Researchers argue that few companies and researchers conduct out-of-sample testing, leading to a lack of transparency in investment strategies.

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.

New research on gigabit wireless communications

The study proposes enhanced technologies and algorithms to increase data capacity and densification in short-range wireless networks, achieving speeds of up to 7Gbps per link. Beamforming is also explored as a solution for multi-gigabit connections between base stations and users, with an adaptive algorithm reducing interference.

INFORMS awards 2014 UPS George D. Smith to MIT LGO Program

The LGO program is a two-year dual degree program that prepares students to be good practitioners of operations research through a combination of technical skills and soft skills training. The program's emphasis on practical training, including a six-month internship at an industry partner company, has earned it international recognition.

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.

News from the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, April 2014

A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines developed recommendations for the care of pediatric patients with intestinal failure at risk of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, while a prospective observational study found that feeding interruptions led to negative outcomes in critically ill patients. Intensive nutrition therapy also show...

Medicare's flawed adjustment methodology poor way to spend billions

A new study by Dartmouth investigators finds Medicare's current risk-adjustment methodology is flawed and ineffective in adjusting for population differences. The researchers suggest using wealth and health indices as an alternative to explain regional mortality rates, outperforming the current diagnosis-based method.

Thermoelectric generator on glass fabric for wearable electronic devices

KAIST researchers developed a flexible thermoelectric (TE) generator on glass fabric that produces electricity from human body heat, overcoming the limitations of existing TE generators. The new generator is extremely light, flexible, and compact, with a self-sustaining structure that eliminates thermal energy loss.

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.

Princeton, PPPL join major arms-control project

Researchers at Princeton University and PPPL are developing a unique process to verify that nuclear weapons contain true warheads. The goal is to confirm the authenticity of inspected items without revealing sensitive information.

Uncovering a new angle on mental distance

A study published in Psychological Science found that people's orientation affects their perception of distance. The researchers discovered that moving in a certain direction makes places ahead feel nearer than those behind, regardless of actual distance. This phenomenon is linked to feelings of social similarity and emotional engagement.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Too much protein may kill brain cells as Parkinson's progresses

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene may cause excessive protein production, leading to cell death. This could provide a new target for monitoring Parkinson's disease and developing therapies.

Genetic distinctness to guide global bird conservation

The study identifies the world's top 50 most evolutionarily distinct bird species, including the South American oilbird and the Christmas Island frigatebird. These species have unique genetic characteristics that make them crucial for preserving the tree of life.

Paul Sally honored for impact on education

The American Mathematical Society has recognized Paul Sally's contributions to mathematics education, including the establishment of programs such as SESAME and YSP. His work with teachers and students at the precollege level has had a significant national impact.

Sunlight generates hydrogen in new porous silicon

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to manufacture porous silicon using solar energy, which can generate hydrogen from water when exposed to sunlight. The material's high surface area and nanoscale size enable it to act as an effective catalyst, aiding in the production of hydrogen gas.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Recycling astronaut urine for energy and drinking water

Scientists have developed a new technique to convert astronaut urine into fuel and drinking water, reducing the waste burden in space missions. The Urea Bioreactor Electrochemical system efficiently converts urea into ammonia, which is then turned into energy with a fuel cell.

No compromises: JILA's short, flexible, reusable AFM probe

JILA researchers developed a new AFM probe design that improves precision and stability in picoscale force measurements. The shorter, softer probes enable rapid, precise measurements of biomolecules like proteins and DNA, allowing for the study of folding and stretching events.

One of the last strongholds for Western chimpanzees

A recent survey by an international research team found that Liberia's chimpanee population is one of the most viable in West Africa, with over 70% living outside protected areas. The results provide crucial information for site prioritization and conservation efforts.

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.

GM crops under the microscope at international debate

A panel of international experts will discuss the pros and cons of genetically modified (GM) crops in improving European food security. Recent research shows that consumers are increasingly concerned about GM foods, with 11% checking labels for information on GM content.

Vigilance for kidney problems key for rheumatoid arthritis patients

Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis patients have a 1 in 4 chance of developing chronic kidney disease over a 20-year period, compared to the general population's 1-in-5 risk. Patients should work to keep blood pressure under control and avoid medications damaging to the kidneys.

Study confirms impact of clinician-patient relationship on health outcomes

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that relationship-focused training had a small but statistically significant effect on measured health outcomes in patients with conditions such as obesity and diabetes. The study suggests that a good patient-clinician relationship can produce health effects similar to some common t...

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.