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Science News Archive August 2014


Page 23 of 31

Southfork and Staley Complex fires in Oregon

The Southfork Complex fire began with a lightning strike on July 31, 2014, affecting 62,476 acres to date. Crews are utilizing helicopters for bucket drops and constructing indirect lines to secure the perimeter of the fire.

Blacks, women face greater burden from CVD risk factors

New research reveals that blacks and women have a higher burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than whites. The study analyzed data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and found that diabetes contributes more to CVD in women, while high blood pressure is a greater risk factor for blacks.

Study: New tool proves effective in evaluating doctor's bedside manner

A new study by Women's College Hospital evaluates a tool for assessing doctors' communication and soft skills, including CanMEDS competencies, in orthopedic residency programs. The tool, called the objective structure clinical examination (OSCE), is effective in testing multiple soft skills in one examination session.

Gloves after hand washing associated with fewer infections in preterm babies

A randomized clinical trial found that wearing nonsterile gloves after hand washing significantly reduced late-onset infections and gram-positive bloodstream infections in extremely premature babies. The study included 120 infants who weighed less than 1,000 grams and/or had a gestational age of less than 29 weeks.

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.

Native bacteria block Wolbachia from being passed to mosquito progeny

Researchers discovered that a type of bacteria called Asaia blocks invasion of Wolbachia into mosquitoes' germlines, stopping the insects from transmitting Wolbachia to their offspring. This finding provides a potential answer to why some insect species are infected with Wolbachia while others are not.

Climate change negatively impacting Great Lakes, GVSU researcher says

Climate change is having a direct negative effect on the Great Lakes, affecting recreational value and drinking water potential. Researchers are calling for increased understanding of the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and developing technology for real-time monitoring and management of water systems.

NIST therapy for ultraviolet laser beams: Hydrogen-treated fibers

Researchers at NIST have created hydrogen-treated optical fibers that can transmit stable, high-power ultraviolet laser light for hundreds of hours. The fibers were infused with hydrogen gas and cured with ultraviolet light to reduce errors in logic operations in quantum computing experiments.

Springer launches ChemTexts

ChemTexts offers contemporary knowledge at a high didactic level for students and lecturers, with peer-reviewed texts and supplementary materials like videos and animated presentations.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Western Wall weathering: Extreme erosion explained

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem used laser scans and atomic force microscopes to study the Western Wall's erosion. They found that fine-grained limestone erodes up to 100 times faster than coarse-grained limestone, potentially weakening the structure.

Making cashews safer for those with allergies

Scientists are developing a method to process cashews that could make them safer for people with nut allergies. Researchers are using sodium sulfite and enzymes to disrupt the structure of cashew allergens, reducing IgE binding.

US immigration is associated with rise in smoking among Latinos and Asians

Research from Rice University and Duke University found that US immigration is linked to increased smoking rates among Latino and Asian women. Smoking prevalence varies significantly between men and women, with Asian immigrant men smoking four times as much as women, while Latino immigrant men smoke twice as much.

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.

First gene therapy trial launched for heart patients with mechanical pumps

A new clinical trial has been initiated to assess gene therapy for patients with heart pumps, with the goal of improving heart function. The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a gene therapy that increases SERCA2a protein levels in heart muscle cells, providing potential relief from advanced heart failure.

Physicists create water tractor beam

Scientists at ANU have created a technique to control water flow patterns with simple wave generators, enabling them to move floating objects. The team discovered complex three-dimensional waves generate flow patterns on the surface of the water.

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.

On the frontiers of cyborg science

Scientists are working on seamless marriage between electronics and brain signaling to treat devastating diseases. They're developing ultraflexible circuits and injecting tiny electronics into the brain to integrate with existing biological networks.

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.

The grass really is greener on TV and computer screens, thanks to quantum dots

Researchers have developed a new technology called 3M quantum dot enhancement film (QDEF) that efficiently makes liquid crystal display (LCD) screens more richly colored. The QDs produce specific colors of light based on their size, allowing for improved color gamut and reduced energy consumption compared to traditional LCDs.

Scientists unlock key to blood vessel formation

Researchers at the University of Leeds have identified a key gene involved in blood vessel formation, which may help understand how complex life begins. The discovery could lead to new possibilities for treating cardiovascular disease and cancer by targeting changes in blood flow.

2010 Chilean earthquake causes icequakes in Antarctica

A 2010 Chilean earthquake caused icequakes in Antarctica due to the continent's sensitive response to seismic waves. Researchers detected high-frequency signals at 30% of seismic stations, indicating repeated failure and fracturing of ice near the surface.

Neuroprotective effects of Asiaticoside

Researchers found that Asiaticoside pretreatment decreased neuronal cell loss and restored apoptotic-related protein expressions. It also inhibited Ca2+ influx induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, providing new insights into its neuroprotective effects.

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.

Target identified for rare inherited neurological disease in men

Researchers have identified the mechanism by which Kennedy's disease causes muscle weakness and reduced fertility, impairing autophagy pathway function. The study suggests that targeting the bad androgen receptor protein could prevent the disease and other neurological disorders from progressing.

Pairing old technologies with new for next-generation electronic devices

Researchers have discovered a way to efficiently generate and control currents using the magnetic nature of electrons in semi-conducting materials, which could lead to the development of new electronic devices. This approach, known as spintronics, has the potential to outperform traditional technologies with lower power consumption.

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.

'Worm pill' could ease autoimmune disease symptoms

Researchers have identified a peptide from parasitic worms that suppresses the immune response and may provide relief for multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus patients. The study paves the way for a new drug containing the peptide to be developed.

'Dimmer switch' drug idea could tackle schizophrenia without side effects

Researchers have discovered a mechanism to develop drugs that can control schizophrenia symptoms without causing common anti-psychotic side effects. By targeting the dopamine D2 receptor, the 'dimmer switch' approach aims to subtly dial down dopamine's effect, potentially treating the disease and avoiding side-effects.

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.

Astrophysicists detect destruction of 3 stars by black holes

Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have reported detecting three possible occasions of star destruction by supermassive black holes at galaxy centers. Using data from X-ray orbiting observatories ROSAT and XMM-Newton, they identified three X-ray sources with significant dimming, suggesting the death of a star i...

Women who 'lean in' often soon leave engineering careers, study finds

Nearly 40% of women engineers quit their jobs, citing poor workplace climates and mistreatment. Despite this, women who persisted showed no difference in confidence or skills. Organizations must recognize the importance of training, advancement, and work-life balance to retain female engineers.

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.

Regular marijuana use bad for teens' brains

Frequent marijuana use can lead to poor attention, memory, and decreased IQ in teenagers and young adults. Brain imaging studies have shown significant changes in brain structure among adolescents who increased their marijuana use.

Scientists unravel mystery of brain cell growth

Researchers have solved a longstanding puzzle in neuroscience by revealing the three-dimensional atomic structure of netrin-1, a guidance protein that can attract or repel brain cells. By understanding how this protein works, scientists may be able to develop new ways to steer cell behavior and potentially treat diseases such as cancer.

Photo editing algorithm changes weather, seasons automatically

A new photo editing algorithm developed by Brown University computer scientists enables users to change weather, time of day, season and other features with simple, natural language commands. The algorithm uses machine learning to make subtle color and contrast changes across the entire photo.

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.

Water's reaction with metal oxides opens doors for researchers

A multi-institutional team has resolved a long-unanswered question about how water interacts with metal oxides. The study reveals two dramatically different pictures of water-metal oxide reactions, one forming amorphous networks on smooth surfaces and the other creating structured domains on hydroxylated surfaces.

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.

Pinpointing genes that protect against frailty

A study led by Drs. Nir Barzilai and Joe Verghese aims to identify gene variants that prevent frailty in older adults. By building on previous research, the team hopes to develop drugs that mimic these genes' effects. The grant will explore biological pathways leading to frailty and investigate the role of exceptional longevity genotypes.

New culprit identified in metabolic syndrome

Researchers found that excess uric acid can disrupt normal metabolism, leading to the development of metabolic syndrome. A new study suggests that diet and fructose consumption may contribute to high uric acid levels, which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Disney Research's interactive method synchronizes multiple videos

Researchers have developed a new tool to synchronize multiple video clips based on the visual content of the videos. This makes it easier to align clips without relying on timecodes or external markers. The method can be used for various applications, including movie production and visual effects.

Behind the scenes of genetics, leukemia in Down syndrome

Research identifies RAS oncogene involvement in DS-ALL cases, highlighting genetic insights into leukemia risk in children with Down syndrome. Geneticists sequenced exomes of affected individuals, shedding light on disease characteristics.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Study measures steep coastal costs of China's GDP growth

A new study by Chinese and American conservation biologists quantifies China's recent economic growth on its coastal ecosystems. The research shows that after reforms declared in 1978, many human economic activities with deleterious environmental impacts increased markedly.

Improving lymphatic function protects mice from experimental colitis

Researchers found that improving lymphatic function can prevent the development of both chronic and acute inflammatory bowel disease in mice. Silvio Danese and colleagues discovered that administering VEGF-C prior to the onset of IBD relieved symptoms, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for humans.

UK study shows promise for new nerve repair technique

A UK study compared a new nerve repair technique, called a nerve allograft, to existing methods. The study found that the new technique produced more consistent results and better outcomes, while avoiding donor site morbidity.

Living organisms in oil

Researchers discovered microbial communities within oil droplets, degrading oil and reducing its quality. This finding could pave the way for new approaches to clean up contaminated groundwater.