Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive August 2014


Page 7 of 31

Young children's sipping/tasting of alcohol reflects parental modeling

A new study finds that children's sipping or tasting of alcohol is more closely related to perceived parental approval than psychosocial proneness for problem behavior. This suggests that early exposure to alcohol may not necessarily lead to later problem behaviors, but rather be a result of familial cultural norms.

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.

Animals first flex their muscles

A 560-million-year-old fossil discovery in Newfoundland, Canada, has provided the oldest evidence of muscle tissue in animals. The find, named Haootia quadriformis, is a rare example of an Ediacaran animal with bundles of fibres similar to those found in modern cnidarians.

Attacking a rare disease at its source with gene therapy

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully treated lysosomal storage disease MPS I using gene therapy, reducing harmful protein accumulation and improving symptoms. The treatment involves direct gene transfer into glial and neuronal cells in the brain and spinal cord.

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.

Common European MRSA originated in Africa

Researchers found that the European CA-MRSA clone CC80 evolved from a sub-Saharan African methicillin-sensitive ancestor. The bacteria simultaneously acquired resistance to methicillin and fusidic acid, which is thought to be due to selective pressure in North Africa and Europe.

Education and dog-friendly neighborhoods could tackle obesity

A University of Liverpool study recommends investing in dog owner education and facilities to reduce physical inactivity and obesity. Dog owners who walk their dogs regularly are more likely to be physically active, but lack of knowledge and access to suitable areas can hinder this.

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.

Ames test adapted successfully to screen complex aerosols

Researchers adapted the Ames test to assess mainstream cigarette smoke's toxicity, showing concentration-dependent mutations in bacteria. The modified test uses multiple bacterial strains and whole-smoke aerosol exposure, providing a more complete picture of the toxic profile.

Collaborative care improves depression in teens

A study published in JAMA found that collaborative care improved depression symptoms in teens, with more teens receiving evidence-based treatment and experiencing decreases in depressive symptoms compared to usual care. The collaborative care model integrated care for mental and physical health within a primary-care setting.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Methadone treatment suppresses testosterone in opioid addicts

A study published in Scientific Reports found that methadone treatment significantly suppresses testosterone levels in men with opioid addiction, leading to poor quality of life and erectile dysfunction. In contrast, women using methadone for addiction treatment showed no significant change in testosterone levels.

Fact or fiction: Which do moviegoers prefer?

A new study in Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers assume true events create stronger emotional reactions, but actually, the opposite is true. Consumers felt more emotionally distraught from fictional tragic stories than if they had read the true story instead.

Gifts that generate gratitude keep customers loyal

A Queensland University of Technology study found that gifts and personal gestures can strengthen relationships with customers, increasing loyalty. Retailers should focus on providing personalized services and occasional 'random' perks to show they care about their customers' needs.

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.

Social inequalities in salt consumption remain

A study published in BMJ Open found that social inequalities in salt intake have hardly changed in Britain over the last decade, despite a national average salt reduction. The research suggests that poorer households still consume more salt than higher socio-economic groups, highlighting the need to address these disparities to achieve...

A glucose meter of a different color provides continuous monitoring

Researchers developed a new continuous glucose monitoring material that changes color as glucose levels fluctuate, offering higher sensitivity and precision than current point measurements. The color-changing material is simple, low-cost to manufacture, and can be used for short-term monitoring of patients in intensive care units.

Photon speedway puts big data in the fast lane

Scientists at Berkeley Lab and SLAC used a 'photon science speedway' to collect and analyze 114 terabytes of data on photosynthesis in just five days. The work led to new insights into how nature splits water molecules during photosynthesis, a key step towards developing artificial solar energy.

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.

Competition for graphene

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have observed ultrafast charge transfer in MX2 materials, a new family of 2-D semiconductors. The recorded charge transfer time is comparable to the fastest times for organic photovoltaics, opening up potentially rich new avenues for photonics and optoelectronics.

Lack of naturally occuring protein linked to dementia

Researchers at the University of Warwick found that a lack of the MK2/3 protein is linked to structural and physiological changes in the nervous system, leading to early signs of dementia. These changes restrict learning and memory formation capabilities, but not memory formation itself.

New statin guidelines an improvement, Yale study shows

A Yale University study found that new national guidelines can accurately prescribe statins to patients at risk for cardiovascular disease. The research shows the new guidelines produce a modest increase in patient treatment, with only 92% of those with heavy plaque being assigned to statin therapy under the new method.

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.

Organic vs. paid advertising? Inside the mind of an online browser

A new study by Columbia Business School found that consumers using less popular search terms have higher click activity and are more targetable for paid advertising. The research also showed that day of the week has no impact on click likelihood, with consumers investing more effort in products they're searching for.

Salmon forced to 'sprint' less likely to survive migration

Salmon that force themselves to move quickly through fast-moving water are more likely to die after passing through turbulent waters. Researchers found that burst swimming, a behavior similar to sprinting, can lead to impaired oxygen supply and increased stress metabolites in the blood.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Tilted acoustic tweezers separate cells gently

Researchers have developed a device that uses tilted-angle standing surface acoustic waves to separate cells with minimal energy. The method is gentler than traditional methods like centrifugation and can efficiently sort cells with high purity.

INFORMS study shows social welfare may fall in a more ethical market

A new INFORMS study finds that increased service providers' social preferences may worsen societal outcomes due to customers paying higher prices for assured service. This occurs as profit-maximizing providers mimic uniform pricing strategies, leading to a decrease in served high-cost customers.

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.

Doctors miss opportunities to offer flu shots

Racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to get vaccinated against flu due to missed opportunities by healthcare professionals. Offering flu shots more frequently could increase adult vaccination rates to 50% or above for all groups.

Knee surgery shows no benefit for people with mild osteoarthritis

A new study published in CMAJ found that arthroscopic knee surgery does not provide relief for middle-aged patients with mild osteoarthritis. The research analyzed seven randomized controlled trials and concluded that the procedure may have little to no effect on short-term and long-term outcomes.

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.

Key to universal flu vaccine: Embrace the unfamiliar

A new strategy for generating broadly cross-reactive antibodies has been developed against the H5N1 flu virus. Researchers found that human volunteers immunized with the H5N1 virus generated antibodies against the stem region of the viral hemagglutinin protein, which could provide protection against a variety of flu strains.

Scientists first to grow organ in animal from cells created in lab

Researchers have grown a fully functional thymus organ from transplanted laboratory-created cells in a living animal. This breakthrough discovery could lead to new treatments for people with weakened immune systems and may also offer a way of making patient-matched T cells for cell therapies.

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.

Fires in Western Australia

Fires in Western Australia have been burning for several days, consuming over 700,000 hectares of land. The complex of fires is out of control and unpredictable, with firefighters battling the blazes and protecting Cape Leveque Road.

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Aug. 26, 2014

The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends intensive behavioral counseling for overweight and obese patients with at least one additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This intervention helps individuals lose weight and improve their lipid levels, blood pressure, and glucose levels.

Deploying exosomes to win a battle of the sexes

Male fruit flies use exosomes to reprogram female cells, making them less inclined to remate. The findings suggest that BMP signaling plays a role in regulating female behavior and may be involved in human cancers of tissues that secrete exosomes.

Former Hurricane Lowell finally fades away

Former Hurricane Lowell has degenerated into a remnant low pressure area, with its center located near latitude 24.7 north and longitude 127.4 west, about 1,110 miles from Baja California, Mexico.

Core mechanism for root growth identified

Researchers found that auxin and PLETHORA transcription factors regulate root growth by controlling cell division, elongation, and differentiation. The study reveals a graded distribution of these factors near the root tip, enabling plants to adapt to environmental conditions.

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.

Expectant parents' play with doll predicts later parenting behavior

Researchers found that couples who role-played interacting with a doll during pregnancy exhibited similar behaviors towards each other when playing with their real infant. Positive interactions predicted supportive co-parenting, while negative interactions foretold conflict.

Happy Camper and July fire complexes in California

The Happy Camp Complex and July Fire Complex in California have consumed over 22,670 acres, with the latter spanning 35,000 acres. Personnel are working to contain both complexes, with growth potential high due to challenging terrain.