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Science News Archive August 2014 - Page 14


Page 14 of 31

Electrical engineers take major step toward photonic circuits

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a non-metallic metamaterial that enables the compression and containment of light in smaller cables. This breakthrough could lead to radical increases in computing speeds and reduced energy use by electronic devices.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalOptica·DateAug 19, 2014

In-utero methadone, subutex exposure could alter gene expression, cause severe neonatal abstience syndrome

Researchers found that infants exposed to opioids in utero had more severe symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome, with higher DNA methylation levels. This study suggests a link between early exposure and lasting epigenetic changes, potentially affecting future sensitivity to addictive substances.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateAug 19, 2014

The ABC's of animal speech: Not so random after all

A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B analyzed the vocal sequences of seven different species and found that they appear to be generated by complex statistical processes more akin to human language. The findings suggest an intermediate step on the evolutionary path between animal communication and human language.

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·DateAug 19, 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.

Financial weight makes it trickier to lose pounds where it counts

A new study from Concordia University reveals that financial struggles significantly impact weight loss efforts, with lower-income individuals less likely to engage in healthy habits like exercise or reducing fat intake. Instead, they often turn to quick fixes like diet pills or skipping meals.

SourceConcordia University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateAug 19, 2014

Intimacy a strong motivator for PrEP HIV prevention

A new study found that desire for intimacy is a strong predictor of whether gay and bisexual men will adopt PrEP. Men in steady same-sex relationships with HIV-negative partners who value intimacy are more likely to take antiretroviral medications to prevent HIV.

SourceBrown University·JournalAnnals of Behavioral Medicine·DateAug 19, 2014

Common antibiotic linked with heart deaths

A study found that clarithromycin, a widely used antibiotic, is associated with an increased risk of heart deaths in people over 40-74 years old. The absolute risk difference was 37 cardiac deaths per 1 million courses with clarithromycin.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 19, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Seafood substitutions can expose consumers to unexpectedly high mercury

New study finds that seafood mislabeling distorts true abundance of fish, defrauds consumers, and causes unwanted exposure to harmful pollutants like mercury. The researchers found that even MSC-certified fish can have high mercury levels if substituted with other species from the same geographic area.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 19, 2014

Red eye feels endless? Blame the Internet

A Tel Aviv University study reveals a direct link between online price competition and longer flight times. The research found that the shift to online distribution channels has changed the way airlines compete for customers, prioritizing price over performance.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalThe Review of Economics and Statistics·DateAug 18, 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.

A new species of endemic treefrog from Madagascar

A new species of Boophis rappiodes group, Boophis ankarafensis, has been described from the hidden streams of Ankarafa Forest in northwest Madagascar. The species is characterized by high genetic divergence and a unique call with a double click.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateAug 18, 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.

Electroacupuncture attenuates neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injury

A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that electroacupuncture can significantly attenuate chronic neuropathic pain in rats with brachial plexus injuries. The treatment was shown to increase β-endorphin expression, which may contribute to its analgesic effects.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateAug 18, 2014

Proteins critical to wound healing identified

Researchers found that mice lacking specific vascular system proteins developed normally but healed poorly from injuries. Increasing FGF signaling may improve wound healing, while inhibiting it in the eye could help patients with age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 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.

Men viewed more favorably than women when seeking work-life balance

A new study by Christin Munsch found that men who requested flexible work arrangements for childcare-related reasons were viewed more favorably than women with similar requests. Those who made flexible work requests for childcare were perceived as more respectable and likable, leading to greater support and approval from employers.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·DateAug 18, 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.

Why aren't pregnant women getting flu vaccine?

A statewide survey in Oregon found that most doctors recommend flu vaccine to healthy pregnant patients, but only half of American women receive the vaccine while pregnant. Doctors who see more pregnant patients or are younger are more likely to recommend vaccination.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateAug 18, 2014

Invasion of the Americas by mosquito-borne virus likely

A recent study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection warns of the high risk of Chikungunya virus spread in the Americas and Europe due to mosquito-borne transmission. The disease can cause severe symptoms, including fever, joint pain, and muscle aches, with no available treatment.

SourceWiley·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·DateAug 18, 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.

Vaccines can cut the spread of meningitis by nearly 40 percent

Two new vaccines have been shown to prevent the transmission of meningitis bacteria from person to person, reducing carriage rates by up to 39% and 20-30%. This discovery could provide a degree of herd protection against meningitis if implemented in a campaign.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 18, 2014

StopInfo for OneBusAway app makes buses more usable for blind riders

The StopInfo program, developed at the University of Washington, integrates with OneBusAway to provide crucial information on bus stops, including location, safety features, and stop closures. The app has been found to be generally helpful for blind riders, promoting spontaneous travel and confidence while riding.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 18, 2014

Taking the pulse of aging

New technique reveals correlations between arterial health and cognitive decline in older adults, highlighting the importance of cerebrovascular well-being for healthy aging. The study also explores the impact of stress on arterial stiffness and its consequences for brain function.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalPsychophysiology·DateAug 18, 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.

Fighting unfairness

A new study by Harvard University researchers found that children as young as six exhibit in-group favoritism when reacting to unfair behavior, but by eight years old, they are more likely to intervene regardless of group affiliation. The study suggests that fairness norms may be universal and not specific to Western culture.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2014
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.

Study reveals immune system is dazed and confused during spaceflight

Researchers found that spaceflight temporarily alters the immune system of crew members, leading to depression in cell function and heightened activity. This can result in asymptomatic viral shedding, increased allergy symptoms, and persistent rashes.

SourceNASA/Johnson Space Center·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·DateAug 18, 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.

12th tropical depression appears huge on satellite imagery

The 12th tropical depression of the hurricane season has formed in the Eastern Pacific, with satellite imagery showing it is significantly larger than nearby Tropical Storm Karina. The depression spans approximately 800 nautical miles in diameter, dwarfing typical sizes of around 350 miles/600 km.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 18, 2014

Resistant hypertension: A review for physicians

Resistant hypertension is a condition affecting 20% of Canadian adults with high blood pressure, characterized by elevated blood pressure despite treatment. Structured approaches, including medication optimization and lifestyle modifications, are recommended for effective management.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 18, 2014

Clinical practice guidelines: Trying to get them right the first time

Researchers found that clinical practice guidelines for beta-blockers were adopted quickly despite later studies showing no difference in postoperative outcomes. The case study highlights the importance of critically evaluating guideline development processes to ensure reliable and safe medical practices.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateAug 18, 2014

Family members of victims pose a growing challenge for capital punishment

Annulla Linders' research reveals that family members of victims witnessing executions has transformed the process and audience, re-personalizing executions with emotional satisfaction for families. Currently, 18 US states allow intimates to witness executions, complicating arrangements and public perception.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 18, 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.

Queen's scientists in hospital superbugs breakthrough

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed the first innovative antibacterial gel that acts to kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, and E. coli using natural proteins. The gels target and break down biofilms, a thick jelly-like coating that makes bacteria resistant to current therapies.

SourceQueen's University Belfast·JournalBiomacromolecules·DateAug 18, 2014

Club cells are 'bad guys' during flu infection

Researchers discovered that club cells, which normally protect against inhaled microbes, contribute to prolonged inflammation during flu infection. Targeting these cells may help shorten flu symptoms by reducing lung damage.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateAug 18, 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.

Older coral species more hardy, UT Arlington biologists say

A recent study published in PLOS ONE has found that older Caribbean coral species exhibit fewer diseases and better immunity than newer species. Researchers examined 140 samples of 14 species, including the ancient Porites astreoides coral, which has been around for over 200 million years.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 18, 2014
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.

Hand gestures improve learning in both signers and speakers

Researcher Susan Goldin-Meadow found that hand gestures play a crucial role in language learning for both hearing and deaf children. Gestures help children develop language skills and can even become a primary means of communication in the absence of a spoken or sign language.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateAug 18, 2014

Smoking during pregnancy may affect grandchildren's growth

A UK study found that smoking during pregnancy affects grandkids' growth, with paternal grandmother's smoke increasing daughters' height and both sexes' bone mass. Maternal grandmother's smoke, however, linked to sons' increased weight and muscle mass during adolescence.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateAug 18, 2014

Study reveals sex differences in experiencing orgasms

Women experience less predictable and varied orgasms compared to men, with an average of 63% of sexual activity resulting in orgasm. Lesbian women have a significantly higher probability of orgasm than heterosexual or bisexual women.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateAug 18, 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.