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Science News Archive August 2014 - Page 21


Page 21 of 31

UTMB researchers develop model to predict COPD hospital readmission

A nationwide analysis of over 8,000 patients with COPD found that modifiable factors such as prescription adherence and follow-up care can reduce early readmissions. The study suggests that strategies to reduce hospital readmissions extend beyond quality of COPD-specific care.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateAug 12, 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.

Immigrants at lower risk of overdose, death from codeine than people born in Canada

A new study found that immigrants in Ontario have a significantly lower risk of codeine overdose and death compared to those born in Canada, even when language proficiency is limited. The research suggests that physicians may not need to be as cautious in prescribing codeine for adults or new mothers from East Africa.

SourceSt. Michael's Hospital·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateAug 12, 2014

NIH awards $20 million grant to Oak Crest Institute of Science

Researchers at Oak Crest Institute of Science are developing an intravaginal ring capable of delivering powerful antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection in women. The project aims to determine the best combination of antiretroviral drugs for prevention via vaginal delivery.

SourceOak Crest Institute of Science·DateAug 12, 2014

Our ancestor's 'leaky' membrane answers big questions in biology

Researchers at UCL used mathematical modeling to find that life's Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) had a 'leaky' membrane, enabling it to harness energy from its surroundings. This discovery answers two big questions in biology: how cells harvest energy and why bacteria and archaea have different cell membranes.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 12, 2014

Transgender relationships undermined by stigma

A study of 191 couples found that social and economic marginalization takes a psychological toll on both individuals and their relationships. The research highlights the need for couples-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of transgender women and their male partners.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateAug 12, 2014

UMN and NYBC research finds potential MERS transmission mechanism between bats and humans

Researchers have discovered a potential MERS transmission mechanism between bats and humans, highlighting the need for understanding animal origins and preventing human infections. The study found that MERS virus adapts to human cells more efficiently than related bat virus HKU4, which struggles to infect human cells.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota Academic Health Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 12, 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.

Oxidative stress is significant predictor for hip fracture, research shows

A prospective study found that baseline levels of fluorescent oxidation products (FlOP_320) predicted the risk of future hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Women with higher FlOP_320 readings had a significantly increased risk of hip fractures, with those in the upper 30% having 2.67 times the risk.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateAug 12, 2014

Copper foam turns carbon dioxide into useful chemicals

Researchers have discovered that copper foams can convert carbon dioxide into formic acid and propylene, two valuable industrial chemicals. The discovery provides a new route for sustainable chemical production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

SourceBrown University·JournalACS Catalysis·DateAug 12, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Beating childhood cancer does not make survivors healthier adults

Childhood cancer survivors do not adhere to the American Cancer Society's guidelines on healthy eating and physical activity, despite facing increased risk of second cancers, heart disease, and psychosocial problems. Only a small percentage of survivors meet fiber recommendations, and those who do tend to be healthier individuals.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalJournal of Cancer Survivorship·DateAug 12, 2014

ADHD, substance abuse and conduct disorder develop from the same neurocognitive deficits

Researchers identified three key neurocognitive dimensions: impulsive action, impulsive choice, and reward sensitivity. These dimensions are linked to externalizing problems and can be targeted in interventions. The study suggests prevention and intervention approaches targeting these deficits have potential to impact clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 12, 2014

New analysis reveals tumor weaknesses

Scientists have discovered that chemical modifications of a gene can contribute to cancer. A new method developed by MIT researchers analyzes these modifications to identify the type of tumor and how it will respond to different drugs. The technique could offer a way to choose the best treatment for individual patients.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateAug 12, 2014

Federal Drug Discount Program faces challenges, report finds

The 340B program is facing critical issues such as eligibility definition, compliance, and transparency. RAND researchers estimate that the program accounts for $6 billion in outpatient drug spending and provides savings of $1.6 billion for eligible safety net providers.

SourceRAND Corporation·DateAug 12, 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.

Lead released from African cookware contaminates food

Researchers found nearly all Cameroonian aluminum pots contain high levels of lead, exceeding US guidelines for safe consumption. The study highlights a previously unrecognized source of lead exposure in Africa and Asia.

SourceAshland University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 12, 2014

Dartmouth study demonstrates key brain region in contextual memories

A recent study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that the retrosplenial cortex plays a critical role in forming contextual memories, which enable us to recall events along with their associated physical locations. This breakthrough finding has significant implications for understanding memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.

SourceDartmouth College·DateAug 12, 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.

Infants absorb more than we might think

A new study from Concordia University reveals that infants can categorize objects as animate or inanimate even at 10 months old. The study used a visual habituation paradigm to measure how long babies look at different objects, finding that they can distinguish between natural paths of animals and moving cars.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInfant Behavior and Development·DateAug 12, 2014

Kessler Foundation scientists identify predictors of prospective memory deficit post TBI

Researchers found that rule monitoring, an executive function, facilitates more accurate prospective memory in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study identified predictors of prospective memory deficit post-TBI and highlights the importance of including rule monitoring in clinical assessments.

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society·DateAug 12, 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.

Foam favorable for oil extraction

Researchers at Rice University have found that foam is more effective than water, gas, and surfactant combinations in removing oil from low-permeability formations. Foam's unique properties allow it to penetrate and dislodge oil without losing its effectiveness, making it a promising tool for enhanced oil recovery.

SourceRice University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateAug 12, 2014

Moore quantum materials: Recipe for serendipity

Rice University physicist Emilia Morosan has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to investigate unusual quantum materials. Her research aims to uncover fundamental properties of these compounds, which may lead to new discoveries in condensed matter physics.

SourceRice University·DateAug 12, 2014

Hijacking the brain's blood supply: Tumor discovery could aid treatment

Brain tumors grow exclusively within narrow spaces between and along the brain's thousands of small blood vessels, contrary to the theory of neoangiogenesis. This 'autovascular' growth allows tumor cells to draw energy and fuel their growth like normal brain tissue.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNeoplasia·DateAug 12, 2014

Researchers prove stability of wonder material silicene

A team of international researchers has successfully isolated thick multilayers of silicene and demonstrated its stability in the presence of oxygen for at least 24 hours. The breakthrough allows scientists to further explore the material's properties, which have made silicene a promising candidate for the electronics industry.

SourceIOP Publishing·Journal2D Materials·DateAug 12, 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.

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.

Genetically engineered fruit flies could save crops

Releasing genetically engineered male flies could be an effective way to control the Mediterranean fruit fly, a serious agricultural pest that causes extensive damage to crops. The method works by producing only male offspring, which then mate with local females and pass on a self-limiting trait, resulting in no viable female offspring.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·DateAug 12, 2014

Biomarker could reveal why some develop post-traumatic stress disorder

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital discovered a biomarker linked to PTSD development, centered around the glucocorticoid receptor. This receptor is found in stressed animals with PTSD and may be targeted for new treatments.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 2014

Emergency gallbladder surgery: Do you need it, or can you afford to wait?

A Mayo Clinic study found that 1 in 5 patients who went to the ER with gallbladder pain were sent home to schedule surgery, but returned within a month needing urgent surgery. Younger and older patients, as well as those with other health problems, are likelier to need emergency gallbladder removal.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Surgical Research·DateAug 11, 2014

More intensive interventions needed to combat severe obesity in teens

According to a recent editorial, nearly 6% of US children and teens are severely obese, with a significant increase in prevalence and poor long-term prognosis. Experts recommend more comprehensive strategies, including pharmacotherapy, weight loss surgery, and specialty medical weight management programs.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalChildhood Obesity·DateAug 11, 2014

Bioengineers create functional 3-D brain-like tissue

Researchers have successfully created functional 3D brain-like tissue that exhibits grey-white matter compartmentalization and can survive in the lab for over two months. The tissue displays physical properties similar to rodent brain tissue, enabling scientists to study traumatic brain injury in real-time.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 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.

Novel drug action against solid tumors explained

Researchers have discovered how a drug that starves cancer cells of an essential amino acid kills them. The study's findings suggest using this approach may spare patients from chemotherapy toxicity.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 2014

Follow the radio waves to exomoons, UT Arlington physicists say

Physicists from UT Arlington believe following a trail of radio wave emissions may lead them to the discovery of an exomoon. They suggest using detailed calculations about the Jupiter/Io dynamic to look for radio emissions that could indicate moons orbiting an exoplanet.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 11, 2014

Nanocubes get in a twist

Weizmann Institute scientists have created twisted, rope-like structures from cube-shaped nanoparticles, demonstrating the power of self-assembly in nanomaterials. The findings reveal how competing forces like magnetism and van der Waals forces can align particles into complex shapes.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateAug 11, 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.

Tackling liver injury

A novel complement inhibitor has been found to reduce liver cell death and stimulate post-surgery liver regrowth in mice. The treatment increased survival rates from 0% to 70% even after removing up to 90% of the liver. This breakthrough could represent a new treatment strategy for various liver injuries in humans.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateAug 11, 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.

Ecology could break deadlock between grouse shooting and hen harrier conservation

A study suggests that certain population densities allow for coexistence between grouse shooting and hen harrier conservation. Grouse managers and conservationists agree on a possible compromise using a model that shows room for 70 pairs of harriers at relatively low cost to grouse shooting. This approach could involve removing excess ...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateAug 11, 2014

US lung cancer rates vary by subtype, sex, race/ethnicity, and age

A new analysis reveals that US lung cancer rates are declining overall, but also uncovering previously unrecognized trends related to different subtypes and demographic groups. The study found declining rates for squamous and small cell carcinoma, as well as unspecified lung cancer, among certain populations.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateAug 11, 2014

Can fiction stories make us more empathetic?

Research suggests that exposure to narrative fiction can enhance our ability to understand mental states and empathize with others. Studies have shown that children who read fiction regularly develop better theory-of-mind skills, while adults who engage deeply with stories report higher levels of empathy.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·DateAug 11, 2014

Bone drugs may not protect osteoporotic women from breast cancer

A new study led by researchers at UCSF analyzed the effect of two widely used osteoporosis drugs on breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. The findings suggest that low estrogen levels, rather than the drugs themselves, may be protecting against breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 11, 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.

Neutrino detectors could help curb nuclear weapons activity

A team of scientists from Virginia Tech has proposed using neutrino detectors to monitor plutonium production in Iran's Arak reactor. The technology can detect antineutrinos produced by fission of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, providing high-level monitoring not currently offered by any other technique.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 11, 2014

'Seeing' through virtual touch is believing

A University of Cincinnati experiment using the Enactive Torch found that visually impaired individuals can make accurate judgments about their ability to pass through narrow passages using only touch. The device emits vibrations when detecting objects, allowing users to navigate with greater ease.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 11, 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.

New study reveals the effect of habitat fragmentation on the forest carbon cycle

A new study published in Global Change Biology found that habitat fragmentation significantly alters the cycling of carbon and nutrients in woodland ecosystems. The researchers discovered that drier conditions at the edges of forest patches slow down the decay of dead wood, leading to a reduction in wood decomposition rates.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateAug 11, 2014