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Science News Archive August 2014 - Page 28


Page 28 of 31

Genetic testing of tumor is recommended for colorectal cancer patients

The US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends genetic testing of tumors for all newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients with a familial risk of the disease. Genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome and direct management for affected individuals, as well as family members.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateAug 5, 2014

Baby aspirin? Many doctors don't recommend, despite guidelines

A study found that only 34% of men and 42% of women were told to take daily low-dose aspirin for heart attack prevention. The disconnect may be due to time constraints and uncertainty about therapy's benefits versus potential harms. Expanded primary care teams could help improve guideline adherence.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateAug 5, 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.

Common chemical in mothers may negatively affect the IQ of their unborn children

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that women with high levels of perchlorate during pregnancy may have children with below-average IQs. Perchlorate, a common chemical contaminant, can affect thyroid function and lead to hypothyroidism, which is associated with cognitive impairment.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateAug 5, 2014

NASA sees heavy rain in Hurricane Iselle as it heads toward Hawaii

TRMM satellite data revealed extreme rainfall rates of almost 182 mm per hour in Hurricane Iselle's eye wall, making it a category four hurricane at the time. The storm is expected to weaken as it heads westward into the Central Pacific Ocean and may make landfall over the Big Island as a tropical storm.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 5, 2014

LEDs made from 'wonder material' perovskite

A hybrid form of perovskite has been used to make high-brightness LEDs with a simple and scalable process, potentially replacing conventional methods. The results could provide a lot of value to the flat-panel display industry.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 5, 2014
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.

The interaction of climate change, fire, and forests in the US

A special journal section assesses regional interactions between climate change, fire, and forests in the US, providing insights into projected changes and ecosystem services. The goal is to inform forest management choices and policy responses to mitigate these impacts.

SourceUSDA Forest Service ‑ Southern Research Station·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateAug 5, 2014

The next graphene?

A team of UC Riverside engineers will characterize, analyze, and synthesize van der Waals materials for novel electronic devices, optical detectors, and energy conversion systems. The research aims to produce new material synthesis techniques and enable practical applications in ultra-thin film materials.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 5, 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.

Obesity paradox in survival from sepsis

A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine found that heavier patients are more likely to survive sepsis, a life-threatening infection. This obesity paradox challenges conventional wisdom and may improve care for all patients with sepsis and other critical illnesses.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateAug 5, 2014

Social networking is key to helping bugs spread, study shows

Researchers used mathematical models and genetic analysis to discover that cooperative bacteria are better equipped to adapt to environments, increasing their ability to infect multiple species. This knowledge could help predict and manage health threats from animal-borne diseases.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 5, 2014

Pistachios may lower vascular response to stress in type 2 diabetes

Researchers found that consuming two servings of pistachios per day lowered vascular constriction during stress and improved neural control of the heart in adults with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. The pistachio diet also showed improvements in sleep blood pressure, vascular response to stress, and vagal control of the heart.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateAug 5, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A new 'whey' to control diabetes

A new study suggests that consuming whey protein before meals can reduce blood sugar spikes and improve the body's insulin response in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 production is increased, stimulating insulin secretion and reducing glucose rise after meals.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalDiabetologia·DateAug 5, 2014

Grizzly research offers surprising insights into diabetes-obesity link

Researchers studying grizzly bears have discovered a natural state of diabetes that serves a biological purpose and is reversible. Grizzlies become diabetic only weeks after hibernation, but then recover when they wake up in the spring. The study reveals how natural biology can teach us about animal coping mechanisms with diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·DateAug 5, 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.

No apparent link between sleep apnea and cancer: Large study

A large cohort study of 10,149 patients found no apparent causal link between obstructive sleep apnea and cancer development. However, researchers discovered that low oxygen levels were linked to an increased risk of smoking-related cancers.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 5, 2014

Year-round preventive treatment reduces malaria risk in young children

A year-round preventive drug treatment substantially reduces young children's risk of contracting malaria, with no serious adverse events reported. The study found that a monthly dose of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine was the most effective at reducing malaria risk in children from 6 months to 24 months of age.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateAug 5, 2014

George W. Kattawar selected as 2014 Jerlov Award recipient

Dr. Kattawar's work on polarization and radiative transfer theory has advanced knowledge of the ocean's nature and consequences of light. He has received numerous teaching awards, mentored over 40 students, and served on academic advisory committees.

SourceThe Oceanography Society·DateAug 5, 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.

New hospital screening tool helps find children at nutritional risk easier, study finds

A new hospital screening tool, Pediatric Nutrition Screening Tool (PNST), has been found to be effective in identifying children at nutritional risk. The PNST identified 37.6% of patients as being at nutritional risk, compared to 34.2% with the existing pediatric Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment (SGNA).

SourceAmerican Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.)·JournalJournal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition·DateAug 5, 2014

Surprise discovery could see graphene used to improve health

Researchers from Monash University discovered that graphene oxide sheets can change structure to become liquid crystal droplets spontaneously. This opens up possibilities for its use in drug delivery and disease detection, potentially paving the way for new methods of detecting toxins.

SourceMonash University·JournalChemical Communications·DateAug 5, 2014

Planet-like object may have spent its youth as hot as a star

The Y dwarf WISE J0304-2705 is an extremely cool object, currently at 200-300°F (100-150°C), which may have spent its youth as hot as a star. Its unusual features suggest it could be an ancient object with a diverse history.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateAug 5, 2014

New information on transcranial ultrasound therapy

The study found that skull-base heating can result in hazardous temperature elevations when sonications are performed close to the skull-base. Three new methods to counteract this phenomenon were developed. Additionally, the formation of standing-waves is greatly reduced with specifically designed large-area ultrasound transducers.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology·DateAug 4, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Lung cancer diagnosis tool shown to be safe and effective for older patients

A recent study has shown that a lung cancer diagnosis tool can be used safely in elderly patients, allowing doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and choose appropriate treatments. The tool, known as EBUS-TBNA, is effective for assessing whether a patient's tumour has spread to the lymph nodes.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateAug 4, 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.

New insights into why adolescents carry meningitis-causing bacteria

University of York scientists have discovered a novel metabolic pathway in Neisseria meningitidis that explains why this age group is particularly at risk of infection. The bacteria can supplement its growth via metabolism of propionic acid, generated by anaerobic bacteria becoming more prevalent in adolescents.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalMolecular Microbiology·DateAug 4, 2014

WSU researchers see violent era in ancient Southwest

Archaeologists at WSU document a bloody period of violence (1140-1180) in central Mesa Verde, Colorado, in contrast to nearby northern Rio Grande region. The study highlights factors like specialization and social structures that may have contributed to the differences in levels of violence.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateAug 4, 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.

Children in immigrant families more likely to be sedentary

Children of immigrants from all racial and ethnic backgrounds have lower levels of physical activity than U.S.-born white children. Asian immigrant children are nearly three times as likely to have low levels of physical activity, while Hispanic and unspecified ethnicity children are nearly two times as likely.

SourceRice University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateAug 4, 2014

Evolutionary explanation for why some lessons more easily learned than others

Researchers uncover the evolutionary roots of animals' ability to quickly absorb critical life lessons, a phenomenon known as the Garcia Effect. The study found that statistical reliability across generations determines what animals can learn and what they can't, with different environments favoring specific associations.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2014

For-profit home care agencies cost Medicare extra, yet provide worse care: Health Affairs

A nationwide study published in Health Affairs reveals that for-profit home health agencies are significantly more expensive for Medicare than nonprofit agencies, with operating costs accounting for $752 of the difference. Despite their higher costs, for-profits delivered lower-quality care, with patients experiencing more repeat hospi...

SourcePhysicians for a National Health Program·JournalHealth Affairs·DateAug 4, 2014

Quantitative volumetric analysis of the optic radiation in the normal human brain

Researchers from Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science used diffusion tensor imaging to analyze the optic radiation in 13 healthy volunteers. The study found that the optic radiation fiber tract volume was approximately 0.16% and fractional anisotropy value was about 0.53, enabling accurate detection of probability pathways.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateAug 4, 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.

Version 2.0 of Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator now online, complete with emojis

The prostate cancer risk calculator has been updated to provide a more nuanced result, helping men understand their risk of low-grade and high-grade prostate cancer. The new calculator incorporates current risk factors and an advanced statistical model to distinguish between the prediction of low-grade and high-grade disease.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA·DateAug 4, 2014

3-D printing finds its 'sweet spot' through 'nifty shades of gray'

Researchers at the University of Sheffield discover 'sweet spot' in 3D printing by manipulating ink density and strength. By printing in greyscale, they can maximize strength while reducing weight, opening up applications in aerospace, automotive, and sports footwear industries.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·DateAug 4, 2014

No-power Wi-Fi connectivity could fuel internet of things reality

University of Washington engineers have designed a new communication system that uses radio frequency signals as a power source and reuses existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to provide Internet connectivity. This technology, called Wi-Fi backscatter, enables battery-free devices to connect to the internet, overcoming a major hurdle in the w...

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateAug 4, 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.

Safety concerns about new drugs revealed

A recent study found that 32% of newer drugs received a black box warning or were withdrawn for safety reasons, compared to 21.2% of older drugs. The study suggests that the FDA's expedited approval process may have led to the release of unsafe drugs.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalHealth Affairs·DateAug 4, 2014

Protein ZEB1 promotes breast tumor resistance to radiation therapy

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that protein ZEB1 helps breast cancer cells repair DNA damage caused by radiation therapy, making them more resistant to treatment. This finding has significant implications for the development of new treatments targeting ZEB1 and other proteins involved in radioresistance.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateAug 4, 2014

Crowdsourcing may help dieters lose weight

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that crowdsourced ratings of food pictures by app users are comparable to those given by trained experts. This suggests that crowdsourcing may be a viable way to improve adherence to dietary self-monitoring and support weight loss.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of the American Medical Informatics Association·DateAug 4, 2014

Wildfires consume parts of eastern Russia

A blanket of heavy smoke covers dozens of wildfires in remote eastern Russia areas caused by lightning strikes. The fires spread rapidly, covering the landscape with no apparent stopping point.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 4, 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.

Blood-oxytocin levels in normal range in children with autism, study finds

A new study from Stanford Medicine found that blood-oxytocin levels are within the normal range in children with autism. The researchers discovered that higher oxytocin levels are linked to better social functioning in all groups, including those with autism, their siblings, and unrelated children.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2014

Turning cancer to fat, drunk fruit flies among projects

UH undergrads worked on diverse projects tackling cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and contact lens issues. Researchers explored ways to convert cancer cells into fat cells, analyzed neural activity effects of alcohol, and created a Lego-building guide app.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateAug 4, 2014
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.

Learning how things fall apart

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to study bonding failures in materials, revealing the crucial role of moisture in setting the stage for failure. The findings could lead to the design of more durable composites and prediction of their strength under specific conditions.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2014