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Science News Archive December 2014


Page 4 of 28

Startling benefit of cardiology meetings

Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that high-risk patients admitted to hospitals during cardiology meetings are more likely to survive than on non-meeting days. The study suggests that a less intensive approach for these patients may be beneficial.

Penn researchers model the mechanics of cells' long-range communication

Penn researchers developed mathematical models of collagen matrix stiffness, providing insights into fibrosis, cirrhosis, and certain cancers. The models show that nonlinear elasticity can arise from the ECM's fibrous structure, allowing for long-range force transmission and bridging formation.

Study finds cardiorespiratory fitness improves memory among older adults

A recent study published in Journal of Gerontology reveals that cardiorespiratory fitness has a positive impact on long-term memory in older adults. The research found that participants with higher levels of physical fitness performed better on cognitive tasks and showed improved executive function.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New concussion laws result in big jump in concussion treatment

A University of Michigan study found a 92% increase in children seeking medical assistance for concussions in states with concussion laws. The legislation, combined with heightened public awareness, has led to significant increases in concussion treatment rates among school-age athletes.

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.

Diverse autism mutations lead to different disease outcomes

A large-scale analysis of hundreds of patients and nearly 1000 genes found that diverse genetic mutations lead to different disease outcomes in autism spectrum disorder. The study revealed that more damaging mutations usually result in worse outcomes, while high-IQ cases are often triggered by milder mutations.

Hands on: Crafting ultrathin color coatings

Scientists have developed a technique to coat metallic objects with an extremely thin layer of semiconductor, producing vibrant optical effects on paper and other flexible materials. The ultrathin coatings can produce bright, solid colors using the same two metals, applied with only a few atoms' difference in thickness.

Russian scientists 'map' water vapor in Martian atmosphere

Researchers from Russia and international partners map water vapor distribution on Mars, revealing seasonal variations and global sandstorm impacts. Water vapor concentrations peak at 60-70 microns during northern summer, decreasing significantly during sandstorms.

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.

Ecosystems need maths not random nature to survive

Researchers discovered a universal mathematical property called Trophic Coherence that explains how ecosystems maintain stability and grow larger, unlike previous thought. This finding has implications for conservation efforts and may apply to finance and engineering fields.

The psychology of gift-giving and receiving

Researchers studied gift-giving, focusing on picky recipients, who are less motivated to shop for. Gift cards hit a sweet spot as a flexible alternative to cash. Personalized gifts can be problematic if they're not versatile; givers should focus on recipient preferences rather than traits.

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.

Store remodelling benefits bottom line

Research from Monash University found that store remodelling increases retail sales by nearly 50%, with new customers driving a 43-44% increase in sales. Existing customers see a 7-10% boost. The study suggests remodelling should be viewed as a marketing investment to retain and attract new customers.

PNAS study: Devising a way to count proteins as they group

Researchers have developed a theoretical methodology to solve the 'counting problem,' allowing for the analysis of protein groups in living cells. The study's findings could lead to advancements in disease diagnosis and understanding of protein function.

Fast-food consumption linked to lower test score gains in 8th graders

A nationwide study suggests that frequent fast-food consumption in fifth grade is associated with lower reading, math, and science test scores by eighth grade. Researchers controlled for various factors, including exercise, TV watching, family socioeconomic status, and neighborhood characteristics, to find this link.

UTA physicist offers new research, tool for identifying habitable zones

A University of Texas at Arlington astrophysicist has created a new online tool called BinHab that can calculate the regions of binary systems favorable for life. The tool uses a comprehensive mathematical approach to consider both stellar radiation and gravitational influence, directly relevant to NASA's Kepler mission.

Muddy forests, shorter winters present challenges for loggers

A study finds that frozen ground has declined by an average of two to three weeks since 1948, impacting logging operations. The decline is linked to climate change, causing uncertainty in winter harvests and increased costs for equipment and insurance.

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.

Smoke signals: New evidence links air pollution to congenital defects

A nationwide study in Israel found exposure to air pollutants PM10 and NOX during full-term pregnancies is associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. The research also discovered that exposure to SO2 and O3 in ART pregnancies are linked to a higher risk of congenital defects.

Tales from a Martian rock

A new study of the ALH84001 Martian meteorite provides valuable insights into Mars' early climate and potential habitability. The analysis suggests that smaller seas existed on Mars billions of years ago, rather than vast oceans.

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.

Patient outcomes when cardiologists are away at national meetings

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that cardiologists' absence at national meetings did not negatively impact patient outcomes. High-risk patients with heart failure or cardiac arrest experienced lower 30-day mortality when admitted during meeting dates.

Researchers discover new genetic anomalies in lung cancer

Researchers discovered new gene fusions in lung cancers with worse outcomes than patients with fewer fusions. The study identified several new genetic anomalies, including those found in smokers, which could be targets for developing new treatments.

Skin patch could help heal, prevent diabetic ulcers, study finds

Researchers have developed a safe and effective skin patch to deliver a drug that enhances the healing of diabetes-related ulcers. The patch has been shown to accelerate wound healing and prevent ulcer formation in mice, offering new hope for millions of people with diabetes.

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.

Acoustic tweezers manipulate cell-to-cell contact

Researchers develop acoustic tweezers that can precisely position groups of cells for study, eliminating the risk of cell damage. The device achieves a throughput of thousands of cells and enables precise control over cell-to-cell contact, paving the way for studies on cellular communication and information transfer.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Light-emitting e-readers detrimentally shift circadian clock

Researchers found that reading from light-emitting e-readers before bed suppresses melatonin release and shifts the circadian clock, leading to longer sleep latency and reduced REM sleep. Exposure to short-wavelength-enriched blue light disrupts natural sleep patterns.

Study: Extra income boosts health of elderly in poor countries

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that providing additional $67 per month to elderly residents in poor countries improves their health outcomes. Participants who received this supplement showed significant improvements in lung function and memory, as well as increased access to healthcare services.

Study pumps up the volume on understanding of marine invertebrate hearing

A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers has identified the acoustic range and minimum sound sensitivity of cuttlefish. The study found that cuttlefish hear in the same frequency range as fish and can react to sounds in a graded manner, using different behaviors to avoid predators.

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.

New technology makes tissues, someday maybe organs

A new instrument called BioP3 allows assembly of larger structures from small living microtissue components, potentially making whole organs like livers or kidneys. The device uses pre-assembled living building parts with functional shapes and a thousand times more cells per part.

Study: An alternative for pain control after knee replacement surgery

A new study found that injecting liposomal bupivacaine during knee replacement surgery reduces pain scores and improves knee function compared to traditional methods. The injection technique optimizes early pain control without side effects, allowing patients to walk comfortably within hours after surgery.

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.

Reducing emergency surgery cuts health care costs

Reducing emergency surgery for common procedures like abdominal aortic aneurysm repair and coronary artery bypass graft can save healthcare costs. Elective surgeries result in lower mortality rates and better patient outcomes compared to emergency surgeries.

New technique reveals immune cell motion

Researchers developed a new technique to study neutrophil motion in confined spaces, revealing a second mode of motion that doesn't rely on integrins. The findings suggest that physical confinement is key to reproducing this motion and may lead to the development of new drugs to optimize neutrophil movement in specific tissue types.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Scientists reveal breakthrough in optical fiber communications

Scientists from the University of Southampton have developed a novel approach to generate spectrally-efficient modulation format signals using direct current modulated lasers. This innovation avoids costly external modulator schemes, reducing power consumption and increasing efficiency.

National Academy of Inventors publishes annual meeting proceedings

The National Academy of Inventors has published a special issue of Technology and Innovation featuring presentations from the Third Annual Conference, including topics such as pharmacy and nanotechnology. The conference attracted 250 inventors and featured presentations by distinguished scientists and innovators.

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.

Family criticizing your weight? You might add more pounds

A new study by Professor Christine Logel from the University of Waterloo found that women who received positive weight acceptance messages from their loved ones maintained or lost weight, while those who faced criticism gained almost 4.5 pounds on average.

The state of shale

Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have contributed three studies to a special issue of the journal Energy Technology, focusing on smart wells, wastewater management, and information gaps related to shale gas drilling. The research aims to improve extraction through wireless communication and safely reuse drilling wastewater.

Alaska fish adjust to climate change by following the food

A new study reveals that Dolly Varden, a char species in southeast Alaska, have successfully adjusted their migrations to follow the timing of salmon spawning, ensuring access to a key food source. This adaptability suggests that at least some species may be more resilient to climate-induced changes in migration timing.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A vegetarian carnivorous plant

Researchers discovered that aquatic bladderworts like Utricularia consume a wide range of prey, including algae and pollen, in addition to small animals. This diverse diet provides essential nutrients for the plant's survival and growth.

Quantum physics just got less complicated

A team of researchers has proved that two features of the quantum world are different manifestations of the same thing. They found that 'wave-particle duality' is simply the quantum 'uncertainty principle' in disguise, reducing two mysteries to one.

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.