Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2014 - Page 18


Page 18 of 34

Asteroid Vesta to reshape theories of planet formation

Researchers have redefined the asteroid Vesta's internal structure based on Dawn data and simulations, questioning previous models of rocky planet formation. The study found that Vesta's crust is 3 times thicker than expected and lacks olivine, a mineral common in planetary mantles.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 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.

Study: Climate-cooling arctic lakes soak up greenhouse gases

Researchers found that arctic thermokarst lakes switch from a net radiative warming to a net cooling climate effect about 5000 years ago. The lakes' carbon uptake rates are among the highest in the world due to the fertilization of mosses and other plants by thawing permafrost.

SourceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2014

Promising medication counteracts constipation caused by opioid painkillers

A new drug, naloxegol, has shown promising results in relieving constipation caused by opioid painkillers. The once-a-day pill maintains opioids' pain-killing effect and blocks their effects in the bowels without diminishing pain relief, offering relief to millions of patients experiencing chronic severe pain.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 16, 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.

Tracking the breakup of Arctic summer sea ice

Researchers are monitoring the physics of the ice edge in the Beaufort Sea to better understand and predict open water in Arctic seas. The international effort aims to study how processes drive sea ice melt will change with increasing open water.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateJul 16, 2014

What do Google searches tell us about our climate change fears?

A study found that people search for climate information during extreme weather events, with Republicans seeking info during hot spells and Democrats during temperature changes. This suggests a connection between individual experiences of weather and their perceived threat of climate change.

SourceSpringer·JournalClimatic Change·DateJul 16, 2014

Poor sleep quality linked to lower physical activity in people with PTSD

A new study reveals that individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who experience poor sleep quality are more likely to exhibit lower physical activity. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, suggests a potential behavioral pathway from disturbed sleep to negative health outcomes such as obesity.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJul 16, 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.

Research connects pregnancy loss and cardiovascular disease

A recent study analyzing data from 77,701 women found that those who experienced a history of miscarriage or stillbirth had a higher risk of coronary heart disease later in adulthood. Women with two or more miscarriages were found to have an odds ratio of 1.18 for coronary heart disease compared to those with no miscarriages.

SourceCare New England·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 16, 2014

Live kidney donors face 'pointless' insurance troubles

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that healthy living kidney donors often face pointless insurance hurdles after donation. Despite being heavily screened before approval, these donors are frequently denied or charged higher premiums for life insurance, highlighting the need for better support systems.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJul 16, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The race is on to power the next generation of electric cars

Several companies are racing to develop new battery technologies for electric vehicles, including sodium-ion and lithium-metal options. These alternatives could potentially improve range and reduce costs, making them more viable for mass production.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJul 16, 2014

New study links dredging to diseased corals

Researchers found more than twice as much coral disease at dredging sites compared to control sites, highlighting a direct link between dredging and coral disease. Dredging impacts corals by reducing light for photosynthesis and interfering with feeding, leading to chronic stress and increased disease prevalence.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 2014

Marijuana dependence alters the brain's response to drug paraphernalia

A study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that marijuana-dependent individuals' brains respond differently to drug-related cues compared to non-dependent users. The research used fMRI scans to reveal altered brain activity patterns, which may inform tailored addiction treatment strategies.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJul 16, 2014
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.

Cases of drug-resistant superbug significantly rise in southeastern US

A new study reports a significant increase in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cases in community hospitals across the Southeastern US. The rise is attributed to factors such as increased antibiotic use, transmission between facilities, and inadequate laboratory detection protocols.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJul 16, 2014

Organismal biologists needed to interpret new trees of life

Rapidly accumulating molecular sequence data is changing our understanding of major animal groups' evolution. Organismal biologists are needed to ensure their scenarios remain consistent with new information and evaluate alternative perspectives.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateJul 16, 2014

No-wait data centers

A new network-management system, Fastpass, can reduce average queue length of routers in a Facebook data center by 99.6 percent and shrink latency nearly as much. By using a central server called an arbiter, the system efficiently assigns transmission times to nodes in the network.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 16, 2014

Improving tumor radiation therapy: When basic ions break DNA down

Scientists have discovered new fragmentation pathways that occur universally when DNA strands are exposed to metal ions, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. This finding could contribute to optimizing cancerous tumour therapy by improving understanding of how radiation interacts with complex DNA structures.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateJul 16, 2014

Worm study provides hope for deadly disease of the brain

Researchers have successfully treated a neurodegenerative disease in worms using resveratrol, which could lead to new treatments for humans. The disease, adult onset neuronal lipofuscinosis, affects only 1 in 100,000 people and has no known cure.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateJul 16, 2014
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.

Study: Smoking may contribute to suicide risk

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that cigarette smokers are more likely to commit suicide than non-smokers. Implementing higher taxes on cigarettes and stricter smoking policies led to a 15% decline in suicide rates relative to the national average.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateJul 16, 2014

Elsevier announces the launch of open access journal: Bone Reports

Elsevier has launched Bone Reports, an open access journal publishing research articles and case reports on basic, translational, and clinical aspects of bone and mineral metabolism. The journal aims to publish reproducibility studies and null findings, complementing its sister journal Bone.

SourceElsevier·JournalBone Reports·DateJul 16, 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.

Borneo deforested 30 percent over past 40 years

Forest cover in Borneo declined by up to 30% between 1973 and 2010, with logging and fire contributing to the loss. The study analyzed LANDSAT satellite images to understand long-term forest change patterns, aiming to aid conservation planning.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 2014

New view of Rainier's volcanic plumbing

Scientists have created a detailed picture of Mount Rainier's deep volcanic plumbing, revealing a partly molten rock reservoir approximately 30 percent molten. The study used both seismic imaging and magnetotelluric measurements to capture the melting process that feeds magma into the crustal reservoir.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature·DateJul 16, 2014

New knowledge about the brain's effective bouncer

Researchers have recreated the complex blood-brain barrier in a laboratory model to study the obstreperous bouncer proteins that protect the brain. The model can be used to test drive difficult ways into the brain and investigate complex phenomena in simple experiments.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalThe AAPS Journal·DateJul 16, 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.

ORNL, UTGSM study compares structures of Huntington's disease protein

A study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory reveals structural differences between normal and diseased forms of the huntingtin protein, which is involved in Huntington's disease. The researchers used neutron scattering to compare the structures over time, finding key discrepancies that support a growing focus on amyloid disorders.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJul 16, 2014

Dozens of fires plague Oregon

Multiple wildfires are burning in Oregon, threatening private property, livestock, and agriculture lands. The fires, fueled by lightning strikes and hot, windy conditions, have burned over 90,000 acres in the state's forest areas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 16, 2014

Even mild traumatic brain injury may cause brain damage

A study published in Neurology found that even mild traumatic brain injury can cause brain damage and disrupt nerve axons in white matter. Cognitive tests showed a 25% decline in verbal letter fluency task scores for patients with injuries, strongly related to imaging measures of white matter damage.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJul 16, 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.

Walking on all fours is not backward evolution, study shows

A new study by Liza Shapiro at the University of Texas at Austin contradicts earlier claims that quadrupedal humans are a product of backward evolution. The research, published in PLOS One, shows that people with Uner Tan Syndrome (UTS) walk on all fours but use lateral sequences, not diagonal patterns characteristic of nonhuman primates.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 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.

The 'obesity paradox': Cardiovascular mortality lowest among overweight patients

Emerging data suggests that being overweight may actually protect patients from cardiovascular mortality, with the risk of total and cardiovascular mortality highest among underweight individuals. Higher body mass index (BMI) has been associated with more favorable outcomes in many acute and chronic disease states.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateJul 16, 2014

Study examines shift in resuscitation practices in military combat hospitals

The study analyzed data from combat hospitals and found that damage control resuscitation policies led to a decrease in average crystalloid infusion volume and increased use of fresh frozen plasma. This shift resulted in better survival outcomes for severely injured patients, particularly those with severe head trauma.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJul 16, 2014

Intrathecal bumetanide has analgesic effects through inhibition of NKCC1

A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that intrathecal bumetanide increases NKCC1 expression and decreases KCC2 expression in spinal cord neurons of rats with incisional pain. This suggests that intrathecal bumetanide may have analgesic effects through inhibition of NKCC1.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJul 16, 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.

NIH scientists identify gene linked to fatal inflammatory disease in children

Researchers have identified a gene linked to STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), a devastating autoinflammatory condition. Repurposed drugs, such as tofacitinib and ruxolitinib, show therapeutic potential in laboratory studies and are currently being studied in children with the disease.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 16, 2014

Efficient structures help build a sustainable future

The study reveals that steel cable structures have a significantly lower environmental impact, with 29% less mass and 65.1% less embodied energy than traditional truss systems. This finding highlights the importance of material selection in reducing construction's environmental damage.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Architectural Engineering·DateJul 16, 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.

National Psoriasis Foundation awards $1.05 million in research grants

The National Psoriasis Foundation has awarded $1.05 million in research grants to 13 scientists studying new treatments and a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The grants will support projects focused on translating laboratory findings into improved treatments and methods for managing the diseases.

SourceNational Psoriasis Foundation·DateJul 16, 2014

Are ants the answer to carbon dioxide sequestration?

A 25-year-long study reveals that ants can accelerate mineral decay, which may help geoengineer accelerated CO2 consumption. The researchers suggest that understanding ant-mineral interactions could offer a solution to sequestering CO2 from the atmosphere.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateJul 16, 2014

Recommendations prioritize strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia

The new document highlights basic prevention strategies for adult patients, including avoiding intubation and minimizing sedation. For pediatric and neonatal patients, the guidance emphasizes regular oral care and elevating the head of the bed to reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJul 16, 2014

Researchers demonstrate health risks posed by 'third hand' tobacco smoke

A new study estimates the potential cancer risk by age group for non-dietary ingestion and dermal exposure to third hand tobacco smoke. The results indicate potentially severe long-term consequences, particularly to children, with cancer risks exceeding EPA recommendations in three-quarters of smokers' homes.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEnvironment International·DateJul 16, 2014

Tooth plaque provides insight into our prehistoric ancestors' diet

A new study reveals that prehistoric humans consumed purple nut sedge for at least 7,000 years, demonstrating their understanding of nutritional and medicinal properties. The analysis of dental calculus from ancient human teeth found evidence of cooking, plant processing, and the use of this plant as a food source.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 16, 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.

NASA sees Typhoon Rammasun exit the Philippines

Typhoon Rammasun passed through central Philippines, bringing soaking rains and powerful thunderstorms to the region. The storm made landfall near Legazpi City on July 15 with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 16, 2014

Preeclampsia may share cause with disorders such as Alzheimer's

Researchers have identified a connection between misfolded proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease and preeclampsia, potentially leading to improved diagnostic methods. A new urine test using Congo Red dye has already shown promise in identifying the presence and severity of preeclampsia.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJul 16, 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.