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Science News Archive June 2014


Page 13 of 33

Recreational football reduces high blood pressure in mature women

A study of 41 untrained women aged 35-50 with mild high blood pressure found a significant reduction in blood pressure and body fat percentage after 15 weeks of football training. The researchers also found that women like playing football even if they have no previous experience, leading to the creation of their own football club.

LLNL, MIT researchers develop new ultralight, ultrastiff 3D printed materials

Researchers from LLNL and MIT have created ultra-lightweight and stiff mechanical metamaterials using additive micro-manufacturing processes. The new materials exhibit properties not found in nature, maintaining a nearly constant stiffness per unit mass density across more than three orders of magnitude in density.

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.

Tiny molecule could help diagnose and treat mental disorders

Researchers at Weizmann Institute identify microRNA molecule miR135 linked to serotonin system and its role in depression and anxiety disorders. Higher levels of miR135 found in healthy mice resistant to chronic stress, while low levels associated with depressed behavior and weaker response to antidepressants.

Penn study reveals a common genetic link in fatal autoimmune skin disease

A study by Penn Medicine researchers found a common genetic link among patients with pemphigus vulgaris, a blistering skin disease. The researchers identified a particular gene, VH1-46, that was used by PV antibodies across all four patients, suggesting common mechanisms for developing the disease.

New monkey model for AIDS offers promise for medical research

Researchers have developed a new monkey model for AIDS using pigtailed macaques, which can cause full-blown AIDS in primates. The model allows for the study of HIV-1's interaction with host antiviral defenses and has the potential to improve prevention and treatment research.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Diabetes susceptibility gene regulates health of cell's powerhouse

A susceptibility gene for type 1 diabetes has been found to regulate self-destruction of the cell's energy factory. Researchers discovered that this pathway could be targeted for prevention and control of type-1 diabetes and may extend to treatment of other metabolic-associated diseases.

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.

Can we see the arrow of time?

A team of researchers has developed an algorithm that can determine whether a video is running forward or backward with 80% accuracy. The algorithm analyzes subtle visual cues and identifies regions of frames to make its judgments, potentially leading to more realistic graphics in gaming and film.

Tracking how breast cancer spreads: Einstein receives $10M NIH grant

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine will study how breast cancer cells move and spread in the body. They aim to develop a test that predicts which breast cancer tumors will metastasize, based on the presence of a trio of cells called a tumor microenvironment of metastasis.

A new tool to confront lung cancer

Researchers have developed a clinically relevant mouse model for squamous cell lung cancer, driven by the misregulation of genes sox2 and lkb1. The discovery uncovers new treatment strategies and provides insights into potential targeted therapies.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Shortage of cybersecurity professionals poses risk to national security

The US is facing a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals, with demand far outpacing supply, particularly in the federal government. The RAND Corporation study calls for reforms, including waiving civil service rules and increasing funding for education programs to address the issue.

Pharmacy study expects to lower hospital readmissions

Researchers estimate that medication management and counseling by a pharmacist can reduce readmissions by up to 20%. The study, funded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, pairs high-risk patients with community pharmacists to review medications and provide guidance on managing complex disease states.

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.

Collecting light with artificial moth eyes

Empa researchers have developed a microstructure that gathers sunlight on the photoelectrode surface, allowing it to absorb all the energy in the beam. This innovative structure is inspired by the eyes of moths, which collect as much light as possible while reflecting as little as possible.

Quest for education creating graying ghost towns at top of the world

Research reveals that nearly 70% of females ages 15-19 live away from their native villages, leading to a significant outmigration of young people from the highlands. This trend threatens to create graying ghost towns at the top of the world, with population decline predicted to reach 50-60% in the next five decades.

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.

New method to identify inks could help preserve historical documents

Researchers developed a new, non-destructive method to identify many types of inks on various papers and surfaces. The tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) technique can analyze organic colorants with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, making it suitable for preserving valuable cultural heritage treasures.

Re-routing flights could reduce climate impact, research suggests

Researchers found that aircraft can contribute less to global warming by flying routes that avoid forming distinctive condensation trails, or contrails. By doing so, they emit more carbon dioxide but may have a smaller overall climate impact due to the cooling effect of contrails.

Nature's chem lab: How microorganisms manufacture drugs

Understanding the structure and movement within molecular factories in microorganisms enables researchers to design and engineer systems for producing novel drugs. The discovery provides a blueprint for redesigning microbial assembly lines, holding promise for developing new medicines.

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.

Majority of minors engage in sexting, unaware of harsh legal consequences

A study found that over 50% of minors have exchanged explicit text messages, with most unaware of the legal ramifications. Researchers highlight the need for education and specific laws to address this issue. The study revealed a significant relationship between awareness of legal consequences and sexting behavior as minors.

Modeling how neurons work together

Researchers developed a novel theory of how neurons work together during complex movements, revealing a balance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. The new model can accurately reproduce multidimensional movement patterns and may aid in the understanding of brain dynamics.

New manufacturing methods needed for 'soft' machines, robots

Researchers have developed a technique to produce soft machines made of elastic materials and liquid metals using a custom-built 3D printer. The technique enables the creation of strain gauges that can detect high strains and deform with almost any material, making it suitable for wearable technology and sensory skin.

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.

Springer launches comprehensive open access journal

The new journal, Research in the Mathematical Sciences, covers applied math, pure math, and theoretical computer science. It aims to publish high-quality original articles and seminal papers on emerging areas of mathematical research.

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.

Stem pipeline problems to aid STEM diversity

The article highlights the persistent issues with STEM pipeline diversity, citing data showing that underrepresented minority students are less likely to graduate and enter STEM careers. Researchers Andrew G. Campbell and Stacy-Ann Allen-Ramdial propose four ideas to improve the pipeline, including aligning culture and climate, partner...

Unintended danger from antidepressant warnings

A study by Harvard Medical School found that antidepressant prescriptions for young people dropped after FDA warnings, leading to a relative increase in suicide attempts. The researchers suggest that better communication between the FDA, media, and physicians is needed to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.

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.

Counterterrorism, ethics, and global health

The war on terror is incorporating medicine into warfare, undermining population health and exacerbating global health inequities. Humanitarian and health workers face profound moral distress due to being treated as tools in the war on terror.

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.

False negative results found in prognostic testing for breast cancer

A recent study by Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center found that 22 out of 552 women had their tumor type incorrectly classified using conventional HER2 testing. The study confirmed the importance of accurate HER2 testing, as incorrect classification can have significant implications for treatment decisions.

Combatting cuckoos

Researchers at Harvard University discovered that many birds targeted by the Common Cuckoo have evolved recognizable egg patterns to distinguish their own eggs from those laid by cuckoo cheats. These signatures provide a strong defense against cuckoo mimicry, helping host birds reject foreign eggs and protect their broods.

Inflammation in fat tissue helps prevent metabolic disease

Research from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that a level of 'healthy' inflammation is necessary to prevent fatty liver and metabolic diseases. Inflammation helps remodel fat tissue, preventing the buildup of excess lipids in other tissues.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Making smartphones smarter with see-through sensors

Researchers have developed laser-written light-guiding systems for efficient commercial use. The technology allows embedding sensors, including temperature and biometric sensors, into Gorilla Glass to create new real estate in phones. This could enable secure transactions using infrared light and more compact devices.

UEA researchers discover Achilles' heel in antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers at UEA identified a vulnerable gate in Gram-negative bacteria's outer membrane that prevents the transport of barrier-building blocks, making bacteria susceptible to death. This breakthrough could lead to new generation drugs targeting the protective barrier instead of the bacteria itself.

Columbia Engineering team finds thousands of secret keys in Android apps

The Columbia Engineering team found a critical security problem in Google Play, where developers store their secret keys in their apps, making them vulnerable to malicious attacks. The discovery was made using a new tool called PlayDrone, which downloaded over 1.1 million Android apps and identified thousands of secret keys.

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.