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Science News Archive March 2014


Page 13 of 34

Breast cancer patients in need of more psychological support

A new study suggests that breast cancer patients require additional psychological support, particularly regarding concerns about their children. The research highlights the importance of addressing these worries to improve overall quality of life and rehabilitation outcomes.

When waters rise: NASA improves flood safety

NASA's Earth-observing satellites provide detailed images of flood-affected areas, enabling better mapping of flood extent and risk assessment. The agency's new missions, such as GPM and SMAP, will further enhance flood monitoring and forecasting by providing unprecedented data on precipitation rates and soil moisture.

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.

Interpreting neuroimages: The technology and its limits

The Hastings Center special report examines the capabilities and limitations of neuroimages in biomedical research, medicine, and courtrooms. Key findings include concerns about overinterpretation, misapplication, and the lack of direct neural activity shown by neuroimaging techniques.

Obesity: Not just what you eat

Researchers found that fat cells expand with disuse, causing accelerated growth of lipid droplets and altering the environment of surrounding cells. This discovery offers new insights into the development of obesity and potential solutions to prevent or reverse fat gain.

Safety first, children

A University of Iowa study found that mothers and children often disagree on the danger of situations, but mothers can bring their child's thinking around with effective conversations. Mothers use a specific tactic to explain why a situation is dangerous, focusing on present features rather than potential outcomes.

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.

Prêt-à-fabriquer: Real-time simulation of textiles

Researchers at Fraunhofer IGD have developed a real-time simulation software that allows designers to create clothes in seconds, incorporating changes quickly and frequently. The technology is set to revolutionize the fashion industry by making virtualization a precondition for clothing production of tomorrow.

School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine found that school hearing tests cannot effectively detect noise exposure-induced high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents. The tests primarily focus on low-frequency hearing loss and may not accurately identify hearing issues caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises.

Einstein helps establish $28 million consortium to find ebola treatment

Researchers at Einstein will focus on discovering new immunotherapeutic candidates against Ebola and Marburg viruses, while another group will assess how well each antibody works. The project aims to advance treatments for hemorrhagic fever viruses, which cause severe diseases with high mortality rates.

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.

3-D model links facial features and DNA

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new method to link genetic markers with facial features, allowing for the extraction of individual gene effects on facial shape. This breakthrough could lead to improved forensic analysis and better understanding of human genetics.

Making life simpler for control freaks

Two brothers propose that all complex systems fall into just three basic categories, enabling control through understanding critical control points. This framework has implications for controlling economic systems, biological processes, and social networks.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Excessive deer populations hurt native plant biodiversity

A study by researchers from the University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh finds that high deer populations facilitate garlic mustard population explosion while suppressing native trillium plants. Deer exclusion reversed invasive species growth, supporting an ecological theory where native plants exert biotic resistance.

Potential lung cancer vaccine shows renewed promise

A study by UC Davis researchers found that the investigational cancer vaccine tecemotide, when administered with cisplatin, boosted immune response and reduced the number of tumors in mice with lung cancer. The vaccine also increased interferon gamma levels and stimulated production of killer T-lymphocytes.

New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease

Researchers have developed a new tool that combines genetic and epigenetic data to identify the underlying causes of complex diseases. By analyzing overlapping patterns, scientists can pinpoint specific genetic variants linked to conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders.

Diet of elusive red widow spider revealed by MU biologist

Researchers have shed light on the red widow spider's restricted diet, revealing it primarily preys upon five species of scarab beetles endemic to the Florida scrub habitat. This finding highlights the need for habitat conservation efforts in this unique ecosystem.

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.

Obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on cancer outcomes

Research finds that obese patients have a higher risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Diabetes also affects cancer outcomes, particularly in hormone receptor-positive tumours, increasing the risk of death from all causes by 49%.

Loblolly pine's immense genome conquered

The draft genome of the loblolly pine, seven times bigger than the human genome, has been completed using a faster analytical process. The sequencing provides a better understanding of plant evolution and diversity, as well as gene locations involved in fighting off pathogens.

Study reveals a major mechanism driving kidney cancer progression

Researchers found that hypoxia stimulates the mislocation of SPOP to the cytoplasm, promoting rapid tumor growth. This shift enables SPOP to degrade key tumor-suppressor proteins, such as PTEN, leading to cancer progression. Understanding this mechanism may lead to new therapeutic approaches.

Humans can distinguish at least 1 trillion different odors

Researchers have found that humans are capable of discriminating between an vast number of complex odors, with estimates suggesting at least 1 trillion possible scents. This new understanding challenges the long-held assumption that humans can only detect around 10,000 different smells.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Face it: Instagram pictures with faces are more popular

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology found that Instagram photos with human faces are 38% more likely to receive likes and 32% more likely to attract comments. The study, one of the first to examine engagement on image-sharing communities, also found that posting frequency and follower count can impact engagement.

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.

Computers see through faked expressions of pain better than people

A joint study found that a computer system can detect fake facial expressions of pain more accurately than humans. The research team developed a pattern-recognition algorithm that identifies distinctive dynamic features of facial movements, which are often missed by human observers.

New study shows we work harder when we are happy

Researchers found that happiness significantly increases productivity in the workplace, with participants producing 12% more work under happy conditions. The study suggests that employers can improve employee satisfaction and boost productivity by implementing employee support programs.

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.

Older, active, confident stroke caregivers are happiest

A recent study found that active, older caregivers who continue to engage in hobbies and activities are happier after caring for a loved one with a stroke. These caregivers were also better physically healthy and provided higher levels of assistance to the stroke survivor.

Early detection of Alzheimer's disease made possible by analyzing spinal fluid

Researchers have developed a new technology to detect misfolded protein fragments, known as Aβ oligomers, in cerebrospinal fluid that could lead to early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The test showed high sensitivity and specificity, distinguishing between Alzheimer's patients and those with other neurodegenerative disorders.

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.

Scientists discover potential way to make graphene superconducting

Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.

Low levels of oxygen, nitric oxide worsen sickle cell disease

Researchers found that low oxygen and nitric oxide levels increase red blood cell adhesion to blood vessel walls, leading to debilitating pain crises in sickle cell patients. Restoring normal nitric oxide levels can substantially reduce this adhesion, making it a potentially new therapeutic target.

E3-production -- sustainable manufacturing

Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute develop new technologies to conserve energy and resources in manufacturing processes, including a mobile environment monitoring box and smart devices. Pilot applications will be tested in four locations by 2016 to raise awareness of sustainable production issues.

Tracking urban change and flood risk with Landsat satellite

The Landsat satellite helps track urban change, which impacts a community's flood risk, using data from NASA and the US Geological Survey. Urbanization increases flood risk as impermeable surfaces absorb water, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

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.

Scientists find mechanism to reset body clock

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a new mechanism that governs how body clocks react to changes in the environment. The enzyme casein kinase 1epsilon (CK1epsilon) controls how easily the body's clock can be adjusted or reset by environmental cues such as light and temperature.

As age-friendly technologies emerge, experts recommend policy changes

The Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy & Aging Report highlights the need for policy changes to optimize technology use by older adults. The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration between business, government, and non-profits to develop a next-generation technology-enabled aging services workforce.

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.

Stem cell study finds source of earliest blood cells during development

A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports identified the earliest arising hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) precursors based on their ability to generate all major blood cell types. This discovery may be beneficial for creating purer, cleaner populations of these precursor cells for clinical treatments.

Deaths from breast cancer fall in Europe

Breast cancer mortality rates in Europe have decreased from 1989 to 2010 due to improved treatments and enhanced access to care. However, notable variations between countries remain, with France showing a modest decrease despite devoting substantial resources to cancer care.

Swing voters hold more sway over candidates on economic issues

New research from University of Illinois economics professors Stefan Krasa and Mattias Polborn shows that economic issues have a greater impact on swing voters. Candidates compete for moderate voters in the middle who are virtually indifferent between rival candidates, leading to incentives to cater to their interests.

Neuroscientist investigates how the brain repairs itself after a stroke

A neuroscientist at Virginia Tech is researching how the brain develops collateral blood vessels to restore oxygen and nutrients after a stroke. Her study aims to understand the brain's natural network of collateral vessels and develop new treatments to improve blood flow and limit tissue damage.

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.

Health insurance coverage increased ER use in Massachusetts

A study found a small but consistent increase in emergency department visits after Massachusetts implemented its first-in-the-nation law to expand health care insurance coverage. The data showed an average annual increase of 1.2% in ER visits between 2006 and 2007, which rose to 2.2% by 2009.

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.

Parents should try to find middle ground to keep teens safe online

Researchers suggest active mediation and monitoring online behavior over blanket rules to guide teens in making safe moral decisions. Parents who learn about technology can better engage with their children, while those with lower digital literacy may rely on restrictions.