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Science News Archive March 2014


Page 17 of 34

Sepsis study comparing 3 treatment methods shows same survival rate

A large-scale randomized trial found that sepsis patients receive effective care regardless of treatment protocol, resolving a long-standing debate. The ProCESS trial showed no significant differences in survival rates among three groups: Early Goal-Directed Therapy, Protocolized Standard Care, and Standard Care.

Reducing anxiety with a smartphone app

A mobile gaming app based on attention-bias modification training (ABMT) has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress in stressed individuals. Playing the game for 25 minutes can have potent effects on anxiety, suggesting a potential 'cognitive vaccine' against anxiety and stress.

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.

Who's afraid of math? Study finds some genetic factors

A new study found that genetic factors explain about 40 percent of individual differences in math anxiety, while environmental factors account for the rest. The research suggests that genetic predispositions can both exacerbate and reduce the risk of poor math performance.

NHS sight tests lead to waste

Complex NHS sight tests are leading to unnecessary referrals and resource waste due to clinically insignificant abnormalities. Opticians refer patients to medical practitioners if abnormalities are found, but many of these referrals result in false positives and anxiety for patients.

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.

Analysis of 50 years of hit songs yields tips for advertisers

Researchers analyzed 50 years of hit songs to identify key themes for advertisers, finding emotional content resonates with mass audiences. The study identified 12 key themes, including loss, desire, and aspiration, which can be used to craft successful advertisements.

New view of supernova death throes

A new three-dimensional model of supernova collapse reveals the role of turbulent mixing in expanding, contracting and ejecting elements before explosion. This breakthrough insight into the death throes of stars sheds light on the formation of elements necessary for life on Earth.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Antimony nanocrystals for batteries

Scientists from ETH Zurich have synthesized uniform antimony nanocrystals, which can store both lithium and sodium ions, making them prime candidates for anode materials in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The researchers found that the optimal size-performance relationship of these nanocrystals is between 20-100 nanometres.

NASA releases first interactive mosaic of lunar north pole

NASA has released an interactive mosaic of the lunar north pole, created from 10,581 high-resolution images taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The mosaic provides detailed textures and subtle shading of the lunar terrain, making it a valuable resource for scientists and the public.

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.

A low-cost way to avoid pipeline accidents

Researchers at the University of Houston are developing a low-cost GPS-based system to provide real-time alerts to pipeline owners and excavator operators when digging near pipelines. The system, supported by a $700,000 grant, aims to reduce accidents caused by excavation damage.

Scent of the familiar: You may linger like perfume in your dog's brain

A recent study using brain imaging found that dogs have a stronger response to the scents of familiar humans than other humans or even familiar dogs. The research suggests that dogs' brains have mental representations of their human companions that persist even when they're not present.

Sea anemone is genetically half animal, half plant

A recent study published in Genome Research reveals that sea anemones have a genomic landscape similar to human genomes but also display regulatory mechanisms similar to plants. The team discovered 87 microRNAs in sea anemones, which exhibit hallmarks of both animal and plant microRNAs.

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.

Study finds no evidence that vitamin D supplements reduce depression

A recent systematic review of clinical trials found that vitamin D supplementation had little to no effect on depression. However, additional analyses suggested that vitamin D supplements may help patients with clinically significant depression when combined with traditional antidepressant medication.

Building heart tissue that beats

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and University of Sydney develop elastic hydrogel-based cardiac tissue that beats in synchrony with natural heart muscle. The breakthrough could lead to repairing damaged hearts without organ transplants, revolutionizing the treatment for millions worldwide.

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.

Planting cotton early may mean less stink bug damage

Researchers found that planting cotton in May reduced boll damage by up to 36% compared to June planting dates. Early planting avoids peak stink bug pressure during the bloom cycle, reducing the need for insecticides.

Fierce 2012 magnetic storm barely missed Earth

A rapid succession of coronal mass ejections sent a pulse of magnetized plasma towards Earth, potentially causing widespread disruptions to the electrical grid and disabling satellites. Fortunately, the event occurred just nine days too late, narrowly missing the planet.

Indochina agricultural fires still ongoing

Crop residue burning is a common practice in Indochina for pest control and field preparation, but it also causes significant air pollution and health concerns. The ongoing agricultural fires in the region release vast amounts of smoke into the atmosphere, affecting respiratory health and environmental conditions.

New from Geology: Fossils, earthquakes, gold, and sea-bed landslides

New laboratory experiments reveal that turbidity currents can enter cohesive muddy seabeds without losing their shape. A major earthquake at Lake Vättern, Switzerland, occurred around 11,500 years ago, and high-grade gold mineralization is linked to fault-valve processes in Papua New Guinea. Additionally, discoveries include the Ediaca...

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.

Small step towards growing tissue in the lab

Researchers create mathematical modeling tool to analyze image data and understand cell clustering mechanisms. This breakthrough could aid in growing human tissues like liver in laboratory settings.

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.

Sauder research shows why innovation takes a nosedive

A UBC study shows corporate leaders rush into new innovations without scrutiny, leading to inferior products and tragic consequences like the DC-10 airline disasters. The authors warn that history may repeat itself as Boeing's 787 Dreamliner faces competition from Airbus.

Study fingers chickens, quail, in spread of H7N9 influenza virus

Quail and chickens are likely sources of infection for the H7N9 influenza virus, according to a study published in the Journal of Virology. The research found that quail efficiently transmitted the virus, while other poultry species were resistant or did not become infected.

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.

Parents matter more than they think in how their children eat

Researchers found that parents serve their children similar portions to those they serve themselves, which can lead to unhealthy eating habits. To promote healthy eating, experts recommend paying attention to portion sizes and encouraging children to eat according to their hunger cues.

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.

Closer to detecting preeclampsia

A collaborative study has identified metabolomic biomarkers in urine and serum samples of women with preeclampsia, suggesting an early metabolic profile difference from women with normal pregnancies. The findings may lead to earlier detection and potentially prevent the disease.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Shale could be long-term home for problematic nuclear waste

Researchers propose using shale formations as a potential solution for storing spent nuclear fuel due to their impermeable properties. This would minimize the risk of water contamination and ensure safe storage for tens or hundreds of thousands of years.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers change coercivity of material by patterning surface

By patterning the surface of nickel ferrite (NFO) thin films, researchers have reduced coercivity by 30-80%, depending on film thickness. This technique improves device performance and reduces energy use in applications like sensors, microwave devices, and antennas.

Suppressing unwanted memories reduces their unconscious influence on behavior

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit have shown that suppressing unwanted memories reduces their unconscious influence on behavior. The study found that suppressing visual memories made it harder for people to later see the suppressed object compared to other recently seen objects.

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.

First direct evidence of cosmic inflation

Researchers from BICEP2 collaboration announce groundbreaking discovery of cosmic inflation, providing first direct image of gravitational waves. The data also confirm a deep connection between quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Young women most at risk least likely to be offered HPV jab

Research reveals young women most at risk of cervical cancer are least likely to be offered and complete the HPV jab. The survey found that these women need targeted efforts to improve vaccination uptake, which was below 80% required for significant impact on cervical cancer rates.

Chronic sleep disturbance could trigger onset of Alzheimer's

Researchers at Temple University found that chronic sleep disturbance can trigger the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The study used a transgenic mouse model to show that sleep deprivation impairs memory and tau metabolism, leading to accelerated brain pathology.

New therapeutic target identified for acute lung injury

A bacterial infection can alter a key protein in the lungs, leading to acute lung injury. Researchers have identified a therapeutic target using human lung cells and 3D modeling, proposing a biological shield to protect the protein.