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Science News Archive March 2014


Page 3 of 34

Erasing a genetic mutation

Researchers successfully used CRISPR gene-editing to correct a defective gene in adult mice, allowing them to survive without treatment. The study offers promising hope for treating genetic disorders, including hemophilia and Huntington's disease.

Primary cardiovascular disease prevention is leaving the office

A new telemedicine program integrating office visits with supplemental phone coaching improves cardiovascular disease risk factors such as fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, stress reduction, and medication adherence. Adults who engaged in five or more coaching sessions showed significant improvements.

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.

Evolocumab safely drops LDL cholesterol well below statin-only baseline

The LAPLACE-2 study shows evolocumab produces highly significant reductions in LDL cholesterol when added to statins, with 93% of patients achieving an LDL level below 70mg/dL. Evolocumab also reduces non-HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) levels without liver damage or muscle problems.

Heat-conducting polymer cools hot electronic devices at 200 degrees C

Researchers have developed a thermal interface material that can conduct heat 20 times better than traditional polymers, allowing for reliable operation at temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. The new material could improve thermal management in electronic devices, such as servers and mobile devices.

Higher risks without cardio benefits halt study of aleglitazar

The AleCardio trial was ended early after patients treated with aleglitazar showed higher rates of heart failure, kidney events, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The study found no cardiovascular benefits despite dual-action on PPAR receptors, leading researchers to consider the class of drug being tested clinically.

Darapladib falls short in chronic coronary heart disease

The novel inflammation inhibitor darapladib showed no primary-endpoint advantage over placebo in treating chronic coronary heart disease, but suggested benefits for specific coronary artery-related endpoints. Subgroup analysis revealed smokers had a greater decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events.

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.

A new approach to Huntington's disease?

A UCLA study found that increasing Kir4.1 levels in astrocytes improves walking and prolongs survival in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. The discovery could lead to new drug targets for treating the devastating disorder, which affects one in every 20,000 Americans.

Researchers uncover secrets of a mollusk's unique bioceramic armor

Researchers at MIT analyzed the shells of a sea creature to determine why they are exceptionally tough and optically clear. The shells' unique properties emerge from a specialized nanostructure that allows optical clarity, as well as efficient energy dissipation and localized deformation.

Evolocumab superior to ezetimibe in lowering LDL cholesterol

In a phase III study, evolocumab was shown to effectively lower LDL-C levels, with fewer side effects compared to ezetimibe. The results suggest that evolocumab may be a promising alternative for patients who cannot tolerate statins due to intolerable side effects.

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.

Study compares heart valve systems

A recent study published in JAMA compared two types of heart valve technologies used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The researchers found that balloon-expandable valves had a higher rate of device success, with lower rates of complications such as regurgitation and the need for additional surgeries.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Earth's dynamic interior

Researchers have developed new simulations that depict the dynamics of deep Earth, revealing a complex composition of the lowermost part of the mantle. The study suggests that mantle plumes can carry a combination of different materials from several reservoirs, explaining observations of hotspot lavas' chemical complexity.

Renal denervation patient registry finds low rate of adverse events

Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure treated with renal denervation had low rates of adverse events, including five procedural complications and nine hospitalizations. The procedure also showed significant lowering of office systolic blood pressure by 11.9mmHg at six months.

Genetic mutations warn of skin cancer risk

Researchers have discovered that specific genetic mutations can increase the risk of melanoma by deactivating a gene that protects chromosomes from damage. This finding has significant implications for early detection and treatment strategies.

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.

The Atlantic Ocean dances with the sun and volcanoes

Researchers at Aarhus University found a correlation between Atlantic Ocean temperature fluctuations and external forces like the Sun's energy cycle and volcanic eruptions since the Little Ice Age. This challenges previous theories of internal variability in ocean circulation, suggesting a complex interaction between mechanisms.

Meeting climate targets may require reducing meat and dairy consumption

A recent study at Chalmers University of Technology found that greenhouse gas emissions from food production threaten the UN's 2-degree Celsius limit for global warming. Reducing meat and dairy consumption could bring agricultural climate pollution down to safe levels, but broad dietary change can take time.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Renal denervation shows no benefit in resistant hypertension

A large randomized trial found that renal denervation did not significantly lower systolic blood pressure in patients with severe resistant hypertension. Despite rigorous design and blinding, the treatment failed to meet primary efficacy goals, highlighting the need for further research.

Fewer deaths with self-expanding TAVR versus surgery at 1 year

A study found that self-expanding TAVR significantly lowers death rates compared to traditional surgical valve replacement in high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The treatment resulted in lower all-cause mortality and heart attack/stroke-related deaths at one year.

Study finds astronauts' hearts become more spherical in space

The study found the heart becomes more spherical by 9.4% in microgravity, similar to predicted models, and may benefit certain cardiovascular patients on Earth. The temporary shape change appears after spaceflight, but long-term health effects are unknown.

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.

Too many diet drinks may spell heart trouble for older women

A large study found that postmenopausal women who consume two or more diet drinks per day are 30% more likely to have a cardiovascular event and 50% more likely to die from related disease. The association persists even after adjusting for other risk factors.

Daylight saving impacts the timing of heart attacks

A new study found a 25% jump in heart attacks on Mondays after springing forward and a 21% drop on Tuesdays after falling back. Researchers suggest that the time change may alter the timing of when heart attacks occur, potentially putting vulnerable individuals at greater risk.

Efforts to curb hospital readmissions take center stage

Researchers focus on identifying vulnerable patients, early follow-up, medication, and engagement to lower readmission rates. Studies show that starting ACE inhibitors or ARBs prior to discharge and using risk stratification tools can significantly reduce 30-day readmissions.

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.

A new study shows that even micro heart attacks are a major problem

Researchers used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify patients with mild heart disease who were at high risk of developing more serious heart problems. The study found that these patients had nearly three times the likelihood of experiencing a major cardiac event over time compared to those without a mild heart attack.

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.

Analysis supports use of risk equations to guide statin therapy

A new analysis found that using risk equations can help guide statin therapy for heart disease patients, suggesting they are helpful for clinical decision making. The study also suggests the Pooled Cohort risk equations are valid for informing clinical management decisions.

Efforts to curb hospital readmissions take center stage

Researchers have identified key strategies to reduce hospital readmissions for heart failure patients, including starting ACE inhibitors or ARBs prior to discharge, analyzing demographic risk factors, and using automated tools to predict individual risk. These innovative approaches aim to improve patient outcomes and alleviate economic...

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.

Are statins good for your love life?

Researchers found that statins significantly improve erectile function in men with both high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction. Erectile function scores increased by 24.3% in men taking statins, outperforming lifestyle modifications. The study suggests that statins may help improve blood flow to the penis and reduce symptoms of ED.

UNC researchers show cancer chemotherapy accelerates 'molecular aging'

Researchers measured p16 levels before, after and a year after chemotherapy to determine its impact on molecular aging. The study found that curative chemotherapy increased molecular age by an equivalent of 15 years in breast cancer patients. This suggests the p16 test may help evaluate treatment effects on long-term health and survival.

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.

Research clarifies health costs of air pollution from agriculture

Research clarifies that ammonia emissions from agricultural exports have a substantial impact on air quality, with the study estimating an annual health cost of $36 billion. The findings suggest that reducing ammonia emissions could lead to significant societal benefits, particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region.

Ancient African cattle first domesticated in Middle East, MU study reveals

A team of University of Missouri researchers completed the genetic history of 134 cattle breeds worldwide, revealing that ancient domesticated African cattle originated in the Fertile Crescent region. This finding proves that cattle were brought to Africa as farmers migrated south and interbred with wild aurochs.

Multimillion pound award supports 76 Ph.D.s in global risk

The University of Liverpool will fund 76 PhD students researching areas like financial crashes, nuclear disasters, and environmental crises over eight years. The Centre for Doctoral Training offers a multi-disciplinary approach with industrial partnerships and placements.

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.

Drilling into the trends in genetics and epigenetics of aging and longevity

A comprehensive analysis of government grants and publications revealed that only a minor fraction of the funding was intended for aging research. Gerontogenes, which increase lifespan when overexpressed or mutated, are involved in stress response pathways that confirm the existence of a genetics-longevity program.