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Science News Archive November 2014


Page 21 of 31

Commuting by bicycle: Why the Irish aren't like the Dutch -- yet

A study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing reveals that Irish citizens' perceptions of biking as inconvenient, dangerous and unsuitable for wet climates hinder adoption. However, benefits like saving time and improving physical fitness are cited by supporters.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

QUT helps China to better predict dengue fever outbreaks

QUT researchers have developed a system that can predict dengue fever outbreaks in China by combining internet search metrics with environmental factors. The system achieved a 99.8% success rate in detecting outbreaks within three days, highlighting the potential for early warning systems to reduce the impact of infectious diseases.

Study: Farmers and scientists divided over climate change

A study by Purdue and Iowa State universities surveyed 6,795 people in the agricultural sector, revealing a significant divide between scientists and farmers on climate change causes. More than 90% of scientists attributed climate change to human activities, while 66% of corn producers blamed natural shifts in the environment.

Some plants regenerate by duplicating their DNA

Scientists found that plant genome duplication enables herbaceous plants to regenerate and become more fertile after being damaged. The study showed that increased genome duplication leads to an increase in cell growth and production of key proteins.

Helping patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers

Researchers developed a family-focused, culturally-informed treatment for schizophrenia that reduced patients' psychiatric symptoms and improved caregiver emotional well-being. The program tapped into the family's cultural beliefs, values, traditions, and religious practices to help them manage the illness.

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.

Mann honored with 2014 Pongo Environmental Award

Michael E. Mann received the 2014 Pongo Environmental Award for his groundbreaking research on global warming and strong advocacy for climate protection. The award recognizes his work in providing crucial global temperature data and a compelling case for global warming, as well as his leadership as a climate warrior.

How to secure the entrepreneurial future of a family business

Concordia University researcher Peter Jaskiewicz outlines four steps to ensure an entrepreneurial transition in family businesses, including establishing an entrepreneurial legacy and involving the next generation. By following these steps, business owners can secure their future and leave a lasting legacy.

INFORMS awards 2014 Impact Prize to open source software program COIN-OR

The Computational Infrastructure for Operations Research (COIN-OR) initiative was launched by IBM Research in 2000 and has since grown to over 50 projects, supporting hundreds of peer-reviewed research papers. The INFORMS Impact Prize recognizes the program's broad impact on operations research.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Psychotropic drug prescriptions: Therapeutic advances or fads?

Research suggests an increase in psychotropic medication prescriptions, with doctors often relying on standardized treatments rather than tailored approaches. The tension between clinical reasoning and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM) is also a major concern.

Federal legislation ignores PTSD toll on civilians

A study by Jonathan Purtle found that federal legislation addressing PTSD has predominantly focused on military personnel, with over 90% of mentions targeting military personnel or combat exposure. However, PTSD affects a significantly larger civilian population due to its prevalence in non-military traumatic events.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Scientists build a better eye on our world

The SENSEI Instrument project aims to create a camera system that captures the entire surrounding environment, including the size and mass of objects. This technology will provide detailed information on marine life, such as coral reefs and kelp forests, and enhance our understanding of cultural heritage sites.

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.

Penn-Dresden study blocks multiple sclerosis relapses in mice

A new study by Penn and Dresden researchers has identified the protein Del-1 as a key player in blocking multiple sclerosis relapses in mice. The protein, also found to prevent inflammation and bone loss in gum disease, shows promise as a potential therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Progress in bipolar disorder -- update from Harvard Review of Psychiatry

This special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry provides an overview of recent advances in understanding and treating bipolar disorder. Key findings include the role of white matter disease, stress and HPA axis function, effectiveness of lithium, stimulants for depression, functional remediation, and issues in network meta-analysis.

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.

Long-term benefits of popular diets are less than evident

Researchers found that popular diets such as Atkins, South Beach, and Weight Watchers result in modest weight loss at one year, but no significant impact on cardiovascular risk factors. The study suggests that a broader lifestyle intervention involving doctors and other health professionals may be more effective for long-term weight loss.

Many microbiome studies flawed by contamination

New findings suggest that microbiome studies may have prematurely proposed links to disease due to laboratory contamination. The study found that DNA extraction kits, chemical reagents, and environmental contaminants can introduce bacteria into samples, affecting results.

Tracing the course of phosphorus pollution in Lake Pepin

Researchers found that fine particles eroded from riverbanks were the main source of phosphorus in Lake Pepin sediment before 1850. After 1850, riverbanks absorbed P from polluted river water, contributing to increasing phosphorus concentrations. Upgrading sewage treatment plants is crucial to controlling phosphorus pollution upstream.

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.

UI researchers find East Coast hurricanes can flood the Midwest

Researchers at the University of Iowa found that North Atlantic tropical cyclones significantly affect the Midwest, causing flooding in states hundreds of miles inland. The study used USGS stream gauge data to show a strong correlation between inland flooding and tropical cyclone passage.

Groundwater warming up in synch

Researchers found that groundwater temperatures have warmed significantly over the past forty years, echoing global warming trends. The warming is attributed to climate change and has been observed in groundwater close to the surface, with a certain time lag.

Next-gen melanoma drug, TAK-733, excels in lab tests

A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found that TAK-733, a next-gen melanoma drug, exhibited anti-cancer activity in 10 out of 11 patient tumor samples grown in mice. The drug showed significant shrinkage in tumors up to 100%, regardless of BRAF mutation status.

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.

Attitudes about knowledge and power drive Michigan's wolf debate

A Michigan State University study explores how attitudes about knowledge and power drive the wolf debate, identifying four themes: mistrust among decision-makers, special interest groups disenfranchising voters, political influencers overriding science, and local sources of information being ignored.

Salivary mucins play active role to fight cavities

Researchers found that salivary mucin MUC5B limits biofilm formation by keeping S. mutans suspended in the liquid medium, preventing cavities. Boosting native defenses may be a better way to fight dental caries than relying on exogenous materials.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Home health nurses integrated depression care management but limited benefit

A study by home health care nurses found that Depression Care for Patients at Home (Depression CAREPATH) had no effect on the full sample of patients, but showed benefits among those with moderate to severe depression. The intervention improved depression scores in patients with a score of 10 or greater, particularly at three months.

ACE-inhibitors associated with lower risk for ALS above certain dose over time

A Taiwanese study found that ACE-inhibitors use was associated with a 57% reduced risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in patients prescribed more than 449.5 cumulative defined daily doses. The research used data from over 14,500 individuals and suggested long-term exposure to ACEIs may be inversely linked to ALS risk.

Thousands of never-before-seen human genome variations uncovered

A new genome sequencing technology has identified over 26,000 previously unknown genetic variants in the human genome. These discoveries have significant implications for understanding the causes of genetic conditions and may lead to breakthroughs in personalized medicine.

Biochemistry detective work: Algae at night

Scientists at Carnegie Institution for Science have discovered crucial biochemical pathways in single-cell alga Chlamydomonas that allow it to generate energy from stored sugars without taking up oxygen. This process is essential for the survival of many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, but its mechanisms are poorly understood.

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.

Major blood vessel constrictor contributes to vision loss in premies

A gene that regulates blood vessel constriction is linked to aberrant blood vessel growth in premature babies, leading to vision loss. The finding suggests a new therapy to prevent damage and highlights endothelin's role in both blood pressure regulation and blood vessel formation.

Project reduces 'alarm fatigue' in hospitals by 80 percent

Researchers developed a standardized approach to reducing cardiac monitor alarms, resulting in an 80% reduction in daily alarms and a 95% increase in caregiver compliance. The process increased staff's ability to address significant alarms promptly, improving patient safety.

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.

Robotic ocean gliders aid study of melting polar ice

Researchers used robotic ocean gliders to study the transport of warm water near the Antarctic coast, discovering that swirling ocean eddies play a key role in this process. The findings will aid in determining how rapidly ice is melting and contributing to rising ocean levels.

Scientists solve mystery of 'Frankenstein' DNA

Researchers have solved a decades-old mystery by uncovering the formation of massive DNA molecules, dubbed 'neochromosomes', in some tumours. These giant chromosomes are formed through catastrophic chromosomal shattering and genetic amplification, ensuring the cancer's survival.

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.

Getting the salt out

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new method to treat high-saline water from hydrofracturing and other processes by utilizing waste heat from thermoelectric plants. The goal is to develop a cost-effective technology that can recover clean water and reduce waste disposal costs.

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.

Production of human motor neurons from stem cells is gaining speed

Researchers at INSERM have developed an innovative approach to produce human motor neurons from stem cells in just 14 days, nearly twice as fast as before. This breakthrough could lead to rapid progress in understanding and treating diseases like infantile spinal muscular amyotrophy and ALS.

2nd-hand smoke exposure of hospitalized nonsmoker cardiac patients

A study found that hospitalized cardiac patients exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, and subsequent heart attacks. Only 17.3% of patients recalled being asked about their SHS exposure by healthcare professionals despite the known risks.

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.