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Science News for October 3, 2014


Discussing alternative medicine choices for better health outcomes

A new study from University of Alberta researcher Sunita Vohra examines the use of alternative therapies among pediatric cardiac patients in Canada. The study found that 64% of patients at Stollery Children's Hospital reported using complementary and alternative medicine products, with most having no regrets about their choices.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateOct 3, 2014

Massachusetts General study suggests neurobiological basis of human-pet relationship

A Massachusetts General Hospital study used fMRI to investigate the neural basis of the human-pet relationship, finding that important brain structures are activated when women view images of their children and dogs. The study revealed both similarities and differences in brain activity, with some regions showing increased response to ...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

Alcohol consumption associated with increased risk of HPV infection in men, say Moffitt researchers

A recent study by Moffitt Cancer Center researchers found that men who consume more alcohol have a significantly higher risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study analyzed over 1,300 men and discovered that those who drank the most alcohol had an increased risk of HPV independent of their number of sexual partners.

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateOct 3, 2014

Too many stroke patients miss out on the window to regain crucial functions

A new study reveals that approximately 40% of stroke patients would benefit from rehabilitation, but only 16% receive it. The rates vary widely by province and hospital, with some patients not needing or getting the right amount of services. This lack of access has huge implications for their quality of life and healthcare utilization.

SourceHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada·DateOct 3, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Argonne researchers create more accurate model for greenhouse gases from peatlands

A new model developed by Argonne National Laboratory scientists predicts that peatlands in the Arctic will release more methane and less carbon dioxide as they warm, significantly affecting climate change forecasts. The research aims to improve greenhouse gas emission models and address concerns about accelerated warming in the Arctic.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalBiogeochemistry·DateOct 3, 2014

Kids' oral language skills can predict future writing difficulties

A study by Professor Phaedra Royle and Postdoctoral fellow Alexandra Marquis found that children's ability to use verb tense in spoken language predicts their future writing difficulties. The research contradicts the popular belief that bilingualism at an early age is detrimental to oral and written language learning.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·DateOct 3, 2014

New study shows that yoga and meditation may help train the brain

A new study published in Technology journal found that long-term yoga and meditation practice can improve brain-computer interface task performance. Participants with experience showed twice as much success and learned three times faster than those without yoga or meditation experience. This research could lead to innovative treatments...

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

Untangling how cables coil

Engineers at MIT and Columbia University developed a method to predict cable coil patterns using laboratory experiments, computer-graphics technology, and theoretical analyses. The research aims to help design better deployment strategies for fiber-optic cables and prevent transmission glitches and data loss.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 3, 2014

Nano-bearings on the test bench

Scientists simulate nano-bearings made of C60 flake to study friction reduction. However, results show no significant decrease in friction when the flake is attached in a way that prevents rotation.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNanoscale·DateOct 3, 2014

Batteries included: A solar cell that stores its own power

Researchers at Ohio State University have created a solar cell that can store its own power, reducing the cost of renewable energy. The 'solar battery' combines a mesh solar panel with a battery, allowing for efficient charging and discharging using light and oxygen.

SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

Stochastic variations of migration speed between cells in clonal populations

A new study reveals that individual cells' migration speed changes randomly through successive generations, despite the population's average speed remaining constant. This finding has significant implications for cancer treatment and tissue repair, suggesting a target for drugs to modulate cell migration speed.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateOct 3, 2014

New study finds lack of adherence to safe handling guidelines for administration of antineoplastic drugs

A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study found that nearly 2,100 oncology nurses and healthcare personnel do not always follow recommended safe handling practices for antineoplastic drugs. The lack of adherence increases exposure risk to cancer-causing agents, leading to adverse health outcomes.

SourceAmerican Industrial Hygiene Association·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·DateOct 3, 2014

Healthy knowledge management and social networking

Research by Missouri University of Science and Technology found that social network analysis can improve knowledge sharing in large government healthcare organizations. By identifying key people and analyzing relationships, a core network was formed to rapidly disseminate information on projects.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Collaborative Enterprise·DateOct 3, 2014

Experts recommend against diagnosing testosterone deficiency in women

The Endocrine Society advises against testosterone therapy in healthy women, citing unknown long-term risks and limited benefits. Testosterone therapy may improve sexual function in women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, but more research is needed to determine its safety and effectiveness.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 3, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Crumpled graphene could provide an unconventional energy storage

Researchers at MIT have discovered that crumpling graphene can create a stretchable supercapacitor that can store energy in flexible electronic devices. The material can be folded and stretched up to 1,000 times without losing performance.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 3, 2014

Pain words stand out more for those experiencing it: York U study

A study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that individuals with chronic pain pay more frequent and longer attention to pain-related words than those without. This discovery uses state-of-the-art eye-tracking technology to better understand how people attend to pain stimuli.

SourceYork University·JournalJournal of Pain Research·DateOct 3, 2014

New discovery in the microbiology of serious human disease

Researchers at The University of Nottingham have shed new light on the interaction between two proteins, laminin receptor (LAMR1) and galectin-3, and the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. This study provides critical components that cause the formation of pairs of molecules targeted by the bacterium.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalOpen Biology·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

CTRC doctor wins $1.6 million FDA orphan grant to treat deadly brain tumors

A CTRC doctor has been awarded a $1.6 million FDA orphan grant to study the efficacy of TH-302 in treating glioblastoma, a devastating brain tumor with a median survival time of four months. The drug, combined with Avastin, aims to slow tumor growth by creating a low-oxygen environment, sparing healthy cells from chemotherapy damage.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateOct 3, 2014

Continuous fabrication system for highly aligned polymer films provides method for tuning mechanical and thermal properties in bulk polymers

Researchers at MIT demonstrated a novel automated fabrication process for producing highly aligned polymer films (HAPFs) with superior mechanical and thermal properties. The process involves sol-gel extrusion, structure freezing and drying, and mechanical drawing, resulting in uniform alignment of molecular chains.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateOct 3, 2014

Viral infection may trigger childhood diabetes in utero

A recent study from Tel Aviv University suggests that prenatal exposure to viruses may cause type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases in children. The researchers found a link between winter epidemics and increased levels of damaging antibodies in cord blood, indicating autoimmune damage to islet cells during gestation.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalDiabetic Medicine·DateOct 3, 2014

Satellite sees Tropical Storm Simon crawling up Western Mexico's coastline

NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Simon on Oct. 3, showing strong thunderstorms circling the storm's center and rainfall in western Mexico. The storm is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches with isolated amounts up to 8 inches, causing flash flooding and mudslides.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

Study questions the prescription for drug resistance

A new study reviewing nearly 70 antimicrobial resistance studies suggests that aggressive treatment may not always be the best way to prevent resistant pathogens. The review found that varying drug dosages and treatment durations may affect resistance emergence, and moderate treatment could be a more effective strategy for some diseases.

SourcePrinceton University·DateOct 3, 2014

Cattle code cracked in detail

Scientists have created a global database that increases detailed knowledge of the cattle genome by several orders of magnitude. The database contains genomes of over 1,200 animals from various breeds, providing a comprehensive resource for studying cattle genetics and livestock history.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 3, 2014

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease -- new position paper in Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IAFLD) in children is characterized by gradual and often symptomless liver injury, with mortality rates up to 40%. Early enteral feeding and referral to specialized intestinal failure centers are key to prevention and treatment.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition·DateOct 3, 2014
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.

A family meal a day may keep obesity away

A study of over 2,200 adolescents found that those who had at least one family meal a week were less likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Regular family meals are associated with reduced odds of obesity, regardless of race or ethnicity.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateOct 3, 2014

WSU undergrad helps develop method for detecting water on Mars

A Washington State University undergraduate has developed a new method for detecting water on Mars using an index called groundmass crystallinity. This method could potentially be useful for not only studying rocks on Earth but also on other planets.

SourceWashington State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 3, 2014

RCas9: A programmable RNA editing tool

A team of researchers has demonstrated a means by which CRISPR/Cas9 can be programmed to recognize and cleave RNA at sequence-specific target sites. This allows for direct RNA transcript detection, analysis and manipulation, paving the way for transformative studies in RNA function.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NASA's SDO watches giant filament on the sun

Scientists use NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory to study a gigantic filament on the sun, which can last for days or weeks. The filament is 1 million miles wide and appears in different temperatures and wavelengths of extreme UV light.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 3, 2014