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Science News Archive October 2014 - Page 3


Page 3 of 35

Sadness lasts longer than other emotions

A study found that sadness lasts up to 240 times longer than shame, surprise, or boredom, likely due to its association with significant life events. Researchers discovered that emotions associated with low event importance have shorter durations.

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateOct 30, 2014
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.

Effect of chemotherapy on surgical resection of liver tumors

A recent study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that extending surgical resection after two cycles of chemotherapy may be beneficial for some pediatric patients with hepatoblastoma. The research, conducted at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, suggests a potential reduction in complications from chemotherapy.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalBJS·DateOct 30, 2014

Does it help conservation to put a price on nature?

A new study suggests that assigning a price to nature's services can lead to trade-offs between conservation and economic benefits. While some ecosystems benefit from pricing, others suffer as traditional conservation strategies may not effectively protect the economic value of biodiversity.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2014

Young adults ages 18 to 26 should be viewed as separate subpopulation in policy and research

The Institute of Medicine and National Research Council report highlights the critical period of young adulthood, characterized by brain maturation and increasing health risks. The committee calls for improved educational, economic, social, and health supports to promote equal opportunities and reduce disparities among young adults.

SourceNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine·DateOct 30, 2014
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.

Experts recommend tumor removal as first-line treatment for acromegaly

Acromegaly is usually caused by a non-cancerous tumor in the pituitary gland, leading to excessive growth hormone production and various health complications. The Endocrine Society recommends surgery as the primary therapy for most patients, offering an opportunity to examine the tumor sample and immediately lower growth hormone levels.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateOct 30, 2014

Heart's own immune cells can help it heal

Researchers found that beneficial immune cells originate in the embryonic heart and can promote regeneration, while harmful macrophages come from the bone marrow. Blocking the influx of bone marrow-derived macrophages protects the resident macrophages, allowing them to promote repair and reduce inflammation.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 30, 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.

MINER shines in urban emergency response exercise

The MINER system successfully identified the location of a hidden nuclear device within 30 minutes, even with shielding. It distinguishes between threatening and non-threatening radiation sources, measuring the neutron spectrum to pinpoint plutonium or AmBe.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·DateOct 30, 2014

Can parents make their kids smarter?

A new study by Florida State University professor Kevin Beaver found that parenting-related behaviors, such as reading bedtime stories and eating family dinners, have no influence on verbal intelligence. The study used an adoption-based research design to rule out genetic transmission as the reason for any potential effects.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalIntelligence·DateOct 30, 2014

The geometry of RNA

A team of SISSA scientists developed a new geometrical model to analyze RNA structure, which is simpler and faster than traditional methods. The method has been effective and robust in tests, performing well in some cases even better than conventional methods.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateOct 30, 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.

Harnessing error-prone chips

Researchers at MIT have developed a new system, Chisel, that enables programmers to prioritize energy savings over computational accuracy in certain applications. The system uses a tool to help programmers evaluate the acceptable level of error and automatically assigns instructions to unreliable hardware components.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateOct 30, 2014

2014 Antarctic ozone hole holds steady

The Antarctic ozone hole reached its annual peak size on Sept. 11, with a maximum area of 24.1 million square kilometers, comparable to 2010, 2012, and 2013. Chlorine levels have declined by about 9 percent since 2000, contributing to the smaller ozone hole.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 30, 2014

New molecule sneaks medicines across the blood/brain barrier

A new single-domain antibody called FC5 has proven able to cross the blood-brain barrier, opening doors to new treatments for brain diseases. This breakthrough technology allows for the delivery of larger molecules into the brain, targeting conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateOct 30, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Navigation and location can occur without external cues

Researchers at The University of Queensland found that animal brains can use a memory map to estimate location without external cues. Even in complete disorientation, the brain can accurately estimate location by self-motion cues such as walking. The study highlights the importance of understanding how the brain processes spatial infor...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 30, 2014

Polls show deep partisan divide over Affordable Care Act

A recent analysis of public opinion polls reveals a deep partisan divide over the Affordable Care Act, with Republicans wanting to repeal or scale it back and Democrats pushing for its implementation. Despite millions of newly insured Americans, public approval of the ACA has not improved since its enactment four years ago.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 29, 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.

Smoke and haze over China

In eastern China, smoke from slash and burn agriculture exacerbates air quality problems. The region experiences worsening haze in fall and winter due to trapped pollutants near the surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 29, 2014

Teeth, sex and testosterone reveal secrets of aging in wild mouse lemurs

A long-term study of wild brown mouse lemurs found they can live at least eight years, twice as long as previously estimated, with no physical signs of aging. The research also revealed no difference in testosterone levels between male and female mouse lemurs, challenging previous assumptions about the role of testosterone in aging.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 29, 2014

Dozens of genes associated with Autism in new research

Two major genetic studies have implicated dozens of genes in autism, affecting communication networks and fundamental biological mechanisms. The research provides a clear path forward for understanding the biology of autism and finding new treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2014

Nanosafety research: The quest for the gold standard

Poorly executed nanosafety experiments have led to a lack of new knowledge, with most projects being irreproducible due to inadequate particle characterization. The 'NanoScreen' programme aims to address this issue by providing pre-validated methods for lab experiments using standardized test materials.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 29, 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.

Four years in, payment model lowers medical spending, improves care

A global budget program has improved the quality of patient care and lowered costs over four years through a plan that uses alternative payment models. The study found significant reductions in healthcare spending and improvements in measures of quality, including better diabetes management and blood pressure control.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 29, 2014

Strong bonds with pets may help foster resiliency in military-connected children

A new study published in Applied Developmental Science suggests that strong attachments to animals can help military-connected children develop resiliency and positive developmental traits. The study found that kids with deployed parents who had developed a deep bond with a family pet reported better coping strategies.

SourceTufts University·JournalApplied Developmental Science·DateOct 29, 2014

Black Republicans put most faith in US government

A new study from the University of British Columbia found that black Republicans have the most faith in the US government, even when party lines are factored in. This suggests a unique level of confidence in the political system among this group, despite being a minority within the Republican Party.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalSocial Science Research·DateOct 29, 2014
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.

Research team identifies 33 genes that contribute to autism risk

A research team led by Carnegie Mellon University's Kathryn Roeder and the University of Pittsburgh's Bernie Devlin has identified 33 genes that contribute to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study analyzed data from over 14,000 DNA samples and found that small differences in some of possibly 1,000 risk genes can increase autism risk.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2014

The science of charismatic voices

A study by Rosario Signorello found that speakers with a wide range of frequency variation in their voices are more likely to be perceived as dominant. The researchers also discovered that speakers with a low fundamental rate of vocal fold vibration are perceived as more dominant than those with high F0 frequencies.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateOct 29, 2014
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.

Penn vet professor investigates parasite-schizophrenia connection

A new study suggests that approximately one-fifth of schizophrenia cases may be attributable to T. gondii infection, according to professor Gary Smith's epidemiological modeling. This finding implies that preventing infections with this parasite could prevent about one-fifth of all schizophrenia cases over a lifetime.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPreventive Veterinary Medicine·DateOct 29, 2014

Integrins losing their grip lead to activation of T cell immune response

Researchers discovered that integrin loss in dendritic cells leads to increased signaling through the GM-CSF receptor, reprogramming them into a mature phenotype. This activation triggers T cell immune response, offering insights into designing targeted therapies for autoimmunity and cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 29, 2014

Saving lots of computing capacity with a new algorithm

Researchers at SnT develop an algorithm that reduces computing overhead in smart grid control by storing only changes in system state and automatically identifying suitable measurement values from the past. This enables micro mining, resulting in increased computing efficiency and a significant reduction in computing capacity.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·DateOct 29, 2014

More attention to measles, vaccine experts urge

Researchers highlight gaps in vaccination due to skepticism about childhood vaccines and international travel bringing measles into the country. Experts call for accessible vaccination and research on addressing public concerns about vaccine safety.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 29, 2014
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.

Stanford study finds brain abnormalities in chronic fatigue patients

Researchers at Stanford University have found that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome exhibit distinct brain abnormalities, including reduced white-matter content and abnormal nerve tract function. The findings may lead to more definitive diagnoses and potentially identify new treatment targets.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalRadiology·DateOct 29, 2014

Study identifies potential treatment target for cocaine addiction

A study has identified a potential treatment target for cocaine addiction by revealing that altering a specific receptor protein can reduce cocaine seeking in animal models. Increasing the expression of an enzyme within the GluA2 subunits of AMPA receptors decreased cocaine seeking in animals allowed to self-administer the drug.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateOct 29, 2014

Urban seismic network detects human sounds

Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have tapped into urban seismic networks to monitor traffic patterns, count aircraft, and track larger vehicles. The study reveals that urban vibrations can serve as a new data source for cities.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateOct 29, 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.

Evolution of competitiveness

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that the evolution of competitiveness tends to diversify, with some individuals avoiding competition and others investing heavily. This divergence can lead to population extinction if external pressures fuel an 'arm's race' towards higher competitiveness.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 29, 2014

Griffith scientists propose existence and interaction of parallel worlds

Researchers at Griffith University challenge quantum science foundations with a new theory proposing the existence of interacting parallel universes. This approach could explain quantum mechanics' bizarre phenomena and has potential implications for molecular dynamics and testing the existence of other worlds.

SourceGriffith University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateOct 29, 2014

NYU research: Tourism as a driver of illicit drug use, HIV risk in the DR

A new study by NYU researchers finds that tourism areas in the Dominican Republic create opportunities for drug use, which fuels local economies and increases HIV risk behaviors. The study highlights the need for targeted research and intervention efforts to address local drug use within the context of tourism areas.

SourceNew York University·JournalGlobal Public Health·DateOct 29, 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.

Plump turtles swim better: First models of swimming animals

Scientists at UW-Madison and FAU developed models of swimming turtles, revealing that longer, rotund turtles outperform slender counterparts in terms of energy efficiency. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding animal behavior and predicting environmental interactions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 29, 2014

Supersonic laser-propelled rockets

Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateOct 29, 2014

New study shows 3 abrupt pulse of CO2 during last deglaciation

A new study analyzing an ice core from West Antarctica found three 'pulses' of carbon dioxide increase, each rising about 10-15 parts per million over a period of 1-2 centuries. The researchers suggest that these rapid changes may have been caused by a combination of factors, including terrestrial processes and unknown ocean mechanisms.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateOct 29, 2014

Decades of research: Effectiveness of phone counseling for cancer patients still unknown

A recent study published in Psycho-Oncology highlights the need for well-designed trials to determine the effectiveness of phone counseling interventions for cancer survivors. The research found that while some studies showed significant improvement, the results were not robust across multiple end points or studies.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalPsycho-Oncology·DateOct 29, 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.

Running robots of future may learn from world's best 2-legged runners: Birds

Researchers studied five bird species and developed a computer model to understand their efficient running behaviors. They found that birds prioritize energy conservation over stability, allowing for dynamic leg motion and adaptability. This study may inspire the development of more agile and efficient robots.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 29, 2014