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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 120


Page 120 of 402

Researchers determine how groups make decisions

A de-centralized decision-making model shows how positive feedback during exploration proves useful for making good and quick decisions. The model explains how trends take off, such as the popularity of Beats headphones, and the success of word-of-mouth marketing tactics.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 18, 2015

University of Houston research offers clues about why people end therapy

New research by University of Houston researchers suggests that patients who improve quickly are more likely to drop out before completing treatment. Patients with high initial anxiety levels were also more likely to discontinue treatment. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding how patients make decisions about ...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology·DateSep 18, 2015

Surfing over simulated ripples in graphene

Scientists from India developed a theory governing curved graphene using a quantum simulator based on an optical lattice. The findings could lead to novel graphene-based sensors with controlled deformation.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateSep 18, 2015

Personal profile, not neighborhood factors, determines who calls EMS for stroke

A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that neighborhood characteristics have a lesser impact on EMS activation for stroke than stroke severity or individual factors. Most patients arrived at the ER within 3 hours, but only about half used EMS, with lower stroke severity and younger age being key determinants.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateSep 18, 2015
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.

3-D printed guide helps regrow complex nerves after injury

Researchers developed a custom silicone guide implanted with biochemical cues to promote both motor and sensory nerve regeneration. The study showed improved walking ability in rats within 10-12 weeks, paving the way for human trials.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 18, 2015

Trinity researchers report major breakthrough in understanding Alzheimer's disease

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a fundamental mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease, which could lead to new forms of therapy. The research, published in Science Advances, highlights the importance of understanding diseases at the molecular level and finding ways to remove toxic amyloid-beta from the brain.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 18, 2015

Researchers propose new way to chart the cosmos in 3-D

UBC researchers propose a new way to calculate cosmological distances using fast radio bursts, allowing the positioning of distant galaxies in three dimensions and mapping out the cosmos. The method uses the delay between arrival times of different frequencies to create a catalogue of galaxies.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 18, 2015

Targeting hypertension by helping pharmacists deliver enhanced patient care

A recent Alberta study found that pharmacist-led care can significantly reduce blood pressure in patients, with patients receiving enhanced care being twice as likely to reach their recommended targets. The RxACTION project demonstrated the effectiveness of pharmacists' independent prescribing and active patient management.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·DateSep 18, 2015
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.

Combination of genes explains Inuit's adaptation to high-fat diet

A study of Inuit DNA reveals how their unique genetic makeup helps them thrive on a high-fat diet, with genes associated with fat metabolism, height and weight, and cholesterol playing key roles. The research suggests that the Inuit population has undergone significant adaptation to its extreme climate environment.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015

Smoking linked with higher risk of type 2 diabetes

A new meta-analysis has found that smoking significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, with current smokers at a 37% higher risk than never smokers. The risk decreases after quitting, but former smokers are still at an 18% increased risk after 5 years and 11% more than 10 years ago.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateSep 17, 2015

How the brain can stop action on a dime

Scientists have discovered a new role for basal forebrain neurons in controlling action, enabling rapid stop of planned behaviors. This discovery opens the door to novel approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functions.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateSep 17, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New approach found to tackle breast cancer hormone therapy resistance

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a potential new approach to overcome hormone therapy resistance in ER+ breast cancer by targeting breast cancer stem cells driven by NOTCH4. This approach shows promise in improving treatment outcomes for patients with hormone therapy-resistant breast cancer.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 17, 2015

Making mini-makers

Students from Drexel and KAIST will collaborate on nanofabrication and energy storage projects using latest materials and instrumentation. The FIRST Nano2 Co-op Center aims to foster global partnerships in 21st-century technological challenges.

SourceDrexel University·DateSep 17, 2015

Global burden of leptospirosis is greater than thought, and growing

A new study estimates that leptospirosis affects over 1 million people each year, resulting in nearly 60,000 deaths, primarily in resource-poor settings. The disease is spread through contact with contaminated environments and has the potential to grow further due to climate change and urbanization.

SourceYale University·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateSep 17, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Novel mechanism of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that explains how insulin-producing cells can be both insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive at the same time. The study identifies a key factor, PI3K-C2α, that causes a switch in signaling pathways, leading to beta cell proliferation.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 17, 2015

Sponge cells build skeletons with pole-and-beam structure

Researchers discovered that sponges construct their skeletons through a complex process involving dynamic transport and cementation of spicules. The findings reveal a fundamentally new mechanism of forming animal body shape and may inspire interdisciplinary studies in fields like bioengineering and architecture.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateSep 17, 2015
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.

Nano-trapped molecules are potential path to quantum devices

Researchers have successfully trapped single atoms or molecules using a laser light in a doughnut-shaped metal cage. This breakthrough could lead to the development of advanced storage devices, computers, and high-resolution instruments. The technique uses scanning probe microscopy techniques to access individual nano-traps.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review A·DateSep 17, 2015

Decoding cell division's mysterious spindle matrix

Researchers uncover the crucial function of a protein called BuGZ in assembling the spindle matrix and microtubules during mitosis. The discovery could lead to new insights into cancer and other diseases caused by errors in cell division.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalCell·DateSep 17, 2015
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.

Global warming 'hiatus' never happened, Stanford scientists say

A study by Stanford scientists has found that the supposed 'global warming hiatus' never occurred, due to flawed statistical methods. The researchers developed a new statistical framework to re-examine temperature data, taking into account temporal and spatial dependencies.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalClimatic Change·DateSep 17, 2015

Nanoelectronics could get a boost from carbon research

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have discovered a way to create linear chains of carbon atoms, called carbyne, through laser-melting graphite. This material has potential applications in nanoelectronic devices and superhard materials, as well as tunable semiconductors and hydrogen storage.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry·DateSep 17, 2015

Lower bed occupancy linked to lower hospital death rate

Research at Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found a 90% medical bed occupancy target reduced hospital death rates by 4.5-4.8% and improved the national 4-hour A&E waiting target performance from 33% to 51.4%.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateSep 17, 2015
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.

Melting Arctic sea ice accelerates methane emissions

Methane emissions from Arctic tundra increase when sea ice melts due to altered ocean temperatures and microbial activity. The loss of sea ice has a significant impact on the Arctic climate, leading to higher temperatures and increased methane production.

SourceLund University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateSep 17, 2015

Network control: Letting noise lead the way

A research team at Northwestern University has developed a computational algorithm that leverages cells' noisy nature to control the networks governing cellular behavior. By controlling a smaller network of state transitions, they can promote cellular health and prevent disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPhysical Review X·DateSep 17, 2015
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.

There is strength in diversity!

A new study by researchers from Linnaeus University demonstrates that a higher degree of individual variation is beneficial to populations and species. The findings suggest that more variable populations are less vulnerable to environmental changes, show decreased fluctuations in population size, have superior establishment success, la...

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalEcography·DateSep 17, 2015

Not all organs age alike

Researchers used integrated 'omics' approaches to analyze changes in proteins across different organs in young and old rats. They found that aging affects organs in strikingly different ways, with specific protein patterns related to the organ's unique cellular properties or function. The study suggests that aging is an organ-specific ...

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Systems·DateSep 17, 2015

Patients with type 2 diabetes should be prioritized for obesity surgery

A new study suggests that obese patients with type 2 diabetes may benefit from priority access to obesity surgery, as they often experience remission of diabetes and reduced complications. This can lead to lower accumulated drug costs and overall healthcare expenses.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateSep 17, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Ages apart

Researchers at EMBL, Salk Institute, and UC Berkeley measured how ageing affects brain and liver cells in rats. They found that age-related changes in brain cells often involve the loss of molecules helping neurons communicate, while liver cells show changes in metabolic processes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell Systems·DateSep 17, 2015

Omega-3's are vital for a healthy ocean

Copepods, tiny crustaceans that form the base of marine food webs, rely on omega-3s to survive. The new study found that copepods are resilient to short-term climate change but their long-term survival is threatened by reduced food supply.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 17, 2015

Push to dramatically broaden access to nanotech equipment in the Triangle

The Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network aims to increase innovation by making nanotechnology accessible to faculty, students, businesses, and educators across the Triangle and nation. The initiative provides graduate students with peer-to-peer training opportunities and 'Nano-Nights' programs for grades 7-12 classrooms.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·DateSep 17, 2015
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.

Study finds high proportion of advanced breast cancers in sub-Saharan Africa

A new study found that a large majority of breast cancers in Cote d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo are detected at an advanced stage, with over two-thirds of tumors being 5 cm or larger in diameter. The study's results underscore the need for improved access to diagnosis and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalThe Breast·DateSep 17, 2015

Training more effective teachers through alternative pathways

Teachers certified through alternative pathways exhibit stronger SAT scores and greater success on certification exams compared to traditional university-based programs. These findings suggest that adding course requirements may actually deter the most qualified individuals from pursuing teaching careers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalThe Journal of Law and Economics·DateSep 17, 2015

New imaging technique detects early brain damage from hypertension

A new imaging technique found damage to nerve tracts connecting different parts of the brain in people with high blood pressure, linked to difficulties in cognitive skills and emotional regulation. DTI provides a way to evaluate pre-symptomatic brain damage in people with high blood pressure.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateSep 17, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Genome of Tatars studied at Kazan University

Researchers have collected over 1,500 genetic samples from various ethnic groups to study the genome of the Volga Tatar people. The findings could lead to more effective treatments by identifying genetic markers for diseases.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalBiochemistry·DateSep 17, 2015

Physical activity, sadness, and suicidality in bullied US adolescents

A study of 13,583 US adolescents found that exercise for 4+ days a week reduces sadness and suicidal ideation by 23%. Exercise was associated with significant reductions in sadness, suicidal ideation, and attempt across all students, particularly bullied teens.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateSep 17, 2015

Digital 'Rosetta Stone' decrypts how mutations rewire cancer cells

Researchers have developed a novel software that translates the effects of cancer mutations on protein function, revealing how disease mutations target and damage protein signaling networks within human cells. The discovery has significant implications for personalized precision cancer treatments.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen, Biotech Research & Innovation Centre·JournalCell·DateSep 17, 2015

Elite emphasize efficiency over equality when distributing resources, study suggests

A recent study by Raymond Fisman et al. reveals that the wealthy and educated elite tend to be less fair-minded and more inclined towards efficiency when distributing resources. The research found that those who prefer efficiency are more likely to work in the corporate sector, which may contribute to the muted policy response to incre...

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Griffith Researchers show ocean response to Red Dawn

A 2009 dust storm known as Red Dawn transported soil out to sea, causing a significant marine biological response in the Tasman Sea. The study found that phytoplankton growth was stimulated by iron-rich dust, with positive chlorophyll anomalies reaching up to 0.5mg m-3.

SourceGriffith University·JournalMarine and Freshwater Research·DateSep 17, 2015

Personalized heart models for surgical planning

Researchers at MIT and Boston Children's Hospital have developed a system that can take MRI scans of a patient's heart and convert them into a tangible, physical model. The models provide a more intuitive way for surgeons to assess individual patients' anatomical idiosyncrasies, improving surgical planning.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateSep 17, 2015

High dietary sodium and potassium may worsen chronic kidney disease

A study found that high urinary excretion levels of both sodium and potassium are linked with faster progression of chronic kidney disease. Patients with CKD often consume excessive amounts of sodium, which can worsen their condition.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 17, 2015
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.