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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 131


Page 131 of 402

Penn team: Sustained remission of multiple myeloma after personalized cellular therapy

A multiple myeloma patient experienced complete remission after receiving a personalized cellular therapy called CTL019, which targets cancerous white blood cells. The treatment was combined with chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant, and the patient remains in remission over 12 months after infusion.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 9, 2015

$10 million in federal grants to study botanicals for human health

Researchers will investigate three projects: one on menopausal symptoms, another on biological activity of botanicals, and a third on interactions with prescription drugs. The goal is to determine the safety and efficacy of botanical dietary supplements as alternatives to hormone therapy.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·DateSep 9, 2015

High rate of Texas bugs carrying Chagas disease

A study by University of Texas at El Paso researchers found that 61% of kissing bugs in west Texas are infected with the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which causes Chagas disease. The disease can lead to life-threatening symptoms like heart rhythm abnormalities and difficult eating or passing stool.

SourceUniversity of Texas at El Paso·JournalActa Tropica·DateSep 9, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Postoperative delirium results in poor outcomes in older adults

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that postoperative delirium significantly increases adverse outcomes in older adults, including prolonged hospital stays and institutional discharge. Delirium alone exerts the highest risk of adverse outcomes at the population level compared to other major surgical complications.

SourceHebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateSep 9, 2015

UQ scientists close in on first dengue treatment

Researchers have discovered that the dengue virus NS1 protein acts as a toxin, similar to bacterial cell wall products. This finding allows them to re-purpose existing drugs for a potential dengue treatment.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateSep 9, 2015

Stanford study proves pipeline replacement programs are effective

A Stanford-led study finds that pipeline replacement programs can significantly reduce natural gas leaks, with cities like Durham and Cincinnati showing a 90% decrease. This improvement is attributed to public-private partnerships, which have upgraded the city's infrastructure.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateSep 9, 2015
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.

New research confirms how to take better workday breaks

A new study by Baylor University researchers reveals that taking mid-morning breaks is more beneficial than traditional afternoon breaks for boosting energy, concentration, and motivation. The research also suggests that preferred break activities, such as work-related tasks, are key to restful recovery and improved job satisfaction.

SourceBaylor University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateSep 9, 2015

Study points to a possible new pathway toward a vaccine against MRSA

A new study by NYU Langone Health has found that the presence or absence of dueling toxins in Staphylococcus aureus bacteria explains why hospital-acquired MRSA is more deadly than community-acquired forms. The study reveals a key toxin that counteracts another, more deadly toxin, opening up possible new pathways for vaccine development.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 9, 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.

NASA sees former tropical storm bow out 'Grace-fully'

NASA-NOAA satellites confirmed Tropical Storm Grace had weakened into an open wave of low pressure, with wind data from RapidScat confirming the degeneration. The remnants are moving westward near 18 mph and expected to produce gusty winds and showers over the Lesser Antilles.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 9, 2015

UTSA researcher receives Department of Army grant to catch bad guys

A UTSA computer science professor has received a Department of Army grant to create an image searching algorithm for combing through large amounts of surveillance videos. The goal is to identify individuals more quickly, especially in crowded and hectic situations like the Boston Marathon bombing.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateSep 9, 2015

Pitt researcher lands the cover of Developmental Cell by uncovering an evolutionary secret

A Pitt researcher used gene regulatory networks to uncover the origins of a recently evolved structure in male fruit flies, finding that it was created by reusing existing networks during development. This discovery sheds light on how complex animal forms arose and challenges the idea that new structures must be encoded by new genes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 8, 2015
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.

Should countries honor their climate debts?

A new study reveals countries with higher per-capita CO2 emissions, like the US and Russia, have accumulated large carbon debts. India is the largest creditor, while Brazil and Indonesia switch from being creditors to debtors due to deforestation and agriculture.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateSep 8, 2015
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.

Fred fades in far Atlantic

Tropical Storm Fred formed in the Eastern Atlantic and was tracked by NASA's Global Hawk. The storm weakened quickly under adverse atmospheric conditions, eventually losing its tropical cyclone status.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 8, 2015

Pitt researchers developing a novel way to identify pathogens

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new method for identifying pathogens using spectroscopy and protein hydrogels. This technique allows for rapid detection and identification of specific pathogens, enabling targeted antibiotic treatment and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis. The broader implications of this wo...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 8, 2015

Earthquake baseline set to inform future fracking

A new study published in Marine and Petroleum Geology has established a national baseline for earthquakes caused by human activity in the UK. Since 1999, an average of at least three onshore earthquakes per year with local magnitude greater than or equal to 1.5 have been linked to anthropogenic activities.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalMarine and Petroleum Geology·DateSep 8, 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.

A new type of Au deposits: The decratonic gold deposits

Researchers identify two gold belts in the NCC, with gold mineralization linked to mantle-derived melts and fluids. The discovery of decratonic gold deposits has significant implications for understanding gold formation and exploring new large gold concentrations.

SourceScience China Press·DateSep 8, 2015

Southern California wildfires exhibit split personalities

Researchers examine differences between Southern California's summer and Santa Ana fires, which exhibit split personalities due to climate-driven conditions. Climate change increases the risk of both fire types, with non-Santa-Ana summer fires becoming more prevalent.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 8, 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.

Exposure to wildfire smoke linked to increased ER visits for asthma

Researchers analyzed data from Australia's 2006-2007 wildfires and found exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with increased hospital emergency department visits for asthma. Fine particulates in wildfire smoke are easily inhaled and remain deep in the lungs, causing harmful health effects.

SourceWiley·JournalRespirology·DateSep 8, 2015

Blood and teeth samples accurately predict a criminal's age

Forensic examiners can use blood or teeth samples to estimate an individual's age with great accuracy, helping track down criminals or identify human remains. Researchers at KU Leuven developed a test based on four age-associated DNA methylation markers, achieving margins of error of 3.75 years for blood and 4.86 years for teeth.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalEpigenetics·DateSep 8, 2015

Shouldering the burden of evolution

Researchers at UC San Francisco show that early humans' tool use led to changes in their shoulders, which helped the emergence of human-specific traits like high-speed throwing. The study's findings suggest that the common ancestor of modern humans and African apes looked more like a chimp or gorilla.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 8, 2015

24-hour OBs, midwives lead to less C-sections

A study by UC San Francisco researchers found that privately insured pregnant women with 24-hour OB coverage and midwife care had lower C-section rates compared to those with traditional care. The study, which tracked data from 2011-2014, showed a significant decrease in C-sections among these patients.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalObstetrics and Gynecology·DateSep 8, 2015

Parasitic disease: Contact rates, competition matter in transmission

A new study from NIMBioS reveals that contact rates and competition play crucial roles in determining the risk of parasitic disease outbreaks in animal communities. The research found that high contact rates and strong competition can amplify parasite fitness, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission.

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·DateSep 8, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rudeness damages medical staff performance

A Tel Aviv University study found that even benign forms of incivility can impede medical personnel's ability to perform under pressure. Rudeness is linked to poorer diagnostic and procedural performance, as well as reduced information-sharing among medical staff.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateSep 8, 2015

Arthritis may be a major driver of poverty

Women with arthritis face a 87% higher risk of multidimensional poverty compared to nonarthritic females. Arthritis also affects men, increasing their poverty risk by 22% and 29% for multidimensional poverty, respectively.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateSep 8, 2015

New rule to help identify fractures in young children with head trauma

A new Canadian-developed rule will help emergency department physicians determine when to use radiography in young children with minor head injuries. The rule identifies children under 2 months old or those with parietal or occipital swelling as high-risk, warranting a skull radiograph.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateSep 8, 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.

Changing behavior through synaptic engineering

Scientists have successfully reversed an animal's behavior by altering a single synapse in its neural network. This groundbreaking study provides new insights into the stability of neural circuits and their role in controlling behavior.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 8, 2015

Largest UK breast cancer physiotherapy trial to be led by Warwick

The UK's largest breast cancer physiotherapy trial, PROSPER, will investigate the impact of physiotherapy on women after breast cancer surgery. The study aims to inform national guidelines and improve treatment outcomes for women experiencing shoulder problems and chronic pain after their treatment.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateSep 8, 2015

New drug-like compounds may improve odds of men battling prostate cancer, researchers find

Researchers have found three new drug-like compounds that target a protein responsible for chemotherapy resistance in cancers, offering hope for improved treatment options. The compounds have shown promise in re-sensitizing resistant cancer cells to chemotherapy, improving the odds of survival for prostate cancer patients.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalPharmacology Research & Perspectives·DateSep 8, 2015

Researchers develop a method for controlling gene activation

Researchers have created a new method for controlling gene activation, allowing for precise regulation of gene expression in cells. The method employs CRISPR technology combined with chemical compounds to activate specific genes without altering the genome.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateSep 8, 2015

Study sets ambitious new goals for nutrition science

Researchers from various disciplines set eight research axes to improve nutrition science, including sustainability, data analysis, and human behavior. The initiative aims to bring together experts to tackle key challenges in the field.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·DateSep 8, 2015
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Nano-dunes with the ion beam

The researchers used broad ion beams to create nanostructured arrays on a gallium arsenide wafer, resulting in well-defined structures reminiscent of sand dunes. The process involves heating the sample during ion bombardment and compensating for missing atom bonds by forming pairs of gallium atoms.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNanoscale·DateSep 8, 2015

England could eradicate bovine TB if it adopted Welsh or Scottish tactics

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London found declining numbers of Bovine TB infections in Scotland and Wales, while England's approach is unlikely to succeed. More frequent testing led to effective control of the disease, with a significant decline in infections.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalStochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment·DateSep 8, 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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Etau approaching Japan

Tropical Storm Etau formed near Iwo To, Japan on September 7 and was approaching Japan by September 8. The storm made landfall near Kyoto, Japan late on September 8/early September 9 and is forecast to dissipate due to land interaction.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 8, 2015

Realizing carbon nanotube integrated circuits

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a solution to create stable carbon nanotube-based integrated circuits using newly designed encapsulation layers. These layers protect the sensitive devices from environmental degradation, enabling reliable operation for years or even decades.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 8, 2015

NASA's GPM sees Grace weaken to a depression

Tropical storm Grace has weakened to a depression in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean after just three days of formation. NASA's GPM satellite found only scattered areas of light rain in the system.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 8, 2015

Untangling the mechanics of knots

Researchers develop a new theory that describes how a knot's topology determines its mechanical forces, providing guidelines for choosing certain knot configurations. The theory accurately predicts the force needed to close a knot, given its topology and strand properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 8, 2015

Flu vaccine reduces hospitalizations and deaths among nursing home residents

A study of over 1 million Medicare recipients found that flu vaccines with a high match rate to the prevalent strain reduced pneumonia hospitalizations by 4.2% and deaths by 2.0%. The study estimated lives saved and prevented hospitalizations annually in long-stay nursing home residents.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateSep 8, 2015
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.

Light shed on the underside of the 'cocktail effect' of endocrine disruptors

Scientists have elucidated a molecular mechanism that contributes to the 'cocktail effect' of endocrine disruptors when combined. The study shows that certain compounds bind cooperatively to a receptor in the cell nucleus, inducing a toxic effect at lower concentrations than individual molecules.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 8, 2015

Dark matter: CRESST searches for 'lightweights'

Researchers have expanded their search radius for dark matter particles using the CRESST experiment, which can now detect particles with masses below 10 GeV/c^2, including those comparable to a proton. The new detectors are being equipped and will begin measuring in late 2015.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateSep 8, 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.

Researchers find that lure of winning prizes encourages saving

A study published in the Journal of Public Economics found that Prize Linked Savings (PLS) products, which combine savings with the possibility of winning large cash prizes, are more effective at inducing savings than standard interest-bearing accounts. This is particularly true for lower-income and less-educated individuals who are al...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalJournal of Public Economics·DateSep 8, 2015

More than half of Asian-Americans with diabetes are undiagnosed

Researchers found that nearly 50% of Asian Americans with diabetes remain undiagnosed, with the highest prevalence in Hispanic Americans at nearly 23%. The study highlights the need for increased education and testing efforts among this population.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalJAMA·DateSep 8, 2015