Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2015 - Page 156


Page 156 of 402

Health care must be key issue in Canada's federal election

Healthcare is a major responsibility of Canada's federal government, which must be addressed in the upcoming election. The system has struggled with quality rankings and access to primary care, mental health services, and new treatments.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateAug 17, 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.

New approach could reduce human health impacts of electric power generation

Researchers have developed a new capability to minimize human health effects of air pollution from electric power generating facilities. The Air Pollutant Optimization Model provides a hybrid approach that balances health and cost savings, reducing health impacts by $176 million while increasing costs by $84 million.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015

Charge transport in hybrid silicon solar cells

A study published in Scientific Reports reveals that a conductive polymer mixture PEDOT:PSS behaves like a p-type semiconductor when combined with n-type silicon, leading to improved power conversion efficiency. This finding suggests new ways for optimizing devices and could point the way toward future advancements in hybrid solar cells.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 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.

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.

On warmer Earth, most of Arctic may remove, not add, methane

New research suggests Arctic soils could remove more methane from the atmosphere than release it, with bacteria playing a key role in this process. As temperatures increase, these soils become more efficient at absorbing methane, which could help offset rising atmospheric levels and slow global warming.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateAug 17, 2015

Dancing droplets launch themselves from thin fibers

The 'dancing droplets' phenomenon allows small droplets to launch themselves from moderately hydrophobic surfaces, enabling efficient removal of accumulated droplets in fibrous webs. This technology has potential applications in water purification and oil refining by reducing clogging and improving efficiency.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 17, 2015

Maggots in medicine

A clinical trial at the VA Medical Center in Gainesville is testing maggot therapy for veterans with chronic diabetic ulcers. The treatment, which involves sterilized maggots feasting on dead tissue, has shown promise in clearing out wounds and reducing bacterial infections.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·DateAug 17, 2015

Vanderbilt study shifts thinking on how bone fractures heal

A Vanderbilt study found that breaking down fibrin is essential for fracture repair, contradicting previous assumptions. The study also suggests that impaired fibrin clearance may be a key factor in conditions like obesity and diabetes impeding fracture healing.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 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.

'Jumping genes' unusually active in many gastrointestinal cancers, studies find

Researchers have discovered that a type of jumping gene called LINE-1 is actively inserted into the human genome in various gastrointestinal cancers. The findings suggest that these insertions may occur early in cancer development and could potentially serve as a marker for early cancer diagnosis.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015

What clinicians need to know about bilingual development in children

Research on bilingual development in children provides conclusions that clinicians should know about assessment and advice. Clinicians can provide minority language-speaking parents with information on optimal English language development environments.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalSeminars in Speech and Language·DateAug 17, 2015

Urban grime releases air pollutant when exposed to sunlight

Researchers found that natural sunlight triggers release of smog-forming nitrogen oxide compounds from urban grime, leading to greater ozone creation and potentially significant contributor to air pollution in cities. The study confirms laboratory findings using field studies in Leipzig, Germany, and Toronto, Canada.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 17, 2015

Scientists discover atomic-resolution details of brain signaling

Researchers have mapped the 3-D atomic structure of a two-part protein complex that controls the release of neurotransmitters from brain cells. This discovery could help launch new research on drugs for treating brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia and anxiety.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2015
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.

Study: 2 major US aquifers contaminated by natural uranium

Nearly 2 million Americans live near wells exceeding EPA's uranium guideline; nitrate mobilizes uranium through bacterial and chemical reactions. High Plains aquifer contains concentrations up to 89 times the EPA standard.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateAug 17, 2015

Biologist investigates how gene-swapping bacteria evade antibiotics

Researchers are uncovering how bacteria acquire antibiotic resistance genes through conjugation, a process that involves exchanging genetic material with other microbes. Understanding this mechanism could lead to the development of more effective treatments, such as phage therapy, which uses viruses to target bacterial infections.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·DateAug 17, 2015

Whistled Turkish challenges notions about language and the brain

Researchers discovered that whistled Turkish, a unique form of communication, alters language asymmetries in the brain. Studies show that both hemispheres are equally involved in processing whistled Turkish, contradicting the notion that language is predominantly left-brained.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 17, 2015

A brain-computer interface for controlling an exoskeleton

Scientists have developed a brain-computer interface that uses electroencephalogram (EEG) signals to control an exoskeleton. The system allows users to move their limbs by staring at specific LED lights, and has the potential to aid people with motor neuron diseases or spinal cord injuries.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateAug 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.

Controlling the uncontrollable

Researchers at Harvard have engineered a new soft actuator that utilizes unstable responses to create fast-moving instabilities. These snap-through instabilities can trigger large changes in internal pressure, shape, and exerted force without significant volume change, enabling fast, untethered motion for soft robots.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015

How traumatic memories hide in the brain, and how to retrieve them

Researchers discovered a critical role for extra-synaptic GABA receptors in encoding and storing fear-inducing memories. Activating these receptors can retrieve traumatic memories, offering new potential treatments for patients with psychiatric disorders.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 17, 2015

Study finds where our brain stores the time and place of memories

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the hippocampus represents time and space for at least a month of memories spanning up to 30 kilometers. The researchers used an Android-based smartphone to collect real-life photos, which were later analyzed using fMRI scanning.

SourceOhio State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 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.

New AUV plankton sampling system deployed

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have developed a novel plankton sampling system utilizing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to collect and analyze small planktonic larvae in coastal waters. The SUPR-REMUS system combines cutting-edge technologies, including DNA barcode analysis, to provide fine-scale information...

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateAug 17, 2015

Just 1 in 10 are referred for cardiac rehab after treatment for heart failure

A UCLA-led study found that only 1 in 10 heart failure patients are referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program after hospitalization, despite strong evidence of its benefits. The study's findings point to the need for improved awareness and strategies to increase referrals.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 17, 2015

Snake scales protect steel against friction

Researchers from KIT developed a process to transfer scale structure of reptiles to components of electromechanical systems. The results show that narrow scale structures increase friction under both lubricated and non-lubricated conditions, while wide scales reduce friction by more than 40%.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateAug 17, 2015

UMass Amherst to commercialize math tutoring software

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is set to commercialize its intelligent tutor, MathSpring, a software designed to provide personalized math lessons for K-12 students. The technology has shown promise in improving student performance by up to 10% on standardized test scores.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·DateAug 17, 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.

Researchers study potential cures for congenital blindness

A new laser-based microscope allows researchers to directly measure protein interactions and organization in live cells, providing insights into the chemistry of vision. The project aims to find a potential cure for congenital blindness by understanding how proteins absorb light and trigger visual responses.

SourceUniversity of Akron·DateAug 17, 2015

Return on investment slipping in biomedical research

Despite significant investment in biomedical research, progress on life expectancy gains and new drug approvals has slowed down, researchers found. The number of new drugs approved by the FDA has increased only a little more than two-fold since 1965, while life expectancy gains have remained constant at roughly two months per year.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 17, 2015

Energy in chemical bonds and the plant-pollution connection

PNNL scientists explore molecular hydrogen storage, catalyst development using abundant metals, and the connection between plants and pollution producing aerosols. Their research aims to improve renewable energy efficiency and reduce pollution.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateAug 17, 2015

NASA's LADEE spacecraft finds neon in lunar atmosphere

The LADEE spacecraft has confirmed the presence of neon in the lunar atmosphere for the first time, finding it to be relatively abundant. The moon's thin atmosphere is composed mostly of helium and argon, with neon levels varying by time of day.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateAug 17, 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.

Frequent volcanic eruptions likely cause of long-term ocean cooling

A study published in Nature Geoscience found that frequent volcanic eruptions were the likely cause of a 1800-year-long cooling trend in the surface layer of the Earth's oceans. The researchers used 57 previously published marine surface temperature reconstructions and climate models to confirm this finding.

SourcePast Global Changes IPO·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 17, 2015

Scientists achieve major breakthrough in thin-film magnetism

A team of scientists has discovered a new magnetic phenomenon by growing perfectly-crystalline atomic layers of a manganite on a nonmagnetic substrate. The discovery shows that adding just one extra layer can transform the magnetism, validating the polar catastrophe model.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2015

Fallow deer are all about the bass when sizing up rivals

Researchers discovered that fallow deer bucks respond differently to varying call pitches, indicating they can assess potential rivals. The study suggests that male fallow deer use their vocalizations to gauge competition and avoid confrontations during the annual rut.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalBMC Evolutionary Biology·DateAug 16, 2015
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.

The 'End of the high seas,' or we watch the seas die

Coral reef scientists warn that even with a successful Paris climate conference, ocean warming and acidification will continue beyond the end of this century, potentially leading to the extinction of coral reefs. Experts call for more aggressive emissions reduction plans to stabilize CO2 at 350ppm or lower to give reefs a chance.

SourceEuropean Association of Geochemistry·DateAug 16, 2015

Unlikely element turns up in enzyme; commercial renewable fuels might ultimately result

A team of scientists has identified a novel tungsten-containing enzyme in the bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, which shows potential for converting plant biomass into useful chemicals and fuels. The discovery could lead to more efficient production of commercial renewable fuels and reduce greenhouse emissions.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateAug 14, 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.

Revealed -- Helicobacter pylori's secret weapon

Researchers identified the molecular mechanism behind H. pylori's adhesion protein using powerful x-rays, revealing a specific 'groove' that enables attachment to stomach sugars. This discovery could lead to the development of novel strategies to clear H. pylori from the stomach.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 14, 2015

Vitamin D in teens: Don't overdo it, bad things might happen

A Mayo Clinic study published in Pediatric Obesity found that excessive vitamin D supplementation in obese teenagers showed no benefits for their heart health or diabetes risk. The study, led by Dr. Seema Kumar, also found increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the teens during supplementation.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalPediatric Obesity·DateAug 14, 2015

BESC creates microbe that bolsters isobutanol production

Researchers have engineered a microbe called Clostridium thermocellum to produce up to 6 grams of isobutanol per liter, a significant improvement over previous results. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient biofuels production and overcome the challenges of recalcitrance in plant biomass.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateAug 14, 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.

Young minds think alike -- and older people are more distractible

Researchers used fMRI to measure brain activity while watching Alfred Hitchcock episodes, finding similar responses in younger subjects but not in older adults. The study suggests that attention control declines with age, leading to a greater variety in neural patterns.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateAug 14, 2015

On Wikipedia, politically controversial science topics vulnerable to information sabotage

Researchers found that Wikipedia entries on acid rain, evolution, and climate change receive near-daily edits, resulting in egregious errors and distortion of consensus science. In contrast, non-controversial topics received fewer edits. The study suggests that users should critically evaluate Wikipedia source material and identify ent...

SourceCary Institute of Ecosystem Studies·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 14, 2015

Common group identity may motivate Americans to help integrate immigrants

A new study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that white American citizens who believe in a common group identity are less racist toward immigrants and more likely to donate their time and money to help them integrate. This research suggests that acceptance of immigrants as equal members of society hi...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateAug 14, 2015

Recipe book for colloids

Researchers from Forschungszentrum Jülich create a comprehensive phase diagram that describes the material properties of colloids based on their structure and concentration. The study finds that the interaction length, which determines the solubility of the colloid solution, can be tuned to achieve specific macroscopic properties.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalNanoscale·DateAug 14, 2015

Look at me! Forest-dwelling anoles 'glow' to attract attention

A new study found that male anole lizards' glowing dewlaps make their visual signals easier to detect by females in shaded habitats. The translucent coloration allows light to pass through, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and making the lizard's colors more conspicuous against a visually noisy background.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalFunctional Ecology·DateAug 14, 2015
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.

Tdap booster vaccine rates triple at family care clinics using automated reminders

A new study from the University of Michigan Health System found that electronic prompts and reminders resulted in significant increases in Tdap vaccine uptake among patients aged 11-64. The system improved vaccine rates by 76% for adults and 85% for adolescents, compared to 59% in similar-aged groups without automated prompts.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 14, 2015

NASA's Aqua Satellite sees birth of Tropical Depression 16W

Tropical Depression 16W was born in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean when NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image on August 14. The depression had maximum sustained winds near 30 knots and was moving west at 5.7 mph, heading towards the Northern Marianas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 14, 2015