Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2015


Page 172 of 402

Gout medications might be useful in treating alcohol-induced liver disease

Researchers found that gout medications targeting uric acid and adenosine triphosphate can protect against alcohol-induced liver damage and inflammation. These findings suggest clinical trials for humans with alcoholic liver disease should be considered to prevent or treat acute episodes of alcoholic hepatitis.

New Smart Villages offgrid solutions for helping world's bottom billion

The book reviews up-to-date accounts promoting energy access in remote areas, covering scientific and technological advances and enabling factors for sustainable development. Experts discuss the importance of coordinated action from governments, private investors, and development funders to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030.

Cooking up altered states

Researchers at OIST Graduate University discovered a way to predict emerging structures and bulk properties of new materials by analyzing attractive and repulsive forces between molecules. This discovery allows experimentalists to bypass complex calculations and predict material properties using minimal information.

Solid state physics: Quantum matter stuck in unrest

Scientists observe a Many-Body Localized state in ultracold atoms trapped in light crystals, where interactions fail to lead to thermalization. This peculiar insulating state retains a quantum memory of its initial state, even at elevated temperatures.

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.

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.

There may be a complex market living in your gut

A team of researchers, led by Joshua Tasoff, used economic principles to study the behavior of Escherichia coli cells. The study found that as trade increased, bacterial communities grew faster, but at a cost: exporting microbes slowed their own growth.

Exercise during adolescence linked to lowered risk of death later

Women who participated in exercise as adolescents had a reduced risk of death from cancer and all causes in their middle and older ages. Exercise participation was also associated with lower mortality risks for cardiovascular disease. The study found that women who engaged in team sports or regular exercise during adolescence had a 14-...

Computer model forecasts flu outbreaks in a subtropical climate

Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School developed a computer model that can predict flu outbreaks in subtropical climates like Hong Kong with high accuracy. The system forecasted peak timing and magnitude for 44 epidemics caused by specific influenza strains, including seasonal and pandemic outbreaks.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Robotic insect mimics nature's extreme moves

An international team of scientists developed a robotic insect that can jump on water using the natural mechanics of water striders. The robot exerts up to 16 times its own body weight on the water's surface, mimicking the insects' ability to perform extreme maneuvers like jumping and flying with ease.

Bio-inspired robots jump on water

Researchers created a robot that mimics the jumping ability of water striders by controlling the acceleration of its legs. The robot uses a torque reversal catapult mechanism to generate force without exceeding the maximum force that water surface tension can withstand.

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.

Rotten tomatoes and 2 thumbs up

The study found that mixed reviews are a double-edged sword, hurt or helping product sales depending on critic reviews. Retailers can capitalize on review variability by promoting quality signifiers and understanding niche user needs.

Ants in the lead

A team of ants uses a balance between individual direction and conformist behavior to move food towards their nest, making adjustments as needed. This cooperative behavior enables the group to optimize their movement, with well-informed individuals steering the load.

'Golden jackals' of East Africa are actually 'golden wolves'

The 'golden jackals' of East Africa and Eurasia are two separate species, with the latter being a new species, African golden wolf, that has a distribution across North and East Africa. Genetic data shows they have been evolving independently for at least a million years.

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.

Breeding a better peanut butter

The newly developed OLe peanut variety boasts a longer shelf life due to its higher oleic acid content, reducing the risk of rancidity by up to 10 times. This increase in disease resistance also makes it an attractive option for farmers, who can save up to $150/acre on fungicide usage and experience improved yields.

How a single molecule turns one immune cell into another

Researchers discover a single molecule, C/EBPa, can transform a B cell into a macrophage by 'short-circuiting' gene expression. This process involves the convergence of two DNA enhancer pathways, allowing for unnatural transdifferentiation. The findings have significant implications for regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.

How to become a T follicular helper cell

A team of researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology has identified LEF-1 and TCF-1 as master regulators that control the fate of T follicular helper cells. These transcription factors pre-program CD4+ T cells to respond to TFH induction signals, making them crucial for inducing a strong and lasting antibody response.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Sugar in your cuppa ... not just about a sweet tooth!

A study led by Dr Seishi Shimizu shows that sugar affects the taste of hot beverages by interacting with caffeine molecules at a molecular level. The research found that sugar molecules bind to water, reducing the aggregation of caffeine molecules and resulting in less bitterness.

Studying killer whales with an unmanned aerial vehicle

Scientists from NOAA Fisheries and the Vancouver Aquarium used a hexacopter UAV to take straight-down photos of Northern resident killer whales, a threatened population in British Columbia. The aerial images allow for precise measurements of body condition, feeding habits, and growth patterns.

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.

Safeguarding the greater good

A unanimous international consensus reached by 26 scientists recommends specific measures for the responsible conduct of gene drive research. The group calls for all researchers to use multiple confinement strategies to prevent accidental alteration of wild populations.

Argonne National Lab finds butanol is good for boats

The US Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has found that butanol can be used as a safe and effective alternative fuel for recreational boats. This new blend, which includes 16% butanol, was demonstrated to outperform ethanol at 10% in terms of performance, efficiency, and emissions.

This could replace your silicon computer chips

Researchers created a high-performance transistor using black phosphorus, which can operate as both n-type and p-type materials without extrinsic doping. This could lead to thinner, more efficient alternative to silicon chips in electrical devices.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Drought's legacy on trees is worth modeling

Researchers found reduced tree stem growth after severe drought, contrasting with climate models that assume quick recovery. This study suggests reevaluation of climate-vegetation models to accurately capture drought impacts on the global carbon cycle.

I think I found a new species, now how do I illustrate it?

A new digital method developed by Dr. Giuseppe Montesanto allows for the creation of detailed and accurate scientific illustrations for taxonomy, making it easier and faster to describe new species. The method uses bitmap graphics with GIMP and produces realistic ink-made drawings.

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.

How to look for a few good catalysts

Scientists at MIT discovered that non-wetting surfaces promote chemical reaction rates, while hydrophilic surfaces inhibit them. This finding enables researchers to predict a material's suitability as a catalyst based on its wettability.

Depressed females have over-active glutamate receptor gene

A new study found that depressed female patients have abnormally high expression levels of genes regulating the glutamate system, which may contribute to their increased suicidal risk. The research suggests that drugs targeting this system, such as ketamine, could provide rapid relief from depression and potentially save lives.

Genetic tug of war in the brain influences behavior

Researchers discovered noncanonical genomic imprinting in mice brains, affecting serotonin and dopamine production. The study highlights a targeted form of genetic control that can influence offspring behavior and may contribute to brain disorders like autism.

Scientists create functional liver cells from stem cells

Researchers have successfully created functional liver cells from human embryonic and genetic engineered stem cells. The new method enables unlimited production of liver cells with high accuracy, revolutionizing pharmaceutical drug discovery and potentially improving treatment outcomes.

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.

Research explores future energy security of China

A new study from the University of East Anglia recommends that China prioritize non-coal fuels like nuclear power and natural gas to improve electricity supply security while reducing carbon emissions. The country's largest coal importer, China needs to reduce its dependence on coal to achieve long-term energy security.

Liver plays role in pneumonia, sepsis susceptibility

A recent study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that liver activation is essential for maintaining adequate immune responses in the lungs against bacterial pneumonia. The study used a model system to demonstrate how a lack of liver response increases susceptibility to pneumonia.

The bold and the shy one: Could woodlice have personalities?

A study by Dr. Ivan Tuf's team found that Common rough woodlice exhibit individual patterns of defensive behavior, suggesting the presence of personality traits. The researchers observed repeatability in reactions to external impacts, identifying some woodlices as 'bold' and others as 'shy'.

HPV16 detection in oral rinses for oropharyngeal cancer

The study found that persistent HPV16 DNA detection after treatment was associated with worse disease-free survival and overall survival. This could be a useful tool for long-term tumor surveillance, potentially reducing the need for costly imaging and intensifying visits.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Most adolescents feel better after gastric bypass

A new study from Lund University in Sweden found that nearly all adolescents who underwent gastric bypass surgery experienced improved mental health two years post-op. However, 13% showed severe depression and 20% did not feel better mentally after weight loss.

Drought's lasting impact on forests

Forest trees take an average of two to four years to recover from droughts, with growth rates slower than expected during the recovery period. The study suggests that Earth's forests can store less carbon than previously calculated, which could lead to a speed-up in climate change.

Forecasting flu outbreaks in a subtropical climate

A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology has developed a flu forecasting system that can predict the timing and intensity of influenza outbreaks in subtropical climates. The system was able to forecast peak timing and magnitude for 44 epidemics in 16 years, with an accuracy rate of 93%.

Research could lead to protective probiotics for frogs

A team of scientists has identified potential probiotics for frogs to combat the devastating chytrid fungus. The researchers found dominant bacterial species that may provide disease resistance and antifungal properties to their host. This discovery holds promise for protecting vulnerable amphibian populations worldwide.

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.

Pharmacists help patients with hypertension

Researchers found that patients with pharmacist-included care teams had better blood pressure control results than those without, with a systolic blood pressure drop of 6.1 mmHg after nine months.

Paralyzed men move legs with new non-invasive spinal cord stimulation

Researchers developed a non-invasive strategy to deliver electrical stimulation to the spinal cord, enabling paralyzed individuals to move their legs voluntarily. The study shows significant progress towards developing a therapy for wide range of individuals with spinal cord injury.

Stanford team's brain-controlled prosthesis nearly as good as one-finger typing

A team led by Stanford electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy has developed a technique to make brain-controlled prostheses more precise, enabling people with spinal cord injuries to tap out commands with greater accuracy. The new approach continuously corrects brain readings to give users a more natural way to interact with devices.

UC Davis partners in new photonics manufacturing institute

The Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation aims to stimulate new investment and industrial growth based on photonics technology. UC Davis' Center for Nano and Micro Manufacturing will play a major role in the West Coast hub of the institute.

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.

Get up for your heart health and move for your waistline

Replacing time spent sitting with standing can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, according to a new study. Standing for two hours a day was associated with improved waist circumference and reduced risk of metabolic disorders.