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Science News Archive 2015


Page 183 of 402

Choosing Wisely in newborn medicine: Improving health outcomes, reducing costs

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published new Choosing Wisely recommendations for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in newborn care. The guidelines focus on avoiding routine use of antibiotics, anti-reflux medications, x-rays, MRIs, and overnight lung activity monitoring to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Poor diabetes control found in older Americans

Researchers found that many older Americans with diabetes are not meeting clinical targets for blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Despite using less stringent guidelines, the study revealed significant racial disparities in diabetes control, particularly among women.

Georgetown physician leads national melanoma study

A national clinical trial involving two effective drug combinations will be compared in a new study. The trial, led by Dr. Michael B. Atkins at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, aims to determine the best sequencing of treatment regimens for patients with melanoma.

Questionnaire beats blood test in identifying at-risk drinking among ER patients

A 10-point questionnaire, known as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), is more effective than measuring blood alcohol level in detecting patients with at-risk drinking behaviors. The study found that up to 50% of trauma patients have alcohol in their bloodstream, and brief interventions can lead to a 50% reduction in...

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.

Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood revitalization motivated exercise

A new study found that a Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood's community revitalization project led to an increase in physical activity among residents. Residents' expectations of improved safety and access to green spaces were key factors in their increased exercise habits.

Seeing triple: New 3-D model could solve supernova mystery

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new 3-D model of a giant star's last moments, which could help explain how these stars explode. The model addresses previous limitations, including the shape of the star and the lack of fuel source, paving the way for a deeper understanding of supernova mechanisms.

iPSCs show promise for kidney treatment

Researchers used iPSC-derived renal progenitors to treat acute kidney injury in mice, showing improved recovery with reduced fibrosis and necrosis. The study's findings suggest that paracrine actions of the cells, rather than integration, led to therapeutic effects.

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.

Why we live on Earth and not Venus

A new study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that Earth's first crust was torn from the planet and lost to space due to asteroid bombardment, leading to the evolution of its plate tectonics, magnetic field and climate. This phenomenon, known as impact erosion, helps explain why Earth is habitable while Venus is not.

Fluorescent material reveals how cells grow

Researchers developed a semiconducting polymer fibre that glows and supports healthy cell growth. The fibre's fluorescent properties enable tracking of its interaction with living tissue for up to 90 days.

Genetic data informs how Native American ancestors entered Americas

Ancient and modern genetic data reveal that Native American ancestors entered the Americas as a single wave approximately 23,000 years ago. The research also shows that ancestral Native Americans split off into two branches around 13,000 years ago, coinciding with glacier melt and the opening of routes into North America's interior.

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.

Bust up big kidney stones with tamsulosin

A new clinical trial found that tamsulosin improves the passage of larger kidney stones, with 83.3% of patients treated with the medication passing their stones compared to 61% on placebo. However, for small kidney stones, time remains the best cure, according to lead author Jeremy Furyk.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Economy main factor in US emissions decline

A new study finds that economic factors, including consumption and production changes, account for the majority of the decline in US carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels. The analysis used Structural Decomposition Analysis to tease apart the various contributions of six different factors related to energy use and CO2 emissions.

Soybean meal positively affects pigs with PRRSV

Researchers found that feeding high concentrations of soybean meal improved growth and immune response in pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). The study suggests that isoflavones in soybean meal may have antiviral properties, helping to alleviate the effects of PRRSV.

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.

Leicester scientists to unlock the secrets of the biological clock

Researchers are examining the relationship between telomere length and age-related diseases, with the goal of understanding why some people remain healthy into old age while others develop chronic disease. The £2 million study will provide a rich resource for researchers studying various diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

ECOG-ACRIN opens trial of treatment sequencing in advanced melanoma

A new phase III trial will examine two treatment sequences for advanced melanoma patients, with half receiving an investigational combination of immunotherapy drugs first and the other half receiving a different sequence. Researchers aim to find the best treatment sequence to extend patient survival.

Former professional rugby players have greater cervical spine degeneration

A study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine found that retired professional rugby players exhibit more severe symptoms of cervical spine degeneration, including narrower vertebral canals and greater muscle mass. The researchers suggest that stronger paraspinal muscles may aid in controlling spinal pain in this group.

Adjuvants improve immune response to H7N9 flu vaccine

A phase 2 trial found that AS03 and MF59 adjuvants increased immune responses to an inactivated H7N9 influenza vaccine, with AS03-adjuvanted formulations inducing the highest antibody response. The study suggests AS03 as a first-line adjuvant for H7N9 vaccines in adults.

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.

Regular consumption of sugary drinks associated with type 2 diabetes

A recent study published in The BMJ found that regular consumption of sugary drinks is positively associated with type 2 diabetes, independent of obesity status. The study estimated that two million new-onset type 2 diabetes events in the US and 80,000 in the UK could be related to sugar sweetened beverage consumption over 10 years.

One night of sleep loss can alter clock genes in your tissues

Researchers found that sleep loss for one night altered the regulation and activity of clock genes in human tissues, particularly in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. This could suggest a link between disrupted circadian rhythms and impaired glucose tolerance and metabolic pathologies.

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.

American History 201

A recent genetic study has uncovered a previously unknown wave of migration to the Americas, linking Native Americans in the Amazon to indigenous people in Australasia. The research suggests that Population Y, an ancestral group from the ice sheets, contributed to the DNA of today's Amazonians.

How do fireflies glow? (video)

Researchers have recreated firefly bioluminescence in the lab using a chemical reaction between luciferin and oxygen. The discovery could lead to new applications in medicine, such as more efficient light therapy for patients with certain diseases.

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.

Satellites peer into rock 50 miles beneath Tibetan Plateau

Researchers have taken a closer look at the geology deep beneath the Tibetan Plateau using gravity data captured by satellite. The analysis offers some of the clearest views ever obtained of rock moving up to 50 miles below the plateau, revealing a complex interplay of wavy patterns at the boundary between the crust and mantle.

Low-nicotine cigarettes fail to sway smokers

A two-year study by UCSF researchers found that smokers who switched to low-nicotine cigarettes were unable to quit smoking in the long term. Despite initial drops in nicotine levels, participants' smoking habits rebounded when they returned to regular cigarettes.

Scientists track monster waves below the ocean surface

Researchers have tracked the movement of internal waves in the South China Sea, revealing that they are generated daily from internal tides. These massive underwater waves can reach heights of over 170 meters and travel hundreds of kilometers, playing a crucial role in global climate regulation and marine ecosystems.

Blood vessels can actually get better with age

Researchers found that aging actually offers significant protection against oxidative stress, as the endothelium adapts to regulate ROS and minimize cell death. This adaptation helps ensure arteries of older individuals can still function properly.

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.

Drawing a line between quantum and classical world

Researchers at University of Rochester find that a classical beam of light can fail Bell's Inequality test if entangled, suggesting that the boundary between quantum and classical worlds is not as clear-cut as thought. The study reveals that some features of the real world require entanglement, a key ingredient of quantum physics.

New drug assessment program to offer value-based price benchmark

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) has launched a new program to provide independent analysis on pricing linked to patient benefit for new FDA-approved drugs. The program will produce public reports near the time of FDA approval, providing a transparent basis for price negotiations and coverage decisions.

Virus-like particle vaccine protects mice from many flu strains

A new virus-like particle vaccine has been developed to protect against a wide variety of influenza viruses. The vaccine was shown to provide significant protection against many different flu strains, including avian H5N1 and H7N9 viruses, which have caused many human cases and deaths in recent years.

The ends count starting at birth

Researchers at the International School of Advanced Studies (SISSA) found that newborn brains process language using cognitive mechanisms similar to those of adults. They demonstrated that babies are sensitive to the edges of words and can differentiate between sequences with or without edge changes.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Genome analysis pins down arrival and spread of first Americans

A new genomic analysis pinpoints the arrival of the first Americans to Siberia around 23,000 years ago, with subsequent migrations leading to distinct populations in North and South America. The study also reveals genetic admixture from East Asians and Australo-Melanesians, suggesting limited isolation from the Old World.

Detecting disease in beef cattle using ear tag units

Researchers from the University of Calgary developed an ear tag-attached accelerometer unit to monitor rumination and feeding behavior in beef cattle. The technology was able to identify feeding activity correctly 95% of the time, but only identified rumination activity correctly 49% of the time.

Fatherhood makes men fat

A study by Northwestern University found that new fathers experience significant weight gain, averaging 3.5 to 4.5 pounds, which can lead to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Pediatricians are in a unique position to counsel dads on maintaining their health due to the lack of personal physicians among new fathers.

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.

Universal flu vaccine in the works

Researchers create a virus-like particle vaccine cocktail that expresses different subtypes of the hemagglutinin protein, providing cross-protective immunity against multiple subtypes. The study shows that 95% of mice vaccinated with the investigational cocktail were protected against eight different influenza strains.

In pursuit of precision medicine for PTSD

Researchers used brain scans to identify a predictor of response to treatment with SSRIs, the first-line drug treatment for PTSD. The study found that patients who showed less activation in the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex prior to treatment were more likely to improve with SSRI therapy.

The population history of Native Americans

A genome-scale study reveals that all present-day Native Americans descended from a single migration wave into the Americas, arriving no earlier than 23,000 years ago. The ancestral population diversified into two basal branches around 13,000 years ago.

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.

New treatment for severe depression with far fewer side effects

A new study suggests that ultra-brief pulse stimulation is almost as effective as standard ECT in treating severe depression, but with significantly fewer cognitive side effects. The treatment has the potential to benefit up to 10,000 Australians who have not responded to first-line treatments.

PolyU establishes Hong Kong's first breast milk nutrient database

The research team at PolyU has established Hong Kong's first breast milk nutrient database, revealing that the DHA level in over 80% of breast milk meets the recommended intake for infants. The study suggests that breastfeeding mothers consume adequate amounts of omega-3 rich fish and other nutrients to support infant growth.