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Science News Archive 2015


Page 232 of 402

Modern housing reduces malaria risk

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 90 studies found residents of modern homes were 47% less likely to be infected with malaria than those living in traditional houses. Modern housing features, such as closed eaves, ceilings, screened doors and windows, can block mosquitoes from entering homes and prevent transmission of the disease.

Recovery of sensory function by stem cell transplants

Researchers at Uppsala University have made significant progress in using stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries. Human stem cells transplanted into injured mice restored damaged sensory nerve connections, enabling long-term recovery of sensory functions.

Been there? Done that? If you are sure, thank your 'memory cells'

Researchers have discovered a set of neurons in the medial temporal lobe that is indicative of an individual's confidence level in their memories. The study found that the activity of these neurons, known as familiarity and novelty neurons, is proportional to confidence, suggesting that they play a key role in assessing memory quality.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Land management practices to become important as biofuels use grows

A study led by Argonne National Laboratory emphasizes the significance of land management practices in retaining carbon, especially under cellulosic biofuel production scenarios. Effective management can increase soil organic carbon storage by up to 2.6% when 90% of harvest residue is returned.

Bistatic/multistatic synthetic aperture radar: Approaching the new era

A novel deformation monitoring method using bistatic differential interferometry GNSS as illuminators offers high accuracy, low cost, and real-time subsidence monitoring for high-speed railway roadbed. The system combines DGNSS and D-In-SAR techniques to achieve better than 1mm real-time accuracy.

Accentuate the positive when it comes to nutrition education

A new Cornell University study suggests that emphasizing the positive when it comes to nutrition education leads to healthier food choices. The study found that policies framed positively, supporting choice, are more effective than those with limitations.

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.

Getting to the heart of the matter: CERN's hidden heritage

Researchers investigate CERN's physicality and cultural heritage, highlighting the site's extraordinary significance in scientific terms and its everyday objects, buildings, and ideas. The study chronicles an intense history, including the Higgs Boson's discovery and Sir Tim Berners-Lee's creation of the World Wide Web.

Some hospitals marking up prices more than 1,000 percent

A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals that 50 US hospitals are charging out-of-network patients and the uninsured up to 1,000% more than their actual costs. This price gouging is leading to financial burdens on vulnerable populations and driving up overall health spending.

Ultrasound and algorithms to diagnose bacterial meningitis in babies

A portable ultrasound device has been developed to diagnose bacterial meningitis in babies, replacing painful and time-consuming lumbar punctures. The device uses high-resolution imaging and algorithms to detect cellularity in cerebrospinal fluid, indicating infection within seconds.

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.

Data scientists find connections between birth month and health

The study found a significant association between birth month and disease risk, with people born in May having the lowest risk of disease and those born in October having the highest. The researchers identified nine types of heart disease that correlated with seasonal effects, including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Using Minecraft to unboggle the robot mind

Researchers at Brown University are developing a new algorithm to assist robots in planning their actions in complex environments. The algorithm uses goal-based action priors, which can be learned by the robot through trial and error or supplied by an expert operator.

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.

Crossing a critical threshold in optical communications

Scientists from Lehigh University, Japan and Canada demonstrate the 'world's first fully functioning single crystal waveguide in glass' for all-optical data transmission. The breakthrough enables compact and multifunctional photonic integrated circuits with high density of components and opportunities for new technologies.

'Genomic catastrophe' may cause normal cells to become cancerous

A new study suggests that cell fusion can initiate cancerous processes and tumor formation through 'genomic catastrophe', leading to chromosomal instability and DNA damage. Fused cells from rat intestinal epithelial cells formed tumors in immunodeficient mice, providing evidence for a molecular mechanism driving neoplastic transformation.

Stanford scientists show fMRI memory detectors can be easily fooled

Researchers found that subjects could obscure real memories or create false ones on brain scans by focusing on novel features or associating new faces with existing memories. The study highlights the need for more research before applying fMRI technology to high-stakes situations.

Small molecules change biological clock rhythm

Researchers at ITbM have discovered new molecules that can change the circadian rhythm in mammals by targeting the clock protein CRY. The study found critical sites on the molecules for bioactivity, which were used to investigate the regulation of the clock protein in the body's timekeeping mechanism.

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.

Theranostic PET takes on both ovarian and prostate cancer

A new theranostic agent, I-124 PEG-AVP0458, has shown promise in targeting both ovarian and prostate cancer cells for imaging and treatment. The drug compound attaches itself to the targeted tumor sites via positron emission tomography (PET) scanners, enabling personalized cancer therapy.

Study links lower life satisfaction to sleep problems during midlife

A new study links lower life satisfaction to sleep problems during midlife, finding that shorter sleep onset latency is associated with higher life satisfaction. The research suggests that improving one variable, such as sleep quality, may have a positive impact on another, like life satisfaction.

Northeastern researchers investigate rules of the water

A team of Northeastern University researchers is studying community organization and connectivity in rocky intertidal habitats throughout the Gulf of Maine. The study aims to identify common rules governing these communities, which can be scaled up to explain broad biogeographic variation across the region.

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.

Most detailed view ever of star formation in the distant universe

Astronomers have captured the most detailed view of star formation in a distant galaxy using ALMA's Long Baseline Campaign. The observations reveal giant versions of the Orion Nebula producing thousands of new stars, with clumps of star formation visible down to 200 light-years.

Ecological Society of America awarded NSF funding to retain diversity

The Ecological Society of America has received an NSF grant to support a three-pronged approach to increase diversity within the ecological field. The grant will fund activities that guide students to identify ecology as a viable career option and develop a sense of personal connection with science.

Poor sleep quality linked to reduced resilience among veterans

A recent study found that poor sleep quality is negatively associated with resilience among veterans and active duty service members. The study, published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, suggests that appraisal of sleep quality may contribute more to resilience scores than self-reported sleep efficiency.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Who your doctor is could dictate how you're cared for at end of life

New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that individual physicians are the strongest predictor of whether a patient will be referred to hospice care. Patients with poor-prognosis cancer diagnoses were more likely to enroll in hospice if seen by a physician in the top 10% of hospice use.

PET reveals inflammatory cycle in the brain

A novel PET technique tracks microglial activation in response to endotoxin, shedding light on neuroinflammatory diseases like Alzheimer's and depression. The study's findings could lead to new drug treatments by targeting immune dysfunction.

Antibody response linked to lower mother-to-child HIV transmission

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center identified an antibody response that confers protection against HIV transmission from infected mothers. The study found a strong antibody response to the HIV envelope third variable loop, which was previously considered inadequate for protection.

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.

Breast cancer study raises hope of therapy to stop tumor spread

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh discovered a trigger that allows breast cancer cells to spread to the lungs. Blocking these signals in mice significantly reduces secondary tumor formation. The study's findings may lead to new treatments to stop breast cancer progression.

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.

Nation's first operational satellite in deep space reaches final orbit

DSCOVR will provide enhanced measurements of solar wind conditions to warn of potentially harmful solar activity, predicting geomagnetic storm magnitude on a regional basis. The satellite's unique vantage point at Lagrange point 1 allows for early warnings of large magnetic eruptions from the sun.

Study finds high Medicare Advantage copays for hospital, nursing care

A new study found that millions of seniors with Medicare Advantage plans face large out-of-pocket costs for hospital and skilled nursing care, including those with low incomes. The study highlights the need for policymakers to protect Medicare Advantage consumers from high copays, particularly for unpredictable catastrophic illnesses.

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.

Nanomaterial self-assembly imaged in real time

A team of scientists has developed a new method to visualize the growth of complex self-assembled nanostructures in liquids, enabling detailed understanding of their formation. This breakthrough will facilitate future advances in nanotechnology.

University of Houston researchers search for new, more efficient materials

Researchers at the University of Houston are working on discovering novel materials to improve superconducting properties, thermoelectric efficiency and microelectronic performance. They aim to develop new materials that can transform electricity generation, transmission and storage, as well as reduce greenhouse gases.

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.

Bacterial sepsis protein may inhibit cancer cell growth

A study by Northwestern University scientists found that a Vibrio vulnificus toxin can inhibit tumor cell growth by cutting the Ras protein, which is central to cell division and survival. The toxin's ability to cleave Ras, rather than modify it, represents a novel mechanism for inactivating this protein.

Stroke patients recover arm use with virtual reality

A clinical pilot study found that using virtual reality to enhance movement and increase confidence in the affected limb significantly improves spontaneous use of the paralyzed arm. This suggests an alternative focus on increasing patient confidence may be critical for full recovery.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone 01A's winds intensify

Tropical Cyclone 01A has intensified with sustained winds increasing around the entire storm. The storm is expected to reach hurricane-strength by June 10 and then weaken before entering the Gulf of Oman.

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.