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Science News Archive 2015


Page 393 of 402

Wrangling over pesticide ingredients comes to a head in 2015

The EPA's proposed rule aims to disclose all pesticides' inert ingredients, but consumer advocates argue it doesn't go far enough to protect human health and the environment. The fight over regulations dates back nearly a decade, with advocacy groups claiming that many inert ingredients are hazardous to people's health.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Shoulder to the wheel: Parental intervention improves teen driving

A new study by Tel Aviv University researchers proposes a two-pronged strategy of vigilant parental intervention and monitoring technology to reduce risks involved in adolescent driving. The research found that the combined technological monitoring plus intervention was most effective for drivers who exhibited the riskiest behavior.

Half of young victims of fatal crashes in 9 US states used alcohol or marijuana

A recent study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that half of young victims of fatal crashes in nine US states were under the influence of either alcohol or marijuana, or both. The study analyzed data from 1999 to 2011 and found that 50.3% of deceased tested positive for alcohol, marijuana, or both.

Danish researchers 1 step closer towards a cocaine antidote

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have gained new insight into the dopamine transporter mechanism, which could lead to the development of a cocaine antidote. The discovery highlights an interaction between amino acids that controls access for dopamine to its binding site in the protein.

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.

Trust through the olfactory fragrance of lavender

Researchers found that exposure to lavender aroma significantly increased money transfer between test persons in a trust game. The study suggests that smelling lavender may help establish trusting negotiations and build team spirit in various situations.

Widespread hepatitis C screening -- do benefits outweigh harms?

Researchers are calling for clinical trials to determine if widespread hepatitis C screening would result in greater benefit or harm. The authors argue that exposing individuals without symptoms to treatment could outweigh benefits for those destined to develop end-stage disease.

First contracting human muscle grown in laboratory

Researchers at Duke University have successfully grown human skeletal muscle that contracts and responds like native tissue, enabling the testing of new drugs and study of diseases in functioning human muscle outside the body. The lab-grown tissue can also mimic clinical responses to various drugs.

Animal contraceptive vaccine could reduce euthanasia in shelters

A new vaccine technology aims to provide a nonsurgical method for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, potentially reducing the number of animals in shelters and preventing euthanizations. The vaccine targets gonadotropin-releasing hormone, crucial for reproduction in mammals.

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.

Climate and friends influence young corals choice of real estate

Researchers found that cooler temperatures and presence of symbiotic algae influence coral larvae's choice of settlement location. The study suggests a link between crustose coralline algae and symbionts, which may change how corals select their life-long position on the reef.

Blood test for brain injury may not be feasible

A new study in mice suggests that a blood-based biomarker for traumatic brain injury (TBI) may not be effective due to the complex glymphatic system. The researchers found that treatments and clinical approaches can disrupt waste removal, leading to unreliable protein levels in the blood.

Study sheds light on chemicals that insects use to communicate and survive

Researchers at UC Riverside devised a method to isolate hydrocarbon molecules used by insects for communication and differentiation. The study found that nearly all insects produce the R form of these chemicals, paving the way for understanding their functions and potential applications in controlling pest species.

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.

Sleeping after learning is important for infants' long-term memory

Infants who slept for at least half an hour within four hours of learning reproduced significantly more actions than those who did not sleep. Timely sleep facilitates declarative memory consolidation in infants, according to a study by Ruhr-University Bochum researchers.

The challenges of providing obstetric care during an Ebola epidemic

Healthcare workers face difficulties in differentiating between obstetric emergencies and suspected Ebola cases, while limited evidence exists on asymptomatic pregnant women. The article highlights the need for continual assessment of minimising risk to healthcare workers while providing lifesaving care.

Rescuing farmland after a flood

A University of Illinois study found that levee breaches can cause permanent loss of agricultural productivity, with some fields losing up to 30% of their capacity. Implementing a soil conservation plan and updating survey maps could help restore land use after flooding.

Tumor micro-environment is a rough neighborhood for nanoparticle cancer drugs

Researchers suggest that the tumor microenvironment could play a significant role in cancer treatment and delivery of nanoparticle-based drugs. They found varying levels of drug delivery between two triple-negative breast cancer tumors, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine and better profiling of tumors.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Pivotal data for T2Candida and T2Dx published in Clinical Infectious Diseases

A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases demonstrated the pivotal data for T2Candida and T2Dx, detecting Candida species with 91.1% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity in 3-5 hours without blood culture. This technology has the potential to reduce costs, length of stay, and mortality rates associated with Candida infections.

Community-wide CVD prevention programs linked with improved health outcomes

A comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction program in Franklin County, Maine, demonstrated significant improvements in hypertension control, cholesterol management, and smoking cessation rates. The program resulted in substantial reductions in hospitalization and death rates, as well as $5,450,362 in annual savings in hospital charges.

This week from AGU: Thunderstorms and ozone, urban air pollution

A new study in Geophysical Research Letters finds that large thunderstorms can transport significant amounts of ozone from the stratosphere to the troposphere. Decades of mitigation efforts in megacities like Los Angeles demonstrate improvements in air quality, highlighting the need for continued action against urban air pollution.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Three new Begonia plant species from Brazil

Scientists have discovered three new species of the Begonia genus, native to Brazil and adding to the existing 1,500 species. The rare species were found in confined territories, making their discovery challenging.

NASA sees major Tropical Cyclone Bansi north of Mauritius

Tropical Cyclone Bansi is a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 149.6 mph, forecast to intensify into a Category 5 storm before weakening. The cyclone is moving northeast at 4.6 mph and expected to pass north of Mauritius.

'Gold rush' threatens tropical forests in South America

A recent study found that gold mining has led to significant deforestation in tropical forests of South America, resulting in the loss of around 1680 km2 of forest between 2001 and 2013. The research highlights the growing environmental impact of gold mining in biologically diverse regions.

Grant funds effort to keep South African men in HIV care

A new $1.6-million grant will support a project aimed at improving coordination between health systems and community services to retain more men in HIV care. The research focuses on the specific challenges faced by South African men, including lower testing rates and adherence to treatment.

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.

Decoding the gravitational evolution of dark matter halos

Researchers at Kavli IPMU revealed that considering environmental effects is crucial for explaining dark matter halo distribution and evolution around galaxies. They confirmed the importance of higher-order nonlocal terms in simulations, allowing for more accurate predictions of dark matter halos' distribution.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Napping helps infants' memory development

A new study from the University of Sheffield found that daytime naps of 30 minutes or more help infants retain and remember new behaviors. Infants who did not nap showed no evidence of remembering the new information and behavior.

Researchers from MIPT predict properties of surface

Researchers from MIPT use the USPEX method to predict the structure and properties of rutile's surface. This resolves existing discrepancies between empirical and theoretical data, paving the way for understanding chemical reactions on the catalyst.

Stalking risk increases among college students

A study by Sam Houston State University's Crime Victims' Institute found that college students are at higher risk for stalking than the general public. Only one-quarter of college victims reported stalking incidents to police, compared to 32 percent of the general population.

No gain if unfair

A study found that humans tend to turn down sure rewards if they derive from an unfair distribution of resources, regardless of whether the individual themselves or others are affected. Brain imaging revealed differing brain circuits in these two conditions.

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.

Good life satisfaction has beneficial effects on bone health

A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that women with good life satisfaction had higher bone density and lower rates of osteoporosis compared to those with poor life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was positively associated with bone health, even after controlling for other risk factors.

Feeling cold is contagious, scientists find

Research at University of Sussex finds humans are susceptible to 'temperature contagion', experiencing a drop in body temperature when watching someone else shiver. This phenomenon may aid empathy and cooperation in complex communities.

Long working hours linked to increased risky alcohol use

A new study published in The BMJ found that employees who work more than 48 hours per week are more likely to engage in risky alcohol consumption. The study analyzed data from 333,693 people across 14 countries and found a significant association between long working hours and increased risk of higher alcohol use.

Development of psychosis: Gray matter loss and the inflamed brain

A new study finds that gray matter loss in the brain is a precursor to psychosis, with increased inflammation accelerating this process. Researchers analyzed brain scans of young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis and healthy controls, revealing a significant correlation between proinflammatory cytokines and gray matter thinning.

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.

Sizing up giants under the sea

A research team analyzed body size data for 25 marine species, including whales, sharks, and squids, to correct inaccuracies and understand the challenges of measurement. The study found that some species exhibit significant size variation within a single species.

Detection thresholds drop with low noise quantum cascade laser driver

The QCL LAB family of instruments features low noise drive electronics, allowing for stable center wavelength and narrow linewidth. Models are available with output currents up to 2000 mA, making them suitable for various applications such as remote detection of explosive materials and medical diagnosis.

Photonic crystal nanolaser biosensor simplifies DNA detection

A team of researchers created a photonic crystal nanolaser biosensor that can detect DNA and biomolecules based on wavelength shift and laser emission intensity changes. This method is simpler and potentially less expensive than existing techniques, making it a promising tool for disease diagnosis.

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.

Understanding the personalities of bacteria

Research by Professor Peter Young and his team reveals that bacterial strains are unique, with different genes and capabilities, similar to human individuals having unique genetic makeup. This study sheds light on the importance of understanding bacterial communities and their functioning through metagenomics.

A breakthrough approach to addressing the causes of biodiversity loss

The IPBES conceptual framework offers a new approach to understanding biodiversity loss by incorporating traditional knowledge and social sciences. The framework is built on six main elements: nature, human benefits, anthropogenic assets, indirect drivers of change, direct drivers of change, and good quality of life.

Link between stress and infertility can be broken

Researchers discovered that knocking down a single gene can prevent stress-induced female infertility and miscarriage in rats. The study found that this genetic silencing restored reproductive success to levels comparable to non-stress controls.

Bisexual women have worse mental health than lesbians in the UK

A new research published in the Journal of Public Health found that bisexual women are more likely to self-harm and experience eating problems compared to lesbians. Bisexual women reported 64% higher rates of eating problems and 37% higher rates of deliberate self-harm than lesbians.

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.

Zinc oxide materials tapped for tiny energy harvesting devices

Researchers at KAIST have developed zinc oxide-based micro energy harvesting devices that can harness mechanical energy to generate electricity. The devices, known as nanogenerators, were found to be more efficient when insulating layers such as aluminum nitride were inserted into the zinc oxide material.