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Science News Archive 2015 - Page 66


Page 66 of 402

Making green fuels, no fossils required

Scientists at the University of South Carolina have created a new catalyst that efficiently converts CO2 into carbon monoxide, a potential fuel source. The nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes are more stable and cost-effective than traditional metal-based catalysts.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 2, 2015

Disk gaps don't always signal planets

A new study suggests that disk gaps may be a cosmic illusion and not necessarily caused by hidden planets. The researchers used models to show that growth, migration, and destruction of small particles can create apparent gaps in the disk.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateNov 2, 2015

Planting in clumps boosts wetland restoration success

A new Duke University study finds that clumping newly planted marsh grasses can spur positive interactions and boost growth, increasing vegetative cover by up to 300% in some test plots. This approach challenges 40-year-old forestry-based practice of dispersed planting.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

Bugs collected on rooftop for 18 years reveal climate change effects

A long-term study on a rooftop in Copenhagen reveals that climate change is altering the local insect community, with specialized species being more sensitive to temperature increases. The research found that some species are moving northwards in Europe, while others are being squeezed out of their range.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateNov 2, 2015

What the [beep]? Infants link new communicative signals to meaning

Researchers found that infants can identify and link new sounds to meaning, indicating a social capacity for recognizing and learning from novel communicative signals. This ability broadens our understanding of infants' coordination of social, language, and cognitive development.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCognition·DateNov 2, 2015

'Magic' plant discovery could lead to growing food in space

QUT scientists have discovered a gene in the Pitjuri plant that allows it to rapidly grow and survive in harsh conditions, including space. This discovery could lead to growing food in space and has implications for future genetic research.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNature Plants·DateNov 2, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Rheumatoid arthritis linked to increased risk of death

Researchers found that rheumatoid arthritis significantly increases participants' overall risk of death, especially due to respiratory or cardiovascular causes. Seropositive RA was associated with a nearly three-fold increased risk of respiratory mortality compared to seronegative RA.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalArthritis Care & Research·DateNov 2, 2015

Online cognitive behavioral therapy benefits people with depression, anxiety

Internet-delivered CBT has been shown to benefit people with depression and anxiety, offering a cost-effective and empowering way of accessing treatment. It allows clinicians to treat more patients effectively in less time, providing patient empowerment and increased clinical efficiency.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 2, 2015

Lack of exercise linked to alcohol misuse

A large-scale survey found that African-Americans who did not exercise frequently had nearly twice the odds of abusing alcohol. Regular physical activity was associated with lower odds of alcohol misuse, suggesting a potential link between exercise and decreased risk.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·DateNov 2, 2015

Male and female mice respond differently to inflammation

Researchers found that male mice recruit more white blood cells to the site of inflammation than females, highlighting the importance of sex differences in inflammatory responses. This discovery has implications for how we design and interpret experiments and evaluate anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateNov 2, 2015

Researchers show how new hydrogel can facilitate microsurgery

A new peptide-based hydrogel has been developed by University of Delaware researchers to facilitate microsurgery. The hydrogel can be tuned with a specific amino acid to change form several times during a procedure, allowing precise control and reducing damage to tiny blood vessels.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

New recommendations green-light some athletes with heart disease to compete

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have updated recommendations for athletes with diagnosed heart disease. New research shows that the risk of sudden cardiac arrest is lower than previously thought for some athletes with irregular heartbeat disorders treated by implanted medical devices. However, patients...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateNov 2, 2015

Molecular 'brake' stifles human lung cancer

Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a molecule called EphA2 that stifles aggressive growth of common and deadly type of lung cancer in humans. The enzyme normally polices tissue growth but when mutated, cellular systems can run amok, leading to tumors.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

Scientists map source of Northwest's next big quake

A team of scientists has mapped the mantle under the Juan de Fuca plate, a key step in understanding the forces behind large earthquakes and tsunamis. The map reveals segmentation of the subduction zone, which could help explain why Pacific Northwest megaquakes don't always break along the entire length.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Geoscience·DateNov 2, 2015

UM researchers document global connections between El Nino events and drought

A recent study by University of Montana researchers found a significant increase in global land evapotranspiration over the past 32 years, driven by vegetation greening and rising atmosphere moisture deficits. This trend exacerbates regional drought-induced disturbances, particularly during strong El Nino events.

SourceThe University of Montana·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2015

Breast cancer: Research IDs obstacles to care in Appalachia

Researchers used a new method to evaluate health-care access in Appalachia, finding that insurance and geospatial access played crucial roles in late-stage diagnosis and adjuvant hormone therapy. The study suggests traditional metrics like travel times may not accurately capture the barriers faced by patients.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalMedical Care·DateNov 2, 2015

Death rates, health problems, rise among middle-aged white Americans

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that deaths among middle-aged white Americans increased significantly between 1999 and 2013. The top causes of death were suicide, drug and alcohol poisoning, and chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.

SourceNIH/National Institute on Aging·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

Breeding higher yielding crops by increasing sugar import into seeds

A team of scientists has discovered a gene called SWEET4 that plays a crucial role in increasing seed size and yield by importing sugars into seeds. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of new crop varieties with improved nutritional value and resistance to pathogens.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 2, 2015

Historian examines environmental cost of tapping alternate sources for water, oil

A historian examines how Saudi Arabia's quest for fresh drinking water led to the discovery of oil and highlights the country's precarious relationship between oil and water. The expert argues that the U.S. must consider the environmental impact of desalination, a technology used to produce drinking water.

SourceIowa State University·JournalComparative Studies in Society and History·DateNov 2, 2015

Study suggests increased sleep duration and chronic short sleep duration linked to increased diabetes risk in middle-aged and older women

Chronic short sleep duration of 6 hours or less increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older women. Increasing sleep duration by 2 hours or more also associated with a modest increased risk of diabetes, even after adjusting for other factors such as diet and physical activity.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateNov 2, 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.

Early contact with dogs linked to lower risk of asthma

A Swedish study found that children growing up with dogs have a lower risk of developing asthma, with a 15% reduction compared to those without dogs. The study analyzed over one million children and controlled for confounding factors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 2, 2015

Do you buy local? Your consumer ethnocentrism may be showing

A new study in the Journal of International Marketing identifies five distinct dimensions of consumer ethnocentrism: prosociality, cognition, insecurity, reflexiveness, and habituation. The study introduces a new scale to measure consumer ethnocentrism, which better predicts preferences for domestic brands.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of International Marketing·DateNov 2, 2015

Peer-to-peer accommodation services change travel patterns in many ways

A recent study found that tourists use peer-to-peer accommodation services for social and financial reasons, leading to broader destination choices and longer stays. The availability of these services also increases tourism demand and revenue for destinations.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Travel Research·DateNov 2, 2015

Cleveland Clinic: New policies would expand pediatric lung transplant access, study shows

A study published in the American Journal of Transplantation shows that new policies could increase pediatric lung transplants by twice as much. The research team tested alternative allocation models to improve pediatric access to donor lungs and found two models resulted in significantly more transplants for pediatric patients.

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

Living alone can dent healthy diets

Research by Queensland University of Technology found that people living alone are more likely to have poor dieting habits due to inadequate cooking skills and lack of motivation. The study also found a gender disparity in healthy eating practices, with men living alone having poorer diets than women.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalNutrition Reviews·DateNov 2, 2015

Uncovering the secrets of ice that burns

Researchers found that grain size determines methane hydrate behavior under stress, with maximum capacity at 15-20 nm. This discovery has implications for predicting and preventing hydrate failure and exploring their use as a future energy source.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2015

Teen sex talks with parents, especially moms, associated with safer sex

Research suggests that parent-adolescent communication is positively linked to safer sex behavior. The study found a small but significant association between parent communication and contraceptive use, which was stronger for girls than boys. Open communication about sex can help delay sexual debut and reduce the risk of sexually trans...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 2, 2015

Researchers build nanoscale autonomous walking machine from DNA

Researchers at UT Austin developed a nanoscale machine made of DNA that can autonomously walk in any direction, opening doors for cancer detection and therapeutic delivery. The DNA walker, with two legs connected by a torso, moves randomly and avoids re-tracing its steps, demonstrating a new level of complexity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 2, 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 research opens door to understanding human tonsil cancer

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to identify and separate human tonsil cancer stem cells, providing new insights into the disease. The study shows that these stem cells are key players in the development of tonsil cancer, with HPV infection being a major risk factor.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateNov 2, 2015

Dartmouth, NSF aim to turn America's rural libraries into STEM centers

A new NSF-funded project aims to develop rural libraries and librarians into informal STEM learning centers, providing access to science education for small towns and rural areas. The initiative builds on a previous Dartmouth-led project that reached over 100 libraries and aims to involve another 110.

SourceDartmouth College·DateNov 2, 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.

Study: Blood vessels store, secrete key blood-clotting protein

A study by Rice University researchers has solved a long-standing mystery about the storage and secretion of blood-clotting factor VIII. The protein is both stored and secreted from a specialized organelle in endothelial cells, which line the walls of blood vessels.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 2, 2015

University of the Pacific researchers give peptides a longer life

Researchers at University of the Pacific have developed a method to significantly extend the lifespan of peptides. By tagging peptides with a compound, they enable it to survive in the bloodstream longer and avoid degradation. This breakthrough technology has the potential to improve peptide therapies for cancer and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of the Pacific·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateNov 2, 2015

Engineers design magnetic cell sensors

Researchers have created genetically encoded magnetic protein nanoparticles that can be produced within cells, allowing for non-invasive tracking and monitoring of cell signals. This technology has the potential to observe communication between neurons, activation of immune cells, and stem cell differentiation, among other phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2015

Adjusting to less food availability can impact kids negatively

A new study by Rice University sociologists finds that adjusting to less food availability can negatively impact kids, resulting in behavioral problems and poorer health. The study looked at transitions in food insecurity among kindergarteners and first-graders between 2011 and 2012.

SourceRice University·JournalHealth Affairs·DateNov 2, 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.

Chemo-resistant tumors targeted by BU School of Medicine researcher

A BU School of Medicine researcher has identified a small molecule that selectively kills ALT-positive cancer cells, offering a potential therapeutic approach to deadly forms of human cancer. The discovery targets the ALT pathway, frequently reactivated in aggressive cancers such as osteosarcoma and glioblastoma.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015

Does cheering affect the outcome of college hockey games?

A study conducted by a University of Nebraska student found that cheering crowd noise levels in college hockey stadiums have no strong correlation with goals scored. The study measured noise levels during four games and found the loudest sections to be around 95 decibels, which is equivalent to hearing a jackhammer from 50 feet away.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateNov 2, 2015

Trial reveals evidence of long-term benefits for people with chronic neck pain

Researchers found that acupuncture and Alexander Technique lessons significantly reduced chronic neck pain by 32% and 31%, respectively, at 12 months. These interventions provided clinically relevant reductions in pain levels without medication use, offering new hope for patients with chronic neck pain.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015

How to convince people to wash their hands during flu season

Researchers found that praising with an assertive tone and scolding with a non-assertive tone were the most effective ways to persuade people to wash their hands during flu season. The study, published in the Journal of Marketing Research, suggests that using an assertive tone can intensify the message and promote desired behavior.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateNov 2, 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.

Internet too slow? You may be paying too much to save a few seconds

A new study in the Journal of Marketing Research found that consumers often misjudge the benefits of increased productivity, leading to wasted spending. Researchers Bart de Langhe and Stefano Puntoni discovered that consumers tend to overestimate time savings at high-productivity levels compared to low-level increases.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateNov 2, 2015

Eavesdropping on Bering Strait marine mammals

A team of researchers is using 'passive acoustic monitoring' to document the use of the Bering Strait by species previously excluded by sea ice. They are eavesdropping on marine mammals within the Arctic to monitor their presence year-round and study the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateNov 2, 2015
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.

Learning more about the link between PCOS and mental health

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified a hormonal mechanism explaining why women with PCOS are more likely to develop mental health issues. The study found that excessive testosterone exposure during fetal development can lead to anxiety-like behavior in both male and female offspring.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

The innate immune system modulates the severity of multiple sclerosis

Researchers discovered that macrophages and monocytes actively participate in multiple sclerosis progression, exacerbating disease severity through stress signals. The study highlights the significance of the crosstalk between the peripheral immune system and brain, opening new avenues for potential therapies.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Immunology·DateNov 2, 2015

Calcium-48's 'neutron skin' thinner than previously thought

Researchers used America's most powerful supercomputer, Titan, to compute the neutron distribution of calcium-48, finding a smaller difference between neutron and proton distributions. This calculation impacts the size of neutron stars, connecting objects with a 18-order magnitude size difference.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 2, 2015

Risk assessment, for the birds

Researchers studied three species of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico, finding they use weather and body fat to assess migration risk. The findings can help protect migrating birds by identifying high-quality habitats along their routes.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

New study suggests fair division of chores leads to better sex life

A new study from the University of Alberta suggests that men's fair contribution to housework is linked to more frequent and satisfying sex in their relationships. The research found no correlation between the amount of housework completed and sexual functioning, contradicting previous studies.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateNov 2, 2015
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Off-label prescription drug use and adverse drug events

A study of Canadian patients found that off-label prescription drug use was associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs), particularly when the use lacked strong scientific evidence. The study also found that patients using multiple medications had a significantly increased risk for ADEs.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 2, 2015