Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2015 - Page 81


Page 81 of 402

Why van Gogh's Sunflowers are wilting

Researchers analyzed a Van Gogh painting using X-rays to determine the type of chrome yellow used. They found that lighter shades were more susceptible to degradation and darkened over time.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 20, 2015

'Green' buildings bring in more green

A recent study found that green commercial buildings have higher average rents (3.7%) and occupancy rates (18.7% in Canada, 9.5% in the US) compared to non-green buildings. Tenant satisfaction scores also increased by 7% in Canada.

SourceUniversity of Guelph·JournalThe Journal of Portfolio Management·DateOct 20, 2015

How stereotypes hurt

A new study led by USC researcher Cleopatra Abdou found that people who encountered negative stereotypes in healthcare settings reported adverse effects, including hypertension, depression, and poor self-rated health. The researchers highlight the need for inclusive policies to reduce healthcare stereotype threat and promote health dis...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateOct 20, 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.

New study explores gender bias in academic hiring

A recent study by Cornell researchers Stephen J. Ceci and Wendy M. Williams found that women's hiring advantage in academia is limited when competing against highly qualified male candidates, with fewer than 5% opting for the less accomplished candidate.

SourceCornell University·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateOct 20, 2015

Surprising source for ancient life biomarker found

Stanford scientists discover tetrahymanol, a fatty molecule used as an indicator for life on early Earth, in bacterial membranes. The finding suggests many bacteria might produce the lipid, challenging conventional wisdom.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2015

Inherent mindfulness linked to lower obesity risk, belly fat

A study of nearly 400 people found that those with higher dispositional mindfulness had a lower risk of obesity and less abdominal fat. The researchers suggest that increased awareness of thoughts and feelings may help individuals overcome cravings for unhealthy foods and exercise habits.

SourceBrown University·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Medicine·DateOct 20, 2015

New CEO's gender may affect company performance

The study, which analyzed data from 3,320 CEO successions in China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, found that male-to-female succession tends to have lower postsuccession performance than same-gender succession. Companies with female CEOs also experienced higher early departure rates.

SourceRice University·JournalAcademy of Management Journal·DateOct 20, 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.

'Big Data' used to identify new cancer driver genes

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute used publicly available cancer databases to identify novel cancer driver genes associated with cancer progression. The study found 71 previously unrecognized interfaces in proteins that may serve as new predictive markers or drug targets.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateOct 20, 2015

MRI shows heart ages differently in women than in men

A new MRI study found that the main pumping chamber of the heart ages differently in men and women, with men's hearts becoming heavier and holding less blood. The study suggests that optimum treatment for heart failure may not be the same for women and men, highlighting the importance of personalized medicine.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateOct 20, 2015
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.

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.

Mother-of-pearl's genesis identified in mineral's transformation

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered the earliest stages of nacre formation in a mollusk shell. The team used spectro-microscopy to observe the transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate into crystalline aragonite, revealing new insights into biomineral creation.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 20, 2015

Exciting breakthrough in 2-D lasers

Researchers from Berkeley Lab demonstrate bright excitonic lasing at visible light wavelengths using a monolayer of tungsten disulfide in a microdisk resonator. The technology has potential for high-performance optical communication and computing applications, as well as valleytronic applications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 20, 2015

Ten new genetic risk loci for eczema discovered

Researchers have identified ten new genetic risk loci for eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The study found strong correlations with known risk factors for asthma, allergies, and other autoimmune diseases.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Genetics·DateOct 20, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Preserving the best qualities of 'Honeycrisp' apples

Research reveals that 'Honeycrisp' apple size and soluble solids content significantly impact consumers' willingness to pay. Growers can increase prices by optimizing fruit size, while maintaining acidity levels to command higher prices.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateOct 20, 2015

Sunscreen is proven toxic to coral reefs

A Tel Aviv University study finds that oxybenzone, a common chemical in sunscreen lotions, is highly toxic to juvenile corals, causing coral bleaching, DNA damage, and death. Concentrations as low as 62 parts per trillion pose an ecological threat.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalArchives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·DateOct 20, 2015

Superbug infection greatest increase in children ages 1-5

A nationwide study found a significant increase in CRE infections among US children aged 1-5, with rates rising from 0% to 4.5% between 1999 and 2012. The greatest increase was seen in intensive care units, where isolates of CRE in the bloodstream increased from zero to 3.2% during the study period.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateOct 20, 2015
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.

Menopausal status a better indicator than age for mammography frequency

A new study suggests that postmenopausal women may be safely screened every two years, while premenopausal women over 40 may benefit from annual mammograms to increase early detection. The research also highlights the importance of considering menopausal status rather than age when determining screening intervals.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateOct 20, 2015

From good to bad with a copper switch

A new SISSA study uncovers a critical cofactor in prion protein transformation from 'good' to 'bad', revealing the role of copper in triggering the process. The study suggests a new potential target for treating prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and mad cow disease.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 20, 2015

A 'hot' new development for ultracold magnetic sensors

Researchers from Loughborough and Nottingham Universities developed a multi-SQUID device that can operate at 77 K, outperforming standard 4.2 K SQUID magnetometers. The new design uses flux focusers to achieve high temperature performance with low noise levels.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 20, 2015

Cause of viral infection of the brain mapped out

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine has identified a genetic defect in the immune system that can lead to fatal brain inflammation in some people infected with the herpes virus. The discovery may also shed light on other types of viral infections, such as meningitis and influenza.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateOct 20, 2015

NASA sees Hurricane Olaf move into central Pacific Ocean

Hurricane Olaf strengthened to a Category four hurricane on October 20 with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph. The storm is expected to remain major for the next couple of days before curving northeast and away from Hawaii by Friday, October 23.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 20, 2015
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.

Botox may prevent irregular heartbeat after bypass surgery

Researchers found that Botox injections significantly reduced the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) after bypass surgery. In contrast, saline injections showed no such benefit. The study's results could lead to Botox being used as a preventive measure for AF in patients undergoing heart bypass or valve repair.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateOct 20, 2015

Alcohol ads linked to teen alcohol brand choices

Youth aged 13-20 are more than five times more likely to consume brands that advertise on TV, and 36% more likely to drink brands that advertise in magazines. Researchers used exposure estimates from media research firms to link brand-specific advertising with consumption among underage drinkers.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateOct 20, 2015

Uncovered: The European roller's route between Africa and Europe

Scientists uncover European roller's migratory routes, resting areas and wintering grounds, revealing key areas of conservation importance. The study highlights the species' fragile state of conservation and the impact of human activities on its migration patterns.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalDiversity and Distributions·DateOct 20, 2015

A new way to starve lung cancer?

Researchers discovered that lung cancer cells switch to using amino acid glutamine when glucose is scarce, allowing them to continue growing under starvation conditions. Blocking this enzyme PEPCK could slow tumor growth in mice, suggesting a promising new approach to treating non-small cell lung cancer.

SourceMcGill University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateOct 20, 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.

Histone deacetylase 6 inhibition enhances oncolytic viral therapy

New study reveals that histone deacetylase 6 inhibition improves the ability of oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1 to kill glioma cells. HDAC inhibitors increase viral trafficking to the nucleus, leading to increased replication and tumor cell death.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2015

Stimulating specific brain area could help defrost arms frozen by stroke

A study published at Neuroscience 2015 found that magnetically stimulating a specific part of the brain can affect arm movements in patients with severely disabling post-stroke arm impairment. The research suggests that repeated stimulation of the unaffected side of the brain may help teach it to control the impaired arm.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateOct 20, 2015

Discrepancies are common between reported medical outcomes and trial registry data

A recent study published in Neurology found that only a quarter of headache clinical trials were registered in an approved clinical trial registry, despite a 2005 decision by major medical journals to prioritize trial registration. The study suggests significant selective reporting and potential issues with the peer review process.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNeurology·DateOct 20, 2015

New 'geospeedometer' confirms super-eruptions have short fuses

Researchers developed a new 'geospeedometer' to measure the time between magma formation and eruption, finding that super-eruptions can occur within 500 years. The technique is based on analyzing quartz crystals found in magma bodies and provides an independent estimate of the duration of magmatic conditions.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalGeology·DateOct 20, 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.

Learning from ants how to build transportation networks

Ants build complex transportation networks by minimizing costs while maintaining efficiency and robustness. Researchers at Uppsala University applied this principle to human-made systems, finding that connecting new suburbs to the closest city area can ensure relatively cheap but efficient power networks. By adjusting the frequency of ...

SourceUppsala University·JournalInterface·DateOct 20, 2015

Rutgers Genetics Research Center awarded $6 million federal grant

Rutgers Genetics Research Center has been awarded a five-year grant to provide comprehensive stem-cell related services, including iPSC derivation and quality control. The new grant will enhance access to high-quality stem cells for researchers investigating Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's diseases.

SourceRutgers University·DateOct 20, 2015

Study finds more tunnels in ant nests means more food for colony

A UC San Diego study found that more connected chambers in ant nests increase social interactions, allowing ants to quickly communicate good food sources. The spatial organization of a nest has a greater impact on collective behavior than the number of workers.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalBiology Letters·DateOct 20, 2015
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.

Does living in the United States promote teenage risk taking?

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that US teens exhibit higher sensation-seeking behavior compared to their peers in Puerto Rico, with rates increasing earlier and being influenced by family environment and parenting practices.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 20, 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.

Male and female hearts don't grow old the same way

A study of nearly 3,000 adults found significant differences in how male and female hearts change over time. The research suggests that men's and women's hearts may develop age-related heart failure for different reasons, highlighting the need for gender-tailored treatments.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalRadiology·DateOct 20, 2015

Cancer-causing parasite may accelerate wound healing

A cancer-causing parasitic worm has been discovered to drive wound healing and blood vessel growth, which could lead to accelerated recovery from chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers. The growth factor secreted by the parasite also increases the risk of developing liver cancer over time.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateOct 20, 2015

Super-slick material makes steel better, stronger, cleaner

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a way to make steel stronger, safer and more durable by creating a surface coating made from rough nanoporous tungsten oxide. The new material is capable of repelling any kind of liquid even after sustaining intense structural abuse.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 20, 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.

Case Western Reserve receives $2 million for smoking cessation research

The study aims to investigate a combination approach to help patients stop smoking, particularly those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. A randomized trial will be conducted in eight clinics serving over 25,000 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of pairing Teachable Moment Communication Process with Ask-Advise-Connec...

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateOct 20, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Most earth-like worlds have yet to be born, according to theoretical study

A new theoretical study suggests that only eight percent of potentially habitable planets will ever form in the universe, while the bulk of those planets - 92 percent - have yet to be born. This conclusion is based on an assessment of data collected by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Kepler space observatory.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateOct 20, 2015

Watching the inflammation process in real time

Researchers at Jena University developed a cellular system to study inflammation processes in real time, providing a method for targeting new therapeutic approaches. The system allowed them to clarify the exact regulatory mechanism of 5-LO and FLAP interaction, enabling tests for active compounds.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateOct 19, 2015