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Science News Archive 2015


Page 82 of 402

The Canadian experience on pediatric liver disease: Early diagnosis is critical

A nationwide study in Pediatrics found 159 children under 18 with Autoimmune Hepatitis in Canada, with fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain as common presenting symptoms. Early diagnosis is critical to prevent worsening symptoms, and the study provides evidence-based data for family physicians and specialists to refer patients earlier.

Poisonous frogs more likely to face extinction, study finds

A study by University of Liverpool scientists found that amphibians using toxins for defense are at higher risk of extinction, contradicting a long-held evolutionary hypothesis. This discovery challenges our understanding of the relationship between defense mechanisms and species diversification.

Gene could hold key to treating Parkinson's disease

Researchers at King's College London have identified a new gene, HIFalpha, that regulates nerve signals from damaged mitochondria in fruit flies. Switching off the HIFalpha gene restores nerve function and prevents early failure of nerve cells caused by mitochondrial damage.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Late-breaking study finds aerobic exercise significantly improved asthma control

Researchers found that a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program improved asthma control, reduced short-acting bronchodilator usage, and depressive symptoms in patients with confirmed asthma. The study suggests that aerobic exercise could be an adjunct to current pharmacological therapy for adult asthma patients with poor control.

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.

Mixed bag: Electronic health records and ICU quality improvement

The study found significant reductions in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and surgical intensive care unit (SICU) mortality rates after EHR implementation. This improvement resulted in a lower risk of CLABSI per 1,000 catheter days and a decrease in overall SICU mortality.

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.

How mechanical stretching forces impact human vascular cells

An in vitro study found that smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells respond uniquely to mechanical stretching, with different frequencies triggering distinct adaptations. Understanding these responses could lead to cell-type specific activation of vascular cells for improved regenerative medicine strategies.

Solar energy's land-use impact

A new study found that most utility-scale solar energy facilities in California are located in natural habitats, leading to environmental conflicts. The researchers identified areas for more sustainable siting, including built-up lands and those already affected by human activities.

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.

The smell of death can trigger fight or flight in humans

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to putrescine, a chemical compound produced by dead bodies, increases vigilance and readiness for either escape or aggressive behavior. The researchers believe this discovery may help determine the sensory and brain pathways involved in chemosensory threat detection.

Building and breaking synapses

A new study reveals the role of ephrin-B3 in organizing synapses, which is essential for healthy brain function. The discovery could lead to better treatments for neurological diseases such as autism and Alzheimer's.

Scientists find some thrive in acid seas

Seagrasses thrive in acidic waters near underwater volcanic vents, potentially increasing their ability to absorb carbon from the ocean. However, climate change also poses risks to these ecosystems, highlighting the need for further research.

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.

Images of pleasure and winning have unique distracting power

A new study by University College London finds that positive images are highly distracting, even when the task is difficult, while negative images can be ignored. The researchers suggest using positive images in marketing campaigns to capture attention, as people are more focused on pleasure seeking than potential harm.

Structure revealed: Plant sugar transporter involved in carbon sequestration

Researchers have elucidated the molecular structure of a plant sugar transporter called SWEET2, which plays a critical role in limiting the sugar supply to beneficial microbes while preventing pathogens from thriving. This discovery provides insights into how plants control carbon sequestration and energy homeostasis.

X-citing X chromosome discovery could aid research on many sex-linked disorders

A team of scientists from the University of Michigan Medical School has discovered a new way for RNA to regulate genetic activity on the X chromosome in females. The finding, which could lead to better treatment for sex-linked disorders, shows that female cells produce a special type of RNA called XistAR to silence one of their two X c...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study reveals new, potent way to boost immunity and fight viruses

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have found a new component of the interferon system that enhances the body's innate immune defenses while attacking a protein relied on by many viruses. This dual mechanism could lead to effective antiviral drugs and may explain improved survival rates in genetically engineered mice.

Electronics get a power boost with the addition of a simple material

Researchers at Penn State have discovered a way to give transistors a power boost by incorporating vanadium oxide into electronic devices. The material's metal-to-insulator transition property can enhance state-of-the-art non-volatile memories and improve the stability and energy efficiency of read, write, and maintain information states.

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.

Clear link between income and survival after cardiac surgery

A new registry study by Karolinska Institutet found a strong correlation between household disposable income and long-term survival after cardiac surgery. The study included 100,000 patients and showed that those with higher incomes had significantly lower mortality rates, even after adjusting for other risk factors.

No increased dementia risk found in diagnosed celiac patients

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center analyzed data from 8,846 individuals over 50 years old with celiac disease, finding no increased risk of dementia before or after diagnosis. However, a small increase in vascular dementia was observed in patients with celiac disease.

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.

L.A.'s CicLAvia significantly improves air quality in host neighborhoods

A study by the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health found that CicLAvia significantly reduces air quality in Los Angeles neighborhoods. The event decreases ultrafine particle presence and particulate matter readings by up to 49% along closed streets, and even lower rates on nearby streets still open to traffic.

Daily Earth images available from DSCOVR satellite EPIC instrument

NASA has launched a new website featuring daily color images of Earth taken by the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) EPIC camera, providing insights into global variations in vegetation, ozone, and cloud height. The images are available for public viewing on the NASA website.

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.

Memo to docs: Mind the nonresistant bugs too

Garden-variety staph infections are just as deadly for newborns as drug-resistant strains, according to a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Nonresistant bacterial infections affect more than twice as many babies and have the same high mortality rate as their drug-resistant cousins.

The 20 lb. cereal box

A new Cornell study found that women who had breakfast cereal sitting on their counters weighed 20-lbs more than those without, while soft drinks contributed to a 24-26 lb weight increase. In contrast, households with fruit bowls showed a 13-lb weight loss.

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.

Do stem cells hold the key to breast cancer spread?

Breast cancer researcher Dr Michalak aims to understand how normal and cancerous cells develop in the breast to identify suspicious tumors and develop better treatments. Her study focuses on epigenetic modifiers, which can influence DNA behavior, and may hold clues to preventing tumor spread.

Cyclic healing removes defects in metals while maintaining strength

A new technique called cyclic healing uses repetitive stretching to eliminate pre-existing defects in metal crystals, significantly increasing their strength. The technique was developed by an international team of researchers and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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.

Gene on-off switch works like backpack strap

A team of researchers has found that proteins forming loops in human chromosomes work like a sliding plastic adjuster on a backpack. This discovery could provide new clues about genetic diseases and allow for reprogramming cells by directly modifying the loops in genomes.

New review: What to do to prevent food allergies in infants

A new review based on latest evidence interprets how to guide physicians and families regarding food introduction and allergy prevention. Introducing peanut between 4-11 months is now recommended for high-risk infants, contradicting previous avoidance diets.

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.

Satellite animation shows Olaf grow into a major hurricane

Hurricane Olaf has strengthened into a major hurricane with maximum sustained winds reaching near 115 mph, forecast to cross into the Central Pacific basin tonight. The storm is expected to curve northwest and move parallel from Hawaii, posing potential threat to the region.

Solvents save steps in solar cell manufacturing

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new solvent-based method to manufacture ultrathin films used in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. This method eliminates the need for thermal annealing, resulting in improved film morphology and increased photovoltaic performance.

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.

More than 11 moles on your arm could indicate higher risk of melanoma

Researchers at King's College London have identified a method to quickly estimate total body mole count using a smaller 'proxy' area, like the arm. Females with over 7 moles on their right arm had 9 times more risk of having 50+ moles overall, while those with 11 or more had 100+, indicating higher melanoma risk.

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.