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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 12 of 32

Cellphone data can track infectious diseases

Researchers used anonymous mobile phone records for 15 million people in Kenya to track the spread of rubella, predicting seasonal disease patterns. The study shows that cellphone movement can be a predictor of infectious-disease spread, particularly among children during school breaks.

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.

Is hospice use alone a good indicator of quality of end-of-life care?

A recent study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine found variations in hospice use patterns between states, highlighting the need for improved end-of-life care. Researchers identified differences in the timing and duration of hospice enrollment, which could mask issues requiring attention.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Making hydrogen fuel from water and visible light highly efficient

A new technique mimics photosynthesis by harnessing the power of catalysts, light, and sacrificial molecules to boost hydrogen production efficiency. By solving the bottleneck of converting visible light into energy, researchers create a sustainable method for producing hydrogen fuels.

Disagreement among experts over bioweapons threat

A study using the Delphi Method assessed the bioweapons threat and potential misuse of scientific research by querying 59 experts. The results show significant disagreement among authorities, with differing opinions based on factors such as age and expertise.

NASA's CloudSat slices into Super Typhoon Atsani

CloudSat's cloud profiling radar captured the sloping nature of Super Typhoon Atsani's eyewall, revealing heavy rainfall and powerful thunderstorms. The satellite also detected deep convective cloud tops northwest and southeast of the eye, with winds extending over 60 nautical miles from the center.

Study examines breast cancer mortality after ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis

A study of over 100,000 women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) found that the 20-year breast cancer-specific death rate was 3.3 percent, higher for women under 35 and black women compared to non-Hispanic white women. Preventing ipsilateral invasive recurrence did not reduce mortality from breast cancer, according to researchers.

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.

Anxiety in the workplace can lead to lower job performance

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that high levels of emotional exhaustion due to workplace anxiety can directly impact job performance. The quality of relationships between employees, supervisors, and co-workers plays a crucial role in mitigating the negative effects of workplace anxiety.

Scientists turn oily soil into fertile ground

Rice University researchers develop a new method to clean contaminated soil at oil spills, reducing energy consumption and enhancing soil fertility. The process uses pyrolysis to heat the soil in the absence of oxygen, removing toxic pollutants and retaining beneficial carbon.

S'no water in Sierra Nevadas

Researchers in California found that melting snow can produce highly variable results in underground water levels. The study used a network of moisture sensors to measure soil moisture and relate it to snow depth, finding that different sensor locations and tree cover conditions led to varying wetting and drying dynamics.

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.

How long have primates been infected with viruses related to HIV?

Researchers discovered that lentiviruses closely related to HIV have infected primates in Africa as far back as 16 million years. The TRIM5 protein, an antiviral gene, has evolved to protect host cells from infection and provides insight into the evolution of viruses.

Special issue: Forest health

A special issue of Science explores the impact of human-induced environmental changes on forests worldwide. The reviews highlight pressing issues such as forest fires, drought, and extinction, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices, genetic engineering, and collaborative research.

Unique genes in Khoe-San people may lower risk of some pregnancy hazards

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered a new gene variant in the Khoe-San population that reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and leads to larger, healthier babies. The mutation alters the binding of immune cells to placental cells, resulting in better blood supply to the developing embryo.

Boreal forests challenged by global change

The world's boreal forests are under pressure from global warming, with rising temperatures and changing conditions threatening their resilience and productivity. The forests play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system, but may switch from being carbon sinks to sources of greenhouse gas emissions if not managed adaptively.

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.

Ecologists roll a century's work on food-webs into a single model

A new model presents a common mathematical structure underlying food-web interactions, allowing ecologists to view all species' connections using a single language. The model reveals previously unobserved similarities between different ecological reactions and has profound implications for infectious diseases, fisheries, and conservation.

A paradigm shift in multidrug resistance

Bacteria can become highly resistant to antibiotics when exposed to their environment in the body, not just in lab tests. The study suggests incorporating animal models and biochemical environments into antibiotic development to improve accuracy.

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.

The human genome: A complex orchestra

Researchers discovered that genetic variation impacts multiple, separated gene regulatory elements simultaneously, revealing a harmonized and synergistic behavior. This study sheds light on fundamental aspects of genome biology and its role in complex diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Discovery of trigger for bugs' defenses could lead to new antibiotics

Researchers have identified a protein called sigma54 that controls bacterial defenses, including the production of resistant outer coats and defensive structures. Understanding how sigma54 works could lead to the development of new compounds that can kill bacteria, providing a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.

AGA proposes alternate pathway to recertification

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has proposed an alternate pathway to recertification that focuses on active, adaptive, self-directed learning modules. This approach aims to enhance patient care by making the recertification process more individualized and competency-based.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

FIC proteins send bacteria into hibernation

Researchers from the University of Basel's Biozentrum have discovered a mechanism by which FIC proteins send bacteria into a state of dormancy, protecting them from antibiotics. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of pathogens and their tools, offering new avenues for understanding bacterial evolution.

Experiment attempts to snare a dark energy 'chameleon'

Researchers at UC Berkeley conducted an experiment to detect dark energy particles called 'chameleons,' which were proposed as a possible explanation for the mysterious energy. The results narrowed the search by a thousand times compared to previous tests, ruling out certain energies and eliminating a large range of possible particles.

Cartilage grown in lab implanted into man's knee

Doctors at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have successfully implanted lab-grown cartilage into a patient's knee, offering a potential long-term solution for patients with knee injuries. The implant is made from the patient's own cells and has shown promise in improving patient outcomes.

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.

Maltreated children's brains show 'encouraging' ability to regulate emotions

A University of Washington-led study found that maltreated adolescents can modulate their emotional responses when taught strategies for controlling them. The researchers observed increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion control among the maltreated group, suggesting a promising ability to regulate emotions with training.

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.

Engineered hot fat implants reduce weight gain in mice

Researchers at UC Berkeley created an implant containing stem cells that form functional brown-fat-like tissue, reducing weight gain and lowering blood glucose levels in mice. The study's results suggest the technique could lead to new therapeutic approaches for metabolic disorders.

Grape waste could make competitive biofuel

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that grape waste can be converted into a competitive biofuel, producing up to 270 litres of ethanol per tonne of grape marc. The process involves fermentation and pre-treatment with acid and enzymes, which increases yields to 400 litres per tonne.

More grasslands in Tibet could bring climate improvements

Research suggests that restoring native grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau could cool the air through increased evapotranspiration, weakening global warming. The study's findings indicate a positive impact on both regional and global climates.

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.

Breastfeeding may expose infants to toxic chemicals

A new study has found that breast milk can build up toxic chemicals in infants by 20-30% each month, increasing their risk of immune system dysfunction and other health problems. The study followed 81 children born in the Faroe Islands between 1997-2000 and found higher levels of these chemicals in exclusively breastfed infants.

Lighting up cancer cells to identify low concentrations of diseased cells

Researchers in China have developed tiny nanocrystals that can specifically target and identify cancer cells, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The nanocrystals, made from heavy metals lanthanum and europium, can be used as 'staining' agents to highlight diseased cells under a microscope.

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.

Study shows what business leaders can learn from Formula One racing

Academic researchers found that teams with small, incremental improvements performed better than those with big changes, especially when regulatory environments were changing. Small, marginal improvements gained efficiency without disturbing the whole system. The study suggests that sometimes, going slow can be beneficial for business.