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Science News Archive August 2015


Page 9 of 32

A noninvasive test for surgical site infections in orthopedic implants

Researchers develop an antigen-sensitive hydrogel integrated into a small wireless sensor to detect early surgical site infections in orthopedic implants. The test has the potential to guide therapy, improve outcomes and reduce readmissions and costs associated with implant-related infections.

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.

Smart phone not a smart choice when facing depression

Research at Michigan State University suggests that using smartphones to alleviate depression can have negative effects. Lead authors argue that face-to-face interaction is a more effective antidote to problematic mobile phone use.

MouthLab: Patients' vital signs are just a breath away

A handheld device called MouthLab tracks vital signs such as blood pressure, breathing rate, and heart rate by analyzing data from a mouthpiece and thumb pad sensor. The device has shown promising results in studies, with its measurements matching those taken with standard hospital monitors.

Danny the 'degenerate' followed by 2 lows

Danny degenerated into an elongated area of low pressure near the Windward Islands, producing 2-4 inches of rain over several islands. A second low-pressure system is developing in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, with potential for tropical depression or storm formation

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.

Blood vessel cells help tumours evade the immune system

Researchers found that tumour pericytes manipulate the tumour environment to help cancer cells escape immune surveillance. Increasing pericyte numbers could potentially decrease IL-6 expression and improve cytotoxic T-cell activity.

Smoke from western fires wafts eastward

Smoke from western fires mixes with atmospheric particles to obscure landmasses in eastern states, altering sunset colors. Residents notice increased reddish hues due to filtering of shorter wavelength light by smaller smoke particles.

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.

Fertility concerns impact breast cancer treatment decisions

A study found that fertility concerns led a third of young women with breast cancer to decline or discontinue tamoxifen. The study also showed that a quarter of women who started tamoxifen stopped taking it before the recommended treatment period ended.

How zebrafish rebuild the skeleton of amputated fins

Researchers have discovered how zebrafish rebuild their skeleton after losing parts of their fins. A critical enzyme called Cyp26b1 helps to regulate retinoic acid levels, allowing osteoblasts to revert and form new bone tissue. The regeneration process relies on a complex navigation system involving signaling proteins and cell types.

Scientists discover electrical control of cancer cell growth

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have identified a new electrical mechanism that controls molecular switches regulating cell growth. The study focuses on K-Ras mutations found in 20% of human cancers, which can lead to uncontrolled cell division and cancer.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New research sheds light on end of Snowball Earth period

Scientists discovered that the end of the Snowball Earth period was marked by regular ice advances and retreats, contrary to previous thought. The constant changes were caused by the Earth wobbling on its axis, leading to subtle shifts in climate change.

ESMO honors exceptional oncologists

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) announced the award of its esteemed prizes to three exceptional medical oncologists: Nathan Cherny, Nagahiro Saijo, and Cornelis Punt. These pioneers have made groundbreaking contributions to palliative care integration, medical oncology in Asia, and immunotherapy approaches.

Chimpanzees found to survive in degraded and human-dominated habitats

Research reveals a significantly larger-than-estimated chimpanzee population in Uganda's fragmented habitats, with populations of up to 319 individuals found across 633 km2. The study suggests that chimpanzees' adaptability and behavioral flexibility enable them to survive in degraded environments.

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.

New blood test for colon cancer improves colonoscopy screening results

Researchers have developed a new blood test that can detect precancerous polyps in the colon, potentially improving colonoscopy screening results. The test uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to identify molecular traces in blood plasma, offering a cheaper and less invasive initial screening option.

EARTH -- Geology for everyone: Making the field accessible

The geosciences are becoming more inclusive, thanks to initiatives like the first fully accessible field trip in 2014. Researchers found that focusing on students' abilities rather than challenges can create a rewarding experience for all. The American Geosciences Institute is promoting this approach through its efforts.

Young adults believe hookah, e-cigs are safer than cigarettes

A study of 2,871 young adults found that many believe e-cigarettes and hookah are less risky than cigarettes. Younger respondents (18-24) were more likely to rate e-cigs and hookah as safer, while older respondents (25-34) were more cautious. Despite this, most respondents continued to use tobacco products.

Record high pressure squeezes secrets out of osmium

Researchers achieve unprecedented pressures of up to 770 GPa, revealing osmium's structural stability and interaction between core electrons. The findings have implications for understanding physics and chemistry of highly compressed matter.

Association between transient newborn hypoglycemia, 4th grade achievement

A recent study suggests that early transient newborn hypoglycemia may be associated with lower fourth-grade achievement test scores. The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that newborns who experienced low blood sugar levels had decreased literacy and mathematics proficiency rates at age 10.

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.

Young adults, women experience only slight declines in heart disease deaths

Research reveals that young adults, especially women, are not benefiting equally from declining heart disease death rates. Despite improvements in older adults, the annual percentage change in death rates for young men and women showed no improvement between 1990-1999 and has only fallen one percent since 2000.

FSU researcher identifies protein with promise for cancer therapy

Researchers at Florida State University have identified a protein called Treslin that shows promise in stopping the unregulated division of cancer cells. Treslin stimulates the activation of helicase, a key enzyme involved in DNA replication, and assembles it for cell division.

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.

The mending tissue -- Cellular instructions for tissue repair

A collaborative study led by NUS scientists has identified a universal mechanism that regulates forces during epithelial tissue repair. The researchers found that cells respond to the shape and geometry of gaps in the tissue, with convex edges facilitating faster movement than concave edges.

Cameras delivered for NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission as launch prep continues

The OSIRIS-REx camera suite, consisting of PolyCam, MapCam, and SamCam, will enable the spacecraft to image and map Bennu, select a safe sampling site, and collect a sample. The mission is scheduled to launch in September 2016 and will return the largest sample from space since the Apollo lunar missions.

NASA SDO: Images of a mid-level solar flare

A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M5.6, occurred on Aug 24, 2015. The flare emitted powerful bursts of radiation, potentially affecting Earth's atmosphere and disrupting GPS and communications signals.

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.

UI and WSU to help communities prepare for, recover from wildfires

Researchers are studying ways to increase communities' ability to withstand and recover from wildfires with the support of a $2.8 million grant. The team will create a virtual early warning system to identify vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and work with stakeholders to develop action plans for at-risk areas.

Another milestone in hybrid artificial photosynthesis

A team of researchers at Berkeley Lab has achieved another milestone in hybrid artificial photosynthesis by generating renewable molecular hydrogen and synthesizing carbon dioxide into methane. The new system uses solar energy to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, which is then used by microbes to produce methane.

Scientists from NTU Singapore find electrifying solution to sticky problem

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a novel adhesive called Voltaglue that can be activated by electricity, allowing for the creation of strong yet reversible bonds. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for various industries, including transportation and medicine, and could potentially revolutionize the way adhesive...

Tiny antibodies point to vulnerability in disease-causing parasites

Researchers identified a nanobody that stabilizes an enzyme essential for parasite invasion and reproduction. The discovery reveals a previously unappreciated feature of the enzyme's activation, making it a potential target for prevention and treatment of diseases like malaria.

Catastrophic landslides post-earthquake

Large earthquakes cause catastrophic landslides that can persist up to 20-fold after the earthquake, then gradually decrease over time. The magnitude of this response is linked to the size of the earthquake, with shaking-induced damage near Earth's surface and active healing processes playing a key role.

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.

Ants do drugs

Researchers at University of Helsinki found that black ants can change their food taste in response to fungal pathogens. By consuming a diet with high levels of free radicals, the ants show improved resistance to infections.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NIMBioS receives NSF grant to assess student learning in mathematics

The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) has been awarded a two-year NSF grant to create the Quantitative Biology Concept Inventory (QBCI), an instrument to assess learning comprehension and skill development in college-level math courses with real-world examples versus abstract methods. The project ai...

Climate impacts on marine biodiversity

A recent study models the impact of climate change on marine biodiversity, predicting that warming oceans will lead to significant changes in species distribution. The researchers found that some species will expand into new regions, while others with restricted ranges are likely to face extinction.

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.

Crying has its perks

Researchers found that tears help to relieve emotions, leading to an improvement in mood, even if it takes time for the feelings to recover

CONRAD to receive USAID funding for Project EMOTION

Project EMOTION aims to develop user-centered strategies for creating market demand for microbicides and PrEP products among high-risk women. The project will work with local partners to identify drivers and barriers to product use, and design new product attributes, packaging, and messaging.

Voter ID law effects hard to pinpoint

A study by Indiana University doctoral student Adam Nicholson examined county-level voter turnout in Indiana and Nebraska/Pennsylvania without voter ID laws. Turnout declined in counties with high elderly populations, but the overall effect of the law on large numbers of voters remains uncertain.

UTHealth's Gerard Francisco to be honored by physical medicine academy

Gerard E. Francisco, a renowned expert in physical medicine and rehabilitation, is being honored by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). His research focuses on developing innovative treatments to help stroke survivors regain hand movement and speech.

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.