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Science News Archive August 2015 - Page 9


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.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·DateAug 25, 2015

Brown widow spider reported for the first time in Tahiti

Researchers report brown widow spider discovery in Tahiti and Cook Islands, but caution against alarm. The non-aggressive nature of the spider and a natural control agent make it less of a concern.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateAug 25, 2015

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.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateAug 25, 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.

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.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAnnals of Biomedical Engineering·DateAug 24, 2015

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

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 24, 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.

Compound found in red wine causes conflicting changes in dogs' immune systems

Researchers at the University of Missouri found that resveratrol simultaneously increases and decreases dog's immune systems, leading to mixed signals. The study aims to better understand how this chemical affects human diseases, potentially leading to valuable treatments like cancer therapy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalVeterinary Immunology and Immunopathology·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 24, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalDevelopment·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalScience·DateAug 24, 2015
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 24, 2015

Promising class of new cancer drugs might cause memory loss in mice

Researchers discovered that a promising class of cancer drugs can lead to memory loss in mice due to molecular changes in the brain. The findings suggest the potential risks of these therapies and highlight the need for further investigation into their brain effects.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceEuropean Society for Medical Oncology·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Ecology·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceAmerican Geosciences Institute·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateAug 24, 2015

Brains of abused teenagers show 'encouraging' ability to regulate emotions

A recent study found that children aged 13-19 who have been abused can regulate their emotions with a little guidance. The researchers tracked the teens' brain activity as they viewed emotional images and were taught cognitive reappraisal, a strategy to alter emotional responses.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 24, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

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.

SourceWashington State University·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2015

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...

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateAug 24, 2015

New data changes ideas about sea level and coastal uplift along Pacific Coast

A new study by Alexander Simms and colleagues reveals that uplift rates across the Pacific Coast have been overestimated by an average of 40%, implying a slower rate of shoreline rise. This finding has important implications for coastal management, including earthquake hazards and sea-level rise impacts.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalEvolution·DateAug 24, 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.

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...

SourceNational Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS)·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·DateAug 24, 2015

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

SourceSpringer·JournalMotivation and Emotion·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceCONRAD·DateAug 24, 2015

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.

SourceIndiana University·DateAug 24, 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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateAug 24, 2015