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Science News Archive December 2015


Page 23 of 32

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Sleep disturbance in epilepsy: Causes and consequences

Research reveals disrupted sleep in people with epilepsy can impede memory formation, impair cognitive performance, and influence daily life. Studies show links between sleep disturbances and seizure control, as well as the impact of nighttime seizures on memory retention.

Cancer study identifies genes that stop onset of leukemia

A recent study by University of Edinburgh researchers has identified two molecules, Hif-1alpha and Hif-2alpha, that work together to prevent the development of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in an aggressive type of blood cancer. The findings suggest that therapies designed to block these molecules may have no impact or worsen the disease.

In social movements, 'slactivists' matter

A new study in PLOS One analyzes tens of millions of tweets surrounding specific social protests and finds that a critical periphery of 'slacktivists' greatly amplify a movement's message, doubling its reach. The researchers argue that these peripheral players are essential to give protests resonance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Global CO2 emissions projected to stall in 2015

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels and industry grew by just 0.6 per cent last year, marking a slowdown. China's decreased coal use is largely responsible for the break in global emissions growth, with emissions projected to decline by 0.6 per cent this year.

Using atoms to turn optical nanofiber guided light on and off

The OIST team developed an on-off switch with ultrathin optical fibers, using the quantum properties of rubidium atoms in the presence of different wavelengths of light. This proof-of-concept system could be used as a building block in a quantum network, enabling efficient data transfer and security.

Victorians exposed to fine art through Christmas cards

Designers of Christmas cards employed fine art to divert attention from growing consumerism and promote art and aesthetic values. Rare cards held by a Devon-based private collector showcased high-quality artwork, bridging the boundary between fine and decorative arts.

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.

Suspect cells not guilty after all in late-stage lupus

Virginia Tech researchers have discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells do not contribute to late-stage lupus in mice, contradicting years of previous research. The study's findings suggest that pDCs are only involved in the initiation of lupus, rather than its progression.

Reform model not yet helping people with mental illness

A recent study found that a reform model aimed at improving coordinated care for individuals with mental health diagnoses has yet to deliver desired results. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Alternative Quality Contract, which began in 2009, was designed to encourage high-value care and improve quality coordination, but its ...

SwRI's Bottke to present AGU Shoemaker Lecture

Dr. William Bottke will present on a relatively tranquil time between two violent bombardment phases in the early solar system, exploring evidence from various sources including planet formation models and ancient samples.

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.

1st tool to assess impact of co-illnesses in young cancer patients

Researchers developed a new index identifying concurrent but unrelated diseases among AYA cancer patients, highlighting prevalence of mental illness, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. The AYA HOPE Comorbidity Index can predict service needs and improve treatment outcomes for young cancer patients.

Rapid growth in carbon dioxide emissions breaks in 2015

Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels declined by 0.6% in 2015, marking a break from the rapid growth of the past decade. The largest contributor to this decline was a decrease in coal consumption in China, which slowed its emissions growth to 1.2%.

Stretchy hydrogel 'Band-Aid' senses, lights up, delivers medicine

Researchers at MIT have developed a stretchy hydrogel material that can incorporate temperature sensors, LED lights, and drug-delivering reservoirs. The hydrogel can sense changes in skin temperature and release medicine as needed, making it a potential treatment for burns or other skin conditions.

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.

Blood thinner, antidiabetic drug mix increases hospitalizations

A new study has found that combining the blood thinner warfarin with certain diabetes medications increases hospitalizations for falls, altered mental state, and insulin shock among Medicare patients. The study's findings have significant implications for patient safety and healthcare costs.

The world's tiniest temperature sensor is powered by radio waves

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a tiny wireless temperature sensor that measures just 2 square millimeters and weighs 1.6 milligrams. The sensor operates beneath a layer of paint or concrete, consumes extremely low energy, and can be easily incorporated into buildings.

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.

Breaking bread with colleagues boosts productivity

A recent study by Cornell University found that firefighter platoons who eat meals together have better group job performance compared to those who dine solo. This phenomenon is attributed to the social bonding and intimacy that comes with sharing meals, which spills over into improved work performance.

Invasive ants threaten native Australian butterfly

Research on invasive yellow crazy ants found they are more likely to attack native cruiser butterfly caterpillars than green tree ants. The study suggests a potential eradication program could mitigate ecological damage, but federal support is uncertain without state and local backing.

Warm nights could flood the atmosphere with carbon under climate change

A new study by Princeton University researchers suggests that warmer nights may lead to more carbon being released into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. The research found a strong correlation between tropical nighttime temperatures and variations in plant respiration rates, which produce carbon dioxide.

Target Validation platform launches

The Target Validation Platform provides a single, robust infrastructure that integrates high-level information from key sources of evidence. It enables communities to work together, making the hand-off from basic research to drug discovery smoother, and is expected to grow substantially as it integrates experimental project data.

New massive dataset of bacterial proteins

Scientists from Switzerland and the Netherlands have identified over 2,300 bacterial proteins in 22 different growth conditions, representing half of the bacterial genes. The dataset provides insight into protein function, expression levels, and post-translational adaptations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Acetaminophen provides no benefits against the flu

A new randomized clinical trial found that acetaminophen does not provide benefits in fighting the flu or reducing symptoms. The trial involved adults with confirmed influenza infections, who were treated with paracetamol or placebo for five days.

Greenland glaciers retreating at record pace

A new study shows that Greenland's glaciers are retreating twice as fast as in the past 9,500 years, highlighting their acute temperature sensitivity. The sediment cores from a glacier-fed lake provide the first continuous observation of glacier change in southeastern Greenland.

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.

New findings reveal the interplay between epilepsy and aging

Four studies explore the interplay between epilepsy and aging, revealing unexpected consequences on the brain. Researchers found that uncontrolled epilepsy can lead to accelerated brain aging, while others discovered a link between traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy in the elderly population.

Modified mosquitoes could help fight against malaria

Researchers at Imperial College London have genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to be infertile, using a gene drive technology that can spread the trait rapidly. The goal is to reduce the spread of malaria parasites, which infect over 200 million people annually and cause 430,000 deaths.

Three-dimensional force microscopy

Researchers used a novel approach to measure the forces exerted by tumor cells on their surrounding connective tissue. By analyzing tissue deformations, they calculated cell forces with high accuracy, revealing key insights into tumour cell migration and behaviour.

Home-delivered meals reduce loneliness, study finds

A new study confirms that home-delivered meals provide more than just nutrition and food security for seniors. The research found that meal delivery significantly reduced feelings of loneliness among participants, particularly those who received daily deliveries.

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.

Reducing pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the big toe

A study published in Arthritis Care & Research found that both prefabricated foot orthoses and rocker-sole shoes alleviate big toe joint pain, with orthoses potentially being the better option due to reduced discomfort and impaired balance. Additionally, these interventions also affect peak pressure under other toes and midfoot.

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.

Screenbased activities can't replace personal interactions

A new article published in Acta Paediatrica stresses the importance of direct interactions with family members for infants' cognitive and language development. The research suggests that screen-based activities like iPads or DVDs may actually hinder language skills, leading to potential delays.

Planners aim for coastal growth in all the right places

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted a $750,000 program to enhance coastal resilience in Texas. The program aims to improve community planning and outreach, using tools like CHARM, to mitigate the impact of weather hazards.

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.

What makes Tom Hanks look like Tom Hanks?

University of Washington researchers have developed a technology to capture the 'persona' of a well-photographed person like Tom Hanks from vast numbers of Internet images. The digital model can be animated to deliver speeches that the real actor never performed, and even transfer expressions and mannerisms onto another person's face.

Most men with erectile dysfunction are satisfied with penile prostheses

A study of 47 men with erectile dysfunction found that 79% were satisfied with the outcome of penile prosthesis surgery. The benefits included improved sexual function, enhanced male identity, and relationship improvements. Most men reported positive emotions, self-esteem, confidence, and increased desire after receiving the implant.

Strongest sinks of carbon are in dynamic landscapes

A study by the USDA Forest Service found that landscapes with 50-60% forest land use had statistically the same sink strength as those with 90-100% forest. This suggests that land use change is a substantial component of the forest carbon sink in the Eastern United States, and new approaches like establishing new forests may help seque...

New insights into link between taste and behavior

Researchers studied gustatory computations in zebrafish brainstem circuits, revealing that taste categories are represented by dissimilar responses and generate different behaviors. The study proposed a central role for encoding category, concentration, and mixtures of taste in these circuits.

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.

Scientists discover 'back door' of nuclear receptor

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have identified a novel site on the RORγt nuclear receptor that can be targeted by drugs without inducing resistance. This discovery could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases like rheumatism and Crohn's disease.

Shrinking tumors with an RNA triple-helix hydrogel glue

A new gene therapy platform uses a hydrogel and self-assembled nanoparticles to deliver microRNAs that suppress tumor tissue, increasing dosage at the site while reducing systemic side effects. The approach has shown promising results in shrinking tumors by nearly 90% in pre-clinical models.

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.

Sex differences in type 2 diabetes affect cardiovascular disease risk

Women with Type 2 diabetes face increased cardiovascular disease risk, including earlier heart attacks, higher mortality rates, and reduced access to treatments. Lifestyle changes like improved diet and exercise may help reduce this risk, but more research is needed to understand these differences and improve health equity.

RHIC particle smashups find that shape matters

RHIC scientists found that shape affects particle production and flow in collisions, enabling them to separate results by geometry. This discovery represents a paradigm shift in understanding quark-gluon plasma formation.