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Science News Archive December 2015


Page 8 of 32

NYU study identifies method for detecting latent stage of lymphedema

Researchers at NYU College of Nursing developed a method to detect breast cancer-related lymphedema by counting symptoms, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The study found that a diagnostic cutoff of three symptoms can distinguish healthy adults from those with lymphedema with 94% sensitivity.

The case of the sticky protein

Researchers at Michigan Technological University have developed new probes to measure surface hydrophobicity in proteins. These sensors show significant improvements over existing commercial tools, with up to a 60-fold increase in detection strength.

Review: PTSD resources lacking for nonveterans

A new study finds that treatment resources for non-veterans with PTSD are much less cohesive and helpful than those available to veterans. The review of research literature highlights the need for better guidance on treating PTSD in specific vulnerable subpopulations, such as victims of sexual assault and natural disasters.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Uncovering potentially 'concerning' variation in cancer screening follow-ups

A recent study involving one million patients found that follow-up times for abnormal screening exams were shorter for breast cancer than for colorectal and cervical cancers. The study characterized cancer screening practice variation across seven centers and noted the potential barriers to timely follow-up, including patient inconveni...

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.

Coastal marshes more resilient to sea-level rise than previously believed

A new study by Duke University researchers found that coastal marshes can adapt to rising sea levels through increased plant productivity and soil generation, reducing the extent of marsh loss. The 'CO2 fertilization effect' allows marshes to trap more sediment and create organic soil, which helps them keep pace with sea-level rise.

Researchers develop new method for looking into the lungs

A new method allows researchers to create 3D images of oxygen and CO2 transport in the lungs, providing hope for improved treatment of COPD and lung cancer. The technique enables doctors to better predict patient outcomes and develop personalized treatments.

Watching the ribosome at work

A new method called RiboTaper helps to clarify the function of unknown genes by analyzing sequencing data. By filtering out background noise, researchers can determine which genes are actively producing proteins and identify specific points on RNA where significant events occur.

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.

Extinction of large animals could make climate change worse

Researchers find that extinction of fruit-eating animals like primates and tapirs disrupts seed dispersal, leading to a decline in heavy-wooded trees and reduced carbon storage. This loss affects the ecosystem's ability to counter climate change.

Bacterium carrying a cloned Bt-gene could help millions infected with roundworms

A team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for Bt into a harmless bacterium, which can be used to deliver the protein to people afflicted with roundworms through dairy products or probiotics. This could provide an inexpensive treatment option for millions of people worldwide infected with intestinal nematodes and roundworms.

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.

Antibiotic-infused implants designed to help faces heal

Researchers at Rice University have developed time-released gel-filled implants that deliver antibiotics to the face, reducing the risk of infection during facial reconstruction. The innovative material protects tissue from bacterial invasion for several weeks.

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.

Pinpoint targeting instead of shotgun approach

Researchers at Technical University of Munich create a highly active molecule that selectively targets the alphaVbeta6 integrin, a common marker in many types of cancer. This breakthrough could lead to patient-specific diagnoses and targeted therapies with minimal side effects.

Their enemy's sex pheromone helps flies protect their offspring

Researchers found that female Drosophila flies avoid oviposition sites that smell of parasitic wasps, significantly increasing the survival rate of their larvae. The detection is mediated by a dedicated olfactory circuit that recognizes the sex pheromone of Leptopilina wasps.

How anti-evolution bills evolve

An evolutionary biologist analyzed 65 anti-evolution bills, finding they share traits with each other and evolution itself. Creationism has evolved stealthily, using tactics from human cloning and global warming debates to influence education policies.

York U-led laser instrument to help bring home asteroid sample by NASA mission

A York University-led laser altimeter, OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA), will map the surface and create a 3D model of asteroid Bennu during a NASA mission. The instrument will help guide the spacecraft to a safe spot to grab a sample, providing Canadian scientists with their first direct access to a pristine asteroid sample.

Tapeworm vaccine gets US $200,000 funding boost

A US$200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support the development of a one-shot vaccine for tapeworms, reducing deaths from neurocysticercosis in developing countries. The vaccine aims to break the lifecycle of the parasite, causing brain cysts and seizures.

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.

Despite poaching, elephants' social networks hold steady

Researchers found that elephants' social networks remained resilient due to the ability of daughters to fill their mothers' roles, driven by vertical transmission of social roles. This adaptability provides optimism for elephant recovery from human disturbance once pressure is alleviated.

New research uncovers processes driving planarian stem cell differentiation

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of enzymes in regulating chromatin, which plays a crucial role in planarian stem cell differentiation. The study found that specific enzymes, Set1 and MLL1/2, target genes involved in cilia formation, suggesting that defects in these processes may be linked to various huma...

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.

Anxiety Significantly Raises Risk for Dementia

A new study by USC researchers found that people with high anxiety levels have a 48% higher risk of developing dementia. The study analyzed data from the Swedish Adoption Twin Study of Aging and found that chronic anxiety is linked to damage in the brain, including the hippocampus and frontal cortex.

Turning rice farming waste to useful silica compounds

Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive way to extract high-purity silica compounds from agricultural waste using ethylene glycol and ethanol. This process could significantly reduce carbon emissions and costs associated with traditional methods.

Pancreas cancer liquid biopsy flows from blood-borne packets of tumor genes

Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new liquid biopsy technique that can analyze tumor genes from blood samples using exosomes, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional biopsies. The approach has the potential to improve prognosis, guide targeted therapy, and monitor treatment progress.

Scientists identify mechanisms to reduce epileptic seizures following TBI

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that stopping the production of new neurons in the brain following TBI can help reduce epileptic seizures, cognitive decline, and impaired memory. This process, called neurogenesis, is sometimes hyperexcitable, disrupting neural circuits and causing recurring seizures.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Burgess Shale fossil site gives up oldest evidence of brood care

The discovery of eggs with embryos preserved within the body of a 508-million-year-old Waptia fossil provides the oldest direct evidence of a creature caring for its offspring. This finding supports the theory that the presence of a bivalved carapace played a key role in the early evolution of brood care in arthropods.

MERS virus in camels: Different variations and a vaccine

Recent studies identified five distinct lineages of MERS-CoV in camels, with low barrier for interspecies transmission. A vaccine was found to be effective in preventing clinical symptoms and reducing virus levels in vaccinated camels.

Learning from the past: What yesterday's media can tell us about the times

A study found that historically black newspapers covered the 1967 Supreme Court case on interracial marriage similarly to mainstream media, challenging common assumptions about their content. Researchers used this finding to highlight the importance of considering diverse perspectives in reporting on civil rights issues.

Hubble sees the force awakening in a newborn star

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has photographed a newborn star with twin jets, reminiscent of a Star Wars lightsaber, in the Orion B molecular cloud complex. The protostar is feeding on surrounding material and shooting gas into space, creating shock fronts that heat up the surrounding gas.

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.

Buffet guilt

A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab researchers found that diners paying less for all-you-can-eat buffets feel more physically uncomfortable and guilty compared to those paying more. The study suggests that consumers can mitigate these effects by opting for higher-priced buffets and healthier options.

Darwin's finches may face extinction

A new study shows that parasitic flies may drive Darwin's finch populations to extinction in several decades. However, a modest reduction in fly prevalence through human intervention could alleviate the risk. Researchers propose various methods for controlling the fly population, including introducing wasps and using insecticides.

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.

Early warning system to save species.

A new method, known as the 'systems behaviour chart', is proposed by Dr Simon Black to focus conservation efforts and improve management. This tool can help identify early warning signs of ecological problems, such as population declines or increased mortality rates, allowing for timely interventions to be made.

Prostate cancer discovery may make it easier to kill cancer cells

Researchers discovered an unexpected link between two common prostate cancer treatments, radiation and androgen ablation. This connection allows doctors to better determine which treatment will benefit individual patients, potentially leading to improved prostate cancer treatments.

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.

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.

Penn Nursing research: Exceptional care requires patient-driven education

Research from Penn Nursing and colleagues finds that parents with low health literacy need learner-driven education, while those with adequate literacy want flexible teaching. The study's findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess patient health literacy and use creative communication methods to improve patient outcomes.

Scientists peg Anthropocene to first farmers

A new study suggests that the beginning of the Anthropocene era was linked to the emergence of agriculture around 6,000 years ago. The researchers found a shift in the frequency of aggregated versus segregated species pairs in ancient ecosystems, which they attribute to human activity that altered the terrestrial landscape.

Top risk factors for child undernutrition in India identified

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified the top five risk factors responsible for more than two-thirds of India's child undernutrition problem. These include short maternal stature, lack of education, extreme poverty, and poor dietary diversity.

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.