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Science News for February 13, 2015


How a wedding engagement changes Twitter feeds

Researchers analyzed nearly 1,000 tweets before and after engagement to discover how people altered their online personas. Tweets with words 'I' or 'me' dropped by 69%, replaced with 'we' and 'us', as individuals transitioned into couples.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 13, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Use of 'digital badges' in schools would motivate students, research shows

A new study by University at Buffalo education professor Sam Abramovich investigates the use of school-based digital badges as a way to motivate students and measure learning. The research finds that successful educational badges must present enjoyment, recognize work beyond typical academic ability, and value for the student.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalInternational Journal of Learning and Media·DateFeb 13, 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.

Diathermy smoke extraction should be compulsory in operations

Research conducted by Lynda Dunn reveals that diathermy smoke contains nine hazardous compounds, four of which are carcinogenic, posing a risk to surgical personnel. The use of extraction devices is recommended to minimize exposure and improve workplace conditions.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·JournalJournal of Operating Department Practitioners·DateFeb 13, 2015

NASA measures frigid cloud top temps of the Arctic air outbreak

NASA's Aqua satellite revealed cloud top temperatures of -28C/-18F and -23C/-9F over the northeastern US, significantly colder than surface temperatures, which ranged from 4F/-16C to 23F/-5C in affected areas. The extreme cold was part of an Arctic air mass that brought wind chills below zero and single numbers across the region.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 13, 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.

Seven genes for X-linked intellectual disability

Researchers have discovered seven new genes associated with X-linked intellectual disability, a condition that affects mostly men. The study used genetic analysis to identify mutations on the X chromosome as the cause of the disorder, which has highly variable clinical manifestations.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateFeb 13, 2015

Marijuana use is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness in adolescents

A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that 43% of children with positive marijuana urine screens had test results consistent with narcolepsy or abnormal REM sleep patterns. The study highlights the importance of obtaining a urine drug screen before accepting a diagnosis of narcolepsy in adolescents.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateFeb 13, 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.

Finding winners and losers in global land use

Darla Munroe examines the impact of telecoupling on sustainability, revealing that reforestation efforts may harm other countries' forests. The US added 7.6 million acres of forests between 1990 and 2010, but Munroe questions whether this is an environmental gain globally.

SourceOhio State University·DateFeb 13, 2015

HPV vaccine highly effective against multiple cancer-causing strains

The HPV vaccine was highly effective against common cancer-causing human papillomaviruses beyond types 16 and 18. Young women vaccinated before sexual debut showed substantial protection against cervical abnormalities and precancerous cell transformations.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalClinical and Vaccine Immunology·DateFeb 13, 2015

Researchers glimpse distortions in atomic structure of materials

Researchers have developed a technique to observe minute distortions in the atomic structure of complex materials, influencing their properties. By mapping atomic organization, including distortions, they've found weaker chemical bonds make atoms more susceptible to variations.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 13, 2015

Hearing experts break sound barrier for children born without hearing nerve

A clinical trial led by the University of Southern California has successfully implanted an ABI device in four children who were previously unable to hear. The device stimulates neurons directly at the human brainstem, bypassing the inner ear entirely and showing promising results in young children.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·DateFeb 13, 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.

How iron feels the heat

Scientists have uncovered a key factor driving iron's unique thermal behavior, revealing a synergy between magnetism and atomic vibrations that increases the metal's stability at high temperatures. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate predictions of steel properties and enable the development of new, stronger alloys.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateFeb 13, 2015

One in four Saudis heading for heart attack in 10 years

Research presented at the Saudi Heart Association conference reveals that 26% of participants are at high risk of having a heart attack or dying from a heart attack in 10 years. The study found that diabetes, obesity, and smoking were major contributors to this risk.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateFeb 13, 2015

Lighting up a new path for novel synthetic polio vaccine

Researchers are creating a synthetic vaccine that mimics the structure of the live virus to provide a quicker, easier, and safer alternative. The goal is to eradicate polio without the danger of accidental release associated with traditional vaccines.

SourceDiamond Light Source·DateFeb 13, 2015
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.

Google-style ranking used to describe gene connectivity

Researchers have developed a new algorithm called Gene Rank (GR) to describe gene connectivity, which can be used for disease prognosis and early cancer detection. GR is based on gene expression data and reflects how well a particular gene is connected to other genes.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalBioData Mining·DateFeb 13, 2015

Thames study: Rivers can be a source antibiotic resistance

A study on the Thames river found that greater numbers of resistant bacteria exist close to waste water treatment works, which are likely responsible for increasing antibiotic resistance. The researchers suggest that improvements in treatment processes could hold the key to reducing the prevalence of resistant bacteria in the environment.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateFeb 13, 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.

See here now: Telescopic contact lenses and wink-control glasses

Researchers unveil prototypes of telescopic contact lenses that magnify objects up to 2.8 times, addressing low vision and AMD concerns. Complementary smart glasses recognize winks and blinks, allowing seamless switching between normal and magnified vision.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·DateFeb 13, 2015

Researchers use isotopic analysis to explore ancient Peruvian life

A team of bioarchaeologists and archaeologists used isotopic analysis to study the diets of 14 individuals from Paracas Necropolis in Peru, dating back almost 2,000 years. The findings suggest that ancient Peruvians primarily consumed marine products and C4 and C3 plants during their final months of life.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateFeb 13, 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.

Study: Door-to-door campaign linked hepatitis C patients to care

A new study shows that a door-to-door campaign in a medically underserved area of Philadelphia was able to help vulnerable patients overcome hurdles and access specialized treatment for hepatitis C. The effort involved a comprehensive approach to nonclinical testing, immediate access to confirmatory testing, and patient navigation to e...

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2015

Getting in shape

Researchers at OIST create non-spherical particles using a simple and low-cost method that can be scaled up for various industries. The study reveals four possible shapes: ellipsoid, mushroom, flake-like, and disc, with applications in food processing, cosmetics, and drug delivery systems.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Colloid and Interface Science·DateFeb 13, 2015
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.

Type 2 diabetes linked to worse performance on cognitive testing

A new study from the University of Waterloo found that type 2 diabetes is associated with worse performance on cognitive tests measuring executive functions. Researchers analyzed 60 studies involving over 80,000 individuals with type 2 diabetes and their counterparts without it.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateFeb 13, 2015

NUS pioneers novel strategy to prevent progression of inflammation-associated cancers

A team of NUS researchers developed a novel strategy to prevent inflammation-associated cancers by targeting the interaction between FAT10 and MAD2. This approach facilitates the development of cancer drugs with fewer side effects, as it targets specific pathological functions without affecting other physiological functions.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2015

Review article provides evidence on the biological nature of gender identity

The review article presents a comprehensive analysis of scientific evidence supporting the biological etiology of gender identity in transgender individuals. Research findings include associations with disorders of sexual development, neuroanatomical differences, and steroid hormone genetics.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalEndocrine Practice·DateFeb 13, 2015
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.

What is successful aging? Gerontologists strive to build consensus

Researchers in The Gerontologist explore successful aging across demographics and cultures, highlighting social and cultural factors that impact physical health and psychological well-being. The study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of successful aging and inform policy and healthcare services.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·JournalThe Gerontologist·DateFeb 13, 2015

Interstellar technology throws light on spinning black holes

Researchers used computer code to generate images of wormholes and black holes, discovering multiple images of stars and galaxies near rapidly spinning black holes. This technology has implications for astrophysicists studying black holes and the behavior of light in extreme environments.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateFeb 13, 2015

In the quantum world, the future affects the past

Physicist Kater Murch's experiment combines information about a quantum system's evolution before and after a target time to narrow the odds of correctly guessing its state. The 'hindsight' prediction is 90% accurate, suggesting that time runs both backward and forward in the quantum world.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 13, 2015

Children's heart disease topics: Brain injury, radiation exposure, CPR and more

Research at Cardiology 2015 Conference highlights key findings on brain injury in infants with critical congenital heart disease, reduced radiation exposure in pediatric cardiac cath procedures, improved survival rates with goal-directed CPR, and no link found between pre-operative enteral feeding and NEC in newborn cardiac surgery.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·DateFeb 13, 2015
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.

BGRF announces in silico method to predict effectiveness of cognitive enhancers

The Biogerontology Research Foundation has developed an in silico method to predict the effectiveness of cognitive enhancers. The research uses gene expression data to evaluate activated or suppressed signalling pathways in the brain. This approach can help identify potential geroprotectors that also enhance cognitive function.

SourceBiogerontology Research Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Systems Neuroscience·DateFeb 13, 2015

Silver-glass sandwich structure acts as inexpensive color filter

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a technique to transform silver into any color of the rainbow using a 'sandwich-like' structure. By adjusting the glass thickness, different colors can be produced. The filter also acts as an absorber for specific wavelengths, making it suitable for optoelectric devices.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Photonics·DateFeb 13, 2015

Would you take dieting advice from a friend?

Researcher Lora Cavuoto's study found that people who achieve weight loss or wellness success are more likely to influence their friends, while charismatic but unsuccessful individuals have a lower impact. This approach is taking precedence in new diet and exercise programs.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Healthcare Engineering·DateFeb 13, 2015