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Science News Archive January 2015 - Page 13


Page 13 of 28

Study challenges best way to position women during childbirth

A study published in Anesthesiology found that positioning women on their side at 15 degrees does not reduce compression of the inferior vena cava as previously thought. Blood flow only partially increased at 30 degrees, challenging the long-held practice of tilting hips during labor.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateJan 20, 2015

NIH researchers tackle thorny side of gene therapy

Researchers have identified a critical safety parameter related to AAV gene therapy, which can increase liver cancer risk. They found that modifying the vector to avoid targeting specific genes reduces cancer incidence, paving the way for safer gene therapies.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 20, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hostile boss? Study finds advantages to giving it right back

Researchers discovered that employees who returned hostility to their bosses felt less like victims, experienced less psychological distress, and were more satisfied with their jobs. This counterintuitive finding suggests that retaliation can have benefits for employees in toxic work environments.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPersonnel Psychology·DateJan 20, 2015

Coffee may be associated with a lower risk of malignant melanoma

Epidemiological and pre-clinical studies suggest coffee has a protective effect against non-melanoma skin cancers, but the link to cutaneous melanoma is less clear. A study found that high coffee intake was inversely associated with a 20% lower risk of malignant melanoma, especially in caffeinated coffee drinkers.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 20, 2015

ORNL model explores location of future US population growth

The ORNL model provides unprecedented county-level predictions of future US population growth, with implications for urban planning and climate change adaptation. The study finds that counties in California and Arizona are projected to experience high levels of sprawl growth by 2030 and 2050.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 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.

Majority of young women and men prefer egalitarian relationships, study shows

A study by the University of Texas at Austin and the University of California-Santa Barbara found that most young women and men in the US prefer an egalitarian relationship with shared work and family responsibilities. The research highlights the need for supportive workplace policies to reduce gender inequality.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateJan 20, 2015

Quantifying ethics in Toyota's 2008-2010 recall crisis

A study of media stories and press releases related to Toyota's recalls found that failing to acknowledge ethical lapses led to significant damage to the company's reputation. The analysis showed that Toyota was more likely to attribute the crisis to accidental errors, while the print media reported on preventive action that could have...

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalPublic Relations Review·DateJan 20, 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.

On the ups and downs of the seemingly idle brain

A recent study by Brown University neuroscientists has shed light on the brain's cycle of activity and quiet called "up" and "down" states. The research found that all types of interneurons contribute uniquely to these cycles, with inhibitory cells playing a vital role in maintaining balance between excitation and inhibition.

SourceBrown University·DateJan 20, 2015

Climate change does not bode well for picky eaters

A new study reveals that Gentoo penguins are better adapted to deal with climate change than Chinstrap penguins, which may be struggling due to declining krill populations. The research suggests that Gentoo penguins' diverse and flexible diet is helping them thrive in a changing environment.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateJan 20, 2015

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP sees remnants of Mekkhala

Tropical Storm Mekkhala made landfall in the Philippines and tracked north, weakening to a remnant circulation northeast of the islands. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured images of the storm's remnants on January 18 and 20, showing an open circulation center with some clouds and no precipitation.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 20, 2015
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.

New hope for understanding sudden cardiac arrest

Researchers identify how calcium regulates heart muscle and motors interact with each other, potentially leading to new tools for treating sudden cardiac arrest. This breakthrough discovery provides insight into the genetic condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 20, 2015

The Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine

The 2015 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Rudolf Zechner for their pioneering work on harnessing bacterial immunity to develop genome editing technology, known as CRISPR-Cas9. The prize also recognizes Zechner's contributions to understanding lipid metabolism and its role in various diseases.

SourceEMBO·DateJan 20, 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.

New laser-patterning technique turns metals into supermaterials

Researchers from the University of Rochester created extraordinary new surfaces that efficiently absorb light, repel water, and clean themselves using femtosecond laser pulses. The multifunctional materials have potential applications in durable, low-maintenance solar collectors and sensors.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJan 20, 2015

Penn Medicine researchers discover possible new general anesthetics

Researchers have identified two novel compounds with high potency and low toxicity as potential new general anesthetics. The discovery was made using a high-throughput screening process that tested over 350,000 compounds, and the team is now working to optimize and test these compounds further.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnesthesiology·DateJan 20, 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.

Mapping the maize genome

Researchers have developed a detailed positional cloning protocol to locate genes within the large and complex maize genome. This technique allows for the identification of genetic markers linked to specific traits, enabling precise localization of candidate regions until the gene is identified.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015

Current nutrition labeling is hard to digest

A study by McGill University researchers found that the Nutrition Facts label is ineffective in improving nutrition and highlights conflicts between healthy options. In contrast, a new labeling system called NuVal resolves these conflicts and enables quick nutritious choices, potentially helping stem the global obesity epidemic.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015

Findings do not support chlorhexidine bathing in ICUs

A study of critically ill patients found that chlorhexidine bathing did not decrease the incidence of health care-associated infections. The study involved over 9,300 patients and found no significant difference between groups in infection rates, suggesting that such bathing may not be necessary.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 20, 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.

Unexpected turn in diabetes research

Researchers at KU Leuven discovered genetically modified mice producing human growth hormone, altering insulin production and previous research findings. This unexpected turn reveals the need for reinterpretation of 250+ published diabetes studies.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 20, 2015

High-dose statin may protect heart surgery patients' kidney health

High-dose atorvastatin therapy has been linked to reduced blood levels of creatinine and lower incidence of acute kidney injury in heart surgery patients. This finding comes from an analysis of 14 randomized controlled clinical trials involving 1689 patients.

SourceWiley·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateJan 20, 2015
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.

How to attack and paralyze myeloma cells

A comprehensive review published in The Lancet provides guidance on treating multiple myeloma, including established and novel therapies. New approaches to paralyze cancer cells and attack malignant cells are also introduced.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 20, 2015

New research reveals the power of hierarchy in high-pressure situations

A strong hierarchy can increase both summit and fatality rates in the Himalayas, yet it helps groups achieve best outcomes by offering coordination and organization. The key to finding the right balance lies in identifying barriers that prevent lower-ranking members from voicing their perspective.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015

Education aids understanding, reduces stigma of facial paralysis, OSU study shows

A recent study from Oregon State University found that providing education about facial paralysis can help correct misperceptions and reduce stigma. The research showed that education efforts can improve relationships between people with facial paralysis and healthcare workers, educators, and others who encounter them regularly.

SourceOregon State University·JournalPatient Education and Counseling·DateJan 20, 2015

Regular exercise may boost brain health in adults

A new study of 52 young women found that regular exercise increases oxygen availability in the brain and enhances cognitive performance. The results suggest that physical activity may improve brain functioning even in young adulthood, benefiting both blood supply and cognitive function.

SourceWiley·JournalPsychophysiology·DateJan 20, 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.

One nanoparticle, 6 types of medical imaging

University at Buffalo researchers have designed a nanoparticle that can be detected by six medical imaging techniques, including CT scanning, PET scanning, and photoacoustic imaging. This technology has the potential to provide doctors with clearer pictures of patients' organs and tissues, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 20, 2015

Organic and conventional milk -- comparing apples to apples?

A new review of published research found that differences between organic and conventional milk are not as clear-cut as previously thought. The main factor influencing milk composition is the diet of the cows, not the farming system.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateJan 20, 2015

Researchers make breakthrough on new anesthetics

Scientists discovered two novel anesthetic compounds through a screening process of over 350,000 compounds, which interacted with apoferritin. The breakthrough could lead to the development of new, safer general anesthetics, as traditional drugs have been largely unchanged for decades.

SourceAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists·JournalAnesthesiology·DateJan 20, 2015
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Genetic changes in Ebola virus could impede potential treatments

Scientists have identified several genetic mutations in the Ebola virus that could render sequence-based treatments ineffective. The study found 10 new mutations that may interfere with monoclonal antibody, siRNA, and PMO drugs, highlighting the need to consider genetic drift when developing potential therapeutics.

SourceUS Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases·JournalmBio·DateJan 20, 2015

SLU researcher prevents type 1 diabetes in lab

Researchers at Saint Louis University have found a way to prevent type I diabetes in an animal model by blocking the autoimmune process that destroys beta cells. The study uses a selective ROR alpha and gamma t inverse agonist to reduce autoimmunity, suggesting a new treatment option for the illness.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalEndocrinology·DateJan 20, 2015

Scientists drilling first deep ice core at the South Pole

Researchers aim to retrieve a 40,000-year record of climate change from the ice core, with potential insights into Antarctic interactions and global climate patterns. The team will also analyze ultra-trace gases for clues about tropical wetlands and land-based plant productivity.

SourceUniversity of Washington·DateJan 20, 2015

Wearable sensor clears path to long-term EKG, EMG monitoring

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new, wearable sensor that can accurately monitor electrophysiological signals like electrocardiography (EKG) or electromyography (EMG) for long periods. The sensor uses silver nanowires and is more accurate than existing sensors, especially when a patient is moving.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalRSC Advances·DateJan 20, 2015

Technique reveals age of planetary materials

Researchers developed a miniaturized instrument for dating rocks and measuring geochemistry, revealing the age of a Mars meteorite. The technique provides high-sensitivity detection of organics and requires minimal sample preparation.

SourceWiley·JournalRapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry·DateJan 20, 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.

Iowa State professor says Facebook not to blame for negative impact on grades

A recent study by Iowa State University professor Reynol Junco found that social media use negatively impacts freshman grades, but not upperclassmen. The negative relationship is attributed to lack of self-regulation skills, which can be addressed through responsible Facebook use and academic guidance.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology·DateJan 20, 2015

What does Davos really do? Analyzing the World Economic Forum

A new study analyzes the World Economic Forum's impact by conducting in-depth interviews with Davos delegates. The study reveals that Davos delegates shift the burden of solving problems from governments and corporations to individual consumers, incurring significant personal and societal costs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 20, 2015

Portable stimulator being tested on Parkinson's patients

Researchers at University of Gothenburg tested portable stimulator on 10 Swedish Parkinson's patients, showing improved balance and combined symptoms. The active noise stimulation improved the patients' balance and symptoms when unmedicated, and may lead to new treatment in the next five years.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalBrain Stimulation·DateJan 20, 2015

Scientists invent system to improve effectiveness of cancer surgery

A new imaging system has been invented to guide cancer surgery, allowing surgeons to detect malignant tissue in real-time. The system uses a fluorescent dye that localizes in tumors and a handheld laser to visualize tumor boundaries, reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 20, 2015
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.

ASCO names Cancer Advance of the Year

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) announces its cancer Advance of the Year, four new treatments improving outlook for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). New therapies include immunotherapy drugs and molecularly targeted drugs offering more effective treatment options.

SourceAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 20, 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.

New UF study reveals oldest primate lived in trees

A new study reveals that the oldest primate ancestors lived in trees, accessing food sources unavailable to ground-dwelling species. The discovery provides evidence of arboreal life evolving early in the history of primates, with Purgatorius, a tiny tree shrew-like creature, being estimated to have weighed about 3.5 ounces.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 20, 2015