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Science News Archive January 2015 - Page 26


Page 26 of 28

New picture, new insight

Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered previously unrecognized differences in the brains of patients with bipolar disorder using a novel MRI imaging approach. The study found elevated signal in cerebral white matter and cerebellar region of patients, suggesting abnormal cell metabolism may play a role in the disorder.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 6, 2015

Marine litter education boosts children's understanding and actions

A new study by University of Plymouth found that educating children about marine litter improves their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards reducing waste. Children who participated in the educational event were more concerned about the issue and encouraged family and friends to take action.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalMarine Pollution Bulletin·DateJan 6, 2015

Alcohol sales linked with alcohol deaths across GB regions

A study analyzing alcohol sales data across GB regions found that areas with higher sales per adult had higher rates of alcohol-related deaths. The South West region, despite high consumption, had low alcohol death rates, possibly due to tourism.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateJan 6, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Almost three-quarters of parents turn car seats to face forward too early

A recent study found that almost three-quarters of parents transition their children to forward-facing car seats too early, with many doing so before the child is one year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using rear-facing car seats until age two or until the child has outgrown the weight/height limits.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAcademic Pediatrics·DateJan 6, 2015

Study casts doubt on mammoth-killing cosmic impact

A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has challenged the long-held idea that a cosmic impact triggered the Younger Dryas cold period. The research found that the scoria droplets believed to be evidence of an impact event were actually formed by heating most likely caused by Stone Age house fires.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJan 6, 2015

Drug overdose epidemic to recede soon

A new study projects that the US drug overdose epidemic will peak at 50,000 annual deaths in 2017 before declining to 6,000 deaths in 2035. The researchers use Farr's Law to analyze the rise and fall of epidemics and predict a similar decline based on trends in prescription painkiller deaths.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalInjury Epidemiology·DateJan 6, 2015

Ischemic micro-lesions associated with flow-diverting stents for aneurysms

Researchers found that flow-diverting stents associated with ischemic complications in brain territories supplied by parent arteries and small branches covered by the stent. Despite high incidence of clinically silent lesions, low permanent complication rate suggests technique is safe and effective for aneurysm treatment.

SourceJournal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group·JournalJournal of Neurosurgery·DateJan 6, 2015

Primary care physicians more likely to recommend careers as nurse practitioners

A recent survey of primary care clinicians reveals that more physicians would recommend careers as nurse practitioners than as primary care physicians, driven by the need for greater clarity about roles and a shift in how clinician's view their careers. The study suggests that efforts to bolster the workforce should focus on reimaginin...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateJan 6, 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.

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.

Seed beetle diversity in Xinjiang, China

An international team of scientists discovered a diverse range of seed beetles in Xinjiang, China, including four previously unknown species. The study found a total of 19 species, shedding light on the region's insect biodiversity.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateJan 6, 2015

Major depression in the National Comorbidity Survey

The study found that major depression was highly prevalent in adolescents, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 11%, and females had twice the rates of males. The majority of adolescents with MDD demonstrated severe role impairment and substantial comorbidity with other mental conditions.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 6, 2015

Despite resolutions, people buy more food after New Year

A study by University of Vermont researcher Prof. Lizzy Pope found that consumer spending on food increases by 15% over the holiday season, with most of the increase attributed to higher levels of junk food. People tend to continue buying unhealthy holiday favorites even after New Year's resolutions are made.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 6, 2015

Peat fires -- a legacy of carbon up in smoke

A new study published in Nature Geoscience highlights the devastating impacts of peat fires, which can burn for days and weeks, producing severe air quality issues and triggering respiratory problems. The study finds that peat-rich regions will become more susceptible to drying and burning with a changing climate.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 6, 2015

The 'Berlin patient,' first and only person cured of HIV, speaks out

In a unique account, Timothy Ray Brown describes his experience as the first person cured of HIV through a stem cell transplant. He shares the details of the bold experiment that used a donor resistant to HIV infection. The 'Berlin patient' offers a rare glimpse into the human side of this groundbreaking treatment.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses·DateJan 6, 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.

Novel imaging technique improves prostate cancer detection

A novel imaging technique called restriction spectrum imaging-MRI (RSI-MRI) has been developed to improve the accuracy of prostate cancer detection. RSI-MRI corrects for magnetic field distortions and focuses on water diffusion within tumor cells, providing a more refined sense of the tumor's extent.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProstate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases·DateJan 6, 2015

Study rules out spiders as common cause of bacterial infections in humans

A team of scientists led by UC Riverside expert Richard Vetter analyzed spider bite data to conclude that the evidence for spider-vectored infections is scarce. The study found that bacterial infections are often misattributed to spider bites, and spiders should not be blamed for human skin infections.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalToxicon·DateJan 6, 2015

Small change in blood acidity could prove detrimental to kidney disease patients

Researchers have discovered that small changes in blood acidity can lead to inaccurate calcium level monitoring, resulting in higher PTH levels and increased risk of artery damage. This affects patients with chronic kidney disease, who already face a high risk of fatal calcification.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJan 6, 2015

More choice may lead to higher costs in ACA marketplaces, study finds

A study by RAND Corporation found that consumers in regions with more health plan choices faced higher deductibles than peers in areas with fewer plans offered. The study suggests that limiting the number of health plans or requiring equivalent cost-sharing terms may be policy options to address this issue.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalHealth Affairs·DateJan 6, 2015
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

How to sell the drugs of the future

A study by Concordia University marketing professor Lea Prevel Katsanis and her co-author found that knowledge of the benefits and risks of personalized medicine (PM) is crucial for patient acceptance. The research also highlights the importance of doctor-patient communication in PM adoption.

SourceConcordia University·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing·DateJan 6, 2015

New drug design enhances brain signaling by a factor of 1,000

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have designed new peptides that interact with gephyrin to enhance brain signaling, with effects up to 1,000 times stronger than natural counterparts. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for mental disorders with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 6, 2015

Surgery for obesity is linked to longer survival

A study of 2,500 obese patients and 7,500 matched controls found bariatric surgery reduces mortality risk by 53% at 5-14 years post-procedure. The surgery also became safer over time, with lower risk of death during and after the procedure.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalJAMA·DateJan 6, 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.

Bariatric surgery associated with improved long-term survival

A study found that bariatric surgery significantly reduced all-cause mortality rates among obese patients, with improved survival at 5 and 10 years post-surgery. The research involved 2,500 surgical patients and 7,462 control patients, and suggests a beneficial relationship between surgery and survival for severely obese adults.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 6, 2015

Eight new planets found in 'Goldilocks' zone

Astronomers discovered eight new planets in the habitable zone of their stars, doubling the number of small planets believed to exist. Two of these, Kepler-438b and Kepler-442b, are the most Earth-like known exoplanets, with a high probability of being rocky and having liquid water on their surface.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·DateJan 6, 2015

New model identifies eastern stream sections holding wild brook trout

A new model developed by Penn State researchers can accurately identify stream sections suitable for wild brook trout, helping fisheries managers protect habitat. The model uses characteristics like water temperature and soil type to predict brook trout occurrence in the eastern United States.

SourcePenn State·JournalTransactions of the American Fisheries Society·DateJan 6, 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.

Smokers, the obese, have markedly higher health-care costs than peers

A new study by Ruopeng An found that smokers and the obese incur substantially higher annual health care costs compared to their peers. Out-of-pocket medical expenses, inpatient and outpatient care, emergency room visits, and prescription drugs contribute to these added expenditures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPublic Health·DateJan 6, 2015

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products could taint swimming pools

Researchers found three chemicals in swimming pool water: DEET, caffeine, and TCEP. The detection of these chemicals highlights the potential for uncontrolled releases into swimming pools, which can pose risks to swimmers through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption.

SourcePurdue University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateJan 6, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Early blood glucose control lengthens life in people with type 1 diabetes

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health found that people with type 1 diabetes who intensively control their blood glucose levels can live longer than those who do not. The study, which followed participants for an average of 27 years, found a 33% reduction in deaths among those who received intensive treatment.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases·JournalJAMA·DateJan 6, 2015

An old genetic tool in plant biology still has value

Researchers found that fragmented chloroplast DNA sequences, known as cpSSRs, are still widely used to study plant genetics. The number of studies using cpSSRs has doubled in the past decade.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJan 6, 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.

Corporate philanthropy increases workers' productivity

A study from the University of Southampton found that corporate philanthropy increases workers' productivity by up to 30% when tied to their job performance. When workers can choose how much of their pay to donate, it improves performance by an average of 13%, rising to 26% in those who were initially less productive.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalManagement Science·DateJan 6, 2015

'Iron Sun' is not a rock band, but a key to how stars transmit energy

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that iron's opacity plays a significant role in regulating energy transfer within the sun. By creating conditions similar to those found inside the sun, the team was able to measure the opacity of iron and close a theoretical gap in the Standard Solar Model.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2015

What motivates males who commit sexual assault on campus?

Researchers explore how callous attitudes towards women can lead to forced intercourse, even among males without hostility. The study's findings have significant implications for education programs and identifying subtypes of offenders based on motivation and personality traits.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalViolence and Gender·DateJan 6, 2015

Tightly packed in its shell

Researchers found that even minimal mutations in viral RNA can make it too bulky for the capsid, preventing replication. The study used computer simulations and verified previous research on optimized RNA packing.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJan 6, 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.

When DNA gets sent to time-out

A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine has discovered a specific sequence and protein tags that send DNA to the edge of the nucleus, where its genes get turned off. This process is crucial for controlling genes and determining cell fate, particularly during development.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateJan 6, 2015

Hey, guys: Posting a lot of selfies doesn't send a good message

A new study by Ohio State University found that men who post more online photos of themselves are more likely to score higher on measures of narcissism and psychopathy. Editing photos before posting is also related to higher levels of self-objectification, which values appearance over other traits.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateJan 6, 2015

Unraveling controls for plant root growth

UC Davis researchers have identified a complex network of genetic controls governing plant root growth, which may help create varieties suited for biofuel production. The study reveals how environmental changes affect the system, with potential applications in improving plant breeding and biomass conversion.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2015

How does white-nose syndrome kill bats?

Researchers developed a model explaining how white-nose syndrome (WNS) kills millions of bats in North America. Bats infected with WNS use more fat and energy, leading to physiologic imbalances that can inhibit normal heart function.

SourceU.S. Geological Survey·JournalBMC Physiology·DateJan 5, 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.

New technology focuses diffuse light inside living tissue

Researchers have developed a new technique that focuses diffuse light inside living tissue, improving the speed of optical focusing by two orders of magnitude. This advancement paves the way for noninvasive optical imaging in deep tissue and photodynamic therapy.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 5, 2015

Vanderbilt-led team studies blood test for prostate cancer

A Vanderbilt-led team has developed a method for detecting 'cell-free' tumor DNA in the bloodstream, showing promising results in distinguishing prostate cancer from normal controls. The technique, called a 'liquid biopsy,' demonstrated over three times the sensitivity of current PSA screening and accuracy rates of up to 91 percent.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalClinical Chemistry·DateJan 5, 2015

Infection control preparedness measures control avian flu in Hong Kong hospital

In a Hong Kong hospital, proactive infection control measures implemented since March 2013 successfully controlled the spread of Avian flu (A H7N9), with only two patient cases and no staff infections reported. The integrated approach utilized active surveillance, rapid molecular diagnostic testing, and hand hygiene protocols.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJan 5, 2015
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.

Twin study suggests genetic factors contribute to insomnia in children, teens

A twin study suggests that genetic factors contribute to insomnia in children and teenagers, with heritability rates ranging from 14% to 38%. The study found that genetic influences change over time, with a significant role of genes controlling the sleep-wake system playing a key role in childhood insomnia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateJan 5, 2015

Why is Greenland covered in ice?

Three tectonic processes, including uplift, reduced solar irradiation, and an axis shift, created conditions for Greenland's glaciation. The interaction of these processes, driven by the Iceland plume, led to the formation of ice on Greenland.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalTerra Nova·DateJan 5, 2015

Alcohol taxes protective against binge drinking, study shows

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that higher alcohol taxes strongly protect against binge drinking. The study showed a significant decrease in binge drinking rates with a one-percent increase in tax, associated with a 1.4 percent reduction in the proportion of adults who binge drink.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAddiction·DateJan 5, 2015

Study puts new perspective on snake evolution

Researchers found snakes' vertebral bones have the same number of regions and patterns as limbed lizards, contradicting the idea that snakes evolved from a simplified body form. The study suggests that Hox genes are functioning in snakes to control subtle changes in shape.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature·DateJan 5, 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.

Acoustic levitation made simple

A Brazilian team of researchers has developed a new levitation device that can hover tiny polystyrene particles with more control than any instrument before. The device uses sound waves to reflect off a concave reflector, allowing the particle to be moved around without precise setup.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 5, 2015

Ouch! When teeth and hands connect, bites may be beastly

Human bites can transmit over 600 bacterial species through oral flora, posing a significant risk of infection. Prompt treatment within 24 hours of an animal or human bite is crucial to prevent serious injury or infection, with antibiotic treatment recommended for hand bites to reduce the risk of infection and disability.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateJan 5, 2015

Mom's exercise habits good for blood pressure in kids

A Michigan State University study found that exercising regularly during pregnancy can reduce a child's chances of developing high blood pressure later in life. The research suggests that physical activity during critical developmental periods may have a direct impact on the baby's cardiovascular health.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalThe Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness·DateJan 5, 2015