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Science News Archive June 2015


Page 14 of 36

State stroke legislation increases US primary stroke centers

Research found that individual state stroke legislation plays a crucial role in certifying primary stroke centers and increasing the availability of prompt stroke care. State action, including implementing policies for emergency medical services, has led to a significant increase in certified hospitals nationwide.

How flu viruses use transportation networks in the US

Researchers analyzed U.S. flu cases from 2003-2013 and found correlations between genetic distance of flu subtypes and geographic distance using transportation data. The study suggests that mobility patterns, rather than geographic proximity, play a key role in predicting the spread of influenza epidemics.

Researchers design placenta-on-a-chip to better understand pregnancy

A new placenta-on-a-chip technology was developed by NIH researchers to better understand the inner workings of the human placenta and its role in pregnancy. The device models nutrient transfer from mother to fetus and may help address questions difficult to answer with current placenta model systems.

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.

Cataract culprits

University of Delaware researchers have identified two genes linked to cataract formation. Deficiency in these genes leads to lens clouding and cataract development without aging or radiation exposure required. The study could contribute to interventions that delay or prevent cataract formation.

UPitt researchers find link between neighborhood quality and cellular aging

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found a significant link between living in neighborhoods with high crime and vandalism and biological aging processes. Telomere length, a key indicator of cellular health, was found to be shorter in individuals from disadvantaged areas, similar to a 12-year chronological age difference.

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.

Study: Abdominal blood clots may indicate undiagnosed cancer

Researchers found that abdominal blood clots are associated with an increased risk of developing undiagnosed cancer, particularly liver and pancreatic cancer. Patients with these clots had poorer survival outcomes compared to those without the clots.

Penn research simplifies recycling of rare-earth magnets

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new method to recycle rare-earth magnets, simplifying the process and increasing efficiency. The technique uses standard laboratory equipment and can separate neodymium and dysprosium from used electronics in just minutes.

Risk of major sea level rise in Northern Europe

New calculations by researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute show a significant risk of major sea level rise in Northern Europe, with potential increases of up to 1.5 meters in Scandinavia, England, and northern Germany. The study highlights regional differences in gravity and land uplift affecting sea levels.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists identify progenitor cells for blood and immune system

Researchers at UCSF have identified a family of daughter cells, called MPPs, which arise from stem cells in bone marrow to generate the entire blood system. The discovery raises the possibility of manipulating these cells to overcome imbalances and deficiencies in the blood system due to aging or cancer.

Staying cool: Saharan silver ants

Researchers discovered that Saharan silver ants use a coat of uniquely shaped hairs to control electromagnetic waves over an extremely broad range, enabling passive radiative cooling. The hair coating enhances optical reflection and radiative heat dissipation, keeping the ants' body temperature below their critical thermal maximum.

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.

Kennewick Man: Solving a scientific controversy

A new study based on Kennewick Man's genome sequence shows that he is more closely related to modern Native Americans than to any other population worldwide. This contradicts earlier cranial morphology analyses that suggested a European or Asian ancestry, sparking controversy and legal battles over the skeleton's repatriation.

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.

What can 3-year-olds teach us about justice? Plenty

Researchers found that young children prefer to return lost items to their rightful owners and prevent a third party from taking what doesn't belong to them. This suggests that a concern for others is a core component of a sense of justice, likely central to human cooperation.

Lefties are all right with kangaroos

Wild kangaroos show a consistent preference for using their left hands for actions like grooming and picking leaves. The finding expands our understanding of handedness in animals and may offer insights into neuropsychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.

The majority rules when baboons vote with their feet

A new study found that individual baboons can contribute to a troop's collective movement and that decision-making is largely a shared process. The majority rule suggests that the subgroup with the most initiators determines the direction of movement, reducing conflict in complex societies.

Kennewick Man closely related to Native Americans, geneticists say

A new study on Kennewick Man's DNA reveals a close genetic link to Native American populations, particularly the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington. The findings challenge a previous study that suggested a connection to indigenous Japanese or Polynesian peoples.

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.

A better way to build bones

Researchers at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering and NYU School of Medicine are exploring a new method to amplify the body's signaling system for recruiting bone-forming stem cells to injured areas. They plan to focus on a single recruitment factor, CXCL12, which they hypothesize plays key roles in promoting osteogenesis.

New model to study HIV latency in brain cells

Scientists have established a model for latent HIV infection of brain cells and identified various compounds that can affect latency. The study aims to develop new therapeutic approaches to silence the virus in brain cells, which could improve clinical care for HIV-1 patients.

X-ray imaging reveals secrets in battery materials

Researchers used X-ray imaging and data analysis to study the mechanical properties of a cathode material called LNMO spinel. The study found that defects within the material move around when charged, causing changes in strain fields. This unique behavior may be used to design new battery materials with improved performance.

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.

Sequencing Ebola's secrets

A global team has sequenced over 200 Ebola virus genomes to capture the fullest picture yet of how the virus is transmitted and changes over time. The study reveals that cross-border transmission played a smaller role in the outbreak than previously thought, and that the virus has begun to weed out mutations that do not benefit it.

More than just picky eating

Children and teens with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) face complex challenges and long-term complications if left untreated. ARFID is not just about picky eating, but a restrictive eating pattern associated with significant physiological and/or psychosocial distress.

Female managers do not reduce the gender wage gap, study finds

A recent study at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found no evidence that having a female manager reduces the gender wage gap. In fact, low-performing women who switched to working for a high-performing female supervisor fared worse financially than their male colleagues making a comparable switch.

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.

Safeguarding against chlamydia

A new vaccine has been developed that generates double protection against chlamydia by teaching the immune system to recognize and remember the bacteria as a threat. The vaccine uses charge-switching synthetic adjuvant nanoparticles to bind to the bacteria, targeting mucosal surfaces and inducing an immune response.

Racehorses at risk from misuse of cobalt, new study finds

A new study by the University of Surrey warns that excessive cobalt levels can cause severe side effects in horses, including long-term damage to vital organs. The researchers urge trainers to be aware of the dangers of cobalt misuse, as there is no evidence to suggest it enhances athletic performance.

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.

NASA provides many views of Tropical Depression Bill

Tropical Depression Bill moved north-northeast through the southern U.S., affecting eastern Texas and Oklahoma. NASA satellites provided infrared, visible, and rainfall estimates for the storm's progression, while NWS forecasts heavy rain accumulations of 4-12 inches across several states.

Specific roles of adult neural stem cells may be determined before birth

A study published in Cell suggests that adult neural stem cells are pre-programmed to make specific neurons before birth, contradicting the long-held assumption of their potential for neural repair. The researchers found that the precise type of neuron each stem cell can develop into is determined by its location on the ventricle wall.

Baboons decide where to go together

A team of researchers used GPS technology to track the movements of wild olive baboons, finding that certain individuals act as initiators and pull followers in a particular direction. The study suggests that shared, democratic decision-making is widespread even among species with highly stratified social hierarchies.

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.

Tiger-spray DNA shown as valuable conservation tool

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique to non-invasively survey tigers using their scent sprays, which can be detected more frequently than traditional scat. This method shows promise for genetic monitoring of tiger populations and could increase the power of conservation surveys.

Water screening: International hunt for unknown molecules

A global strategy for preventative water sample analysis has been developed, utilizing a comprehensive database of 8,000 substances. This allows laboratories to identify previously unknown molecules faster through non-target screening technology, enabling quicker response to potential waterborne risks.

Baboon study reveals surprises, breaks ground in tracking behavior

A new study from the University of California, Davis, uses GPS tracking to show that animals living in complex societies make decisions democratically. The study breaks ground in how animal behavior data is collected, revealing patterns similar to those found in more simple societal structures.

Wastewater injection rate strongest trigger for induced quakes

A new study finds that wastewater injection rate is the strongest trigger for induced quakes, with high-rate wells nearly twice as likely to cause earthquakes. The research analyzed public data on operational wells across the US and discovered a strong correlation between injection rate and induced seismicity.

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.

Jet contrails affect surface temperatures

Researchers found that jet contrails depress daytime-highs and nighttime-lows, mimicking the effect of ordinary clouds, with a 5-6 degree Fahrenheit reduction in daily temperature range in regions like the South and Midwest.

Faster, not stronger: How a protein regulates gene expression

Researchers at EPFL have discovered how a major effector protein regulates gene expression by speeding up its search for chromatin binding sites. By increasing its binding rate and forming dimers to maximize interaction with chromatin, HP1α enhances gene regulation efficiency.

Best practices highlighted to prevent infections during healthcare laundry process

A new review published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology highlights best practices to prevent infections during healthcare laundry, including adherence to Standard Precautions and proper storage of laundered textiles. The study found that current industrial laundry processes are sufficient to interrupt patient-to-patient tra...

Sequential immunizations could be the key to HIV vaccine

Researchers suggest that a sequence of tailored immunizations could guide the immune response to develop special antibodies that can neutralize HIV. The approach targets the virus's binding site, which remains unchanged despite mutations.

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.

Oklahoma earthquakes linked to oil and gas drilling

Scientists found that Oklahoma's rising number of earthquakes coincided with increased disposal of salty wastewater into the Arbuckle formation. The primary source of quake-triggering wastewater is brackish water generated from oil and gas extraction, not hydraulic fracturing flowback water.

Molecular cause of heart condition identified by Stanford researchers

Researchers have identified the molecular basis for a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy and found a potential treatment that partially restores function to diseased cells. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to model the disease, revealing how a key signaling pathway develops in healthy vs. diseased cells.

New security technology for the 'Internet of Things'

A new security technology has been developed by IT researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum to protect the 'Internet of Things' from cyber threats. The technology uses a combination of digital encryption and analogue communication technologies, making it fast, energy-efficient and secure.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Tearing down the barriers to care transitions

A new study by University at Buffalo researchers could automate hospital discharge communication, adding critical data and cutting delivery time from weeks to hours. The research aims to reduce hospital readmissions by making the discharge summary more efficient.

Elaborate egg shells help prevent forgery

African songbirds use color and pattern traits to recognize forgery eggs from cuckoos, but the system is not foolproof. Researchers found that heavily parasitized birds create unique egg patterns by combining individual traits, which may have security implications.

On the road to needle-free medicine

Alternative drug-delivery systems are being explored to overcome syringe injection drawbacks, including ointments, dissolvable tablets and micro-needle skin patches. Several promising results have been shown in animal testing, but widespread adoption will require changing the mindset of pharmaceutical companies and regulators.

Conflicting histories harm negotiations, researchers say

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University found that conflicting histories can lead to mistrust and conflict in negotiations. The study used two experiments with 392 participants, finding that those with asymmetric histories were more likely to reach an impasse during negotiations.

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.