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Science News Archive March 2015


Page 4 of 38

Princess Margaret scientists convert microbubbles to nanoparticles

Researchers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre successfully converted microbubble technology into nanoparticles that retain their imaging properties. The discovery has the potential to enhance drug delivery, prolong tumour visualization, and improve cancer treatment precision.

Only 1 of 32 hockey helmets tested earn 3-star rating

Virginia Tech has released its five-star ratings of hockey helmets, with only one model earning a three-star rating. The study found that hockey helmets share the same basic design as football helmets but are smaller and more prone to injury.

Hidden costs: The unseen way organisms cope with climate change

Researchers measured the unseen toll of environmental stress on living creatures, finding they can increase metabolic energy by over 200% without showing signs. The study uses a sea urchin model organism to demonstrate how organisms cope with climate change by reallocating their 'metabolic budget'.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Wearable technology can help with public speaking

A team of researchers from the University of Rochester has created a system called Rhema that uses smart glasses to give real-time feedback on public speaking volume and rate. This feedback helps speakers adjust their performance, with tests showing an improvement in delivery compared to users who received no or continuous feedback.

Reviewing online homework at scale

A new system called OverCode automatically compares students' programming assignments by clustering similar student programs together. Instructors can then use this information to provide more effective feedback to a broader range of students, improving the design of computer science courses both online and on campus.

Roll up your screen and stow it away?

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a novel DNA-peptide structure that can be used to produce thin, transparent, and flexible screens. The new material is light, organic, and environmentally friendly, emitting a full range of colors in one pliable pixel layer.

Study: Worked-based wellness programs reduce weight

A two-year study found that workplace wellness programs can effectively reduce the number of people considered overweight or obese by almost 9 percent. Employee involvement in designing and participating in these programs was key to driving broader participation and meaningful improvements in health.

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.

From tobacco to cyberwood

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a highly sensitive temperature sensor called cyberwood, which mimics the properties of temperature-sensitive plants. By incorporating plant cells and pectin molecules, the material responds to small temperature fluctuations with large changes in conductivity.

Setting a dinner table for wildlife can affect their risk of disease

A study by University of Georgia ecologists found that supplemental feeding can affect the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, with some pathogens increasing transmission and others reducing it. The study provides practical suggestions for wildlife disease management and a roadmap for future research.

Carnegie Mellon researchers create 'Wikipedia' for neurons

Researchers created a publicly available website, neuroelectro.org, to collect and standardize data on neuronal function. The site enables the comparison of physiological information across different types of neurons, promoting new methods of analysis.

Mother's diet influences weight-control neurocircuits in offspring

Research by Penn State College of Medicine found that maternal high-fat diets during pregnancy and lactation may prime offspring for weight gain and obesity. Neural activity involved in energy balance and appetite regulation was compromised, suggesting a link between maternal diet and obesity later in life.

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.

Pesticides in fruit and vegetables linked to semen quality

A study published in Human Reproduction found a link between eating high-pesticide residue fruit and vegetables and lower sperm counts and percentages of normally-formed sperm. However, the total amount of fruit and vegetables consumed was unrelated to semen quality overall.

Climate change costing soybean farmers

A recent study published in Nature Plants found that climate change is reducing soybean yields across the United States, with an average decline of 2.4% for every one-degree rise in temperature. The study suggests that soybean farmers can minimize yield losses by adopting practices such as earlier planting and no-till farming.

Consumption of peanuts with a meal benefits vascular health

A study found that peanut consumption with a high-fat meal improved post-meal triglyceride response and preserved endothelial function in overweight males. Peanuts were shown to be atheroprotective as part of a high-fat meal, potentially reducing the risk of coronary disease.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Publication bias and 'spin' raise questions about drugs for anxiety disorders

A new analysis found that studies supporting the value of second-generation antidepressant drugs for anxiety disorders have been distorted by publication bias, outcome reporting bias, and 'spin'. The researchers concluded that these medications may not be significantly more useful than a placebo in treating anxiety disorders.

Stop blaming the moon, says UCLA scientist

A UCLA professor of planetary astronomy confirms that the timing of human births and hospital admissions is not influenced by the lunar cycle. The study highlights the persistence of flawed beliefs despite evidence, attributed to confirmation bias, and societal costs including measles outbreaks.

Identification of drug combinations that reverse HIV-1 latency

Researchers have developed a multifaceted approach to identify drug combinations that reverse HIV-1 latency. Several 2-drug combinations were found to be able to reactivate HIV-1 without triggering an inflammatory response, and a model was created to correlate changes in viral RNA with virus secretion from T cells.

Direct evidence for a positive feedback in climate change

A new study confirms a positive feedback operating in climate change, where warming amplifies greenhouse gas emissions and additional warming. This is evident from direct analysis of ice-core data, showing that temperature has a profound effect on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.

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.

Glimpses of the future: Drought damage leads to widespread forest death

A new modeling tool predicts that drought-induced forest mortality will occur across the US and Canada by the 2050s due to climate change. The model simulates widespread aspen mortality caused by the 2000-2003 drought, highlighting the importance of understanding tree physiology under water-stressed conditions.

Researchers observe major hand hygiene problems in operating rooms

A study at a Swedish hospital found that caregivers missed 90% of opportunities for using alcohol-based hand rub and aseptic techniques during invasive procedures. The lack of adherence to aseptic techniques led to an increase in hospital-acquired infections, highlighting the need for improved teamwork and training.

Ice hockey helmets to get safety stars

Researchers developed a new Hockey STAR rating system to evaluate helmet protection against concussions and head injuries in ice hockey. The system assigns a value to each helmet based on its ability to protect players from head impacts, driving manufacturers to advance helmet design.

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.

Could antibodies from camels protect humans from MERS?

Researchers found that camel antibodies protected uninfected mice from MERS and helped infected mice expunge the disease. The study suggests these antibodies might be therapeutic for MERS patients and protect uninfected household members and healthcare workers.

The killer protein, properly explained

A new review of the amyloid-beta peptide, a key component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease, has been published in Chemical Reviews. The study combines experimental and theoretical aspects and provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art overview of research on this protein.

Date syrup shows promise for fighting bacterial infections

Date syrup's antibacterial compounds inhibit growth of disease-causing bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The natural syrup outperforms manuka honey in lab tests, offering potential health benefits through its antibacterial activities.

Smart phone app monitors depression in real time

A new mobile phone app, LifeRhythm, detects depression symptoms by analyzing user behavior such as activity levels and social interactions. The technology has the potential to revolutionize depression diagnosis, providing an objective and automated screening method.

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.

Sea change: What took decades to destroy in oceans took millennia to recover

A new study by UC Davis researchers finds that ocean ecosystems can take thousands of years to recover from rapid climate change, with the recovery period being on a millennial scale. The study analyzed fossilized ocean fauna and found that even minor changes in oxygen levels could result in dramatic changes for seafloor communities.

Exercise can outweigh harmful effects of air pollution

A new University of Copenhagen study found that exercise reduces premature mortality risk more than air pollution, even in polluted urban areas. The research suggests exercising in green spaces with low air pollution is still beneficial.

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.

'Atomic chicken-wire' is key to faster DNA sequencing

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have discovered a new method for DNA sequencing using graphene, a one-atom thick sheet of carbon. This technique promises to improve speed, throughput, reliability and accuracy while reducing costs compared to current methods.

Crowdsourced tool for depression

A new peer-to-peer networking tool has been developed to build online support communities and practice therapeutic techniques for depression. The tool, called Panoply, yielded better outcomes in training subjects to use cognitive reappraisal and improving mood in those with severe symptoms.

High-tech method allows rapid imaging of functions in living brain

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a high-speed imaging method that enables the visualization of blood flow, blood oxygenation, and oxygen metabolism in living mouse brains. The new technique, called photoacoustic microscopy, achieves high-resolution images with capillary-level resolution at a rate of 100 ...

Next important step toward a quantum computer

Researchers from the University of Bonn and Cambridge successfully linked two different quantum systems, quantum dots and ions, to work together as a team. This hybrid system combines the strengths of both components, enabling faster calculations and improved memory storage.

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.

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.

Antibiotic resistance risk for coastal water users

A study published this week found that over 6.3 million people may be exposed to antibiotic-resistant bacteria while engaging in water sports, with surfers and swimmers at highest risk. The research highlights the importance of maintaining good water quality standards to minimize exposure to these harmful microbes.

UTA researcher earns NSF grant to study biodiversity in Africa

The $670,797 grant will support research on biodiversity in West and Central Africa, with a focus on amphibian and reptile wildlife. The project aims to identify the processes driving high species diversity in the region and develop efficient approaches for maintaining biodiversity.

'Google Maps' for the body: A biomedical revolution

A UNSW Australia collaboration uses previously top-secret technology to image whole body organs at a cellular level, reducing analysis time from 25 years to weeks. The technology, developed with Google algorithms, explores osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, revealing connections between blood, bone, lymphatics, and muscle.

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.

Fecal transplants successful for treating C. difficile infection

A recent study published in Microbiome reveals that fecal microbiota transplantation can effectively treat C. difficile infections, with sustained changes observed for up to 21 weeks. The research has significant implications for the regulation of treatment and suggests that current frameworks may not be applicable.