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Science News Archive May 2015


Page 18 of 31

Growing interest

A new Cornell study found that when school-grown salad greens were incorporated into cafeteria lunches, high school students increased their salad selection by 500% and consumed two-thirds of their salads. However, plate waste also rose, indicating a potential trade-off.

Medicaid patients need support to use primary care rather than emergency rooms

More than half of Medicaid enrollees opt for hospital emergency departments due to convenience and access to technology, rather than primary care clinics. This finding exposes a gap in healthcare services, as patients may avoid costs associated with travel and time away from work but neglect preventive care and chronic disease management.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Recommended levels of activity rarely achieved in busy workplace environment

A study published at the EuroPRevent congress found that employees in busy workplaces often do not meet recommended levels of physical activity, with only 6% achieving 10,000 steps per day. The research highlights the need for workplace health promotion policies to be more effectively applied to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.

Study estimates prevalence of glaucoma among Singapore Chinese

A study of 3,353 Chinese adults in Singapore found the prevalence of glaucoma to be 3.2%, with primary open-angle glaucoma affecting 1.7% and primary angle-closure glaucoma affecting 1.5%. The study also highlighted the need for increased public awareness of this potentially blinding condition.

Typhoon Dolphin closing in on Guam

Typhoon Dolphin is a highly developed and organized storm with strong winds of up to 95 knots (109-132 mph) and wave heights of 32 feet. The typhoon is forecasted to bring damaging winds, torrential rains, and high surf to Guam and surrounding islands.

Germination can make buckwheat more nutritious

A new study reveals germinated buckwheat has better nutritional value than ungerminated buckwheat due to activated dormant enzymes. This process increases the presence of nutrients and reduces compounds interfering with nutrient absorption.

Minimal residual disease alone not predictive in T-cell leukemia

Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that minimal residual disease alone is not predictive of risk or outcome in children with T-cell leukemia. Despite having few remaining leukemia cells, patients achieved complete remission and had excellent outcomes without intensifying therapy.

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.

Hazing remains a concern in college marching bands, new study shows

A recent study found that nearly a third of college marching band members surveyed observed hazing in their programs, including public verbal humiliation and degradation, yet few reported the activities due to fears of retribution or social standing. The researchers suggest that education and reporting efforts by band directors may be ...

'This never would have happened with a red dress'

The researchers found that all test subjects perceived similar color shades with varying lightness but not actual colors. The perception of daylight locus is influenced by the position of the sun, causing variations in lighting conditions.

Who should pay the price?

Researchers devise a replicator dynamics model to analyze the effects of incentives and meta-incentives on resolving social dilemmas. The study finds that allowing a reward-to-reward linkage can resolve the dilemma without any social costs, making it an efficient solution for real-world applications.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Revealing the ocean's hidden fertilizer

A study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Columbia University reveals a more complex marine phosphorus cycle than previously thought, with microbes playing a key role in using and breaking down forms of the essential element. In the process, about five percent of phosphate is converted to phosphonates in shallow water samples.

New research suggests afterlife belief preserves hope when thinking about death

New research from psychologists at the University of Kent found that afterlife beliefs help preserve hope among people with low self-esteem, even when faced with mortality salience. In two studies, participants who believed in immortality showed increased hope levels after reading statements about life after death or gene promises.

Geneticists clock genetic differences between 'larks' and 'owls'

A new study by geneticists from the University of Leicester has identified nearly 80 genes associated with 'morningness' and 'eveningness' in fruit flies. This discovery could lead to better diagnostics and personalized medicine, where individuals receive tailored therapies based on their unique genetic profiles.

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.

New age of genome editing could lead to cure for sickle cell anemia

Researchers introduce single-letter DNA change into human red blood cells, increasing oxygen-carrying haemoglobin production and alleviating symptoms of sickle cell anaemia. The approach is effective, safe, and non-inherited, offering a promising alternative to conventional gene therapy.

Genome-wide DNA study shows lasting impact of malnutrition in early pregnancy

A genome-wide study found that malnutrition in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy is associated with changes in DNA methylation, which can suppress genes involved in growth, development, and metabolism. These findings have significant implications for understanding the long-term effects of prenatal nutrition on health outcomes.

Bullying: What we know based on 40 years of research

A comprehensive review of over 40 years of research on bullying reveals its complex nature and negative impact on victims. The study suggests that bullying is a distinct form of interpersonal aggression, with long-term effects that can endure into adulthood.

Study investigates the quality of organs from potential donors with HIV

A study explores the quality of organs from HIV-positive donors for potential transplant use in the US, finding that donor kidneys may be of reduced quality. The study suggests nearly 400 potential organ donors might be available annually, but long-term viability and hepatitis C virus infection could impact organ health.

Common hospital soap effective in preventing hospital-acquired infections

A new study reports that bathing patients in chlorhexidine was equally effective in preventing MRSA transmission as current contact precautions, reducing contamination events by 29%. The research challenges the practice of limiting patient contact and may provide a cheaper alternative strategy for improving patient care.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Do flies have fear (or something like it)?

Researchers studied flies' response to shadows, finding that they display persistent defensive behavior, generalizable across contexts. The study suggests that flies may help understand the fundamental neurochemistry of fear and emotions.

Antibody's unusual abilities might inspire vaccine strategies

A novel antibody, Ab926, has been discovered that can prevent E. coli from attaching to human cell surfaces and also dislodge bacteria already attached. This antibody works by binding to the side of the FimH pocket, rather than directly competing with free-floating mannose.

Unemployment linked to rise in prostate cancer deaths

Rises in unemployment are associated with significant increases in prostate cancer mortality, according to the first study to systematically explore this correlation. The effect continued for at least five years after a 1% rise in unemployment, even after controlling for competing factors.

Definitive tests for irritable bowel syndrome developed at Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai gastroenterologist Mark Pimentel has developed two simple blood tests that accurately diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in millions of people worldwide. The new blood tests identify specific antibodies reacting to toxins from bacteria, such as salmonella, and confirm IBS diagnosis with greater than 90% certainty.

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.

Findings reveal clues to functioning of mysterious 'mimivirus'

Researchers have discovered the structure of a key protein on the surface of the mimivirus, aiding efforts to determine its hosts and unknown functions. The R135 protein is similar to an enzyme found in a fungus and may participate in biodegrading lignin, suggesting alternative hosts such as algae.

Unique social structure of hunter-gatherers explained

A new UCL study reveals that sex equality in residential decision-making explains the unique social structure of hunter-gatherers. The research found that when both men and women have influence over camp assortment, group relatedness is much lower due to individuals seeking to live with as many kin as possible.

Spores for thought

Researchers at the Institute of Food Research have visualized the structural changes Clostridium spores undergo during germination, which could help control pathogenic bacteria. The study provides new insights into the genetic controls of spore germination and reveals that spores have polarity that aligns structures correctly.

Trap-jaw ants jump with jaws to escape the antlion's den

A study published in PLOS ONE found that trap-jaw ants use their spring-loaded mandibles to jump out of harm's way when threatened by an antlion. This behavior increases the ants' survival rate, with 15% of encounters resulting in escape.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Syracuse physicists aid in discovery of subatomic process

Physicists at Syracuse University have discovered a rare subatomic process involving the decay of the Bs meson, confirming its predicted decay into two muons. The finding provides insight into the Standard Model and offers an indirect way to test new models of physics.

Brain compass keeps flies on course, even in the dark

Researchers discovered that fruit flies use a brain structure called the ellipsoid body to navigate and maintain their bearings. The ellipsoid body cells locked onto visual patterns, allowing the fly to track its orientation in the dark.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Device developed at WashU may allow sensations in prosthetic hands

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a device that stimulates nerves in the upper arm and forearm to transmit sensory signals to the brain, enabling users to feel hot and cold and the sense of touch through their prosthetic hands. The team plans to test the device on nonhuman primates to determine its effect...

A bucketful of new Eugenia plant species from Madagascar

Botanists have discovered 17 new species of Eugenia plants in Madagascar, with the finds shedding light on the genus's distribution and ecological patterns. The discovery highlights the country's rich biodiversity, with many plant families yielding new species annually.

How used coffee grounds could make some food more healthful

Researchers found high levels of phenols in spent coffee grounds, which have potential as additives to enhance health effects of other food products. The study's findings suggest that used coffee grounds could be a valuable source of dietary phenolic compounds.

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.

Comet Wild 2: A window into the birth of the solar system?

Researchers from University of Hawai'i - Mānoa discover that larger dust particles in comet Wild 2 are similar to rocks found in primitive meteorites called chondrites. The smaller-sized dust displays a range of oxygen isotopic compositions, deepening the mystery of Wild 2's past.

Infant antibiotic use linked to adult diseases

A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found a three-way link among infant antibiotic use, changes in gut bacteria, and disease later in life. The study developed a predictive model for measuring healthy development of bacteria in young children.

Where do the happiest children live?

A survey of over 50,000 children aged 8-12 across 15 countries reveals that children's happiness differs significantly depending on their geographical location and lifestyle. In Northern European countries, children are dissatisfied with their appearance and self-confidence, while those in African countries tend to be happier with scho...

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.

Two Large Hadron Collider experiments first to observe rare subatomic process

Two Large Hadron Collider experiments have combined their results to observe a previously unseen subatomic process, establishing a new and extremely rare decay of the Bs particle into two muons. This discovery helps scientists study the properties of particles to search for cracks in the Standard Model, potentially revealing new physics.

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.

Brains of smokers who quit successfully might be wired for success

A study found that smokers who quit successfully had greater connectivity between the insula and somatosensory cortex compared to those who failed. This suggests that targeting this neural pathway could be a strategy for improving smoking cessation outcomes. The researchers hope their findings will guide the development of new treatments.

Cybersecurity and the artificial pancreas -- what are the risks?

Recent studies on artificial pancreas systems have identified security vulnerabilities, including software integrity and malware threats. The authors propose a more formal approach to reporting the technical characteristics of these complex systems to ensure their safety.

Nano-policing pollution

A team of scientists from OIST and international partners has created a sensor that can detect carbon monoxide, a common industrial pollutant, using copper oxide nanowires decorated with palladium nanoparticles. The sensor demonstrates significant improvements in detecting gas emissions compared to existing methods.

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.

Water was plentiful in the early universe

Astronomers find water formation may have occurred less than a billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was 5% of its current age. This discovery raises important questions about the habitability of the first planets and the origin of life.

Learning entrepreneurship: Starting a business is a matter of adequate training

A recent study by Leuphana University of Lüneburg found that action-oriented entrepreneurship training can unlock dormant potential and awaken entrepreneurial spirit in individuals. The training program, STEP, combines practice exercises with theory-based content and provides seed capital to participants. After twelve months, the train...

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.

'Supercool' material glows when you write on it

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new material that stays liquid at temperatures below its expected freezing point but crystallizes upon writing or rubbing. This unique property makes it highly sensitive to pressure and could lead to breakthroughs in biosensors, optical memory, and electronic devices.

Burmese long-tailed macaque stone-tool use catalogued

Eighty percent of Burmese long-tailed macaques on an island in southern Thailand use stone and shell tools to crack open seafood, employing 17 different action patterns. The study catalogued tool use and action patterns, revealing one-handed hammering for precision striking and two-handed hammering for larger shells.