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Science News Archive May 2015 - Page 13


Page 13 of 31

Thinking alike changes the conversation

Researchers found that people who share views align more closely in their speech patterns, even unconsciously. Those who compromise in conflict situations also show greater linguistic alignment with the speaker.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalLanguage Variation and Change·DateMay 19, 2015

Seashell strength inspires stress tests

Researchers at Rice University and Indian Institute of Science model seashells' ability to withstand pressure, discovering evolutionary optimization allows fractures to appear only where they're least likely to hurt the animal inside. The team found complex shapes make shells nearly twice as good at bearing loads than nacre alone.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 19, 2015
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.

More people are dying in hospices in England

A new study by King's College London found nearly double the proportion of people dying in hospices since 1993, with most deaths from cancer. The gap between those living in affluent and deprived areas is increasing, with hospice deaths becoming more age-related.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPalliative Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015

Diverse soil communities can help offset impacts of global warming

A new study shows that diverse soil communities can limit the effects of climate change by regulating microbial activity and controlling carbon emissions. Small animals like insects and worms play a crucial role in this process, feeding on microbes that can trigger increased carbon emissions.

SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 19, 2015
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.

Genes may influence leadership in the workplace, research finds

A study by Kansas State University researchers found that genes can influence leadership in the workplace, with both positive and negative effects. People with a certain allele of the dopamine transporter gene were more likely to engage in mild rule-breaking behavior, which is positively associated with leadership. However, those with ...

SourceKansas State University·JournalThe Leadership Quarterly·DateMay 19, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Horizontal gene transfer in E. coli

E. coli O104:H4 acquired genes through horizontal gene transfer, increasing virulence and antibiotic resistance. The bacterium's genome comprises prophage elements involved in Shiga toxin production.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications·DateMay 19, 2015

Livers donated after cardiac death are safe to use in liver cancer patients

Patients with liver cancer can be cured with a liver transplant using organs from donors who died of cardiac death, according to the largest study of its kind. The study found no difference in liver cancer recurrence between livers donated after cardiac death and those obtained from brain-dead donors.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateMay 19, 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.

Smoking a significant predictor of lung cancer recurrence in survivors

A study found that 38% of lung cancer survivors developed recurrent or new cancer during a 8.3-year surveillance period. Key risk factors for recurrence included smoking status, prior cancers, and asbestos exposure, highlighting the need for close monitoring and quitting smoking to reduce cancer recurrence.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·DateMay 19, 2015

Most European men descend from a handful of Bronze Age forefathers

Researchers discovered that almost two-thirds (64%) modern European men belong to just three young paternal lineages. The study used DNA sequences from the Y chromosomes of 334 men from 17 populations and found a widespread, recent male-specific population expansion during the Bronze Age.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2015

Connecting science with society -- EU boost for polar science

The EU has funded a new initiative to enhance collaboration in polar research, bringing together 22 institutions to develop an integrated European polar research programme. The programme aims to create a suite of research proposals directly relevant to European society and its economy.

SourceAlfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research·DateMay 19, 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.

Research aims to improve access to music for people using hearing aids

A collaborative project between the University of Leeds and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust aims to improve access to music for people using hearing aids. The research will explore how music listening experiences are affected by deafness, hearing impairments and the use of hearing aids.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateMay 19, 2015

Griffon vultures are exposed to high concentrations of lead in their diets

A study found that Griffon vultures in Catalonia have high levels of lead in their tissues, affecting their immune systems and reproductive function. The birds' diet, which mainly consists of carrion from domestic and wild hunting species, increases their likelihood of ingesting lead.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety·DateMay 19, 2015

Study finds high risk of sleep apnea in young veterans with PTSD

A new study reveals that young U.S. veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The study found that the severity of PTSD symptoms is strongly associated with an increased risk of OSA, and that nearly 70% of participants had a high risk for sleep apnea.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers pin down enzyme role in muscle 'aging'

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that an enzyme called 11β-HSD1 is increased in muscles of older women, leading to reduced grip strength and insulin resistance. The researchers believe inhibiting this enzyme could hold the key to preventing or reversing muscle wasting associated with aging.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 19, 2015

Secrets of baby talk: Why mothers say coo while fathers stay cool

Researchers found that fathers tend to speak in a more adult-like tone, whereas mothers use higher pitches and varied pitch ranges when interacting with their young children. This study suggests that fathers may be acting as a link to the outside world by helping children deal with unfamiliar speech patterns.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 19, 2015

Hemodialysis is recommended for acute salicylate poisoning

For severe salicylate poisoning, hemodialysis is the best remedy according to a comprehensive review of medical literature. Salicylate poisoning causes significant harm and death, requiring prompt treatment with dialysis.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015

Bugs and slugs ideal houseguests for seagrass health

Seagrass ecosystems rely on small marine invertebrates to graze algae, keeping habitats clean and healthy. A recent study found that diverse communities of these animals are essential for maintaining robust seagrass populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalEcology Letters·DateMay 19, 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.

Molecule designed to treat lung cancer shows promising results in mice

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have designed a molecule called RK-33 to target the enzyme DDX3, which is overexpressed in over 90% of lung cancer samples. The therapy has shown promising results in mice, with the ability to lower radiation doses while increasing its effectiveness.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015

Large urban hospitals disadvantaged by medicare/medicaid patient satisfaction rating system

A new study by Mount Sinai researchers found that large urban hospitals in densely populated regions of Washington DC, New York State, California, Maryland, and New Jersey have lower patient satisfaction scores due to demographic bias. The authors propose an adjustment formula to mitigate this bias, which, when applied to New York Stat...

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateMay 19, 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.

Using a sounding rocket to help calibrate NASA's SDO

A calibration mission on a Terrier-Black Brant suborbital sounding rocket will help calibrate the EVE instrument on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The mission aims to measure the total energy output of the sun in extreme ultraviolet light waves and track changes over time.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 19, 2015

Awe may promote altruistic behavior

Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that inducing a sense of awe can promote altruistic, helpful, and positive social behavior. Awe diminishes emphasis on individual self, encouraging people to prioritize others' welfare.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMay 19, 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.

Tracking the trends in youth self-harm visitation rates to Alberta's emergency rooms

A University of Alberta study found that youth from families receiving government subsidies and First Nations children accounted for disproportionately high rates of self-harming behavior at Alberta's emergency rooms. The study suggests that social determinants, such as living conditions, play a crucial role in mental health outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalCanadian Journal of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015

Widespread diabetes screening in India is predicted to be ineffective

A new study suggests that widespread diabetes screening in India using current methods could lead to massive waste of resources and unnecessary testing. The researchers estimate that only between 26 million and 37 million out of 567 million eligible individuals would meet the international diagnostic criteria for diabetes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMay 19, 2015

Giant panda gut bacteria can't efficiently digest bamboo

Giant pandas have a carnivore-like gut microbiota that can't efficiently digest bamboo due to the lack of genes for plant-digesting enzymes in their genome. Their gut diversity is also lower compared to other herbivores, leading to nutritional challenges and increased risk of extinction.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateMay 19, 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.

Antidepressants beneficial for women with postnatal depression

A systematic review of six randomised controlled trials found that antidepressants were of benefit for postnatal depression, with 54% of participants reporting 'much improved' symptoms after treatment. Remission rates were also improved, with 49% of participants showing remission compared to 26% in the placebo group.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJAMA·DateMay 19, 2015

Lifetime scholarly achievement of Lois Parkinson Zamora recognized

The American Comparative Literature Association honored Lois Parkinson Zamora for her pioneering studies on hemispheric American studies and modern Latin American literature. Her work has been recognized nationally, with numerous publications and awards, including the John and Rebecca Moores Distinguished Professorship.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateMay 19, 2015

Report recommends new approach to college drinking

The report, authored by David Rosenbloom, recommends using mobile technology, such as geotargeting, to address heavy drinking on campuses. It also suggests developing credible messaging to discourage excessive drinking through web/mobile design and programming.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateMay 18, 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.

Study: Many people in emergency department for chest pain don't to be admitted

A new study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found a low risk of life-threatening cardiac events among patients with chest pain who have normal test results. The researchers suggest discharging these patients to outpatient settings for further testing, which could significantly reduce hospital admissions.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateMay 18, 2015

UC-led obesity research finds leptin hormone isn't the overeating culprit

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that leptin action is normal in obese individuals, not impaired as previously thought. The study suggests that restoring leptin action may not be effective in reducing obesity, requiring a new approach to understanding and treating the condition.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 18, 2015

Computing at the speed of light

Engineers created an ultracompact beamsplitter to divide light waves into two channels, bringing researchers closer to silicon photonic chips that compute with light instead of electrons. This technology could significantly increase the power and speed of machines such as supercomputers, data center servers, and mobile devices.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 18, 2015

Researchers find brain area that integrates speech's rhythms

Scientists at Duke University have discovered a brain region that integrates the timing of speech, a crucial element of spoken language. The superior temporal sulcus (STS) became active during speech quilts with longer segments, suggesting it plays a key role in processing speech rhythms.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMay 18, 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.

Cyberheart research begins with virtual models, mathematics and NSF support

Rochester Institute of Technology professor Elizabeth Cherry is developing virtual heart models for cyber-physical systems as part of a five-year NSF project. The Cyberheart platform will analyze and simulate medical device interactions with patient-specific heart models, enabling safe and effective software for future medical devices.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateMay 18, 2015

Poll finds many Americans know someone who has abused prescription painkillers

A new national poll finds that more U.S. adults are concerned about prescription painkiller abuse than heroin, with nearly four in ten knowing someone who has struggled with addiction. The poll also reveals differing views on government action and treatment coverage, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions to address the crisis.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·DateMay 18, 2015

Imagination beats practice in boosting visual search performance

Research shows that imagining a visual target before searching for it is faster and more efficient than actual practice. This study suggests that the human brain benefits from visualization, which changes how information is processed early on in the visual system.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMay 18, 2015

New species of marine roly poly pillbug discovered near Port of Los Angeles

Researchers from Loyola Marymount University and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County discovered two new species of pillbugs, including a previously unknown species found on a dirty beach near the Port of Los Angeles. The discoveries highlight the importance of citizen science and scientific research in urban areas.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalZooKeys·DateMay 18, 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.

Australian researcher helps with Ebola vaccine trials

A team of researchers, led by Dr. Steve Bellan and including Associate Professor Manoj Gambhir from Monash University, have identified the most effective human trial design for testing Ebola vaccines in Sierra Leone. The study suggests that a modified randomized control trial is the best approach to detect an effective and safe vaccine.

SourceMonash University·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMay 18, 2015

When citizens disobey

A new study by Lily Tsai of Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that citizens in rural China engage in 'constructive noncompliance' to prompt government policy changes, often based on issues like property. The research suggests a greater willingness to disobey laws in situations where citizen input is more likely.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalComparative Politics·DateMay 18, 2015