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Science News Archive November 2015


Page 32 of 35

Electrical engineer's work may signal better wireless connections

Dr. Aria Nosratinia is investigating ways to break wireless messages into microstreams, reducing interference, and developing methods to detect malicious hardware modifications known as hardware Trojans. His research could lead to better wireless communication and increased network capacity.

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.

New genetic risk marker for late-life depression

A new study finds that the APOE epsilon 4 allele is associated with an increased risk of late-life depression, even after controlling for Alzheimer's disease. The presence of this allele predicts future depression in older adults, highlighting its potential as a marker for prevention and early detection.

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.

Sexual dysfunction is prevalent among recently deployed veterans

A recent study found nearly 18% of returning veterans experience sexual functioning difficulties, with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder being major contributing factors. The study's authors emphasize the need for easy access to effective care and open discussion of sexual health concerns among veterans.

Births down and deaths up in Gulf dolphins

A NOAA-led team found that only 20% of pregnant dolphins in Barataria Bay gave birth to healthy calves, compared to an 83% success rate in a similar population. The study also revealed high rates of reproductive failure and death among dolphins exposed to oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Being moody may help us adapt to change

A new theory suggests that mood can aid adaptation to environmental changes by reflecting recent changes in reward availability. This effect may help explain the causes of mood disorders and predispose individuals to conditions like bipolar disorder.

3-D printed 'building blocks' of life

Researchers have created a 3D printing technique that produces highly uniform 'blocks' of embryonic stem cells, which can be used as building blocks to construct tissue constructs, larger structures of tissues, and potentially even micro-organs. The method outperforms existing methods in terms of cell uniformity and homogenous prolifer...

Race matters on college campuses

Researchers found that banning affirmative action can lead to a decline in student body diversity and negatively impact students of color. The study examined the impact of Proposal 2 in Michigan, which prohibited considering race in college admissions, and found that administrators felt disempowered to support racial diversity on campus.

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.

Muscle loss linked with falls and fractures in elderly

Researchers found that older people with an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength are at a greater risk of falling and bone fractures. The study identified the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS) definition as the most effective means of identifying individuals at risk of adverse musculoskeletal events.

Storage advance may boost solar thermal energy potential

Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.

Closing the dyslexia achievement gap

Researchers at Yale University found that a large achievement gap between dyslexic and typical readers is already present in first grade. Early screening and reading interventions can help close this gap by implementing programs as early as kindergarten.

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.

Country-to-country aid for health varies dramatically

The study found little correlation between donor country aid and recipient country disease burdens, despite some years showing a direct link. This highlights the need for a discussion on how funds are being allocated, as bilateral aid may be driven by relationships between countries rather than actual health needs.

Alzheimer's may be a collection of diseases that should be treated separately

Researchers propose that Alzheimer's disease is a collection of diseases stemming from similar molecular mechanisms. They identified a key protein, cyclophilin B, responsible for its manifestation in distinct neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to develop novel therapies tailored to individual disease subtypes.

Some chemicals less damaging to ozone can degrade to long-lived greenhouse gas

Scientists have discovered that chemicals widely used as refrigerants can degrade in the atmosphere to form a potent greenhouse gas called carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), lasting up to 50,000 years. This finding highlights the need for understanding the chemistry of compounds used in industry to mitigate long-lived atmospheric effects.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

'Chemsex' needs to become a public health priority

Experts warn that chemsex, involving psychoactive drugs for extended periods, poses significant health risks, including HIV and mental health problems. Limited data hinders advice from clinicians, and funding for specialized services is waning.

Researchers create transplantation model for 3-D printed constructs

A team of researchers at Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania created an implant with a network of blood vessels using 3D printing. The study shows that blood flowed normally through test constructs connected to native blood vessels, overcoming a major challenge in regenerative medicine.

Uptake mechanisms of cytostatics discovered

Researchers identified VRAC channels as responsible for half of anti-cancer drug uptake, with down-regulated subunits linked to therapy resistance and programmed cell death disturbances. The study's findings hold high clinical relevance and suggest potential new targets for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.

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.

Baffling lab mystery leads to potential new anemia treatment

Scientists at UVA Health System find a way to prompt red blood cell production through dendritic cells, which could benefit people with diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. The approach may one day allow doctors to produce red blood cells on demand, benefiting those who cannot receive blood transfusions due to religious beliefs.

$5 million for international neuroscience 'dream team'

A team of international neuroscientists and engineers has been awarded a $5 million grant to unravel the mysteries of the brain and develop new technologies for better healthcare. The project aims to stimulate and sense brain activity at the single-neuron level, reconstructing neural circuits with computer simulations.

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.

The new wave in wireless communication

Researchers at UCSB aim to develop large-scale millimeter wave wireless data networks that can operate at gigabit speeds. The new approach focuses on the millimeter wave band, which offers additional real estate on the electromagnetic spectrum and better efficiency due to its smaller coverage area.

New drug provides safer alternative to conventional IVF treatment

Researchers find that using kisspeptin instead of hCG during IVF treatment safely matures eggs and reduces the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), even in high-risk patients. The average live birth rate was 45% across all doses, rising to 62% for women given the best performing dose.

NASA sees first land-falling tropical cyclone in Yemen

Tropical Cyclone Chapala made history as the first land-falling tropical storm in 30 years of record-keeping. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 85 mph (140 kph) before rapidly weakening to 25 knots (28.7 mph/46.3 kph).

New studies question the treatment of female infertility with stem cells

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Karolinska Institutet have cast doubt on the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for treating female infertility. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that stem cells cannot generate new egg cells, rendering the treatment unreliable.

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.

Study examines issues related to prenatal detection of trisomies

A new study suggests using contingent screening could detect higher proportions of affected pregnancies, but parental choices limit its impact. Only 60% of women considered high-risk after standard first-trimester screening choose cfDNA testing, resulting in a limited effect on live births with trisomy 21.

New method reveals female biased green sea turtle sex ratio in San Diego Bay

Scientists have determined a female bias of 2.83 females to each male among 69 green turtles sampled in San Diego Bay, revealing potential feminization due to climate change. The study provides a safe and effective method for determining the sex of immature turtles using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Forming glass shapes: Lowering the 'softening temperature' via electric field

Researchers at Lehigh University and the University of Colorado Boulder discovered that an electric field can lower the softening temperature of glass, allowing for significant energy savings in traditional forming approaches. This phenomenon has potential applications in micro- and nano-forming operations and high-precision nanostamping.

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.

The complexity of modeling

Complex engineered materials pose significant structural challenges due to non-periodic and disordered atomic structures. A new approach combining experimental and theoretical tools is required to obtain unique solutions.

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.

The solution to faster computing? Sing to your data

A new method of moving data in racetrack memory uses sound waves, overcoming limitations of traditional methods. The study, published in Applied Physics Letters, demonstrates the potential for faster computing by utilizing surface acoustic waves to transport data quickly and efficiently.

Simple test predicts response to chemotherapy in lung cancer patients

A study published in Human Pathology found that lung cancer patients without the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) experience significantly improved survival rates when undergoing chemotherapy. The absence of pRB was detected in 15% of patients, with a 92% 5-year survival rate compared to 49% for those with the protein.

Increase seen in prescription drug use in US

Prescription drug use increased by 8% to 59% among US adults between 1999-2000 and 2011-2012, with notable increases in hypertension and hyperlipidemia treatments. The prevalence of polypharmacy also rose from 8% to 15%.

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.

The better to eat you with? How dinosaurs' jaws influenced diet

Research found that theropod dinosaurs like T. rex and Allosaurus could open their jaws wide due to their powerful muscles, while herbivorous Erlikosaurus had limited jaw movement. This study provides new insights into the relationship between dinosaur diet and jaw musculature.