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Science News Archive November 2015


Page 33 of 35

Humans can empathize with robots

Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology found that humans can empathize with humanoid robots in perceived pain. However, the beginning of the top-down process of empathy is weaker for robots than for humans. This study contributes to the development of human-friendly robots whom we feel sympathy for and comfortable with.

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.

Scientists find potential target for dry AMD

Researchers discovered that anti-PlGF antibody treatments, such as aflibercept, may slow the progression of dry age-related macular degeneration. The study found that PlGF actually worsened retinal damage in mice, but an anti-PlGF treatment provided protection against light-induced degeneration.

Restoration project recreates variation in the Vindel River

The Vindel River LIFE project restored tributaries by creating more diverse aquatic habitats through wider streams and boulders. This led to increased water levels and variable currents, benefiting migrating salmon and trout, as well as other animals and plants.

Lipid helps keep algae and brain fluid moving

Researchers found that lipid ceramide enables motile cilia in algae and brains to function properly. In brains, ceramide helps keep cerebrospinal fluid moving by regulating GSK3 enzyme activity.

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.

Scientists discover how to better map brain tumors

Researchers have identified a protein inside blood vessels at the invasive edge of brain tumours, enabling more accurate mapping and potentially improving treatment outcomes. The new imaging technique could lead to better surgery and radiotherapy for patients with brain tumours.

Smoking more common in films produced outside of Hollywood

A new study reveals that internationally produced films are more likely to depict characters smoking on screen compared to those made in Hollywood. The research found that up to 97% of films worldwide showed some level of tobacco or alcohol consumption, with a higher prevalence in European and Latin American productions.

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.

Increasing vitamin D supplementation

A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that a serum concentration of around 40 micrograms of vitamin D per litre of serum is ideal for slowing or preventing bone degeneration in postmenopausal women. The study showed that daily vitamin D supplements can increase calcium absorption and reduce bone degeneration.

Improvements in US diet lower premature deaths

Recent improvements in US diet have helped reduce disease and premature death, but the overall American diet remains poor. Researchers found that healthier eating habits can cumulatively prevent 1.1 million premature deaths over 14 years.

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.

Ice-age lesson: Large mammals need room to roam

A 20-year study in Arctic Alaska examines how woolly mammoths and other ice-age animals handled climate change. The study found that rapid climate changes during the ice age were beneficial for megafauna when rapid warming allowed grasses and forbs to spread.

In-house test kits help motivate parents to reduce allergens in their homes

The study found that households using the test kits had a consistent reduction in dust mite allergens over the course of the 12-month study period. A significant number of parents reported adopting behaviors to reduce dust mites after seeing their test kit results, such as using special pillow covers and vacuuming with HEPA filters.

INFORMS presents 8 new Fellow Awards, inducts analytics leaders

The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences has presented eight new recipients of the INFORMS Fellow Award, recognizing their outstanding achievements in various areas. The awards are given to individuals who have made significant contributions to education, management, practice, research, and service in the field...

Duke obesity experts in special issue on food and health

Researchers found that specific food items like potato chips, butter, and sugary drinks contribute to weight gain in children. Policy experts suggest labeling unhealthy products, changing food marketing, and increasing access to healthy options to promote healthier choices.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cancer cells hijack glucose, alter immune cells

Researchers found that cancer cells hijack glucose to alter immune cells, leading to reduced T cell effectiveness. However, they also discovered a potential metabolic pathway to make T cells resistant to glucose restriction, which could improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Conventional heart drug stops the progression of cancer

A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that a common heart medication can stop the progression of angiosarcoma, a highly lethal blood vessel cancer. The treatment used propranolol, which costs significantly less than current therapies.

Quiet 'epidemic' has killed half a million middle-aged white Americans

Researchers found that middle-aged white Americans have seen a sharp increase in death rates after 1998, primarily caused by drug and alcohol poisoning, chronic liver disease, and cirrhosis. This trend reverses decades of progress and is not seen in other rich countries or minority groups.

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.

Find way to focus on dietary supplement safety, experts say

A former FDA principal deputy commissioner proposes a solution to the dietary supplement regulation gridlock by focusing on improving safety rather than efficacy. The proposed framework includes pre-market registration, clearer disclaimers, and better standards for identifying substances to protect consumers from unsafe products.

O'Neill Institute launches Hepatitis Policy Project

The O'Neill Institute's new Hepatitis Policy Project aims to address issues and barriers of access to hepatitis C treatment, particularly among baby boomers who often don't know they're infected. The project seeks to support hepatitis C consumer education and advocacy organizations through policy research.

Global study in November Health Affairs

A global study in Health Affairs found no significant differences in the health, nutrition, and educational outcomes of left-behind children and rural children living with their parents. The research suggests that programs specifically targeting left-behind children may be misdirected and should focus on all rural children instead.

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.

Severe obesity costs Medicaid $8 billion annually and rising

Severe obesity costs Medicaid nearly $8 billion annually, with research predicting continued growth due to expanded eligibility. States can slow the rise in obesity-related healthcare costs by identifying effective prevention and treatment services.

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.

Aedes japonicus mosquitoes found in western Canada

The invasive Aedes japonicus mosquito has been found in western Canada, carrying diseases like La Crosse encephalitis and dengue. The discovery was made in a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, in February 2015.

Opening supermarket in food desert changes diet, study finds

A study by RAND Corporation found that opening a full-service grocery store in a food desert improves residents' diet and perceived access to healthy foods, yet the changes are not related to the store's use. Despite this, researchers observed positive improvements in multiple components of residents' diet.

Does healthier food help low-income people control their diabetes?

Researchers at UCSF and Feeding America found that providing nutritious food and education to low-income individuals with diabetes improved glycemic control and medication adherence. The intervention also encouraged the consumption of healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.

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.

Traveling through space? Don't forget your sleeping pills and skin cream

A new study published in the FASEB Journal found that NASA astronauts' medication usage in space is more similar to Earth-based groups than expected. The most common issues were sleep problems and skin rashes, which highlights the need for better understanding of how medicines work in microgravity environments.

NIH awards 2 Georgia State biologists $2.4 million

Researchers at Georgia State University have been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of diabetes on cardiovascular health. The team aims to develop new therapies targeting damaged mitochondria to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes.

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.

Bat disease fungus found to be widespread in northeast China

A team of researchers has discovered the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in caves where bats hibernate in northeast China. The finding greatly expands the known distribution of the fungus, which has decimated bat populations in North America since its appearance in upstate New York in 2006.

Dr. Christine Olson named March of Dimes Agnes Higgins honoree

Dr. Christine Olson, a renowned expert in fetal-maternal nutrition, has been named the March of Dimes Agnes Higgins honoree. Her research has provided critical information on the risks of excessive weight gain during pregnancy and its impact on baby health.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Buying a new furnace: Will you use your savings or assume more debt?

A study by Abigail B. Sussman and Rourke L. O'Brien found that earmarking savings for 'responsible' purposes can lead to preserving those funds even at high interest rates. Participants were more likely to borrow money to meet emergency expenses if maintaining their savings was important to their sense of responsibility.

New findings rock long-held assumptions about ancient mass extinction

Researchers have found datable volcanic ash deposits in the Karoo Basin that suggest two phases of the extinction event occurred at least 1 million years apart, rather than concurrently. The study provides new insights into the timing and impact of the Great Dying, one of Earth's largest mass extinctions.

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.

Working on your tot's memory now can help his high school success

A study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that preschoolers' working memory skills can predict their risk of dropping out of high school. Parents can help their children develop strong working memory skills through activities like pretend play, mindfulness, and limited screen time.

Penn-led research elucidates genetics behind Salmonella's host specificity

A Penn-led team discovered that variations in Salmonella proteins determine their host specificity in cows, poultry, and humans. By analyzing genome-wide association studies, the researchers found a link between specific protein variants and host species, validating their findings with laboratory experiments.

Treetop leaves of tall trees store extra water

Researchers found that treetop leaves in tall trees like coast redwood and Japanese cedar act as a water supply tank, storing water to help maintain physiological functions. This discovery helps predict future changes in forest function and CO2 absorption in the face of climate change.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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