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Science News Archive October 2015


Page 17 of 38

Unintended costs of health-care integration

A recent study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that hospital-physician integration leads to higher prices for outpatient care, increasing health care spending by $75 per patient annually, without affecting the use of healthcare services.

Queen or worker? Flexibility between roles relies on just a few genes

A study on dinosaur ants and red paper wasps found subtle, non-random arrangements of gene networks distinguish queens from workers, suggesting no single master gene regulates caste differentiation. The research also suggests that epigenetic modifications play a limited role in regulating these differences.

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.

The missing 'recipe'

Researchers have developed a theoretical description of thermal conduction, accounting for both atomic and electronic behavior, allowing for accurate numerical simulations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study complex materials and processes, such as those found on planets, with unprecedented precision.

Journalism fellowship recognizes America's top age beat reporters

The Gerontological Society of America and New America Media have selected 18 distinguished reporters to develop major aging-focused stories or series. The fellows will utilize the latest research on aging to inform their work, with projects addressing elder isolation, food insecurity, and aging in ethnic populations.

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.

Study urges optimization of solar energy development

A new study led by UC Riverside researchers found that utility-scale solar energy development can drive land-use and land-cover change, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the need for optimized solar energy development to minimize environmental impacts.

Carbon sequestration in soil: The potential underfoot

A new study suggests that carbon sequestration in European cropland could store between 9-38 megatons of CO2 per year, but its effectiveness is limited due to potential emissions leakage. The research highlights the need for additional mitigation efforts to achieve global climate goals

Early childhood stress affects brain's response to rewards

A Duke University study found that early childhood stress can lead to a reduced response to rewards in adulthood, which may contribute to an increased risk of depression and other mental health problems. The research used fMRI scans to examine brain activity in adults who were closely monitored from kindergarten onwards.

How chickens walk holds clues to how they spread disease

A mathematical model of chicken walk patterns may help farmers predict and prevent the spread of disease in their flocks. By analyzing patterns of movement, researchers can identify high-risk areas and develop strategies to minimize losses.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Orange lichens are potential source for anticancer drugs

Researchers at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute have discovered a potential anticancer drug in orange lichens, called parietin. The pigment kills human leukemia cells and inhibits the growth of cancer cell lines, including lung and head and neck tumors.

The phage is a lonely hunter

Researchers at San Diego State University discovered that bacteriophages employ subdiffusive motion to find and kill bacteria in mucosal surfaces. This novel hunting strategy is more effective when bacterial concentrations are high, making it a unique approach among predators on Earth.

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.

Social media usage at critical care conferences helps broaden reach

The study found substantial growth in Twitter adoption and impressions at three major critical care conferences, with over 6.6 million impressions in the first year and 32.6 million views in the second year. Healthcare providers dominated tweets, accounting for 71% of all tweets.

Genomic ancestry linked to mate selection, study shows

Researchers found that people tend to choose mates with similar genomic ancestries, leading to stronger assortative mating patterns. This phenomenon may have implications for genetic disease perpetuation and health benefits.

Monkey model discovery could spur CMV vaccine development

Researchers at Duke Medicine have discovered that rhesus monkeys can transmit the virus across the placenta to their unborn offspring, establishing a first primate model to study mother-to-fetus CMV infections. The discovery aims to spur development of potential vaccine approaches against congenital CMV infections.

NASA studying 2015 El Niño event as never before

Scientists will analyze the current El Niño event using NASA's suite of orbiting Earth-observing missions, providing insights into its global impacts. The study aims to better understand the connections between El Niño and extreme weather patterns, such as fires and floods.

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.

TSRI scientists find way to make leukemia cells kill each other

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to convert leukemia cells into cancer-killing immune cells using a rare human antibody. The induced NK cells can detect and eliminate cancer cells, offering a potential new therapy for leukemia and possibly other cancers.

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.

Nanotechnology inspires next-generation dental materials

Brazilian scientists review advances in nanodentistry, exploring how nanoparticles can improve dental materials, prevent oral diseases, and create wearable toothpaste. However, safety and cost concerns hinder the adoption of these new technologies.

Pledges by top 3 greenhouse gas emitters shut out other nations

A new study finds that the US, EU, and China's pledges to reduce emissions leave little room for other nations, requiring them to adopt drastic reductions. The researchers argue that even if the top emitters fulfill their pledges, global temperatures will rise by around 3C, posing a significant threat to the planet.

Biosimilars -- clinical perspectives in rheumatology

Biosimilars are complex proteins that provide therapeutically equivalent alternatives to expensive biologics, reducing treatment costs in rheumatology and other fields. The introduction of biosimilars into clinical practice requires careful management to ensure patient safety and efficacy.

Unveiling distribution of defects in proton conductors

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new idea to improve proton mobility in rare-earth doped BaZrO3 perovskite-type proton conductors. By creating pairs of oxygen vacancies and rare-earth elements, the team found that this inhibits proton trapping, leading to higher proton concentration around Zr

Regrow a tooth? Fish -- yes; humans -- maybe some day

Researchers studying Lake Malawi cichlids and mice aim to understand how fish regenerate teeth and develop new teeth in humans. The study reveals potential genetic pathways for tooth regeneration in humans, but more research is needed to make it viable.

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.

Invasive birds spreading avian malaria in eastern Australia

A Griffith University PhD candidate has discovered that up to 40% of Indian Mynas in eastern Australia carry avian malaria parasites, posing a significant threat to native wildlife. The spread of these invasive birds could expose native birds such as parrots and magpies to new diseases.

Mobile device reminders help to improve post-operative outcomes

Researchers found that mobile device reminders and patient progress tracking significantly reduce the risk of procedure cancellations and decrease post-op ER visits. Patients reported increased satisfaction with the tools provided, which empowered them to track their progress and communicate more effectively with their surgeon.

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.

Are cars nanotube factories on wheels?

Researchers detected carbon nanotubes in Parisian children's lung cells and exhaust pipes, suggesting widespread exposure to the pollutants. The findings prompt further investigation into the potential health effects of nanotubes, which are found naturally but also produced by human activities.

NASA's GPM measured Typhoon Champi's heavy rainfall

Typhoon Champi generated heavy rainfall with rain rates exceeding 114.8 mm/h due to GPM's Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar. The storm's strongest winds were found in its northern quadrant, with winds reaching 89.4 mph.

Gut microbiome insights headline key research presented at ACG 2015

Fecal microbiota transplantation may predict treatment failure for Clostridium difficile, while changes in gut microbiota could be linked to weight gain or loss. The American College of Gastroenterology's 80th Annual Scientific Meeting highlights the latest scientific advances and clinical practice management.

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.

How proteins age

Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism by which secreted proteins age and turn over, shedding light on a crucial aspect of health and disease. The discovery identifies over 600 proteins with molecular signs of aging and turnover, including regulators of proteolysis, blood coagulation, and immunity.

Sepsis and shock response team in the ED reduces mortality

Researchers created a multidisciplinary sepsis and shock response team to improve recognition and treatment of suspected sepsis or shock in the emergency department. The SSRT's implementation led to reduced compliance with standard care measures and improved overall mortality rates.

Restrictive approach to chest X-rays provides positive outcomes for ICU

A restrictive approach to ordering chest X-rays in the ICU significantly reduces radiation exposure and operating costs without negatively impacting patient outcomes. The study found large decreases in total X-rays ordered, without adverse effects on ventilator days, length of stay, or other key metrics.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Don't smile for the camera when sleepy: CARRS-Q study

Researchers found a mix of criticism and sympathy for fatigued drivers on YouTube, with most videos portraying driver fatigue as dangerous. In-vehicle footage was the most popular type, but those trivializing sleepy driving received more views.

New approach toward a broad spectrum malaria vaccine

Researchers have identified a five amino acid segment of Plasmodium parasite protein with protective antigenic properties, which can be used to develop antibodies and prevent malaria transmission through mosquitoes. The finding has the potential to lead to the development of a powerful malaria vaccine.

Invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections in hospitalized infants

Researchers found invasive methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) caused more infections and deaths in hospitalized infants than methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The study suggests that measures to prevent MSSA infections should be included in addition to MRSA, alongside hand hygiene as a primary prevention strategy.

How proteins age

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a mechanism by which secreted proteins age and turnover, shedding light on health and disease. The discovery highlights the importance of N-glycan remodeling and lectin recognition in regulating protein abundance.

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.

More rain leads to fewer trees in the African savanna

Researchers at Princeton University found that intense rainfall leads to a decrease in tree growth and an increase in grass growth on the African savanna. This is because trees struggle to utilize excess water, while grasses can absorb it quickly, giving them a competitive advantage.

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.

Gout risk high in patients with sleep apnea

A new study shows that patients with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of developing gout. The incidence rate of gout was found to be 60% higher among those with sleep apnea compared to similar-weight comparators.

How wind might impact birds' migration routes

A study using 21 years of global wind data found that following optimal routes reduces travel time by 26.5% and increases survival rates. This suggests migratory routes may be under strong natural selection, with potential evolutionary advantages.

Experimental treatment regimen effective against HIV

A new experimental treatment regimen combining a drug delivery system and URMC-099 has been shown to effectively combat HIV, reducing the need for daily medication. The nanoformulated protease inhibitor and URMC-099 prolonged therapeutic effects by increasing drug concentration in immune cells.

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.

Drug residues in wastewater: Private households mainly responsible

Most drug residues discharged to wastewater originate from private households, according to a study by Leuphana University. The researchers found that health care facilities, such as hospitals and psychiatric clinics, emit significantly lower levels of contaminants, highlighting the need for stricter regulations on medication disposal.