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Science News Archive September 2015


Page 13 of 35

No link between coffee consumption and common type of irregular heartbeat

A large meta-analysis of four studies involving nearly 250,000 individuals found no association between moderate coffee consumption and increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The study's results suggest that people who like coffee can safely continue to consume it in moderation without the risk of developing this condition.

Hybrid walking exoskeleton research at Pitt receives NSF funding

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are working on developing a hybrid walking exoskeleton that combines functional electrical stimulation (FES) and powered frames. The goal is to create a more efficient and effective system for paraplegics to walk, with potential applications in rehabilitation science and consumer technology.

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.

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.

Study aims to reduce suicides after jail time

A new study will follow 800 recently released detainees from the Genesee County Jail in Flint, Michigan, and the Department of Corrections in Cranston, Rhode Island, to track mental health outcomes and compare two intervention strategies.

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.

A whale of a tale

Scientists have discovered that the gut microbiome of right whales and other baleen species shares traits with both cows and meat-eating predators. This dual microbial community enables whales to digest not only copepods but also their chitin-rich shells, providing a significant nutritional benefit.

NASA sees formation of Tropical Depression 21W

Tropical Depression 21W has formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, with cold cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rainfall potential. The depression is currently moving northwest at 11 knots and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by September 24.

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.

New hadrosaur species discovered on Alaska's North Slope

Researchers have described a new hadrosaur species, Ugrunaaluk kuukpikensis, which grew up to 30 feet long and lived in darkness for months during the Cretaceous Period. The discovery provides evidence of a distinct, polar fauna in what is now northern Alaska.

Mating success for the European mink

European minks face significant reproductive challenges due to habitat destruction and competition with American minks. Scientists have successfully developed a non-invasive method to analyze faecal samples, revealing that mating can occur more frequently than previously thought.

New weapon against the reef eaters

Researchers at James Cook University have developed a new method using household vinegar to kill the Crown of Thorns Starfish, a major contributor to coral reef decline. The treatment shows a 100% kill rate and is significantly cheaper than existing methods.

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.

Increased chances for early detection of Alzheimer's disease

A new Lund University study found that both amyloid PET imaging and cerebrospinal fluid samples are effective methods for detecting early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The two methods identified approximately 90% of patients with the disease, making them equally viable options.

Death and money in the ICU: Pneumonia findings surprise researchers

Research findings suggest that intensive care units (ICUs) may be beneficial for older adults with pneumonia, with a nearly 6% improvement in survival associated with ICU admission. The costs to Medicare and hospitals were the same for both groups, despite the ICU's reputation as a high-cost place to care for patients.

Outcomes of ICU admission for older, low-risk patients with pneumonia

A study of Medicare beneficiaries found that older patients with pneumonia who were admitted to the ICU had lower mortality rates compared to those admitted to general wards. The study also showed no significant differences in Medicare spending or hospital costs between the two groups.

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.

New sports technology provides a GPS alternative

SABEL Sense technology offers an alternative to GPS for tracking running speeds and distances, presenting a viable solution for improved athlete assessment techniques. The technology has been found to be highly accurate for running speeds, with potential benefits in monitoring training and game workloads.

Researchers try to halt march of destructive pest preying on tomatoes

The South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, threatens US tomato crops with potential crop loss of up to 100%, prompting Virginia Tech-led recommendations for quarantine measures and monitoring programs. World production of tomatoes is approximately 163 million tons annually.

New resource will help growers manage the olive fruit fly

A new open-access article provides an overview of the olive fruit fly, its biology and life history, and current control methods. The article discusses various techniques, including biological control programs and cultural practices, to help manage commercial olive orchards.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UCI researchers find biomarker for autism that may aid diagnostics

Researchers at UCI have found a biomarker for diagnosing certain forms of autism, which involves a cellular calcium signaling process. The study also points to potential new drug discovery advances by targeting the inositol trisphosphate receptor, a key player in this process.

New clues on the history of the smallpox vaccine virus

Researchers uncover interesting revelations about the vaccinia virus through DNA sequencing data and historical accounts. The study suggests that the Brazilian VACV-IOC strain may have originated from a French Beaugency strain, challenging previous assumptions.

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.

DNR orders often do not align with poor prognosis

A study of nearly 26,000 patients found that DNR orders were not aligned with their predicted neurological survival rates, particularly for those with the worst prognosis. Patients without DNR orders had a significantly higher rate of favorable neurological survival.

More men at risk for prostate cancer as a result of less regular screening

A recent study found that reduced prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening led to a decline in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer diagnoses by 28% over a year. However, this reduction also resulted in delayed diagnoses of important cancers in men who may benefit from treatment, according to investigators.

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.

Satellites see Tropical Depression 16E's landfall in northwestern Mexico

Tropical Depression 16E made landfall in northwestern Mexico on September 21, bringing heavy rainfall and threatening life-threatening flash floods. The depression is expected to produce 3-5 inches of rain across the northern Baja California peninsula and Sonora, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches possible.

4-D technology allows self-folding of complex objects

Researchers developed a four-dimensional printing technology using smart shape-memory materials to create complex self-folding structures. The technology enables sequential folding and unfolding of 3-D objects in response to stimuli like temperature, moisture, or light.

El Niño and La Niña will exacerbate coastal hazards across entire Pacific

A multi-agency study found that severe El Niño and La Niña events will cause an increase in storm events leading to extreme coastal flooding and erosion. The research analyzed coastal data from across the Pacific Ocean basin and determined that all Pacific regions were affected during either an El Niño or La Niña year.

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.

Building a biofuel-boosting Swiss Army knife

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has created a synthetic protein that improves the assembly of carbon-fixing factories in cyanobacteria, enabling more efficient biofuel production. The new protein also provides a proof of concept for improving plant photosynthesis or installing new metabolic pathways in bacteria.

Cattle disease spread by vets, not cows, suggests new study

A virulent strain of BVDV-2c virus affected over 5,000 cattle in Germany, causing severe symptoms and significant economic losses. The study suggests that farmers and people who visit farms should take biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission.

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.

Could aspirin treat breast cancer?

A randomized trial will recruit 3,000 women with Stage II and III breast cancer to receive either aspirin or a placebo. The study aims to determine if aspirin can prevent breast cancer recurrence and death, with potential benefits including enhanced survival and reduced costs in developing nations.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Changing clinical practice: Too fast or too slow?

A Mayo Clinic study examines the adoption and cessation of calcium magnesium (CaMg) use for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, highlighting the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. The study reveals a decade-long cycle of rapid changes in treatment, driven by emerging evidence and public perception.

Pregnancy complications may signal later risk of heart disease death

Researchers found that women with pre-eclampsia, pre-term delivery, and small-for-gestational-age delivery are at increased risk of CVD death. High blood pressure, glycosuria, and hemoglobin decline during pregnancy also predict CVD risk. Early detection and preventive care can help prevent heart disease deaths.

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.

Sex does not increase heart attack risk

Research suggests that sexual activity does not increase the risk of heart attack and can be resumed after a heart attack. Most patients are safe to engage in sex again, with less than half of men and one-third of women receiving information on this topic from their doctors.