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Science News Archive September 2015


Page 4 of 35

Kids allowed to be kids make better parents

Research led by Michigan State University scholar Amy K. Nuttall found that mothers who took on too much caregiving role as children tend to be less sensitive to their own children's needs, understanding child development and parenting in a similar harmful manner.

Controlling evaporative patterning transitions

A team of researchers from Harvard University explored evaporative patterning transitions and discovered a simple mechanism behind drying-induced residue formations. By controlling the dynamics of evaporation, they can obtain specific types of residues while avoiding others.

Wearable electronic health patches may now be cheaper and easier to make

A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has invented a method for producing inexpensive and high-performing wearable patches that can continuously monitor vital signs. The breakthrough reduces manufacturing time from days to just 20 minutes, enabling mass production of epidermal electronics.

Risk factors for prostate cancer

New research analyzed data from the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify prostate cancer risk factors. The study found that age, race, and family history are significant risk factors for prostate cancer, while obesity, alcohol abuse, and smoking show a protective effect.

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.

Scientists pioneer 3-D-printed drug delivering micro-needles

Researchers have created a new technique to produce 3D 'micro-printed' arrays of needles capable of drug delivery, offering treatments for melanoma cancers. The arrays are fabricated using microstereolithography and can withstand stresses and strains when inserted into the body.

The brain perceives motion the same way through both vision and touch

Researchers found that the brain processes motion from both visual and tactile inputs using similar computations, integrating information from individual neurons with a small perspective of the object. This common representation of motion can be seen in experiments using plaid stimuli presented visually or tactilely.

Iron-gallium alloy shows promise as a power-generation device

Researchers have discovered an iron-gallium alloy called Galfenol that can generate significant amounts of power when subjected to strong impacts. The material converts mechanical energy into magnetic energy with high efficiency and can be used to create wireless impact detectors.

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.

Wrangling proteins gone wild

Researchers at McGill University have developed a suite of computer programs to speed up the process of drug discovery for diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's. The Fibrilizer program analyzes billions of possible genetic mutations to find weak spots in toxic protein strands, potentially leading to new treatments.

Grandmother's smoking habits increase asthma risk in grandchildren

A new study found that grandmothers who smoked during pregnancy significantly increase the risk of asthma in their grandchildren. The research used data from the Swedish Registry and included over 44,000 grandmothers from 1982 to 1986. Asthma risk was increased by 10-22%.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cornell, Sloan Kettering partner in $10M cancer center

The new center aims to develop and translate new cancer care applications based on nanotechnology, focusing on melanoma and malignant brain cancers. Researchers will use Cornell dots, silica-organic hybrid nanoparticles, to improve cancer diagnostics, surgery, and targeted drug delivery.

Hopes of improved brain implants

Researchers at Lund University have developed a new type of brain implant that uses nanowires to stimulate or capture signals from different areas of the brain. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatments for Parkinson's disease, depression, autism, and paralysis.

Resilient personality of cities could help in a recession

A recent study found that cities fared better during the 2008-09 recession in regions with stronger emotional stability and entrepreneurial personality profiles. Cities like San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif., and Jackson, Tenn., exhibited higher scores for entrepreneurial personality and emotional stability, while others struggled.

Chimpanzee personality linked to anatomy of brain structures, study finds

A recent study by Georgia State University and other institutions reveals that chimpanzees' brain structures are associated with various personality traits. The research found correlations between gray-matter volumes in specific brain regions and personality traits such as openness, extraversion, and dominance.

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.

NIH study finds racial, ethnic differences in fetal growth

A new NIH study found significant racial and ethnic disparities in fetal growth, with minority fetuses scoring below the 5th percentile due to hereditary and environmental factors. This could lead to unnecessary tests and procedures for healthy pregnant women of color.

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.

Brain FM: Purkinje cells sing different tunes

Researchers at NCBS discovered that Purkinje cells have two modes of electrical signaling based on voltage: a constant 'up' state and a burst-like 'down' state. This allows the cells to choose whether to respond to instructions or not, and the study suggests that this mechanism may play a role in motor learning.

Satellite view of remnants of post-Tropical Cyclone Niala

The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Niala were captured in a NASA infrared satellite image taken on September 29, 2015. The storm had ceased to qualify as a tropical cyclone by the time it was located approximately 405 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii and moving west-northwest.

Scientists control rats' senses of familiarity, novelty

Researchers at Brown University used optogenetics to manipulate the brain's perception of novelty and familiarity in rats. They found that different frequencies of light stimulation could alter the rats' behavior, with 30-40 hertz inducing a sense of novelty and 10-15 hertz inducing a sense of familiarity.

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.

New water-tracing technology to help protect groundwater

Researchers used new water-tracing technology to determine how groundwater moves in the Sydney Basin, identifying four distinctive layers of rock that control groundwater movement. The study provides a baseline for assessing future impacts from mining operations, climate change, and groundwater abstraction.

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.

New irrigation strategies for pecans in humid climates

Researchers found that a reduced early season irrigation schedule improves water efficiency in Georgia's humid climate while maintaining pecan tree health. The study showed a 38% reduction in irrigation water use with no significant impact on pecan quality or yield.

NASA's GPM analyzes rainfall in Tropical Storm Marty

Tropical Storm Marty is being closely monitored by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, which has detected substantial areas of rain on the eastern half of the storm. Heavy rainfall is expected to be a major threat to residents in western Mexico, with estimated amounts ranging from 2-12 inches.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Tools for illuminating brain function make their own light

Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech have developed inhibitory luminopsins that can modulate neuronal firing in culture and in vivo, enabling the study of ways to halt or prevent seizure activity. The tools use a glowing protein from coral as a light source, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional optogenetics.

Researchers create first entropy-stabilized complex oxide alloys

North Carolina State University researchers created an entropy-stabilized material made up of five different oxides in roughly equal amounts. The constituent atoms were evenly distributed and their placement in the crystalline lattice structure was random, proving that entropy can stabilize complex oxide alloys.

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.

Reducing our own pain is also reducing empathy for pain in others

Researchers found that manipulating self-experienced pain affects empathy for pain in others through the endogenous opioid system. The study suggests empathy relies on simulation and is grounded in our own experiences, which may explain why feelings of others can affect us so immediately.

Nanomachines: Pirouetting in the spotlight

Researchers have created a new class of molecular motors that rotate unidirectionally at speeds of up to 1 kHz when exposed to sunlight at room temperature. This breakthrough enables the development of more versatile and precise nanomachines with unprecedented control over mechanical motion.

Study examines impact of global food consumption on heart disease

A State-of-the-Art review examines the impact of global food consumption on cardiovascular disease, highlighting the need for dietary patterns that reduce risk. The traditional Mediterranean diet is identified as an optimal choice, with suggestions to recreate it in other regions using similar food replacements.

New research into completers and non-completers of offending behavior programs

A University of Leicester study found that high-risk and impulsive offenders require extra support to complete rehabilitation programs, with non-completers exhibiting higher levels of non-planning impulsivity. The research suggests that these offenders may benefit from additional pre-programme work or ongoing support during the program.

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.

Smoking increases hospitalizations, costs of peripheral artery disease

A study by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School found that health care costs in one year were $18,000 higher in smokers with peripheral artery disease than non-smokers. Hospitalization rates among tobacco users with PAD were also significantly higher, at 49% within one year.

How sign language users learn intonation

Native ASL signers acquire intonation in three stages: appearance, reorganization, and mastery. Young signers use certain features with different frequencies than adults.

Universal TB screening of immigrants to Canada costly, inefficient

Research suggests that universal TB screening of immigrants to Canada is costly and inefficient, with most cases detected from a small number of high-risk countries. The study recommends targeting screening on immigrants from countries with high TB rates, rather than universally.

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.

How ocean circulation changed atmospheric CO2

Research found that changes in ocean circulation due to Antarctica's temperature had a profound impact on the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere. When temperatures dropped, nutrient-rich waters rose closer to the Antarctic continent, allowing phytoplankton to thrive and absorb more CO2.

Connecting Alzheimer's disease and the immune system

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have found a link between genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and key immune cells, paving the way for new diagnostic tools and treatments. The study suggests that higher levels of TREM2 may be associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Men more likely to be seen as 'creative thinkers'

Research finds that men are associated with creativity and innovative thinking in the workplace, while women's achievements are often undervalued. This bias is perpetuated by stereotypes and can impact career advancement and recognition.

Computer-aided mammography detection not associated with improved accuracy

A large study found that computer-aided detection (CAD) for mammography did not improve diagnostic accuracy in radiologists' interpretations. Despite increased use and FDA approval, CAD's effectiveness was not supported by the results, leading to calls for reduced reimbursement or reconsideration of its continued coverage.

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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Marty along west coast of Mexico

Tropical Storm Marty is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds along the Mexican west coast, posing a threat of flooding and mudslides. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph, with higher gusts and estimated central pressure at 990 millibars.

NIH invests $46 million in technologies to monitor placental health

The NIH has announced a significant investment in research technology to better understand the placenta's function during pregnancy. This initiative aims to identify problems with the placenta earlier, enabling physicians to intervene more quickly and improve pregnancy outcomes.

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.

New drug improves outcome in treatment resistant kidney cancer

A new clinical trial has found that cabozantinib, a second-line therapy, controls the growth of advanced kidney cancer more effectively than everolimus. The results show improved progression-free survival and lower tumor growth rates, indicating potential for prolonged survival.

Study: Ancestral background can be determined by fingerprints

A study found that fingerprint characteristics can identify an individual's ancestral background, with significant differences between European American and African American ancestry. Researchers analyzed right index-finger fingerprints of 243 individuals from diverse backgrounds to determine if patterns were specific to sex or ancestry.