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Science News Archive September 2015 - Page 10


Page 10 of 35
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.

Curbing short-lived pollutants -- a win-win for climate and air quality

A new study finds that reducing short-lived pollutants like methane and aerosols can substantially improve air quality while also mitigating climate change. The measures, which target the oil and gas industry, could lower global temperatures by up to 0.22°C by 2050 and reduce life expectancy losses due to air pollution.

SourceEuropean Geosciences Union·JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics·DateSep 24, 2015

The rise of X-ray beam chemistry

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory create a new surface microscope that allows them to control the chemical environment and image minerals as they react under extreme conditions. The technique, called X-ray reflection interface microscopy (XRIM), enables scientists to study reaction front instabilities in real-time.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

New treatment may help overcome common pregnancy-related complication

A new treatment involving the removal of a protein called sFlt-1 from the blood has shown promise in prolonging pregnancy in women with preeclampsia. Pregnancy continued for an average of 8 days and 15 days in treated women, compared to just 3 days in untreated women.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Ticks carrying Lyme disease found in South London parks

Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found Ixodes ricinus ticks in Richmond and Bushy parks, carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterial pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The risk is low but caution is advised as most humans are infected through nymphs' bites.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalMedical and Veterinary Entomology·DateSep 24, 2015

Fewer patients die at fully accredited hospitals

A new study published in International Journal of Quality in Health Care found an association between hospital accreditation and mortality rate among patients. Hospitals that fully met the requirements of the Danish Healthcare Quality Programme had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to those that only partially met the stand...

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care·DateSep 24, 2015

Key control mechanism of cellular deterioration identified

Researchers have identified GATA4 as a key transcription factor that activates cellular senescence. This process is characterized by a pro-inflammatory response and the production of secreted inflammatory cytokines. The study reveals that GATA4 is normally suppressed by autophagy, but its accumulation promotes senescence.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Newly discovered metabolism certifies evolutionary advantage for yeast

Researchers at Austrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB) have elucidated a new pathway that makes yeast Pichia pastoris unique. The study reveals the utilization of methanol as a nutrient, similar to plants using CO2, and demonstrates the leading role of Vienna researchers in biotech yeast research.

SourceAustrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB)·JournalBMC Biology·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Future of HIV cure research points to combination approach

Researchers argue that single therapies are unlikely to achieve long-term HIV remission, and propose a data-driven approach to combination therapy trials. The proposed method involves parallel animal and human studies, with combinations selected based on in vitro and existing data, accelerating the research process.

SourceThe U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP)·JournalThe Lancet HIV·DateSep 24, 2015

New method to better understand atomic nuclei

Physicists at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a new approach to carry out precision calculations of the forces acting between protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei. This method uses effective field theory and a new method for analyzing theoretical uncertainties, allowing for a more accurate description of nuclear systems.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 24, 2015

Los Alamos explores hybrid ultrasmall gold nanocluster for enzymatic fuel cells

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new DNA-templated gold nanocluster that enhances electron transfer in enzymatic fuel cells. The AuNC facilitates oxygen reduction reactions, lowering overpotential and increasing electrocatalytic current densities.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 24, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Protein conjugation method offers new possibilities for biomaterials

Researchers have demonstrated a novel method to create protein polymers that can display new functionalities, including temperature responsiveness. By changing the decoration points on the protein, they found that the functional properties of the polymer were influenced.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalBioconjugate Chemistry·DateSep 24, 2015

Study shows new forests cannot take in as much carbon as predicted

A new study finds that many forests cannot absorb as much carbon dioxide as projected because of a shortage in vital nutrient nitrogen. This limits the ability of plants to fix carbon, leading to higher net carbon emissions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalGlobal Biogeochemical Cycles·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

11-year cosmic search leads to black hole rethink

Scientists used Parkes telescope for 11 years to detect gravitational waves but found nothing, suggesting that black holes may merge quickly without generating waves. The lack of detection has implications for astronomers who want to use pulsar timing techniques to spot gravitational waves.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Newly identified biochemical pathway could be target for insulin control

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and the University of Alberta have discovered a new biochemical pathway that controls insulin secretion from islet beta cells in the pancreas. The study found that impairing this pathway, known as S-AMP production, disrupts normal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalCell Reports·DateSep 24, 2015
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.

Dining technology use is no measure of value, Clemson researchers find

Researchers found that heavy use of technology doesn't necessarily mean it's valued by customers. Instead, they suggest considering non-traditional customer segments based on a technology's attributes that are most beneficial to them. This approach will improve the overall customer experience.

SourceClemson University·JournalService Science·DateSep 24, 2015

Taking blood pressure drugs at bedtime lowers diabetes risk

A new study published in Diabetologia shows that taking blood pressure medications at bedtime halves the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in hypertensive patients. The research found a 57% decrease in risk with nighttime treatment compared to morning treatment.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateSep 23, 2015

Calorie consumption: Do numbers or graphics encourage diners to eat less?

A new study in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing suggests that both numeric calorie labels and traffic lights are effective ways to encourage consumers to make low-calorie choices. The research found that employees who received either type of label made food selections with 10% fewer calories.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateSep 23, 2015

Frontline treatments show best results for unexplained infertility

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that letrozole did not improve pregnancy rates and live birth rates for women with unexplained infertility, but clomiphene remained the best option. Clomiphene enabled production of more eggs and hormones, while gonadotropin had the highest rate of pregnancy and live births.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

Babies time their smiles to make their moms smile in return

A team of researchers used a toddler-like robot to study infant-parent interaction, finding that babies intentionally smile to elicit a response from their caregivers. By analyzing the timing of these smiles, they discovered a statistically strong correlation between intentional smiling and mutual smiling in both humans and robots.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 23, 2015

Frustrated magnets point towards new memory

Frustrated magnets can produce tiny magnetic vortices, known as skyrmions, that may be used in memory storage. The discovery opens up a new class of materials for scientists working on skyrmionics, which aims to build logic devices based on skyrmions.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 23, 2015

The world's nitrogen fixation, explained

Yale University scientists have designed a new chemical compound that mimics the properties of nitrogenase, an enzyme responsible for natural nitrogen fixation. The findings could lead to the development of synthetic catalysts that turn nitrogen into ammonia, reducing transportation and production costs.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateSep 23, 2015

Message to Starbucks: Consumer idea generation is not one-size-fits-all

A new study in the Journal of Marketing suggests that online idea-generating platforms should customize their design based on consumers' domain-specific knowledge. Consumers with extensive industry knowledge generate better ideas when not shown other users' ideas, while those with little knowledge benefit from concrete cues.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

NASA, NOAA satellites show wind shear affecting Tropical Storm Ida

Tropical Storm Ida's wind shear is pushing clouds and strongest storms to the east and northeast of its center, with coldest cloud tops reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm remains over open ocean, with forecasters predicting a slow eastward motion followed by a turn towards the north later on September 24.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 23, 2015

Southampton chemists create switchable gold catalyst

Researchers developed a rotaxane gold catalyst with enhanced properties, which can be controlled by adding acid or metal ion cofactors. The catalyst's shape changes with different ions, leading to varied reaction products and suggesting a potential method for tailoring catalysts.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 23, 2015

Metastatic breast cancer cells turn on stem cell genes

Scientists from UC San Francisco capture and study individual metastatic breast cancer cells, finding they express genes similar to mammary stem cells, which could lead to targeted therapies. The research suggests a new approach to understanding how cancer spreads and developing effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateSep 23, 2015

Digital textbook analytics can predict student outcomes, Iowa State study finds

A study by Iowa State University found that digital textbook analytics can accurately predict student outcomes, offering a more individualized measure than traditional GPA-based assessments. By tracking students' reading time and engagement, instructors can tailor their instruction to better support struggling learners.

SourceIowa State University·JournalThe Internet and Higher Education·DateSep 23, 2015

Taming hot flashes without hormones: What works, what doesn't

A NAMS panel recommends behavioral approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis as effective in reducing hot flash symptoms. Nonhormonal prescription medications, such as SSRIs and gabapentinoids, are also recommended for their mild to moderate improvements.

SourceThe Menopause Society·JournalMenopause·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

9,000-year-old ritualized decapitation found in Brazil

A 9,000-year-old case of human decapitation has been discovered in Lapa do Santo, Brazil, featuring amputated hands and v-shaped cut marks on the jaw and vertebrae. The remains are believed to demonstrate sophisticated mortuary rituals among hunter-gatherers in the Americas.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 23, 2015

New cancer genes identified, opening door to targeted treatments

Researchers at University of Virginia Health System identify two new cancer-causing gene mutations in MCM8 and MCM9 genes, which may be particularly susceptible to cancer-fighting drugs like cisplatin and olaparib. These mutations could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for lung and prostate cancers.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 23, 2015

Titanium and gold based compound fights kidney cancer cells

A new metal-based compound, Compound 5, has been developed to destroy kidney cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The compound, which incorporates both titanium and gold, has shown excellent promise in pre-clinical models, outperforming the FDA-approved drug Cisplatin.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii Cancer Center·JournalChemical Science·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

How the brain encodes time and place

A brain circuit has been identified that processes the 'when' and 'where' components of memory, separating location and timing into two streams of information. This discovery sheds light on how the brain represents time and place in episodic memories.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateSep 23, 2015

Discovery of potential gravitational lenses shows citizen science value

A team of researchers used an online classification system, Space Warps, to identify 29 new gravitational lens candidates. The citizen scientists analyzed 430,000 images and helped the researchers uncover potential lenses that algorithms may have missed.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateSep 23, 2015

Nearly half of US seafood supply is wasted

Researchers estimate that 47% of edible US seafood supply is lost annually, mainly from consumer waste. The study suggests that reducing waste can support increased seafood consumption without stressing aquatic resources.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateSep 23, 2015

How flu viruses gain the ability to spread

Researchers discovered that flu viruses gain ability to spread through air by adapting to bind to specific human receptors, with the soft palate playing a key role in this process. The findings provide insight into how flu viruses evolve airborne transmissibility and can help identify viruses with potential to cause global outbreaks.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateSep 23, 2015

Antimicrobial film for future implants

A biofilm with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties has been developed to prevent or control post-operative infections on medical devices. The film reduces inflammation and prevents bacterial and fungal infections, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

New cathode material creates possibilities for sodium-ion batteries

A new safe and sustainable cathode material has been identified for low-cost sodium-ion batteries, addressing instability issues and paving the way for commercialization. The material's structure allows for sodium to be inserted and removed while retaining its integrity, enabling further development of sodium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateSep 23, 2015

'Demarketing': What makes consumers more or less materialistic?

A new study reveals that demarketing can be an effective way to reduce carbon footprint by altering consumer values. Materialistic individuals tend to decrease their consumption after reading a report about overconsumption, whereas those with low materialism may increase their consumption in response to social norms.

SourceAmerican Marketing Association·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateSep 23, 2015

Twisting neutrons

Scientists at Joint Quantum Institute successfully control orbital angular momentum of neutron waves, a fundamental property of matter waves. The achievement uses a counterintuitive property of neutrons to twist the phase of their wavefunction, enabling potential applications in neutron imaging and quantum information processing.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature·DateSep 23, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New study highlights valuable tool for studying living and extinct animals

A mathematical analytical tool developed by University of Cincinnati scientists can predict strontium ratios in surface water, soil, vegetation, fish, and mammal skeletal tissues with high accuracy. The tool is most successful when applied to mammals, making it a valuable tool for ecological and paleoecological research.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalBiological Reviews·DateSep 23, 2015

Method could make hydrogen fuel cells more efficient

Scientists have developed a method to produce a palladium-based nanomaterial that can efficiently break down formic acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The new process surpasses existing heterogeneous catalysts in efficiency, also eliminating the production of carbon monoxide.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 23, 2015

Physicists find new explanation for key experiment

Researchers have found an explanation for the key experiment in Japan's spin caloritronics field. They applied measurement methods to generate pure spin currents in magnetic isolators, differing from original expectations.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 23, 2015

NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP peers into Tropical Storm Dujuan

The Suomi NPP satellite observed a large and elongated circulation of Tropical Storm Dujuan, with cloud top temperatures as cold as -63F/-53C indicating strong storms. The storm is expected to intensify and reach peak winds of 110 knots on September 27-28.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 23, 2015

U-M releases final report on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan

The University of Michigan released its final report on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, providing an analysis of policy options for the state's natural gas and oil extraction process. The report includes recommendations for public participation, water resources, and chemical use related to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateSep 23, 2015
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.

Man walks again after years of paralysis

A participant with complete paralysis regained walking ability using a brain-controlled system that utilizes electroencephalogram signals. The study, published in Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, demonstrates the feasibility of non-invasive leg muscle stimulation using direct brain control.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation·DateSep 23, 2015