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Science News Archive 2016


Page 162 of 423

Study examines different types of surgery for kidney cancer

Robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) has shown excellent patient outcomes compared to traditional open partial nephrectomy (OPN) for endophytic kidney tumors. The study found shorter hospital stays, lower blood loss, and fewer blood transfusions in RPN patients.

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 robot overcomes obstacles

The 'Ourobot' robot, developed by four bachelor students at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, features pressure sensors in its chain segments that enable it to detect and overcome obstacles. The project is a feasibility study, focusing on basic research and exploring the potential for future applications.

New high-temperature device captures a broader solar wavelength spectrum

Researchers from Aalborg University have developed a heat-resistant device made of tungsten and alumina layers that can absorb sunlight across a broad spectrum, enabling more efficient energy conversion. The device can operate at high temperatures and absorb light from UV to near-infrared wavelengths.

Tapping crowd-sourced data unearths a trove of depression genes

Scientists discovered 15 genome sites linked to depression in European ancestry, regulating gene expression and new neuron birth. Using crowd-sourced data, they detected weak genetic signals associated with depression, supporting a novel approach to complement traditional methods.

NASA spots Typhoon Nida's rainfall, approach to China

NASA satellites monitored Typhoon Nida's intense rainfall, reaching rates of over 3.5 inches per hour, as it approached southeastern China. The storm's height reached over 10.5 miles in some areas, posing a threat to Hong Kong.

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.

Exercise results in larger brain size and lowered dementia risk

Researchers found an association between low physical activity and a higher risk for dementia in older individuals, with regular exercise potentially leading to higher brain volumes and reduced dementia risk. The protective effect was strongest in people aged 75 and older.

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.

Early antiretroviral therapy dramatically reduces HIV DNA set point

Researchers found that early antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces total HIV DNA levels in the body, which may predict time to viral load rebound after treatment cessation. The study suggests that people with a smaller HIV reservoir size have a greater chance of achieving long-term HIV remission.

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.

Excessive alcohol consumption impacts breathing

A study by Loyola Medicine found that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with lower nitric oxide levels in the lungs, which helps protect against certain bacteria. The researchers suggest that lung doctors should consider the impact of alcohol on nitric oxide levels when interpreting test results.

Replacing ill workers with healthy ones accelerates some epidemics

Mathematical biologist Samuel Scarpino and colleagues found that replacing sick individuals with healthy ones can accelerate the spread of infection for certain diseases. The study analyzed data from two diseases, influenza and dengue, and revealed a stronger correlation between human exchange and outbreak acceleration in influenza.

Scientists determine how birds soar to great heights

Researchers develop mathematical models to mimic bird navigation in turbulent thermals, revealing key environmental cues like vertical wind acceleration and torque. The study aims to guide the design of energy-efficient autonomous gliders.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Lessons learned from 'The Biggest Loser' study

A recent study on 'The Biggest Loser' television series found that participants regained much of the weight they lost, with suppressed metabolism. Experts say a 5-15% weight loss is unlikely to lead to such large effects on metabolism and emphasize the importance of long-term lifestyle changes.

Opposing mountain ranges

A recent study by ETH Zurich researchers found that opposing mountain ranges will experience different water balance changes due to climate change. The Juncal region in Chile is expected to become even drier, while the upper Langtang valley in Nepal may see increased water discharge due to glacier melt and increased rainfall.

New lipid-lowering drugs help patients reduce LDL cholesterol

Researchers found that adding anti-PCSK9 antibodies to existing treatments can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels in patients. The studies demonstrated a reduction in LDL cholesterol and achieved high response rates for both alirocumab and evolocumab.

Mystery solved: The case of the slipping finger

Haptics researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that ultrasonic vibrations cause fingers to bounce on touchscreens, reducing friction. This phenomenon is caused by the air trapped between the finger and screen compressing and acting like a spring, allowing the finger to fall onto a cushion of air instead of the screen.

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.

Combining medications could offer better results for ADHD patients

Three studies published in JAACAP report that combining standard ADHD medications improves clinical outcomes, including reduced symptoms and enhanced cognitive functions. The combined therapy showed a higher rate of good clinical response and improved brain activity patterns compared to single drug therapies.

Eating more plant protein associated with lower risk of death

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that consuming more plant-based protein was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease. The researchers observed significant health benefits when substituting animal protein with plant protein, particularly from processed red meat.

Mechanism for inducing memory B cell differentiation elucidated

A research group at Osaka University has clarified the molecular mechanism behind inducing germinal-center B cells to differentiate into memory B cells, a crucial step in creating effective vaccines. This breakthrough reveals that lower-affinity maturation of antigens is key to memory B cell differentiation.

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 method for making green LEDs enhances their efficiency and brightness

A new method for making green LEDs has been developed by researchers at the University of Illinois, enhancing their efficiency and brightness. By creating gallium nitride (GaN) cubic crystals grown on a silicon substrate, the team has achieved powerful green light emission for advanced solid-state lighting.

Portable device produces biologic drugs on demand

A portable production system can manufacture a single dose of treatment from a compact device containing a small droplet of cells in a liquid. The system uses a programmable strain of yeast to express therapeutic proteins, which can be controlled by a specific chemical trigger.

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.

Zika infection is caused by one virus serotype, NIH study finds

A new study by NIH and its collaborators reveals that vaccination against one strain of Zika virus may be sufficient to provide protection against other genetically diverse strains. The research found that neutralizing antibodies produced in response to infection with one strain can also protect against infections caused by other strai...

Knots in chaotic waves

Computer models reveal a vast array of knots in chaotic waves, including those tabulated by mathematicians, with implications for understanding optical and acoustic landscapes

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.

Cognitive ability varies, but prejudice is universal

A recent study found that cognitive ability is not a consistent predictor of prejudice, and that low ability only predicts prejudice towards specific liberal and unconventional groups. High ability instead tends to predict prejudice against conservative and conventional groups.

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.

Flexible building blocks of the future

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have created a new approach to manufacturing mechanical metamaterials that can deform in a complex manner. This breakthrough may lead to more comfortable and user-friendly prosthetics, as well as applications in soft robotics and wearable technologies.

Novel 'repair system' discovered in algae may yield new tools for biotechnology

Researchers have discovered a novel repair system in algae that can cut out interrupting sequences from proteins, potentially leading to new biotechnological applications such as producing pharmaceuticals or protein products. The study found that chloroplast extracts and light can restore RNA-cutting activity to inactive proteins.

Replication project investigates self-control as limited resource

A new research replication project involving 24 labs and over 2100 participants failed to reproduce findings suggesting self-control is a depletable resource. The study, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, used computerized tasks to test the ego depletion effect, but found no significant difference between conditions.

Selfie righteous: New tool corrects angles and distances in portraits

Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method to transform individual selfies by adjusting angles and distances, creating more realistic portraits. The tool can also alter poses and generate 3-D head shots, with potential applications including 'live' photos that seem to move uncannily.

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.

Frequent nut consumption associated with less inflammation

Researchers found that consuming five or more servings of nuts per week lowered biomarkers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin 6. Substituting nuts for red meat also reduced inflammatory biomarkers. The study suggests a possible mechanism by which nuts may benefit cardiometabolic health.

Diamonds help generate new record for static pressures for study

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have devised a method to achieve static pressures vastly higher than any previously reached, using transparent nano-crystalline diamonds. This breakthrough enables the study of materials under extreme conditions, potentially leading to the discovery of new materials with unique properties.

Researchers find molecular switch that triggers bacterial pathogenicity

Scientists have revealed the molecular steps that turn on bacteria's pathogenic genes by visualizing DNA supercoiling and HU protein interactions. The study found that supercoiling can trigger gene expression in single-celled prokaryotes, opening up new avenues for developing drugs to prevent or treat bacterial infections.

Molecular troublemakers instead of antibiotics?

Researchers at Kiel University have identified natural proteins that can disrupt bacterial communication and prevent biofilm formation. These 'molecular troublemakers' have potential applications in medicine and biotechnology, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory chemist named Howes Scholar

Aurora Pribram-Jones, a researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, has been awarded the Howes Scholar prize. She was recognized for her outstanding scientific achievements and leadership in advancing solid-state hydrogen storage through interdisciplinary research.

Rice crops that can save farmers money and cut pollution

A new U of T Scarborough study identified rice varieties that can reduce nitrogen waste and minimize environmental pollution. The research found that certain chemicals produced by the roots of these crops can significantly reduce nitrogen capture inefficiencies in soil microbes.

NSF commits $35 million to improve scientific software

The National Science Foundation is establishing two Scientific Software Innovation Institutes (S2I2) with $35 million in funding over five years. The institutes will focus on developing and maintaining scientific software, improving the nation's cyberinfrastructure, and expanding access to computational resources for researchers. The i...

Adolescent exposure to drugs, alcohol fuels use in adulthood

A study by Michigan State University found that adolescent exposure to illicit substances increases the likelihood of substance abuse in early and late adulthood. White males are more likely to engage in such behavior, with Hispanic and Asian participants showing higher availability but lower rates of use.

MSU to lead multi-university language learning effort

Michigan State University will lead a three-year research project to enhance the teaching of less commonly taught languages, leveraging a $1.2 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The initiative aims to develop templates for online LCTL instruction and share them among Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

NASA's solar probe plus mission moves one step closer to launch

The NASA Solar Probe Plus mission is progressing toward its anticipated summer 2018 launch after passing a critical design review. The spacecraft will collect data on the mechanisms that heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind, crucial for understanding our space weather and its impact on satellites.