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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 164


Page 164 of 423

No dream: Electric brain stimulation during sleep can boost memory

Researchers at UNC School of Medicine used transcranial alternating current stimulation to target sleep spindles and strengthen memory in healthy individuals. The study found significant improvements in motor tasks but no improvement in associative word-pairing tests.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 28, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Scientists call for increased federal investment in sustainable agriculture

A new analysis of federal funding for sustainable agriculture suggests significant improvements can be made with additional investments. Researchers found that only a small percentage of USDA-funded projects focused on sustainable agriculture, highlighting the need for increased public funding.

SourceElsevier·JournalEnvironmental Science & Policy·DateJul 28, 2016

Research reveals restorative justice reduces recidivism

Research by Sam Houston State University reveals that restorative justice programs are more effective in reducing recidivism rates than traditional court processing. The study found that even minimal interventions had a significant impact on reducing re-offending rates.

SourceSam Houston State University·JournalYouth Violence and Juvenile Justice·DateJul 28, 2016

Physicist offers leading theory about mysterious Large Hadron Collider excess

Kyoungchul Kong, a physicist at the University of Kansas, offers an alternative explanation for the mysterious signal detected at the Large Hadron Collider, proposing a sequence of particles with different masses. The theory suggests that the signal could be the result of a sequential cascade decay of a heavier particle into photons.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Chorus of black holes radiates X-rays

New data from NuSTAR reveals large numbers of black holes sending out high-energy X-rays, helping astronomers understand growth patterns and evolution of supermassive black holes. The study resolves 35% of the high-energy X-ray background, uncovering details about the most obscured black holes hidden in gas and dust.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·DateJul 28, 2016

Introduction of screening could significantly reduce lung cancer deaths

The UK Lung Cancer Screening randomized controlled trial found that CT screening did not cause unnecessary anxiety, despite fear and stigma being barriers to participation. The trial recruited over 4,000 participants aged 50-75 at high risk of lung cancer, with a significant reduction in deaths for those who received screening.

SourceCardiff University·JournalThorax·DateJul 28, 2016

T-cells can be directed to treat a variety of ovarian cancers

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified a specific receptor-protein expressed on the surface of ovarian tumor cells, offering a highly targeted therapeutic target for immunotherapy. This technology uses chimeric endocrine receptor-expressing T-cells to selectively eliminate cancerous cells with minimal adverse effects.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 28, 2016

Apollo astronauts experiencing higher rates of cardiovascular-related deaths

A new study by Florida State University researcher Michael Delp suggests that Apollo astronauts are experiencing higher rates of cardiovascular problems, likely caused by their exposure to deep space radiation. The study found that 43% of deceased Apollo astronauts died from a cardiovascular problem, four to five times higher than non-...

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Early detection of leukemia patients' resistance to therapy

Australian researchers have developed a new test that can predict patients' long-term response to treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. The test assesses the levels of P-glycoprotein in patient cells and identifies those at risk of developing resistance, allowing doctors to adjust treatment strategies.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalLeukemia·DateJul 28, 2016

SNMMI Technologist Section announces award winners

The SNMMI-TS awarded Lynne Roy, Crystal Botkin, David Campbell, Marcia Hess Smith, Deborah Gibbs, Dmitry D. Beyder, and Aaron Scott for their exceptional contributions to the field of nuclear medicine technology, including education, service, and leadership.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·DateJul 28, 2016

Brain changes after menopause may lead to lack of physical activity

Researchers from the University of Missouri found a connection between menopause and decreased physical activity in postmenopausal women. The study suggests that activation of brain receptors may serve as a future treatment to improve motivation for physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalPhysiology & Behavior·DateJul 28, 2016

Allaying fears

A study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems has no significant impact on patient outcomes, including inpatient mortality and adverse events. The study analyzed data from 17 hospitals that went live with new EHR systems within a single day.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Smartphone exercises for a better mood

Researchers at the University of Basel found that brief smartphone exercises can improve mood. Participants felt more alert, calm, and uplifted after using short video tutorials on their smartphones as a guide.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 28, 2016

Sigma Xi's new initiative to strengthen research outreach

Sigma Xi's new initiative aims to strengthen research outreach by partnering with researchers and institutions to share their work with broader audiences. The program provides digital and print publishing platforms, content development services, and data-driven evaluation tools to help partners increase the impact of their research.

SourceSigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society·DateJul 28, 2016

The intravenous swim team

Drexel researchers create chains of microscopic magnetic bead-based robots that can swim at impressive speeds through a microfluidic environment. The team demonstrates their ability to link and unlink the beads using a rotating magnetic field, paving the way for targeted medicine delivery and minimally invasive surgery.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 28, 2016
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 to reduce US firearm suicide rates?

Researchers recommend measures to reduce US firearm suicide rates, including targeted legislation and smart gun technology. Public education and research are also crucial in preventing firearm suicides.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateJul 28, 2016

The feel of food

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered a single cell responsible for detecting food texture in fruit flies. This neuron sends signals based on the hardness of food, enabling the fly to determine whether to eat or not. The study also identified a critical protein TMC that plays a key role in mechanosensation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNeuron·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Maintaining healthy relationships: University of Waterloo studies identify a promising way

A University of Waterloo study found that thinking about the future helps people shift their focus away from current feelings and mitigate conflicts in romantic relationships. By envisioning their relationship a year into the future, individuals can adopt a more positive perspective and show more forgiveness.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJul 28, 2016

Music makes beer taste better

Researchers found that music and packaging design can increase enjoyment of beer. A study involved participants tasting beer with different conditions: no label, label only, or label with matching song. Results showed those with the matching song rated the beer more enjoyable. The study suggests multisensory information influences tast...

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJul 28, 2016

Sustainable sensors to detect, predict muscle fatigue

Researchers developed an enzyme-based sensor that uses sweat to detect lactate levels, indicating potential muscle fatigue, stress, and dehydration. The sensor is powered by a biofuel cell, providing a renewable power source for a sustainable wearable device.

SourceThe Electrochemical Society·JournalECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Scientists warn about health of English bulldog

The English bulldog's extreme physical changes, achieved through human-directed selection, have led to significant loss of genetic diversity, particularly in immune response genes. This reduced diversity makes it challenging to improve the breed's health from within its existing gene pool.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCanine Genetics and Epidemiology·DateJul 28, 2016

Household MRSA controlled through treatment compliance, patient education

Researchers found that educating patients on hygienic practices significantly reduced the time to clearance of MRSA, similar to antibiotic treatment. Non-compliance households took 27 days to clear the bacteria, while compliant ones did so in 23 days.

SourceSociety for Healthcare Epidemiology of America·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJul 28, 2016

Planting time, flurprimidol treatments recommended for Lachenalia

A study recommends planting lachenalias in November, December, January, or February to produce healthy compact plants. Soaking bulbs in flurprimidol at a concentration of 30 mg·L-1 can also enhance plant appearance and marketing quality.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateJul 28, 2016

Sex and death insights from a mutant roundworm

Researchers at Georgia Tech discovered a genetic mutation in C. elegans that led to prioritization of adult survival over reproduction, revealing insights into life history trade-offs and their regulation. The study's findings have implications for understanding human genetics, particularly the NURF-1 gene involved in reproduction.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJul 28, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Sampling method used for new breast cancer tests may lead to underestimation of risk

Researchers at University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that tumor sampling techniques used with new breast cancer tests may lead to underestimation of risk. The study suggests that refining the sampling process is crucial to ensure accurate treatment plans for patients with more aggressive tumors.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateJul 28, 2016

New material could advance superconductivity

Researchers at Carnegie Institution have produced a new class of materials blending hydrogen with sodium, which could advance superconductivity and be used for hydrogen-fuel cell storage. The discovery confirms theoretical predictions and opens up possibilities for metallic high-temperature superconductors.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2016

Even mild vision impairment has influence on quality of life

Research reveals a significant association between visual health and social determinants of general health, including education, socio-economic status, and ethnicity. The study found that even mild vision impairment can have a substantial impact on daily life, increasing the risk of unemployment and mental health issues.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Should crime victims call the police?

A nationwide study of over 18,000 crime victims found that reporting initial experiences to police reduces the likelihood of future victimization. The researchers suggest increased awareness and services for victims after reporting contribute to this effect.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 28, 2016

Why brain neurons in Parkinson's disease stop benefiting from levodopa

UAB researchers have discovered that levodopa induces widespread DNA methylation changes in brain cells that contribute to the development and maintenance of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Modulating global DNA methylation may be a novel therapeutic target to prevent or reverse this condition.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Tooth wear sheds light on the feeding habits of ancient elephant relatives

Researchers have reconstructed the feeding habits of ancient elephants in China over the last two million years using tooth wear analysis. Sinomastodon and Stegodon coexisted before Sinomastodon's extinction, while Elephas showed a more catholic feeding habit incorporating both grazing and browsing.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalQuaternary International·DateJul 28, 2016

Stanford study identifies brain areas altered during hypnotic trances

Researchers identified three key brain regions involved in hypnosis, including decreased activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate and increased connections between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the insula. These changes may help understand how hypnosis affects perception and body control.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalCerebral Cortex·DateJul 28, 2016

Rapid evolution helps plants disperse in disrupted environments

Rapid evolution enables plants to disperse more efficiently in disrupted environments, spreading up to three times farther than non-evolving counterparts. In patchy landscapes, evolving populations exhibit greater heights, facilitating seed dispersal.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Russian scientists discover how certain proteins may help fight chlamydia

Researchers found that PGLYRPs can inhibit chlamydia infections by targeting the bacteria's stress response system. The study confirmed that PGLYRP solutions reduced the number of chlamydial inclusions by 10 times, and improved understanding of potential antichlamydial drug targets.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateJul 28, 2016

New noninvasive imaging method for showing oxygen in tissue

A team of scientists developed a new approach to visualize oxygen in tissue, using optoacoustic methods and a novel algorithm that corrects for light propagation effects. This non-invasive imaging method achieves high accuracy and resolution, enabling the study of various medical conditions such as tumor growth and metabolism.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2016

Earth's mantle appears to have a driving role in plate tectonics

Researchers found evidence that the mantle flows in a direction ahead of recent changes in plate motion, suggesting it may be responsible for past and current changes. The study also explored magma supply under mid-ocean ridges, finding larger volumes at segment ends than previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJul 28, 2016
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.

Twisted optics: Seeing light from a new angle

Researchers developed a micro-scale twisted optics technique to store more information in light, enabling faster data transmission. The method uses angled light and strategically placed germanium layers to guide waves unidirectionally through a micro-ring.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 28, 2016

Insurance, distance to care can be barriers to breast reconstruction

A study found that women with Medicaid or Medicare had lower odds of receiving breast reconstruction compared to those with private insurance. Distance to the nearest plastic surgeon also predicted lower rates of reconstruction. The researchers highlight additional barriers to access beyond socioeconomic class, age, and race.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJul 28, 2016

International partnership established to tackle antimicrobial resistance

The Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) brings together industry, philanthropy, government, and academia to rejuvenate the antimicrobial pipeline. The partnership aims to deliver a growing portfolio of new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines to tackle untreatable bacterial infections.

SourceBoston University·DateJul 28, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Monsoon intensity enhanced by heat captured by desert dust

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that mineral dust from the Middle East can strengthen the Indian Summer Monsoon by heating the atmosphere. This heat absorption affects monsoon rainfall, with more efficient-absorbing dust linked to increased rainfall.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 28, 2016

The Lancet Psychiatry: Locked door policy in mental health hospitals is no better than open doors at preventing patient suicide or unauthorized absence, says study

A new 15-year study of 145000 patient cases found that locked wards do not reduce the risk of suicide attempts or unauthorized absence from hospital. In contrast, patients treated on open wards are less likely to attempt suicide and have a lower likelihood of absconding.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateJul 28, 2016

Acute kidney injury identifiable in preterm infants

A study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that preterm infants with acute kidney injury have distinct protein profiles in their urine compared to those with healthy kidneys. This discovery could help physicians diagnose kidney health in newborns and improve treatment outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 28, 2016

Discovery of a novel gene for hereditary colon cancer

Scientists have identified a rare genetic alteration in the MSH3 gene that is associated with a new form of hereditary colon cancer. The discovery has significant implications for diagnosis and treatment, as it offers a clear diagnosis for some cases of polyposis and allows for targeted surveillance and prevention.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateJul 28, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.