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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 166


Page 166 of 423

White dwarf lashes red dwarf with mystery ray

Astronomers using NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope discover a new type of exotic binary star system where a rapidly spinning white dwarf powers electrons to almost the speed of light, causing radiation blasts that lash the companion red dwarf star, resulting in dramatic pulses every 1.97 minutes.

SourceESA/Hubble Information Centre·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 2016

Weight loss surgery associated with increased fracture risk

Severely obese patients undergoing weight loss surgery are at higher risk of fractures before and after surgery. The study suggests that guidelines should be followed on patient adherence to dietary supplements and physical activity to reduce fracture risk.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 27, 2016

Importance of including purpose of medications on prescriptions

A Perspective article highlights the importance of including medication purpose on prescriptions to enhance safety, prescribe appropriately, and improve convenience. By recording indications, clinicians can reduce errors, enable patients to better understand their regimens, and identify therapeutic alternatives.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJul 27, 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.

Mouse antibodies pinpoint Zika's weak spots

Researchers have identified specific antibodies that protect against Zika infection in mice, targeting a region of the virus similar to other flaviviruses like Dengue and West Nile. These findings aim to optimize current vaccine strategies and develop new antibody-based therapeutics.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateJul 27, 2016

Antibodies identified that thwart Zika virus infection

Researchers at WashU Medicine have identified six antibodies capable of protecting against Zika virus infection in mice, providing crucial information on how these antibodies interact with the virus. The discovery could lead to the development of a vaccine, diagnostic tests, and potentially new therapies for Zika-related diseases.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·DateJul 27, 2016

Researchers say trees could help strengthen auto parts

Researchers at Clemson University are developing new composite materials using tree fibers to create stronger, biorenewable auto parts. The materials have the potential to replace traditional automotive parts with improved strength and sustainability.

SourceClemson University·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

The August 2016 issue of Lithosphere is now online

The August issue of Lithosphere presents papers on Tyrrhenian margin neotectonics in Italy, the Wrangellia composite terrane in Canada, and fault-related fissures in Wales. These studies provide new insights into Quaternary travertine deposits, thermochronology data, and paleofluid circulation in faults.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateJul 27, 2016

'Screen-and-treat' scheme for hepatitis B may prevent deadly complications

A new study from Imperial College London and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia found that a 'screen-and-treat' programme for hepatitis B can reduce deadly complications of the virus. The initiative is cost-effective and feasible in Sub-Saharan Africa, where around 80 million people are infected.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJul 27, 2016

A minute of secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vessels

A new study published in the American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report found that secondhand marijuana smoke can cause temporary damage to blood vessels, similar to tobacco smoke. Exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke lasted for at least 90 minutes, whereas tobacco smoke exposure recovered within 30 minutes.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateJul 27, 2016

All e-cigarettes emit harmful chemicals, but some emit more than others

A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that all e-cigarettes emit toxic compounds, with factors like temperature affecting emission levels. The study identified two additional carcinogens not previously reported in e-cigarette vapor.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 27, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study shows long-term safety of gene therapy in Parkinson's disease

A new study found no serious adverse events related to gene therapy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease five years after treatment. The long-term safety profile of the therapy is promising, lending support to its potential as a treatment for this debilitating disease.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateJul 27, 2016

Toxins in e-cig vapor increase with heat and device use

Scientists report elevated levels of toxic compounds in e-cigarette vapor when heated to higher temperatures, including glycidol and formaldehyde. The release of these compounds increases with device use and voltage settings.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

Studies in mice provide insights into antibody-Zika virus interactions

Researchers at NIH identified six Zika virus antibodies that recognize a particular Zika protein, the envelope or E protein. Two of these antibodies also protect mice from Zika infection, offering potential for prophylactic treatment approaches for pregnant women at risk of Zika virus infection.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalCell·DateJul 27, 2016

More evidence in quest to repurpose cancer drugs for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found that cancer drug pazopanib decreases levels of phosphorylated Tau, a toxic brain protein linked to dementia in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study suggests that tau pathology may be the main culprit behind dementia in Alzheimer's disease.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·DateJul 27, 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.

Cod and climate

Researchers found that warmer North Atlantic Oscillation conditions reduced cod larval recruitment by 17 percent, resulting in fewer young fish. This effect persisted until the fish were 6 years old, affecting cod catch for up to two decades.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 27, 2016

Monitoring cell fates

Researchers at ETH Zurich study how stem cells differentiate into blood cells, revealing complex mechanisms beyond previously thought protein GATA1 and PU.1 roles. This knowledge is vital for developing effective treatments for life-threatening diseases.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 2016

Star's intense radiation beams whip neighboring red dwarf

Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a new type of exotic binary star that produces powerful beams of particles and radiation, affecting its nearby companion star. The star, AR Scorpii, has a white dwarf with intense magnetic fields that accelerate electrons in the atmosphere of the red dwarf to close to the speed o...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 2016

When targeting cancer genes, home in on the 1 percent

Researchers at UC Berkeley have found a new cancer drug target that controls only a few percent of the body's proteins, potentially allowing for a more specific anti-cancer effect. The target is a protein called eIF3d that binds to specialized mRNAs and triggers translation of growth-promoting proteins.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateJul 27, 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.

Treating pain without feeding addiction: Study shows promise of non-drug pain management

A new study shows that a non-drug approach combining behavioral therapy and social support can effectively manage chronic pain in individuals with addiction, improving their ability to function and reducing substance use. The low-cost approach, called ImPAT, has the potential to be widely adopted by addiction treatment centers worldwide.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAddiction·DateJul 27, 2016

Reperfusion therapy type for heart attacks seems less important than assuring that all eligible patients receive timely treatment

A recent study found that patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy had a significantly higher 30-day mortality rate, regardless of the type of hospital they were treated in. The researchers emphasized the importance of improving healthcare systems to facilitate timely treatment and reduce delays.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalCanadian Journal of Cardiology·DateJul 27, 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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Mirinae approaching landfall

Tropical Storm Mirinae made landfall over Vietnam's northeast coast, with surface winds reaching 55.3 mph. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center reported the storm's maximum sustained winds were near 45 knots (51.7 mph/83.3 kph).

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 27, 2016

International efforts needed to save world's largest mammals, scientists say

A global plan is necessary to prevent the extinction of megafauna, including elephants, rhinos, and big cats, which play critical roles in ecosystems. The study highlights the need for coordinated conservation efforts to address threats like illegal hunting, deforestation, and human-wildlife conflict.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalBioScience·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

Battery500 consortium to spark EV innovations

The Battery500 consortium is a five-year, $50M project led by PNNL to improve upon today's electric vehicle batteries. The goal is to develop lithium-metal batteries with almost triple the specific energy of current EV batteries, resulting in smaller, lighter and less expensive batteries.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJul 27, 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.

Flexibility in the molecular design of acetylcholinesterase reactivators

The study proposes an occupancy frequency approach to select representative configurations for reaction mechanism calculations, reducing the number of QM calculations required in hybrid simulations. This method focuses on average structure configurations, enabling a powerful tool for multiscale simulations.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalLetters in Drug Design & Discovery·DateJul 27, 2016

Switch from observation only to active treatment by prostate cancer patients varies by race/ethnicity

A new study published in The Journal of Urology found that non-Hispanic black men were more likely than white men to begin active treatment for low-risk prostate cancer, independent of clinical measures. Ethnicity influenced this decision, suggesting a need for greater attention to race/ethnicity in disease management.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Urology·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

Indicators of Parkinson's disease risk found in unexpected places

A study published in Scientific Reports found tiny DNA changes linked to Parkinson's disease in unexpected places, including liver, fat, immune, and developmental cells. These findings suggest a diverse set of underlying causes for the disease, challenging current understanding of neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2016

Satellite tracks the remnants of Tropical Storm Georgette

Tropical Storm Georgette's remnants were captured by NOAA's GOES-West satellite, showing a swirl of clouds mostly north and west of the center. The post-tropical cyclone was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 35 mph.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 27, 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.

The brain's super-sensitivity to curbs

Cognitive scientists at Johns Hopkins University found two distinct brain regions responding to visual boundaries and obstacles. The parahippocampal place area reacts to visual structures like curbs and walls, while the retrosplenial complex responds to taller, more imposing boundaries.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateJul 27, 2016
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.

Montreal households the greenest in Canada: UBC study

A new study by UBC researchers reveals Montreal's low greenhouse gas emissions due to affordable hydropower and electric heating, while Edmonton's high emissions are attributed to extreme weather, low density, and coal reliance. The study also found a decline in average household GHG emissions across Canada from 1997 to 2009.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalRegional Science and Urban Economics·DateJul 27, 2016

Watering solar cells makes them grow ... in power!

Researchers found that moisture in the air enhances perovskite solar cells' performance by redistributing a dopant, increasing electric properties. However, prolonged exposure to moisture can be detrimental.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateJul 27, 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.

Photos capture challenges for teens with autism, show animals as resource

A new study from the University of Missouri found that Photovoice, a method using photographs, helps adolescents with autism express concerns and stress as they transition to adulthood. The research reveals themes of isolation, socialization challenges, and the comfort animals bring in combating loneliness.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Adolescent Research·DateJul 27, 2016