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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 272


Page 272 of 423

New insights on how oysters form shells

Researchers identified Pf-POU3F4, which promotes Aspein and Prismalin-14 expression in oyster shells. The study provides new perspectives on biomineralization and its similarities to bone and tooth formation in mammals.

SourceWiley·JournalFEBS Journal·DateMay 3, 2016

Extended rest between weight lifting sets could help muscle growth

Researchers from the University of Birmingham found that extended rest intervals can improve muscle growth by increasing myofibrillar protein synthesis. They recommend at least 2-3 minutes of rest between sets for novice weight trainers, while experienced lifters may not experience the same blunted response.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalExperimental Physiology·DateMay 3, 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.

Replication of colored 3-D models simplified

Researchers developed a method to replicate complex, colored 3D models quickly and cheaply using an industrial production technique and accessible software. The technique has been tested with various objects, including a Chinese mask and car body shells, producing high-quality replicas.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateMay 3, 2016

Kids' eating habits highlight need for healthier lunchboxes

A study by the University of Adelaide found that 45% of children's daily energy intake came from discretionary foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. The research also revealed inadequate fiber and dairy intakes, as well as excessive salt consumption among boys and girls.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics·DateMay 3, 2016

Imodium for a legal high is as dumb and dangerous as it sounds

A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that loperamide, a key ingredient in Imodium, is being abused by people seeking to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms or euphoria. The medication's safety is compromised when used in high doses, leading to cardiac dysrhythmia and death.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Current whale migration models are too simplified

Current whale migration models are too simplistic and don't account for the complexity of their ecological behavior. A deeper understanding of factors like reproductive patterns and local adaptations is needed to understand the diversity of migratory habits in baleen whales.

SourceWiley·JournalMammal Review·DateMay 3, 2016

Gutenberg Research Award 2016 goes to cell death researcher Vishva Dixit

Vishva Dixit's research on programmed cell death has significantly contributed to the understanding of apoptosis mechanisms, with implications for cancer treatment and neurodegenerative diseases. His work also revealed the association between inflammatory diseases and the immune system, shedding light on novel therapeutic strategies.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·DateMay 3, 2016

Exploring the mystery of how enzymes work via simulations

Enzymes play a crucial role in most biological processes by controlling energy transduction and genetic information. Researchers at USC determined that dynamics has little to do with accelerating enzyme-catalyzed reaction rates, clarifying the factors contributing to their activity. This discovery sheds light on the 100-year-old puzzle...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateMay 3, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

HIV infections drop, but US falls short of national goals

Despite progress, US HIV infections declined by 11% and transmission rates fell by 17% between 2010 and 2015. However, the country failed to meet President Obama's 25% reduction in new infections and 30% decrease in transmission rate targets.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAIDS and Behavior·DateMay 3, 2016

Web-based, self-help intervention helps prevent depression

A web-based guided self-help intervention has been shown to reduce the incidence of major depressive disorder in adults with subthreshold depression. The study found that 55 participants in the intervention group experienced MDD compared to 84 in the control group, resulting in a significant reduction in risk.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMay 3, 2016

Motorcycle right behind the racing cyclist can improve time in Giro prologue

Research at Eindhoven University of Technology found that motorcycles can reduce air resistance for cyclists by up to 14% when riding behind them. This could result in significant time gains in time trials, with some estimates suggesting an advantage of several seconds to a minute.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalJournal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics·DateMay 3, 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.

Active systems: Life is motion

Physicists have developed a way to differentiate between the active motions of living cells and those driven by random molecular movements. The method uses video imaging and analysis to identify non-equilibrium systems in living organisms.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2016

Infants much less likely to get the flu if moms are vaccinated while pregnant

Researchers found that babies whose moms receive flu vaccinations while pregnant have a significantly reduced risk of acquiring influenza during their first six months of life. The study, published in Pediatrics, showed that infants born to vaccinated mothers had a 70 percent reduction in laboratory-confirmed flu cases and an 80 percen...

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalPEDIATRICS·DateMay 3, 2016

Placenta size and offspring bone development linked

The study found a positive association between placental size and offspring bone mass at various ages, even after adjusting for factors such as height, weight, and pubertal status. Larger bones in early life are expected to lead to stronger bones in older adulthood, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalJournal of Bone and Mineral Research·DateMay 3, 2016
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.

Herbal remedies are an overlooked global health hazard

Researchers warn that herbal remedies containing Aristolochia, used for over 2,000 years, can lead to kidney cancer and other health issues in genetically susceptible individuals. The authors call for global action to evaluate the safety and efficacy of botanical products.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalEMBO Reports·DateMay 3, 2016

NASA Study: Rising carbon dioxide levels will help and hurt crops

A NASA study finds that elevated carbon dioxide concentrations can increase crop yields by boosting photosynthesis and reducing transpiration, but this effect varies regionally. Some crops like wheat and rice benefit from higher CO2 levels, while others like maize may experience yield losses.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature Climate Change·DateMay 3, 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.

New fabrication and thermo-optical tuning of whispering gallery microlasers

Scientists at OIST have developed a new method to fabricate glass microlasers, called whispering gallery microlasers, which are tiny optical devices that create intense light with one color or wavelength. The new technique allows for quick and easy fabrication of smaller devices for biosensing and optical communications.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 3, 2016

Seeking to rewind mammalian extinction

A team of experts aims to use cutting-edge techniques like induced pluripotent stem cells and gene editing to bring back the critically endangered species. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is leading the effort, which also involves collaborations with international partners.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalZoo Biology·DateMay 3, 2016

Algae use their 'tails' to gallop and trot like quadrupeds

Researchers discovered that single-celled algae can coordinate their flagella into leaping, trotting, or galloping gaits, similar to four-legged animals. The networks of elastic fibres within the cell play a crucial role in coordinating these diverse movements.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 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.

Watch immune cells 'glue' broken blood vessels back together

Researchers discovered that macrophages can grab and repair broken blood vessel ends in zebrafish brains, suggesting a potential natural repair mechanism for microbleeds. This process, observed over three hours, involved adhesion molecules and mechanical traction forces.

SourceCell Press·JournalImmunity·DateMay 3, 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.

Mimicking the ingenuity of nature

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have developed a supramolecular ruthenium macrocycle that mimics photosystem II, improving water oxidation efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The new catalyst enables the production of high-energy-density fuels like hydrogen, methane, or methanol.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 3, 2016

Introducing the disposable laser

Researchers have developed a way to print lasers using an inkjet printer, creating 'lasing capsules' that can be easily disposed of after use. The tech estimates production costs at just a few cents per unit.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 3, 2016

Placebo effects in women are boosted by vasopressin

A new study found that vasopressin increases placebo analgesic effects in women, particularly those with lower acute stress and anxiety. The findings suggest a new mechanism for the neurobiology of placebo effects and open up research directions for understanding the vasopressin system.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMay 3, 2016

Stocks overvalued longer and more often than previously thought, says study

Researchers at Columbia University have found that individual stocks may be overpriced for longer periods of time and more often than previously thought. The study estimated the number of bubbles in the US stock market between 2000 and 2013, counting up to 13,000 bubbles, or an average of four bubbles per stock.

SourceColumbia University·JournalMathematics and Financial Economics·DateMay 3, 2016
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.

Bacteria use traffic-cop-like mechanism to infect gut

Researchers at Washington State University and Harvard University have discovered a critical mechanism that enables bacteria to efficiently infect the gut. The 'type III secretion system' directs bacterial traffic, controlling whether bacteria become trapped inside vacuoles or break out into cell fluid.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016

Adults with bipolar disorder at equal risk for anxiety or depression following mania

A national survey of over 34,000 adults found that individuals with bipolar disorder are equally likely to develop anxiety as depression after experiencing an episode of mania. This study may lead to a broader clinical definition of bipolar disorder that includes episodes of mania along with anxiety or depression.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMay 3, 2016
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Can personality traits affect likelihood of using mindfulness-based stress reduction?

A study found that specific personality traits, such as neuroticism and extraversion, were associated with individual differences in the use of MBSR during and post-training. The findings suggest that MBSR programs can be tailored to targeted populations based on their personality traits.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateMay 3, 2016

NYU researchers technology banishes ambient babble from cochlear implants

Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering have developed a novel noise reduction technology called SEDA, which tunes out ambient talkers and tunes in on the person the wearer wants to listen to. This algorithmic approach can improve speech clarity for those with hearing loss and has potential applications beyond cochlear implants.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·DateMay 3, 2016

University of Kentucky researchers discover three new primate species

The discovery of three new mouse lemur species in Madagascar highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these tiny primates. The study, which used advanced statistical methods, provides insight into the evolutionary process and has significant implications for clarifying diversity in other species.

SourceUniversity of Kentucky·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateMay 3, 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.

Media research: What readers think about computer-generated texts

An experimental study found that readers prefer articles attributed to real journalists, but rate computer-generated texts as more credible. The study suggests that readers' expectations and limited experience with computer-based reports contribute to these differing assessments.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalJournalism·DateMay 3, 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.

An experiment seeks to make quantum physics visible to the naked eye

A team of physicists has proposed an experiment that could detect entangled photons directly, paving the way for new applications in quantum physics. The experiment involves amplifying entangled photons 100-fold and using a special technique to preserve their quantum physical effect.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalOptica·DateMay 3, 2016

Scientists reveal how cell corrects errors made in gene transcription

Researchers at HKUST elucidated the dynamics of backtracking in RNA polymerase II, revealing a stepwise process that detects mis-incorporated RNA and corrects errors. The study provides insight into fundamental mechanisms of transcription and may help understand human diseases and aging related to transcription infidelity.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 3, 2016

Armen Sarvazyan awarded Silver Medal of the Acoustical Society of America

Armen Sarvazyan has been awarded the Helmholtz-Rayleigh Interdisciplinary Silver Medal by the Acoustical Society of America for his contributions to ultrasound imaging and its applications. He made significant findings on elasticity imaging technology and developed ultrasonic devices for biomolecular interactions.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateMay 3, 2016

Macrophage population activates repair in murine heart attack model

A study by Ken Suzuki and team found that M2 macrophages play a crucial role in repairing damaged myocardial tissue after a heart attack. Supplementing with these cells or using the cytokine IL-4 can restore repair capabilities and potentially reduce the risk of cardiac rupture.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 3, 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.

Mapping the circuit of our internal clock

Researchers have identified a core group of neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus that share information during resynchronization, while those outside this central hub behave like acquaintances. Understanding the SCN's neural network structure is crucial for tackling illnesses like diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016