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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 278


Page 278 of 423

Fiber optic biosensor-integrated microfluidic chip to detect glucose levels

Researchers in China created a portable and high-performance device to detect glucose levels using fiber optic biosensors integrated with microfluidic chips. The device can detect glucose concentrations as low as 1 nM, making it an appealing technology for early diagnosis of diabetes via monitoring glucose content within sweat.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateApr 28, 2016

Shape of tumor may affect whether cells can metastasize

A new University of Illinois study reveals that the shape of a tumor may play a significant role in determining whether cells can metastasize. The research found that curved edges and corners activate cancer stem cells, which are responsible for spreading cancer to other tissues.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 28, 2016

Narrow band imaging can reduce recurrence of bladder tumors

A clinical trial found narrow band imaging (NBI) significantly reduces bladder tumor recurrence in low-risk patients compared to conventional TURBT surgery. NBI detected small tumors that might be overlooked by white light cystoscopy, leading to a 5.6% recurrence rate versus 27.3% with traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalEuropean Urology·DateApr 28, 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.

Junk-food junkies go healthy when rewarded

Researchers at Cornell University found that consumers who have poor eating habits benefit most from long-term reward incentives for healthy food choices. In contrast, healthy eaters are more likely to purchase less healthy items when offered price breaks.

SourceCornell University·JournalCornell Hospitality Quarterly·DateApr 28, 2016

Subtle chemical changes in brain can alter sleep-wake cycle

Researchers found that altering the balance of ions in the fluid surrounding brain cells can stimulate or dampen nerve cell activity and cause brain cells to shrink while we sleep. This process facilitates waste removal and may lead to new ways to regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalScience·DateApr 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.

New technique spots active motion in cells

Researchers developed a noninvasive data analysis technique to distinguish between actively driven and thermally induced motions inside cells. The method, based on statistical physics, tracks particle transitions between states and identifies imbalances that indicate active processes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2016

Insect outbreaks reduce wildfire severity

A University of Vermont-led study finds that insect outbreaks, such as mountain pine beetle and western spruce budworm infestations, significantly reduce wildfire severity. This contrasts with popular attitudes linking the two, and provides new insights for forest management and policy applications.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateApr 28, 2016

Brain cells divide the work to recognize bodies

Researchers from KU Leuven measured individual brain cell responses to animal and human body images, finding that each cell specializes in recognizing specific features. The findings suggest a collaborative process where different cells work together to recognize bodies.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 28, 2016

Peppermint tea can help improve your memory

A study by Northumbria University researchers found that peppermint tea significantly improved long-term memory and working memory, while chamomile tea slowed these functions. The study suggests beneficial effects of peppermint's enhancing and arousing properties on cognition.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateApr 28, 2016

Researchers demonstrate record optical nonlinearity

A team of researchers led by Robert W. Boyd has demonstrated up to 100 times greater nonlinearity in indium tin oxide than other known materials, revolutionizing photonics applications. This breakthrough opens the door for more careful study of the material's unique properties and potential applications.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience·DateApr 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.

Augmented games can increase the diversity of sports

Researchers at Aalto University developed an augmented climbing wall, combining body tracking and custom software to empower users as content creators. The system offers diverse movements, challenges, and endless gaming experiences, increasing the sport's appeal to new audiences.

SourceAalto University·DateApr 28, 2016

Machines can learn to respond to new situations like human beings would

Researchers from KU Leuven have developed machines that can learn to tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar objects, such as a blurred shape on the road. This technology has the potential to improve self-driving car safety by allowing machines to make more reasonable decisions in new situations.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 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.

Rosacea linked to a slightly increased risk of dementia

A new study has found a link between rosacea and an increased risk of dementia, with the highest risks seen in older patients. The study published in Annals of Neurology suggests that treating rosacea may also modify patients' risk of developing dementia.

SourceWiley·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateApr 28, 2016

Female hormones may make women less susceptible to kidney failure than men

Researchers found that female reproductive hormone cycles are associated with transient increases in enzymes indicative of kidney health. This suggests that women may have an increased resistance to kidney damage due to cyclical changes in sex hormone levels.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 28, 2016

Hunting wolves near Denali, Yellowstone cuts wolf sightings in half

Researchers found that visitors to national parks are half as likely to see wolves when hunting is permitted outside park boundaries. In contrast, when hunting was prohibited, visitors were twice as likely to spot a wolf. The study suggests a tradeoff between harvesting and viewing wolves.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 28, 2016

Listening to the radio could impair drivers' concentration

Research by Gillian Murphy found that drivers who listen to traffic reports while driving are more distracted and perform poorly on tasks like obeying road signs. The study's results suggest that auditory distractions can be just as problematic as visual ones in reducing driver attention.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateApr 28, 2016

How we understand others

A recent study examined the relationship between empathy and understanding others' mental states. The findings suggest that people who tend to be empathic do not necessarily understand other people well at a cognitive level. Social skills seem to be based on multiple abilities that are independent of each other.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateApr 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.

Study pinpoints mechanism that allows cells with faulty DNA to reproduce

A study by University of Minnesota researchers reveals a pathway that enables cancer cells to tolerate faulty DNA replication, potentially leading to new anti-cancer therapies. The discovery was made possible by the development of a tool to analyze protein regulation triggered by DNA errors.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 28, 2016

Costs for orally administered cancer drugs skyrocket

Cancer drug costs have increased by six times over the past decade, with newly approved medications costing an average of $11,325 per month, compared to $1,869 for those introduced in 2000. This trend may impact patients' ability to access these drugs and their financial burden.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateApr 28, 2016

Scientific advances in lung cancer in 2015 highlighted by IASLC

The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) highlights significant progress in lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, staging, and treatment in 2015. The organization introduces a comprehensive educational resource covering topics such as tobacco control, early detection, and immunotherapy.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateApr 28, 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.

Speedy bridge repair

A team of researchers led by Chris Pantelides developed a new process to repair earthquake-damaged bridge columns in just a few days. The process uses concrete donuts lined with composite fiber material and can be used on not only bridges but also damaged columns around buildings.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateApr 28, 2016

Analyzing the psyche of risky drivers

A study from McGill University found that repeat drunk drivers and speeding offenders have unique emotional and behavioral profiles, making prevention strategies more effective when tailored to their characteristics. The research suggests that high-risk drivers respond better to targeted interventions addressing their specific traits.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 28, 2016
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.

Bored people reach for the crisps

New research by Dr Sandi Mann at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference reveals that people tend to choose unhealthy foods when feeling bored. The study found that participants ate more unhealthy snacks after watching a boring video or completing a boring task.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateApr 28, 2016

Growing number of patients who might benefit from liver transplant removed from wait list

A study found that a quality improvement initiative by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services increased the removal of liver transplant candidates from the waiting list. The analysis of nationwide transplant data showed that over 4,300 Americans were delisted between 2007 and 2012 due to deteriorating illness.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 28, 2016

Breakthrough in the treatment of inherited genetic disease

Researchers at the Universities of York and Leiden have created fluorescent chemical probes to measure acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme levels in human cells. This technology enables rapid detection of enzyme deficiencies, informing more effective treatments for Pompe disease and potentially other inherited conditions.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalACS Central Science·DateApr 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.

Study reveals COPD linked to increased bacterial invasion

A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study finds that persistent inflammation in COPD may result from a defect in the immune system allowing airway bacteria to invade deeper into the lungs. Treatment with an anti-inflammatory drug halted lung damage in mice with this defect.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2016

Scientists uncover new way to grow rare life-saving blood stem cells

Scientists at McMaster University have made a breakthrough in understanding the regulation of human blood stem cells, allowing for better control and regeneration. The discovery could lead to more people receiving treatment for life-threatening diseases, reducing healthcare costs and wait times.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2016

Poorer patients in UK less likely to get hip replacements

A recent study published in The British Medical Journal found that deprived patients and those admitted at weekends are least likely to receive the recommended total hip replacement surgery. Despite national guidelines setting out who should get the procedure, substantial variation in compliance between hospitals was observed.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalThe BMJ·DateApr 27, 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.

Sensitive people more vulnerable to online dating scams

A study by Dr Martin Graff of the University of South Wales found that sensitive and less emotionally intelligent individuals are more likely to be targeted in online dating scams. The victims tend to be efficient, organised, and disciplined but also more emotionally expressive.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateApr 27, 2016

Rosemary aroma can help older adults to remember to do things

A study by Lauren Bussey and colleagues found that rosemary essential oil significantly improved prospective memory in people over 65. Additionally, the scent increased alertness in this age group. The results support previous research on the cognitive benefits of rosemary aroma in healthy adults.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateApr 27, 2016

Study shows how neurons decline as Parkinson's develops

Researchers studied Parkinson's-affected cells before symptoms appear, finding declines in dopamine neuron function and electrical activity. The study aims to understand the root cause of the disease and develop a therapy to arrest its progression.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateApr 27, 2016

Bosses should maintain goodwill when saying goodbye to ex-employees

A study found that workers who had good relationships with their bosses carried that goodwill into their new jobs, leading to important benefits for their former workplaces. Good relationships with bosses can also make ex-employees valuable ambassadors and future customers.

SourcePenn State·JournalPersonnel Psychology·DateApr 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.

Got good fat?

University of Bonn researchers have discovered a new method to measure the activity of energy-consuming brown fat cells in humans and mice. They found that microRNA-92a can be used as an indirect measure of brown fat cell activity, with a small blood sample sufficient for analysis.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2016

Superfast light source made from artificial atom

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have created a superfast light source using an artificial atom called a quantum dot. The innovation increases the interaction between light and matter, resulting in faster electron decay and more efficient light emission.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 27, 2016

Brain's 'thesaurus' mapped to help decode inner thoughts

A new study maps the human brain's semantic atlas, revealing how different areas respond to words with similar meanings. This discovery holds promise for decoding inner dialogue in individuals who struggle to communicate, such as stroke or ALS patients.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateApr 27, 2016
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.

Segmenting ultrasound video with a wavelet variational model

A novel wavelet variational model is proposed to segment ultrasound videos efficiently, tackling low contrast, shadow effects, and complex noise statistics. The model achieves accurate ROI tracking with robustness and flexibility, making it suitable for real-time clinical applications.

SourceSociety for Industrial and Applied Mathematics·JournalSIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences·DateApr 27, 2016

New report shows electronic cigarettes are beneficial to UK public health

E-cigarettes offer potential to radically reduce harm from smoking in UK society, with benefits found at individual and population levels. The Royal College of Physicians report finds that e-cigarette use is primarily among smokers seeking to cut down or quit, and no grounds to suspect renormalization of smoking habits.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateApr 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.

Home movers more likely to be green commuters, study finds

A study of 18,000 UK residents found that individuals who have just moved house are significantly less likely to travel to work by car. Environmental attitudes also played a role in this change in behavior, with people adopting greener modes of transport after moving.

SourceCardiff University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 27, 2016

Polarization may cause climate communication to backfire

A Duke University study finds that framing climate change as a win-win issue can exacerbate opposition and trigger a significant negative effect among polarized audiences. Messages that conflict with audience's partisan identity fail to sway skeptics and instead make them more opposed to governmental action on the issue.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Politics·DateApr 27, 2016

Influenza in the tropics shows variable seasonality

A study published in PLOS ONE identifies distinct patterns of seasonal influenza activity in the tropics and subtropics, grouping countries into eight geographical zones. These zones can inform targeted flu vaccination programs, providing valuable insights into optimal delivery timing and vaccine formulation.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 27, 2016

Silent epidemic? Head injury may be linked to lasting sleep problems

A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience long-term sleep disturbances, despite not being aware of it. Researchers discovered that 67% of those with TBI suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness compared to 19% of healthy individuals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateApr 27, 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.