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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 291


Page 291 of 423

UK labor ward staff and outcomes

A multicenter cohort study found no differences in Apgar scores, cord pH, or postpartum bleeding between out-of-hours and in-hours deliveries. However, women who delivered out-of-hours had slightly lower rates of cesarean section and instrumental delivery.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 19, 2016

Antipsychotic medications may be ineffective for treating or preventing delirium

Researchers analyzed data from 19 studies on hospitalized patients and found that antipsychotic medications did not reduce new cases of delirium. The study suggests that these medications may not affect the duration or severity of delirium, and more research is needed to understand their effectiveness in treating delirium.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 19, 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.

New mathematical model challenges aggressive antibiotic treatments

Researchers develop a new mathematical framework to compare different treatment therapies, including aggressive and moderate approaches. The model considers the role of the host immune system in infection clearance, suggesting that optimized treatments can minimize drug resistance without compromising patient health.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateApr 19, 2016

Designing attack-resilient micro aerial vehicles

Micro aerial vehicles are expected to have a significant impact on various industries, but also expose users to unprecedented vulnerabilities. Researchers aim to develop consistent state estimation algorithms to detect abnormalities in drone sensing and compensate for malicious attacks.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateApr 19, 2016

From Brussels to Brooklyn: Bristol's 5G wireless research showcased

The University of Bristol's Communication Systems and Networks group is leading international research on 5G wireless networks, with a focus on capacity enhancement and data rates. The team will showcase their work at the NetWorld2020 Annual Event and General Assembly in Brussels and the Brooklyn 5G Summit.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateApr 19, 2016

Promising new compound protects neurons and vision in mice with glaucoma

Researchers developed a compound called KUSs that may help prevent nerve damage in glaucoma, allowing patients to maintain near-normal vision. Early tests in mice showed promising results, suggesting these compounds could slow down disease progression and potentially treat other neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceElsevier·JournalHeliyon·DateApr 19, 2016

Microsoft supports Sydney University quantum effort

Microsoft is partnering with the Australian Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (AINST) at the University of Sydney to advance quantum computing research. Professor David Reilly's team will focus on scaling up electronic systems to build reliable quantum machines.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·DateApr 19, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Immunotherapy drug shrinks tumors in half of patients with rare, virus-linked skin cancer

In a clinical trial, half of 25 patients with Merkel cell carcinoma experienced substantial tumor shrinkage lasting nearly three times as long as conventional chemotherapy. Several patients had no remaining evidence of disease. The results suggest that immunotherapy drugs may be effective for other virus-associated cancers.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 19, 2016

New cases of dementia in the UK fall by 20 percent over 2 decades

A 20-year study found a significant drop in dementia incidence among men in the UK, driven by reduced risk factors such as smoking and improved vascular health. The study suggests that targeted public health measures may help prevent future increases in dementia cases, contradicting global projections of a looming 'dementia tsunami'.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 19, 2016

NASA's 3-satellite view of powerful Tropical Cyclone Fantala

Tropical Cyclone Fantala reached Category Five intensity with maximum sustained winds of 150 knots (173 mph), making it one of the strongest storms in the South Indian Ocean. NASA satellites tracked the storm's intense rainfall and powerful thunderstorms, providing critical data on its size and wind patterns.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 19, 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.

Study: Ancient tectonic activity was trigger for ice ages

Geologists at MIT identified ancient tectonic collisions as the trigger for two ice ages, 80 million and 50 million years ago. The collisions exposed rock to the atmosphere, leading to chemical reactions that absorbed large amounts of carbon dioxide.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 19, 2016

One antidepressant shown to control weight during 2-year study

A 2-year study found that bupropion (Wellbutrin) is the only antidepressant to induce modest weight loss, while others lead to varying degrees of weight gain. Nonsmokers on bupropion lost an average of 2.4 pounds, compared to a 4.6-pound gain on fluoxetine.

SourceGroup Health Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine·DateApr 19, 2016

Causes of childhood obesity complex, but families, media play key roles

A new review suggests that family communication, mealtime interactions, and emotional regulation can help reduce children's genetic risks for obesity. Shared family meals promote healthy eating habits and reduce the likelihood of weight problems.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalFamily Relations·DateApr 19, 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.

Thanks, actin, for the memories

Researchers at Rice University suggest that actin filaments play a key role in forming and storing long-term memories by stabilizing soluble cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins (CPEB) into longer, insoluble prion-like fibers. This process is thought to aggregate and encode memories in neurons' synaptic regions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2016

Psilocybin reduces psychological pain after social exclusion

Researchers found that psilocybin decreases the brain's reaction to social exclusion and pain, which can help improve therapy for social problems in psychiatric disorders. The study used fMRI and MRS to investigate the effects of psilocybin on the brain's processing of social conflicts.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 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.

New technique could improve detection of concealed nuclear materials

Researchers have developed a novel technique to detect special nuclear materials in cargo containers using low-energy neutron and photon imaging. This method can simultaneously measure density and atomic number, while confirming the presence of nuclear materials through unique delayed neutron emission signatures.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 18, 2016

Mechanics of the cell

Researchers developed a synthetic cell model to investigate fundamental principles of cellular mechanics, revealing the interplay between cytoskeleton and cell membrane is key to changes in form. The model cells demonstrate that protein interactions are essential for biological functions and can alter shape through deformation mechanisms.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 18, 2016

Presidential elections: Electoral College increases ad spending in typical election

A study published in Springer's journal Quantitative Marketing and Economics found that the Electoral College system increases advertising spending in typical presidential elections. The researchers modeled voters' decisions using a simple aggregate market share model and found that advertising would be spread more evenly across states...

SourceSpringer·JournalQuantitative Marketing and Economics·DateApr 18, 2016

Controlling integrated optical circuits using patterns of light

Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed a method for reconfigurable optical elements using multimode interference devices. The team shows that intricate interplay between modes can be dynamically controlled, allowing to freely route light in a static silicon element.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalOptica·DateApr 18, 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.

Do we judge distance based on how a word sounds?

A new study by the University of Toronto reveals that people intuitively pair front vowel sounds with things close by and back vowel sounds with distances away. This knowledge can inform marketing strategies, such as choosing names for products or brands that align with their intended distance from customers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCognition·DateApr 18, 2016

The P tax cometh

A new study warns that intensive farming in tropical regions may require vast amounts of phosphorus fertilizer, which is a limited natural resource. The researchers estimate that if global demand for food continues to rise, the phosphorus tax imposed by these soils could double by 2050.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalNature Plants·DateApr 18, 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.

Penn researchers find females more resistant to organ damage following kidney transplant

A new study by Penn researchers found that female mice experience less renal ischemia reperfusion injury compared to male mice, suggesting a potential benefit of estrogen treatment. Human data also supports this finding, with female recipients experiencing less delayed graft function after kidney transplantation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 18, 2016

Patients triaged as nonurgent in ED get diagnostics, procedures, admitted

A study of nonurgent ED visits found that diagnostic services and procedures were provided in a significant percentage of cases, suggesting potential overuse or uncertainty among patients and healthcare professionals. The findings also highlighted similarities between nonurgent and urgent visit symptoms and diagnoses.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 18, 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.

New nanodevice shifts light's color at single-photon level

Scientists at NIST have developed a miniaturized device to convert photons between frequencies, addressing two critical problems in quantum communication. The new device consumes low power and produces minimal noise, making it suitable for future experiments with single-photon sources.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 18, 2016

Lowered birth rates one reason why women outlive men

A study of 140,600 individuals from the Utah Population Database found that lowered birth rates contribute to women's longer lifespan compared to men. The research suggests that reduced reproduction costs in females benefit their lifespan.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 18, 2016

Mapping a path to improved cassava production

A team of researchers has sequenced the cassava genome to identify genetic diversity and improve breeding strategies. The study reveals that past breeding programs have reduced genetic diversity in Africa, affecting crop yields.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 18, 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.

Magnetic vortices defy temperature fluctuations

A team of researchers from Germany and the UK used high-resolution electron microscopy to study magnetic vortices in magnetite minerals, revealing that they are surprisingly resilient to temperature changes. The findings have significant implications for understanding the Earth's magnetic field history and plate tectonics.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 18, 2016

UT Southwestern research shows 98 percent cure rate for prostate cancer using SBRT

A five-year study shows that Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) offers a higher cure rate than traditional approaches, with a 98.6% cure rate for prostate cancer patients. The treatment involves high-dose radiation beams delivered in just five treatments, resulting in fewer side effects and quicker recovery times.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer·DateApr 18, 2016

HAWC Gamma-ray Observatory reveals new look at the very-high-energy sky

The HAWC Gamma-ray Observatory has released a new survey of the sky made from the highest energy gamma rays ever observed, revealing new high-energy sources within our own Milky Way galaxy. The observatory has also provided more detail on known sources, offering a deeper understanding of high-energy processes taking place in our galaxy...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateApr 18, 2016

UAlberta & Little Warriors change the trajectory of child sexual abuse victims

The four-week intervention program significantly reduces psychological impacts of child sexual abuse, with a 25% reduction in PTSD scores and fewer children experiencing depression and anxiety. The Be Brave Ranch offers comprehensive treatment to child survivors, providing individual and group therapies alongside peer support.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Behaviour·DateApr 18, 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.

Penn and Rutgers researchers discover new pathway that may trigger asthma

Researchers at Penn and Rutgers have identified a biological pathway that explains why current asthma therapies don't work well in many cases. The discovery highlights the potential for targeting non-inflammatory aspects of asthma, with neuropeptide Y emerging as a key player.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 18, 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.

Unexpected discovery leads to a better battery

A team of researchers at PNNL has made an unexpected discovery in rechargeable batteries, leading to a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for storing renewable energy. The new battery, which uses zinc-manganese oxide materials, can store energy with higher density and lower cost than conventional car batteries.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 18, 2016

NASA examines Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Fantala near Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Fantala reached Category 5 status in the Southern Indian Ocean, with wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second. The storm had a wide eye and powerful thunderstorms wrapping around it, according to NASA's observations from the RapidScat instrument and MODIS satellite.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 18, 2016

Protein found to play key role in the spread of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have identified a critical role for stromal cells in the spread of pancreatic cancer to the liver. The study found that the protein granulin plays a key role in facilitating this process, and that targeting its expression may hold the key to stopping cancer from spreading.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 18, 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.

NASA's Fermi telescope poised to pin down gravitational wave sources

The detection of a brief gamma-ray burst consistent with the same part of the sky as gravitational waves offers a unique window into the universe. By analyzing this event, scientists can gain insights into the dynamics leading up to black hole mergers and shed light on the nature of gravity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 18, 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.

Preeminent experts provide roadmap for future melanoma research

The white paper outlines key takeaways, including the importance of proper sunscreen use to reduce melanoma risk by up to 50%, developing more precise diagnosis methods, and overcoming immunotherapy resistance. The research aims to advance treatment and potentially cure melanoma by understanding its unique characteristics.

SourceWiley·JournalPigment Cell & Melanoma Research·DateApr 18, 2016

What screens are made of: New twists (and bends) in LCD research

Scientists have discovered a tightly wound spiral molecular arrangement in liquid crystals, which could improve LCD performance and help unravel its formation. The study uses a pioneering X-ray technique to confirm the twisted structure, revealing unusual optical properties that warrant further research.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 18, 2016