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Science News Archive 2016 - Page 414


Page 414 of 423

Traumatic brain injury induces mental impairments using mechanisms linked with Alzheimer's

A new study finds that traumatic brain injury induces mental impairments using mechanisms linked with Alzheimer's disease, specifically the toxic form of tau protein. The research suggests that TBI may share a common mechanism with neurodegenerative diseases, increasing the risk for dementia and other neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateJan 12, 2016

Satellites find sustainable energy in cities

Researchers at KIT have developed a method to estimate groundwater temperature from surface temperatures and building densities measured by satellites, revealing that 95% of areas studied had higher groundwater temperatures than surface temperatures. This discovery opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy production in cities.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 12, 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.

New type of antidepressant found to act quickly in mice

Researchers discovered a new type of antidepressant that acts quickly in mice, unlike current treatments which take weeks or months. The compound CGP3466B targets a new network of proteins and has fewer side effects than existing medications.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 12, 2016

Uncovering oxygen's role in enhancing red LEDs

Researchers at Lehigh University and international collaborators found that small quantities of oxygen are needed to enhance the optical properties of Eu-doped GaN devices. The study utilized native oxygen in Eu(RE)-doped GaN for enabling device compatibility in optoelectronic applications.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 12, 2016

New twists in the diffraction of intense laser light

Researchers at University of Strathclyde discovered that ultra-intense laser light passing through a thin foil can be used to control charged particle motion. This new observation has wide-reaching implications for advancing smaller, cheaper, laser-driven particle accelerators.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 12, 2016

New LED with luminescent proteins

Scientists have discovered a way to create BioLEDs using luminescent proteins in rubber, producing white light at a lower cost and with greater stability than traditional LEDs. The technology has the potential to replace expensive and scarce materials used in white LEDs.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 12, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Greenland ice sheet melts more when it's cloudy

Clouds play a significant role in the melting of the Greenland ice sheet, with clouds enhancing meltwater runoff by a third. The study highlights the need for accurate cloud representations in climate models to estimate the amount of meltwater and mitigate global sea level rise.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2016

How plants interact with beneficial microbes in the soil

A team of molecular biologists has found a gene that encodes a protein recognizing cell membranes surrounding symbiotic bacteria, directing other proteins to harvest nutrients. This discovery reveals the fundamental mechanisms behind plant-microbe interactions, with implications for future agricultural advances.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Plants·DateJan 12, 2016

Dementia: New insights into causes of loss of orientation

Two studies by the University of Exeter Medical School shed light on how two parts of the brain's navigation system malfunction in dementia, leading to loss of orientation. The findings suggest that fine navigational detail is not correctly represented in patients with dementia.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·DateJan 12, 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.

Spider web research shows promise for noninvasive genetic sampling

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame have developed a novel method for noninvasive genetic sampling using spider webs. This approach enables biomonitoring without direct observation or disturbance of target organisms, with potential applications in conservation research, pest management, and biogeography studies.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 12, 2016

Scientists identify molecule that appears to fuel deadly genetic illness

Researchers have identified a molecular target for DNA repair defects behind Fanconi anemia, a complex genetic disorder responsible for birth anomalies, organ damage, anemia, and cancer. The study reveals a potential therapeutic strategy and raises important questions about a compensatory DNA repair process.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateJan 12, 2016

Real-time fishery management significantly reduces bycatch

A new study finds that dynamic closures can reduce bycatch up to three times more efficiently than static measures, while minimizing economic impact on fishermen. By managing at finer scales, managers can zero in on transitory hotspots and reduce the need for large-scale closures.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 12, 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.

Ants respond to social information at rest, not on the fly

Researchers found that ants only fully respond to social cues when resting, suggesting intermittent monitoring to process information. This behavior may benefit the colony by moderating positive feedback effects and improving decentralized task allocation.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJan 12, 2016

Tiebreaks push competition -- not only in sports

A study by KIT Institute for Economics shows that tiebreaking rules can have significant impacts on competition. Allowing the weaker competitor to win in a tie can lead to stronger efforts from both sides, as seen in sports and job applications. This principle can also be applied to other competitive situations.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalGames and Economic Behavior·DateJan 12, 2016

Immigrant kids' diet is different, less nutritious than mom's

Research suggests Mexican immigrant children's diets are influenced by their new cultural environment, deviating from their mothers' healthier traditional diets. The study found that children in immigrant families face different social and nutritional environments than their parents.

SourcePenn State·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateJan 12, 2016

Neils help removing epigenetic marks

Scientists at the Institute of Molecular Biology have identified two proteins, Neil1 and Neil2, essential for DNA demethylation. These proteins boost the activity of Tdg, a central protein in DNA demethylation, promoting efficient removal of epigenetic marks.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJan 12, 2016

Concerns over prescribed opioid use among pregnant women

The use of prescribed opioids during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome and other birth defects. Experts recommend limiting opioid use to severe cases only, with careful monitoring if necessary.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJan 12, 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.

Basic ratio capacity may serve as building block for math knowledge

A study published in Psychological Science reveals that an innate ratio processing ability may play a role in determining aptitude for mathematical concepts. Researchers found that students' ability to gauge nonsymbolic ratios was correlated with their competence in symbolic math, including fractions and algebraic equations.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 12, 2016

PPPL engineers complete the design of Wendelstein 7-X scraper unit

The PPPL-designed scraper element will help physicists explore various magnetic field arrangements and plasma currents in the W7-X stellarator. The component intercepts heat from fusion reactions, reducing the risk of damage to the divertor and stellarator equipment.

SourceDOE/Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory·DateJan 12, 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.

Cocaine addiction: Scientists discover 'back door' into the brain

A new study by the University of Cambridge reveals a previously unknown pathway in the brain that links impulse with habits, making it harder to control cocaine addiction. A second study suggests that a drug used to treat paracetamol overdose may help individuals overcome their addiction if they want to quit.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2016

Treatment for severe emphysema improves exercise capacity

A new minimally invasive intervention involving lung coil implantation improved exercise capacity in patients with severe emphysema, with significant short-term costs. The treatment also showed long-term benefits, including reduced lung hyperinflation and sustained quality of life improvements.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 12, 2016

Poison warmed over

Researchers found that warmer temperatures reduce desert woodrats' ability to eat their normal diet of toxic creosote bushes. This could lead to animals changing their diets, relocating to cooler habitats or going extinct in local areas.

SourceUniversity of Utah·DateJan 12, 2016

Neurosurgeons challenged to eliminate all infant deaths from hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus, a buildup of excess fluid in the brain, can be treated effectively with surgery. Neurosurgeon Vikram Prabhu calls for neurosurgeons to work towards eliminating infant deaths from hydrocephalus by 2030. This goal aims to provide basic surgical care to children with hydrocephalus worldwide.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalWorld Neurosurgery·DateJan 12, 2016

Runaway stars leave infrared waves

Researchers identified massive stars moving at supersonic speeds, creating bow shocks that help locate them. The team used infrared data to find over 200 images of fuzzy red arcs, which turned out to be stars in various stages of evolution.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·DateJan 12, 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.

Northern methane

Researchers found that northern lakes and ponds emit methane equivalent to two-thirds of all natural methane sources in the region, highlighting the urgency of reducing human-induced climate change

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 12, 2016

Newly identified enzyme may be the culprit in Pierce's disease grapevine damage

UC Davis researchers discovered an enzyme, LesA, that plays a key role in the bacterial infection of grapevines with Pierce's disease. The enzyme triggers the process causing leaf damage, unrelated to previously thought mechanisms. This finding opens new avenues for understanding and combating the disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 12, 2016

Tough times for the tree of life on coral reefs

A global assessment reveals that marine protected areas (MPAs) insufficently protect the evolutionary history of tropical corals and fishes, with less than a quarter of wrasse species receiving minimum protection levels. The study suggests that protecting the genetic history of living organisms is crucial in a changing world.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 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.

Parents in dark about using epinephrine shot for kids' food allergies

A study from Northwestern University found that many parents are unaware of how to use an epinephrine auto-injector and have a written emergency food allergy action plan. The guidelines for treatment are not being followed, highlighting the need for improved communication between doctors and parents.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 12, 2016

A cultural look at moral purity: Wiping the face clean

A new study by Prof. Spike W. S. Lee and colleagues reveals that moral purity is both universal and culturally variable. In a face culture like East Asia, facial purification has a powerful moral effect, freeing individuals from guilt-driven prosocial behavior.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateJan 12, 2016

Researchers discover novel factor in Parkinson's disease

A team of researchers at Boston University School of Medicine has discovered a previously unknown cellular defect in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that the cells' dysfunction of calcium homeostasis can determine whether certain neurons live or die.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 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.

Innate immune defenses triggered by unsuspected mechanism

Researchers discovered a previously unsuspected mechanism that activates innate immune defenses within hours of bacterial infection, triggering DNA methylation changes. The discovery sheds light on how the innate immune system remembers past attacks and provides new insights into vaccine development.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 12, 2016

Two new species of frogs are discovered in Madagascar

Two new species of frogs, Rombophryne ornata and Rombophryne tany, are discovered in the forest floor of Madagascar's remote Tsaratanana Massif. The scientists found unique features such as spines over their eye sockets and distinctive colors like reddish and brownish hues.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalHerpetologica·DateJan 12, 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.

Long-term opioid use associated with increased risk of depression

A recent study published in Annals of Family Medicine has found that long-term opioid use is associated with an increased risk of developing new-onset depression. The research, led by Dr. Jeffrey Scherrer, analyzed data from over 70,000 patients and found that longer duration of opioid analgesic use was linked to new-onset depression.

SourceSaint Louis University·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 12, 2016

Brain monitoring takes a leap out of the lab

A wearable, 64-channel brain monitoring system has been developed, providing a better fit for real-world applications. The system comprises a dry-electrode wearable EEG headset and sophisticated software for data interpretation, with a wide range of applications in research, neuro-feedback, and clinical diagnostics.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 12, 2016

Largest-ever study of cornea condition reveals hidden risk factors

A large new study found previously unknown risk factors associated with keratoconus, a condition that causes progressive nearsightedness at a young age. The study revealed higher odds of developing keratoconus among men, African Americans, Latinos, and those with asthma and sleep apnea.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalOphthalmology·DateJan 12, 2016

Inflammation markers could guide depression treatments

Depression patients with systemic inflammation have elevated glutamate levels in motivation regions of the brain, which may guide personalized treatment. Elevated glutamate and myo-inositol levels are associated with anhedonia and slow motor function, suggesting a potential target for depression treatment.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 12, 2016

Preventing food waste better strategy than turning it into biogas

A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study reveals that preventing food waste is more effective than recycling it into biogas in cutting energy impacts. The research also highlights the importance of phosphorus conservation as a key benefit of reducing food waste.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 12, 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.

Researchers work on lowering greenhouse gas emissions from poultry houses

A research team led by Hong Li at the University of Delaware has found that adding alum to poultry litter can significantly reduce ammonia and greenhouse gas concentrations. This innovation helps control nutrient emissions, conserves energy, and improves animal welfare, making agriculture more sustainable.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJan 12, 2016

Colorectal cancer more likely to affect minorities at younger age

A recent US study found that minority and ethnic groups are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at younger ages than non-Hispanic whites. The study reveals that these groups have twice the risk of developing the disease before age 50, with advanced stages at diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalCancer Medicine·DateJan 12, 2016

New tool estimates looming risk of kidney failure in people with kidney disease

A new online calculator accurately estimates the risk of kidney failure in people with chronic kidney disease using common medical tests. The tool provides reassurance for most patients, who are not at serious risk of kidney failure, and helps high-risk patients prepare for dialysis or transplant.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJAMA·DateJan 12, 2016

Scientists discover why X chromosome lacks 'housekeeping genes'

A team of researchers led by Professor Laurence Hurst found that the X chromosome contains few 'housekeeping' genes due to a single active copy, limiting its expression. The study identified gene migration patterns between chromosomes and suggests that replacement genes should not be inserted into the X chromosome for gene therapy.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 12, 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.

Use small plates to lose weight

A recent study found that smaller plates can lead to a 30% reduction in food consumption on average, particularly when diners are self-serving their portions. The research also discovered that consumers who are unaware they are being monitored are more likely to benefit from the use of smaller plates.

SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJan 12, 2016

NASA's Terra satellite spots record-breaking Hurricane Pali

Hurricane Pali is a record-breaking storm that strengthened rapidly after being spotted by NASA's Terra satellite. The storm made landfall as the earliest hurricane on record in the central Pacific basin, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure of 979 millibars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 12, 2016

Cancer-killing proteins destroy tumor cells in bloodstream

Researchers at Cornell University have discovered potent cancer-killing proteins that can travel by white blood cells to kill tumors in the bloodstream of mice with metastatic prostate cancer. The therapy has shown several advantages, including no toxicity and good results with low dosages.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Controlled Release·DateJan 12, 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.

Abrupt excitation phenomenon in high-temperature plasma

Scientists have discovered a new phenomenon where fluctuations in high-temperature plasma grow abruptly, accompanied by large oscillation amplitude. The research provides insight into the mechanism of this phenomenon, known as subcritical instability, and its potential impact on nuclear fusion.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 12, 2016

Grazing towards sustainability

The Global Farm Platform conference presents research findings on sustainable livestock systems, showing that traditional measures of dairy cow performance are oversimplified. Knowledge exchange between farmers and researchers reveals that robust cows can be more economically viable due to their good health, fertility, and ability to t...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·DateJan 12, 2016

New geological evidence aids tsunami hazard assessments from Alaska to Hawaii

Scientists have discovered geological evidence of frequent large tsunamis in the Aleutian Islands, posing a new hazard to the Pacific basin. The study reveals that a creeping section of the Aleutian Subduction Zone fault could generate earthquakes great enough to trigger devastating tsunamis.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 12, 2016