Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive 2016


Page 55 of 423

Rip in crust drives undersea volcanism, says study

A recent study suggests that a tear in the Earth's crust is the primary driver of undersea volcanic eruptions. The research team analyzed seismic data and underwater microphones from an eruption at the East Pacific Rise, finding that violent popping noises were triggered by the emergence of lava on the seafloor.

Human actions influence fire regimes in the Sierra Nevadas

Researchers found that large decadal-scale shifts in the Sierra Nevada fire regime were related to changes in human activity, rather than climate change. Human land use patterns heavily influenced the fire regime, with four distinct time periods identified.

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.

Survey finds patients with RA their doctors not always on the same page

A global survey found that patients with RA are often not involved in decision-making, despite doctors acknowledging the importance of patient engagement. The study highlights gaps in communication between healthcare providers and their patients, with few patients having shared treatment goals or feeling comfortable voicing concerns.

Zhao Dongyuan wins TWAS-Lenovo Prize

Zhao Dongyuan's work on mesoporous materials has led to the development of filters that can precisely manage chemical movement in water, improving water quality. His research also enables the delivery of medicine with pinpoint precision and the improvement of battery capacity and efficiency.

York U researchers find 'sweet' solution to kill E. coli in drinking water

York University researchers have discovered a novel approach to eliminate E. coli bacteria from contaminated water using paper strips laced with sugar. The 'DipTreat' solution has shown efficiency in removing nearly 90% of bacteria, offering a promising alternative to current silver nanoparticle-based systems.

Stronger gun laws tied to decreased firearm homicides

A narrative review of 34 studies found that stronger firearm laws, especially those with background checks and permit requirements, are associated with decreased firearm homicide rates. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of these laws.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cellular 'cannibalism' may be fundamental to development across evolution

A study led by NYU Langone researchers found that cellular 'cannibalism' is a common mechanism in embryonic development, where cells sacrifice unwanted contents to reproduce. This process may be vital for many cell types across evolution and has implications for understanding brain disorders and reproductive issues.

$4.1 million grant to help principals improve safety in schools

A new $4.1 million grant will study a training program specifically for principals to improve school safety. The Safe and Civil Schools Leadership program aims to help principals create and maintain safe learning environments by collecting data, creating behavior leadership teams, and implementing clear expectations.

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.

Atomic beltway could solve problems of cosmic gravity

Theoretical physicists suggest creating a ring of ultracold atoms to measure gravity at short distances, potentially clarifying the universe's accelerating expansion. This concept has practical applications in motion sensors and quantum computing.

Oxidative stress induces senescence in cultured RPE cell

Researchers induced oxidative stress in cultured RPE cells to explore the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Oxidative stress led to cell senescence and proliferation inhibition, highlighting its potential role in AMD progression. The study suggests antioxidants may be a new treatment approach for AMD intervention.

Study reports progress in preventing bleeding in atrial fibrillation

A new study found that combining rivaroxaban with single or dual anti-platelet therapy reduces clinically significant bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo stenting procedures. The treatment strategy also lowers risks of rehospitalization and death from all causes.

Teenage binge drinking can affect brain functions in future offspring

Repeated binge drinking during adolescence can alter gene expression in the brains of future generations, impacting neurological health. The study found 159 gene changes in offspring of binge-drinking mothers, 93 in offspring of binge-drinking fathers, and 244 in offspring of both parents.

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.

Attention, bosses: Why angry employees are bad for business

Research from the University of Arizona shows that anger can lead to impulsive and deviant behavior, while guilt promotes careful and deliberate processing. Angry employees are more likely to cheat and engage in unethical behavior, whereas guilty employees exhibit less deviance.

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.

Mathematical algorithms calculate social behavior

Researchers developed mathematical models to simulate and improve group behavior, demonstrating the feasibility of predicting and controlling crowd movements. The approach involves reducing interactions to a small number of effective ones, allowing for forecasts and interventions in groups with generalized patterns of behavior.

iPhone camera application may detect atrial fibrillation

A smartphone application called Cardiio Rhythm uses facial signals to detect subtle beat-to-beat variations in heart rate, correctly identifying over 92% of cases with atrial fibrillation. The technology's convenience makes it attractive for large-scale community screenings.

Buying experiences makes you more grateful, generous

Researchers found that people feel more gratitude for experiential purchases than material ones, leading to increased generosity. Experiences trigger fewer social comparisons, fostering a greater appreciation of one's own circumstances.

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.

Immune cells identified as the culprit linking hypertension and dementia

A recent study published in JCI Journals reveals that immune cells, specifically perivascular macrophages, play a crucial role in the development of dementia in individuals with hypertension. The research suggests that targeting these cells may be a potential approach for preventing cognitive decline in high blood pressure patients.

How lightning strikes can improve storm forecasts

University of Washington researchers have developed a method to transform lightning strikes into weather-relevant information, improving storm forecasts. The new method uses data from the WorldWide Lightning Location Network and has been tested on several cases, including a 2012 derecho thunderstorm system and a 2013 tornado.

Injectable biologic therapy dramatically reduces triglycerides

Researchers tested an injectable biologic drug therapy that inhibits Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) to lower triglyceride levels. The study showed a profound drop in triglyceride levels, with reductions of up to 73%, and dose-dependent reductions in cholesterol levels.

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.

Researchers report new thermoelectric material with high power factors

Scientists have created a new thermoelectric material that can convert waste heat into electricity at an unusually high rate, producing 22 watts per square centimeter. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy conservation and reduced CO2 emissions by harnessing abundant and free fuel sources.

International team decodes cellular death signals

A multidisciplinary international team of scientists solved the mystery of ferroptosis, a type of controlled cell death that uses iron to safely destroy and recycle malfunctioning cells. The study aims to develop potential therapies for conditions like radiation injury, cancer and radiation-induced cellular damage.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Inability to safely store fat increases risk of diabetes and heart disease

A large-scale genetic study found a strong link between the inability to safely store excess fat and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The study identified 53 regions of the genome associated with insulin resistance, highlighting the importance of peripheral fat tissue in energy storage.

New study ties West Nile virus to risk of shorter life span

A new study found that deaths from West Nile virus can occur years after patients appear to have recovered from the initial illness. The researchers analyzed 4,144 cases and attributed 554 deaths to WNV during a 10-year period, with 268 of those dying soon after recovery due to delayed mortality.

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.

Fetal movement proved to be essential for neuron development in rats

Researchers at Kazan University and INSERM discovered that spontaneous limb movements of newborn rats synchronize spinal neurons, hinting at similar movement patterns aiding human neuron development. The four-year study found activation of motor and sensor zones through sensory feedback during movements.

Footing the bill for a 'silent' sickness

A QUT study reveals foot disease affects 10% of hospital patients, with half hospitalized due to the condition. The study estimates $4.7 billion annual cost and fills nearly 5,000 hospital beds each night.

SLU geologists discover how a tectonic plate sank

Researchers found that a divergent plate boundary can be forced to converge, leading to the formation of a new subduction zone. The study suggests that buoyant but weak plate material at a divergent boundary can resist subduction, but eventually gives way to denser older material, creating a self-sustaining subduction zone.

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.

Inherited taste perceptions may explain why some people eat too much salt

A study found that individuals with a gene variant that enhances bitter taste perception were nearly twice as likely to consume excessive sodium. This genetic variation also influenced food choices, but not sugar or alcohol intake. The research may help people make better food choices tailored to their individual preferences.

Cardiovascular health linked to cellular aging

Researchers found that shorter leukocyte telomere length is associated with poorer cardiovascular health and reflects cardiovascular health more accurately in women and white people. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to measure telomere length and overall cardiovascular health in 5,194 subjects.

'Back to the Future' inspires solar nanotech-powered clothing

A UCF scientist has developed filaments that can harness and store sunlight, weaving them into textiles for a breakthrough in wearable technology. The innovation could revolutionize military and civilian applications, including powering smartphones and electric cars.

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.

Sugary drink sales drop nearly 20 percent after multi-faceted campaign

A community-led campaign that included policy changes, education efforts and culture-shifting initiatives reduced sugary drink sales by nearly 20 percent in Howard County, Maryland. The campaign, led by the Horizon Foundation and partners, also improved food choices and reduced obesity risk.

Low growth in global carbon emissions continues for third successive year

Global carbon emissions have shown almost no growth for three years, with a projected rise of only 0.2% in 2016. The slowdown is attributed to decreased coal use in China, which saw emissions decrease by 0.7% in 2015. However, the reduction is not enough to limit climate change below 2 degrees Celsius.

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.

Study finds large decrease in coronary heart disease in US

A recent study found that the incidence of coronary heart disease in the US declined by nearly 20% between 1983 and 2011. The decline was attributed to improvements in diabetes treatment and control, as well as changes in awareness and prevention efforts.

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 reveals role of spleen in prolonged anxiety after stress

Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that an abundance of white blood cells in the spleen can send messages to the brain leading to behavioral changes long after mice experience repeated stress. The study suggests that the immune system may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating mental health conditions.

Competitive males are a blessing and a curse, study reveals

A recent study from Queen Mary University of London found that sexually selected species can adapt faster to new environments, but only when population sizes are large. Competitive males pay a high price for their displays, increasing the risk of extinction when populations are small.

Personalized breast cancer program launches in Cambridge

The project aims to improve diagnosis and tailor treatment by analyzing the genome and expressed genes of tumour cells from 250 breast cancer patients. This personalized approach will help doctors choose the best treatment for individual patients, potentially increasing survival rates and reducing side effects.

Moderate alcohol intake may slow good cholesterol's decline

A study of 80,000 healthy adults found that moderate drinking was associated with slower declines in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels over time. Moderate drinkers had the slowest decline in HDL levels, with heavy drinking nearly eliminating this benefit.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Marijuana use may be linked to temporarily weakened heart muscle

Active marijuana use was linked to an increased risk of developing stress cardiomyopathy, a sudden weakening of the heart muscle reducing its ability to pump. Marijuana users were more likely to experience cardiac arrest and require implanted defibrillators compared to non-users.

Physically fit adults have lower statin-induced diabetes risk

Researchers found that patients with high cholesterol who take statins have a 20% increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. However, those in the fit and highly fit categories had significantly lower diabetes risk, with reductions of 22% and 42%, respectively.