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Science News Archive April 2016


Page 39 of 39

New test can predict death in patients with serious liver disease

Researchers have found that CD163 can predict mortality in blood samples from patients with acute on chronic liver failure, a condition with a high four-week mortality rate of 20-30%. Measuring this biomarker may lead to improved diagnostics and treatment towards macrophages via CD163.

UH pharmacology student to present research on Fragile X April 3

Luis Martinez, a PhD candidate at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, has made significant breakthroughs in understanding Fragile X Syndrome. His research suggests that pharmacologically inhibiting Rac1 can rescue cognitive deficits and improve learning and memory skills in FXS models.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Global study finds neighborhood design helps put best foot forward for health

A global study found that people living in densely populated and walkable neighborhoods with interconnected streets got up to 90 minutes of physical activity weekly. Four environmental attributes stood out as having the most impact on physical activity: net residential density, intersection density, number of parks and public transit d...

Ruthenium nanoframes open the doors to better catalysts

A team of chemists has developed a new method to make metal nanoframe catalysts, which could lead to improved hydrogen fuel production and reduced usage of precious materials. The breakthrough involves creating ruthenium nanocrystals with a unique crystal structure, increasing their surface area and catalytic activity.

Massive deforestation found in Brazil's Cerrado

The study found that agricultural land has doubled within the Cerrado region, replacing native vegetation and altering the water cycle. Continued agricultural growth could reduce rainfall or delay critical rainy periods, threatening both natural vegetation and agricultural production.

Ancient DNA shows European wipe-out of early Americans

A recent study published in Science Advances found a striking absence of pre-Columbian genetic lineages in modern Indigenous Americans, suggesting extinction with the arrival of Europeans. The research reconstructed ancient DNA from 92 pre-Columbian mummies and skeletons, revealing a separation that appeared as early as 9000 years ago.

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.

Artificial molecules

Scientists at ETH Zurich and IBM Research have developed a new method to manufacture micro-objects with precisely defined magnetic, non-magnetic and differently charged areas. The technique enables the creation of small rods, tiny triangles and basic three-dimensional objects.

Is there a link between oral health and the rate of cognitive decline?

A systematic review of studies found associations between poor oral health and increased risk of cognitive decline, particularly among those with dementia. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential causal link between oral health and cognitive status.

Autism diagnosis taking too long, experts say

A study found that autism diagnoses are still being made at an average age of 4.5 years, with some children not diagnosed until 30 months old. Early intervention can improve social and communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.

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.

Confronting diseases in Africa

Chronic diseases like hypertension and heart disease are rising in Africa due to infectious disease spread, healthcare worker shortage, and lack of investment. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address the growing epidemic and promote health equity.

Engineered ovary implant restores fertility in mice

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a prosthetic ovary implant using 3D printing technology that restored fertility in mice. The bioprosthesis was made from gelatin and supported hormone-producing cells and immature egg cells, enabling oocyte growth and ovulation.

American Cancer Society awards new research and training grants

The American Cancer Society has awarded nearly $44 million in grants to 103 researchers across the US. New grants focus on immunotherapy, DNA repair pathways, and metastasis, while existing grants support programs for adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Engineered monomeric streptavidin

Researchers have engineered a novel variant of streptavidin that forms a stable monomer and binds biotin without crosslinking, allowing for efficient biotinylation of targets. The optimized monomeric streptavidin (mSA) can be fused to proteins to create a bi-functional molecule, enabling proximity-dependent biotinylation techniques.

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.

Professional burnout associated with physicians limiting practice

A Mayo Clinic study found a strong association between physician burnout and reducing clinical practice hours, particularly among primary care specialties. The research suggests that increased emotional exhaustion predicts physicians cutting back on work hours, exacerbating the existing US physician shortage.

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.

Invited review: Artisanal Mexican cheeses

Experts warn of disappearing artisanal Mexican cheese varieties due to lack of documentation and standardized production processes. Standardization and preservation efforts aim to protect these unique cheeses and secure protected designation of origin (PDO) status.

Study raises online golf tutorials to above par

A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that watching online tutorials with prior knowledge of the demonstrator's skill level can lead to improved performance. The researchers found that this approach enables students to better detect technical errors and imitate expert-level shots.

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.

X-rays reveal how a solar cell gets its silver stripes

Researchers used X-rays to observe exactly how silver electrical contacts form during manufacturing, shedding light on the complex process. The results show that lead oxide plays a key role in forming the contact, etching away the solar cell's antireflective coating and allowing silver to move through and harden.

Breakthrough in cybersecurity is no phish story

A University at Buffalo researcher has developed a comprehensive model to explain why people fall for spear phishing attacks, accounting for user vulnerabilities and behavior patterns. The model proposes a new approach to training and education, using individual profiles to identify specific weaknesses, and enables organizations to dev...

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

NASA's GPM satellite examines tornadic thunderstorms

The GPM core observatory satellite measured heavy rainfall rates of over 3.6 inches per hour in a powerful storm east of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The satellite also revealed the three-dimensional structure of precipitation in storms beneath it, showing storm tops reaching heights above 7.4 miles.

An overfed fetus may become an overweight adolescent

A new study found that higher levels of cord-blood leptin and adiponectin at birth were associated with greater fat in the child at ages 9 and 17. This suggests that fetal overnutrition may program greater adiposity in the child, extending into childhood and adolescence.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New cause of exceptional Greenland melt revealed

A new study found that exceptionally warm weather episodes, rather than radiant energy, cause significant melting of the Greenland ice sheet. The research revealed that climate models tend to underestimate the impact of these events, which are expected to occur more frequently in the future due to climate change.

Growing skin in the lab

Researchers successfully grew skin tissue with hair follicles and sebaceous glands in the laboratory using reprogrammed iPS cells. The tissues formed normal connections with surrounding nerves and muscle fibers, paving the way for potential functional skin transplants.

Light helps develop programmable materials

Researchers at Lund University have developed a method to control the movement of active particles using light, which can be used to create programmable materials. This technology has potential applications in environmental science, such as locating oil spills, and medicine, including delivering pharmaceutical substances.

Brain changes seen in veterans with PTSD after mindfulness training

A new study in veterans with PTSD finds that mindfulness training can enhance the ability to manage thoughts and emotions, leading to reduced symptoms. Brain scans reveal stronger connections between brain networks involved in attention and inner thoughts, suggesting a potential tool for emotional regulation and trauma processing.

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.

Chemical in antibacterial soap may disrupt mix of organisms in digestive tract

A new animal study finds that exposure to triclocarban, a common ingredient in antibacterial soap, can alter the composition of intestinal bacteria and other micro-organisms in offspring. The study suggests that this disruption may have unintended health consequences, including changes in obesity, diabetes, and asthma.

Low-cost and lightweight

Researchers at PNNL have developed a stronger titanium alloy using a novel nanostructure, with potential applications in lightweight vehicle parts. The alloy achieved a 10-15% increase in strength, making it suitable for high-strength-to-cost ratio and greater fuel economy.

Vaccine adjuvant protects against post-burn infection

Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) has shown protective effects in mice with burn injuries, stimulating G-CSF production to bolster immune cells' ability to fight bacteria. Increased neutrophil levels mediate this protection.

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.

Your viruses could reveal your travel history, and more

Researchers identify two distinct HSV-1 virus strains in an individual, revealing their European/North American and Asian origins. The discovery opens doors to tracing a person's life history using genetic fingerprinting of viral genomes.