Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Science News Archive April 2016


Page 7 of 39

Study finds readability of dense breast notifications poor

A new study found that dense breast notifications are often poorly readable and understandable, creating uncertainty for women making decisions about supplemental screening. The study suggests that efforts should focus on enhancing the readability of these notifications to inform women accurately about their breast density status.

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.

Professor Philippe Dubois is awarded an FNR PEARL Chair

Professor Philippe Dubois has been awarded an FNR PEARL Chair to develop new sustainable composite materials from renewable resources. His goal is to replace fossil carbon with bio-composites, targeting applications in automotive and aerospace sectors.

Researcher finds teenage e-cigarette use 'clustered' in certain schools

A new study by Adam Lippert finds that e-cigarette use among teens is clustered in schools with high rates of use, suggesting a cultural factor at play. The research suggests that educators should consider perceptions of e-cigarettes as less harmful when implementing initiatives to curb teen vaping.

Statins and colorectal cancer

A large case-control study found that statin use is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, but the difference in risk between statin users and non-users was not significant. Increased serum cholesterol levels were also independently linked to decreased risk of colorectal cancer.

Newly discovered titanosaurian dinosaur from Argentina, Sarmientosaurus

Scientists have discovered a new species of titanosaurian dinosaur, Sarmientosaurus musacchioi, with a complete skull and partial neck fossil from Argentina. The study found that the brain was small relative to its body but showed greater sensory capabilities, including enhanced vision and hearing.

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.

Weighing the pros and cons of mental-health apps

Only 14 mental health apps were examined in a recent literature review, with little efficacy, safety or clinical outcome data found. A framework, ASPECTS, has been proposed to guide psychiatrists and patients in evaluating apps for clinical use.

Danish researchers behind vaccine breakthrough

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have created a general and user-friendly platform for developing effective vaccines. The technique mimics the structure of a virus, allowing it to trigger an immune response against diseases such as cancer, asthma, and allergies.

China pays price of western lifestyle with soaring childhood obesity

A 29-year study found nearly 28,000 children and adolescents were obese in 2014, with boys more likely than girls due to societal preference for sons. The traditional Chinese diet has shifted towards high-fat and low-fibre foods, coinciding with increasing incomes and reduced physical activity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Regenerating blood vessels gets $2.7 million grant

The University of Texas at Austin researchers have developed an injectable, regenerative gel that delivers proteoglycans and a growth factor to stimulate the growth of blood vessels and restore blood flow in the lower limbs. The treatment has shown promising results in mice with ischemia and diabetes, with 85% recovery of blood vessels.

Does frequent sex lead to better relationships? Depends on how you ask

Researchers found no correlation between self-reported relationship satisfaction and sexual frequency, but automatic behavioral responses revealed a positive link between the two. Studies showed that couples who had sex more frequently were more likely to associate their partners with positive attributes.

Breast density and outcomes of supplemental breast cancer screening

A study published in JAMA found that adding tomosynthesis to digital mammography significantly increased cancer detection rates and reduced recall rates for women with dense breasts. The findings suggest that supplemental breast cancer screening using tomosynthesis may improve outcomes for women with varying levels of breast density.

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.

Rational autologous cell sources for therapy of heart failure

Autologous cardiac cells, particularly atrial appendage-derived cells, show promise for gene and RNA therapies in heart failure. The review discusses financial and authority-based restrictions influencing research in this field, highlighting the potential of autologous tissues as cell therapy sources.

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.

Immuno-psychiatry: When your body makes its own angel dust

Researchers found structural brain damage in the hippocampus, a key memory region, that correlates with memory performance and disease severity in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. The autoimmune disorder can cause schizophrenia-like symptoms and long-term cognitive impairment if not treated promptly.

Yoga may have health benefits for people with asthma

A new Cochrane Review suggests that yoga may have a beneficial effect on symptoms and quality of life in people with asthma. However, the effects on lung function and medication use are uncertain. Researchers found some moderate quality evidence that yoga exercise reduces the impact of asthma on people's quality of life.

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.

MicroRNA pathway could lead to new avenues for leukemia treatment

Acute myeloid leukemia researchers have identified a microRNA pathway that could lead to new targets for treatment. The study found that miR-22 is down-regulated in AML, leading to the development of cancer-causing genes and pathways. This discovery offers hope for developing effective therapies against this deadly disease.

Scientists provide new insights into gene regulation

A team of researchers has solved the three-dimensional structure of a gene repression complex, known as the NuRD complex, which plays a role in cancer. The study provides unprecedented detail about the interaction between its components and may help develop strategies to reduce the activity of the complex and combat cancer.

The $60 billion question -- can we prevent norovirus?

Global norovirus experts identify key gaps in knowledge and provide information to further vaccine development. The most efficient approach is developing a vaccine for young children, with the greatest impact at the global level.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Hubble discovers moon orbiting the dwarf planet Makemake

Astronomers discover a small, dark moon orbiting Makemake, the second brightest icy dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt. The moon's diameter is estimated to be 100 miles across and its orbit completes around Makemake in 12 days or longer.

Play as a field for research

The PLAYTrack project aims to investigate how play supports children's learning and skills. The project will develop new methods to examine the impact of play on human development, collaboration with industry partners and institutions.

How breast cancer cells slide to metastasis

Researchers found that breast cancer cells spread by sliding around other cells blocking their escape route out of the original tumor. The study identified molecular pathways that regulate cell-sliding behavior and showed that increased levels of E-cadherin can diminish this behavior.

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.

Atomic magnets using hydrogen and graphene

Atomic magnets have been created in a layer of graphene using the absorption of hydrogen atoms. By manipulating these atoms, it is possible to produce magnetic graphene with atomic precision.

Type 2 diabetes people 'let down' over delayed treatment

A University of Leicester study found that people with Type 2 diabetes wait an average of 3.7 years for increased treatment, leading to a failure to achieve tight blood sugar control. Clinical inertia is being identified as the major contributor to this issue.

Proteomics method measures carbon uptake of marine microbes

A new proteomics method has been developed to measure the carbon uptake of specific marine bacterioplankton taxa, revealing metabolic patterns and taxonomic identification. The technique uses stable isotopic probing to analyze proteins from seawater samples, providing information on substrate incorporation and enzyme activity.

ERC Advanced Grant for Bochum IT security expert

Christof Paar, a Bochum IT security expert, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant to explore and prevent cryptographic hardware backdoors that pose a major threat to the Internet of Things. The project aims to develop countermeasures against hardware Trojans that can compromise device security.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Nutrient supplements can give antidepressants a boost

A meta-analysis of 40 clinical trials found that combining omega-3 fish oils with antidepressants had a statistically significant effect on improving mood. Other supplements like methylfolate, Vitamin D, and SAMe also showed promise as mood-enhancing therapies when taken with antidepressants.

TSRI scientists reveal secrets of a deadly virus family

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have solved the structure of a common virus's biological machinery, revealing important traits in Lassa virus. The research provides valuable insights into how to defend against its deadly cousin, Lassa fever, and may lead to the development of new treatments.

What's missing from current methods for genetic screening of sperm donors?

A new study shows that current carrier screening methods are insufficient and can give prospective mothers a false sense of security. Whole genome studies are needed to ensure both mates don't carry recessive mutations in the same gene(s). DNA-based screening can detect many more disease-causing genetic variations

NREL demonstrates light-driven process for enzymatic ammonia production

Scientists at NREL have developed a new process using light to reduce dinitrogen into ammonia, with rates of production similar to those of the ATP-dependent reaction. This method reduces energy requirements and emits no carbon dioxide, offering a more sustainable alternative to current industrial processes.

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.

Time spent working rotating night shift and risk of heart disease

A study of over 189,000 initially healthy women found that working rotating night shifts for 5 years or more was associated with a small increase in coronary heart disease risk. The researchers also discovered waning risk after cessation of shift work and decreased risk among those who quit earlier.

Measuring happiness on social media

A study published in PLOS One found that people's feelings of long-term happiness and satisfaction with their lives remained steady over time, unaffected by external events. The researchers grouped Twitter users into satisfied and dissatisfied groups, finding differences in language use, activity patterns, and psychological processes.

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.

One minus 1 does not always equal 0 in chemistry

Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that a mixture of mirror-image molecules can exhibit optical activity when crystallized in the solid state. This finding challenges a long-standing chemical principle and opens up new areas of materials research.

Penn team restores memory formation following sleep deprivation in mice

A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that sleep deprivation impairs protein production in the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory. By manipulating a gene involved in regulating protein synthesis, researchers were able to prevent these deficits and restore memory formation in mice.

Zika present in Americas longer than previously thought

New research confirms Zika virus was present in Haiti and possibly earlier, contradicting early theories on its spread in the Americas. The discovery sheds light on the virus's history and suggests a more complex spread than initially thought.

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.

New discovery may help engineers design quieter jet airplanes

University of Minnesota researchers develop a new approach to studying turbulence in jets, revealing new coherent modes associated with high-speed jet dynamics. This discovery helps explain why jet engines produce such loud noise and could lead to new approaches for reducing volume levels.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Could off-grid electricity systems accelerate energy access?

A new study finds that small-scale electricity systems bring some clear benefits, but service conditions vary widely, with unreliable and limited hours of service. Solar-powered systems lead to the greatest reduction in kerosene use and health benefits.

Missing links brewed in primordial puddles?

Scientists have produced proto-nucleotides resembling RNA's nucleobases through simple laboratory reactions, advancing understanding of life's origins. The discovery has implications for the probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe.

Designing better drugs

A team at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed a novel strategy for engineering protein fusions to improve in vivo efficacy and safety. The approach enabled the creation of cell-targeted drugs that reduce potential side effects and accelerate new drug development.