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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 24


Page 24 of 39

Study links gang membership and depression

A recent study found that gang membership is associated with increased levels of depression and suicidal thoughts among middle- and high-school students. The research, conducted by Michigan State University and Bowling Green State University, highlights the negative impact of gang involvement on mental health outcomes.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCriminal Justice and Behavior·DateApr 13, 2016

High rate of cancer recurrence found in certain hepatitis C patients

A new study found that patients with Hepatitis C virus who took direct-acting antiviral treatments had a 'high rate' of re-developing their illness, including liver cancer. The study suggests that these patients require close monitoring due to the high risk of recurrence.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 13, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Differing perspectives on antiviral treatment efficacy in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV

Studies presented at The International Liver Congress 2016 show differing perspectives on direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment efficacy in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV. While one study found lower SVR12 rates in co-infected patients, another study showed no statistically significant impact of HIV co-infection on DAAs.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 13, 2016

Maple syrup protects neurons and nurtures young minds

Researchers discovered that maple syrup, rich in polyphenols, can prevent the development of ALS in C. elegans worms by protecting neurons from toxic proteins. The study found that a combination of sugar and polyphenols may have a neuroprotective effect.

SourceUniversity of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateApr 13, 2016

Gene defect may point to solution for Alzheimer's

Researchers at the University of Bergen have found a link between a gene defect and Alzheimer's disease, identifying protein PITRM1 as a crucial factor in disease development. The study suggests that reduced levels of this protein may lead to increased amyloid deposition in the brain.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateApr 13, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Satellite images reveal dramatic tropical glacier retreat

Scientists have obtained high-resolution satellite images revealing the dramatic retreat of tropical glaciers in the Pacific, particularly in West Papua New Guinea. The Carstenz Glacier has almost completely disappeared, while the East North Wall Firn has split into smaller fragments.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalRemote Sensing·DateApr 13, 2016

UCLA research suggests that gut bacteria could help prevent cancer

A UCLA study found that anti-inflammatory gut bacteria can slow or stop the development of certain types of cancer. Researchers discovered that a specific bacterium, Lactobacillus johnsonii 456, reduced gene damage and inflammation in mice with cancer, leading to a lower risk of tumor formation.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016

Spreading seeds by human migration

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found that corn grown in home and community gardens in Southern California has higher genetic diversity than commercial seeds. This discovery highlights the importance of preserving genetic resources through diverse farming practices.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalEconomic Botany·DateApr 13, 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.

Study suggests link between obesity and kidney cancer

A study published by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center found a link between obesity and kidney cancer recurrence, with leptin receptors playing a key role in tumor formation. The research suggests that obesity may also impact prognosis for patients with renal cell carcinoma.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·DateApr 13, 2016

Affordable Care Act payment reform achieves early gains

Accountable care organizations that joined the Medicare Shared Savings Program achieved modest savings while maintaining or improving quality of patient care. Independent primary care groups participating in the program achieved significantly greater savings than hospital-integrated groups.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 13, 2016

Immunosuppressive medication effectively treats ocular graft-versus-host-disease

A clinical trial found that patients treated with tacrolimus experienced equal relief of ocular symptoms as those treated with methylprednisolone, with fewer negative serious side effects. The study suggests that tacrolimus is an effective therapeutic option for ocular GVHD without the known hypertensive effects of steroids.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalOphthalmology·DateApr 13, 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.

UA team revs up connected-vehicle technology

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a connected-vehicle technology that enables vehicles to communicate with each other and infrastructure in real-time. This technology has the potential to significantly change how traffic is managed and how drivers experience the road, aiming to reduce crashes and pollution.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateApr 13, 2016

New Medicare primary care improvement results: U-M expert available to comment

The Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative has shown modest improvements in patient experience, with costs and quality measures remaining largely unchanged. To truly improve care, efforts must extend beyond primary care and integrate it with specialty care and hospital care.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 13, 2016

Location data on two apps enough to identify someone, says study

A team of researchers has identified new privacy concerns by demonstrating that geotagged posts on just two social media apps are enough to link accounts held by the same person. The study found that individuals can be identified with a high degree of confidence by matching their movements across two data sets.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateApr 13, 2016

Vital nutrient has key role in keeping body clocks running on time

Researchers found that levels of magnesium rise and fall in a daily cycle, controlling the cells' internal clocks and impacting metabolism. This discovery may aid the development of chronotherapy and crop varieties with increased yields or adjustable harvesting seasons.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Why bearcats smell like buttered popcorn

A new study finds that binturongs release a popcorn-like aroma from their urine, containing the compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, to mark territories and attract mates. Researchers analyzed urine samples from 33 binturongs and identified 29 chemical compounds, with 2-AP being present in every sample.

SourceDuke University·DateApr 13, 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.

Helping asthma patients breathe easier

Dr. Harissios Vliagoftis has been appointed as the GSK-CIHR Chair in Airway Inflammation, focusing on protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) research to help patients with asthma breathe easier. His work aims to develop biomarkers and treatments that can minimize discomfort and side effects.

SourceUniversity of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry·DateApr 13, 2016

Hospitals could reduce healthcare burden of alcohol related harm by simple routine screening

A new study finds that universal screening for alcohol misuse among hospital admissions can identify patients at greatest risk and provide targeted treatment, reducing the healthcare burden of alcohol-related harm. The UK researchers screened over 53,000 admissions and found that simple screening is achievable and effective in targetin...

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 13, 2016

New asthma biomarkers discovered, could ease detection

Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified new asthma biomarkers in blood that can predict asthma with 91% accuracy. The discovery may lead to the development of a diagnostic blood test and more targeted treatments for asthma.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateApr 13, 2016

Testosterone therapy decreases hospital readmissions in older men with low testosterone

A large-scale population-based study found that older men using testosterone therapy had lower rates of hospital readmissions compared to non-users. The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, analyzed data from over 6,000 men and showed a 9.8% rate of 30-day hospital readmissions among testosterone users versus 13% for non-users.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateApr 13, 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.

Innovative Exeter research pioneers nanotechnology for gas sensing

A team of scientists at the University of Exeter has created a new type of device that emits light in the infrared spectrum, enabling efficient gas sensing. The innovative device uses a sandwich of 2D materials and can operate for over 1000 hours in air, paving the way for practical applications.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 13, 2016

Thick-skinned bed bugs beat commonly used bug sprays

New research reveals bed bugs have developed thicker cuticles to resist insecticides, making control efforts more challenging. Understanding this resistance mechanism could lead to the development of new strategies for effective bed bug control.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016

Powerful mass spectrometer opens new vistas for scientists

A powerful new mass spectrometer has been made available to scientists worldwide to study molecular processes in the environment, biology and energy. The 21 Tesla Ultra-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer can distinguish between molecules that differ by almost unimaginably small nuances.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 13, 2016

Sugary drinks tax would offer big benefits

A new study shows a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks could reduce annual health expenditure by up to $29 million. The tax would also result in an estimated 800 fewer new Type 2 diabetes cases each year.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 13, 2016
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.

Discovered a protein that spreads cancer

A team of researchers has identified a protein called PITPNC1 that characterizes aggressive cancer cells. This protein enables cancer cells to spread through the blood vessels by penetrating tissue, allowing for earlier detection and potentially more effective treatments.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalCancer Cell·DateApr 13, 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.

Device allows paralyzed man to swipe credit card, perform other movements

A device called NeuroLife has enabled a paralyzed man to perform complex movements such as swiping a credit card and playing a guitar video game with his fingers and hand. The technology, developed by Battelle and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, interprets brain signals and bypasses the spinal cord to stimulate muscles.

SourceMediaSource·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Mysterious 'four-dimensional' iron oxide explained

Researchers describe the complex structure and proposed explanation for the unusual properties of Fe4O5, a recently discovered iron oxide that exhibits a four-dimensional crystal structure. The material shows similarities to magnetite but lacks ferroelectric properties, sparking interest in its potential practical applications.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 13, 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.

Only half of advanced rectal cancer patients receiving standard therapy

A new study found that only 50% of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer in the US receive the recommended standard therapy, which has increased over the past decade. Socioeconomic factors such as facility volume, race/ethnicity, insurance status, and education level are associated with a lower chance of receiving this treatment.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalCancer·DateApr 13, 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.

Iowa State physicist analyzes first electron neutrino data from NOvA Experiment

The NOvA Experiment has successfully detected the first electron neutrino data, confirming its design and providing valuable insights into fundamental neutrino properties. The discovery, led by Iowa State physicist Mayly Sanchez, marks a major milestone in the experiment's mission to understand neutrino behavior and oscillations.

SourceIowa State University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 13, 2016

Are humans the new supercomputer?

A recent study by Jacob Sherson and his team at Aarhus University found that humans excel in approaching problems heuristically and solving them intuitively, a skill computers struggle with. The research used an online game called Quantum Moves to analyze player solutions and identified common features in human intuition.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

UK Biobank launches world's biggest body scanning project

The £43m study will create the biggest collection of scans of internal organs, transforming the way scientists study diseases like dementia, arthritis, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. This will give new perspectives on preventing and treating multi-faceted conditions.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·DateApr 13, 2016
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Bees diversify diet to take the sting out of nutritional deficiencies

New research reveals honey bee colonies adapt their diet to counter nutritional deficiencies, prioritizing diets that complement specific amino acid deficiencies. This ability allows bees to maintain a balanced nutrition level when alternative floral resources are scarce.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 13, 2016

Seeing e-cigarettes in shops may influence their use by teenagers

Adolescents who recall seeing e-cigarettes in shops are more likely to have tried them and intend to try them in the future. The study, which involved 3,808 Scottish adolescents, found a strong association between recall of e-cigarette displays at point of sale and use of e-cigarettes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Public Health·DateApr 13, 2016

Most online liquid nicotine vendors fail to prevent sales to minors

A study by UCI and UNC found that only four of 120 online vendors validated minors' ages, while 15 marketed directly to youth. The researchers concluded that comprehensive regulation and enforcement are needed to prevent online sales to minors.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNicotine & Tobacco Research·DateApr 13, 2016

Robots could get 'touchy' with self-powered smart skin

Scientists developed a simpler and less costly smart skin that boosts sensitivity without increasing costs, enabling robots to feel and sense their environment. The skin harnesses mechanical energy and turns it into an electric current, eliminating the need for external power sources.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 13, 2016

Some drug addicts more likely to relapse than others: Study

Researchers found that individuals who inject drugs are more likely to relapse during treatment, while those starting opioid abuse at an older age have a lower risk. The study suggests tailoring treatment to each patient's needs and targeting aggressive therapies for high-risk patients.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalSubstance Abuse Research and Treatment·DateApr 13, 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.

Rising CO2 levels reduce protein in crucial pollen source for bees

A Purdue University study found that rising carbon dioxide levels have reduced protein in goldenrod pollen, a key food source for North American bees. This decline may threaten bee health and survival, particularly during the winter months when bees must store substantial amounts of pollen to overwinter.

SourcePurdue University·DateApr 13, 2016

Electrons slide through the hourglass on surface of bizarre material

A team of researchers at Princeton University has predicted the existence of a new state of matter where current flows through surface channels resembling an hourglass. The hourglass fermion is created by tuning a property of the material, allowing for efficient transistor switching and potential applications.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2016

Complex ideas can enter consciousness automatically, SF State study shows

A new study led by San Francisco State University researcher Ezequiel Morsella demonstrates that complex mental manipulations can occur involuntarily, even with training to suppress them. The findings support the passive frame theory, suggesting consciousness is a conduit for information rather than an active creator.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalActa Psychologica·DateApr 13, 2016