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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 35


Page 35 of 39
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Landscapers benefit from organic land care extension program

A new study assesses the impact of Rutgers University's Organic Land Care Certificate Program on landscaper attitudes and practices. Survey results show significant reductions in synthetic fertilizer use and pesticide application, with a focus on holistic landscape management.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateApr 5, 2016

Sugar shock: Insulin costs tripled in 10 years, study finds

The cost of insulin more than tripled from $231 to $736 per year between 2002 and 2013, while other diabetes drugs saw a decrease. The study suggests looking again at non-insulin therapies due to the high cost-effectiveness gap.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJAMA·DateApr 5, 2016

'Key' to recognizing and immunizing herpes/ common cold

Researchers at McMaster University have identified a critical step in the immune system's recognition of DNA viruses, which could lead to vaccinations for herpes, the common cold, and even cancer. The discovery involves an interaction between proteins S6K1 and STING that triggers antiviral responses.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Immunology·DateApr 4, 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.

North Atlantic played pivotal role in last great climate tipping point

A collaborative team of researchers has discovered that the North Atlantic Ocean played a pivotal role in the last great climate tipping point, leading to major expansions of carbon-rich southern-sourced deep waters into the northwestern Atlantic abyss. This finding provides new insights into the process driving these events, suggestin...

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 4, 2016

New laser to shine light on remote sensing

A revolutionary new laser developed by the University of Adelaide can operate over a large range in the infrared light spectrum, allowing for sensitive detection of greenhouse gases. The laser's tunability and affordability make it a promising tool for scanning gases with high sensitivity.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Letters·DateApr 4, 2016

New research investigates the benefits of walnuts on age-related health issues

The Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study found that daily walnut consumption reduces LDL cholesterol levels and has no adverse effects on body weight among older adults. This research suggests walnuts may benefit the nutritional well-being of aging adults, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health.

SourceEdelman Public Relations, Seattle·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 4, 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.

No improvements with losmapimod after heart attack

The largest losmapimod study failed to show improvements in cardiovascular death and events, but suggests potential benefits for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The drug's developer plans further studies to validate these findings.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJAMA·DateApr 4, 2016

Aging impacts therapeutic response of melanoma cells

Research shows that aged tumor cells in melanoma are more metastatic and resistant to treatment with targeted therapies due to changes in the microenvironment. Antioxidants, such as N-acetylcysteine, may be a better treatment strategy for older patients.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2016

Fast radio burst 'afterglow' was actually a flickering black hole

Astronomers discover that the 'afterglow' of a fast radio burst was actually a persistent radio source from a supermassive black hole. The discovery resolves the mystery of the black hole's behavior, which varies randomly due to scintillation and changes in matter consumption.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 4, 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.

Penn study suggests Yelp reviews can enhance government reports on hospital quality

A new Penn study suggests that Yelp reviews can provide a more comprehensive understanding of hospital quality by covering topics not found in government surveys. The analysis of 17,000 Yelp reviews revealed 12 additional categories covered in the Yelp reviews that are not covered by the HCAHPS survey.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 4, 2016

Twists and turns of life: Patterns of DNA supercoiling

Scientists from NCBS and NIH have elucidated the pattern of DNA supercoiling across the genome of E. coli, finding that it varies locally across genes. The study reveals that bacterial cells regulate gene expression by altering the structure of their genomes in response to environmental changes.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2016

New insight into interaction of volcanic ash with jet engines

Scientists developed a new method to understand how volcanic ash interacts with jet engines. The research found that volcanic ash may melt and stick more readily inside engines, leading to severe underestimates of thermal hazard.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2016

Small but not forgotten: New ideas on pollen's ecology and evolution

The American Journal of Botany Special Issue delves into the latest research on pollen performance, revealing its complex interactions with female tissues, pollinators, and other processes. The studies shed new light on pollen structure, function, and fitness, highlighting its crucial role in plant reproduction.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateApr 4, 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.

ECS publishes First Editors' Choice article

The Electrochemical Society (ECS) has published its first Editors' Choice article, detailing transformative findings in the dosage and spatial distribution of lithiation. The article uses a focused Li-ion beam to probe lithiation mechanism at the nanoscale, enabling precise dosage and control.

SourceThe Electrochemical Society·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateApr 4, 2016

Shifting sands on Mars

Researchers aim to learn about changes in Martian-like sand dunes' grain size, chemical composition, and shape. They seek evidence of microbial organisms in similar environments as Earth, which could provide clues about Mars' past habitability.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·DateApr 4, 2016

Endocrine Society unveils plans for open-access journal

The Endocrine Society is launching a new open-access journal, Journal of the Endocrine Society (JES), to rapidly publish cutting-edge science in endocrinology. The journal will cover topics such as diabetes, obesity, and hormone-related cancers.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 4, 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.

Researchers have developed successful new treatment against the deadly Junin virus

Researchers have successfully developed a new treatment for the deadly Junin virus, providing complete protection against the disease. The laboratory-engineered antibody demonstrated effectiveness in guinea pigs and showed promise as a therapeutic solution for patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 2016

Rate, rhythm control equally effective in post-operative atrial fibrillation

A new study finds that both rate control and rhythm control strategies are acceptable in stable patients following cardiac surgery. The two approaches performed equally well in preventing abnormal heart rhythms, with similar lengths of stay and AFib-free rates at 60 days.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 4, 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.

US prediction models for kidney injury following angioplasty hold up in Japan

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that US prediction models for kidney injury after angioplasty performed well in Japan, predicting acute kidney injury and dialysis with high accuracy. The models have potential for clinical decision-making worldwide.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 4, 2016

Surgery residency program directors believe flexible duty hours improve continuity of care

A survey of program directors found that flexible work hour schedules improve the continuity of patient care without compromising patient safety. Directors also believed that flexible duty hours would positively affect patient safety, continuity of care, quality of resident education, and resident well-being.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateApr 4, 2016

Alaska researchers improve their 'hearing' to detect volcanic eruptions

Researchers use refined techniques to detect and locate airwaves generated by volcanic explosions on seismic networks, providing an automated way to monitor volcanic eruptions. Ground-coupled airwaves can provide unambiguous evidence of eruptive activity and location of vents.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateApr 4, 2016

No benefit from addition of aliskiren to 'gold standard' ACE inhibitor

The ATMOSPHERE trial found aliskiren alone or in combination with enalapril had no significant benefit on mortality and hospitalization rates in patients with heart failure. However, adding aliskiren increased the risk of symptoms like low blood pressure and elevated potassium levels.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 4, 2016

African wars endanger world's largest gorilla subspecies

The Grauer's gorilla population has plummeted due to warfare, illegal hunting, and mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Conservation efforts recommend controlling militias, protecting reserves, and raising awareness about the crisis faced by wildlife.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·DateApr 4, 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.

Scientists push valleytronics 1 step closer to reality

Scientists with Berkeley Lab have demonstrated the ability to electrically generate and control valley electrons in a two-dimensional semiconductor, which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computing technologies. The breakthrough enables future computer chips to process more information with less power.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 4, 2016

Stirling collaborates to develop dementia activity toolkit

The University of Stirling has developed an innovative activity toolkit to support people living with dementia. The 'gardens' themed kit provides a group activity pack to prompt conversation and reminiscence, aiming to bring benefits such as constructive conversations, social connections, and engagement with personal histories.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·DateApr 4, 2016

Man's best friend is getting smaller

The study found that registration of small and medium breeds increased by 4.2% and 5.3% relative to large breeds over a 28-year period. Brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs, are increasingly popular due to their short, wide heads, which may be linked to changes in human lifestyle and living space.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalCanine Genetics and Epidemiology·DateApr 4, 2016

Society of Interventional Radiology bestows highest honors

The Society of Interventional Radiology presented its highest honor, the SIR Gold Medal, to Ernest J. Ferris, Ho-Young Song, and Robert L. Vogelzang for their innovative work in interventional radiology. The award recognizes distinguished service to SIR or to the discipline of interventional radiology.

SourceSociety of Interventional Radiology·DateApr 4, 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.

Consumers reveal obstacles to using nursing home quality ratings

A study found that few people are aware of the Nursing Home Compare website, which aims to help families find high-quality care facilities. The site's accuracy is also compromised by trust issues and limited information on costs and activities.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 4, 2016

Family plays important role in heart health throughout life

A new review highlights the importance of family-based approaches to promote heart health, focusing on caregivers, children, and family dynamics. Effective strategies include encouraging communication among family members and addressing environmental conditions that impact heart health.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 4, 2016

Recent evolutionary change allows a fruit fly to dine on a toxic fruit

A new species of fruit fly, Drosophila yakuba, has evolved to consume yeast growing on the toxic noni fruit. Genetic analysis revealed that this adaptation occurred around 30,000 years ago, providing a unique opportunity to study evolutionary changes and genetic adaptations in response to environmental pressures.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 4, 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.

NASA examines El Nino's impact on ocean's food source

Researchers map phytoplankton blooms using NASA satellite data, revealing El Nino's effect on the marine food web. Phytoplankton populations drop during El Nino events due to disrupted upwelling, impacting fisheries and fish populations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 4, 2016

Vitamin D improves heart function, study finds

A daily dose of vitamin D3 improves heart function in people with chronic heart failure, improving ejection fraction from 26% to 34%. The study, known as VINDICATE, involved over 160 patients and found that taking vitamin D3 regularly may lessen the need for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateApr 4, 2016

Potential of satellite remote sensing to monitor species diversity

A new study published in Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation explores the use of satellite remote sensing to monitor species diversity. The research highlights the advantages of SRS methods, including complete spatial coverages and repeated measures, which can help track changes in plant species diversity.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalRemote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation·DateApr 4, 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.

Electrical stimulation of deep brain structures to ease chronic pain

Researchers at UTA have discovered a new approach to alleviate chronic pain by stimulating the ventral tegmental area of the brain with wireless devices. This breakthrough reduces pain signals in the spinal cord and triggers the release of dopamine, which may help reduce emotional distress associated with long-term pain.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalExperimental Brain Research·DateApr 4, 2016

International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics April theme: Intimate partner violence

The International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics identifies key factors associated with intimate partner violence, including infertility/subfertility as a risk factor in low- and middle-income countries. The research contributes to efforts to establish ways to identify individuals at risk and develop successful interventions.

SourceElsevier·JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics·DateApr 4, 2016

Stem cell therapy improves outcomes in severe heart failure

A phase 2 clinical trial shows significant benefits from stem cell therapy in patients with class III and IV heart failure. After 12 months, patients receiving the treatment had a lower rate of deaths, cardiovascular hospitalizations, and clinic visits for sudden worsening of heart failure symptoms compared to those receiving a placebo.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 4, 2016

Western lifestyle spells the end of biodiversity

A recent study reveals that societies follow common development patterns, leading to overexploitation of natural resources and ecosystems. The Living Planet Index and Human Development Index show a stark contrast between Western countries' environmental degradation and developing countries' accelerating resource depletion. To avoid cat...

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Studies·DateApr 4, 2016

Device that detects congestion in the lung improves heart failure outcomes

A new device that monitors lung fluid accumulation reduces heart failure-related hospitalizations by over half and death rates by 39% compared to standard care. Patients who used the Edema Guard Monitor took medication earlier, preventing pulmonary congestion from reaching advanced stages.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of Cardiac Failure·DateApr 4, 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.

CU Denver study shows disaster plans often neglect historic preservation

A CU Denver study reveals that many communities fail to incorporate historic preservation into their disaster management plans, putting cultural resources at risk. The study identified numerous historic sites in hazardous areas, including those in Florida's National Register of Historic Places in a 100-year floodplain.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Planning Association·DateApr 4, 2016

New tool enables scientists to interpret 'dark matter' DNA

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have invented a new way to read and interpret the human genome, using machine learning technology to predict gene-enhancer interactions. The TargetFinder tool accurately predicts complex three-dimensional interactions up to 85% of the time, opening the door to treating genetic diseases.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateApr 4, 2016

Reasons reported by children, youth for being on the streets

A global review of 13,559 participants found that poverty was the most common reason reported by children and youth for being on the streets, followed by family conflict and abuse. The study highlights the urgent need for international collaborations to prevent street involvement and assist those already involved.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateApr 4, 2016
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.

Engaging patients and the public with health care evidence

The article recommends ways to manage value conflicts and promote patient engagement in clinical care, health care organizations, public health, regulation, and among payers. It proposes strategies such as advance community-based participatory research, facilitating patient and community involvement in learning health systems, and gath...

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHealth Affairs·DateApr 4, 2016

New device for heart failure patients fails to improve primary outcomes

A new implantable medical device intended to stimulate the vagus nerve in heart failure patients did not significantly reduce hospitalization or death rates. However, it showed improvements in walking endurance and quality-of-life measures, with significant gains in distance walked and quality of life scores.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateApr 4, 2016