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Science News Archive April 2016 - Page 39


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.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 1, 2016

BC scientists engineer immune cells to protect organs from transplant rejection

Researchers developed a gene therapy that programs T regulatory cells to protect transplanted tissues from rejection by the patient's immune system. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases and open up possibilities for building genes for any disease where the immune system is overactive.

SourceChild & Family Research Institute·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 1, 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.

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...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateApr 1, 2016

New toolkit can improve primary healthcare for people with developmental disabilities

A new evidence-based toolkit will help family health teams in Ontario provide more proactive care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The toolkit includes a four-step process to implement health checks, resources for clinicians and patients, and examples of how to embed the tools into Electronic Medical Records.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalIntellectual and Developmental Disabilities·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

Rise of the ridiculously resilient ridge: California drought patterns becoming more common

Recent decades have seen increased frequency of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns associated with California's precipitation and temperature extremes. The researchers found that the 'Ridiculously Resilient Ridge' pattern, which diverts winter storms northward, has become more common, leading to increased dry conditions.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateApr 1, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceSAGE·JournalHealth Education & Behavior·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 1, 2016
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.

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.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateApr 1, 2016

Obesity can be predicted as early as 6 months of age, says study

A new study predicts severe obesity can be identified at 6 months of age using a simple BMI measurement. Pediatricians are advised to measure BMI during infant well-child visits to identify high-risk children and provide targeted education on healthy lifestyles.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalMayo Clinic Proceedings·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2016

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...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalCommunication Research·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·DateApr 1, 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.

Call them spare tires or love handles -- belly fat is bad

A new meta-analysis reveals a clear correlation between higher BMI, waist circumference, and the risk of heart failure. Overweight individuals had a 35% increased risk of heart failure compared to normal weight individuals.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalCirculation·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceYork University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceLund University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 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.

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.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateApr 1, 2016

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalVirology·DateApr 1, 2016

For rechargeable batteries that crush the competition, crush this material

Scientists at NIST have made significant advances in creating safe and efficient solid-state rechargeable batteries. By modifying the chemical makeup of promising compounds, they increased their current-carrying capacity and enabled them to operate within a wider temperature range.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·DateApr 1, 2016