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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 1 of 38

Motivating eco-friendly behaviors depends on cultural values

Research published in Psychological Science found that cultural values shape environmental behavior. In individualistic countries, personal concerns drive eco-friendly actions, while in collectivistic societies, social norms are a stronger motivator. The study suggests that tailoring messages to local culture is crucial for promoting p...

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 31, 2016

Multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis study supports improved education of clinicians

A study by researchers at four US medical centers found that common conditions are frequently misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, leading patients to receive unnecessary treatment. The study identified five primary diagnoses that mimic MS symptoms, resulting in long-term misdiagnosis for some patients.

SourceUniversity of Vermont College of Medicine·JournalNeurology·DateAug 31, 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 use a single molecule to command stem cells to build new bone

Human pluripotent stem cells can be directed into functional osteoblasts by adding the molecule adenosine, enabling efficient regeneration of bone tissue. The breakthrough could lead to regenerative treatments for patients with critical bone defects and soldiers with traumatic bone injuries.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 31, 2016

Predictive tool vital to sustainable environmental futures

A new predictive tool has been developed to help governments make informed decisions on land use and management in developing countries. By combining human perception of the environment with land-use planning and socioeconomic data, the tool aims to provide a more realistic picture of future environmental changes.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEcology and Society·DateAug 31, 2016

Helping farmers improve air quality

Researchers have received a grant to study ways of reducing fertilizer use in high-temperature agricultural regions. By modifying fertilization and irrigation practices, nitrogen losses to the atmosphere can be reduced by 50 percent.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 31, 2016

Internet and mobile devices prompt positive lifestyle changes

Research reviewed 224 studies on Internet and mobile device interventions, finding improved diets, increased physical activity, and modest weight loss over 3-12 months. Programs with goal-setting, self-monitoring, and healthcare provider interactions were most effective.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 31, 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.

Want to hit your target? Good luck, short stuff

A study by Ohio State University researchers found that taller individuals have a natural advantage when it comes to spatial relations and judging the location of targets in their middle-distance vision. This ability is particularly important in situations with limited visual cues, such as darkness or obstacles.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 31, 2016

Insecure childhood can make dealing with stress harder

A study found that individuals with insecure childhood experiences had lower task performance under emotionally negative conditions and less brain activity in response to target letters. This suggests that inefficient emotional regulation strategies may lead to reduced cognitive resources for task completion.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateAug 31, 2016

Selenium status influence cancer risk

Researchers from Charité have found that high blood selenium levels are associated with a decreased risk of developing liver cancer. Selenium deficiency is identified as a major risk factor for liver cancer, with the third of the population having lowest selenium status facing a five- to ten-fold increased risk.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateAug 31, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Potential new treatment for cocaine addiction

Researchers at Cardiff University have discovered a new drug treatment that inhibits memories responsible for cocaine cravings, significantly accelerating the end of drug-seeking behavior. The therapy, currently used in cancer trials, targets the brain's limbic system and could potentially speed up clinical development.

SourceCardiff University·DateAug 31, 2016

Algorithms offer insight into cellular development

Researchers developed an algorithm to analyze single-cell sequencing data, revealing the genetic control of blood cell formation. The 'diffusion pseudotime' method orders cells on a virtual timeline, reconstructing developmental paths and gene expression sequences.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 31, 2016

Out of sync: How genetic variation can disrupt the heart's rhythm

Atrial fibrillation, a common irregular heartbeat, is linked to genetic variations in genes controlled by Tbx5 and Pitx2. The study offers insights into the mechanisms underlying heart arrhythmias, potentially leading to targeted treatments for patients with AF.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 31, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Concerns over glutathione skin bleaching in the UK

The use of glutathione for skin bleaching is on the rise in the UK despite potential risks and lack of regulation. The practice has been linked to serious side effects such as Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, as well as transmission of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 31, 2016

Bird bugs shed new light on malaria infection

Researchers found that bird habitat and parasite interactions significantly impact malaria infection risk, with co-infections occurring in 36% of infected birds. The study advances understanding of parasitic disease in both humans and wildlife.

SourceGriffith University·JournalJournal of Animal Ecology·DateAug 31, 2016

Satellites show Hurricane Madeline weakening upon approach to Hawaii

Satellites show Hurricane Madeline has weakened from a Category 4 storm to a Category 1 storm as it approaches Hawaii. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to the islands, with the potential for dangerous flash floods and mudslides.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 31, 2016

Walking a tightrope: Regulators balancing need for safety and flexibility in approvals for new medicines

The European Medicines Agency's approval process for biosimilars shows variability, but offers insights into implementation. Regulators must balance the need for safety with flexibility to support innovation in new therapies, including personalized treatments and products on the borderline between medicines and other sectors.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·DateAug 31, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Study shows combination drug therapy for asthma patients is safe

A combination of formoterol and budesonide found to be safe and effective in treating moderate to severe asthma, with a lower risk of exacerbations than single-therapy budesonide. The therapy showed no significant increase in serious adverse events, providing reassurance for healthcare providers.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateAug 31, 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.

Stanford seed grants push the boundaries of innovative energy research

The Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy has awarded $2.7 million to 15 faculty seed grant recipients for groundbreaking research on clean energy. Researchers will develop novel technologies, including battery management systems, perovskite solar cells, smart windows, and thermoelectric technologies.

SourceStanford University·DateAug 31, 2016

Novel method enables absolute quantification of mitochondrial metabolites

Scientists at Whitehead Institute developed a novel method to isolate and measure mitochondrial metabolite concentrations, providing greater resolution than traditional methods. The new approach offers improved speed and specificity, allowing for more accurate analysis of mitochondrial function in various disorders.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalCell·DateAug 31, 2016

New population data provide insight on aging, migration

The new data sheet explores population trends in Europe, highlighting the impact of aging, migration, and pension systems. Eastern European countries show the fastest rate of population aging, while standard indicators suggest a slower rate.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·DateAug 31, 2016

Widely used brain cancer cell line faces identity crisis

A widely used brain cancer cell line, U87MG, has been found to be of unknown origin and different from the original patient tumor. Researchers used forensic and mitochondrial DNA profiling to trace the cell line's origin, revealing a potential mix-up or cross-contamination.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 31, 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.

NASA's GPM examines Category Four Hurricane Lester

The Global Precipitation Measurement mission tracked Hurricane Lester as it continued through the Eastern Pacific Ocean, showing extremely heavy rainfall rates of over 7.1 inches per hour. The satellite also revealed a strong hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph and estimated minimum central pressure of 948 millibars.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 31, 2016

Genetic diversity of enzymes alters metabolic individuality

Research at Tohoku University reveals genetic variants affecting enzymatic activities in healthy individuals, suggesting that moderate and rare variants contribute to metabolic differences and disease susceptibility. The study identifies five associations between metabolites and gene variants, including four related to metabolic diseases.

SourceTohoku University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 31, 2016

Food puzzles enhance feline wellbeing

A review of existing empirical evidence suggests that food puzzles can improve cats' physical health by aiding weight loss, and their emotional wellbeing by reducing aggression and fear. By introducing food puzzles, owners can provide cats with stimulation and exercise, leading to a more balanced lifestyle.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·DateAug 31, 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.

What your choice of smartphone says about you

A study by Heather Shaw found that Android users are perceived as more honest and humble, but this was not reflected in reality. In contrast, women are twice as likely to own an iPhone, while iPhone users prioritize high-status phones.

SourceBritish Psychological Society·DateAug 31, 2016

A data-cleaning tool for building better prediction models

A new data-cleaning tool called ActiveClean analyzes a user's prediction model to identify mistakes and update the model as it works. By minimizing human error, ActiveClean improves model accuracy and reduces statistical biases, making it an essential tool for building better prediction models.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the VLDB Endowment·DateAug 31, 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.

Forensic DNA analysis checks the origin of cultured cells

A commonly used cell line, U87MG, was found to have a different DNA profile than the original tumour it was established from. Genetic analysis revealed that the cell line likely originated from a human glioma tumour, highlighting the need for proper identification of cultured cells.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 31, 2016

Discovery one-ups Tatooine, finds twin stars hosting three giant exoplanets

A team of Carnegie scientists has discovered three giant planets in a binary star system composed of stellar 'twins' that are also effectively siblings of our Sun. The findings may help explain the influence that giant planets like Jupiter have over a solar system's architecture.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalThe Astronomical Journal·DateAug 31, 2016

Weight loss following bariatric surgery sustained long-term

A study of 1,787 veterans found that those who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery lost an average of 21% of their baseline weight at 10 years after surgery. In comparison, nonsurgical matches experienced a smaller estimated weight loss of around 11-12%.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 31, 2016

CRISPR/Cas9 technology to inactivate cancer mutations

Researchers have developed a method to utilize CRISPR/Cas9 technology to diagnose and inactivate cancer mutations. The study found that over 80% of reported cancer mutations can be targeted with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, enabling the rapid separation of driver from passenger mutations.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateAug 31, 2016
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.

Habitat is a crucial factor in survivability of released tortoises

A study published in Journal of Applied Ecology found that juvenile desert tortoises released into habitat with vegetation, rocks, and animal burrows had lower mortality rates. The researchers also discovered that tortoises on rocky ground were less likely to disperse away from their release site.

SourceSan Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateAug 31, 2016

Purdue researchers discover signaling cascade that drives fatty tumors

A study by Purdue University researchers reveals that overactive Notch signaling can drive the formation of cancerous fatty tumors, while normal signaling is required for healthy cell differentiation. The findings suggest a potential new approach for treating a subtype of liposarcomas and other metabolic conditions.

SourcePurdue University·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateAug 31, 2016

NASA observes large eye of Hurricane Gaston

Hurricane Gaston has a large cloudless eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms, according to NASA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is moving northeast at 9 mph and may affect the Azores Islands later in the week.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 31, 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.

LJI researchers gain new understanding of how neutrophils latch onto vessel walls to protect from infection and clean up injured tissue

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered a novel mechanism by which neutrophil receptors latch onto vessel walls, dampening inflammation. Integrins assume an unorthodox shape that exposes the high affinity patch but maintains a bent conformation, preventing it from binding to ICAM-1 expressed on blood vessel cells.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 2016

Researchers peel back another layer of chemistry with 'tender' X-rays

Berkeley Lab scientists create direct method to study electrochemical double layer using 'tender' X-rays, revealing changes in electric potential and charge properties. This breakthrough advances materials design and development of improved electrochemical systems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 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.

WSU researchers see hyperbaric chamber easing drug withdrawal symptoms

Researchers at Washington State University have found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can relieve opioid withdrawal symptoms in mice, with a significant reduction in severe withdrawal signs. The study suggests implications for treating heroin addiction and could lead to new clinical evidence supporting FDA approval for the treatment.

SourceWashington State University·JournalBrain Research·DateAug 31, 2016

How did prehistoric humans occupy the Tibetan Plateau?

A recent study reconstructs the history of human migration to the Tibetan Plateau and discusses possible mechanisms involved. Humans first arrived in the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau from the adjacent Western Loess Plateau via the He-Huang Valley, spreading southwards over four stages.

SourceScience China Press·DateAug 31, 2016

IPHI report shows impact of cancer screening in California over past 15 years

A new report from UC Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement highlights areas where increased cancer screening and control efforts can save lives. Effective screening tests exist for several cancers, yet many Californians remain under-screened, leading to late-stage diagnoses and reduced treatment success.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·DateAug 31, 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.

Breast cancer mortality lower in women who breastfeed

A new study found that breastfeeding for longer than 6 months is associated with reduced breast cancer-specific and overall survival among women treated for breast cancer. The study, published in Breastfeeding Medicine, confirms the long-term maternal health benefits of breastfeeding.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalBreastfeeding Medicine·DateAug 31, 2016

Subatomic microscopy key to building new classes of materials

Designing new materials requires collaboration between theory, synthesis, and characterization. Researchers at Penn State used subatomic microscopy to study strain-induced ferroelectricity in a layered oxide, which could lead to new classes of materials with useful properties.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 31, 2016

Multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis supports improved education of clinicians

A recent study at Mayo Clinic and other academic medical centers identified common conditions mistaken for multiple sclerosis, revealing potential risks of misdiagnosis. The research highlights the need for better clinician education on using diagnostic criteria to avoid premature or incorrect MS diagnoses.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNeurology·DateAug 31, 2016