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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 19 of 38

Anemic adults may have a higher risk of death after stroke

Researchers found that anemia was present in about a quarter of patients with stroke upon admission, associated with a higher risk of death for up to one year following either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Elevated hemoglobin levels were also linked to poorer outcomes and a higher risk of death.

Researchers develop safer opioid painkiller from scratch

Researchers developed a novel opioid drug candidate by starting from scratch using computational techniques to explore over four trillion chemical interactions. The new compound, PZM21, blocked pain effectively like morphine but did not trigger deadly side effects, including breathing interference and addiction.

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.

For sensation-seekers, the color red can elicit rebelliousness, study finds

A new study by University of Illinois expert Ravi Mehta found that the color red can elicit noncompliant behavior, also known as a rebellious streak, in individuals who are high on the sensation-seeking scale. This effect is due to the arousal caused by exposure to the color red, which leads to reactance and increases noncompliance.

Study finds bias, disgust toward mixed-race couples

Research from University of Washington suggests that despite high levels of reported acceptance, bias against mixed-race couples persists in the US. The study found a strong negative correlation between bias and disgust, as well as activation in the insula brain region when viewing images of interracial couples.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Homelessness linked to poor antipsychotic medication adherence

A recent study by Simon Fraser University researcher Stefanie Rezansoff found that only 12% of homeless individuals are adherent to their antipsychotic medications. This lack of adherence is a significant risk factor for long-term homelessness, hospitalization, and other negative outcomes.

Study examines use of antipsychotics early in pregnancy, risk of birth defects

A study of 1.3 million pregnant women found that antipsychotic medication early in pregnancy was not associated with a meaningful increase in the risk of birth defects when other factors were considered. However, risperidone may have a potential safety signal due to its small increase in risk, requiring further research.

NASA sees sixth tropical cyclone form in Atlantic

Tropical Depression 6 formed in the far eastern North Atlantic Ocean on August 16, 2016, with NASA and NOAA satellites providing key data. The depression showed signs of organization, with strong rainfall bands and intense showers dropping rain at a rate of over 155 mm/h.

Researchers shed light on vascular growth factors in thyroid eye disease

New findings suggest that abnormal proliferation of blood vessels and rare lymphatic vessel formation contribute to the swelling and inflammation in thyroid eye disease. The study offers potential therapeutic options for treating the condition through targeted therapies and functional lymphatic vessel creation.

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.

Fresh outlook on the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide

A critical review article discusses the issues and prospects of photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide, highlighting the lack of a standard procedure as a major bottleneck. Recent advances in this field are also detailed, providing insights into the ongoing research.

New method for quantifying methane emissions from manure management

A new method to quantify methane emissions from livestock manure has been proposed, addressing the significant problem of measuring greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. The approach uses laboratory measurements and a simple model to calculate daily emissions and evaluate the effects of changes in management or treatment.

Precision medicine will benefit from animal models

Animal models can help researchers understand genetic and environmental factors contributing to human diseases, which could inform precision medicine approaches. The large amounts of data generated by these models can be used to develop more targeted therapies, improving treatment outcomes for patients.

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.

New insights into human genetic variation revealed: Nature paper

Researchers sequenced exomes of 60,706 individuals from diverse populations to identify 7.4 million genetic variants, providing unprecedented resolution into low-frequency protein-coding variants. The analysis found only nine pathogenic variants with strong disease associations.

Researchers watch catalysts at work

Physicists watched a silver catalyst at work using an atomic force microscope, calculating energy turnover and optimizing catalysis. The Ullmann reaction was observed at atomic resolution, revealing unusual spatial arrangements of intermediate products.

New study: Are voters influenced by campaign visits?

A new study finds that campaign visits have limited impact on voters, but consume significant resources. The study suggests that candidates should focus on other strategies, such as advertising and voter contact, to influence voters.

Study quantifies risk factors for preterm birth

A study published in the Maternal and Child Health Journal found that abnormalities in interval between pregnancies, body mass index prior to pregnancy, and weight gain during pregnancy may contribute to up to 25% of preterm births. Modifying these risk factors could significantly reduce premature birth rates worldwide.

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.

Reducing gas flares -- and pollution -- from oil production

Researchers developed a staged separation method that can reduce venting and flaring of natural gas from wells by up to 70 percent. The approach involves using high-pressure and low-pressure steps to separate gas, resulting in more sustainable oil production processes.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Unveiled: Earth's viral diversity

Researchers at the DOE JGI have discovered over 125,000 viral genomes infecting microbes, increasing the number of known microbial phyla by a factor of 16. The study provides a unique resource for viral sequence information and has implications for understanding global cycles and energy challenges.

New mechanism discovered for Alzheimer's risk gene

Researchers at Salk Institute identify a connection between ApoE4 and protein build-up associated with Alzheimer's, providing a possible biochemical explanation for extra ApoE4 causing the disease. They also found that ApoE4 keeps the enzyme HtrA1 from breaking down tau protein, responsible for tau tangles associated with Alzheimer's.

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.

Climate change alters the rules of sperm competition in the sea

A new study shows that climate change impacts seawater chemistry, reducing sperm performance in sea urchins and changing the rules of sperm competition. This could affect the outcome when rival males compete to fertilize eggs, impacting marine species survival.

Thin tropical clouds cool the climate

Researchers at Stockholm University and the University of Miami found that thin mid-level clouds in the tropics cool the climate by about 20 W m-2, significantly more than previously thought. This study aims to bridge gaps in knowledge about these challenging-to-study clouds.

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.

Antipsychotic medication poses little risk to developing fetus

Researchers studied a large population-based cohort and found no significant increased risk for congenital malformations or cardiac malformations among women who took antipsychotic medications during the first 90 days of pregnancy. However, risperidone showed a slightly increased risk, highlighting the need for further research.

Genetic influence in juvenile songbird babblings

A study by Hokkaido University researchers found that juvenile songbirds exhibit familial differences in their earliest vocal babblings, suggesting a possible genetic basis for these variations. The findings reveal that the variations are more pronounced among different families and persist even when deafened.

Acetaminophen does not aggravate children's asthma

A randomized trial led by Boston Children's Hospital found no difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen in treating pain and fever in children with mild persistent asthma. The study enrolled 300 children aged 1-5 years old and showed that both medications were effective in controlling asthma symptoms.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

TERRA, the RNAs that protect telomeres

Researchers have identified the precise point of origin for TERRA RNAs, which protect telomeres and maintain chromosomal stability. The discovery sheds light on the importance of TERRA in cell viability and telomere preservation.

Shining a light on damage within polymers

Researchers develop a simple, single-component fluorescence system that glows in response to microscopic damage, allowing for early detection. The method works for various materials and types of damage, including small cuts, and could reduce inspection costs.

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.

New standard helps ensure accurate clinical measurements of HER2 breast cancer gene

A new measurement standard, developed by NIST, has been used to evaluate the performance of next-generation DNA-sequencing technologies for evaluating gene variations associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The HER2 Standard Reference Material demonstrates its value in increasing confidence in reporting HER2 amplification f...

Survey shows broad support for national precision medicine study

A recent NIH survey found 79% of respondents willing to participate in the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program, a nationwide research effort aimed at personalizing healthcare based on individual differences. The program, which aims to engage 1 million participants, shows promise for improving disease prevention and treatment.

How we escaped from the Big Bang

Associate Professor Dr Joan Vaccaro's research resolves an anomaly in conventional physics by introducing 'T violation', forcing the universe and us into the future. This breakthrough reveals how time evolution and conservation laws emerged, allowing for aging and a flow of time.

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.

New ranger patrol method shows major improvements in detection

A new method developed by WCS, University of York, and Uganda Wildlife Authority improves ranger patrol allocation and targets specific conservation priorities. This resulted in a 250% increase in detections of illegal activities such as poaching and cattle encroachment without changing the number of rangers.

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.

A molecular alarm clock awakens resting ovules

Researchers found that fruit fly ovules use a molecular 'alarm clock' to track time and turn genes back on when ready for ovulation. This mechanism is critical for female fertility, as defects can lead to infertility.

UA phononics pioneer probes the untapped powers of sound

Researchers at the University of Arizona are pioneering phononics, the science of sound, with potential repercussions in fields like energy, biomedicine, and computing. The team, led by Pierre Deymier, is using unconventional materials to manipulate sound waves in new ways.

US social media strategy can weaken ISIS influence on Twitter

A new RAND Corporation study reveals that opponents of ISIS outnumber supporters 6 to 1 on Twitter. Despite this, ISIS supporters are more active online, producing 50% more tweets than opponents on a typical day. The study suggests that U.S. officials should support opponents of ISIS on Twitter with social media trainings and engagements.

UNIST students honored with 2016 Global Ph.D. Fellowship

Recent UNIST graduate, JongCheol Pyo, has been awarded a 2016 Global Ph.D. Fellowship for his innovative research on preventing severe algal blooms in water systems. His work focuses on using hyperspectral image data to detect and predict harmful algal blooms.

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.