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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 3 of 38

UAB biomarker outperforms current gold standard to detect brain shunt infections

Researchers at UAB found that the biomarker detected 14 of 15 bacterial infections in cerebrospinal fluid, outperforming the current diagnostic gold standard. The test showed excellent diagnostic capability with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 86%. This breakthrough could improve patient care and reduce healthcare expenses by d...

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.

Five Brookhaven Lab projects selected as R&D 100 award finalists

The five finalist projects at Brookhaven National Laboratory are the MoSoy Catalyst for producing hydrogen, Nanostructured Anti-reflecting and Water-repellent Surface Coatings for self-cleaning materials, Hard X-ray Scanning Microscope with Multilayer Laue Lens Nanofocusing Optics for high-resolution imaging, Flex Plate for protein cry...

First randomized trial compares stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation

A first-of-its-kind randomized trial comparing two stenting techniques for coronary bifurcation lesions has found that culotte stenting is associated with lower rates of restenosis and revascularization. Culotte stenting demonstrated a statistically significant advantage over TAP stenting in terms of clinical outcomes.

Cannabinoid receptor activates spermatozoa

A team of biologists has identified a cannabinoid receptor, GPR18, in spermatozoa that plays a crucial role in the acrosome reaction and fertilization process. The receptor is sensitive to NAGly and THC, and its activation triggers the acrosome reaction.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vegetation matters

A new study by UCSB researchers indicates that shifts in vegetation type resulting from warming and other factors may have an equal or greater effect on stream flows in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Vegetation change can lead to changes in water availability for urban, agricultural, and environmental needs.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Fertigation strategies improve production of Hippeastrum

Researchers found that a nitrate-based fertigation strategy in semiclosed soilless systems improves water use efficiency and limits nutrient loss. The study showed that this approach can prolong nutrient solution recirculation without detrimental effects on plant growth.

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.

Gold from old phones is real prospect thanks to chemical advance

A simple chemical method has been developed to extract gold from old mobile phones, potentially recovering up to 300 tonnes of gold per year. The new process uses a mild acid and an oily liquid containing a specific compound to selectively extract gold from other metals, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals.

Youth crimes spike immediately after drinking age

A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that releasing youth from drinking-age restrictions is associated with a 7.6% increase in commission of any crime among males and a 10.4% increase among females. Violent crimes increased by 7.4% for males and 14.9% for females, while nuisance crimes also saw significant rises.

New iPad game could help diagnose autism in children

Researchers have developed an iPad game that can help identify autism in children by tracking their hand movements, providing a potential breakthrough for early diagnosis. The study found that movement patterns are a key differentiator in gameplay data, highlighting the importance of motor skills in autism.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Dog brains process both what we say and how we say it

A study found that dogs use left and right hemispheres to process words and intonation, integrating information to arrive at a unified meaning. Dogs also activate their reward center when they hear praise in praising intonation, suggesting they can combine word and tone for correct interpretation.

Less efficacy than expected in largest drug-eluting stent trial

The Norwegian Coronary Stent Trial found that new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) do not outlive or improve outcomes for patients compared to traditional bare metal stents (BMS). Despite the recommendation of DES over BMS in guidelines, the study suggests that both stent types may be suitable alternatives.

UTA faculty and alumnus celebrated as 'Tech Titans' in 2016 awards

Three UTA faculty members received prestigious Tech Titans Awards for their innovative work in technology fields. Drs. Purnendu Dasgupta, Kevin Schug, and Laura Mydlarz were recognized for their leadership of the Achieving Success in Science through Undergraduate Research and Engagement (ASSURE) program.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Retinoic acid suppresses colorectal cancer development, Stanford study finds

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that retinoic acid levels play a critical role in suppressing colorectal cancer. Higher levels of the metabolite were found in mice and human tissues with less severe intestinal inflammation, suggesting new ways to prevent or treat colorectal cancer.

WSU researcher finds mechanism affecting alcohol consumption

A Washington State University researcher has identified a mechanism in the cerebellum of the brain that influences an animal's likelihood of heavy drinking. This discovery offers a potential new target for drug therapies aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption, particularly among problem drinkers.

Devotion to rearing chicks can come at a cost for migratory birds

Researchers found that Manx shearwaters suffered decreased breeding success when they had to spend more time rearing chicks, leading to delayed migration and reduced resting time. This study provides insights into the consequences of carry-over effects on migratory birds' annual cycles.

Peers, public perception influence firefighters against safety equipment

A study found that firefighters shun safety equipment due to peer pressure and the romanticized notion of their profession. Researchers surveyed 123 firefighters across the US, discovering that younger firefighters often resist wearing personal protective gear due to traditional firehouse values.

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.

A new animal model to understand metastasis in sarcomas

A new orthotopic animal model has been created to study metastasis in Ewing sarcoma, allowing researchers to replicate the primary tumor's growth environment. The model provides valuable insights into metastatic processes and may become a tool for analyzing metastatic potential in other sarcomas.

Study documents a lost century for forest elephants

A recent study confirms forest elephants as one of the world's slowest reproducing mammals, with females taking up to 23 years to breed and giving birth only once every five to six years. This low birth rate means that forest elephant populations will take nearly a century to recover from poaching since 2002.

More tomatoes, faster: Accelerating tomato engineering

Researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute developed a new method for transforming tomatoes by adding plant hormone auxin to the medium, reducing the time required from 17 weeks to just 11 weeks. This breakthrough enables scientists to speed up the breeding of more productive crops, ultimately improving food security and sustainability.

The rise and fall of galaxy formation

A team of astronomers charted the rise and fall of galaxies over 90 percent of cosmic history using the FourStar Galaxy Evolution Survey. They discovered young galaxies that existed as early as 12.5 billion years ago, with diverse structures and star formation patterns.

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.

Quest to find the 'missing physics' at play in landslides

University of Southern California researchers discovered the 'elastic-inertial régime', a transition zone between two regimes where friction increases with shear rate. This finding has significant implications for industries handling granular materials, which are often used in mining and pharmaceuticals.

Written 'report card' decreases dentists' antibiotic prescriptions

A randomized controlled trial of 795 UK dentists found that receiving a personalized report detailing past prescription rates reduced antibiotic prescriptions by 5.7%. Dentists who received additional written behavior change messages showed an even greater reduction in antibiotic prescribing rates.

Factors associated with improvement in survival following heart attack

A study of nearly 400,000 patients in England and Wales found that use of invasive coronary strategies significantly improved survival following a heart attack. These strategies, such as coronary angiography and stent placement, were associated with a 46% relative decrease in mortality.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

UGA researchers discover a drug for a tropical disease

Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a new drug that can be administered orally to treat human African trypanosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The study's lead author hopes to accelerate development of new treatments for this complex disease.

Cancer: Molecularly shutting down cancer cachexia

Researchers have identified AMPK as the central enzyme in cancer cachexia, a condition that results in weight loss due to metabolic complications. A peptide was developed to selectively reactivate AMPK, which has been shown to prevent increased fat breakdown and promote 'healthy' adipose tissue.

Argonne theorists solve a long-standing fundamental problem

Scientists from Argonne National Laboratory have developed a way to reconcile two fundamentally different pictures of reality in statistical mechanics. The new approach provides a general and exact solution for the density of states, which is essential for understanding system behavior.

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.

Researchers discover machines can learn by simply observing

Researchers have discovered a way for machines to learn about natural or artificial systems by observing them, eliminating the need for prior knowledge. This breakthrough could lead to advances in technology, including predictive human behavior and algorithm development for detecting abnormalities.

LifeVest was born to help babies

LifeVest, developed to assist newborns breathe, won the competition based on market opportunity and competitive advantage. The technology uses NAVA signal to trigger ventilator breath assistance, greatly improving infant breathing.

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.

New species of pterosaur discovered in Patagonia

Scientists have discovered a new species of pterosaur from the Early Jurassic period in Patagonia, Argentina. The 'Allkauren koi' species boasts an intermediate state in brain evolution, shedding light on the origin and adaptation of flying reptiles.

Plastic crystals could improve fabrication of memory devices

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a novel ferroelectric plastic crystal that can control its electric polarization. The crystal's unique properties make it suitable for applications in non-volatile ferroelectric random-access memory devices.

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.

High seas fisheries management could recoup losses due to climate change

New research suggests that closing the high seas to fishing could increase fish catches in coastal waters by up to 10% and help reduce climate change impacts. This approach can benefit tropical countries with high dependence on fisheries for food and livelihood, particularly those affected by rising carbon dioxide levels.

Researchers identify multidrug-resistant E. coli bacteria from New Jersey patient

Researchers have identified a strain of E. coli bacteria from a New Jersey patient with a complicated urinary tract infection that harbored resistance to both carbapenem antibiotics and colistin. The study highlights the need for active surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Increased complications after 2011 Ohio abortion law

A study found that medication abortions in Ohio required more interventions, side effects, and higher costs after an outdated protocol was implemented. Women who had abortions post-law period were three times more likely to need additional interventions.

Planet Nine could spell doom for solar system

Research from the University of Warwick suggests that Planet Nine's existence could lead to the elimination of a giant planet and its ejection into interstellar space. The hypothetical planet's presence could cause a 'pinball' effect, hurling planets out of the solar system as the sun dies in around seven billion years.

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.

Psychopaths feel fear but see no danger

Researchers found that psychopaths can experience fear, but have trouble detecting threats automatically, and may even feel fear consciously. The study provides new insights into the neural processes underlying fear and psychopathy.

New research shows how songbirds island-hopped out of Australia

Researchers reconstructed songbird evolutionary history using DNA sequences and fossil records, revealing diversification in Australia about 33 million years ago. Songbirds first dispersed out of Australia through early Indonesian islands into Asia and subsequently the globe around 23 million years ago.

Global reach of Family Medicine and Community Health

This special issue highlights research on child health, maternal health, sedentary lifestyle, and healthcare systems in 22 countries. The studies investigate various topics such as the impact of globalization, cultural influences, and public health challenges.

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.