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Science News Archive August 2016


Page 35 of 38

University of Leicester discovery sheds light on how vertebrates see

A new study by the University of Leicester has identified details in fossil vertebrate eyes that shed light on how vertebrates evolved their complex eyes. The research shows that ancient species of hagfish could see, while living counterparts are blind, revealing a 'reverse evolution' process.

Mapping the exotic matter inside neutron stars

A team of physicists has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the internal composition of neutron stars. They used thermal perturbation theory to determine the thermodynamic properties of dense quark matter under extreme conditions, shedding light on its potential presence inside these stars.

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.

Child's home address can help guide health care

A new study finds that a child's home address can identify families at risk of severe asthma due to socioeconomic hardships. The address is linked to zip code and census data to target resource allocation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

T cell revival through PD-1: Clues for cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at Emory Vaccine Center have identified molecular characteristics of T cells that expand after PD-1 inhibition, paving the way for rational design of combination therapies. The study reveals distinct co-stimulatory molecules and receptors on these revived T cells, which could be targets for drugs.

Low rate of Internet use by seniors for health purposes

A recent study published in JAMA found that only 25% of seniors in the US used digital health technology between 2011 and 2014. The study also revealed socioeconomic disparities in digital health use, with older age, black and Latino ethnicity, divorce, and poor health associated with lower use.

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.

Rapid bacterial infection test reduces antibiotic use

Researchers developed a rapid 5-minute test to detect C-reactive protein, reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory infections. The study showed significant reductions in antibiotic use among adults and children with viral infections.

Penn Alzheimer's Disease Center to receive $8.8 million in NIH funding

The University of Pennsylvania's Alzheimer's Disease Core Center has been awarded $8.8 million over five years from the National Institute on Aging to investigate Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The center will focus on recruiting, studying subjects with early-stage AD, and expanding its bioinformatics infrastructure.

Patented bioelectrodes have electrifying taste for waste

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed bioelectrodes that can generate electricity by harnessing the power of Geobacter bacteria. The biofilms are composed of cells loaded with cytochromes and pili, which work together to transmit electrons across the biofilm and to the underlying electrode.

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.

Drug does not improve outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure

A study published in JAMA found that liraglutide did not improve post-hospitalization clinical stability in patients with advanced heart failure. The drug was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 154 patients, but showed no significant effect on primary end points such as death and rehospitalizations.

Clinical usefulness of bone turnover marker concentrations in osteoporosis

A new review published by the IFCC-IOF Working Group for Standardisation of Bone Marker Assays supports the potential for bone turnover markers to provide clinically useful information. The study highlights the importance of standardization and harmonization of units for reporting serum/plasma CTX and PINP concentrations.

Bridging the gap between the quantum and classical worlds

Researchers from OIST Graduate University have developed a classical model to describe the phenomenon of strong coupling, challenging previous thoughts that it was a quantum effect. Strong coupling occurs when light and matter interact strongly, affecting both parties equally.

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.

Lower weight in late life may increase risk of Alzheimer's disease

A study found an association between lower body mass index and greater deposits of Alzheimer's-associated protein beta-amyloid in the brains of older individuals, particularly those carrying the APOE4 gene variant. This may indicate that being underweight late in life increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Adis launches new open access pharmacoeconomics journal

PharmacoEconomics - Open will provide readers with the latest on cost and health outcomes associated with drugs, devices, and healthcare interventions. The new journal aims to disseminate credible open access information to researchers, decision makers, and patients, maximizing the reach of their work.

Research reveals cancer pathway to spreading through the body

Cancer cells use oxygen gradients to navigate and spread through the body, according to a new study published in PNAS. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that cancer cells migrate from low-oxygen areas to higher oxygen concentrations, allowing them to reach blood vessels and metastasize.

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.

Tracking down the first chefs

Researchers analyze human bite marks on lamb bones to develop new method for identifying ancient meals. The study found that over half of the bones bore human bite marks, allowing for the differentiation between human and animal consumption.

Cardiac complications from energy drinks? Case report adds new evidence

A new case report suggests that energy drink consumption may lead to cardiac complications, including abnormal heart rhythms. The study highlights the potential risks of high caffeine content in energy drinks and encourages healthcare providers to ask about energy drink intake in patients with unexplained arrhythmias.

Do eco-friendly wines taste better?

A new UCLA study reveals eco-certified wine tastes better and is often cheaper than regular wine, with professional reviewers giving it higher ratings. The study found a larger effect for red wine, gaining an average of 5.6 extra points, while white wines also showed a positive impact.

Lack of pharmacy access sends some patients back to the hospital

A study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association found that rural patients are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital due to lack of pharmacy access. The average number of readmissions from rural areas was 15.3 percent, compared to 14.7 percent for urban counterparts.

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.

Proton pinball on the catalyst

Research by Stefano Fabris and colleagues reveals that moisture boosts the efficiency of a catalyst in fuel cells by creating a 'proton pinball game' that facilitates molecular transport. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient fuel cell designs.

IBS finds another aged problem of how naïve t cells decline with age

Research by Institute for Basic Science reveals that aging compromises the survival of naïve T cells by degrading the supportive environment within the lymph nodes. The study found that the production of a key protein responsible for attracting T cells to the lymph nodes declined with age, resulting in reduced effective immune response.

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.

How 5-star online customer reviews can backfire

Research by marketing experts found that excessive positive online customer reviews can lead to higher return rates and increased costs for retailers. This is particularly true for products with low prices or from new customers, as it raises expectations and may result in disappointment upon delivery.

Alaska research center moves science from bench to bedside

The Alaska Native and American Indian Peoples Health Disparities Research Center will address significant health gaps in these communities. It provides training, research opportunities and project funds to scientists working with indigenous people.

Researchers study impact of extreme weather events on striped bass

Researchers tracked 22 striped bass in response to severe storms in the Hudson River Estuary and New York Harbor. The study found that fish rapidly left the area, moving south along the coast, and some adopted new migration behaviors. This change may impact fish populations and breeding habits.

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.

UTSW study finds innate immunity connection to rare, fatal childhood disease

Researchers identified a key role for Vps33B in regulating innate immunity and found exaggerated inflammatory responses in cells lacking the protein. The study suggests potential new therapies for arthrogryposis-renal dysfunction-cholestasis (ARC) syndrome, which is associated with recurrent infections and sepsis.

Unlocking the secrets of creeping concrete

Researchers discovered that calcium-silicate-hydrates dissolve at high-stress regions and re-precipitate at low-stress regions, leading to 'creep' deformation. This finding could help develop mechanistic models for predicting creep behavior and identifying cementation agents with reduced sensitivity.

Scientists model the 'flicker' of gluons in subatomic smashups

Researchers developed a mathematical model to represent gluon distributions within protons, identifying fluctuations as essential for explaining experimental data. The model's results suggest that gluon fluctuations can help explain collective phenomena observed in proton-nucleus collisions.

Oregon research points to mechanisms on why 'green' helps in urban life

A pilot study by University of Oregon researchers found that urban parks have unique bacterial fingerprints reflecting vegetation types, while parking lots tend to be more similar. This study provides evidence for how differences in vegetation influence airborne microbial communities and offers promising new directions for exploring th...

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.

Think millennials are the 'hookup generation?' You're wrong, says FAU sex study

A new study conducted by researchers from Florida Atlantic University reveals that Millennials are not the 'hookup generation' as previously thought. The study found that Millennials born in the early 1990s were significantly more likely to report no sexual partners after age 18, compared to GenX'ers born in the late 1960s.

Echo templates aid mental mapping in bats

Researchers found that bats recognize locations by remembering unique echo signatures, allowing them to form cognitive maps of their environment. The study suggests that prominent landmarks play a key role in template-based place recognition.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

NASA sees Typhoon Nida make landfall

Typhoon Nida made landfall just north of Hong Kong, bringing maximum sustained winds of 74.8 mph, and a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale. The storm has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving northwest towards inland areas where it is expected to dissipate.

Tropical Storm Earl forms in Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Earl has formed in the Caribbean Sea, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1,001 millibars. The storm is forecast to move west over the next couple of days, affecting Honduras and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Population boom preceded early farming

Researchers analyzed carbon-dated artifacts at archaeological sites to conclude that a population boom and scarce food led to early farming in eastern North America around 5,000 years ago. This transition enabled large numbers of people to live in one place, ultimately setting the stage for civilization.

Hidden tooth infections may predispose people to heart disease

A Finnish study found that nearly 60% of patients with coronary artery disease also had dental root tip infections. The researchers discovered a strong link between the two conditions, suggesting that oral infections may contribute to heart disease risk. Root canal treatment may help reduce this risk.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NASA catches visible and infrared views of Tropical Storm Howard

Tropical Storm Howard is moving west through the Eastern Pacific Ocean with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph and higher gusts. NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters with visible and infrared imagery of the storm on August 1-2, capturing its bulk thunderstorms east of the center.

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.

Flexible wearable electronic skin patch offers new way to monitor alcohol levels

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a flexible wearable sensor that can accurately measure blood alcohol levels from sweat, providing real-time monitoring for doctors and police officers. The device, consisting of a temporary tattoo and portable electronic circuit board, can be worn on the skin and transmit data wirelessly to a ...

Glucose transporters blocked in bacterial meningitis

Scientists at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that glucose transporters are inhibited by E. coli K1 during meningitis, leaving insufficient fuel for immune cells to fight off infection. The study suggests modulation of PPAR-γ and GLUT-1 levels may boost the immune system to fight infection.