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Science News Archive August 2016 - Page 4


Page 4 of 38

Anomalous grooves on Martian moon Phobos explained by impacts

Phobos' unique orbit and weak interior structure make it prone to tidal stresses that cause fracturing and linear grooves. Researchers found anomalous grooves are caused by impacts, with debris recaptured and falling back onto the surface in a linear chain.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 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.

Sabotaging bacteria propellers to stop infections

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered a way to disrupt bacterial flagella growth, which are crucial for infection spread. By modifying a key protein, they can trap flagella inside bacteria, preventing them from moving and infecting the body.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2016

Towards better treatment of cystitis

Scientists discovered the mechanism behind E. coli's ability to spread and cause cystitis by developing an artificial bladder model. The research found that the bacteria alter their form to become long and thin, improving their attachment to the bladder wall and evading immune response. This discovery offers hope for new treatment stra...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalmBio·DateAug 30, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Making pesticide droplets less bouncy could cut agricultural runoff

A team of MIT researchers developed a system that can drastically reduce pesticide droplet bounce rate by using two inexpensive additives. The new approach creates hydrophilic defects on leaf surfaces, sticking the droplets and increasing retention. This could cut agricultural runoff, improving soil and water pollution.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2016

Attitudes towards traffic safety worldwide

The study analyzed responses from 142 respondents in 36 countries to identify key findings on traffic safety cultures worldwide. The results revealed two approaches to traffic safety culture: an objective reality-based approach and a threat-elimination focus, with poorer countries emphasizing safety.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Psychology Journal·DateAug 30, 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.

Younger heart attack survivors may face premature heart disease death

Research reveals that patients under 50 who survive a heart attack are at almost twice the risk of dying from heart disease, largely attributed to smoking and other factors. Younger survivors have higher cardiovascular disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 30, 2016

Mitosis study finds potential cancer target

Researchers at Brown University have discovered a unique interaction among proteins that could be a target for new cancer therapy. Ki-67 and RepoMan bind to PP1 in an unusual way, forming a 'hairpin' shape on the surface of PP1.

SourceBrown University·DateAug 30, 2016

Standing up to childhood obesity by not sitting as much in school

A study published in American Journal of Public Health found that using stand-biased desks in classrooms for two consecutive years reduced the BMI percentile of children by 5.24%. The study, conducted over a two-year period, involved 193 third- and fourth-grade students at three Texas elementary schools.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 30, 2016

Smarter brains are blood-thirsty brains

A University of Adelaide-led project found that the human brain evolved to become more energetically costly and blood-thirsty, increasing in size by 600% while its metabolic activity grew. This increase is linked to the development of complex thinking and learning abilities.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 30, 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.

Transplantation with human placental stem cells improves diabetes complications in rats

Researchers found that transplantation of human placental stem cells into diabetic rats improved blood flow and reduced critical limb ischemia, a condition leading to diabetic foot and amputation. The study suggests that mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to treat diabetes-related complications.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateAug 30, 2016

Technique could assess historic changes to Antarctic sea ice and glaciers

A new technique pioneered by scientists at Plymouth University can unravel historic changes to Antarctic sea ice, as well as demonstrate past alterations to glaciers and ice shelves. The method builds on an existing technique that identified changes to Arctic sea ice, allowing for the recovery and analysis of IP25 lipids from sediments.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2016
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.

Experts urge rethink on health target

A University of East Anglia academic and experts argue that the premature mortality target sends a clear message that prioritizing younger groups over older ones is necessary. They propose redefining or abandoning this target to avoid ageism, saying it distracts from palliative care challenges for older people.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe BMJ·DateAug 30, 2016

Amputees' brains remember missing hands even years later

Research at Oxford University reveals that amputees' brains maintain an accurate picture of their missing hands decades after amputation. This finding has significant implications for the control of advanced prosthetics, as it suggests that the brain's representation of the hand remains intact despite the loss of sensory input.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·DateAug 30, 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.

Monkeys in zoos have human gut bacteria

A new study found that captive monkeys in zoos lose their native gut bacteria diversity and acquire a set similar to humans. The researchers suggest that a low-fiber Western diet may be the cause, as it led to a loss of microbial diversity in both captive and semi-captive populations.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 30, 2016

A rare small specimen discovered from the age of flying giants

A rare small-bodied pterosaur, a flying reptile from the Late Cretaceous period, has been discovered in British Columbia, Canada. The specimen is unusual as most pterosaurs from this time were much larger, but this new discovery provides crucial information about the diversity and success of Late Cretaceous pterosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateAug 30, 2016

IU study: 'Morning people' self-sabotage less at night, night owls' less at sunrise

A study by Indiana University researchers found that people are more likely to undermine their performance at stressful tasks when they're operating at 'peak capacity' based on their preferred time of the day. This behavior, known as self-handicapping, was more common among morning people in the morning and night owls in the evening.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateAug 30, 2016

Reconstructing the 6th century plague from a victim

Researchers have reconstructed the first high-quality genome of the Justinianic strain of Yersinia pestis, shedding light on the evolutionary history of the plague bacterium. The study provides new insights into the genetic diversity of the pathogen and its human impact.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateAug 30, 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.

Transplanted bone marrow-derived cells reduce recurrent miscarriage in mice

Researchers discovered that transplanted bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can contribute to better blood vessel growth, leading to reduced recurrent miscarriages. The study found that EPCs homed to the placenta and worked to normalize uterine blood vessel patterns, resulting in a reduced rate of miscarriage.

SourceCell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair·JournalCell Transplantation·DateAug 30, 2016

Researchers identify neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol use

The study identified 34 neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol consumption, showing improved accuracy compared to demographic information alone. The findings have significant clinical and public health implications, potentially helping prevent underage drinking.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 30, 2016

Defend or grow? These plants do both

Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a genetic combination that allows plants to both grow and defend themselves from insects and disease. This breakthrough has significant implications for farmers trying to increase crop yields and feed the world's growing population.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 30, 2016
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.

Penn: Blinding disease in canines and humans shares causative gene, pathology

Researchers at Penn University have found remarkable similarities between human Leber congenital amaurosis and canine blinding disease Senior Løken Syndrome. The diseases share the same causative gene, NPHP5, and display similar pathology. The study's findings offer promising results for developing therapies to treat these conditions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalHuman Molecular Genetics·DateAug 29, 2016

Radiologists detect breast cancer in 'blink of an eye'

A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital investigators shows that trained radiologists can identify abnormal mammograms at better than chance levels when shown images for only half a second. The researchers found that finer details of breast tissue texture help radiologists make the correct diagnosis more frequently.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2016

New study: A majority of older adults in jail have distressing health symptoms

A new study reports that two-thirds of older inmates experience at least one distressing health symptom, such as chronic disease or emotional suffering. The researchers suggest the need for comprehensive programs to assess, treat, and manage geriatric conditions to help older adults while incarcerated.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateAug 29, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Continuous roll-process technology for transferring and packaging flexible LSI

Researchers from KAIST and KIMM developed a technology to transfer and package flexible large-scale integrated circuits (LSI) on plastics using continuous roll-processing. The technology successfully demonstrated stable memory operations under severe bending conditions.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 29, 2016

How gay men navigate the corporate world

Research reveals gay men employ tactics like dressing down or toning down behavior to avoid negative consequences in the workplace. They also carefully choose when and how to disclose their sexuality, using strategies like language and body language manipulation to manage their identity.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 29, 2016

Amazon forests: Biodiversity can help mitigate climate risks

A study published in Nature Climate Change found that Amazon forests with greater plant diversity can better adapt to climate change, enabling substantial regrowth in vast areas after a few hundred years. However, high biodiversity is crucial for long-term survival and resilience, particularly under moderate climate change scenarios.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 29, 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.

Ancient dental plaque sheds new light on the diet of Mesolithic foragers in the Balkans

A study of ancient dental calculus from the Balkans has provided direct evidence that Mesolithic foragers consumed domesticated plants, including wheat and barley, as early as 6600 BC. The findings challenge the established view of Neolithization in Europe and suggest a possible independent introduction of domestic cereals to the region.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2016

Standing up for weight management

A study by the University of Pittsburgh found that using a sit-stand desk for half an hour can burn an additional 5.5 calories compared to sitting for the entire hour. Alternating between sitting and standing over an eight-hour day can result in up to 56.9 calories burned by men and 48.3 calories burned by women.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalOccupational Medicine·DateAug 29, 2016

Less than one-third of adults with depression receive treatment

A recent study found that only about a third of American adults with depression received treatment. Among those who did receive treatment, less than half were seen by a mental health specialist for severe psychological distress.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 29, 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.

Miracle fruit's flowering, fruiting behaviors revealed

Researchers studied miracle fruit's flowering behavior, revealing six distinct stages of flower development and pollination ecology. The study suggests the fruit is insect-pollinated and recommends further research on pollinator identification.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateAug 29, 2016

Osteopathic manipulative treatment improves outcomes for elderly pneumonia patients

An analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial found osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) reduced length of hospital stay and lowered in-hospital mortality rates for elderly pneumonia patients. OMT was associated with improved outcomes, particularly in the subgroup with the highest severity of illness.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateAug 29, 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.

Researchers unravel process for the formation of rainstorms

Using high-resolution cloud models, researchers uncover the processes taking place in the atmosphere, revealing a 'memory' state of organisation that leads to heavy rain. Collisions between clouds produce heavier rain, contradicting traditional global climate models where convective clouds are seen as independent.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 29, 2016

Special nerve cells cause goose bumps and nipple erection

A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that the sympathetic nervous system comprises different neurons regulating specific physiological functions. The research found that goose bumps and nipple erection are caused by specialized neurons controlling erectile muscles in these tissues.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 29, 2016
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.

Seymour and Vivian Milstein Award for Excellence in cytokine and interferon research

The International Cytokine and Interferon Society has awarded Carl Nathan, John O'Shea, and Jan Vilcek for their outstanding contributions to cytokine and interferon research, leading to clinical benefits for thousands of patients. The award recognizes achievements in basic or applied fields, highlighting the critical role of interfero...

SourceInternational Cytokine & Interferon Society·DateAug 29, 2016

Folic acid fortified food linked to decline in congenital heart defects

A Canadian study found folic acid fortified food reduced rates of congenital heart defects, with significant declines in conotruncal and coarctation of the aorta defects but no impact on chromosomally associated defects. The findings are applicable to the US population due to similar implementation timelines.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateAug 29, 2016
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.

Climate change has less impact on drought than previously expected

A new study reveals that water conservation by plants under high CO2 conditions compensates for much of the effect of warmer temperatures, retaining more water on land than predicted. This changes assumptions of climate change impacts on agriculture, water resources, wildfire risk, and plant growth.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 29, 2016

Vesicles that trap amyloid appear to also contribute to Alzheimer's

Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia have found that vesicles that trap amyloid contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Reducing exosome production may help reduce amyloid accumulation and slow disease progression. However, female mice did not reap similar benefits, suggesting potential gender-specific differences in the disease.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateAug 29, 2016