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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 14 of 32

Natural kill cell technology to stop cancer gets licensed

A University of Central Florida researcher has developed a nanoparticle technology that increases natural killer cells 10,000-fold, paving the way for accelerated clinical trials. The therapy shows promise in treating acute myeloid leukemia and could lead to the creation of on-site cancer treatments.

This week from AGU 12/14/2016

New research on Mars suggests that finger-like rock structures could be evidence of ancient microbes, potentially harboring past life. Thousands of geese have died due to toxic waters in Montana's Berkeley Pit, highlighting the spread of heavy metals and acid into groundwater.

ERC grant: Getting nanoparticle catalysts into shape

Researchers aim to understand how particle shape influences catalytic activity and design more efficient catalysts for CO2 recycling reactions. The goal is to convert climate gas CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels.

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.

A better way for policymakers to win over constituents

A new study reveals that people favor policies that reward voluntary behavior and create advantages, while opposing those that punish obligatory behavior or create disadvantages. By understanding this 'matching effect,' policymakers can improve policy acceptance rates.

Longer use of pain relievers associated with hearing loss in women

A Brigham and Women's Hospital study found that using ibuprofen or acetaminophen for 6 years or more increases the risk of hearing loss in women. The research analyzed data from over 54,000 women and found a modest increase in risk, with approximately 5.5% of hearing loss potentially due to pain reliever use.

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.

Runners' brains may be more connected, research shows

Research reveals that endurance running alters brain structure and function in ways similar to complex tasks like playing a musical instrument. The study found greater functional connectivity in the brains of young adult cross country runners compared to sedentary individuals.

Scientists studying dolphins find Bay of Bengal a realm of evolutionary change

A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and American Museum of Natural History found two dolphin species in the Bay of Bengal are genetically distinct from those in other regions. The research suggests that the Bay's unique oceanic habitat is driving evolutionary changes, potentially leading to new species emergence.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Newly formed stars shoot out powerful whirlwinds

Researchers have observed powerful whirlwinds shooting out of the rotating disc of a newly formed star. The wind is thought to slow down the rotation, allowing the material to contract and form planets.

Vaccination increases family wealth, girls' education

A Washington State University study found that vaccinating cattle for East Coast fever increases household wealth and income, leading to more food and education. Fewer cattle deaths also enable families to send their daughters to secondary school.

Engineers develop a new noninvasive method to detect infections in prostheses

Researchers at UC San Diego developed a non-invasive method to detect infections in prostheses using an improved version of electrical capacitance tomography and a thin-film sensor that can detect changes in pH levels. The new method could provide quantitative diagnostic information about the extent and locations of infections.

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.

Skin cells 'crawl' together to heal wounds treated with unique hydrogel layer

A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has developed a proprietary peptide-hydrogel biomaterial that promotes skin cells to 'crawl' together, closing chronic, non-healing wounds caused by diabetes. The treatment closed wounds 200% faster than no treatment and 60% faster than existing collagen-based products.

The hidden side of sulfur

A research team at the University of Geneva has discovered that sulfur can act as an effective catalyst, transforming molecules with greater precision than hydrogen. This breakthrough enables chemists to exercise increased control over molecular transformations, paving the way for the creation of new materials and applications.

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.

Quake-detection app captured nearly 400 temblors worldwide

The MyShake app has recorded nearly 400 earthquakes globally since its launch in February, providing valuable data on seismic activity. The app's performance shows it can complement traditional seismic networks and serve as a stand-alone system in areas with few stations, helping reduce earthquake-related injuries and damage.

Bring your own (security) disaster

A new study reveals that most IT security managers prefer employees not to bring their own devices to work due to security concerns. The study highlights the risks of BYOD, including viruses, phishing, hacking attacks, identity theft, and corporate espionage.

OpenNotes reporting tool engages patients as safety partners

A new study from OpenNotes investigators finds that offering patients a mechanism to provide feedback about their notes enhances engagement and improves patient safety. The majority of patients reported understanding the content of their notes and providing valuable feedback, which led to changes in the record or care in 57% of cases.

Scientists measure pulse of CO2 emissions during spring thaw in the Arctic

Researchers measured significant spring pulses of greenhouse gases in the Arctic during thaw, revealing that the region may not be as effective at absorbing CO2 as previously believed. The study's findings suggest that climate change could lead to more frequent and intense emissions, which could offset the Arctic's role as a carbon sink.

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.

Tectonic shift?

Researchers studied olivine, a key mineral in Earth's mantle, to understand plate tectonics and measure the Earth's surface thickness. They found that tectonic plates are approximately 100 kilometers thick, contradicting previous theories.

Cigar warnings: Do teens believe them?

A new study by UNC School of Medicine found that only 49.8% of surveyed teens consider cigar warnings 'very believable', highlighting the need for improved tobacco prevention campaigns. The survey, which included 1,125 adolescents aged 13-17, suggests that graphic warnings may be more effective in engaging youth.

Nanocubes simplify printing and imaging in color and infrared

Researchers at Duke University developed a new technology using nanocubes to simplify multispectral imaging in color and infrared, promising cheaper and more robust solutions for various industries. The technique relies on plasmonics and can be scaled up, reducing costs and increasing accuracy.

Study models Tsunami Risk for Florida and Cuba

Researchers at the University of Miami have identified margin collapses and submarine landslides along the Great Bahama Bank that could generate tsunamis in the past and potentially again. The study suggests that these events could pose a risk to Florida and Cuba, with tsunami waves potentially several meters high.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Researchers turn back the clock on human embryonic stem cells

Johns Hopkins scientists successfully created more-flexible human embryonic stem cells by dosing conventional ESCs with a cocktail of three chemical inhibitors. The new cells exhibit features similar to those of classic mouse ESCs, enabling their potential use in therapies and genetic disease modeling.

Does Santa only visit rich kids?

A new study suggests that Santa's visits are more closely tied to socioeconomic status than child behavior. The researchers found no association between Santa visits and school absences or youth conviction rates, but higher odds of non-visit in areas with poverty and deprivation.

Promotion of nickel (Ni) allergy by anamnestic sensitization

Research shows that pre-sensitization to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances nickel allergy in mice, shifting the immune balance towards a Th1 response. This finding suggests that an anamnestic history of oral infectious disease may contribute to nickel hypersensitivity.

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.

Corn yield modeling towards sustainable agriculture

Researchers developed a crop model to predict optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn, improving accuracy and reducing losses. The model can assist with nitrogen management and mitigate environmental concerns.

Revolutions in understanding the ionosphere, Earth's interface to space

Scientists have made significant advancements in understanding the ionosphere, a region of Earth's atmosphere that reacts to changes from both space above and Earth below. Research reveals that the ionosphere can experience 'overcooling', causing rapid energy loss and collapse, which can disrupt satellite orbits.

AGU Fall Meeting: Atacama Desert may have harbored lakes, wetlands

Scientists discovered remnants of freshwater plants and animals in the Atacama's salt flats, indicating the presence of lakes and wetlands between 9,000 and 25,000 years ago. The findings suggest an alternative path for early settlers through the desert, potentially providing homes and sustenance.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Smartphones and tablets and adolescents: Small size, big problems?

A new study found that children who spent more time on screen devices and watching television were more likely to engage in behaviors leading to obesity, including poor diet and lack of physical activity. The research suggests that limiting screen device use may be as important for health as limiting TV time.

Study dispels myth that Santa only visits children who are nice

A recent BMJ study dispels the myth that Santa only visits well-behaved children. Instead, research suggests socioeconomic factors play a significant role in determining whether Santa will visit a child. The study found that pediatric wards in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation were less likely to receive Santa visits.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

The Angelina Jolie effect on breast cancer genetic testing

A study found a 64% spike in genetic tests for breast cancer following Angelina Jolie's op-ed piece, but no uptick in mastectomy rates. The tests did not lead to additional breast cancer diagnoses, suggesting overtesting among low-risk groups.

Common breast cancer mutation could be vulnerable to drug combination

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that a combination of existing targeted therapy and investigational molecule can induce breast cancer cell death in preclinical experiments. The approach has wide implications for advancing treatment if successful in planned clinical trials.

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 work to improve the lifecycle of materials

The researchers created synthetic materials that can react to their environment, recover from damage, and even self-destruct once their usefulness has come to an end. They developed microcapsules that contain a healing agent released automatically when exposed to specific environmental changes.

Microbial biodiversity in the environment can alter human health

Researchers propose a unifying framework for managing environmental microbiomes, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity in maintaining human health. The study suggests that altering microbial diversity can have significant impacts on human health, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.

DFG to fund 7 new Research Units

The DFG is establishing seven new Research Units to tackle pressing issues in various fields, including predicting human behavioral patterns and studying the matter inside planets. The first funding period will receive approximately €17 million.

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.

Saliva test could offer new way to check immunity

Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that antibody levels in saliva are linked to those in blood serum, suggesting a non-invasive method for assessing immunity. Higher antibody concentrations in serum were associated with higher concentrations in saliva, particularly for IgA antibodies.