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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 18 of 32

Famine alters metabolism for successive generations

A study of over 3,000 families affected by mid-20th Century China's widespread starvation found that prenatal famine exposure was associated with significantly higher odds of hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes in both the mother and her children. The risk persisted even when only one parent had been exposed to famine.

Catholics more committed to workplace than evangelicals are, study finds

A Baylor University study found that Catholics are more emotionally attached to their workplaces than Evangelicals, with people having strong attachments to God also showing higher job commitment. In contrast, those without a faith tradition are the least likely to be attached to God and their workplaces.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Get better customer service by choosing your words wisely

Researchers analyzed 36 hours of calls and found that over 80% contained aggressive language, while positive words reduced problematic effects by 35%. Customers can get better service by using less aggressive language and following conversation rules.

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.

Mutations in life's 'essential genes' tied to autism

A Penn Medicine study found that elevated levels of mutations in essential genes are significantly associated with an increased risk for ASD and decreased social skills. Researchers identified high-priority essential genes that could serve as targets for future studies and treatments.

NASA sees tropical Cyclone Vardah make landfall

NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captures a visible-light image of the storm, showing bands of thunderstorms around its low-level center. Tropical Cyclone Vardah brought hurricane-strength winds of 86.3 mph to areas in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Chemists uncover a means to control catalytic reactions

Researchers found that the position of a molecule on a catalytic surface determines the rate of bond breaking. They observed a 100-fold difference in reactivity between bonds aligned along rows and across rows of copper atoms. The discovery could lead to more selective and efficient catalysts.

New compound eases neuropathic pain from light touch

Researchers identified a substance called OB-1 that suppresses neuropathic pain caused by nerve injuries or diabetes without affecting other sensations. The compound tunes down the ion channel responsible for mechanical hypersensitivity, providing a new strategy for treating painful conditions.

Mountain glaciers are showing some of the strongest responses to climate change

A University of Washington study found that 37 mountain glaciers worldwide show a high degree of signal-to-noise ratio in their retreat, indicating a strong response to climate change. The probability of natural variations explaining the observed retreats is extremely low, ranging from less than 0.001 percent to 11 percent.

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.

Why we walk on our heels instead of our toes

Researchers discover that walking heel-to-toe creates a mechanical advantage by extending the length of 'virtual legs,' making them longer than physical legs. This adaptation allows humans to be efficient walkers.

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.

It's basic: Alternative fuel cell technology reduces cost

A new study proposes a unified strategy for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFC) to achieve performance parity and reduce costs. The research targets metal-free catalysts, which are more cost-effective than traditional platinum-based ones.

Scientists move step closer to solving fusion plasma dilemma

A team of researchers at UNIST has discovered the underlying physics of suppressing ELMs using magnetic perturbation. The study, published in Physical Review Letters, confirms that ELMs can be weakened by losing energy through interaction with turbulence induced by MP.

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.

More are positive about HPV vaccine on Twitter than not, Drexel study finds

A Drexel study analyzed nearly 200,000 English-language tweets about the HPV vaccine between 2014 and 2015. The results show that 39% of tweets were positive, while negative sentiments accounted for only 25%. Prevention and protection were popular topics in positive tweets, while side effects dominated negative ones.

Faster track to treatment

A team of researchers has identified a network of genes in the brain that contribute to epilepsy, and predicts that a known anti-epileptic drug can restore its function. The study's 'network-biology' approach may provide a faster and cheaper way to discover new treatments.

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.

Anesthetic cream best for relieving vaccination pain in infants

Researchers found that liposomal lidocaine combined with parental video instruction and oral sucrose significantly reduces acute pain during vaccinations. The study involved 352 healthy infants who received scheduled vaccinations, with the best results seen for those using lidocaine cream consistently.

Applying the '80/20 rule' to social costs

Researchers identified a small portion of the population with high-needs/high-costs as the lion's share of socially costly problems. Early interventions at preschool age showed promise in avoiding these costs.

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.

Type of psychotherapy matters in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

A study by Vanderbilt University found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is most effective in improving daily functioning for IBS patients. Cognitive behavioral therapies were found to be the most effective type of psychotherapy in reducing symptoms and increasing ability to participate in activities.

New study seeks to use human serum to detect heart attacks

A new study has developed an electrical immunosensor that can detect heart attacks within a minute using human serum. The system works by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I, a protein excreted by the heart muscle after a heart attack. This novel immunosensor holds considerable potential for use in biomedical diagnosis.

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.

Researchers develop new approach for better big data prediction

A new approach to analyzing big data has been developed at Columbia University, Princeton and Harvard University. The Influence score, or I-score, is a statistic that can identify highly predictive variables in large datasets. This method has potential applications in predicting diseases, social science phenomena, and financial markets.

Earth's magnetic fields could track ocean heat, NASA study proposes

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a new method to track ocean heat using satellite magnetic field observations. The approach relies on the electrical conductivity of seawater and its temperature fluctuations, which can be detected from subtle changes in Earth's magnetic field lines.

A new light on stellar death

A team of astronomers discovered that a massive flare in a distant galaxy was actually a tidal disruption event caused by a rapidly spinning supermassive black hole. The finding marks the first time a TDE has been used to study black hole spin, providing new insights into stellar death.

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.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Increases Among Rural Infants

The proportion of rural infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome increased significantly between 2004 and 2013. This geographic disparity highlights the urgent need for policymakers to appropriate funding for clinicians and programs that could improve access to opioid prevention and treatment services for rural women and children.

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.

A $5 fix for a nasty parasite

Researchers create method to detect C. parvum in source waters, improving public health protection. The calcium-mediated attachment of oocysts to environmental biofilms enables faster and cheaper detection.

How physical exercise aids in stroke recovery

A recent study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience found that physical exercise can help preserve adult visual plasticity in mice and restore it after a stroke. This suggests that exercise may be used as a preventive or therapeutic approach to aid recovery after a cortical stroke.

Rapid and mass production of graphene, using microwaves

Researchers from UNIST and Rutgers University successfully produced high-quality graphene using microwaves, eliminating oxygen exposure that degrades properties. The new technique may solve long-standing manufacturing challenges, enabling affordable mass commercialization of graphene.

Scientists work to improve the diet and energy of failing hearts

Researchers are exploring the dynamics between a gene that regulates fat metabolism and a protein that makes lipid droplets available for energy in heart cells. They hope to understand how this imbalance can lead to heart failure and find ways to intervene, such as by regulating lipid use and maintaining balance.

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.

Costs of treating patients with psychosis change significantly as they age

A new study finds that middle-aged patients with psychosis are incurring significant costs in long-term care facilities and with hospitalization, highlighting the need to address both mental and physical health in younger patients. Chronic psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, are associated with high health care costs due to you...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

CSU uses test for chronic wasting disease to study brain ailments in people

A team of researchers at Colorado State University is investigating the use of a test developed to detect early-stage chronic wasting disease in deer to identify the onset of brain disorders, including concussion-related trauma, in humans. The test may also be used to detect misfolded proteins found in people with Alzheimer's, Parkinso...

Even with maximized yields, sub-Saharan Africa won't grow enough grain in 2050

A new study found that even with optimized yields, sub-Saharan Africa will not meet its grain demand by 2050. Closing the yield gap requires a large acceleration in farming practices and investments in agricultural development. The region must prioritize strategic investments to upgrade infrastructure and ensure food security.

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.

Bone marrow-derived cells are source of key kidney disease biomarker SuPAR

A study published in Nature Medicine identifies bone marrow-derived immature myeloid cells as the source of suPAR, a reliable marker for chronic kidney disease. Elevated suPAR levels have been linked to future chronic kidney disease, potentially enabling early intervention and prevention of recurrence after transplant.

Groundbreaking study sheds light on treating cancer

Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer treatment. They developed novel Iridium(III) complexes that utilize red light to attack and kill cancer cells, providing a promising new approach for photodynamic therapy (PDT).