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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 19 of 32

What else comes with a college degree? An extra 10 pounds, says new study

A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that college students experience significant weight gain, averaging around 10 pounds over their four-year college career. This excessive weight gain is associated with an increased risk of health problems, including diabetes and hypertension.

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.

Drinking 'settings' tied to college sexual assault

A new study suggests that male students' likelihood of becoming a perpetrator increases when they attend parties or bars more than usual. Researchers found that almost 18% admitted to sexually assaulting a woman during the study period, with frequent bar-goers being more likely to be perpetrators.

How does water melt? Layer by layer!

Researchers found that ice surface melts in layers, with the first layer melting at -38° C and the second at -16° C. The team also discovered a distinct spectroscopic response between the quasi-liquid layer and supercooled water.

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.

Squeezing life from DNA's double helix

Researchers have solved the mystery of DNA replication by identifying a ring of proteins that binds to origin DNA, causing it to melt and initiate replication. This discovery could lead to understanding genetic duplication and potentially blocking viral pathogens and cancer cells.

Mysterious 'crater' on Antarctica indication of vulnerable ice sheet

Researchers have discovered a mysterious crater on the King Baudoin ice shelf, revealing hidden meltwater lakes and confirming that East Antarctica is also vulnerable to climate change. The findings suggest that the region's ice shelves are extremely sensitive to warming temperatures.

Personalizing chemotherapy to treat pediatric leukemia

The technology platform, Phenotypic Personalized Medicine, uses visual representations to identify optimal drug and dose combinations for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This approach reduces side effects while maintaining or enhancing efficacy, offering a game-changer for cancer treatment.

Research unlocks clues to language-based learning in children

A new study from the University of Missouri found a link between working memory and how children learn, suggesting that teaching techniques can be tailored to individual needs. The study suggests that educators can help children with language learning disabilities by reducing information overload and focusing their attention on one task.

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.

UK steel production to benefit from efficiency innovation

The ASSURE2 project explores belt casting technology to reduce steel production costs and energy consumption by over 300%. This innovative approach can also produce commercially attractive advanced high strength strip (AHSS) steel grades, such as TWIP and TRIP steels.

Mystery molecule is a key to inhibiting colon cancer

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that NLRC3 protein plays a central role in inhibiting colon cells from becoming cancerous. The study found that deleting the protective NLRC3 protein exacerbates colon cancer development, but also identified key molecular components of its tumor suppressing pathway.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New study doubles the estimate of bird species in the world

A new study by the American Museum of Natural History estimates that there are approximately 18,000 bird species worldwide, nearly twice as many as previously thought. The researchers used a combination of morphology and genetic studies to highlight birds with separate evolutionary histories.

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.

Two electrons go on a quantum walk and end up in a qudit

Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology develop a method to connect two electrons in a qudit, paving the way for compact high-level quantum structures. This breakthrough could lead to practical applications such as efficient solar cells and new drugs.

NASA/USGS satellite provides global view of speed of ice

Scientists can now map the speed of glaciers and ice sheets globally, tracking unique patterns and identifying areas with rapid change. This near-real-time data enables researchers to understand the impact on sea level and coastal communities.

TSU scientists discovered how to avoid congestion of mobile network

Researchers at Tomsk State University developed a universal method for calculating the most efficient operation of systems with incoming flow. This approach can be used to eliminate queues in shops and banks, as well as reduce mobile communication congestion during holidays.

Wind farms play key role in cutting carbon emissions, study finds

A study by the University of Edinburgh found that wind farms prevented 36 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas sources in Great Britain. The research suggests that a greater investment in wind energy could help meet Scottish and UK government targets for carbon emissions reduction.

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 diamond harder than ring bling

A team of scientists at Australian National University has successfully created a diamond that is predicted to be harder than regular diamonds. The new material, called nano-crystalline hexagonal diamond, was made using a high-pressure diamond anvil and has the potential to be used in mining sites to cut through ultra-solid materials.

Surge in methane emissions threatens efforts to slow climate change

Global methane concentrations have grown faster than at any point in the past two decades, posing a significant threat to climate change mitigation efforts. The rapid increase in methane emissions is attributed primarily to agricultural sources, particularly rice paddies and cattle pastures.

Heart damage caused by chemotherapy is worse in patients with diabetes

A study presented at EuroEcho-Imaging 2016 found that chemotherapy caused heart damage in cancer patients with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of heart failure. The researchers also discovered that patients with diabetes experienced a significant decrease in global longitudinal strain, an early predictor of heart failure.

Next-generation accelerators get boost from new beam physics

A new advanced theoretical tool has been developed to design and analyze complex beam lines with strong coupling. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-intensity beams that can be used in fusion reactors and nuclear waste management, as well as study the origin of the universe.

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.

Monkey speak: Macaques have the anatomy, not the brain, for human speech

Research reveals that macaques possess the physical attributes necessary to produce intelligible human speech, yet their brains lack the neural circuitry required for this ability. This finding debunks the idea that vocal anatomy alone limits speech in nonhumans, highlighting the importance of brain evolution in human language.

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.

Finger swipe-powered phone? We're 1 step closer

Michigan State University researchers have developed a low-cost nanogenerator that can harness energy from human motion, powering devices such as smartphones and headsets without batteries. The device, called FENG, is flexible, biocompatible, and scalable, with advantages including being lightweight and robust.

Diet, the gut microbiome, and colorectal cancer: are they linked?

Recent evidence suggests a link between the gut microbiome and colorectal cancer development, with specific types of intestinal bacteria contributing to disease progression. Dietary-based therapeutic interventions, such as probiotics and prebiotics, may help modify the gut microbiome to reduce CRC risk.

Research offers clues about the timing of Jupiter's formation

Scientists have found that Jupiter's massive gravity may have formed rare, high-velocity meteorites called CB chondrites. These meteorites suggest Jupiter was near its current size and in the asteroid belt when they were formed, about 5 million years after the solar system solidified.

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.

A step to understanding polymorphs

Researchers study organizing principles behind high Z' crystal structures to understand material properties like solubility and bioavailability. By analyzing complex structures, they identify organization principles tied to chemical molecule details.

UNIST receives Minister of Public Safety and Security commendation

A UNIST research team led by Professor Joonbum Bae received a commendation from the Minister of Public Safety and Security for their groundbreaking collaborative rescue robots. The award recognizes their work on humanoid avatar robots with a teleoperating system that can be deployed in disaster response.

Breast cancer mortality rates decline in many countries

Global breast cancer mortality rates declined between 1987-2013, with 39 countries showing a decrease, including the US and most developed European nations. However, South Korea experienced an 83% increase, while Latin America saw scattered increases in mortality, except for Argentina and Chile.

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.

New study highlights smoking intensity in coronary heart disease risk

A new study found that smoking intensity and duration are crucial factors in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Researchers discovered that smokers with longer exposure to cigarettes face a higher relative risk of heart disease compared to those who smoke the same number of cigarettes over a shorter period.

Federal funds help Virginia increase wetland benefits

The EPA awards $1.1 million in grants to Virginia's VIMS and DEQ to protect and restore its wetlands, advancing the state's goal of preventing net loss and increasing ecological function. The funding will support efforts to identify vulnerable wetlands, develop management plans, and inform decision-making for development and preservation.

Neutrons identify key ingredients of the quantum spin liquid recipe

A team of researchers used neutron scattering to study the origins of unusual magnetic behavior in a rare earth metal oxide, revealing three key features: antiferromagnetic interactions, spin space anisotropy, and chemical disorder. These findings provide a better understanding of how quantum spin liquids exhibit exotic behaviors.

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.

Sexual harassment common among middle school children, study finds

A recent study by University of Illinois researcher Dorothy L. Espelage found that nearly half of middle school students reported experiencing verbal sexual harassment, with 43% saying they were targeted in the past year. The study also revealed that students who dismissed their experiences with sexual harassment were more likely to pe...

Clarifying the behaviors of negative hydrogen ions

Scientists at NIFS successfully measure flow reversal of negative ions, revealing U-turn trajectory and beam extraction point. The study's findings improve performance of negative ion sources, essential for future fusion devices.

New evidence shows how bacterium in undercooked chicken causes GBS

A Michigan State University research team discovered that Campylobacter jejuni in undercooked chicken triggers Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disease causing paralysis. The study offers new information for a cure and suggests that treatment with some antibiotics could worsen the disease.

MIT Portugal Ph.D. student wins the Road Safety Innovation Award by ACP

The VENEX project offers an alternative solution to road humps by reducing vehicle speed through energy extraction, ensuring safety and minimizing impact on drivers. The award-winning innovation aims to reduce traffic-related victims and costs, promoting a safer transportation system globally.

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.

Scientists reveal how fish adapt to toxic levels of pollution

Researchers found that Atlantic killifish populations can adapt to lethal levels of pollution due to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway. The study suggests that desensitization of this pathway is a key factor in adaptation, but also highlights potential risks and compensatory adaptations.

Researchers watch biomolecules at work

Scientists at the University of Bonn have successfully observed an important cell protein in action using a novel method that measures structural changes within complex molecules. This breakthrough allows researchers to elucidate cellular processes in their natural environment.

Naturally occurring symptoms may be mistaken for tamoxifen side-effects

Women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention experienced nausea and vomiting, which led them to discontinue the medication. A new analysis suggests that these symptoms were sometimes mistaken for tamoxifen side effects, highlighting the importance of accurate information on preventive therapies.

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.

Siobhan Roberts to Receive 2017 JPBM Communications Award

Siobhan Roberts will receive the 2017 JPBM Communications Award for her outstanding work in communicating mathematics to non-mathematicians through her writing. Her award-winning books include 'King of Infinite Space' and 'Genius at Play', which showcase her ability to make complex mathematical concepts accessible to a wide audience.

Breast cancer patients could benefit from controversial hormone

A recent study published in Nature Reviews Cancer suggests that progesterone could be a game-changer in treating recurring breast cancers. The hormone, when used in combination with current treatments, may reprogram estrogen action in the breast to improve cancer outcomes. Two new clinical trials are underway to test this approach.