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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 2 of 32

Predicting and preventing violence against criminal justice officials

A scoring system, known as Dr. Logan's triage tool, can help law enforcement identify high-risk individuals who may pose a threat to criminal justice officials. The tool assesses danger-related factors such as rule breaking, violence at a young age, and substance abuse to predict attacks against police, judges, and other officials.

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.

Cycling in bed is safe for ICU patients: Hamilton study

Researchers at McMaster University have demonstrated that early in-bed cycling sessions can safely start with critically ill ICU patients. The TryCYCLE study shows cycling within four days of mechanical ventilation can help these patients walk farther upon hospital discharge.

Study provides evidence on movement of potato famine pathogen

A study by NC State researchers analyzed 183 phytophthora infestans samples from across the globe to track the pathogen's movement. FAM-1 lineage was found in US, Europe, and Colombia, suggesting a South American origin. The pathogen has caused massive disease outbreaks worldwide, with billions spent annually on control measures.

Lotus stir-fry scores high in consumer panels

A new study reveals a niche market opportunity for locally cultivated lotus rhizomes in the US, with participants preferring stir-fry over other preparations. The research suggests potential demand for fresh lotus rhizomes among health-conscious individuals.

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.

Antibiotic resistance just became more complex

Researchers found that susceptible bacteria can survive longer when resistant bacteria are present and even outcompete them. This new understanding can inform doctors on how to use antibiotics more effectively, but also highlights the need for a personalized-medicine approach.

The neighborhood effect: Sicker patients draw on shared resources

A recent study published in JAMA found that patients on the same hospital ward are at increased risk of their own medical crises when a neighboring patient becomes critically ill. The odds of a second patient experiencing a comparable crisis increase by up to 53% if two critical-illness events occur within a six-hour period.

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.

Bat calls contain wealth of discernible information

Researchers at Tel Aviv University analyzed 15,000 bat vocalizations to identify concrete evidence of socially sophisticated species that learns communication. They found that bat calls contain information about the identity of the caller and addressee, as well as specific aggressive context and possible outcome of conversation.

Investigations of the skyrmion Hall effect reveal surprising results

Scientists at JGU and MIT achieved billion-fold reproducible motion of special magnetic textures, called skyrmions, between different positions, taking a critical step towards applying skyrmions in spintronic devices. The skyrmion Hall angle was also investigated, revealing an unexpected dependency on the velocity of the skyrmions.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The high cost of home care for special-needs children

A new study by USC researchers finds that US families provide nearly $36 billion in uncompensated medical care to children with special health care needs each year. These caregivers spend an estimated 5.1 hours per week providing care, which can be time-intensive and emotionally stressful.

Diabetes, heart disease, and back pain dominate US health care spending

A new analysis of US health spending reveals that just 20 conditions account for half of all spending, with diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and low back and neck pain being the top three. Total personal health care spending reached $2.4 trillion in 2013, with women aged 85 and older spending the most per person on healthcare.

High-intensity light promotes anthocyanin accumulation in rough bluegrass

Researchers found that high-intensity light treatment significantly increases anthocyanin content in rough bluegrass, comparable to or greater than many common fruits and vegetables. This study suggests using turfgrasses like rough bluegrass as a sustainable source for anthocyanin extract production.

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.

Einstein secures $160 million NIH funding in 2016

Einstein secured over $160 million in NIH funding in 2016 to support major research projects in aging, intellectual and developmental disabilities, diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. The grants also enabled the establishment of new research centers and collaborations with Montefiore Medical Center.

Campus composting programs effective in educating students

A study found that campus composting programs effectively raise students' knowledge of composting and environmental issues. The programs also promote a more internal locus of control, encouraging students to take action towards solving future environmental problems.

Stability without junctions

Researchers discovered that cadherin clusters prevent cortical deformation by acting as structural anchors in the cell membrane. This new function of non-junctional cadherin clusters regulates cortical movement and stability, allowing for essential processes like cytokinesis to occur without dramatic changes.

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.

Out of gas and low on sperm?

Researchers at Kyoto University found that the Myc gene regulates stem cell self-renewal in mice, leading to a slower rate of proliferation and impaired energy production. This discovery may lead to new treatments for infertility by stimulating sperm cell metabolism.

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.

Study finds hospital ICU overused

A study by LA BioMed and UCLA researchers found that over 50% of hospital ICU admissions could have been cared for in less expensive settings. Nearly 65% of ICU days were allocated to discretionary monitoring, which is not necessary for patients who are too well or too sick.

Endometrial cancer driver mutations detectable in uterine lavage fluid

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that mutations driving endometrial cancer can be detected in uterine lavage fluid of pre- and post-menopausal women, regardless of their cancer status. The presence of these mutations was positively associated with age and post-menopause, highlighting the potential for non-invasive screening met...

National study documents value of family-provided medical care for children

A national study led by Boston Children's Hospital found that families provide an estimated $36 billion worth of unpaid medical care to 5.6 million children with special health care needs. The study also estimates a loss of $18 billion in household income due to parents taking time off work to care for their children.

Treating cancer with drugs for diabetes and hypertension

A combination of metformin and syrosingopine drives cancer cells to programmed 'suicide' by blocking their energy supply, inhibiting growth and inducing tumor cell death. The treatment shows promise for targeting the energy needs of tumor cells.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

'Friendship Bench' program proves effective at alleviating mental illness symptoms

The Friendship Bench program has shown significant results in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. After six weekly therapy sessions, patients who received problem-solving therapy on the benches had fewer symptoms of depression (14%) compared to those in a control group (50%). The program has the potential to im...

Realistic training for extreme flight conditions

Researchers at TUM develop new simulation software that combines flow mechanics and flight dynamics in real-time, allowing pilots to prepare for challenging situations like flying near ships or mountains. The program has been validated with reference models and will be tested with experienced pilots.

Cool-season vegetable rotation effective, sustainable practice

Researchers found that pairing cool-season cash crops like onion, broccoli, and lettuce with warm-season cover crops can alleviate challenges in midscale organic production. The study suggests that these rotations can produce high-value certified organic vegetables while maintaining soil organic carbon.

How much money is spent on health care for kids, where does it go?

Healthcare spending on children in the US grew from $149.6 billion in 1996 to $233.5 billion in 2013, with the highest expenditures on well-newborn care, ADHD treatment, and dental care. The study highlights the need to analyze driving factors behind increased healthcare spending to determine its impact on processes and outcomes.

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.

Dental implants with antibacterial activity

Scientists at the University of the Basque Country have created coatings for dental implants that can prevent bacterial colonization and adhesion. The new coatings were developed using sol-gel synthesis and added antibacterial agents, achieving successful results in preventing osseointegration problems and infections.

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.

Sprinting towards extinction? Cheetah numbers crash globally

The cheetah is sprinting towards extinction with only 7,100 individuals remaining, highlighting the need for landscape-wide conservation efforts. The species' dramatic decline is driven by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal trafficking, requiring a paradigm shift in conservation approaches.

Nanodiscs deliver personalized cancer therapy to immune system

Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully tested nanodiscs in mice for personalized cancer immunotherapy. The therapeutic vaccine targets cancer mutations and generates T-cells that recognize unique neoantigens, leading to the elimination of cancer cells.

Study: Hospital readmission rates decrease after passage of ACA financial penalties

A new analysis found that hospitals with high readmission rates for Medicare patients with certain health conditions saw significant decreases after the passage of the Affordable Care Act's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. The poorest performing hospitals achieved the greatest reductions in readmission rates, suggesting that fi...

Potential drug appears to ease effects of Prader-Willi syndrome

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a potential treatment for Prader-Willi syndrome using G9a inhibitors. The study suggests that these small molecules can activate the maternal copy of the gene responsible for the disorder, leading to improved growth and lifespan in mice with Prader-Willi syndrome.

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.

Calcium aids chromosome condensation prior to cell division

Researchers at Osaka University have found that calcium ions control chromosome condensation during mitosis, preventing misalignment and promoting compaction. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind chromosome structure and organization.

Could disease 'tolerance' genes give new life to UK ash trees?

Researchers at the University of York have identified genetic markers for disease tolerance in UK ash trees, suggesting they may be able to withstand a devastating fungal infection. This discovery could contribute to breeding new varieties of ash that are tolerant to the disease.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Shoulder pain linked to increased heart disease risk

A new study finds that individuals with symptoms at increased risk for heart disease are more likely to have shoulder problems, including joint pain and rotator cuff injury. The research suggests that controlling blood pressure and other heart risk factors may alleviate shoulder discomfort.

Fat fuels the road to cancer cell spread

A study published in Nature discovered that fat utilization is required for the development and growth of lymphatic vessels, a key route for cancer cell spread. Researchers found that inhibiting fat usage can control lymphatic vessel growth, offering new avenues for preventing metastasis and treating complications like lymphedema.

Ash tree genome aids fight against disease

Scientists have sequenced the ash tree genome, which aids the breeding of resistant trees against ash dieback fungus. The UK is home to over 1,000 species that rely on ash trees, making their conservation crucial.

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.

Biology's 'breadboard'

Researchers have developed a novel GAL4-UAS system for C. elegans, allowing for systematic perturbation of the nervous system and creation of a database linking neural activity to behaviors. This 'breadboard' system enables precise control of neural activity, simplifying the study of nervous system function.

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.