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Science News Archive December 2016


Page 30 of 32

New tool uses UV light to control inflammation

Researchers at Cornell University developed a chemical tool that controls inflammation using UV light, allowing for targeted therapy with minimal side effects. The method has potential applications in treating inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New gene therapy for pseudarthrosis trialed at Kazan University

Researchers at Kazan University have developed a novel gene therapy approach that combines demineralized bone with genetic material to stimulate blood vessel and bone growth. The treatment shows promise in treating pseudarthrosis and other bone defects, with plans to offer innovative treatments at the Kazan University Clinic.

NYU researchers identify stress-hormone differences among gay men

A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that black gay men (BGM) have a flattened diurnal cortisol curve and elevated evening levels, suggesting an unhealthy stress response. The research highlights the need for more expansive studies on HPA-axis functioning among racial/ethnic and sexual minority men.

Hearing deficits in schizophrenia tied to specific brain receptor

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that dysfunctional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) brain receptors cause hearing deficits in schizophrenia. Patients who received training and administration of an amino acid, D-serine, significantly improved their ability to distinguish subtle differences in pitch.

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.

Alpha blockers more effective for large kidney stones

A new review of 55 kidney stone studies suggests alpha blockers may be useful in facilitating stone passage, particularly for patients with larger stones. The findings indicate a 57% higher risk of stone passage for larger stones with an alpha blocker, but no benefit for smaller stones.

Shape matters when light meets atom

Scientists mapped the probability of Rubidium atoms absorbing photons with rising and decaying shapes. The results show a significant increase in excitation at moments when the photon arrives dimly and ends brightly, indicating that photon shape plays a crucial role in light-matter interactions.

Researchers may have found first polluted river from before Bronze Age

A team of researchers has found evidence of early pollution caused by copper combustion in a 7,000-year-old dry riverbed in southern Jordan. The discovery sheds light on the Chalcolithic period, when humans transitioned from stone tools to metal production, and highlights the environmental impact of industrial-scale metal production.

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.

New aspect of atom mimicry for nanotechnology applications

Scientists create arrays of nanocontainers with tailored interaction strengths by mimicking electron valency in atoms. The approach enables plasmonic sensors and electrocatalysts, showcasing a new aspect of atom mimicry for nanotechnology applications.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Mechanism of probiotic health promotion revealed

New research reveals the mechanism by which probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei DG promotes health. The probiotic releases a novel polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system to release anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Research uses mobile technology to help people quit smoking

A mobile app developed by researchers at the University of Oklahoma uses real-time risk estimation to predict tobacco cessation lapses, achieving an 80% accuracy rate. The app combines six questions to identify lapse-risk factors and delivers tailored messages to help smokers overcome triggers.

Overcoming the limitations of optical microscopy

A research group led by Prof. Dr. Benjamin Judkewitz is working on a new approach to overcome light scattering limitations in optical microscopy, enabling images of deeper tissue layers. The European Research Council has allocated €1.49 million over five years to fund this endeavor.

Superconductivity of pure Bismuth crystal at 0.00053 K

A group of TIFR scientists have discovered superconductivity in pure Bismuth crystal at an extremely low temperature of 0.00053 K. The discovery cannot be explained by standard models of superconductivity, highlighting the need for a new theory.

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.

New method improves stability, extends shelf life of protein drugs

A new study has discovered a novel route to improve the stability of protein drugs, significantly extending their shelf life. Stability increases from 14 hours to over 100 days while maintaining activity under stressed conditions, offering potential treatment solutions for diseases in developing countries.

A radiation-free approach to imaging molecules in the brain

Researchers create new sensors that detect proteins and induce blood flow changes, allowing for non-radiative imaging of molecules in the brain. This approach enables detection of biologically low-level molecules and monitoring of dynamic processes in the brain.

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.

Fast, efficient sperm tails inspire nanobiotechnology

Scientists at Cornell University developed a system where enzymes are attached to nanoparticles to mimic the efficient energy-producing mechanism of sperm tails. The tethered enzyme system processes glucose to lactate more efficiently than free-floating enzymes, with potential applications in powering devices that carry out various jobs.

Breaking the backbone

Researchers have developed a method to produce degradable polymers through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), allowing for the creation of biodegradable implants and coatings. The new polymers can be tailored to degrade at specific rates, making them suitable for various medical applications.

Parkinson's disease linked to microbiome

Researchers at Caltech discovered a functional link between bacteria in the intestines and Parkinson's disease, showing that changes in gut bacterial populations contribute to motor skill deterioration. The study found that an imbalance in short-chain fatty acids regulates brain inflammation and symptoms of PD.

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.

NASA's Sun-observing IRIS mission

IRIS collects data on the temperature and movement of solar material to determine how it drives the constant changes on our sun. The mission aims to answer questions about coronal heating and solar activity, with recent studies suggesting distinct bomb-like events.

Northern Ohio institutions become laboratories for future energy usage

Case Western Reserve University, NASA Glenn Research Center, and the University of Toledo are collaborating on a $1 million project to integrate distributed energy sources with buildings and grid. The Northern Ohio Building-to-Grid Integration Demonstration will test strategies for optimizing energy consumption across various conditions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Proposed biosimilar drug shows potential as breast cancer treatment

A proposed biosimilar drug has shown equivalent results to trastuzumab in treating metastatic breast cancer. The study's findings suggest that a biosimilar treatment option could increase global access to biologic cancer therapies, particularly for women in non-high-income countries.

New process produces hydrogen at much lower temperature

Researchers at Waseda University have developed a new method for producing hydrogen, achieving temperatures as low as 150~200°C. This innovation reduces energy input and extends catalyst life, making it suitable for widespread use in fuel cell systems.

Four weeks to prepare cancer patients for surgery

A four-week prehabilitation program has shown promising results in preparing cancer patients for surgery by improving their physical fitness and reducing recovery time. The study involved 116 colorectal cancer patients who underwent the program before undergoing surgery.

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.

Neuroscientist studies connection between PTSD and alcohol abuse

A neuroscientist is studying the link between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol abuse to identify potential treatments. The researcher hopes to pinpoint brain areas involved in processing fear memories and develop methods to break the cycle of dependency.

Burnes receives GSA's 2016 Senior Service America Junior Scholar Award

David Burnes is awarded for his presentation on varying appraisals of elder mistreatment among victims, which highlights the need for detection and response strategies. The award recognizes Burnes' work on understanding and preventing elder mistreatment in community and long-term care settings.

Protective barrier inside chromosomes helps to keep cells healthy

A recent study published in Nature Communications has shed light on the structures that contain our genetic material. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh created an artificial chromosome to investigate cell division and found a complex series of steps that form a protective barrier inside chromosomes.

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.

Where the rains come from

Research identifies mesoscale convective systems as primary cause of increased heavy rainfall in the region. The study found a significant increase in the frequency and duration of these storms over the past 35 years.

Making graphene using laser-induced phase separation

Scientists at IBS & KAIST create a new method for producing graphene using laser annealing technology, which can separate complex compounds like SiC into ultrathin elements of carbon and silicon. The technique reaches the same results as traditional methods but at lower temperatures, making it more efficient and scalable.

Magnetic brain stimulation can bring back stowed memories

Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to revive stowed memories, suggesting a separate state of memory apart from active working memory and deep storage. This breakthrough may help individuals control their attention and manage mental health disorders like schizophrenia and depression.

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 in the Hastings Center Report

The Hastings Center Report examines the ethics of crowdfunding for medical care, citing concerns over fraud, misinformation, and health inequities. The article proposes reducing the number of clinical trials to improve their quality and provide evidence-based decision-making.

Antibody test gauges mosquito exposure

Researchers developed a blood test to assess human exposure to Aedes mosquitoes by measuring antibodies against one individual peptide from Aedes saliva. The test showed decreased human exposure to mosquito bites after a vector control program, with 88% of people having a positive antibody reaction before the intervention.

Plasma-zapping process could yield trans fat-free soybean oil product

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a hydrogenation process that uses high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) to solidify soybean oil for food processing without creating trans fats. The new process is more efficient and environmentally friendly, with the potential to produce safe plant oils on a large scale.

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.

DOE project to evaluate safety of transporting used nuclear fuel

A University of Houston engineer leads a multi-institution effort to develop monitoring techniques for stable fuel transport during transit and accidents. Researchers will study structural issues, risk analysis, and new sensing techniques to ensure spent nuclear fuel can be safely moved from temporary storage to permanent disposal sites.

Scientists bring 'forgotten' memories back to mind

Researchers discovered that neural activity supporting short-term memories only arises when recall is consciously attempted. This study finds that information in working memory is maintained through mechanisms other than sustained neural activity and can be revived using transcranial magnetic stimulation.

A watershed moment in understanding how H2O conducts electricity

Researchers at Yale University have made a major breakthrough in understanding how water conducts electricity, revealing a fundamental mechanism found in biology and chemistry. By capturing the structural changes in water molecules, they were able to demonstrate a precise process known as the Grotthuss mechanism.

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.