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Science News Archive February 2016 - Page 10


Page 10 of 39

NIH-funded study finds effect of PrEP on bone density is reversible

Researchers found that young adult males and transgender participants experienced a measurable but clinically insignificant loss of bone mineral density while taking PrEP. However, after stopping the regimen, bone mineral density levels returned to normal in just six months.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 23, 2016
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.

Georgia Tech discovers how mobile ads leak personal data

A Georgia Tech study found that mobile ads can reveal sensitive user information, including gender, parental status, and income, due to leakage between ad networks and app developers. Researchers tested 200 participants and discovered that 73% of ad impressions were correctly aligned with demographic profiles.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateFeb 23, 2016

Controlling ultrafast electrons in motion

Researchers successfully control ultrafast electron motion using FERMI's light, achieving a time resolution of 3 attoseconds. This breakthrough enables the study of fast chemical reactions on the scale of attoseconds, shedding new light on processes like photosynthesis and combustion.

SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 23, 2016

DNA 'Trojan horse' smuggles drugs into resistant cancer cells

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a DNA 'Trojan horse' that can deliver cancer drugs into resistant cells, effectively killing them. The capsule made of folded up DNA hides the invading force, allowing it to bypass cell defenses and accumulate in cancer cells.

SourceOhio State University·JournalSmall·DateFeb 23, 2016
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.

Critical care resuscitation unit speeds up transfer of critically ill patients

The Critical Care Resuscitation Unit (CCRU) at the University of Maryland Medical Center has seen a significant increase in transfers of critically ill surgical patients, with median arrival times cut by nearly half and median time to surgery reduced by over two-thirds. This faster intake and treatment strategy has led to improved outc...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateFeb 23, 2016

NASA sees pinhole eye seen in weakening Tropical Cyclone Winston

Tropical Cyclone Winston maintained a pinhole eye as it weakened, with strong thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center. The storm's forward speed increased, and forecasters expect it to turn southwestward before weakening significantly due to strong vertical wind shear.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 23, 2016

Two Carnegie Mellon statistics professors earn NSF CAREER awards

Carnegie Mellon University's Jing Lei and Ryan Tibshirani have been awarded NSF CAREER grants for their cutting-edge research projects in large-scale data analysis and nonparametric estimation. Their work aims to advance statistical inference with complex high-dimensional data.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateFeb 23, 2016
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.

Searing heat waves detailed in study of future climate

A new study predicts that heat waves could become annual occurrences across 60% of the world's land surface by 2075 if greenhouse gas emissions continue unchecked. However, aggressive emission reductions could significantly reduce the severity of these events, especially for vulnerable populations.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalClimatic Change·DateFeb 23, 2016

Study supports fish consumption during pregnancy

A new study suggests that moderate fish consumption during pregnancy may have beneficial effects on infant neurobehavior and development. The research found that infants of mothers with higher mercury exposure and greater fish consumption showed improved attention and reduced special handling needs.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·JournalNeurotoxicology and Teratology·DateFeb 23, 2016

Urban soils release surprising amounts of carbon dioxide

Researchers at Boston University found that urban soils in metropolitan areas surrounding the city core release significant amounts of CO2 through a process called soil respiration. This discovery highlights the importance of considering biological emissions in assessments of climate action programs.

SourceBoston University·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateFeb 23, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Why is impulsive aggression in children so difficult to treat?

Maladaptive and impulsive aggression is a disabling symptom in children with psychiatric disorders, characterized by explosive behavior triggered by routine cues. The development of effective treatments requires better descriptive and quantitative methods to characterize this disorder.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology·DateFeb 23, 2016

What bats reveal about how humans focus attention

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2016

Crafting a better T cell for immunotherapy

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have devised a new approach to engineer T cells with improved efficiency and tracking capabilities, potentially speeding up and improving T-cell therapy. The technology uses a small protein tag to purify and track the engineered T cells.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateFeb 22, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sea level mapped from space with GPS reflections

Researchers at National Oceanography Centre use GPS reflections to measure sea surface height from space for the first time. This technique provides a new way to monitor ocean currents by detecting variations in sea surface height caused by currents.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 22, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Parental anxiety/depression linked to pre-schoolers' fussy eating

Research published in Archives of Disease in Childhood links parental anxiety and depression during pregnancy and preschool period to increased risk of fussy eating behavior in children. Mothers' antenatal symptoms were found to predict their child's fussy eating behavior at age 4, while fathers' pre-school period anxiety was linked to...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalArchives of Disease in Childhood·DateFeb 22, 2016

Quantum experiments designed by machines

Researchers developed an algorithm called Melvin to design novel quantum experiments, finding unfamiliar solutions without relying on human intuition. The algorithm has led to dozens of new experimental tricks and is being built in laboratories.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 22, 2016

New definitions created for sepsis and septic shock

The updated definitions aim to facilitate early identification of patients at risk of developing sepsis, with a new bedside clinical score termed qSOFA. The revised criteria also acknowledge the importance of molecular and cellular characterization in sepsis management.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 22, 2016

Nearly all US forests threatened by drought, climate change

Nearly all US forests are vulnerable to future declines due to increasing drought and climate change, according to a new study. The effects have been most pronounced in the West, but Eastern forests are also at risk as tree populations struggle to adapt to changing conditions.

SourceDuke University·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateFeb 22, 2016

Antarctic ice sheet is more vulnerable to CO2 than expected

Researchers at UMass Amherst and colleagues report that the Antarctic ice sheets are more susceptible to rising atmospheric CO2 levels than previously believed. The findings suggest large changes in the ice sheets could occur at lower CO2 levels than previously studied, highlighting a need for improved climate modeling.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016
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 tool helps model forest traits and evolution

Researchers developed a software framework called plant to investigate how plant species coexist with varying traits. The tool examines physiological rules and functional trade-offs in vegetation structure and diversity.

SourceWiley·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateFeb 22, 2016

Television exposure directly linked to a thin body ideal in women

A new study from Newcastle University suggests that television exposure directly influences female body ideals, leading to body dissatisfaction and potential risks of eating disorders. In rural Nicaragua, participants with higher TV access preferred thinner female bodies, mirroring Western trends.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalBritish Journal of Psychology·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

Atmospheric sulfate particles reduced, but as acidic as ever

Researchers found that despite declining sulfur emissions, the acidity of sulfate particles remains unchanged in the Southeast US. The neutralizing ammonia emitted from agriculture and other sources forms an equilibrium with sulfates, reducing its ability to neutralize their acidity.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Geoscience·DateFeb 22, 2016

Low-carbon policies could prevent up to 175,000 US deaths by 2030

Reducing U.S. climate emissions could prevent up to 175,000 premature deaths nationwide by 2030, generating $250 billion annual health benefits. Cleaner energy policies and transportation reductions could yield significant long-term health benefits worth 5-10 times the costs.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 22, 2016

Mysterious extinct glyptodonts are actually gigantic armadillos, says their DNA

Glyptodonts likely originated less than 35 million years ago from ancestors within modern armadillo families, contradicting previous assumptions. The close relatives of glyptodonts include giant armadillos and the four-ounce pink fairy armadillo, challenging existing concepts of their distinctiveness.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 22, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study shows likely overuse of PET scans to detect recurrence in lung & esophageal cancers

A study published in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that PET scans did not improve two-year survival rates for lung and esophageal cancer patients. The researchers suggest potential overuse of PET scans in detecting recurrence, warranting efforts to decrease unnecessary utilization.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 22, 2016

What do Canadians in every riding believe about climate change?

A new interactive tool reveals distinct climate opinion patterns across Canada's provinces and ridings, with significant variations in Alberta versus Quebec. Canadians broadly agree that Earth is warming, but regional differences and demographic factors influence opinions on emissions trading systems.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalSocial Science Research·DateFeb 22, 2016

Accelerating genome analysis

The new software, SIFT 4G, accelerates genome analysis by preparing predictions at a much higher speed, reducing processing time from 25 days to just three days on a single GPU. This enables researchers to analyze genomes in five minutes, advancing science and developing technology that can benefit human health.

SourceBiomedical Sciences Institutes (BMSI)·JournalNature Protocols·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

Quantum processes control accurately to several attoseconds

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University successfully controlled ultrafast motion of electrons down to three attoseconds, breaking natural obstacles and observing quantum interference. The achievement opens a new horizon for studying ultrafast processes in physics.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2016

Tough social issues provide a challenge for companies and researchers

A new study suggests that multinational companies have a growing responsibility to support sustainable development, driven by changing societal expectations. The research, published in the Journal of World Business, tracks changes in corporate social responsibility (CSR) over 50 years.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of World Business·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

Intense deep-ocean turbulence in equatorial Pacific could help drive global circulation

Researchers discovered intense deep-ocean turbulence in the equatorial Pacific that plays a crucial role in driving global ocean circulation. The study, published online in Geophysical Research Letters, suggests that this mixing can be simulated using computer models to improve future climate forecasts.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 22, 2016

Longer, intense rehabilitation boosts recovery after brain injury

Researchers found that a longer, more intense period of rehabilitation boosts brain recovery after injury, with rats showing significant restructuring of the brain and dramatic functional recovery. The study highlights the critical role of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in rehabilitation.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016

Reef sharks prefer bite-size meals

Researchers found that most coral reef sharks consume small prey items, such as fish and molluscs, and often go hungry between meals. The study's findings suggest that reef sharks are opportunistic eaters, not always consuming large quantities of food.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies·JournalCoral Reefs·DateFeb 22, 2016

New 'lipidomics' method could bring fast cancer diagnosis

Researchers have developed a new analytical tool that can identify 'isomers' in lipid molecules, which may lead to the early diagnosis of cancer. The method uses tandem mass spectrometry and the Paternò-Büchi reaction to pinpoint the location of double bonds in lipids.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

Spanish conquest left its imprint on men's genes in Panama

A study by a team of geneticists found that only 22% of Panamanian men have Y-chromosomes originating from Native American ancestors, while 60% have Eurasian origins. This suggests the Spanish conquest had a lasting impact on the region's gene pool.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 22, 2016

Charlie Sheen's HIV disclosure may reinvigorate awareness, prevention of HIV

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that Charlie Sheen's public disclosure of his HIV status led to a significant increase in Google searches related to the disease. The study suggests that this surge in interest may have benefited public health by raising awareness and driving people to learn more about HIV prevention.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

New evidence confirms human activities drive global warming

A new statistical technique confirms that man-made CO2 and methane emissions cause global warming, particularly in densely populated regions. The study provides complementary support to model-based studies and highlights the need for further research on regional climate dynamics.

SourceEuropean Commission Joint Research Centre·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 22, 2016

IUPUI analysis finds differences in pain coping between black and white Americans

A meta-analysis of 19 studies found that blacks employ pain-coping strategies more frequently than whites, with blacks using praying and catastrophizing as common techniques. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive medical care and could inform chronic pain care.

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalJournal of Pain·DateFeb 22, 2016
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.

Some distractions while driving are more risky than others, researchers say

Researchers found that drivers are more than double their crash risk when engaging in distracting activities such as using a handheld cell phone or reading. The study analyzed over 1,600 verified crash events and found that being in an emotional state, traveling above the speed limit, and performance errors increase driver risk. In con...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016