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Science News Archive February 2016 - Page 24


Page 24 of 39

Internet searches reflect vaping's surge

A recent study found that people searching for vaping-related terms are primarily interested in shopping for e-cigarettes rather than health information. This suggests a concerning trend in the growing vaping industry, where marketing and advertising efforts may be targeting consumers without regard for potential health risks.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2016

Record for fastest data rate set

Researchers at UCL have achieved a record-breaking data rate of 1.125 Tb/s using custom-built optical communications system with multiple transmitting channels and a single receiver. This breakthrough is expected to support the growth of high-speed internet and cloud services, enabling faster data transfer rates.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

'Housing Policy Debate' publishes Penn Nursing & Cornell study on affordable housing

A recent study published in Housing Policy Debate found that the location of subsidized housing has a significant impact on residents' educational attainment. Residents in poorer neighborhoods with higher crime rates and lower levels of education earned fewer college credits per year compared to those in more advantaged areas.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalHousing Policy Debate·DateFeb 11, 2016

Memory ensembles

The brain regulates the size of neuronal ensembles that reflect the memory trace to optimize performance, researchers from Université de Genève demonstrate. The study shows that inhibiting or resurfacing a memory can be achieved by targeting neurons in the hippocampus.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 11, 2016

Iron in the blood could cause cell damage, say researchers

Concentrations of iron similar to those delivered through standard treatments can trigger DNA damage within 10 minutes, when given to cells in the laboratory. Researchers from Imperial College London suggest that standard treatment dosages may be causing cell damage, highlighting the need for careful consideration of iron levels.

SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 11, 2016
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.

Oldest footprints in Catalonia

Researchers found ichnites of temnospondyls, seymouriamorphs, captorhinids, and synapsids in the Manyanet Valley, providing insights into ancient tetrapod diversity. The study suggests climate changes influenced faunal distribution during the Permian Period.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalGeological Magazine·DateFeb 11, 2016

True love: How transcription factors interact to create a heart

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes found that three transcription factors -- NKX2-5, TBX5, and GATA4 -- must interact for proper heart development. Without these interactions, severe congenital heart defects occur. The study revealed the proteins' genomic and physical interactions, providing new insights into treating heart disease.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateFeb 11, 2016

Male biology students consistently underestimate female peers, study finds

A study at the University of Washington found that male students ranked their male classmates as more knowledgeable about course content, even when female students performed better. This gender bias was consistent across 11 different class surveys and could impact female students' perception of themselves in STEM fields.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 11, 2016

Breakable genes may promote disease and brain cell diversity

Researchers identified 27 genes in brain stem cells prone to DNA damage, which could promote disease but also benefit brain diversity. The fragility of these genes may lead to mutations or deletions in cancers and neuropsychiatric disorders.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalCell·DateFeb 11, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Younger T cells may improve immunotherapy for children's cancer

Researchers found that younger T cells are critically important in T cell immunotherapy and can be more effective when collected earlier. This discovery has the potential to change clinical management in T cell immunotherapy.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2016

Feeling older increases risk of hospitalization, study says

Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel older than their peers are more likely to be hospitalized. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 adults and found a 10-25% increased likelihood of hospitalization among those who reported feeling older.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalHealth Psychology·DateFeb 11, 2016

CU scientists identify factor that may trigger type 1 diabetes

Researchers have identified antigens that activate autoreactive T cells in autoimmune diabetes, a potential trigger for the disease. The discovery provides insight into how the immune system is tricked into destroying the body's own beta cells.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalScience·DateFeb 11, 2016

Hope for peace may be encouraged by enemies in Israeli-Palestinian conflict

A new study suggests that hearing messages of hope from Palestinians, regardless of their affiliation, can instill greater sense of hope among Jewish Israelis. In contrast, similar hopeful messages from outside experts had no effect. The findings have implications for protracted intergroup conflicts beyond the Israeli-Palestinian confl...

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateFeb 11, 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.

Mecca's cardiac hospital describes how it copes with the Hajj

KAMC's Hajj Committee plans year-round to ensure preparedness for the massive patient influx during the Hajj. The hospital treats 700-1000 cardiac patients, with most being Hajj visitors, and has increased echocardiography staff from 7 to 13 during peak seasons.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateFeb 11, 2016

New target found in search for new, more effective herbicide

Researchers at the John Innes Centre have identified DNA gyrase as a key enzyme in plants that can be targeted for the development of new, more effective herbicides. This discovery holds promise for reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and ensuring the safety of farmers and gardeners.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 11, 2016

Abnormal combos of peptides may contribute to diabetes

Researchers identified hybrid insulin peptides (HIPs) that trigger autoimmune response in T1D patients, prompting immune system to attack insulin-producing cells. These findings may help explain the mystery of why people with T1D are affected by incorrect insulin peptide bonding.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 11, 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.

GGC physicist leads team in innovative black hole research

A research team led by GGC physicist Lior Burko simulated a rotating black hole for the first time, revealing that objects can stay intact as they approach the center. The simulation supports popular science fiction scenarios where black holes are used as portals for hyperspace travel.

SourceGeorgia Gwinnett College·JournalPhysical Review D·DateFeb 11, 2016

Tiny worm opens big discovery on nerve degeneration

Researchers found two proteins that play a crucial role in axonal degeneration, the first part of neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery creates new avenues for finding ways to protect neurons from damage.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalCell Reports·DateFeb 11, 2016

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Winston form

Tropical Cyclone Winston is intensifying with powerful thunderstorms circling its center and generating heavy rainfall. Sea surface temperatures of near 31 degrees Celsius are fueling the storm's growth, with maximum sustained winds expected to reach 105 knots.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 11, 2016

Why smiles (and frowns) are contagious

Research reveals that humans mirror others' faces to recognize and share emotions. This phenomenon is linked to social disorders like autism, where facial expression recognition can be impaired. Understanding sensorimotor simulation may help treat related conditions.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateFeb 11, 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.

Mommy and me

A study by University of Utah researcher Elisabeth Conradt found that a mother's sensitivity can buffer her infant from the negative impacts of maternal depression. Infants whose mothers were sensitive had lower cortisol levels and less DNA methylation, indicating reduced exposure to maternal stress hormones.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalChild Development·DateFeb 11, 2016
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.

Bumpy liquid films could simplify fabrication of microlenses

Researchers at TU Darmstadt develop a new technique to fabricate microlens arrays with highly regular structures, reducing costs and time. The method uses cellular convection in a thick liquid layer to pattern a thin polymer film, ideal for photovoltaic systems.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 11, 2016

Real-time Ebola fusion system yields clues to stopping infection

Researchers developed a real-time system to track Ebola virus particles' interaction with human cells, revealing crucial host and viral proteins involved in fusion. The study identifies specific cellular proteins required for fusion, offering insights into designing future drugs or vaccines.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateFeb 11, 2016

Discovery of new iron oxides points to large oxygen source inside the Earth

Researchers used high-pressure experiments to create two new iron oxides, which decompose at extreme conditions and release significant amounts of oxygen-rich fluid. The discovery suggests a huge oxygen source in the Earth's lower mantle that can affect geochemical processes.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2016

This is what a wasp sees to learn the way home

Researchers reconstructed what wasps see during learning flights, revealing how they monitor changing views and rely on familiar sights. The study sheds light on the insects' remarkable navigation abilities, which may inspire new approaches to robotics and ecological neuroscience.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 11, 2016
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.

South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves produce 2 new hominin fossils

Two new hominin fossils, a finger bone and a molar, were found in the Sterkfontein Caves, associated with early stone tools dating back 2.18 million years. The specimens possess intriguing features that raise more questions than answers.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateFeb 11, 2016

Plant extract shows promise in treating pancreatic cancer

A new study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso found that a compound in neem leaves can stop pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis without harming normal cells. The researchers observed a 70% reduction in cancer cell migration and invasion, as well as an 80% drop in cancer cell colonies.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 11, 2016

Pinpointing loneliness in the brain

MIT neuroscientists identify the brain region responsible for feelings of loneliness and increased sociability after isolation. This discovery provides a starting point for studying loneliness-like states and their neural mechanisms.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell·DateFeb 11, 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.

NASA's RapidScat spots newborn Tropical Cyclone Tatiana

RapidScat measures surface winds in intensifying tropical cyclone Tatiana, providing forecasters with pinpoint data to track strongest winds. The storm is currently well offshore and poses no immediate threat to the Queensland coast.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 11, 2016

Updates on the fight to save amphibians

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has imposed a ban on importing 201 species of salamanders to prevent the spread of deadly fungal disease Bsal. Researchers will discuss lessons learned from controlling another closely related fungus, Bd, which has decimated frog populations worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateFeb 11, 2016

For a rare prairie orchid, science is making climate change local

A dynamic model focusing on site scale conservation helps answer questions about how small white lady's slipper orchid habitats will change with climate change. The model provides information on management strategies specific to the location and plant itself, benefiting rare species with limited ranges.

SourceUSDA Forest Service - Northern Research Station·JournalBiological Conservation·DateFeb 11, 2016

Researchers to use supercomputer to 'hack' Ebola

University of Leeds researchers will run computer software to identify compounds that could be the basis of antivirals for Ebola. The project focuses on finding effective anti-viral drugs, as vaccines are not yet available to treat infected patients.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateFeb 11, 2016
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.

Study finds freezing nerves prior to knee replacement improves outcomes

A retrospective study found that freezing nerves before knee replacement surgery significantly improves patient outcomes, with shorter hospital stays and reduced opioid use. The treatment group had fewer knee symptoms and better local pain control, allowing patients to walk and function well enough to go home sooner.

SourceLouisiana State University Health Sciences Center·JournalThe Knee·DateFeb 11, 2016
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.

Want to be a doctor, but have a disability? Many medical schools look unwelcoming

A study by Michigan Medicine researchers found that many medical schools fail to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making it difficult for prospective students with disabilities to find information and access accommodations. The researchers call on schools to reexamine their policies and improve compliance.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAcademic Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2016

100-mllion-year-old amber preserves oldest animal societies

Scientists discovered advanced social behavior in 100-million-year-old amber, revealing that ants and termites had sophisticated caste systems tens of millions of years earlier than thought. The fossils preserved the presence of different castes, including queen ants and workers, as well as eusocial behaviors such as combat and foraging.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalCurrent Biology·DateFeb 11, 2016

I want her to want me: Where men, sex and personality meet

A new study suggests that a man's attachment style may influence his perceptions of whether a woman is interested in him sexually. Men with higher attachment anxiety tend to imagine women as more interested, while those with higher attachment avoidance see themselves as less flirty.

SourceUnion College·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateFeb 11, 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.

Gravitational waves detected 100 years after Einstein's prediction

Scientists observed ripples in spacetime called gravitational waves from colliding black holes, confirming a major prediction of Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. The detected waves were produced during the merger of two black holes, with masses about 29 and 36 times that of the sun.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 11, 2016

Power walk: Footsteps could charge mobile electronics

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed an energy-harvesting technology that captures human motion to power mobile devices. The 'bubbler' method generates high power densities, enabling smaller and lighter energy-harvesting devices that can be integrated into shoes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2016

Precise visualization of myocardial injury

Researchers used a 7T MRI scanner to visualize myocardial injury in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, detecting minute clefts that were previously impossible to see. The technology offers high-resolution imaging and could lead to more accurate diagnoses of heart diseases.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 10, 2016
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 of Asian common toad reveals 3 divergent groups

A recent research project by Bryan L. Stuart and colleagues found three distinct evolutionary lineages of Asian common toads, each with narrower geographical ranges and ecological niches, in mainland Southeast Asia, coastal Myanmar, and the Sundaic islands.

SourceNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences·JournalBiology Letters·DateFeb 10, 2016

Chemical cages: New technique advances synthetic biology

Researchers have developed a new technique using DNA nanocages to confine enzymes and substrate molecules, accelerating chemical reactions and shielding them from degradation. This breakthrough has far-reaching applications in industries such as medicine, diagnostics, and materials production.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2016

GPS tracking down to the centimeter

Researchers at UCR have developed a new way to process GPS data, enabling centimeter-level accuracy in navigation systems. This technology will improve location services accessed through mobile phones and wearable technologies, while also supporting emerging applications like autonomous vehicles and precision farming.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalIEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology·DateFeb 10, 2016

Starting age of marijuana use may have long-term effects on brain development

Research suggests that starting age of marijuana use can impact brain structures responsible for judgment, reasoning, and complex thinking. Heavy marijuana users who began using before age 16 showed arrested brain development, while those who started after 16 demonstrated accelerated brain aging.

SourceCenter for BrainHealth·JournalDevelopmental Cognitive Neuroscience·DateFeb 10, 2016
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.

'Electronic nose' from a Russian scientist will help to diagnose diseases

A Russian scientist has developed an electronic nose that analyzes gas mixtures to diagnose diseases and detect the freshness of fruits and vegetables. The device can identify specific gases emitted by products, allowing for more accurate determination of shelf life.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalRussian Physics Journal·DateFeb 10, 2016

Cardiac repair: Neutrophils to the rescue

Researchers have discovered that neutrophils promote cardiac repair by producing a factor that stimulates the differentiation of macrophages, which accelerate tissue repair. This finding challenges previous views on neutrophils' role in inflammation and suggests a potential therapeutic approach to boost repair processes.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateFeb 10, 2016