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Science News Archive January 2016 - Page 23


Page 23 of 31

Drip irrigation rates tested for eggplant growth and yield

Researchers tested eggplant irrigation rates and found that moderate watering can reduce nitrogen leaching and maintain fruit yields. The study suggests a potential to lower current irrigation rates without negatively impacting crop performance.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortScience·DateJan 11, 2016

PNAS: Childhood leukemias forged by different evolutionary forces than in older adults

A new study proposes that genetic drift contributes to the development of leukemia in young children. The researchers used a computational model describing blood stem cell population dynamics and found that drift plays a significant role in early-life leukemia formation. In contrast, selection drives leukemia development in older adults.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2016

Decision making in action

The brain initially represents and decides between competing action options by planning multiple movements simultaneously. Researchers found that participants planned a movement for each potential target and executed these movements simultaneously when the target was uncertain.

SourceQueen's University·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJan 11, 2016

DNA 'building blocks' pave the way for improved drug delivery

Scientists have developed a new strategy for constructing highly specific synthetic pores using DNA, which can control the release of therapeutics. The pores are designed to act like doors, opening only when provided with the right key, allowing for precise targeting of drugs to specific tissues.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 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.

IUPUI develops technique for detection of illicit enhancement of racing tire performance

Researchers at IUPUI have developed a new technique to detect illicit treatment of racing tires with volatile chemicals, finding approximately 15% of tires tested positive for banned substances. The method uses Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), and has the potential to be app...

SourceIndiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Science·JournalAnalytical Methods·DateJan 11, 2016

NCAR announces powerful new supercomputer for scientific discovery

Cheyenne will be a critical tool for researchers studying climate change, severe weather, and other important geoscience topics. The new system will help scientists lay the groundwork for improved predictions of various phenomena, including thunderstorm outbreaks and solar cycles.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·DateJan 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.

Girls should expect poorer physics grades

A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that teachers with less experience discriminate against female students in physics exams, leading to poorer grades. The findings highlight the importance of teacher training and objective grading criteria to combat biases and stereotypes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalInternational Journal of Science Education·DateJan 11, 2016

A simple way to make lithium-ion battery electrodes that protect themselves

Scientists at DOE national laboratories discovered a simple manufacturing technique to form cathode material into tiny, layered particles that store energy while protecting themselves. This technique, called spray pyrolysis, is cheap and widely used, and could lead to cheaper and higher capacity lithium-ion batteries.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 11, 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.

High folic acid intake in aged mice causes a lowered immune response

A study by Tufts University researchers found that high folic acid intake causes a lowered immune response in aged mice, particularly affecting natural killer cells. The study used an aged mouse model and found that excess folic acid impaired NK cell development, leading to reduced immunity against viral infections and cancer.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalThe Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry·DateJan 11, 2016

Digital imagery useful for pyrethrum analysis

Researchers have successfully used digital imaging to measure pyrethrum flowers before harvesting, detecting 88% of flowers compared to manual recognition. This automated system allows for faster and easier image collection, enabling greater plot areas to be sampled for yield estimation.

SourceAmerican Society for Horticultural Science·JournalHortTechnology·DateJan 11, 2016
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.

Polymer puts new medical solutions within reach

Researchers developed a process to create a water-loving polymer with structure, opening up possibilities for artificial blood vessels and soft tissue-like mechanical properties. This breakthrough addresses the challenge of balancing hydrogel's water-loving nature with the need for crystallinity.

SourceSyracuse University·DateJan 11, 2016

One hookah tobacco smoking session delivers 25 times the tar of a single cigarette

A new meta-analysis reveals that hookah smokers inhale a large load of toxicants, with one session delivering 25 times the tar and 125 times the smoke of a single cigarette. The study suggests that hookah tobacco smoking should be monitored more closely to address this growing health concern.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalPublic Health Reports·DateJan 11, 2016

LA BioMed researcher honored for distinguished teaching

Dr. John Michael Criley receives the 2016 Distinguished Teacher Award for his innovative and compassionate teaching, training over 2,200 cardiologists and medical professionals worldwide. He has made significant contributions to cardiovascular medicine through his research papers and textbooks.

SourceLA BioMed·DateJan 11, 2016

Creating 'medical homes' involves significant costs, study finds

Transforming primary care practices into 'medical homes' requires substantial investments, with median one-time costs ranging from $7,694 to $117,810 per practice. Ongoing costs include adding staff and investing in information technology, constituting a significant financial burden for small medical practices.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateJan 11, 2016

Technique matters: A different way to make cathodes may mean better batteries

Berkeley Lab researchers have discovered a technique called spray pyrolysis that can improve the performance of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) cathodes, which are crucial for electric vehicle applications. By controlling surface chemistry, they were able to reduce surface reactivity and increase material stability.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 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.

Global learning is needed to save carbon capture and storage from being abandoned

A University of Cambridge researcher warns that abandoning carbon capture and storage (CCS) would hinder efforts to reduce carbon emissions. CCS is essential for delivering flexible power and reducing emissions from industrial processes, but funding issues have led to a decline in interest from corporations and governments.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 11, 2016

Squeezing cells into stem cells

EPFL scientists have developed a gel that boosts the ability of normal cells to revert into stem cells by simply squeezing them into shape. This method paves the way for large-scale production of stem cells for medical purposes, offering new ways to treat injuries and diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 11, 2016

Sugar-sweetened drinks linked to increased visceral fat

A new study published in Circulation journal found that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages daily increases visceral fat, a type of body fat that affects diabetes and heart disease risk. The study showed a direct correlation between greater sweetened beverage consumption and increased visceral fat among middle-aged adults.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateJan 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.

Kids' robotic rehab

A team of researchers is exploring the use of the NAO robot in a new approach to pediatric rehabilitation based on social interaction between robots and humans. The robot can read moods, recognize family members, and learn preferences, providing personalized interventions for children with motor disabilities.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateJan 11, 2016

Preschoolers who eat their veggies just as likely to eat junk food

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found no link between eating healthy foods and avoiding unhealthy options in preschoolers. Despite frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk, children were just as likely to eat high-sugar, salty, and fatty foods.

SourceOhio State University·JournalMaternal and Child Health Journal·DateJan 11, 2016

Magic mold: Food preservative kills cancer cells, superbugs

A University of Michigan study found that nisin can kill 70-80 percent of head and neck tumor cells in rats and extend survival. Nisin also fights deadly bacteria such as MRSA, using its ability to bind to bacteria and kill biofilms.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateJan 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.

Life-extending hormone bolsters the body's immune function

A Yale University study found that the hormone FGF21 protects against age-related loss of immune function by promoting T cell production. Increasing FGF21 levels may be an additional strategy to bolster immune function in the elderly or cancer patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2016

You can't fool this activity tracker

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a way to train smartphone activity trackers to spot fake activity, increasing accuracy from 38% to 84%. The system learns to recognize patterns of cheating, such as shaking the phone while lounging on the couch, and can generalize it across individuals.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 11, 2016

The way you sound affects your mood

Researchers created an audio platform that modifies voices to sound happier, sadder or more fearful, and found participants' emotional state changed accordingly. The study suggests people don't always control their own voice to match emotions, but listen to it to gauge feelings.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 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.

Quick screening method identifies promising anti-Ebola drugs

A quick screening method has been used to identify and test promising anti-Ebola drugs. The method, which allows for the evaluation of candidate drugs and comparison of antiviral effectiveness, has shown potential in reducing the emergence of drug resistance and increasing confidence in experimental results.

SourceUniversity Health Network·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 11, 2016

Backyard chickens harbor greater diversity of ticks, mites, and lice than farm-raised chickens

A study by University of California, Riverside scientists reveals that backyard chickens have a higher diversity of ectoparasites, including six species of lice, the northern fowl mite, scaly leg mite, and chicken red mite. This finding suggests that the benefits of backyard chicken keeping may come with an itchy price.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJan 11, 2016

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Ula's eye closing

Tropical Cyclone Ula has weakened from a Category 4 Hurricane to a Category 2 hurricane due to unfavorable environmental conditions. The storm is expected to make its closest approach to Kingston Island and then move north of New Zealand by January 12.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 11, 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.

NASA eyeing an interesting weather system in northern Atlantic

A non-tropical low pressure system with potential subtropical characteristics has developed in the Northern Atlantic, producing hurricane-force winds and gale-force conditions. The system is expected to produce hazardous marine conditions over parts of the central and eastern Atlantic for several days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 11, 2016

Giant icebergs play key role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere

A new study reveals that giant icebergs in the Southern Ocean contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, with enhanced phytoplankton productivity extending hundreds of kilometers beyond the iceberg's length. This process helps slow global warming by storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Geoscience·DateJan 11, 2016

Five percent of Ontario residents account for majority of health care costs

A study by the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that five percent of Ontarians account for 65% of provincial health care costs, with the top 1% accounting for one-third of these costs. The study tracked $30.5 billion in healthcare spending, which is about 75% of total government health expenditures.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJan 11, 2016
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.

Self-adaptive material heals itself, stays tough

Rice University scientists develop a self-adaptive composite that heals itself and returns to its original form after compression. The material, called SAC, combines self-healing and reversible self-stiffening properties.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 11, 2016

Illinois and Syngenta sign agreement for access to RIPE intellectual property

The University of Illinois and Syngenta have signed an agreement to implement a commercialization strategy for the 'RIPE' project, which aims to improve photosynthetic efficiency in food crops. The partnership brings together academic groups with industry partner Syngenta to advance technologies developed under the project.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·DateJan 11, 2016

Study reveals potential therapy targets for triple-negative breast cancer

A multi-institutional international study has revealed new information about the interaction between long non-coding RNAs and HIF-1 signaling pathways in triple-negative breast cancer. The study identifies four previously unknown phosphorylation sites, which predict a worse outcome for TNBC patients, suggesting that these sites could s...

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJan 11, 2016

January/February 2016 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

Research studies examine the viability of small, solo family practices in rural areas, finding they often provide vital care. Large independent primary care groups are also shown to be attractive options for physicians and patients, offering resources and autonomy while reducing costs.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 11, 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.

Making a safe procedure even safer

A comprehensive modeling study found that breast cancer screening with digital mammography poses only a small risk of radiation-induced breast cancer for most women. However, the research showed increased risk for women with large breasts or breast implants. The study suggests biennial screening from ages 50 to 74 may be the safest opt...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 11, 2016

Single molecule detection of contaminants, explosives or diseases now possible

Researchers have developed a technique that enables the detection of single molecules of contaminants, explosives, or diseases using a combination of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and a slippery surface. This innovation has vast applications in analytical chemistry, molecular diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and nation...

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 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.

Even small reductions in kidney function may damage heart, blood vessels

New research found that even very healthy individuals with reduced kidney function experience changes in the heart, including increased left ventricle mass and elevated troponin levels, indicating potential for heart disease. The study tracked living kidney donors to explore direct effects of diminished kidney function on the heart.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateJan 11, 2016

Two-in-one packaging may increase drug efficacy and reduce side effects

Researchers developed a device that produces tiny capsules with multiple inner ingredients, which can be triggered to mix and release toxic product only near the tumor site. The method has shown promise for increasing drug efficiency while reducing side effects in cancer treatment.

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

Brain's immune cells key to maintaining blood-brain barrier

The study found that microglia, the brain's immune system, rapidly repair damage to the blood-brain barrier after breaches. This process could be impaired by certain cardiovascular drugs intended to prevent stroke-related damage.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 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.