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Science News Archive January 2016 - Page 9


Page 9 of 31

Climate change: Ocean warming underestimated

Researchers at the University of Bonn used satellite data to find that ocean warming expansion contributed an average of 1.4 millimeters per year to sea level rise, more than double the previous estimate of 0.7-1.0 millimeters per year. This could lead to significantly increased risks of storm surges and coastal flooding.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Over-hunting threatens Amazonian forest carbon stocks

A new study found that over-hunting large mammals in Amazonian forests could lead to significant loss of above-ground carbon stock, potentially disrupting seed dispersal and long-term forest dynamics. The research suggests that protecting large vertebrate populations is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Study finds smartphones may decrease sedentary time, increase activity

A pilot study found that using smartphone reminders can significantly decrease daily sedentary time and increase active time. Participants who received prompts had an average of 25 minutes less of sedentary time per day compared to those without reminders.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateJan 25, 2016

New research uncovers hidden bias in college admissions tests

A new study found that standardized tests like SAT and GRE can predict student success with varying degrees of accuracy across different colleges and universities. The researchers argue that admissions policies, grading approaches, and academic support resources differ greatly between institutions, leading to biases in test results.

SourceIndiana University·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·DateJan 25, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Clarifying the role of magnetism in high-temperature superconductors

Researchers investigated magnetism's influence on atomic vibrations in iron-pnictide superconductors, finding magnetic fluctuations play a crucial role. The study provides insight into the interaction between magnetism and atomic vibrations, potentially leading to materials that superconduct close to room temperature.

SourceRIKEN·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 25, 2016

NASA provides a look at post-blizzard snowfall and winds

RapidScat satellite revealed sustained winds of 45 meters per second along the coast of southern New Jersey, causing flooding. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible-light image showing a blanket of snow stretching from Massachusetts to Missouri.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 25, 2016

A new quantum approach to big data

Researchers have developed a new quantum approach to analyze connections in complex networks, such as brain wiring and the global internet, using topological systems. This method can exponentially speed up calculations compared to conventional computers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 25, 2016

A new model emerges for monsoons in a changing global climate

A new study suggests that continent-scale monsoons will adapt gradually to climate change, with changes in land use and greenhouse gas concentrations prompting adjustments in massive air circulations. Despite predictions of a sudden shift, the researchers argue that monsoon rainfall will change smoothly over time.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 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.

Mosquitoes capable of carrying Zika virus found in Washington, D.C.

A major population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with genetic evidence of overwintering has been discovered in a Capitol Hill neighborhood. This finding poses a real threat to public health, particularly pregnant women and vulnerable populations, due to the mosquito's ability to adapt to northern climates.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateJan 25, 2016

Childhood cancer survivors face increased risk of metabolic syndrome

A new study found that childhood cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing hypertension and overweight/obesity, key contributors to metabolic syndrome. Previous irradiation of the head is also linked to an increased risk of overweight/obesity.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology·DateJan 25, 2016

Rana A. Fine selected as Fellow of the Oceanography Society

Rana A. Fine, a professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, has been selected as a Fellow of the Oceanography Society for her significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation and ventilation. Her research spans scales from local to global, covering various latitudes and ocean depths.

SourceThe Oceanography Society·DateJan 25, 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.

The best way to help homeless youth is hardly ever used

A new study confirms drop-in centers tailored to homeless youths' needs offer greater appeal than shelters. The centers provide a safe space for job searching, sobriety, and stable housing, helping move young people away from homelessness.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPrevention Science·DateJan 25, 2016

ACP issues advice for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer

The American College of Physicians issues guidelines for evaluating blood in the urine as a sign of cancer. Doctors should confirm heme-positive results with microscopic urinalysis before initiating further evaluation in asymptomatic adults. Urology referral is recommended for cystoscopy and imaging in adults with microscopically confi...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016

Extra sperm analysis could help involuntarily childless couples

A new analysis of sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) reveals its potential to personalize fertility treatment and increase chances of successful assisted reproduction for involuntary childless couples. Men with higher DFI values have lower fertility, making ICSI a more effective option over IVF in such cases.

SourceLund University·JournalAndrology·DateJan 25, 2016
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.

Moore Foundation funds Berkeley Lab for next-generation accelerators

Researchers at Berkeley Lab will develop compact free electron lasers for affordable x-ray sources, overcoming current limitations of miles-long facilities costing hundreds of millions of dollars. The project aims to produce portable and high-contrast x-ray imaging with a smaller footprint and lower cost.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJan 25, 2016

Diverse migration helps birds cope with environmental change

Research found that species with diverse migration patterns are less likely to decline, while those funneling into smaller areas are more vulnerable. Partial migrants, like Blackbirds and Robins, showed greater resilience to human impacts.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEcology Letters·DateJan 25, 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.

Increasing oil's performance with crumpled graphene balls

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered crumpled graphene balls as a promising lubricant additive that outperforms some commercial lubricants in reducing friction and wear on steel surfaces. The additive is self-dispersing without surfactants and has high performance sensitivity to concentration, making it more stable.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Encapsulated human islet cells can normalize blood sugar levels in mice

Scientists successfully implanted encapsulated insulin-producing human stem cell-derived islet cells into mouse models of diabetes, maintaining long-term blood glucose control without immunosuppression. The study uses chemically-tweaked gel capsules that resist scar tissue buildup, a major hurdle in previous research.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016

Leadership: Key to quality care and retention among nurses

A study by McGill University researchers found that transformational leadership has positive impacts on nurses' well-being and job retention, counteracting the negative effects of abusive management. Abusive leaders are more likely to drive novice nurses out of the profession.

SourceMcGill University·JournalJournal of Advanced Nursing·DateJan 25, 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.

Newfound strength in regenerative medicine

Researchers at the Wyss Institute have discovered that cyclic mechanical stimulation can improve muscle regeneration and reduce scarring, opening doors for new non-biologic therapies. The study used murine models of muscle injury and found a two-and-a-half-fold improvement in muscle regeneration with both magnetized gel and robotic cuf...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

2016 Environmental Performance Index rates world's top and worst performers

The 2016 Environmental Performance Index reveals both optimism and concern as nations expand access to water and sanitation while failing to reverse air quality degradation and fisheries decline. Concerted efforts have reduced deaths from waterborne diseases, but 8% of the world's population lacks clean water access.

SourceYale School of the Environment·DateJan 25, 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.

Acid-sensitive molecular changes contribute to the emergence of pandemic influenza

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists identified a molecular property of the hemagglutinin protein that contributed to the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus. The study found that the adaptation increased the protein's stability in acidic conditions, allowing airborne transmission.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2016

Bullying hinders positive youth development for sexual-minority youth

A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that bullying significantly impacts the positive youth development of sexual-minority youth. The research used data from a survey of over 1,800 adolescents and revealed that these youths scored lower on key indicators such as competence, confidence, and connection ...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 25, 2016

Odds are overwhelming that record heat due to climate change

New research suggests that record heat over the past century and a half is incredibly unlikely to have occurred naturally, with odds ranging from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 170,000. Human-caused climate change is considered highly likely to cause warming events.

SourcePenn State·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 25, 2016

Flexible and transparent pressure sensor

A new transparent, bending insensitive pressure sensor was developed by Japanese and American teams to measure pressure distribution on rounded surfaces. The sensor can maintain its sensing accuracy even when bent over a radius of 80 micrometers, equivalent to just twice the width of a human hair.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 25, 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.

Group therapy helps autistic children to cope better with everyday life

A new group therapy program has been shown to improve social skills in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), helping them cope better in everyday life. The therapy, developed at Goethe University Frankfurt, was tested in six clinics and found to have a lasting effect on social behavior.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJan 25, 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.

Most commonly used TB test fails to accurately diagnose pregnant HIV positive women

A new study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the most commonly used TB test failed to accurately diagnose tuberculosis in up to 50% of pregnant women who are HIV+. The researchers developed a new method to identify which women carrying latent TB infection are most likely to develop ...

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 25, 2016

TTUHSC El Paso Receives Grant to Establish New Gastroparesis Treatments

Researchers at TTUHSC El Paso are conducting studies on gastroparesis to pioneer new therapies and prevent the disorder. They will lead efforts locally within the Department of Internal Medicine, focusing on potential new surgeries and a study on the genetic basis of the disease.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·DateJan 25, 2016

Galaxy cluster environment not dictated by its mass alone

Researchers found that galaxy clusters' surroundings are shaped by their formation history, not just their mass. The study used gravitational lensing to confirm the connection between cluster mass and dark matter environment.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 25, 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.

Towards the prevention of cardiac failure in the chronic phase

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a therapeutic method using periostin1-specific neutralizing antibodies to inhibit the onset of cardiac failure in the chronic phase, improving patients' quality of life and reducing medical costs. The study's findings suggest that periostin1 is the primary cause of cardiac failure after AMI.

SourceOsaka University·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateJan 24, 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.

NASA sees winter storm slamming eastern United States

NASA satellite imagery captured a massive low-pressure system affecting the U.S. East Coast, causing heavy snow and blizzard conditions in areas like Baltimore/Washington and New England. The storm intensified over the Delmarva Peninsula before moving northeast off the coast of the Carolinas.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 23, 2016

Microwaved nanotubes come up clean

Researchers at Rice University and Swansea University have developed a two-step process using microwaves and chlorine to remove iron catalyst residues from carbon nanotubes. This method makes the nanotubes more pristine and suitable for applications such as drug delivery and solar panels.

SourceRice University·JournalRSC Advances·DateJan 22, 2016

A defense protein that causes cancer

A team of Swiss and Russian scientists has deciphered how APOBEC takes advantage of a weakness in DNA replication to induce mutations, primarily affecting early-replicating genes. The study reveals that APOBEC targets single-stranded DNA regions during replication, which are more prone to mutations.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 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.

Biologists develop method for antibiotic susceptibility testing

A team of biologists at UC San Diego has developed a new method to determine if bacteria are susceptible to antibiotics within a few hours. The approach allows doctors to rapidly identify the appropriate treatment for patients with life-threatening bacterial infections, potentially slowing the emergence of drug resistance.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJan 22, 2016

Self-stacking nanogrids

MIT researchers have developed a technique for stacking layers of block-copolymer wires, creating mesh structures with potential applications in memory and optical chips. The ability to easily produce these self-assembled structures could revolutionize the manufacturing process.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 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.

NASA eyes powerful winter storm spreading into mid-Atlantic

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions to the Mid-Atlantic region. Snowfall totals may exceed 2 feet in some areas, including Baltimore and Washington D.C., with gusty winds and storm surge flooding also possible.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 22, 2016

Pursuing Alzheimer's dsease from the periphery

Researchers aim to improve measurement methods for amyloid-beta protein production outside the brain, a key area of study for Alzheimer's disease. They plan to develop innovative quantitative proteomics methods to analyze peripheral tissue changes and their relation to brain changes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJan 22, 2016