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Science News for July 1, 2016


Routine eye exams lead to high rate of change in vision status or care

A study found that routine eye exams lead to a change in vision prescription or other changes in care for over half of asymptomatic patients. The study also showed that older patients and those with longer intervals between visits were more likely to experience significant changes.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalOptometry and Vision Science·DateJul 1, 2016

Blood coagulation detector may help in monitoring stroke risk

A recent study using a highly sensitive blood coagulation test called dielectric blood coagulometry (DBCM) found that non-Atrial Fibrillation patients with high CHADS2 scores exhibited hypercoagulability. DBCM detected small changes in blood coagulation, particularly in those at higher risk of stroke.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 1, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Cravings for high-calorie foods may be switched off in the brain by new supplement

A new study suggests that a powdered food supplement, based on a molecule produced by bacteria in the gut, can reduce cravings for high-calorie foods like chocolate and pizza. The supplement, called inulin-propionate ester, releases more propionate than other fiber supplements, which signals to the brain to reduce appetite.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJul 1, 2016

Study reveals reasons for delays in early autism diagnoses in Australia

A study found that Australian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often face delays in diagnosis due to prolonged waiting periods for assessments. Practitioners cited having large waiting lists as a major factor, leading to delayed diagnoses and reduced access to evidence-based interventions.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalAustralian Psychologist·DateJul 1, 2016

Iowa State researchers describe copper-induced misfolding of prion proteins

Iowa State researchers discovered copper-induced misfolding of prion proteins, leading to inflammation and damage in brain tissue from a mouse model. The study's findings have major implications for understanding the role of metals in protein misfolding diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceIowa State University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 1, 2016

Walking meetings could brings longer and healthier lives to office workers, UM study

A new study published in Preventing Chronic Disease suggests that incorporating walking meetings into the workday can significantly increase physical activity levels among white-collar workers. By converting one seated meeting per week to a walking meeting, participants reported a 10-minute increase in work-related physical activity.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateJul 1, 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.

Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting draws to a close

The 66th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting concluded with a discussion on scientific education and the role of innovation in science. The event aimed to stimulate interest in STEM subjects among young people, with a focus on raising education standards in developing countries.

SourceLindau Nobel Laureate Meetings·DateJul 1, 2016

California droughts caused mainly by changes in wind, not moisture

A new study reveals that changes in wind patterns are the main driver of California droughts, rather than moisture levels. Researchers analyzed 30-year data sets to find that atmospheric circulation disturbances have a significant impact on drought frequency and severity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 1, 2016

Are we giving up on cardiac arrest patients too soon?

A new study by the University of Arizona suggests that physicians should not predict outcomes for comatose cardiac arrest patients too soon. The study found that many patients wake up longer than expected after being rewarmed from therapeutic hypothermia treatment, with some even regaining consciousness five or seven days after admission.

SourceUniversity of Arizona Health Sciences·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 1, 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.

FASEB 2017 Excellence in Science Award recipient announced

Dr. Diane Mathis has been awarded the FASEB Excellence in Science Award for her groundbreaking research on immunological tolerance, autoimmune diseases, and immune regulation. Her numerous publications and teaching achievements have also made a significant impact on the field of immunology.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·DateJul 1, 2016

E. coli: The ideal transport for next-gen vaccines?

A new E. coli-based transport capsule has been developed to improve the efficiency of next-generation vaccines, with promising results in fighting pneumococcal disease. The capsule uses a harmless strain of E. coli wrapped in a synthetic polymer to deliver antigens and trigger an immune response.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 1, 2016

Cerebrovascular disease linked to Alzheimer's

Researchers from Rush University Medical Center found that diseased blood vessels in the brain may contribute more significantly to Alzheimer's disease dementia than previously believed. The study analyzed medical and pathologic data on 1,143 older individuals and found an association between worsening brain vessel diseases and higher ...

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateJul 1, 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.

Prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase autism spectrum symptoms

A new study finds that prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase attention-related symptoms, hyperactivity, and autism spectrum symptoms in children. Researchers found a 30% higher risk of attention function detriment and two clinical autism symptoms in boys exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateJul 1, 2016

Benign bacteria block mosquitoes from transmitting Zika, chikungunya viruses

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have confirmed that a benign bacterium called Wolbachia pipientis can completely block transmission of Zika virus in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The bacteria, which are self-sustainable and low-cost, can also reduce vector competence in mosquitoes and impact their infection status.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 1, 2016

Researcher pursues new applications for 'hot' electrons

A University of Houston researcher is exploring electron oscillation in porous gold nanoparticles to harness their energy. The goal is to enhance catalytic reactions and boost biosensing, potentially leading to ultrasensitive detection of disease biomarkers.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateJul 1, 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 relentless dynamism of the adult brain

Scientists observed real-time formation and evolution of new adult-born neurons in the olfactory bulb of mice. Constant structural plasticity in connections between new neurons and neighboring cells was revealed, enabling efficient processing of sensory information.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalNeuron·DateJul 1, 2016

Report: A host of common chemicals endanger child brain development

A report by University of Illinois professor Susan Schantz highlights dozens of common chemicals posing risks to fetal and child neurodevelopment. The report criticizes regulatory lapses allowing toxic chemicals into everyday products.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 1, 2016

3-D paper-based microbial fuel cell operating under continuous flow condition

A team of researchers from Iowa State University has developed a proof-of-concept three-dimensional paper-based microbial fuel cell that generates power through biofilm formation on the anode. The device produces 1.3 μW of power and 52.25 μA of current, demonstrating its potential for environmentally friendly energy production.

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalTECHNOLOGY·DateJul 1, 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.

Zika virus research at Biosecurity Research Institute aims to control, fight mosquitoes

Researchers at Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute are studying the relationship between Zika virus and mosquitoes to develop better controlling methods. They aim to target specific species of mosquitoes that transmit the virus, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which are widely distributed in the U.S.

SourceKansas State University·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJul 1, 2016

New method provides better information on gene expression

A new high-resolution method allows analysis of all RNA molecules and provides spatial information, enabling precise identification of tumor cells and studying gene activity with greater resolution than ever before. This innovation has valuable applications for both preclinical research and cancer diagnostics.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalScience·DateJul 1, 2016

Women's connections in extreme networks

A study reveals that women are better connected within terrorist organizations than men, acting as a glue to fuel the network's vitality and survival. The researchers found high 'betweenness centrality' among female members, making them critical in passing on vital information.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 1, 2016

Aging population is growing ranks of cancer survivors

The study projects that by 2040, there will be 26.1 million cancer survivors in the US, with 73% aged 65 or older. Increasing age increases the chance of comorbid conditions, and gaps exist between men and women in older age groups.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·DateJul 1, 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.

Consensus statement: Environmental toxins hurt brain development, action needed

A consensus statement from Project TENDR highlights the link between environmental toxins and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. The alliance calls for immediate reduction of toxic chemical exposures through policy changes and industry action.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateJul 1, 2016

Researchers identify human fingerprint on Indo-Pacific warm pool growth

Researchers identified human fingerprint on Indo-Pacific warm pool growth using climate model simulations and fingerprinting technique. Human-induced greenhouse gas increase is the dominant cause of IPWP warming and expansion, with a small contribution from natural climate variability.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 1, 2016

New biomaterial developed for injectable neuronal control

Scientists have created a tiny, soft, and wirelessly functional biomaterial that can be injected into the body to stimulate nerve cells and manipulate muscle behavior. The material degrades naturally after a few months, eliminating the need for surgery.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 1, 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.

When suppressing immunity is a good thing

A team of researchers from Hokkaido University found that a receptor, known for its role in mediating dioxin toxicity, also regulates the body's innate immune response to viral infections. The activation of this receptor negatively regulates the production of an antiviral protein called type I interferon.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Immunology·DateJul 1, 2016