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Science News Archive June 2016


Page 5 of 40

European Medicines Agency talks to doctors and industry about revising trial design

The European Medicines Agency has revised its trial design guidelines for acute coronary syndromes, emphasizing the use of troponin to diagnose myocardial infarction. The new guidelines also recommend a more nuanced approach to risk analysis, including subgroup analysis according to risk levels. This updated framework aims to promote t...

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.

At the droplet of a hat: Capturing mixable liquid interaction

Researchers at OIST Graduate University have successfully captured the spreading of a droplet as it interacts with another mixable liquid for the first time. The study reveals that the droplets spread in a way resembling a 'hat' shape, with the brim continuing to expand over time until fully integrated into the second liquid.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Building a better battery

Researchers have long struggled to understand the factors contributing to battery inefficiency. A new study led by Texas A&M University chemist Sarbajit Banerjee reveals that trapped electrons, which form 'puddles of charge,' are a major obstacle. By imaging these electron clusters using advanced X-ray microscopy, the team has gained i...

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.

Study shows trees with altered lignin are better for biofuels

Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory engineered a novel enzyme to alter lignin structure in aspen trees, resulting in increased access to biofuel building blocks without inhibiting plant growth. The modified trees released up to 62% more simple sugars and had an almost 50% increase in ethanol yield

1815 UK geologic map remains the benchmark

The 1815 UK geologic map, created by William Smith, is still remarkably accurate two centuries later due to its innovative features. The map's accuracy can be attributed to a combination of creative individuality, technological advancements, and favorable taxation laws.

Zika vaccines protect mice from infection

Two experimental Zika vaccines fully protected mice from infection, even after four weeks without inoculation. The DNA and inactivated virus vaccines induced virus-specific antibodies, correlating with protection against infection.

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.

New framework uses patterns to predict terrorist behavior

Researchers at Binghamton University developed a framework that calculates relationships between select features of terrorist attacks, predicting characteristics with over 90% accuracy. The framework analyzes past attacks to identify future patterns, supporting the idea that terrorists learn from each other's behavior.

Pipelines affect health, fitness of salmon, study finds

A new study by University of Guelph researchers found that exposure to diluted bitumen impairs swimming ability and changes heart structures in young salmon. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is expected to increase oil sands products reaching the Pacific coast.

Greenery in neighborhoods may reduce adolescent aggressive behavior

A new study found that adolescents living in neighborhoods with more greenery have less aggressive behaviors. The researchers linked the adolescents' residential locations to satellite data, measuring the levels of greenery and associated it with reduced aggressive behaviors.

Medical device regulation in the EU and US needs urgent reform, say experts

A recent study published in The BMJ found that medical devices approved first in the EU have a higher rate of safety issues, while clinical trial results remain unpublished or unavailable up to five years after approval. Experts call for greater regulatory transparency to enable informed decisions about treatment.

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.

Early screening spots emergency workers at greater risk of mental illness

A study published in Psychological Medicine identified risk factors that can predict post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression among emergency services workers. Early assessment can help offer targeted training to improve resilience, reducing episodes of mental illness and improving long-term health.

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.

Insurance causes costs of services to rise

Researchers found that customers with insurance are less critical of costs, leading to overcharging and higher prices. The study showed a significant difference in repair prices, with customers with insurance paying up to €128.68 compared to €70.17 without insurance.

A lesson from fruit flies

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have discovered a possible first therapy for Mucolipidosis IV by extending their findings from fruit flies to a mouse model. Bone marrow transplantation significantly delayed the onset of motor deficits in MLIV mice, preventing the amplification process that causes neurodegeneration and blindness.

What effect does oral aloe vera have on diabetes?

A meta-analysis of studies shows oral aloe vera use is associated with significant decreases in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The greatest benefits may be seen in individuals with FBG >200 mg/dL.

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.

Researcher finds 'ghost workers' common in migrant farm work

A new study by Sarah Horton found that many agribusiness companies provide employees with valid work authorization documents belonging to friends or family members. This practice, known as 'ghost workers,' allows employers to disguise the employment of undocumented immigrants and evade labor laws. The research highlights the role of id...

Statins controversy linked to rise in UK patients stopping the treatment

A new study found that intense media coverage of the statins controversy led to a rise in patients stopping the treatment, with an 11% and 12% increase in existing users quitting statins for primary and secondary prevention. The study suggests that widespread reporting of debates can have a significant impact on patient behavior.

New technology could deliver drugs to brain injuries

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have discovered a peptide sequence that can carry molecules and nanoparticles to acutely damaged areas of the brain, providing a new means of delivering therapeutics for traumatic brain injuries. This technology has the potential to minimize the effects of secondary injur...

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.

ASHG honors James F. Gusella with William Allan Award

James F. Gusella, a renowned geneticist, will receive the William Allan Award for his substantial and far-reaching scientific contributions to human genetics and neurogenetics research. Dr. Gusella's work has mapped genes associated with neurological conditions such as Huntington disease, ALS, and Alzheimer disease.

Lack of voluntary data sharing from industry-funded clinical trials

A study found that only 53% of industry-funded clinical trials were listed on a data sharing website, despite the companies' commitment to share data. The proportion of shared data varied significantly between sponsors, with GlaxoSmithKline reporting 66% and Boehringer Ingelheim reporting 24%.

Boston subway system covered in microbes, but they're not harmful

A study published in mSystems journal found that Boston's subway system is heavily colonized by microbes from human skin, with surface type being the major driver of variation. The majority of microbes found were from normal human skin and were harmless, but some samples showed low levels of gut and oral microbes.

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.

Free articles on Aedes albopictus, mosquitoes that may transmit Zika

A special collection of articles from the Journal of Medical Entomology provides in-depth research on Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, including its introduction to North America, disease transmission, and control measures. The studies highlight the importance of understanding this invasive insect for effective mosquito management.

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.

Fungi can be used to control filth fly adults and reduce egg laying

Researchers found that commercial formulations of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum and Beauveria bassiana were effective in reducing house fly and stable fly egg-laying. The most effective product, Met52 EC, reduced oviposition by more than half and inhibited house fly development.

Hubble nets a cosmic tadpole

Astronomers discovered a rare cosmic tadpole galaxy, LEDA 36252, with its bright head and elongated tail. The galaxy features surprisingly young stars with a total mass equivalent to 10,000 Suns, indicating a recent burst of star formation triggered by the accretion of primordial gas.

TSRI scientists stabilize HIV structure, design potential AIDS vaccine candidates

Researchers at TSRI have advanced efforts to design an AIDS vaccine by stabilizing the HIV Envelope glycoprotein trimer and designing novel nanoparticles that mimic the virus. The stabilization strategy improves the protein's properties, allowing for the creation of HIV-like particles that can prompt the body to fight the real virus.

Obesity linked to increased risk of multiple sclerosis

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that obesity in early adulthood is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The research, led by Dr. Brent Richards, used Mendelian randomization to investigate the link between genetically determined obesity and MS risk. The study found that an averag...

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

NIH-supported study pinpoints origin of 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic

A recent NIH-supported study pinpoints the origin of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in central Mexico, where it emerged from pigs before spreading to humans. The research highlights the importance of tracking swine populations and understanding how economic factors contribute to viral outbreaks.

Honeybee circadian rhythms are affected more by social interactions

Researchers from Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered that social time cues override light exposure in regulating honeybees' natural body clock. This finding highlights the complexity of clock regulation in natural habitats and has implications for understanding circadian rhythms in other species.

Vegetation in Russian Arctic has memory

Researchers found that the degree of cold in the preceding ice age determines how fast vegetation adapts to interglacial climates. The study reveals that plants need thousands of years to adapt from a cold to a warmer period, with permafrost being the main reason for this delay.

Childhood binge eating: Families, feeding, and feelings

Researchers identified two risk factors for childhood binge eating: parental non-involvement or emotional unresponsiveness, and weight-related teasing in the family. Childhood binge eating is not about feeling full, but losing control and experiencing emotional distress.

'Squishy' motors and wheels give soft robots a new ride

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a soft motor that enables torque without bending, making it suitable for search and rescue missions, deep space exploration, and manipulating objects during MRI. The squishy wheels allow for passive suspensions in wheeled vehicles, making the design simple yet effective.

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.

Did controversy over statins influence their use in the UK?

A recent study found that a period of controversy over statin risks and benefits led to a temporary increase in people stopping their statin treatment in the UK. The study, published in The BMJ, suggests that widespread media coverage may have impacted healthcare-related behavior.

NASA sees wind shear affecting Tropical Cyclone 02A

Tropical Cyclone 02A was affected by wind shear, elongating from a tropical easterly jet stream. The storm's trajectory shifted eastward on June 28, with a forecasted dissipation date due to unfavorable vertical wind shear conditions.

Tiniest imperfections make big impacts in nano-patterned materials

Researchers found that small imprecisions in surface lattice sites can affect the density of deposited particles, leading to less efficient deposition processes and lower ultimate coverage. This study suggests that a certain degree of relaxation may be more effective in improving dense structures.

New model predicts once-mysterious chemical reactions

Researchers developed a theoretical model to forecast chemical reactions involving molecular hydrogen, accurately calculating the probability of electron-molecular hydrogen reactions. The model has major implications for fusion plasmas, aerospace materials, astrophysics, and medical applications.

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.

Risk of death for adults with blood cancer higher in three N.C. regions

A study found that adults with acute leukemia had a significantly higher risk of death if they lived in certain North Carolina regions with limited healthcare resources. Researchers analyzed data from 2003 to 2009 and found that patients in these areas were more likely to die, even after controlling for other factors.

National Institutes of Health awards $69.6 million to support research partnership

The National Institutes of Health has awarded a five-year grant of $69.6 million to support the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute's research partnership, building on previous funding totaling over $152.7 million. The consortium aims to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into effective treatments for pa...

Parsley and dill help fight cancer, research shows

Researchers developed a novel synthesis method for glaziovianin A from parsley and dill seeds, inhibiting human tumor cell growth. The compounds also showed promise in testing human cancer cells, with the parent compound being the most active anti-tubulin agent.

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.