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Science News Archive June 2016 - Page 36


Page 36 of 40

Finding connections to nature in cities is key to healthy urban living

A recent Science perspective piece explores the tension between urban areas and human connection to nature. Research shows that reduced access to nature contributes to mental illnesses and mood disorders in city dwellers, highlighting the need for thoughtful urban design to incorporate natural elements.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateJun 3, 2016

Liquid by-products from wood and forest industry find use in wood-plastic composites

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland developed a novel method to add liquid by-products to wood-plastic composites, enhancing their properties. The study also employed PTR-MS to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from WPCs, revealing improvements in water absorption and mechanical properties.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials·DateJun 3, 2016

What impact might Brexit have on UK agriculture?

UK policymakers face constraints due to WTO rules, EU accords, and regional priorities when devising a new farm policy post-Brexit. Brexit could affect the EU's agricultural policy and agri-food issues remain a major concern.

SourceWiley·JournalEuroChoices·DateJun 3, 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.

Gene circuits in live cells can perform complex computations

Researchers at MIT have developed a technique to integrate both analogue and digital computation in living cells, enabling gene circuits capable of carrying out complex processing operations. The synthetic circuits can measure the level of an analogue input and decide whether it's within the right range to turn on an output.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 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.

Repairing chronic wounds

Researchers at University of Delaware develop new biomaterials platform to stimulate growth factor expression and enhance chronic wound repair. The approach aims to provide a more efficient and localized production of growth factors, promoting full wound closure.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateJun 3, 2016

Type 2 diabetes drug could be beneficial for head and neck cancer patients

Researchers found that adding metformin to a chemotherapy and radiation treatment regimen for head and neck cancer patients showed improved outcomes, including better overall survival, compared to those not on metformin. However, faster escalation of metformin was poorly tolerated due to nausea, vomiting, and other side effects.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateJun 3, 2016

Walnuts may improve your colon health

Eating walnuts changes the gut microbiome in a way that suppresses colon cancer, with male mice developing 2.3 times fewer tumors when fed walnuts as part of a Western diet. This effect is likely due to walnut's anti-inflammatory properties and ability to promote a diverse gut flora.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCancer Prevention Research·DateJun 2, 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.

Skaggs family gives $2 million for new TSRI graduate program endowment

The TSRI graduate program has received a new $2 million gift from the Skaggs family to support exceptional students in advanced training at the intersection of biology and chemistry. The gift will enhance research programs and provide financial support, including a first-year stipend and up to $5,000 in subsequent years.

SourceScripps Research Institute·DateJun 2, 2016

NASA studies details of a greening Arctic

A NASA study has found that nearly a third of the land cover in the Arctic is turning green, with western Alaska and Quebec experiencing significant changes between 1984 and 2012. The study used high-resolution Landsat data to track vegetation trends across a 4.1 million square-mile area.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalRemote Sensing of Environment·DateJun 2, 2016

Current apps on weight management have not been certified by health authorities and there are no published data on their effectiveness

Only 17 weight management apps have been developed by certified health organisations or universities, with no published data on their effectiveness. Researchers recommend transferring professionally-designed online materials into app form to ensure content-quality and evidence-based weight control.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateJun 2, 2016

Low risk of dengue infection predicted for foreign visitors to Rio Olympics

Researchers predict a low risk of dengue infection among foreign visitors to the Rio Olympics, with estimates suggesting as few as three symptomatic cases and potentially no asymptomatic infections at all. The predictions are based on sophisticated mathematical modeling techniques and data from Brazil's Health Ministry.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalBMC Infectious Diseases·DateJun 2, 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.

Highly tuned catalytic controls

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new process that triggers targeted reactions using red or near-infrared light or a tiny dose of an enzyme. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and engineering, particularly in drug delivery and tissue engineering.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 2, 2016

Meta-lens works in the visible spectrum, sees smaller than a wavelength of light

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have demonstrated the first planar lens that works with high efficiency within the visible spectrum of light. The lens can resolve nanoscale features separated by distances smaller than the wavelength of light.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

Florida drug database and 'Pill Mill' reg curbed state's top opioid prescribers

In the first year of two Florida laws aimed at reducing opioid prescriptions, the state's top prescribers wrote significantly fewer pain medication prescriptions, with a 6.2% drop in volume and 5.1% decrease in patients. Despite this, most physicians did not change their prescribing patterns.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateJun 2, 2016

Pregnant women may need more information about medicine use

Research reveals pregnant women often avoid medication due to perceived risks, with UTIs being a significant concern. Women's fears and beliefs about medication use during pregnancy highlight the need for better information and training for pharmacists.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalInternational Journal of Clinical Pharmacy·DateJun 2, 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.

European identity continues to grow

A new study finds that EU-15 citizens increasingly identify as European, with the proportion rising to 61% in 2013. The study also shows that younger cohorts are more likely to have multiple identities, which will continue to increase as they replace older generations.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalPopulation and Development Review·DateJun 2, 2016

Gut microbes' metabolite dampens proliferation of intestinal stem cells

Research at Washington University School of Medicine found that a metabolite produced by beneficial gut microbes restricts the proliferation of intestinal stem cells. This limits the intestine's ability to repair itself after injury or damage, potentially hampering treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCell·DateJun 2, 2016

Nanotubes' 'stuffing' as is

A scientist at Lomonosov Moscow State University studied the influence of carbon nanotube 'stuffing' on their electronic properties. The researcher identified four main reasons why this method is promising for tailoring electronic properties.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalProgress in Materials Science·DateJun 2, 2016

Lack of diagnosis creates added risks for those with dementia

A Johns Hopkins study found that undiagnosed dementia patients are nearly twice as likely to engage in potentially unsafe activities, such as driving and cooking. Those without a diagnosis, however, were less frequently engaging in these activities compared to those with possible or no dementia.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateJun 2, 2016

Genetic code of red blood cells discovered

The study found that only four genes are necessary to reprogram skin cells into producing red blood cells, offering a potential solution for blood transfusions and anaemia treatment. This breakthrough could lead to personalized red blood cells for patients with rare blood types.

SourceLund University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 2, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Discovering how cyanobacteria form patterns for nitrogen fixation

Researchers have discovered how cyanobacteria create patterns to optimize nitrogen fixation, a process vital for life. The patterns allow cells to distribute fixed nitrogen efficiently, enabling complex life forms like humans to survive.

SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 2, 2016

Inflammation of the placenta interferes with fetal development

Research reveals lower CD74 receptors on placental macrophages disrupt fetal nourishment, leading to abnormal placentas and preeclampsia. This discovery opens new possibilities for long-term therapy targeting root causes of the disease.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalCirculation Research·DateJun 2, 2016

Dentin nanostructures -- a super-natural phenomenon

Researchers found that dentin's mechanical coupling between collagen protein fibers and mineral nanoparticles allows it to withstand extreme forces. The nanostructure design enables dentin to last longer than synthetic filling materials.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJun 2, 2016

Scientists discover oldest plant root stem cells

Researchers at Oxford University have identified the oldest known population of plant root stem cells, preserved in a 320 million-year-old fossil. These ancient stem cells provide unique insights into the evolution of roots and their role in shaping the Earth's climate.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 2, 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.

New in the Hastings Center Report

The article explores the negative effects of medical industry gifts on physicians, arguing that well-intentioned actions can be perniciously infected by industry presence. It also examines Medicare's new policy on advance planning and its limitations, as well as the quarantine controversy surrounding Ebola nurse Kaci Hickox's case.

SourceThe Hastings Center·JournalHastings Center Report·DateJun 2, 2016

Scripps Florida scientists discover a new protein crucial to normal forgetting

Researchers uncover Scribble protein's role in orchestrating intracellular signaling processes for forgetting, which could lead to selective memory removal or inhibition of Alzheimer's disease progression. The study uses Drosophila fruit flies as a model, showing that reducing Scribble expression enhances memory retention.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNeuron·DateJun 2, 2016

Scientists experimentally confirm electron model in complex molecules

Researchers have experimentally confirmed a mathematical model describing the distribution of delocalized electrons in molecules and crystals. The study uses X-ray diffraction data to demonstrate the approach's ability to detect electron delocalization, paving the way for new understanding of chemical bonding.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalActa Crystallographica Section B·DateJun 2, 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.

The rules of the game for children with ADHD

Researchers studied children with ADHD playing a game with changing rules, finding they struggled to adjust their behavior. Typically developing children adapted quickly, while those with ADHD showed only slight changes.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateJun 2, 2016

Reading between the genes

Researchers at TUM and MPI have developed a method to identify active regulatory DNA regions controlling genes. This breakthrough enables scientists to study how genes are controlled in different cell types, shedding light on gene regulation and its role in diseases.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

Underwater 'lost city' found to be geological formation

Researchers found that an underwater site off the coast of Greece was actually a natural geological formation, not the ruins of a lost civilization. The site's unique structure was created by mineralization at hydrocarbon seeps, with microbes using methane as fuel to form a type of natural cement.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalMarine and Petroleum Geology·DateJun 2, 2016

Researchers uncover how 'silent'genetic changes drive cancer

New research suggests that fluctuations in tRNA levels can have a dramatic impact on cellular function, driving metastatic breast cancer. The study found that two specific tRNAs were associated with increased metastasis, leading to changes in gene expression and protein production.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCell·DateJun 2, 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.

Microplastic particles threaten fish larvae

Larval fish exposed to microplastic particles displayed changed behaviors, such as ignoring natural food sources and failing to respond to predators. This led to increased mortality rates and potentially severe consequences for marine ecosystems.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

Tiny lasers enable next-gen microprocessors to run faster, less power-hungry

Scientists have successfully integrated tiny high-performance lasers directly onto silicon wafers, overcoming a decades-old semiconductor industry challenge. This breakthrough enables faster and more energy-efficient data transmission, paving the way for on-chip integration of photonics with electronics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 2, 2016

At the cradle of oxygen: Brand-new detector to reveal the interiors of stars

Researchers at University of Warsaw develop new particle detector to study stellar oxygen formation, with ELI-NP facility set to launch in 2018. The eTPC detector will observe collisions between high-energy photons and oxygen nuclei to fine-tune theoretical models of thermonuclear synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalActa Physica Polonica B·DateJun 2, 2016

How to organize a cell: Novel insight from a fungus

Researchers have found that random distribution of organelles in cells is an energy-dependent activity, utilizing ATP to transport organelles along cytoskeleton fibers. This study has implications for understanding human disorders, such as Zellweger syndrome, and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 2, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

A CRISPR system for editing RNA

A CRISPR system targeting RNA has been developed and tested, allowing for precise editing of single-stranded RNA. This breakthrough holds implications for various biological applications, including RNA modification and regulation.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 2016

Brain power

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have pinpointed a specific long non-coding RNA that regulates neural development and drives human brain expansion. The lncRNA, called lncND, binds to microRNAs and regulates the expression of Notch proteins, which are critical for cell differentiation and development.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNeuron·DateJun 2, 2016

Stampede 2 drives the frontiers of science and engineering forward

The University of Texas at Austin has received a $30 million NSF award to build and deploy Stampede 2, a new large-scale supercomputing system that will provide high-performance computing capabilities for thousands of researchers across the U.S. The system is expected to deliver peak performance of up to 18 Petaflops.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateJun 2, 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.

Study of UK diabetic patients suggests obesity surgery could save National Health Service almost £100,000 per patient

A small study suggests that obese UK diabetics who undergo bariatric surgery can save the NHS around £95,000 over their lifetime due to reduced medication costs. The study found that 44 patients with type 2 diabetes who no longer required treatment after surgery resulted in significant outpatient and inpatient savings.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateJun 2, 2016

FTIR and microarrays: Enabling more information from less sample

By combining FTIR spectroscopy with microarrays, researchers can extract detailed information about protein structures and bonding, allowing for precise quantification and analysis of proteins in minute amounts. This breakthrough enables label-free detection and high-throughput analysis of hundreds of proteins in a few minutes.

SourceIOS Press·JournalBiomedical Spectroscopy and Imaging·DateJun 2, 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.

Study reveals incarceration's hidden wounds for African-American men

Research finds that former inmates empathize less with incarcerated family members due to 'empathetic inurement', a loss of emotional connection. This phenomenon affects African American men disproportionately, contradicting existing sociological theories.

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalJournal of Health and Social Behavior·DateJun 2, 2016

Finely tuned electrical fields give wound healing a jolt

Researchers found that electrical fields enhanced macrophage migration and phagocytosis, cleaning the wound site and boosting healing ability. This discovery may have wide-reaching implications for diseases where macrophages play a role.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateJun 2, 2016

Swirling ammonia lies below Jupiter's thick clouds

New observations reveal a widespread view of activity below Jupiter's clouds, including hot spots and dry regions devoid of clouds and condensable gases. The detected ammonia plumes swell up in wave patterns, suggesting motion deep within the atmosphere.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 2, 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.