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Science News Archive March 2016


Page 15 of 41

Survival of the hardest working

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis created a quality-control tool called PopQC to ensure hard-working cells dominate in microbial fermentation processes, resulting in threefold enhanced production of free fatty acid and tyrosine. This innovation addresses the universal problem of biological noise, which affects the work ...

High-risk lung cancer patients may not need annual screenings

Researchers found that high-risk lung cancer patients who are cleared of disease in their initial test do not need annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings. The study suggests that reducing the frequency of screening could save millions in healthcare costs and spare patients from radiation exposure and false positive results.

Yellow as the sunrise

Researchers from the University of Vienna have successfully characterised aurone synthase, a catechol oxidase with hydroxylase activity. The study provides insights into the mechanism of plant polyphenol oxidases and has potential applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

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.

Lighting up disease-carrying mosquitoes

Researchers have developed a technique called QUASR that can detect RNA from West Nile and chikungunya virus in mosquito samples in under half an hour, speeding up disease diagnosis. The method amplifies the positive signal up to 10 times brighter than a negative one, allowing for simultaneous screening of multiple targets.

Improving therapy for a very common disorder, generalized anxiety

Researchers found that integrating motivational interviewing (MI) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves long-term patient improvement rates for severe generalized anxiety disorder. MI helps patients address ambivalence and resistance, leading to better outcomes over a one-year follow-up period.

Mothers and daughters

Researchers at EMBL have observed the elimination of centrioles from starfish egg cells, a process essential for viable embryo development. The study reveals the role of appendages in directing centriole expulsion and provides insights into the molecular logic underlying this mechanism.

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.

Sleep suppresses brain rebalancing

A recent study published in Cell reveals that sleep suppresses brain rebalancing, a mechanism crucial for neural activity regulation. This finding contradicts previous theories on the role of sleep in memory consolidation and homeostatic plasticity.

More elderly using dangerous drug combinations

A new study found that one in six older adults now regularly use potentially deadly combinations of prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements. The study identified 15 potentially life-threatening drug combinations, with nearly half involving nonprescription medications or supplements.

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.

Tracing the scent of fear

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have identified a tiny area of the mouse brain responsible for the innate fear response triggered by predator odors. This region, known as AmPir, is located in the olfactory cortex and plays a crucial role in perceiving smells, including those associated with fear.

Better safe than sorry: Babies make quick judgments about adults' anger

Research shows that 15-month-old babies generalize an adult's angry behavior even if the social context has changed. They make snap judgments and tend to assume a person with a history of anger will become angry again in similar situations. This study highlights the importance of parents being mindful of their emotions' impact on babies.

Recycling pecan wood for commercial growing substrates

Researchers found that substituting up to 100% of peatmoss with pecan wood chips in greenhouse substrates reduces leaching fractions and increases substrate pH, while also providing a positive opportunity for using the product.

A new model for how twisted bundles take shape

A team of researchers at UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech have identified the factors governing the final morphology of self-assembling chiral filament bundles. Their new model predicts the size and shape of these structures based on molecular-scale interactions, providing insights into protein fiber formation in various tissues.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UGA researchers find potential treatment for prostate cancer

Researchers at the University of Georgia have created a new therapeutic for prostate cancer that has shown great efficacy in mouse models. The treatment, which involves packaging and administering a small molecule called IPA-3, significantly slows the progression of cancer and forces cancerous cells to undergo apoptosis.

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.

Psychiatric diagnoses in young transgender women

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly 41% of young transgender women had one or more mental health or substance use disorders. The study also revealed a significant increase in depression, anxiety, and substance abuse among Latina young transgender women.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

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.

Only about half of suicidal patients asked if they have access to firearms

A recent study found that only about half of suicidal patients are questioned about their access to firearms or lethal means by emergency department doctors, leaving a significant opportunity for intervention. Easy access to guns is particularly concerning, with 25% of patients keeping loaded and unlocked guns at home.

Greater economic backwardness linked to increased civil unrest

A study by the University of East Anglia found that greater economic backwardness is linked to increased civil unrest, including violent and non-violent protests. The researchers suggest that social tension results from a combination of international comparison and the inability to emerge from economic backwardness.

Saliva liquid biopsy

A study presented at the American Association for Dental Research Annual Meeting found that saliva liquid biopsy accurately detected EGFR mutations in lung cancer patients, with high accuracy rates. The test showed promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting actionable EGFR mutations.

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.

Predicting caries risk at 30-months of age in medical settings

Researchers developed a caries risk tool to identify toddlers at risk of developing caries by age four through medical settings. Minority, Medicaid, and rural children had higher caries rates at 30 months-of-age, with several questionnaire items associated with cavitated caries.

Adjunctive minocycline microspheres

A study found that adjunctive use of minocycline microspheres significantly reduced levels of subgingival bacterial species and improved clinical outcomes for patients with peri-implantitis. This resulted in a greater reduction in pocket depth compared to mechanical debridement alone.

The National Dental PBRN as a learning health system

The National Dental Practice-Based Network (PBRN) has been established as a learning health system, leveraging data infrastructure to advance scientific knowledge and improve patient care. The network's collaborative processes have enabled over 25 studies, 100 peer-reviewed papers, and demonstrated practice change since its inception.

Child and adolescent perceptions of oral health: Life course perspectives

Researchers conducted focus groups with children (8-12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years) to elicit perceptions of oral health. Three themes emerged: maintaining good oral health for longevity, positive associations between oral health and relationships, and benefits of orthodontic treatment. These findings inform the development of ...

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.

Cryptographic system lets users control access to their data

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have developed a new cryptographic system called Sieve that allows users to store and manage their personal data securely. With Sieve, users can control which apps have access to their data and revoke access with ease.

Antibiotics for appendicitis -- yes and no

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials suggests that antibiotics can be used as primary treatment for mild appendicitis, reducing surgeries by 92% within the first month. However, recurrence rates remain high at 23% and long-term follow-up is needed to determine effectiveness.

Dissecting the animal diet, past and present

The study highlights the importance of time context in diet reconstructions, which can lead to conflicting results. By considering different time scales for dietary proxies, scientists can gain a more accurate understanding of an animal's eating habits.

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.

Turning mortal enemies into allies? Ants can.

A new study by University of Florida researchers found that victorious ant colonies recruit members of losing colonies to help defend their territory. After analyzing DNA from nearly 800 ants, the team discovered that fighting changes the genetic makeup of victorious colonies, allowing them to form lasting truces with former foes.

PolyU develops integrated iWheelchair system

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed an intelligent wheelchair system called iWheelchair, integrating various functions such as environment control, safety, and health monitoring. The system allows users to control home devices using a tablet computer, with features like fall monitoring and smart diaper detection.

Speeding up accuracy of flood risk assessment

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a faster and more accurate flood risk assessment method that relies on an algorithm to extract key causative events driving major floods. This new approach reduces the time taken for modeling while maintaining high accuracy, potentially saving properties and lives.

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.

Google glass meets organs-on-chips

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a wearable device to monitor and control organs-on-chips, a platform for testing drug compounds. The system uses Google Glass for hands-free control and monitoring, enabling high-accuracy predictions of physiological responses.

Spelling mutations and evolutionary advantages

Researchers discovered that synonymous mutations in genes can significantly impact an organism's fitness and survival. In a study on the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens, scientists found that highly beneficial synonymous mutations enabled bacteria to quickly evolve and adapt to their environment under strong selection conditions.

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.

Moffitt pathologists identify new potential target in ovarian serous cancer

A study presented at the 2016 USCAP Conference found that HER4 expression is associated with chemotherapy resistance and a lower survival rate in ovarian serous cancer patients. The research, led by Moffitt Cancer Center pathologists, suggests that HER4 may be a prognostic and potentially predictive marker for this type of cancer.

New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered

Research by University of York scientists shows how ketamine causes inflammation and cell death in the bladder, leading to cystitis. The studies found that direct contact with urinary ketamine is critical to the toxicity, ruling out systemic factors.

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.