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Science News Archive March 2016


Page 29 of 41

Changes in heart activity may signal epilepsy

Researchers discovered altered heart rate variability in children with epilepsy, suggesting a connection to the autonomic nervous system. The study suggests that changes in parasympathetic tone may precede epilepsy onset, offering potential biomarkers for diagnosis and new treatment avenues.

Imaging advance may bring earlier disease detection

Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that can detect diseases earlier with enhanced sensitivity, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment. The technique uses probes that light up specific targets inside cells, enabling researchers to track changes in molecular make-up of tissues.

Self-harming youngsters put at risk by 'cycle of shame'

A study at the University of Exeter found that young people who self-harm only seek emergency hospital care when their injuries are too serious or when complications arise. They experience punitive treatment and intense negative emotions, reinforcing feelings of shame and self-loathing.

Mass. General research team identifies key step in process of Shigella infection

The Massachusetts General Hospital research team discovered a crucial interaction between intermediate filaments and the Shigella injection protein IpaC, required for efficient delivery of effector proteins into host cells. This finding suggests that similar mechanisms may apply to other pathogens using type 3 secretion systems.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Introducing the five new 'Drowned Apostles'

Scientists have discovered five new limestone sea stacks, or 'Drowned Apostles', 50m beneath the water's surface 6km off Victoria's southern coast. The unexpected find challenges normal erosion rates and provides insights into the region's reef ecosystems.

Expert outlines medical approach to treatment of traumatized refugees

A medical approach combining psychoactive medications, long-term psychotherapy, and screening for associated health issues is recommended for treating posttraumatic symptoms in refugees. This approach provides rapid relief from suffering and supports a long-term doctor-patient relationship.

Nations ranked on their vulnerability to cyberattacks

The study analyzed over 20 billion reports from 4 million machines worldwide, ranking countries by their vulnerability to cyberattacks. The US ranked 11th safest, while Scandinavian countries were found to be the least vulnerable.

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.

Announcing the PALM Network Spring 2016 Fellows

The Genetics Society of America is announcing its inaugural class of PALM Network Spring 2016 Fellows. These fellows are working with mentors to develop and implement evidence-based active learning strategies in their classrooms, aiming to catalyze enduring change in teaching culture at their institutions.

Small peptides attack ovarian cancer on 2 fronts, research shows

Researchers discover small peptides psaptides that can force tumors to regress by stimulating an anti-angiogenic response in healthy tissues. Psaptides mimic the naturally occurring human protein prosaposin, which stimulates immune cells to produce a potent anti-inflammatory protein called thrombospondin-1.

With Boxmate malicious programs have no place left to hide

Boxmate systematically generates program inputs to investigate regular behavior, logging critical data access and resources. This approach catches hidden attacks and prevents them from executing, making malicious programs exposed and unusable.

Physical activity encouraged more in boys than in girls

A study of over 550 Australian children found that girls were 19% less active than boys, with lower fitness levels and weaker home and school support. The authors suggest strategies to increase physical activity for girls should focus on home, school, and extracurricular activities

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The gut: Performing into old age

A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Dagmar Krüger has revealed that the human gut's secretory capacity does not decline with age, contradicting long-held assumptions. The research team examined over 2200 specimens from 450 patients with bowel disease and found no correlation between intestinal secretion and age or gender.

Compounds restore antibiotics' efficacy against MRSA

Researchers identified two synthetic compounds that can restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against MRSA by blocking an enzyme involved in bacterial cell wall production. When paired with existing antibiotics, these compounds significantly improved survival rates and reduced infection severity in mice infected with MRSA.

New staffing model reveals unintended consequences in public mental health clinics

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that therapists working as independent contractors in public mental health clinics reported less willingness to adopt evidence-based psychosocial practices and had lower knowledge about them compared to salaried employees. This shift may be driven by budgetary reasons, with agencies...

Researchers at the University of Bonn boost fat-burning

A team of scientists at the University of Bonn discovered a switch that can convert unwanted white fat cells into energy-burning brown cells by blocking Gq proteins. This breakthrough has significant implications for obesity treatment, as it may lead to the development of pharmaceutical products that target this pathway.

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.

Colorado River flows reduced by warmer spring temperatures

A new study reveals that warmer spring temperatures have a significant impact on upper Colorado River flows, reducing them more than previously recognized. This finding has implications for drought management and climate modeling, which suggests that warming temperatures will exacerbate drought conditions in the Western US.

Accelerating discovery in materials science

The Materials Innovation Platforms (MIPs) program aims to accelerate materials research and development, enabling the discovery of new materials, techniques, and instrumentation. The program focuses on crystal growth, oxide and 2D materials, and will advance a focused research area of national importance.

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.

The tortoise and the hare of spinal neural circuits

Researchers found that practicing movements at different speeds improves certain nerve functions, particularly for patients with spasticity after a stroke or spine injury. The study suggests tailoring physical therapy routines to reflect the type of neural circuit controlling the movement for optimal rehabilitation outcomes.

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.

Turning to dirt as part of the climate change solution

Soil is an effective carbon sink, and adopting new farming practices like cover crops and no-till farming can enhance its organic matter, boosting carbon content. This approach has direct benefits to farmers, including reduced soil erosion and increased resilience to drought.

Virtual time machine of Earth's geology now in the cloud

The cloud-based virtual globe portal offers unprecedented speed and ease of use for visualizing Earth's geological evolution. It features interactive reconstructions of supercontinents and 3D visualizations of seafloor geology, allowing users to explore how the planet has changed over time.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Don't let youth trip you; more than 50 percent young adults fall, trip

A four-month study of 94 young adult college students found that 52% fell at least once, with 16% resulting in injury, while physical activity levels increased fall rates. The most common cause of falls was talking while walking, highlighting the cognitive demand of multi-tasking on balance and stability.

Eyeing climate change, satellites provide missing information

Researchers use satellite data to quantify cloud base updraft speeds and aerosol particles' ability to create cloud droplets, providing critical information for understanding climate change. The study aims to reduce the uncertainty around global warming estimates by 1.5 to 4.5 degrees by the end of the 21st century.

Understanding the dynamics of crowd behavior

A new mechanism reveals counterintuitive rules for individual movement in crowds, with implications for controlling active systems, such as nanoparticle delivery and crowd security. Researchers plan to apply their findings to develop intelligent nanorobots for drug-delivery and environmental sustainability.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

ASRC professor leads study on reconfigurable magnetic nanopatterns

A team of international scientists has demonstrated a novel approach for designing fully reconfigurable magnetic nanopatterns using thermal scanning probe lithography. This method offers researchers the opportunity to control magnetism at the nanoscale, enabling the development of novel metamaterials and computing devices.

Study: Meditation and ballet associated with wisdom

A study published in PLOS ONE found that meditation and ballet practices are associated with increased wisdom. Meditation was confirmed as a path to wisdom, while classical ballet also showed a link to higher wisdom levels among practitioners. The research suggests that physical practices like ballet may cultivate personal wisdom.

Stanford scientists make renewable plastic from carbon dioxide and plants

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a novel way to produce plastic from CO2 and plant waste, which could significantly reduce greenhouse emissions. The new technology converts fructose-free biomass into polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF), a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

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.

Study seeks to reduce pediatric HIV infection rates in Africa

Researchers found that a family-focused package of services can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV in resource-limited areas. The study showed a 74% reduction in infant infections in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Researchers optimize methods to study neurons during motor activity

Max Planck Florida scientists have optimized techniques for studying motor learning in neurons of the cerebellum, enabling prolonged assessment of neural activity. This breakthrough allows for further characterization of continuously engaged neurons during motor activity and normal behavior.

Sea-level rise too big to be pumped away

Researchers explore storing water on Antarctica to delay sea-level rise, but conclude it's unlikely to mitigate the problem due to the enormous weight and distance required. They emphasize the need for rapid greenhouse-gas emission reductions and substantial investment in long-term local coastal protection.

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.

Overfishing devastates spawning aggregations

Fish populations that gather and spawn in large groups face growing threats from overexploitation and inadequate management. Insufficient regulation allows a few active boats to deplete these vulnerable populations, while changing economic conditions may lead to rapid species declines.

Atomic vibrations in nanomaterials

Scientists discovered that surface vibrations in nanomaterials significantly affect their behavior, impacting applications such as solar cells. The researchers found that suppressing these vibrations can lead to higher photocurrent and efficiency in solar cells.

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.

Greenhouse gas 'bookkeeping' turned on its head

Researchers found that human activities have transformed the land biosphere into a contributor to climate change by overwhelming its ability to soak up carbon dioxide. This discovery reverses conventional thinking on human impacts on terrestrial carbon uptake.

Light helps the transistor laser switch faster

A new study by University of Illinois engineers found that the transistor laser device can switch faster than traditional technologies due to photon-assisted tunneling, enabling ultra-high-speed signal modulation. The technology has the potential to revolutionize big data transfer and computing.

Increased education could help adolescents limit caffeine consumption

A recent study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that nearly half of adolescents consume caffeinated beverages one to six times a week. Researchers believe that further education could lead to better decision-making regarding caffeine intake and mitigate potential health risks.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

How an artificial protein rescues dying cells

Researchers at Princeton University discovered how a synthetic protein called SynSerB promotes cell growth in serine-depleted E. coli cells. By inducing overexpression of a protein called HisB, SynSerB enables the production of essential amino acid serine, allowing cells to survive.

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.