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Science News Archive March 2016 - Page 5


Page 5 of 41

Separating charge and discharge in measuring next-generation car batteries

Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University developed an improved algorithm to estimate lithium ion phosphate battery state of charge by separately measuring charging and discharging states. This allows for more accurate estimation amidst initial inaccuracies and varying dynamic characteristics among batteries in series.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 29, 2016

Many in families with pregnant women don't know key facts about Zika

A recent poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that four in 10 people mistakenly believe Zika virus infection in women is likely to harm future pregnancies. The general public also has misperceptions about Zika virus transmission, including incorrect beliefs about symptoms and transmission methods.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·DateMar 29, 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.

Autistic and non-autistic people make similar moral judgements

A new study found that autistic and non-autistic adults equally condemn actions requiring harm for the greater good. Researchers identified two facets of autistic personality: increased self-oriented distress and reduced empathy, which counterbalance each other.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 29, 2016

One crop breeding cycle from starvation

Researchers are one step away from starvation due to increased global food demand and climate change. They are developing a method to engineer crops that can increase photosynthesis under high CO2 and temperature conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·DateMar 29, 2016

Non-hormonal male contraceptive Vasalgel™ has proven efficacy in rabbits

Vasalgel, a non-hormonal, long-acting male contraceptive, has shown rapid and durable efficacy in rabbits, with 11 out of 12 subjects becoming azoospermic within days. The study's findings support planning for a clinical trial in men, aiming to make Vasalgel available worldwide at an affordable cost.

SourceParsemus Foundation·JournalBasic and Clinical Andrology·DateMar 29, 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.

CRF physicians and fellows to present abstracts at ACC.16

Physicians and fellows from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation will present latest data on various interventional cardiology topics, including drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable vascular scaffolds. CRF's fellowship program also supports the next generation of researchers in the field.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·DateMar 29, 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.

Big Data-driven method could save money, increase efficiency in pharmaceutical management

Researchers developed an optimized approach to determine prescribed medication associations, reducing processing costs and improving medication inventory management. The method has substantial positive effects on pharmacy automation and management, enabling pharmacies to increase operational efficiency and enhance patient care.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalExpert Systems with Applications·DateMar 29, 2016

Automated Ebola blood test performs well in field evaluation

A new automated Ebola blood test has been evaluated in a field setting and shown to provide accurate results, potentially facilitating expanded access to testing. The test performed well on both whole blood and cheek swab samples, with high sensitivity and specificity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 29, 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.

Are we what we eat?

A vegetarian diet may have permanently shaped the human genome, favoring a mutation that regulates fatty acid production. This mutation is more frequent in Indian populations with primarily plant-based diets compared to traditional American meat-eaters.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 29, 2016

In search of compromise among climate risk management strategies

A new approach to climate risk management can help policymakers navigate trade-offs between economic growth, temperature stabilization, and carbon abatement. The method considers the multidimensional trade-offs of four goals, allowing for potential compromise on certain objectives.

SourcePenn State·JournalClimatic Change·DateMar 29, 2016

Conservation research is not happening in the right places

A new study found that conservation research is predominantly conducted in less biodiverse countries, exacerbating the global biodiversity crisis. The study suggests that biases in the field of conservation science must be addressed to meet international targets.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 29, 2016
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.

'I care for you,' says the autistic moral brain

A recent study published in Scientific Reports dispels the myth that autistic individuals are cold and unempathetic. In fact, research suggests that people with autism exhibit an empathic response similar to those without autism when faced with moral dilemmas. The study found that individuals with high-functioning autism were more like...

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 29, 2016

Kidney disease: Report assesses mammoth problem for the United States

A new US report assesses the massive burden of chronic kidney disease on Medicare, revealing staggering statistics and expensive treatment options. The report aims to inform national healthcare policy and improve care for patients with kidney disease.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateMar 29, 2016

Scientists explain evolution of some of the largest dinosaurs

Researchers used computer models to analyze the evolution of sauropod dinosaurs' bodies, finding that changes in shape coincided with major events in their history. The study reveals a link between size, weight distribution, and body shape, shedding light on the success of titanosaurs.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 29, 2016

Gene study could help heart patients cut craving for salt

A recent gene study suggests that a genetic drive contributes to people's appetite for salty food, leading to high blood pressure. Researchers plan to explore whether an affordable drug can help control salt intake in heart failure patients.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalCirculation·DateMar 29, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Narcissism linked to sexual assault perpetration in college, study finds

A recent study published by University of Georgia researchers found that almost 20% of college men have committed some kind of sexual assault, with 4% committing rape. The study discovered a strong connection between pathological narcissism and sexual assault perpetration through a survey of 234 male university students.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalViolence Against Women·DateMar 29, 2016

Curbing malaria resistance with multiple therapies

By treating individuals with a combination of drugs having different mechanisms of action, the chances of a malaria parasite developing multiple genetic mutations needed to survive is substantially decreased. This approach prolongs therapy effectiveness and preserves first-line drugs for treating malaria.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateMar 29, 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.

Study finds training with unpredictability improves memory recall

Researchers found that unpredictable components in memory training enhance episodic memory recall, particularly in older adults. The study suggests that training with unpredictability increases cognitive control, leading to better performance in recalling autobiographical events.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 29, 2016

How hostile states' immigration policies changed Latino migration in the late 2000s

A new study by University of Washington and Dartmouth College found that restrictive laws in US states deterred internal Latino migration. During the 2008-2010 period, when hostile state policies were in effect, the migration redistribution for both U.S.-born and naturalized Latinos fell dramatically.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAnnals of the American Association of Geographers·DateMar 29, 2016

Researchers investigate four promising new treatments for Lyme disease

Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks primarily carrying the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Researchers are exploring four arms of treatment-related research, including a mouse study of a regimen that eradicated the bacteria in the test tube and strategies to discover new drugs selectively targeting the Lyme bacterium. The goal is to pr...

SourceNortheastern University·DateMar 29, 2016

Psychotherapy for depressed rats shows genes aren't destiny

A Northwestern University study shows that engaging environment can alleviate depression in genetically depressed rats, suggesting that nurture can override nature. The study found that psychotherapy and behavioral activation therapy can change blood biomarkers for depression, potentially leading to more precise treatment.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2016

Hydride-ion conduction makes its first appearance

Researchers successfully demonstrated pure H- conduction in an oxide for the first time, using oxyhydride solid state cells. The study confirms the capability of oxyhydrides to act as H- solid electrolytes and paves the way for developing electrochemical solid devices based on H- conduction.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Discovered a new magnet

A new magnet has been discovered that can control Dirac fermions with zero mass. The researchers found that applying a magnetic field perpendicularly to the layers suppressed conductivity by 1000 percent and confined Dirac electrons, leading to a bulk half-integer quantum Hall effect.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2016

Eating green could be in your genes

A genetic variation, known as an allele, has been found in populations that have historically favored vegetarian diets, such as in India and parts of East Asia. This adaptation allows these individuals to efficiently process omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which is essential for early brain development and controlling inflammation.

SourceCornell University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateMar 29, 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.

To keep or not to keep a hookworm

Researchers at UC Riverside have identified an immune protein called RELMalpha that protects the body from damage caused by hookworm infections. The protein is found in mice and is expected to function similarly in humans.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalInfection and Immunity·DateMar 29, 2016

Eindhoven and Mexican researchers prove Huygens was right

Eindhoven and Mexican researchers confirm Christiaan Huygens' hypothesis that two pendulum clocks oscillate in synchrony, with implications for understanding biological rhythms and human epilepsy. They also discovered that pendulum clocks move more slowly over time, making them unreliable timekeepers.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 29, 2016

Nanoparticles deliver anticancer cluster bombs

Scientists developed triple-stage nanoparticles that improve tumor penetration and release cisplatin in acidic conditions, enhancing its efficacy while reducing toxic side effects. The delivery system demonstrated significant improvements in anti-tumor activity against various cancer models.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 2016

Nonpathogenic viruses transferred during fecal transplants

A new study found that nonpathogenic viruses can be transferred during fecal transplants, but these viruses appear to be harmless to humans. The researchers analyzed fecal transplants from a single donor to three children with chronic ulcerative colitis and found mostly temperate bacteriophages were transmitted.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateMar 29, 2016
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.

Market reactions to sudden CEO deaths highlight CEOs' importance

Researchers found that market reactions to sudden CEO deaths have increased markedly between 1950 and 2009, with larger swings in firm value occurring over time. This suggests that shareholders perceive CEOs as increasingly influential in firm performance.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateMar 29, 2016

Screening tools to identify developmental delay in healthy young children not beneficial

The Canadian Medical Association Journal has updated its guideline, recommending against the use of screening tools to identify developmental delay in healthy young children with no apparent signs or parental concerns. Developmental surveillance is now advised instead, where clinicians regularly monitor a child's development and consid...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMar 29, 2016

Ancient quarry proves human impact on landscape

Archaeologists discovered a 11,000-year-old quarry in central Israel that demonstrates the significant impact of humans on the landscape during the transition to farming. The site, dated to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A culture, shows evidence of large-scale quarrying activities for flint and limestone tool manufacturing.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 29, 2016

Earth-space telescope system produces hot surprise

The scientists combined the Russian RadioAstron satellite with ground-based telescopes to produce a virtual radio telescope over 100,000 miles across. They discovered temperatures hotter than 10 trillion degrees in a quasar, challenging current understanding of quasar jets.

SourceNational Radio Astronomy Observatory·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 29, 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.

Unravelling a geological mystery using lasers from space

Drumlin hills, shaped like upturned boats, are formed when sediment is streamlined 'islands' that are often bisected to form megaridges. The research suggests that drumlins and megaridges are part of a single family of landforms formed by erosion, with the data indicating they occur on hard rock.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·DateMar 29, 2016

IUPUI researcher to study cause of chronic post-traumatic headaches

A recent study aims to investigate the role of deficient pain modulatory systems in developing chronic post-traumatic headaches. The researchers will enroll 80 participants with mild traumatic brain injuries and use state-of-the-art quantitative sensory testing to identify potential predictors of the headache.

SourceIndiana University·DateMar 29, 2016

Study explores carb-loading's effect on the heart

A study published in JACC found that drinking a high-carbohydrate shake can lower atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels, which help regulate salt retention and blood pressure. Researchers discovered that glucose intake is the main driver behind this effect, mediated by the molecule miR-425.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMar 29, 2016

Yearly cost of US premature births linked to air pollution: $4.33 billion

A new study by NYU Langone Health reveals that air pollution in the US is responsible for approximately 3% of premature births, with a total economic cost of $4.33 billion annually. The majority of these births occur in urban counties, primarily in Southern California and the Eastern U.S.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·DateMar 29, 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.

NASA selects Penn State to lead next-generation planet finder

A Penn State-led research group has been selected by NASA to build a new instrument to detect planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. The NEID instrument will use the tiny gravitational tug of planets on their stars to discover and measure the orbits of rocky planets with liquid water.

SourcePenn State·DateMar 29, 2016

Imaging predicts long-term effects in veterans with brain injury

A new study published in Radiology suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can predict long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in veterans. The study found associations between initial post-deployment DTI measurements and neurobehavioral symptoms, timing of injury, and subsequent functional outcomes.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateMar 29, 2016

For prostate cancer, more radiation may not improve survival

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Oncology found that increasing radiation doses for patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer does not improve long-term outcomes. The study analyzed data from 12 randomized controlled trials and found no association between higher doses and improved survival rates.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 29, 2016

Better global ocean management

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara and the Environmental Defense Fund propose rights-based approaches that could increase fish populations, food production, and profits. By 2050, this approach could increase profits by 204% and provide a significant source of protein for an additional 500 million people.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 29, 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.

Transplantation and cell therapy

Cell therapy is an emerging medical science focusing on innovative therapeutic approaches to treat blood diseases and infections. The EBMT Cellular Therapy and Immunobiology Working Party aims to foster cellular therapy in Europe by promoting exchanges, cooperation, and the development of new technologies.

SourceEuropean Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation·DateMar 29, 2016

Research on risky sexual behaviors is lacking

A recent study identifies multiple sexual behaviors associated with prevalent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Men who engaged in anal stimulation or enema use were nearly five times as likely to test positive for HIV as those who did not.

SourcePenn State·JournalThe Journal of Sexual Medicine·DateMar 29, 2016