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Science News Archive May 2016


Page 29 of 38

Therapeutic substitution could help reduce money spent on prescription drugs

A new study suggests that therapeutic substitution could help drive down the cost of prescription medications by substituting chemically different compounds within the same class of drugs. The study estimated potential savings through therapeutic substitution for drug classes with both generic and brand-name options, resulting in reduc...

Do genes express themselves through poetry?

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that DNA's regulatory regions resemble a poetic language, composed of coding and regulatory elements. By analyzing variants of a key protein and applying mathematical models, the team was able to identify conserved properties in other sequences, enabling them to 'read' the genome.

Radiotherapy during surgery could save millions of travel miles and tons of CO2

Research published in BMJ Open found that single dose targeted intraoperative radiotherapy can save patients thousands of hours of time, journeys, and CO2 emissions compared to standard treatment. The study estimates that widespread adoption of TARGIT could save millions of miles, tons of CO2, and hundreds of hours of travel time annually

Raising a child with autism

A study by University of Miami researchers found that Hispanic parents of children with autism exhibit stress-buffering qualities like optimism and use religious faith as a positive coping strategy. The team hopes to tailor clinical interventions to strengthen these personal characteristics and responses.

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.

A yellow fever epidemic: A new global health emergency?

A global health emergency is looming due to the rapid spread and potential future outbreaks of yellow fever, say Georgetown University professors. The ongoing epidemic, particularly in Angola, has led to a significant shortage of vaccines and calls for an urgent international response.

New techniques make RFID tags 25 percent smaller

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique to create passive RFID tags that are 25% smaller and less expensive. By eliminating the need for power conversion, the tags can operate directly from AC power, reducing size and cost.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fort McMurray wildfire continues to burn

The Fort McMurray wildfire is burning out of control, covering an area of 161,000 hectares, with extreme fire conditions due to low humidity and high temperatures. Residents are advised not to return home until it is safe to do so, while firefighters, including 1,500 employees at the Syncrude facility, work to contain the blaze.

Tiger moths use signals to warn bats: Toxic not tasty

Researchers from Wake Forest University have discovered that tiger moths produce ultrasonic signals to deter bats, showing that this behavior occurs in nature and is used as a warning system. The study highlights the evolution of animal behavior in the bat vs. moth arms race.

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.

Pay now or pay more later: Treating hepatitis C

Researchers found that financing treatment of hepatitis C would not only save lives but ease future costs for Medicare. Expanding screenings and treatment to all patients could generate more than $800 billion in benefits over 20 years. Policymakers must determine how to encourage private insurers to invest in the latest treatments.

Pitt-developed drug works against 'superbug' biofilms and respiratory virus

A potential drug therapy developed at the University of Pittsburgh has proven effective against bacterial biofilms and a deadly respiratory virus simultaneously. The eCAP was 50 times more effective at fighting the biofilm than traditional treatment, and reduced viable virus particles by over 150-fold in RSV-infected airway cells.

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.

Machine learning accelerates the discovery of new materials

Researchers used machine learning to speed up the discovery of shape-memory alloys with low thermal hysteresis, critical for improving fatigue life in engineering applications. The framework iteratively guides experiments to find materials with desired target properties, cutting time and cost by half.

Novel functionalized nanomaterials for CO2 capture

Researchers at TIFR Mumbai have designed functionalized nanomaterials that offer superior CO2 capture capacity and stability compared to conventional materials. The new sorbents feature high amine loading with minimal decrease in surface area, making them suitable for efficient CO2 capture.

Opinions on fracking linked to political persuasion, says new study

Research by Plymouth University indicates that people's political ideology significantly influences their attitude towards hydraulic fracking. Politically conservative participants were more likely to favor fracking and perceive economic benefits, while liberals expressed greater concerns over health risks.

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.

Study: Smartphone alerts increase inattention -- and hyperactivity

A study of college students found that constant smartphone alerts can cause symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity, similar to those experienced by individuals with ADHD. By minimizing phone notifications, participants reduced these symptoms, suggesting a link between digital stimulation and attention deficits in modern society.

Effects of spectral quality, intensity of LEDs

A study by researchers found that continuous spectrum LED lamps, specifically designed for horticultural use, outperform conventional white LEDs in terms of plant response and energy efficiency. The results showed a 26% increase in energy efficiency and significant increases in vegetative growth when light intensity was increased.

Pesticide exposure may be ALS risk factor

Research suggests environmental pollutants may increase likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rapidly progressive motor neuron disease. The study found higher concentrations of pesticides and other toxic chemicals in individuals with ALS, but no strong correlation between occupation and risk.

Saharan dust makes big impact on Caribbean waters

New research reveals Saharan dust enriches underwater plants in the Caribbean with iron and other nutrients. However, this increase in nutrients also supports an explosive bloom of toxic bacteria such as Vibrio.

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.

When beneficial bacteria knock but no one is home

Researchers discovered that genetic mutations in certain genes can impair the immune-enhancing effects of beneficial bacteria, leading to reduced efficacy of probiotic therapies in treating Crohn's disease. The study suggests a new potential cause for the disorder and may lead to advances in personalized medicine.

Feeling the pulse of Africa

The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) sent ten students to the PanAfrican Legume Conference in Zambia to learn about pulses and grain legumes. The conference, which drew over 500 participants from 46 countries, focused on sustainable systems for food, income, and nutritional security.

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.

Do witchcraft beliefs halt economic progress?

A study by American University Economics Professor Boris Gershman found a negative correlation between witchcraft beliefs and trust, eroding social capital and cooperation. In regions with widespread witchcraft beliefs, mistrust and property destruction are common, stifling economic progress.

Study finds declining sulfur levels

A University of Illinois study reveals declining sulfur levels in agricultural areas, with negative balances in some watersheds and rivers. Farmers may need to apply sulfur fertilizer in the future, particularly on fields with less soil organic matter.

Experimental therapy halts treatment-resistant brain tumors

Researchers develop an experimental therapy that shuts down the Olig2 gene, halting tumor growth and blocking tumor formation. The approach uses a gene therapy to eliminate Olig2-positive cells, sensitizing them to targeted molecular treatment.

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.

Daily up and down of the plankton animals in the sea

Researchers found that zooplankton communities in the Southern Ocean migrate vertically to escape predators and feed on phytoplankton blooms at the sea ice edge. Long-term measurements revealed annual cycles of migration, with disruptions during the southern summer due to food abundance.

First single-enzyme method to produce quantum dots revealed

Scientists at Lehigh University have developed a biological method to produce quantum dots using a single enzyme, reducing production time, environmental burden, and cost. This breakthrough could lead to widespread use of QDs in various applications, including sustainable fuel production and water purification.

Biofeedback system designed to control photosynthetic lighting

A biofeedback system has been developed to control photosynthetic lighting in controlled environment agriculture, allowing for efficient use of light by plants. The system successfully adjusted light levels based on the physiological performance of plants, achieving a wide range of energy conversion rates and reducing energy costs.

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.

How will people interact with technology in the future?

Research at ACM CHI 2016 introduces PowerShake for wireless power transfer on mobile devices and Investigating text legibility on non-rectangular displays. The findings also highlight the potential of EMPress hand gesture classification, GauntLev wearable object manipulation and sustainable interaction design principles.

Smoking in pregnancy and overweight may set up social divide in child obesity rates

A recent study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that smoking during pregnancy and being overweight before pregnancy are key factors contributing to the social divide in childhood obesity rates. The research analyzed data from over 12,000 children born in the UK between 2000-2002 and found a significant association be...

Leftover warm water in Pacific Ocean fueled massive El Niño

A new study reveals that leftover warm water from a stalled El Niño event in 2014 contributed to the formation of a monster El Niño in 2015. The researchers found that easterly winds prevented the warm water from being transported poleward, allowing it to act as a reservoir of heat for the following year.

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.

Cancer may drive health problems as people age

A new study found that cancer increases the risk for certain health issues beyond normal aging, including declines in activities of daily living and physical function. However, having a cancer diagnosis did not increase the likelihood of developing arthritis or vision/hearing problems, and did not exacerbate existing conditions.

Agricultural ammonia emissions disrupt earth's delicate nitrogen balance

New research from Colorado State University finds that agricultural ammonia emissions now surpass fossil fuel combustion emissions as the dominant source of nitrogen cycle disturbance. Excess nitrogen in the atmosphere causes environmental impacts such as soil acidification and decreased biodiversity.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Targeted antibiotic is easier on the gut microbiome

A targeted antibiotic, Debio 1452, was found to minimize disruptions to the gut microbiome in mice compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study suggests that pathogen-selective approaches to antibiotic development can help preserve beneficial bacteria and prevent secondary infections.

Placental RNA may help protect embryo from viruses, Penn study finds

Researchers have identified a long non-coding RNA in the placenta that plays a crucial role in protecting the unborn baby from invading pathogens. The lncRNA, called lncRHOXF1, regulates the immune response and appears to be sensing and modulating its expression based on the presence of viruses.

'Goshen Gold,' late-season apricot debuts

The new apricot variety 'Goshen Gold' has been introduced as a suitable alternative to the popular 'Patterson' cultivar. It features a semispreading habit, vigorous growth, and improved fruit characteristics such as increased sugars and better color stability.

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.

Shellfish response to ocean acidification depends on other stressors

A new study reveals that shellfish response to ocean acidification depends on food availability and other stressors. The study found that juvenile mussels grew fastest in locations with frequent low pH conditions and abundant food supply, while those with inconsistent food and high body temperatures were more vulnerable to predators.

Best of both worlds

Ferromagnetic semiconductors have overcome a longstanding physical constraint by growing iron-doped semiconductors at room temperature. This breakthrough enables new opportunities for utilizing spin degrees of freedom in semiconductor devices, such as spin transistors.

A calcium pump caught in the act

The study reveals that the calcium pump uses energy from ATP to transport calcium ions into the cell, a process crucial for muscle function and heart health. This insight could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this enzyme to alleviate ionic imbalances associated with disease.

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.

From the Himalaya to the Canadian Cordillera

Scientists analyze sedimentary archives in Alberta Foreland Basin, revealing cyclic changes in sediment source areas consistent with magmatic flare-ups. In another study, researchers uncover pre-Cenozoic geologic history of the central and northern Tibetan Plateau, tying Wilson cycles to constructing the Tethyan orogenic system.

New material temporarily tightens skin

A silicone-based polymer coating has been developed to mimic the mechanical and elastic properties of healthy skin. The material can temporarily tighten skin, reduce water loss from dry skin and provide long-lasting UV protection.