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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 216


Page 216 of 461

Artificial sweeteners linked to risk of weight gain, heart disease and other health issues

A systematic review of 37 studies found a link between artificial sweetener consumption and higher risks of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners may have negative effects on metabolism and gut bacteria, although the evidence is conflicting.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateJul 17, 2017

Unbalanced wind farm planning exacerbates fluctuations

A new study reveals that Europe's wind energy capacity is concentrated in the North Sea region, leading to extreme fluctuations. Cooperating countries can balance capacity across the continent to minimize these fluctuations. However, expanding solar energy capacity tenfold would be required to compensate for longer-term fluctuations.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJul 17, 2017
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.

Breathable, wearable electronics on skin for long-term health monitoring

Researchers have developed a hypoallergenic electronic sensor that can be worn on the skin for up to a week without causing inflammation or irritation. The device uses breathable nanoscale meshes and has been tested on 20 subjects, demonstrating its reliability as an electrode for continuous health monitoring.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 17, 2017

Tiny particles increase in air with ethanol-to-gasoline switch

A study by Northwestern University researchers found that the concentration of ultrafine particles less than 50 nanometers in diameter rose when drivers switched from ethanol to gasoline, but decreased when they switched back. This shift had a significant impact on air quality, with potential health benefits

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 17, 2017

Where's the beef on the loss leader strategy?

The research analyzed 24 branches of a grocery chain in the Northeastern US over 49 weeks, finding that deep discounting is a valid strategy supported by the numbers. Discounts on staple items led to increased traffic but lower sales per transaction, while discounts in fill-in categories resulted in higher margins.

SourceJournal of Retailing at New York University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateJul 17, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ozone pollution connected to cardiovascular health

A new study by Duke University found a connection between ozone pollution and cardiovascular health in Chinese adults. Exposure to ozone was linked to increased platelets, elevated blood pressure, and other factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJul 17, 2017

Working at 'breastaurants' damaging to women's mental health

A new study found that women working in 'breastaurants' are more likely to experience anxiety and disordered eating due to the revealing uniforms. The study also revealed that female servers felt they had less power and control at work.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalPsychology of Women Quarterly·DateJul 17, 2017

Climatic stability resulted in the evolution of more bird species

A new study from Umeâ University reveals that bird genera inhabiting climatically stable areas have diversified into more species than their sister genera. Climatic stability reduced the risk of extinction and allowed diverging lineages to persist without going extinct or merging until speciation was completed.

SourceUmea University·JournalEcology Letters·DateJul 17, 2017
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.

Scientists name new species of dinosaur after Canadian icon

A new species of troodontid theropod has been identified and named Albertavenator curriei in honour of renowned Canadian palaeontologist Dr. Philip J. Currie. The discovery was made by ROM scientists who compared the dinosaur's skull bones to those of its close relative Troodon.

SourceRoyal Ontario Museum·JournalCanadian Journal of Earth Sciences·DateJul 17, 2017

Computers helping emergency doctors make better choices

A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that integrating clinical decision support into electronic medical records decreases high-cost imaging utilization, especially among higher users. This standardizes care delivery and improves compliance with evidence-based guidelines.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateJul 17, 2017

Improving ICU care and communication through technology use

A structured program using technology improved team communication and patient engagement in ICUs, leading to a 29% reduction in adverse events. Patient satisfaction scores also increased significantly with the intervention.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateJul 17, 2017

New discovery in MND and dementia could pave the way to novel treatments

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a new mechanism that helps slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease and dementia. The study found that tuning up the DNA's natural repair toolkit can prevent the death of nerve cells triggering these diseases.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJul 17, 2017
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.

A firefly's flash inspires new nanolaser light

Researchers developed a new laser source that stores light energy in nanoscale disks, enabling ultrafast light pulses suitable for studying neural connections and machine learning. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize optically powered neurocomputers.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 16, 2017

Concerns over side effects of statins stopping stroke survivors taking medication

A recent study published in BMJ Open found that negative media coverage and personal experiences of statin side effects are significant barriers to adherence among stroke survivors. The research highlights the need for open dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals to address concerns and improve medication adherence.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalBMJ Open·DateJul 16, 2017
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.

A prescription of activities shown to improve health and well-being

A study by Newcastle University found that social prescribing of non-medical activities such as gardening, cooking clubs, and volunteering improves physical health and reduces anxiety and isolation. Link Workers played a crucial role in supporting participants throughout the program.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalBMJ Open·DateJul 16, 2017

New target could soothe the itch of inflammatory skin conditions

Researchers have identified a new target for treating inflammatory skin conditions by depleting the RIPK1 protein. This finding offers a potential 'upstream' approach to treating conditions such as psoriasis, which currently rely on immune suppressant treatments with potential complications.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·DateJul 15, 2017

Fossil site shows impact of early Jurassic's low oxygen oceans

A recent fossil site discovery reveals that low oxygen levels during the Early Jurassic led to a stressed marine ecosystem, with only a few species surviving. The study tracks how this event impacted local communities, including a collapse of fish populations and changes in species composition.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·DateJul 15, 2017
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.

Multi-million pound grant awarded to improve world slum healthcare

The University of Warwick has received a £5.7m grant to find better ways of delivering healthcare to people living in slums in Asia and Africa. The project aims to identify the best models for health service delivery and persuade politicians to make changes, benefiting nearly a billion people.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateJul 14, 2017

Decline in financing could undermine malaria efforts

A study found that global malaria funding is declining despite its importance in eliminating the disease worldwide. The decrease in external funding, combined with increasing government financing, may lead to malaria resurgence if sustainable financing solutions are not implemented.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalMalaria Journal·DateJul 14, 2017

Not all muscle building supplements are equal

BCAA supplements stimulate muscle growth but lack essential amino acids, leading to a suboptimal response. Taking whey protein supplements with BCAAs is more effective for maximizing muscle growth and protein synthesis.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateJul 14, 2017

FSU researcher makes deep-sea coral reefs discovery in depths of the North-Pacific

A Florida State University professor's discovery of deep-sea coral reefs in the North-Pacific has sparked hope for vulnerable coral colonies. The research suggests that factors such as high chlorophyll levels and suitable currents may contribute to the reefs' success, but mysteries remain about their presence at these depths.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 14, 2017

Prior dengue infection does not increase Zika disease severity

A recent study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil found that prior dengue infection does not intensify Zika disease severity. The research involved 65 individuals who contracted Zika virus during the 2016 epidemic, and analyzed their viral loads, finding no significant difference between those with prior dengue exposure and those without.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJul 14, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Shh! Proven security for your secrets

Researchers from Kyoto University have demonstrated the strength of their 128-bit key Vector Stream Cipher, proving its provable security. The study highlights the cipher's low memory usage and structural simplicity, making it suitable for high-density data transmission applications like 5G networks and 4K television broadcasts.

SourceKyoto University·DateJul 14, 2017

LSTM awarded £11 million by National Institute for Health Research

The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11 million to establish a new Global Health Research Unit and two research groups. The funds will support research on lung health, snakebite, and non-communicable diseases in Africa, aiming to improve health outcomes for the poorest communities.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·DateJul 14, 2017

Ion temperature of one hundred million degrees achieved

Researchers at National Institutes of Natural Sciences successfully generated plasma with an ion temperature of 100 million degrees, a key milestone toward achieving burning plasma for fusion. The high-temperature plasma exhibits characteristics suitable for fusion reactor plasmas.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·DateJul 14, 2017
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.

FSU researchers discover an ugly truth about attractiveness

A recent study published in Body Image found that the attractiveness of a husband can motivate women to diet and seek a slim body, even if they are not particularly attractive themselves. The research highlights the importance of understanding social factors influencing disordered eating behaviors among women.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalBody Image·DateJul 14, 2017

New gene mutation associated with Fanconi anemia

A team of researchers has identified a new gene mutation associated with Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disorder characterized by bone marrow failure. The mutation in RFWD3 gene was found to disrupt DNA repair mechanisms, increasing cancer risk in individuals with the disease.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 14, 2017

Researchers make improbable discovery

Researchers found unusual coral reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, defying expectations of inhospitable conditions. The discovery suggests that factors such as abundant food and unique chemistry may contribute to their existence.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 14, 2017

£1.5 million grant awarded to tackle psychosis in India

The University of Warwick has received a £1.5 million grant from the NIHR Global Health Research Unit to develop culturally appropriate interventions for psychosis sufferers in India. The three-year project aims to improve early treatment, raise care standards, and use digital technologies to overcome infrastructure problems.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·DateJul 14, 2017
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.

ASHG honors Daniel MacArthur with inaugural Early-Career Award

Daniel MacArthur receives ASHG's first Early-Career Award for his work on rare disease diagnosis using large-scale genomic technologies. The award recognizes his development of key resources, including Exome Aggregation Consortium and Genome Aggregation Database.

SourceAmerican Society of Human Genetics·DateJul 14, 2017

NASA gives Hurricane Fernanda a close-up

Hurricane Fernanda's maximum sustained winds reached 100 mph, with further strengthening anticipated in the next 48 hours. The storm is moving westward at 12 mph and is expected to become a major hurricane today.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 14, 2017

Feinstein Institute identifies potential cause for lupus

A protein called Blimp-1 regulates the immune system in patients with lupus, leading to an overactive immune response that attacks healthy tissue. The study's findings suggest a link between low Blimp-1 levels and increased risk of lupus in females.

SourceNorthwell Health·JournalNature Immunology·DateJul 14, 2017

Researchers identify potentially safer substitutes for BPA

A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has identified two compounds that may be safer alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to health concerns. The study used an automated microscopy and image analysis-based technology to screen potential BPA substitutes, which could lead to safer plastics in everyday products.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 14, 2017
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.

Advance furthers stem cells for use in drug discovery, cell therapy

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed an automated screening test to create all-chemical replacements for traditional stem cell growth materials. This innovation enables wider use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and testing environmental chemicals for vascular toxicity.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 14, 2017

Climate change: Biodiversity rescues biodiversity in a warmer world

Researchers found that climate warming can both increase and decrease biodiversity, with higher diversity providing a buffer against environmental changes. In a study, warming meadows led to more nematode species, but those species were also more similar to each other, limiting the 'insurance' effect of increased diversity.

SourceGerman Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 14, 2017
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.

Teen girls at higher risk OK with emergency department offering pregnancy prevention info

A recent survey found that adolescent girls seeking medical care in emergency departments are open to receiving information on preventing pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 219 non-pregnant females aged 14-21, revealed that 72% of participants wanted EDs to provide pregnancy prevention and contraception info.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 14, 2017

Ecological underpinnings of rural poverty

A new study models rural poverty using ecological, economic, and epidemiological factors. The framework highlights disease transmission and recovery rates as key determinants of long-term health and wealth dynamics.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 14, 2017

New limits to functional portion of human genome reported

A recent study published in Genome Biology and Evolution proposes that only 10-15% or up to 25% of the human genome is functional, with the remaining portion consisting of non-functional 'junk DNA'. This finding contradicts previous estimates suggesting 80% of the genome has a biochemical function.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·DateJul 14, 2017

How protein interactions drive cellular death

A team of researchers has decoded the complex interplay of three components in a protein network regulating programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis. Their findings suggest that interaction between Bcl-2 proteins is key to understanding this process and its link to diseases such as cancer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 2017
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.

Scientists discovered one of the brightest galaxies known

A team of scientists from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias discovered a very distant galaxy, some 10 thousand million light years away, about a thousand times brighter than the Milky Way. The galaxy is notable for having a high rate of star formation, forming stars at a rate of 1000 solar masses per year.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 14, 2017

£8.6 million awarded for global health research

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London secured £8.6m in grants to develop and implement salt reduction programs in China, aiming to prevent thousands of deaths from stroke and heart disease. A new Global Health Research Group will focus on improving mental health interventions in low-income countries.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·DateJul 14, 2017

Hamburg researchers develop new transistor concept

Researchers at the University of Hamburg have developed a new transistor concept based on metal nanoparticles, which exhibit energy gap properties due to Coulomb repulsion. This approach enables scalable synthesis, high-quality thin films and flexible devices with adjustable electrical characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 14, 2017

The last survivors on Earth

A new study published in Scientific Reports found that tardigrades can withstand all astrophysical catastrophes and will continue to thrive for at least 10 billion years. The research suggests that life on Earth will extend as long as the Sun shines, opening the possibility of life on other planets.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 14, 2017
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.