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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 231


Page 231 of 461

Temple researchers identify novel mechanism underlying efficacy of common heart failure drug

Researchers at Temple University have identified a novel mechanism underlying the efficacy of common heart failure drug beta-blockers. The study reveals that dysfunctional beta-adrenergic receptor 3 and decreased levels of cardioprotective phospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate contribute to treatment resistance in some patients.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateJul 3, 2017

Making waves

Researchers at IST Austria and Nvidia introduce a novel representation of waves that improves visual detail and user control while reducing computing cost. The method allows for more versatile and physically plausible simulations with minimal extra work.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateJul 3, 2017

Cases of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection are soaring

A Penn study found a 189% increase in multiple recurring Clostridium difficile infections from 2001 to 2012, highlighting the growing need for effective treatments. Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise but requires further evaluation for long-term safety.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 3, 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.

Popular heartburn drugs linked to higher death risk

A new study from Washington University School of Medicine links popular heartburn drugs to an increased risk of death, particularly among those using the medications for extended periods. The research found that users of proton pump inhibitors had a 25% higher risk of death compared to those taking H2 blockers.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalBMJ Open·DateJul 3, 2017

Differences in US infant mortality rates among black and white babies

The infant mortality rate for black infants decreased from 14.3 to 11.6 per 1,000 births from 2005 to 2012, then plateaued before increasing again from 2014 to 2015. In contrast, white infant mortality rates declined steadily over the same period. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, particularly reducing preterm b...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateJul 3, 2017

Naturally produced testosterone gives female athletes 'significant' competitive edge

Research reveals that naturally produced testosterone in some elite female athletes gives them a competitive advantage in athletics events that depend on stamina and visuospatial abilities. Women with high levels of free testosterone performed significantly better in certain events, such as the 400m sprint and hammer throw.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBritish Journal of Sports Medicine·DateJul 3, 2017

What are outcomes later in life for high school football players?

A study of 3,904 men found no association between high school football participation and later-life cognitive impairment or depression. This challenges previous concerns about the sport's safety, particularly regarding chronic traumatic encephalopathy and concussion risks.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 3, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Frogs illustrate the creative destruction of mass extinctions

A new study reveals that a mass extinction 66 million years ago sparked an explosion of new frog species on different continents. The research, compiled by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions, provides the most accurate frog family tree to date.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017

Sea spray losing its sparkle?

Researchers from Stockholm University found that the inorganic component of sea spray particles takes up less water, resulting in smaller particle size and reduced sunlight reflection. This discovery challenges existing climate models and highlights the importance of understanding sea spray's role in the atmosphere.

SourceStockholm University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2017

Study sheds new light on extinction risk in mammals

Researchers measured habitat fragmentation for over 4,000 species of land-dwelling mammals and found that species with more fragmentation are at greater risk of extinction. The study has implications for global mammal conservation, suggesting urgent action is needed to protect remnant habitats and restore connectivity.

SourceColorado State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 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.

School's in for asthma medication adherence

A school-based intervention that administers morning doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) to children with persistent asthma has shown improved adherence and quality-of-life outcomes. The study, published in the Journal of Asthma, found that 90% of participants received their prescribed morning doses through school administration.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJournal of Asthma·DateJul 3, 2017

Greening the city -- a measurement for a mindful environment

Scientists at the University of Bradford have developed TRAPT, a measurement for assessing urban environments' relaxation levels. The tool helps planners and architects understand the impact of 'greening' measures on public spaces, aiming to create more tranquil environments.

SourceUniversity of Bradford·JournalUrban Forestry & Urban Greening·DateJul 3, 2017

The more eggs the better in IVF?

A higher number of eggs retrieved in IVF treatment is linked to more chromosomally normal embryos available for transfer. The benefit of a greater oocyte yield decreases with advancing female age.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 3, 2017

Superstretchable, supercompressible supercapacitors

Scientists create a polyacrylamide hydrogel electrolyte that enables supercapacitors to be stretched up to 1000% in length and compressed by 50% in thickness without losing capacity. This flexibility makes the supercapacitor suitable for wearable electronics.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 3, 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.

Muscles can 'ask' for the energy they need

Muscles require energy to perform daily movements, and researchers have found a pathway that regulates fuel delivery based on activity level. The discovery is dependent on circadian rhythms and could impact obesity in humans.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 3, 2017

Beech trees native to Scotland after all, scientists discover

Scientists have discovered that nearly all beech trees in Scotland are derived from native populations, suggesting they should be considered native to the country. The study challenges current woodland management practices and highlights the need to reassess the distinctiveness of native Scottish forests.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalJournal of Biogeography·DateJul 3, 2017

Research examines how insect outbreaks affect forests and bats

Research reveals bark beetles create roosting and foraging opportunities for protected bat species like Barbastella barbastellus. The findings have important implications for forest conservation, highlighting the need to reassess standard management practices.

SourceWiley·JournalAnimal Conservation·DateJul 3, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Quantum probes dramatically improve detection of nuclear spins

Researchers have developed a quantum probe to perform microwave-free NMR at the nanoscale, overcoming limitations of conventional methods. This technique enables non-invasive detection of nuclear spins in smaller volumes, potentially revolutionizing biotechnology and materials science.

SourceCentre for Quantum Computation & Communication Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2017

Utah is home to earliest use of a wild potato in North America

Researchers find 10,900-year-old stone tool with potato starch residues, revealing the earliest evidence of wild potato use in North America. The discovery sheds light on ancient human diets and could hold potential for improving modern potato crops.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017

ANU invention may help to protect astronauts from radiation in space

Researchers at Australian National University (ANU) have designed a new nano material that can reflect or transmit light on demand with temperature control. This innovation offers potential protection for astronauts in space from harmful radiation, increasing resistance threshold against radiation compared to current technologies.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 3, 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.

New studies of ancient concrete could teach us to do as the Romans did

Researchers studied 2,000-year-old Roman concrete using X-rays and electron microscopy, discovering a natural chemistry that strengthens the material over time. The findings suggest a recipe for modern concrete with less environmental impact could be inspired by the ancient Romans' use of volcanic ash, lime, and seawater.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateJul 3, 2017

New data on the protective effects of Alzheimer's on cancer

Research reveals a link between Alzheimer's and lower lung cancer risk due to mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. A study analyzing over 1000 patient samples identified altered genes and confirmed the protective effect of Alzheimer's against lung cancer.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 2017

Immune defense mechanism: How proteins bring together membrane blebs

Researchers have discovered that guanylate-binding proteins, such as human GBP1, play a crucial role in bringing together membrane blebs to trap pathogens. This process is a precursor to vesicle fusion, which is essential for the immune defense mechanism.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 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.

Study calls into question theories on pulsar phenomena

Mathematicians used complex modeling to study a specific pulsar exhibiting 'glitching' and 'wobbling' behaviors. They found accepted theories conflict with each other, suggesting errors in current explanations.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 3, 2017

'Little Cub' gives astronomers rare chance to see galaxy demise

Astronomers have spotted a rare opportunity to study the demise of a dwarf galaxy called Little Cub, which is being consumed by a gigantic neighbouring galaxy. The process provides clues about how smaller galaxies lose their gas and eventually shut down star formation.

SourceDurham University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 3, 2017

Solar cell design using diverse plant pigments

Researchers have developed two types of solar cells with different photosensitizers, achieving higher efficiency and stability. The study used novel instrumentation to investigate environmental effects on photocurrent generated by solar cells.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateJul 3, 2017

Extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs cleared way for frogs

A new study has found that the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs simultaneously led to the evolution of three major lineages of modern frogs, which make up about 88% of living species. This finding suggests that the survivors filled up new ecological niches after the extinction event, resulting in the rapid diversification...

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How seawater strengthens ancient Roman concrete

Researchers found that seawater's interaction with Roman concrete leads to the growth of rare minerals, increasing its cohesion and strength. The unique pozzolanic reaction and interlocking mineral crystals provide a system contrary to modern cement-based concrete.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalAmerican Mineralogist·DateJul 3, 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.

Back to the future: The most efficient option for treating unexplained infertility

A study has shown that an inexpensive fertility drug can be just as effective as more recent reproductive hormones in treating unexplained infertility. The 50-year-old drug, taken orally, was found to have a comparable pregnancy rate to newer hormones used in intrauterine insemination (IUI) with ovarian stimulation.

SourceEuropean Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology·DateJul 3, 2017

Owls' wings could hold the key to beating wind turbine noise

Researchers studied owls' wings to understand how their unique features can reduce noise in machines like wind turbines and aircraft. Leading-edge serrations can control airflow, improving aerodynamic force and sound production, but a trade-off exists between performance and noise suppression.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBioinspiration & Biomimetics·DateJul 3, 2017

Key genes in nitrogen utilization in tobacco identified

Scientists have identified two mutated genes associated with nitrogen utilization in tobacco, which could lead to the development of plants requiring less nitrogen and reduced levels of carcinogenic compounds in cigarette smoke. This discovery has significant implications for sustainable agriculture and reducing environmental pollution.

SourceR&D at British American Tobacco·JournalBMC Genomics·DateJul 3, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Generic drug prices increase when market competition decreases

Researchers found that generic drug prices rose significantly when market competition decreased, particularly in lower-priced drugs. The study suggests understanding the connection between competition and price may help identify older prescription drugs at higher risk for price changes in the future.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJul 3, 2017

Flipping the switch on height variation

A study by Harvard University found a genetic 'switch' that controls the activity of a key skeletal gene related to height, which is also linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The variant, more prevalent in Eurasian populations, favors shortness and is associated with lower GDF5 activity in growth plates.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 3, 2017

Baker's yeast can help plants cope with soil contamination

Researchers from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discovered that two genes from baker's yeast can increase plant resistance to a broad range of toxic substances, enabling their growth in contaminated soils. Plants carrying the yeast genes grew significantly better than wild-type plants in contaminated soils.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 3, 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.

UTA's Kyle O'Connell receives prestigious NSF doctoral dissertation grant

Kyle O'Connell, a fifth-year Ph.D. student at UTA, received a $19,695 NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grants award to support his research on speciation in Sumatra using parachuting frogs. His project aims to test hypotheses about the formation of new species through genetic and genomic data analysis.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJul 3, 2017

Dinosaurs' loss was frogs' gain: The upside of a mass extinction

A new study reveals that most frog species descended from just three lineages that survived the mass extinction event, with rapid radiation occurring due to available environmental niches. The loss of dinosaurs led to the rise of trees and flowering plants, which in turn favored the evolution of frogs.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017

NASA examines Tropical Storm Nanmadol inside and out

Tropical Storm Nanmadol was analyzed by NASA using Suomi NPP and GPM Core satellites, revealing a powerful storm with maximum sustained winds of 45 knots. The data showed an eye-like structure at the center of circulation and heavy rainfall rates exceeding 184 mm per hour.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 3, 2017

Blood of SIDS infants contains high levels of serotonin

A study funded by NIH found that 31% of SIDS infants had elevated serotonin levels in their blood, suggesting an underlying vulnerability to the condition. Researchers propose testing blood samples for serotonin to distinguish SIDS cases from other infant deaths, but caution that more research is needed.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2017
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.

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.