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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 354


Page 354 of 461

Discovery may help patients beat deadly pneumonia

Researchers have found that a hormone called hepcidin helps fight off bacterial pneumonia by limiting the spread of bacteria in the blood. Stimulating hepcidin production could be lifesaving for vulnerable patients, including those with iron overload or liver disease.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJCI Insight·DateMar 29, 2017

Adults with disabilities screened less often for colorectal cancer

Researchers found that individuals with blindness, intellectual disability, or spinal cord injury are less likely to receive recommended colorectal screenings. The study's findings emphasize the importance of increased awareness and advocacy efforts to ensure all individuals are screened appropriately for this preventable cancer.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 29, 2017

Financialization's negative effect on the American solar industry

A new study reveals that financialization in the US impaired its emerging solar industry, while Japan's photovoltaics manufacturers thrived. This case study highlights the conflicting relationship between finance and production, and calls for policies that bring productive and financial capital together to support low-carbon industries.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 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.

Virtual reality therapy helps decrease pain in hospitalized patients

A new study published in JMIR Mental Health found that virtual reality therapy significantly reduced pain scores in hospitalized patients. Patients who wore VR goggles experienced a 24% drop in pain, while those who viewed standard video content saw a 13.2% decrease.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalJMIR Mental Health·DateMar 29, 2017

Vulnerability to psychosis: How to detect it

A new study has identified an early vulnerability brain marker for psychosis in late adolescence, which can be detected through exaggerated emotional responses to non-threatening cues. This finding could lead to the development of new intervention strategies for at-risk youth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2017

Organic-inorganic heterostructures with programmable electronic properties

Scientists develop self-assembled organic molecular lattices with controlled geometry and atomic precision on top of graphene, inducing periodic potentials and unprecedented electrical, magnetic, piezoelectric, and optical functionalities. The approach allows for pre-programming and adjustment of the induced potentials.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 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.

Quantum communication: How to outwit noise

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck and TU Wien have developed a new quantum communication protocol that can reliably transfer quantum information even in the presence of detrimental noise. The protocol uses an additional quantum oscillator to couple qubits, allowing for precise separation of the noisy signal from the weaker qua...

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2017

Painting fingernails with silver and gold

Researchers have developed a simple way to integrate metal nanoparticles in nail polish, resulting in durable, transparent polishes with metallic sheen. The technique could also be used to create coatings for medical devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateMar 29, 2017

Cost of neurological disease in US approaching $800 billion a year

A US study reveals that the annual cost of neurological diseases in the US is nearly $800 billion, with an estimated $600 billion to be spent on stroke and dementia treatment by 2030. The study emphasizes the need for increased funding to develop treatments and cures for these conditions.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalAnnals of Neurology·DateMar 29, 2017

Atomic 're-packing' behind metallic glass mystery

Researchers have solved a decades-long puzzle about metallic glasses' atomic structure using a new method combining various techniques. The study revealed a hidden amorphous phase within a certain temperature range, linked to metals' ability to form glass and potentially enabling the development of stronger novel materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Eating peanuts may lead to supple arteries and healthy hearts

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating peanuts with a meal can help prevent arterial stiffening and keep blood vessels healthy. The researchers observed a 32% reduction in triglyceride levels after peanut consumption compared to a control group.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMar 29, 2017

Electronic health records improve weekend surgery outcomes

A Loyola Medicine study found that electronic health record (EHR) systems can mitigate the weekend effect in urgent general surgery patients. Patients at hospitals with high-speed EHR connectivity and electronic bed management systems experienced lower hospital stays and mortality rates, with reductions of up to 35%.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMar 29, 2017

Reusable carbon nanotubes could be the water filter of the future, says RIT study

A new class of enhanced single-walled carbon nanotubes offers a more effective approach to water treatment and remediation, with the potential for regenerating filters by heating them in a microwave. The technology works because nanotubes dislike water, allowing only organic contaminants to stick to them.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science Water Research & Technology·DateMar 29, 2017
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.

The last 'caimans' living in Spain

Researchers uncover 16 million-year-old fossils of a small crocodile, Diplocynodon ratelii, which is similar to modern-day caimans. The discovery provides new insights into the early Miocene ecosystem in Catalonia, Spain.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalComptes Rendus Palevol·DateMar 29, 2017

Penn State study shows aphasia may not solely be a language disorder

A recent Penn State study suggests that aphasia may be a broader cognitive disorder affecting not just language, but also hearing, vision, motor processing, attention, and executive functions. The findings imply that treating aphasia requires a more holistic approach, considering these interconnected brain networks.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 2017

Wrong-way asteroid plays 'chicken' with Jupiter

Asteroid Bee-Zed, orbiting the wrong way around the sun, has been playing a cosmic game of chicken with Jupiter for a million years. The asteroid's retrograde motion allows it to maintain a stable orbit despite its unusual path, thanks to Jupiter's gravity deflection.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 2017

Every £1 spent on public health in UK saves average of £14

A systematic review found that UK public health interventions return an average ROI of £14.30 on every £1 spent, with national policies producing even higher returns. The study warns that recent cuts to public health budgets will cost the NHS and economy 'billions'.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 29, 2017

Journal: Researchers can track hazardous chemicals from fast-food wrappers in the body

Researchers developed a new method to track perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) from fast-food wrappers in the body, linking them to various health issues. The study found PFASs were detected in all tested organs, including liver, stomach, lungs, kidney, heart, skin, muscle, brain, and others.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Technology·DateMar 29, 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.

How should the UK approach Brexit?

A study by Oxford University Press USA outlines strategies for the UK to adopt in future trade negotiations with the European Union. The authors propose four guidelines: giving something of value to trading partners, starting from a favorable position, using bargaining power effectively, and investing in negotiating capacity.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalOxford Review of Economic Policy·DateMar 29, 2017

Making bones stronger

A mathematical model shows that injections of peptide CK2.3 can increase bone formation and decrease bone degradation, potentially treating osteoporosis. The researchers used a combination of biological and mathematical models to calculate ideal dosages for humans and mice, aiming to develop a promising remedy for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCPT Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology·DateMar 29, 2017

Solving the mystery of the Arctic's green ice

Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2017
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.

Scientists predict reading ability from DNA alone

Researchers at King's College London used a genetic scoring technique to predict reading performance throughout school years from DNA alone. Genetic scores explained up to 5% of the differences in reading ability between children, with students having highest and lowest genetic scores differing by two years in reading performance.

SourceKing's College London·JournalScientific Studies of Reading·DateMar 29, 2017

Infant vitamin B1 deficiency leads to poor motor function and balance

A Tel Aviv University study found that infants fed thiamine-deficient formula suffered from severe motor function difficulties, with long-term consequences for their health. The researchers emphasize the critical role of vitamin B1 in child development and stress the need for regulatory control of breast milk substitutes.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition·DateMar 29, 2017

Study reveals amount of premature deaths linked to international trade

A new study estimates that 12% of global premature deaths related to PM2.5 pollution are caused by emissions in a different region, while 22% are associated with goods produced for consumption in another region. The study highlights the need for international cooperation to reduce air pollution and its health impacts.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 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.

Legends of the lost reservoirs

Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateMar 29, 2017

Surgery to remove unaffected breast in early breast cancer increases

A study found nearly half of young breast cancer patients in five states undergo preventive mastectomy to remove the unaffected breast. The proportion of women receiving this procedure increased significantly between 2004 and 2012, particularly among those under 45, with regional variations across states.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMar 29, 2017

New research into light particles challenges understanding of quantum theory

Researchers at the University of East Anglia discovered a new mechanism for creating paired light particles, which could have significant implications for quantum physics. The findings suggest that photon pairs can be emitted from spatially separated points, introducing positional uncertainty of fundamental quantum origin.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2017

Harnessing brain's internal reserves might help treat epilepsy

Researchers have discovered that activating the endocannabinoid system of the brain can reduce or completely suppress epileptic activity in test animals. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy, a common form of the condition.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalBrain Research·DateMar 29, 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.

Best-looking politicians lean right, best-looking scholars lean left

A recent study found that Right-leaning politicians tend to be considered more attractive, whereas Left-leaning scholars are viewed as more physically appealing. This effect was observed despite similar factors such as age and education level between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateMar 29, 2017

NIH designates $42.7 million for food allergy research consortium

The National Institutes of Health has designated $42.7 million for the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) over seven years to continue evaluating new approaches to treat food allergy. CoFAR scientists are working on immunotherapy approaches to reduce immediate allergic symptoms and bring about long-term relief.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateMar 29, 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.

Trauma and stress in teen years increases risk of depression during menopause, Penn study shows

A new Penn study reveals that women who experience multiple traumatic events during childhood or adolescence are more likely to develop depression during perimenopause. Women who experienced their first traumatic event in their teens are particularly susceptible, even if they had previously never had depression.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 2017

Fred Hutch scientists to cover advances in immunotherapy, proteomics at AACR

Researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are presenting new developments in immunotherapy and proteomics at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. A new adoptive T-cell therapy for ovarian cancer has shown promising results, while a vaccine adjuvant has boosted immune responses to sarcomas.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·DateMar 29, 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.

A novel molecular link between cholesterol, inflammation and liver cancer

A new study links protein c-Fos to liver carcinogenesis, highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in preventing liver cancer. The research suggests that statins may also prevent deleterious changes in hepatocytes caused by hypercholesterolemia and reduce inflammation.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·DateMar 29, 2017

Building trust, not hate

When anonymity is lifted, cooperation increases significantly due to mutual understanding. Participants who knew each other were more likely to cooperate rather than engage in retaliatory sentiments or punishment.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2017

Impacts of school choice on segregation

Penn State researchers found that black and Latino students tend to move into charter schools with higher racial isolation, while white students move to more diverse schools. This study highlights the need for educational equity and raises questions about school-choice policy's effects on fostering racially diverse schools.

SourcePenn State·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateMar 28, 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.

Female menstrual cycle in a dish

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a miniature female reproductive tract that can test new drugs for safety and effectiveness in women. The EVATAR system, made with human tissue, mimics the body's dynamics and will help understand diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2017
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.

Legos and origami inspire next-generation materials

A team of researchers has designed a standard set of building-blocks to assemble complex structures and engineer arbitrary 3D metamaterials. The breakthrough aims to overcome the bottleneck in translating scientific progress to commercial applications.

SourceTianjin University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2017

About time! Predicting midge seasonality key to reducing livestock diseases

Ecologists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have led a study that informs optimal strategies for controlling devastating midge-borne diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. The model predicts that timing insecticide treatments over the Autumn midge peak has the greatest effect on population suppression.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateMar 28, 2017

Cortisol excess hits natural DNA process and mental health hard

A study on patients with Cushing's Syndrome found that cortisol excess was associated with reduced DNA methylation, leading to persistent psychiatric problems. The researchers hope that targeting DNA methylation may lead to new treatment possibilities for stress-related conditions.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 28, 2017
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.

Evidence insufficient to screen for celiac disease

The US Preventive Services Task Force found inadequate evidence on celiac disease screening accuracy, benefits and harms of screening, and treatment effects. Current evidence is insufficient to assess balance of benefits and harms of screening for asymptomatic individuals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 28, 2017

Study finds that elevating women's status lowers dependence on solid fuels

A recent study by Lehigh University sociologist Kelly Austin finds that countries with higher gender equality have lower rates of solid fuel use and female exposure to indoor air pollution. The research highlights the importance of female empowerment in reducing this global health issue, which claims 4.3 million premature deaths annually.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPopulation and Environment·DateMar 28, 2017