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Science News Archive 2017 - Page 391


Page 391 of 461

Nation's top environmental scientists say the EPA should not be weakened

Nation's top environmental scientists say the EPA should continue to engage with the broad community of scientists to inform policy decisions. The authors call for enhanced research funding and environmental scientific capacity to address key uncertainties and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 1, 2017

Study shows role of depression in the ongoing tobacco epidemic

A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that depression significantly increased in the US from 2005 to 2013 among current, former, and never smokers. The prevalence of depression is consistently higher among smokers, but the rate of increase was more prominent among former and never smokers.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalDrug and Alcohol Dependence·DateMar 1, 2017

Quantum entanglement between a single photon and a trillion of atoms

A team of physicists at the University of Warsaw has created a multidimensional entangled state of a single photon and a trillion rubidium atoms. By storing the photons in the laboratory for several microseconds, they have demonstrated the joint entanglement, resolving the long-standing paradox of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalOptica·DateMar 1, 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.

Musical scales may have developed to accommodate vocal limitations

A new study suggests that musical scales may have evolved to accommodate the variability of the human voice, rather than the perfect tuning of instruments. This theory has implications for understanding the development of singing and speech production in tone languages.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Cognitive Psychology·DateMar 1, 2017

Iron dissolved by air pollution may increase ocean potential to trap carbon

A new study suggests that air pollution can dissolve iron particles in airborne particles, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases that the world's oceans can absorb. Scientists have found thick sulphate coatings containing soluble iron on iron-rich particles from steel manufacturing and coal burning in the East China Sea.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 1, 2017

Understanding and predicting snow behavior

A new computer model is being developed to simulate the mechanical properties of snow and predict its behavior in various scenarios. This model will enable more accurate forecasts for avalanches and help determine the load on buildings caused by snow.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·DateMar 1, 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.

Research finds we can civilize punishment by learning a perpetrator's unfortunate history

New research by Lehigh University professor Michael Gill and Stephanie C. Cerce found that considering a wrongdoer's life history reduces harsh blame but doesn't change the perception of their free will. This approach, known as historicist narrative, can lead to more constructive prison systems and improved mental health.

SourceLehigh University·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateMar 1, 2017

In cleaning up misfolded proteins, cell powerhouses can break down

Scientists found that cell powerhouses called mitochondria can break down misfolded proteins, which are thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery could help explain why protein clumping and mitochondrial deterioration are hallmarks of these conditions.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateMar 1, 2017

Type 2 diabetes diagnosis in youth leads to increased health complications

A new study found that adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes experience more than double the health complications compared to those with type 1 diabetes. Health complications include retinopathy, diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, arterial stiffness, and high blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateFeb 28, 2017

Sleep trackers can prompt sleep problems

A study found that sleep-tracking devices can be misleading, leading to increased anxiety and poor sleep habits. While these devices may have benefits when used correctly, they can also hinder efforts by therapists to assist patients with sleep disorders.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateFeb 28, 2017

Major funding boost to develop healthcare and extreme environment robotics

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has announced a major funding boost to develop robotics and artificial intelligence technologies for healthcare and hazardous environments. The £17.3 million investment will support research projects in surgical micro-robotics, autonomous systems, and extreme environments.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateFeb 28, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unlocking the secrets of the Achilles' heel

Scientists discover a tissue layer with extremely thin protein fibers at the interface between tendons and bones, explaining why athletes can withstand tremendous loads without damaging the bond. This breakthrough could lead to innovative connections in material research and tumour surgery.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 28, 2017

FSU researcher to lead US-Russia project on health, space travel

A Florida State University researcher is leading a joint US-Russia project to study the effects of space travel on astronauts' vision and cardiovascular problems. The $750,000 grant will fund research using male mice sent to space, examining changes in lymphatic and vascular functions to understand the impact on vision.

SourceFlorida State University·DateFeb 28, 2017

Rare proteins collapse earlier

A team of researchers led by Paola Picotti found that only a small fraction of key proteins denature at high temperatures, contradicting previous assumptions. This discovery has implications for understanding protein stability and potentially improving the performance of heat-resistant bacteria for industrial processes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2017

Nonsurgical treatment can correct congenital ear malformations in infants

Researchers found that the EarWell system is highly successful in eliminating or reducing the need for surgery in most congenital ear malformations, with 97% of ears showing good to excellent results. Treatment must begin early, ideally within three weeks after birth, and should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateFeb 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.

Recent investigations on human group II pyridoxal 5'-phosphate decarboxylases

These enzymes play essential roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and various physiological processes. A review highlights the importance of specific residues and regions for catalytic competence, including a mobile catalytic loop that undergoes an open-to-close conformational change upon coenzyme binding.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Medicinal Chemistry·DateFeb 28, 2017

Climate research needs greater focus on human populations

Climate change research needs to focus on how changing population structures will affect future human wellbeing. Global scenarios already include demographic data, but this is not being fully utilized. A new conceptual model, 'demographic metabolism,' can account for the replacement of generations and their impact on vulnerability.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 28, 2017

Mammography trends show improved cancer detection, more biopsies

New study reveals improved cancer detection rates with digital mammography, but also increased abnormal interpretation rates leading to more unnecessary biopsies for benign conditions. The study highlights the need for quality improvement initiatives to address these trends.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·JournalRadiology·DateFeb 28, 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.

Calculating recharge of groundwater more precisely

A team of international researchers has developed a new approach to calculate groundwater recharge rates, significantly improving estimates for 560 million people in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. By accounting for subsurface heterogeneity, their model produces more realistic estimates than existing global models.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2017

Concerns over inconsistent palliative care provision across England

A study reveals significant variation in palliative care services across England, with some regions failing to provide standardised information and patient choice being hindered. Experts recommend a national framework to ensure fair access to palliative care, citing the Welsh Palliative Care Strategy as a best practice model.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Supportive & Palliative Care·DateFeb 28, 2017

A minimally invasive tool to measure muscle impairment

Researchers developed a minimally invasive tool to measure muscle impairment using fiber-optic technology. The technique accurately assesses muscle properties, enabling personalized treatment plans for patients with movement disorders.

SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 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.

Miniature organisms in the sand play big role in our ocean

Research by Jeroen Ingels reveals that meiofauna, small organisms living in sediment, contribute to food production, nutrient cycling, and waste breakdown. These tiny creatures help regulate the Earth's system, impacting marine ecosystems and human life.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateFeb 28, 2017

As radiation therapy declined so did second cancers in childhood cancer survivors

A study by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that a decline in radiation therapy for childhood cancer treatment led to a reduction in the development of second cancers among young survivors. The study, which included over 23,000 five-year survivors, suggests that efforts to reduce late effects of treatment are paying off.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 28, 2017

UNC Lineberger launches innovative cellular immunotherapy program

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have launched clinical trials testing genetically engineered immune cells to fight cancer. The early-stage trials aim to improve treatment options for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

SourceUNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center·DateFeb 28, 2017
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Tanning devices cost US healthcare $343 million a year

A recent study estimates that indoor tanning-related skin cancers in the US cause over 263,600 cases and cost $343.1 million in medical costs each year. The diseases also result in a total economic loss of $127 billion over the lifetime of those affected.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Cancer Policy·DateFeb 28, 2017

Hospital floors may pose a larger health risk than previously thought

A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that hospital floors can be contaminated with harmful pathogens such as MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile. The researchers cultured floor sites from 159 patient rooms and discovered that 41% had high-touch objects in contact with the floor, highlighting the need for ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateFeb 28, 2017

Another step in understanding antipsychotic medication

A recent study by Radhika Joshi at NCBS Bangalore has shown that environmental factors can modulate the sedative side effects of antipsychotics. Mice without the 5-HT2A receptor were less affected when given Clozapine in novel cages or with new objects, suggesting a potential strategy for managing these side effects.

SourceNational Centre for Biological Sciences·JournalEuropean Neuropsychopharmacology·DateFeb 28, 2017

From heroin addiction to alcohol-related problems

Long-term opioid substitution therapy reduces heroin and cocaine consumption among patients with heroin addiction. However, frequent alcohol consumption among these patients has increased, posing a significant health risk due to liver infections like hepatitis B and C.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·DateFeb 28, 2017
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.

Colleen's Dream Foundation awards $30,000 to TGen ovarian cancer research

TGen researchers will test triptolide as a potential drug targeting SCCOHT, an aggressive form of ovarian cancer that affects mostly girls and young women. The grant aims to improve the understanding of ovarian cancer biology and potentially develop new treatments for this devastating disease.

SourceThe Translational Genomics Research Institute·DateFeb 28, 2017

Aggression disorder linked to greater risk of substance abuse

Research from the University of Chicago Medical Center found that people with intermittent explosive disorder are five times more likely to develop substance abuse problems. Early psychological intervention and treatment can delay or prevent substance abuse in adolescents with IED.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateFeb 28, 2017

Liver tumor growth in mice slowed with new chemo-immunotherapy treatment

Researchers developed a new treatment combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy to slow liver tumor growth in mice, with tumors growing 11 times smaller than in control groups. The study suggests that this approach could be translated to benefit patients with hepatocellular cancer, potentially extending and improving their quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateFeb 28, 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.

New approach to treating Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at UNIST developed a metal-based substance that hydrolyzes amyloid-β proteins, reducing their toxicity. The cobalt-based complex has the potential to penetrate the brain-vascular barrier and directly interact with the protein in the brain.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 28, 2017

New target for Parkinson's disease identified by Emory researchers

Researchers discovered a connection between the SV2C protein and dopamine release in the brain, suggesting that drug therapies targeting SV2C may be beneficial for PD patients. The study found altered SV2C levels only in PD brains among patients with various neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 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.

Optical generation of ultrasound via photoacoustic effect

A team of University College London researchers created a method for generating ultrasound via the photoacoustic effect by tailoring optoacoustic surface profiles. They used 3D printing to create samples with specific shapes, allowing them to control where sound fields would focus and even create continuous shapes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 28, 2017

CHLA researcher awarded $1.7 million to study heart regeneration

Children's Hospital Los Angeles researcher Ching-Ling Lien will investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of coronary vessel development and revascularization using zebrafish as a model system. The goal is to determine how the heart regenerates after injury and potentially design therapeutic approaches for humans.

SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·DateFeb 28, 2017

Transgender and gender-fluid teens left with few safe harbors

A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that transgender and gender-fluid teens face widespread abuse, including child abuse, physical assault, bullying, and cyberbullying. The study found that up to 70% of trans and gender-fluid teens reported being exposed to multiple forms of aggression.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalChild Abuse & Neglect·DateFeb 28, 2017

Study shows how information sources affect voters

A new study by MIT scholars found that voters in the US heavily rely on their pre-existing views when deciding if politicians' statements are true or not. The study used Trump's statements during the 2016 presidential primaries to examine how partisanship and prior beliefs interact with evaluations of objective fact.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateFeb 28, 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.

American Gastroenterological Association releases Obesity Practice Guide

The AGA has created an Obesity Practice Guide to guide and personalize innovative obesity care for safe and effective weight management. The program includes a framework focused on business operational issues related to the management of obese patients, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·DateFeb 28, 2017

Treatment of malignant brain tumor in children gets closer

Researchers have made a major step forward in understanding the molecular mechanisms of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a rare and aggressive brain tumor in children. They identified a possible method for treating this type of tumour using an EZH2 inhibitor, which has shown efficacy in mouse models and human cell lines.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalNature Medicine·DateFeb 28, 2017

Study explores HPV vaccine acceptability in sexual minorities

A study led by UC Riverside's Brandon Brown explores HPV vaccine acceptability among Peruvian men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW), finding widespread acceptance despite barriers such as access and stigma. The research aims to inform HPV vaccine implementation globally.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 28, 2017

Did seaweed make us who we are today?

According to Professor Ole G. Mouritsen, seaweeds were a crucial source of essential nutrients for early Homo sapiens brain development. These nutrients include taurine, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B12, iodine, and poly-unsaturated fatty-acids (PUFAs), which are also healthy for modern humans.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Applied Phycology·DateFeb 28, 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.

Happy notes, happy memories

Researchers found that musical cues with high arousal and positive emotion triggered the recall of clear, vivid memories, while those with negative emotions led to less specific recollections. The study's findings suggest that emotional content of musical cues influences the type of memories accessed.

SourceSpringer·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateFeb 28, 2017

New test distinguishes 'tigers' from 'pussycats' in prostate cancer

Researchers developed a new framework to classify human prostate cancer using mathematical approach Latent Process Decomposition (LPD), identifying a novel 'poor prognosis' category called DESNT. This distinction helps target therapy to men with significant cancers, avoiding unnecessary treatments and side effects.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalEuropean Urology Focus·DateFeb 28, 2017

Cells adapt ultra-rapidly to zero gravity

Researchers found that mammalian cells can respond to changes in gravitational conditions extremely quickly, recovering full function within 42 seconds. This rapid adaptation challenges previous assumptions about cell behavior in space, providing good news for manned space flight.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 28, 2017

Secrets of the calcerous ooze revealed

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze the carbon content of ancient coccolithophore shells, providing insights into past CO2 levels and climate sensitivity. The study uses mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to understand the biology of ancient creatures and their impact on the environment.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 28, 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.

WSU looks for practices to thwart antimicrobial resistance

Researchers identified cultural factors influencing transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria from livestock to humans in Tanzania. The study found Maasai households were less likely to follow withdrawal periods, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 28, 2017