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Science News for April 28, 2017


Two papers challenge exclusion of acupuncture in government guidelines

Two papers challenge the UK's National Institute for Healthcare Excellence (NICE) guidelines for excluding acupuncture in treating osteoarthritis of the knee and low-back pain. The authors argue that NICE applies a higher evidentiary standard to acupuncture than other modalities, which may diminish its effectiveness.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateApr 28, 2017

Sleep Research Society announces 2017 award recipients

The Sleep Research Society has announced its 2017 award recipients, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to sleep and circadian science. Dr. Thomas Kilduff is this year's Distinguished Scientist Award recipient for his work on hypocretin and therapeutic development for insomnia.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateApr 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.

Success in the 3-D bioprinting of cartilage

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg has developed a method to generate cartilage tissue by printing stem cells using a 3D-bioprinter. The resulting cartilage is extremely similar to human cartilage, with properties and structures identical to those found in natural cartilage.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 28, 2017

Thin layers of water hold promise for the energy storage of the future

The study found that the material with atomically thin layers of water stored energy more efficiently than the regular material, wasting less energy as heat. This breakthrough holds promise for future energy-storage technologies, such as thinner batteries and faster renewable-based power grids.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateApr 28, 2017

Introducing the 2017 Class of AGA Research Foundation awardees

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has announced its 2017 Research Foundation award recipients, supporting talented investigators in digestive disease research. The awardees will receive grant funding and protected time for research, contributing to advancements in gastroenterology.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateApr 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.

Further knowledge required about the differences between milk proteins

Researchers investigate the differences between A1 and A2 milk proteins, finding that a specific peptide is present in both types. However, the content of this peptide is higher in A1 milk, suggesting that more research is needed to determine its impact on human health.

SourceAarhus University·JournalInternational Dairy Journal·DateApr 28, 2017

Fast, low energy, and continuous biofuel extraction from microalgae

Kumamoto University researchers developed a low-energy, continuous biofuel extraction method from microalgae using nanosecond PEF, increasing efficiency and reducing damage to algae. The new process allows for faster and more efficient extraction of hydrocarbons without destroying the microalgae.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels·DateApr 28, 2017

New appetite control mechanism found in brain

Researchers at Hiroshima University have identified a molecule, NPGL, that increases appetite during fasting and decreases it during gorging. This discovery suggests that the body has an evolved mechanism to maintain weight at a constant level, regardless of diet or energy intake.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalEndocrinology·DateApr 28, 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.

PowerPoint & LED projector enable new technique for self-folding origami

Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology and Peking University have developed a new technique for creating self-folding three-dimensional origami structures using photocurable liquid polymers. The process involves projecting a grayscale pattern onto the polymer, causing it to form a solid film through crosslinking reactions.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 28, 2017

Hubble's bright shining lizard star

Astronomers have discovered a unique star in the constellation of Lacerta, which is millions of times closer to Earth than the galaxy NGC 7250, allowing it to overpower its light

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 28, 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.

Gold medalists announcements top ARRS Annual Meeting festivities

The American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) honors Norman J. Beauchamp Jr. and Robert A. Novelline for their contributions to medical imaging research and clinical practice. These gold medalists are recognized for their work in developing advanced MRI imaging techniques and advancing trauma diagnosis.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·DateApr 28, 2017

Bacteria with Midas touch for efficient gold processing

Scientists have identified 'nugget-producing' bacteria that can dissolve and re-concentrate gold in just years to decades. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient gold extraction from ore and recycled materials, as well as aid in mineral exploration for new deposits.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalChemical Geology·DateApr 28, 2017

Dawn of organic single crystal electronics

Researchers have successfully doped organic single crystals with a new ultra-slow deposition technique, achieving high doping efficiency and detecting the Hall effect signal. This achievement marks the dawn of organic single crystal electronics, paving the way for future devices like high-performance solar cells.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 28, 2017

A material inspired by a sea worm changes according to the environment

Researchers at MIT developed a new material inspired by the gelatinous jaw of a sea worm, which can adapt to changing environments. The material exhibits great mechanical resistance and consistency, making it suitable for soft robotics and sensor applications.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 28, 2017
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.

Towards largest-possible separation between quantum and classical query complexities

Researchers from Tsinghua University and Southern University of Science and Technology successfully experimentally studied the Forrelation problem in a 3-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance quantum information processor. The study aimed to find the largest possible separation between quantum and classical query complexities, with potentia...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateApr 28, 2017

Study finds primary school children get less active with age

A study found that primary school children spent less time doing physical activities and more time sedentary as they aged. By Year 4, around a third of boys and two-thirds of girls failed to meet the recommended hour of physical activity per day. The researchers tracked 1,300 children over a week in Year 1 and again three years later t...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateApr 28, 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.

Researchers develop online support for people with bipolar disorder

Researchers developed ERPonline to help people with bipolar disorder recognize and respond to early warning signs of relapse. Accessing the online tool was associated with improved beliefs about mood and increased monitoring of early warning signs compared to non-users.

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateApr 28, 2017

Testosterone makes men less likely to question their impulses

A study found that testosterone administration impairs cognitive reflection in men, making them more likely to rely on their gut instincts. The researchers tested the hypothesis that higher levels of testosterone increase the tendency to make intuitive judgments and reduce self-reflection.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalPsychological Science·DateApr 28, 2017

Why is herpes simplex virus disease risk so much greater for newborns?

A comprehensive review examines the role of type I interferon in controlling herpes simplex virus type 1 infection. The study reveals that newborns are more susceptible to HSV-1 infection, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like herpes simplex encephalitis.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalDNA and Cell Biology·DateApr 28, 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.

Hybrid circuits can increase computational power of chaos-based systems

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed hybrid circuits that leverage both digital and analog components to improve the computational power of chaos-based systems. By distributing computation between digital and analog circuits, they achieve exponential reductions in computational time and enhance noise tolerance.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 28, 2017

Artificial pancreas benefits young children, trial shows

A pilot study found that a University of Virginia-developed artificial pancreas helped young children with Type 1 diabetes better control their condition. The device automatically monitors and regulates blood-sugar levels, reducing the need for frequent finger pricks and insulin injections.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalDiabetes Technology & Therapeutics·DateApr 28, 2017

Symbiotic bacteria: From hitchhiker to beetle bodyguard

Researchers discovered a bacterium that produces antibiotics to protect beetle eggs from fungal infections. The bacteria also can harm plants when transferred, highlighting the complex relationships between microbes and their hosts.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2017
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Unlikely pair of plants named after stars of movie 'Twins'

Researchers at the Australian National University have identified two rare plant species, Daviesia schwarzenegger and Daviesia devito, named after the iconic movie duo. The plants are found in South Eastern Australia and are ecologically important nitrogen fixers, but are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalPhytotaxa·DateApr 28, 2017

Study analyzes health care quality, IT, reimbursements

Researchers found that hospitals with better mortality rates receive lower Medicare payments, while those with higher readmission rates receive higher average payments. Health IT usage is positively associated with higher Medicare reimbursements due to improved efficiency in insurance claims.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Healthcare·DateApr 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.

Ultracold atom waves may shed light on rogue ocean killers

Rice University physicists have created a model system for studying rogue ocean waves by precisely controlling the quantum behavior of an ultracold atomic gas. They found that under certain conditions, the number of solitons remains unchanged, suggesting that the soliton train is born with stable characteristics.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2017

The swollen colon -- cause of chronic inflammation discovered

Researchers have discovered a new mechanism causing intestinal inflammation, linking elevated Bcl-3 protein levels to immune system imbalance. Elevated Bcl-3 triggers regulatory T-cell inactivation, leading to severe inflammatory responses.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2017

You and I can help climate researchers

CIRC researcher Keith Larson will lead a citizen science project in Abisko, Sweden, where the public can help collect valuable climate change data and learn about climate research methods. The project aims to replicate a study from 1917-1919 and modernize it with new climate stations and smartphone app.

SourceUmea University·DateApr 28, 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.

Rising costs & potential savings for generic, topical steroids

A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that Medicare spending on topical steroids increased by 226.5% and out-of-pocket costs for patients rose by 145.9% between 2011 and 2015. Researchers suggest using physician decision support to pick more affordable generic options, potentially saving $944.8 million and $66.6 million.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateApr 28, 2017

Astrophysicists discovered a star polluted by calcium

Astronomers report the discovery of a binary solar-type star inside the supernova remnant RCW 86, with calcium abundance exceeding the solar one by a factor of six. This finding suggests that the supernova might belong to the rare type of calcium-rich supernovae.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateApr 28, 2017

Modern metabolic science yields better way to calculate indoor CO2

Researchers develop new method to calculate indoor CO2 concentrations more accurately, using established concepts from human metabolism and exercise physiology. The new approach considers body size, composition, diet, and physical activity to provide a more reliable estimate of CO2 generation rates.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalIndoor Air·DateApr 28, 2017

UTA Libraries awarded grant to test maker literacies program

The UTA team will collaborate with three pilot sites to test the effectiveness of maker-based competencies on undergraduate learning. The program aims to provide experiential learning opportunities that cut across subject areas and encourage collaboration, adaptability, and creativity.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateApr 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.

New organic lasers one step closer to reality

Researchers at Kyushu University's CENTER FOR ORGANIC PHOTONICS AND ELECTRONICS RESEARCH (OPERA) reported a breakthrough in developing new organic thin-film lasers that can continuously emit light for up to 30 ms, outperforming previous devices.

SourceKyushu University, OPERA·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 28, 2017

Hybrid heterostructures with programmable potentials

Researchers have developed hybrid organic-inorganic materials with fully controllable structural and electronic properties. By using molecular monolayers to create controllable periodic potentials on the surface of graphene, they can tailor the electronic behavior of graphene field-effect transistor devices.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2017

Key priorities for agricultural microbiomes identified

Researchers propose five broad research priorities to understand relationships between beneficial microbes and plant health, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and sustainable practices. The 'core microbiome' and functional mechanisms of microbiome assembly and resilience will be studied to develop new tools for analyzing micr...

SourceColorado State University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 28, 2017

Counting the cuts in Mohs surgery: A way to improve care and reduce costs

A study analyzed Medicare billing data from over 2,300 US physicians to find the average number of cuts made during Mohs micrographic surgery. The researchers found that some physicians made significantly more cuts than others, and identified potential explanations for these variations.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateApr 28, 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.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine announces 2017 award recipients

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has announced the 2017 award recipients, including David F. Dinges for his dedication to the sleep field and significant contributions in administration, public relations, and government affairs. Susan Redline received the William C. Dement Academic Achievement Award for her exceptional initiative...

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·DateApr 28, 2017

NASA eyes intensifying Tropical Cyclone Frances

Tropical cyclone Frances strengthened in the western Timor Sea, with NASA satellites capturing visible and rainfall data. The storm's maximum sustained winds were estimated at 50 knots (57.5 mph), with strong convective storms near the center dropping rain at a rate of over 70 mm per hour.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 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.

Plague bacteria take refuge in amoebae

Research found that plague bacteria Yersinia pestis can survive within amoebae, using proteins to avoid being digested. This discovery has implications for predicting disease re-emergence and may lead to new strategies for controlling the spread of plague.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 28, 2017

Bullying linked to increased desire for cosmetic surgery in teens

Adolescents involved in bullying exhibit increased desire for cosmetic surgery, with a focus on poor psychological functioning among victims. The study suggests that plastic surgeons should screen for psychological vulnerability and history of bullying when evaluating patients.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateApr 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.

Antibiotics counteract the beneficial effect of whole grain

A large Danish cohort study found that antibiotic use is associated with lower enterolignan concentrations in the blood, especially for women. The study suggests that antibiotics can negatively affect intestinal bacteria's ability to metabolize plant lignans into enterolignans.

SourceAarhus University·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateApr 28, 2017

UTA student wins UT System Regents award

UTA senior Frederick Tran won the 2017 Regents' Outstanding Arts and Humanities Award for his short fiction piece 'Airstrikes,' which tells the story of a doctor serving with Médecins Sans Frontières in Yemen. The award recognizes Tran's talent, hard work, and ability to tackle difficult subjects through his writing.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateApr 28, 2017

The high cost of surviving acute respiratory distress syndrome

A new study found that nearly half of ARDS survivors were jobless one year after hospital discharge, with an estimated average loss of $27,000 in earnings. The research also identified risk factors for joblessness and highlighted the need for occupational rehabilitation strategies to support survivors' return to work.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateApr 28, 2017

Study examines state of social, personality psychology research

The study found that social and personality psychologists are less likely to use questionable research practices and more likely to follow best practices, leading to an overall improvement in the field. Despite this progress, most respondents believe further improvements are needed, particularly in replicability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateApr 28, 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.

Medical guidelines for astronauts to be launched in the US

Scientists at Northumbria University and University of Plymouth are developing medical guidelines for astronauts. A systematic review group will pool studies and create comprehensive guidelines that inform operational decisions. The guidelines aim to prevent health changes among astronauts, as well as benefiting terrestrial human health.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·DateApr 28, 2017