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Science News Archive February 2017


Page 1 of 37

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mollusk graveyards are time machines to oceans' pristine past

Researchers found that mollusk fossils accurately record spatial diversity patterns in marine ecosystems, providing insights into past and present changes. The study suggests that mollusks can be used to understand ecosystem shifts and inform conservation efforts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Banded mongooses go to war over sex and territory

Researchers observed banded mongooses fighting over food and territory, often resulting in serious injury and death. However, they found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after conflicts, suggesting a possible strategy to maintain pregnancy and increase group competitiveness.

Sustainable ceramics without a kiln

Material scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to manufacture ceramics without heat, using calcium carbonate nanoparticles compacted with water. The resulting material is stronger than concrete and as stiff as stone, with potential applications in sustainable construction and energy storage.

A better way to measure the stiffness of cancer cells

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new laser technique to measure the stiffness of individual cancer cells, which is correlated with cellular disorder. This technique has the potential to enable high-throughput screening for early cancer detection, allowing for rapid and accurate diagnosis.

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.

Exploring the mysteries of supercooled water

Physicists at Roma Tre University developed a computer-based simulation to study the interactions of water molecules in supercooled conditions. The study reveals that a specific property of the water network can be used to determine changes in entropy, offering insights into unusual thermodynamic facets of water's activity.

Genetic variant linked to overactive inflammatory response

Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a genetic link between Ifitm3 and the immune system's inflammatory response. The study found that individuals with a specific gene variant may experience an overactive immune response to viral infections, making anti-inflammatory drugs a potential treatment option.

Existence of a new quasiparticle demonstrated

Researchers have demonstrated the existence of a new quasiparticle called angulon, which forms when a rotating object interacts with its surrounding environment. The angulon theory can explain 20 years of observations and offers a quick and simple description for rotation of molecules in solvents.

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.