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Science News Archive February 2017 - Page 23


Page 23 of 37

Insurance status impacts complication rates after shoulder replacement surgery

A study analyzing over 100,000 shoulder replacement surgery cases found that patients with Medicaid or no insurance had significantly higher complication rates compared to privately insured patients. Disparities in postoperative outcomes were attributed to lack of access to preoperative and postoperative care due to socioeconomic factors.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery·DateFeb 13, 2017

Success by deception

Researchers developed a novel neural network method that can categorize complex datasets without prior knowledge. By using an 'act as if' principle, they trained networks to mimic human intuition, allowing them to identify boundaries in data. This method has potential applications in physics analysis, machine learning, and data mining.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 13, 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.

Low birth weight babies at higher risk for mental health problems later in life

Babies born with extremely low birth weight are at risk for mental health problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety. The studies found these risks began in childhood and extended into adulthood, with significantly higher levels of depression and social problems among adults born with extremely low birth weight.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateFeb 13, 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.

Viral charity campaigns have a psychological 'recipe' and all-too-brief lifespan

Researchers say viral charity campaigns like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge have a shallow 'half-life' and require a shift from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Dr. Sander van der Linden's SMART formula outlines social influences, moral imperatives, affective reactions, and translational impact as key psychological levers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateFeb 13, 2017

How many calories in that tweet?

A team of scientists invented a new instrument, called the Lexicocalorimeter, to measure the caloric content of social media posts. The device gathers geo-tagged Twitter posts and scores them based on typical calorie content and activity burn rates to provide insights into public health.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2017

Looking at Sardinian DNA for genetic clues to an island's -- and Europe's -- past

A recent study analyzing 3,491 modern Sardinian mitochondrial DNA genomes reveals that the island is home to unique genetic haplogroups, which likely arose after its initial occupation. These findings support archaeological evidence of a Mesolithic occupation and suggest a dual ancestral origin of the first inhabitants.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 13, 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.

New discovery could be a major advance for neurological diseases

Researchers at University of Bristol and UCLan uncover new type of LTP controlled by kainate receptors, promising therapeutic strategies for dementia and epilepsy. The study's findings have far-reaching implications for understanding memory and neurodegenerative disorders.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 13, 2017

Wikipedia readers get shortchanged by copyrighted material

A new study found that Wikipedia editors rely more on out-of-copyright information after Google Books digitized a publication, resulting in decreased traffic for pages using copyrighted content. This limitation affects not only readers but also creators seeking to build upon historical information.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManagement Science·DateFeb 13, 2017

Neurons support cancer growth throughout the body

Recent studies found that tumors exploit neuronal signals to grow and thrive. Researchers aim to develop targeted therapies by interrupting specific molecular pathways co-opted by tumor cells. This growing understanding sheds light on cancer pathology observations.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cancer·DateFeb 13, 2017

Married people have lower levels of stress hormone

A recent Carnegie Mellon University study found that married individuals have lower cortisol levels than those who are single, divorced, or widowed. This biological evidence supports the notion that unmarried people face more psychological stress than their married counterparts.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology·DateFeb 13, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Impact of climate change on mammals and birds 'greatly underestimated'

A comprehensive study published in Nature Climate Change found that nearly 700 bird and mammal species have already been impacted by climate change. The research suggests that around half of threatened mammals and 23% of threatened birds are likely to be negatively affected by future climatic changes.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 13, 2017

Extreme temperatures threaten desert songbirds with death by dehydration

Small species of birds are particularly susceptible to lethal dehydration in extreme heat, with the risk increasing four-fold by the end of this century. Conservation strategies are needed to conserve diverse plant and animal communities that supply shelter and water to desert birds amid future climate warming.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2017

The damage of discrimination

A Harvard study found that minority workers perform worse under biased managers, with a 53rd percentile performance rate compared to the 79th percentile under unbiased managers. This disparity is due to biased managers interacting less with minorities, leading to reduced productivity and lower pay for minority workers.

SourceHarvard University·JournalThe Quarterly Journal of Economics·DateFeb 13, 2017

Your brain on exercise

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that low-intensity exercise increases activation in the visual cortex, enhancing information representation and selectivity. This effect is linked to increased arousal, which may provide a competitive advantage.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateFeb 13, 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.

How evolution alters biological invasions

Rutgers scientists studied evolution in invaded ecosystems using glass jar experiments with thousands of microscopic organisms. The study found that microbes' interactions altered performance and led to differences in resident and invading species.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateFeb 13, 2017

Accelerating low-carbon innovation through policy

Experts review successful and unsuccessful policies for low-carbon technology innovation, highlighting the impact of policy instruments on technological progress. They also discuss the importance of stakeholder collaboration in implementing smart city innovations.

SourceETH Zurich/Swiss Federal Institute of Technology·DateFeb 13, 2017

For decision-makers who want the best, focus on the strategy

Research shows that people who focus on finding the best option (maximizers) may experience frustration and regret when re-evaluating their choices. Maximizing can lead to depression, lower life satisfaction, and procrastination. On the other hand, a strategic approach to decision-making can lead to satisfying outcomes.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateFeb 13, 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.

Women's educational attainment and origin are risk factors in abortions

A study from the University of the Basque Country found that women's educational attainment and country of origin significantly impact their risk of undergoing voluntary abortions. Women with lower levels of education have higher rates of terminations, while immigrant women face unique challenges in accessing healthcare services.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalBMC Public Health·DateFeb 13, 2017

Possible key to regeneration found in planaria's origins

A new report from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research has discovered that adult planarian stem cells called neoblasts arise during a specific stage of embryonic development. These cells retain the ability to access embryonic developmental programs during adulthood, allowing them to drive regeneration of lost body parts.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·DateFeb 13, 2017

New method to detect ultrasound with light

Northwestern University scientists have developed a tiny, transparent device that can detect ultrasound waves, potentially helping diagnose diseases like macular degeneration and diabetes. The Micro-ring resonator detector uses optical ultrasound detection methods to create high-resolution images of biological materials.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 13, 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.

Worm gene could be key to developing obesity treatment

Researchers have discovered a worm gene that triggers feelings of fullness and the need to sleep after eating, opening up potential for an obesity drug. The ETS-5 gene controls signals from the brain to the intestines, influencing food intake and activity.

SourceMonash University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2017

Seismicity in British Columbia and hidden continent called Zealandia

Scientists discover Quaternary ruptures along the Leech River fault, capable of producing earthquakes MW >6, highlighting seismic risk exposure. A new continent, Zealandia, geologically separate from Australia and Antarctica, is identified as a major geological entity.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGSA Today·DateFeb 13, 2017

How eating less can slow the aging process

Researchers found that reducing calorie consumption slows down ribosome production, giving cells extra time to repair themselves and maintaining overall bodily function. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of aging and may help inform decisions about diet and nutrition.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalMolecular & Cellular Proteomics·DateFeb 13, 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.

Using high-resolution satellites to measure African farm yields

Researchers developed a method to estimate crop yields from space using high-resolution satellites, which could improve agricultural productivity and test intervention strategies. By combining satellite imagery with computer models of crop growth, they achieved surprisingly accurate predictions of actual productivity on the field.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2017

Intensive blood pressure control could prevent 100,000 deaths each year

Researchers project that intensive blood pressure control can save over 100,000 lives each year in the US. By lowering blood pressure to less than 120 mmHg, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death can be significantly reduced. However, this approach may require additional medication and more frequent health check-ups.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalCirculation·DateFeb 13, 2017

A new platform to study graphene's electronic properties

Scientists used a new spectroscopic platform to study graphene's electronic properties, revealing a unique energy structure with two cones resembling a sandglass. This discovery could promote future research on stable quantum measurements for new 2D electronics.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 13, 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.

NASA gives the Webb Telescope a shakedown

Scientists and engineers at NASA created a new, large-scale shaker table system to test the James Webb Space Telescope's vibrations during launch. The 'Vibration Test Systems' simulates forces from 5-100 Hz, enabling precise control over shaking levels.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 13, 2017

UTSA study describes drug that could prevent infertility in cancer patients

A new UTSA study has found a potential link between a medication used to prevent infections in cancer patients and the regeneration of sperm from stem cells. Researchers discovered that G-CSF, a drug commonly used to recover from chemotherapy and radiation treatments, can also help restore male fertility.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalReproductive Biology and Endocrinology·DateFeb 13, 2017

How to be a successful pest: Lessons from the green peach aphid

The green peach aphid can colonize over four hundred plant species due to its ability to rapidly adjust gene expression in response to different hosts. This adaptation allows the insect to feed on essential crops and transmit plant viruses, causing significant losses in crop yields.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalGenome Biology·DateFeb 13, 2017

Climate change impacts on endangered wildlife massively under reported

A new analysis found that climate change is having a massive impact on threatened species, with nearly 700 species affected. The study suggests that negative responses to climate change have been vastly underreported, with only 7% of mammals and 4% of birds previously estimated to be impacted.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalNature Climate Change·DateFeb 13, 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.

Mismatched eyes help squid survive ocean's twilight zone

Deep-sea squids have developed unique eyes to spot two different sources of light: ambient sunlight and bioluminescent flashes. The large eye is adapted for gazing upwards, searching for shadows, while the small eye scans downwards for bioluminescence.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateFeb 12, 2017

Tough early life makes wild animals live longer

Male banded mongooses that faced poor conditions in their first year lived longer than those with an easier start, while variable conditions seemed to be beneficial for longevity and reproduction. The researchers used 14 years of data on wild banded mongooses in Uganda.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEcology and Evolution·DateFeb 12, 2017

UMD physicist improves method for designing fusion experiments

A University of Maryland physicist has improved a method for designing stellarators, complex nuclear fusion experiments that aim to explore fusion's potential as an energy source. The new method, Regularized NESCOIL, balances tradeoffs between ideal magnetic field shapes and coil shapes, resulting in designs with more space between coils.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNuclear Fusion·DateFeb 12, 2017

Passengers take mobile measure of comfort for railway companies

A new smartphone app has been developed to measure ride comfort for railway companies, providing instant feedback from passengers about bumps, bangs and vibration on trains. The app uses artificial neural networks to evaluate ride quality, revealing that modern smartphones' accelerometers are suitable for measuring comfort.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Built Environment·DateFeb 12, 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.

Couples, friends show similarity in personality traits after all

A new study using behavioral data from social media found that people are more like their friends and partners than previously thought. Using Facebook data, researchers trained statistical models to infer personality traits from likes and status updates, revealing a substantial similarity in personality between couples and friends.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateFeb 11, 2017

Beijing MST Radar detection of the lower, middle and upper atmosphere

The Beijing MST Radar detected horizontal wind measurements consistent with those from operational radiosondes, covering a range of 3-25 km. The radar's detection capability was found to be high in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere region, extending up to 120 km during daytime.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2017

Alzheimer's may be linked to defective brain cells spreading disease

Researchers at Rutgers University found that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may be linked to defective brain cells that dispose of toxic proteins, causing harm to neighboring neurons. The study uses transparent roundworms to understand the process of eliminating toxic cellular substances, revealing a potent...

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature·DateFeb 10, 2017

Studies uncover long-term effects of traumatic brain injury

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have discovered that traumatic brain injuries can lead to persistent attention problems in children, with severe injuries five times more likely to develop secondary ADHD. The study also shows that effective parenting and optimal home environments can mitigate these effects.

SourceCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center·DateFeb 10, 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.

X-ray to study micronutrients in human minibrains

A new study uses X-ray synchrotron radiation to analyze human minibrains, revealing the distribution of essential micronutrients such as phosphorus and zinc. The results show that these nutrients play a crucial role in brain formation and are related to memory deficits and psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.

SourceD'Or Institute for Research and Education·JournalPeerJ·DateFeb 10, 2017

Surrounding real estate shows increase in value if near transit station

A national meta-analysis by University of Texas at Arlington researcher Shima Hamidi found that single-family property values near transit stations rise only 2.3 percent, while multi-family and commercial properties can see up to 18 percent increase in value.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateFeb 10, 2017

Gut bacteria may play a role in Alzheimer's disease

A study from Lund University found that intestinal bacteria can accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice. The researchers discovered a direct causal link between gut bacteria and the disease, suggesting that modulating the gut microbiota through diet and probiotics could prevent or delay its onset.

SourceLund University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 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.

Researchers solve fish evolution mystery

A University of Wyoming researcher and her team have discovered that the rapid evolution of Lake Victoria cichlids was facilitated by earlier hybridization between two distantly related species. This phenomenon has resulted in over 700 species of fish evolving in just 150,000 years.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2017

University incubators may lead to lower-quality innovation, new study shows

Researchers analyzed 56,000 patents granted by U.S.-based research-intensive universities with incubators. They found a strong negative association between incubator establishment and patent quality. The study suggests that incubitors may dilute innovation by competing for resources.

SourceBaylor University·JournalStrategic Entrepreneurship Journal·DateFeb 10, 2017