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Science News Archive January 2017


Page 30 of 35

New personality model sets up how we see ourselves -- and how others see us

A new personality model, Trait-Reputation-Identity (TRI), combines self and peer ratings to gather feedback on big five personality traits. The model provides a robust method to determine agreement or divergence about an individual's personality traits, helping organizations improve hiring and employee performance.

New research offers clues into how the brain shapes perception to control behavior

The brain can distinguish between expected and unexpected visual motion by selectively silencing neurons sensitive to yaw during intentional turns. This allows flies to stabilize their flight path and shift their gaze without interference. The study provides insights into how the brain processes visual information to control behavior

Autoimmunity and infections: When the body fights itself

Researchers found that B cells can capture proteins from pathogens and the body's own cells, leading to autoimmune inflammation. This error in protein uptake can trigger autoaggressive T cells, potentially causing autoimmune diseases.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Investigators identify optimal conditions for growth of Legionella bacteria

Researchers found that Legionella pneumophila grows well in warm tap water installations with ample dissolved organic matter, supporting biofilm formation. The study suggests that microgram-per-liter concentrations of biodegradable compounds can induce bacterial growth on surfaces, promoting proliferation of the bacteria.

Rocky mountain haze

A new study from University of Utah researchers finds a correlation between drought and high-elevation aerosols in the western US, suggesting that wildfires are driving the increase in summer haze. Aerosol particles can trigger cloud formation, exerting their own influence on global temperature and climate.

Brain protein predicts recovery time following concussion

A study published in Neurology suggests that elevated levels of brain protein tau following a sport-related concussion are associated with a longer recovery period and delayed return to play. Tau levels measured in blood may serve as a marker to help physicians determine an athlete's readiness to return to the game.

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.

Researchers design one of strongest, lightest materials known

Researchers at MIT have designed a strong and lightweight material by compressing graphene flakes into sponge-like configurations, achieving 10 times the strength of steel while maintaining a low density of just 5%. The new material's unusual geometric configuration is key to its exceptional properties.

Open-source plant database confirms top US bioenergy crop

Researchers have created an open-source database to facilitate bioenergy research, confirming Miscanthus as the top US bioenergy crop. The database, BETYdb, contains over 40,000 records of yield data for various biomass crops, revealing that Miscanthus is 2.4 times more productive than switchgrass under different environmental conditions.

USDA announces $2.9 million available for biorefinery research

The USDA has allocated $2.9 million for research into integrated biorefineries, which aim to create biofuels and bioproducts from renewable energy sources. This funding will support projects that address the challenges of scaling up and operating these facilities, with the goal of enhancing US energy security and economic growth.

Tailored organoid may help unravel immune response mystery

Researchers at Cornell University have created a modular immune organoid that can replicate the anatomical structures found within lymph nodes. The 3-D organoid enables quicker and more plentiful replication of B cells, which are antibody-producing lymphocytes.

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.

You've got mail -- personality differences in email use

A new study by the British Psychological Society finds that people with different personality preferences experience varying degrees of stress when using email. Those with a big picture focus tend to check emails outside work hours, leading to increased stress levels.

Toxic bosses are bad for your health and bad for your reputation

Research by the British Psychological Society found that employees working for psychopathic and narcissistic leaders experience lower job satisfaction, higher depression rates, and more workplace bullying. These toxic bosses can create a hostile environment, leading to unhappy and dissatisfied employees seeking revenge.

New study finds 1 in 5 US gun owners obtained firearm without background check

A new national survey by Northeastern University and Harvard University found that 22% of current US gun owners acquired a gun within the past two years without a background check. The study also revealed significant differences in private firearm sales with and without background checks between states with and without regulations.

Risk of long-term disability in older adults who visit the ED

A study by Yale researchers found that older adults who visit the emergency department (ED) are at increased risk for disability and decline in physical abilities up to six months later. The discharged group had significantly higher disability scores than the control group, and were also more likely to be living in a nursing home.

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.

Hubble detects 'exocomets' taking the plunge into a young star

Astronomers have discovered three young star systems with doomed comets, suggesting a common mechanism for exocomet destruction. The study provides new insights into the past and present activity of comets in our solar system, potentially making life possible on terrestrial planets.

Many kidney failure patients lack advance directives near the end of life

A study found that patients with kidney failure were less likely to have advance directives than those with other serious illnesses, but those who did had better end-of-life care. The presence of treatment-limiting directives and surrogate decision makers reduced hospitalizations, intensive procedures, and inpatient deaths.

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.

When being extra sweet doesn't pay off

A study on bat preferences for nectar reveals that competition leads to a preference for dilute nectars. The researchers used computer-controlled flowers with varying sugar concentrations to simulate the feeding behavior of bats.

US educators awarded for exemplary teaching in mathematics

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has awarded Janet Heine Barnett, Caren Diefenderfer, and Tevian Dray for their outstanding contributions to mathematics education. They were recognized for inspiring students, developing innovative teaching methods, and promoting quantitative literacy.

A flexible transistor that conforms to skin

Researchers have developed a flexible transistor that can be stretched to twice its length without significant changes in conductivity. The breakthrough uses a semiconducting polymer confined within an elastic matrix, demonstrating effective transconductivity even under heavy stretching.

Genomic data sharing is critical to improving genetic health care

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics advocates for extensive sharing of genomic data to improve patient care. Responsible data sharing will provide critical information for clinical laboratories and treating physicians, leading to advancements in personalized medicine.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Apligraf® demonstrates significant change in chronic wound's genomic profile

New research from Organogenesis Inc. reveals that Apligraf can convert chronic venous leg ulcers into acute, healing wounds by modulating inflammatory and growth factor signaling. This breakthrough study published in Science Translational Medicine provides valuable insights for researchers and clinicians treating chronic wounds.

New microscope chemically identifies micron-sized particles

Researchers developed a new microscope that can chemically identify individual micron-sized particles using infrared spectroscopy without detectors. The instrument uses photothermal modulation of Mie scattering, allowing for non-destructive analysis and identification of multiple species simultaneously.

Great Barrier Reef almost drowned; climate implications

The Great Barrier Reef nearly drowned during the Last Interglacial period due to rapid sea-level rise from melting glaciers and polar ice sheets. The reef's shallow growth recommenced once the sea-level rise stabilized, but modern pressures such as pesticide run-off, warming temperatures, and dredging could threaten its survival.

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.

Halting lethal childhood leukemia

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a genetic driver of mixed lineage leukemia, a rare and deadly form of childhood leukemia. They identified a targeted molecular therapy that halts the proliferation of leukemic cells by stabilizing the wild-type MLL protein, which drives cancer.

Identifying children at risk of eating disorders is key to saving lives

A study published in Appetite found that children with more eating disorder symptoms at age nine also had a higher number of symptoms at age 12. The research identified three key areas to monitor for early intervention: body dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms, and earlier onset of symptoms.

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.

Hummingbirds see motion in an unexpected way

Researchers found that hummingbird brains are uniquely attuned to detect fast visual motion in any direction. This discovery sheds light on the birds' remarkable ability to zoom and stop quickly while sipping nectar. The findings have implications for understanding flight behaviors, competitive interactions, and courtship displays.

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.

UNC Catalyst initiative aims to create, share tools to fight rare diseases

The UNC Catalyst initiative aims to create and share research tools to study rare diseases, addressing the lack of resources and expertise in this area. The partnership with Genetic Alliance and Structural Genomics Consortium will provide researchers with access to necessary tools and talent to accelerate solutions.

Worms have teenage ambivalence, too

A study by Salk Institute scientists reveals that adolescent roundworms exhibit erratic behavior when seeking food, unlike adult worms which show efficient behavior. This discovery provides insight into the drivers of neurological development and may shed light on human brain function and diseases.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Protein associated with Parkinson's travels from brain to gut

A laboratory study found that alpha-synuclein, a protein involved in Parkinson's disease, can travel from the brain to the stomach via specific nerve pathways. The protein was detected in gastric nerve terminals six months after its initial midbrain expression.

Buzzing the vagus nerve just right to fight inflammatory disease

The new therapy uses a kilohertz frequency electrical block of afferent vagus nerve pathways to stimulate the nerve while inhibiting unwanted nerve activity, increasing clinical efficacy and therapeutic benefit. This approach is reversible, controllable, and clinically feasible, providing a potential solution for chronic inflammatory d...

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.

Climate change could trigger strong sea level rise

An international team of scientists reports that Antarctica's climate change could trigger a strong sea level rise, similar to the one that occurred 15,000 years ago. Global warming is causing layering in the ocean, leading to stronger ice sheet melting.

Scientists use light to control the logic networks of a cell

Researchers have developed a method to control proteins inside live cells using light, allowing for unprecedented insight into the causes of disease. The technique uses previously inaccessible proteins to create flexible logic networks that can be manipulated in real-time.

Researcher turns 'SARS mask' into a virus killer

A University of Alberta researcher has developed a method to treat surgical masks, making them effective against airborne viruses. By using a salt-based treatment, the mask's fibre filter can trap and kill viruses, reducing the risk of transmission.

Captured on video: DNA nanotubes build a bridge between 2 molecular posts

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University successfully created DNA nanotube bridges that connected two molecular landmarks on the surface of a lab dish. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new medical devices and technologies that can communicate directly with cells, potentially revolutionizing the field of nanotechnology.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Older lung cancer patients face significant treatment burden

A study by Yale researchers found that older lung cancer patients can spend an average of one in three days interacting with the healthcare system within the first 60 days after surgery or radiation therapy. Patients with a higher number of medical conditions treated with surgery had the most post-treatment burdens.

Climate change has mixed effects on migratory geese

A new study by the University of Exeter found that climate change improves breeding chances for migratory geese in the Arctic, but increases the death rate among mothers. This is because warmer conditions require extra energy for laying eggs and make them more vulnerable to predators.

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.

Using fat to help wounds heal without scars

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery in wound healing by transforming myofibroblasts into fat cells. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize dermatology and develop new treatments for conditions such as HIV-related complications and aging skin.