Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive March 2017 - Page 31


Page 31 of 41

Hormone replacement therapy associated with lower mortality

A recent study suggests that hormone replacement therapy may help improve heart health and overall survival in women, with lower levels of atherosclerosis and plaque buildup detected. The research found significant age-related benefits from the therapy, with women using it being 30% less likely to die than those not on hormone therapy.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 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.

Super-sized memory is trainable and long lasting

After 40 days of daily training using a strategic memory improvement technique, individuals with typical memory skills more than doubled their memory capacity. Brain scans showed altered brain functions and similar connectivity patterns as those of world champion memory athletes. Four months later, recall performance remained high.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMar 8, 2017

$1.5 million grant to prevent cervical cancer in West Texas

Dr. Navkiran Shokar is expanding the De Casa En Casa program to provide free cervical cancer screenings and education to rural counties in Texas, aiming to increase screening rates from 63-71% to 82% nationally. The grant will also train local nurses and community health workers to promote awareness of cervical cancer and its symptoms.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso·DateMar 8, 2017

Chinese famine data show no long-term health effects except for schizophrenia

A systematic re-analysis of Chinese famine studies found no increases in diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic conditions among famine births, except for schizophrenia. The findings highlight an unrecognized flaw in common famine reports and suggest better indicators of famine exposure are needed.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·DateMar 8, 2017

Don't be distracted: The real issues in autism are threats to funding, services

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health warn that renewed focus on debunked autism-vaccine links diverts attention from growing threats to healthcare services. The Affordable Care Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act are under attack, posing a serious risk to essential protections.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 8, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Paleontologists find fossil relative of Ginkgo biloba

Scientists have identified a distant relative of the living Ginkgo biloba plant through the discovery of well-preserved fossil plants in Mongolia. The fossils, dating back to the early Cretaceous Period, reveal unique seed-bearing structures that are unlike any other known plant, living or extinct.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 8, 2017

College students' perception of dietary terms could help nutrition education

Researchers found that college students perceive a difference between 'real meal' and 'meal', with the former being associated with nutritious food and guidelines. The term 'real meal' could be an effective tool to encourage healthy eating habits in education campaigns or media-based interventions.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 8, 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.

Exploring a new complication from an emergent tickborne parasite

A retrospective analysis of patients with babesiosis found six cases of warm-antibody autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAHA) after treatment. Asplenic patients are at higher risk for this complication, which can be life-threatening and requires immunosuppressive treatment.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 8, 2017

Study examines best time to screen for sleep apnea after heart attack

A study examining the optimal timing for screening sleep apnea in patients who have had a heart attack found that initial tests conducted shortly after hospitalization are somewhat unreliable. Repeating the test or delaying it until six months later may be necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and avoid unnecessary treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 2017

Ancient reptile mystery solved as 2 extinct species found to be the same

Researchers have confirmed that two extinct species of ichthyosaurs are the same, resolving a long-standing mystery. The study, published in Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, analyzed thousands of fossils and provided a superior understanding of the species.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalJournal of Systematic Palaeontology·DateMar 8, 2017

University of Miami's Miami project successfully completes SCI clinical trial

The University of Miami's Miami project successfully completes a Phase I clinical trial of schwann cell transplantation to treat spinal cord injuries. The trial demonstrates the safety and feasibility of transplanting autologous human Schwann cells to repair damaged spinal cords.

SourceUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateMar 8, 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.

Ionization mechanisms of captive atoms struck by light matter

Physicists have developed a methodology to solve the Schrödinger equation describing the behavior of an atom interacting with an external light pulse, yielding a theoretical description of how external light rays affect the energy levels of hydrogen atoms trapped inside fullerenes. The study reveals key aspects of the ionization proces...

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 8, 2017

Molecule shown to repair damaged axons

Researchers have discovered a natural molecule that can repair damaged axons, the thread-like projections carrying electrical signals between cells. The molecule, fusicoccin-A, harnesses 14-3-3 activity to stimulate axon growth, offering a promising strategy for treating brain and spinal cord injuries.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuron·DateMar 8, 2017

Few smokers receive treatment to help them quit while in the hospital

Research reveals that only one-third of hospitalized smokers with heart disease received evidence-based smoking-cessation therapies, highlighting a performance gap among hospitals and cardiologists. Smokers who had lung disease or were younger than 58 years old were more likely to receive treatment.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 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.

Consumption of alcohol and marijuana associated with lower GPA in college

A study published in PLOS ONE found that college students who consume medium-to-high levels of alcohol and marijuana have a consistently lower GPA over two years. The study tracked 1,142 students for two years after they began college and found that those who used both substances experienced lower GPAs throughout the period.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 8, 2017

Grant awarded to Sanford Simon will fund research to treat rare liver cancer

Sanford Simon at Rockefeller University has received a $600,000 grant from the Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation to develop a therapy for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease typically affects adolescents and young adults with no history of liver disease, and there is currently no standard treatment regimen.

SourceRockefeller University·DateMar 8, 2017

New material regrows bone

A team of researchers developed a new material that regrows quality bone in the affected area without developing scar tissue. The breakthrough could potentially treat patients with severe skull or facial injuries, making painful bone grafting obsolete.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 8, 2017
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.

Stabilizing soils with sulfates to improve their constructional properties

Researchers have found that treating sulfate soils with magnesium-based additives can significantly improve their mechanical properties. The study showed that the treated materials exhibit greater resistances and dimensional stability compared to traditional lime-based applications.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalApplied Clay Science·DateMar 8, 2017

Student team competition provides real-world experience for O.R. and analytics students

Eight student teams from around the world competed in the inaugural INFORMS O.R. and Analytics Student Team Competition, tasked with solving a challenging problem using an O.R. and analytics approach. The finalists were selected based on their use of the full analytics process, from framing the problem to quantitative analysis.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·DateMar 8, 2017

Mechanism underlying size-sorting of rubble on asteroid Itokawa revealed

Researchers propose 'ballistic sorting' as mechanism underlying size-sorting of particles on asteroid Itokawa. The theory suggests that small pebbles rebound from boulders but sink into pebble-rich regions, leading to lateral separation of particles.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 8, 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.

How CSU chemists are helping us not get food poisoning

CSU researchers create affordable and rapid testing systems for water and food-borne pathogens, aiming to reduce expensive follow-up tests. The new system uses enzymes associated with fecal indicator bacteria, detecting harmful bacteria within four to 12 hours.

SourceColorado State University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateMar 8, 2017

Ancient stardust sheds light on the first stars

Astronomers have discovered the youngest and most distant galaxy ever seen, containing an abundance of interstellar dust formed by earlier star deaths. This discovery provides new information on when the first supernovae exploded and sheds light on the early Universe.

SourceESO·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 8, 2017

Depression doubles risk of death after heart attack, angina

A study found people with coronary heart disease who are diagnosed with depression are twice as likely to die compared to those without depression. Depression was the strongest predictor of death in this patient group, regardless of age, gender, or timing of onset.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 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.

Scientists create new form of matter, a time crystal

Researchers have successfully created a phase of matter called a time crystal, where atoms move in a repeating pattern in time rather than space. This discovery opens up new possibilities for storing and transferring information in quantum computers.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2017

Dental plaque DNA shows Neandertals used 'aspirin'

A team of international researchers analyzed dental plaque from four Neandertals, revealing a complex picture of their behavior, diet, and evolutionary history. The study found that Neandertals had a good knowledge of medicinal plants and used them to self-medicate, including the use of poplar trees for pain relief.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 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.

Mayo Clinic researchers identify therapy

Researchers discovered an experimental drug, LCL161, that stimulates the immune system and causes tumor shrinkage in patients with multiple myeloma. The study highlights the importance of studying drug interactions with the tumor microenvironment.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Medicine·DateMar 8, 2017

Studying altruism through virtual reality

Researchers used virtual reality to test participants' willingness to help others, finding that 65% chose to rescue an injured person despite the risk to themselves. Altruistic individuals showed a larger anterior insula, linked to social emotions processing, and higher empathic concern.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNeuropsychologia·DateMar 8, 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.

Sound waves boost older adult' memory, deep sleep

A new study from Northwestern University finds that sound wave stimulation synchronized to brain waves triples memory scores in older adults and enhances deep sleep. The technique, which uses real-time brain wave analysis, shows promise as a non-meditation approach to improving brain health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 8, 2017

More hospitalizations, deaths for US heart failure patients in winter

Two studies presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session found that US heart failure patients experience higher hospitalization rates and mortality during winter. The studies also showed increased costs per hospitalization for heart failure during the colder months.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 2017

Stanford biologists identify ancient stress response in corals

Researchers discovered that corals activate ancient genes when exposed to stressful conditions, which could serve as an early warning sign for coral bleaching events. This study provides a new way to monitor coral health and predict bleaching events, potentially helping scientists identify and map survivor coral colonies worldwide.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 8, 2017

Cellular senescence prevented by the SETD8 enzyme

The SETD8 enzyme regulates cellular senescence, a process where cells stop proliferating due to age or stress. Lowering SETD8 increases protein synthesis and growth arrest in senescent cells, promoting metabolic activities.

SourceKumamoto University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 8, 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.

Researchers create 'time crystals' envisioned by Princeton scientists

Two groups of researchers successfully created time crystals using theories developed at Princeton University, discovering the essential physics of their function. The creation builds on previous developments that challenged conventional understanding of complex systems in equilibrium.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2017

Study looking at natural behaviors of lab rats wins an international 3Rs prize

A study investigating laboratory rats' behavioral needs has won the 2016 International 3Rs Prize. The research, led by Drs Joanna Makowska and Daniel Weary, found that providing rats with simple and natural behaviors like burrowing and standing upright improves their welfare.

SourceNational Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)·DateMar 8, 2017

BU researcher receives prestigious clinical psychology award

Denise Sloan, a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Toy Caldwell-Colbert Award. The award recognizes her excellence in mentoring clinical psychology graduate students and junior faculty.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateMar 8, 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.

How rare sugars might help control blood glucose

Researchers found that rats drinking water infused with rare-sugar syrup gained less weight and had lower blood glucose and insulin levels. The study suggests that rare sugars could be a good alternative sweetener to regulate glucose levels.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 8, 2017

History of exercise helps prevent heart disease after breast cancer

A study found that women with breast cancer who engaged in regular exercise were 40% less likely to have a cardiovascular event and 60% less likely to die from coronary heart disease. Exercise may help mitigate the increased cardiovascular risk faced by cancer patients, reducing the risk of heart disease and its associated complications.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 2017

Nurses central to getting diabetes care off to a better start

A new model of healthcare has shown that nurses can improve patient uptake of insulin treatment, leading to better long-term health outcomes. In a recent Australian study, 70% of patients began treatment under the 'Stepping Up' program, compared to just 22% in traditional approaches.

SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalThe BMJ·DateMar 8, 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.

Sodium intake high, rising among people with high blood pressure

A study found that people with high blood pressure consumed an average of 3,100 milligrams of sodium per day, more than twice the recommended daily limit. The increase was driven by rising sodium intake among Hispanics and African-Americans, groups that historically showed lower sodium intake levels.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 2017

Bone-derived hormone suppresses appetite in mice

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have discovered a bone-derived hormone that regulates food intake and blood sugar. The study found that the hormone, lipocalin 2, turns on brain neurons involved in appetite suppression, potentially leading to new targeted therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature·DateMar 8, 2017

Yeast brew trouble for inflammatory bowel disorders

A new study found that a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae can worsen intestinal damage in mouse models of colitis by causing elevated uric acid levels. Blocking this yeast strain may alleviate symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorders in some patients, according to the researchers.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMar 8, 2017

In-home occupational therapy curbs depression in visually impaired patients

A new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine found that in-home occupational therapy significantly reduces the severity of depression in patients with central vision loss. The therapy, which includes training on daily activities like cooking and reading, is more effective than supportive therapy in improving mental health outcomes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateMar 8, 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.

For some, high blood pressure associated with better survival

Patients with Type 2 diabetes and acute heart failure have a significantly lower risk of death if they have high systolic blood pressure, but are more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure. The study found that those with a systolic blood pressure above 150 mmHg were 45% less likely to die, but 47% more likely to be hospitalized.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·DateMar 8, 2017