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Science News Archive March 2017 - Page 36


Page 36 of 41

SF State researchers create new tool that measures active learning in classrooms

Researchers at SF State University have developed a new tool called DART that analyzes classroom noise to measure the extent of active learning. The study found that DART can accurately classify audio recordings into three categories: single voice, multiple voice, or no voice, with over 90% accuracy.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

Cosmic environments and their influence in star formation

A study of galaxy properties in the cosmic web reveals that central galaxies form stars for a longer period than satellite galaxies. Satellite galaxies experience a steep decline in star formation activity due to 'ram-pressure stripping' as they fall into dense cluster environments.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateMar 6, 2017

Scientists discover how animals measure time of year to reproduce

Researchers discovered that melatonin regulates VEGF production in the pituitary gland, controlling blood vessel growth and hormone release for seasonal fertility. This mechanism enables animals to adapt to changing environments and has implications for farming and human medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

Biophysicists propose new approach for membrane protein crystallization

Researchers from MIPT and their international collaborators have developed a novel method to crystallize membrane proteins using synthetic patches called nanodiscs. This approach enables the transfer of membrane proteins into lipidic cubic phase for crystal growth, preserving their functional state and enabling high-resolution X-ray di...

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalCrystal Growth & Design·DateMar 6, 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.

Study shows US grasslands affected more by atmospheric dryness than precipitation

A new study published in Nature Geoscience shows that US grasslands are more than three times more sensitive to vapor pressure deficit, or atmospheric dryness, than they are to precipitation. This means that plants in US grasslands are more likely to be damaged by drought due to the high sensitivity of their stomata to dry air.

SourceStanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Geoscience·DateMar 6, 2017

Breakthrough in live coral imaging

Scientists used OCT to observe tissue organization and behavior of living corals, identifying changes in tissue layers and fluorescent pigments under light exposure. The study reveals that corals expand their surface area at night and produce more mucus upon stress, challenging current assumptions about coral metabolic rates.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateMar 6, 2017

Electronic system lowers wait times for access to specialists

A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that an electronic system reduced median wait time to see a specialist by 17.4% and increased appointments scheduled within 30 days. The eConsult system improved access to care for low-income patients, providing sustainable improvements in specialty care.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 6, 2017

Religious participation may serve to strengthen social bonds

A new study finds that active religious participation correlates with stronger social support networks in communities. Regular religious activity is viewed as trustworthy and generous, leading to more sought-after support from others.

SourceSanta Fe Institute·JournalNature Human Behaviour·DateMar 6, 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 types of structures for cage-like clathrates

Researchers at UC Davis have discovered new types of cage-like compounds called clathrates that can convert waste heat into electricity. The compounds, which trap an atom inside a larger cage, show promise for improving thermoelectric devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 6, 2017

1 in 5 residents overuses electricity at neighbors' expense

A new study by Uppsala University reveals that household electricity use can be reduced substantially when residents are forced to pay for their own consumption. The study found that 20% of tenants accounted for up to two-thirds of the reduction in electricity consumption, highlighting the need for fairer distribution of costs.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

A kidney disease's genetic clues are uncovered

Researchers have identified two genes linked to IgA nephropathy, a common cause of kidney failure. The study found that variations in these genes, C1GALT1 and C1GALT1C1, are significantly more common in patients with high levels of the Gd-IgA1 marker.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 6, 2017

Direct-to-consumer telehealth may drive up medical spending by encouraging new care

A RAND Corporation study found that direct-to-consumer telehealth services prompt new use of medical services, leading to increased spending. Despite the convenience and lower costs associated with telehealth visits, only 12% of telemedicine visits replaced traditional office visits, while 88% represented new use of medical services.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 6, 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.

Study IDs 90 genes in fat that may contribute to dangerous diseases

Researchers have identified 90 genes in fat cells that may contribute to obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. The study used a large dataset of Finnish men with detailed health records, revealing the effects of gene variations on human health and disease risk.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 6, 2017

One-two punch may floor worst infections

McMaster researchers have discovered a new combination therapy that effectively treats the world's worst infectious diseases, including superbugs resistant to all known antibiotics. The treatment targets Gram-negative bacteria with an intrinsically impenetrable outer shell, making infections deadly in hospital settings.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMar 6, 2017

New UTSA study delves into income inequality and inflation

A new study by Edgar Ghossoub explores the relationship between income inequality and inflation, finding that a strong stock market can reduce income inequality. However, countries with smaller stock markets and higher inflation, like Mexico, experience more damaging effects of income inequality on their populations.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalJournal of Development Economics·DateMar 6, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Vaginal progesterone reduces the rate of preterm birth

Treatment with vaginal progesterone significantly reduced preterm birth, neonatal complications, and death in pregnant women with twins and a short cervix. The study, which included data from six studies involving 303 women, found that vaginal progesterone use was associated with a 31% lower risk of preterm delivery before 33 weeks.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalUltrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateMar 6, 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.

More social connection online tied to increasing feelings of isolation

A national analysis found that frequent social media use is associated with increased social isolation, even when controlling for demographic factors. The researchers suggest that social media may displace authentic social experiences and elicit feelings of envy, contributing to feelings of isolation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·DateMar 6, 2017

QUT joins new intelligent transport center

The iMOVE CRC will focus on reducing congestion, fuel use and emissions, improving freight coordination, productivity and international competitiveness. QUT researchers will contribute to the development of smart solutions, including connected autonomous vehicles and traffic management.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·DateMar 6, 2017

Tree growth model assists breeding for more wood

A tree growth model developed by Washington State University researchers helps breeders identify trees that can produce more wood. The model simulates hormonal interactions and gene expression to predict radial growth, leading to faster and thicker trees.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateMar 6, 2017

NASA takes a double-look at Tropical Cyclone Blanche

Tropical Cyclone Blanche formed near Australia's Top End on March 5 and made landfall the next day. NASA's satellite imagery showed cloud top temperatures of minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating powerful storms that can generate heavy rainfall.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMar 6, 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.

New study sheds light on the darker side of business travel

A new study analyzing online public responses to media reporting found that frequent business travelers tend to either 'flourish' or 'flounder' in their careers. The research highlights the need for organizations to develop policies to protect employees from the negative impacts of business travel.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalTransportation Research Part D Transport and Environment·DateMar 6, 2017

Medicaid payment reform linked to fewer early elective deliveries

Researchers found that state-level Medicaid payment reform led to a 14% reduction in early elective deliveries and improved gestational age and birthweight for infants. The impact was particularly significant for minority patients, with increased health disparities addressed through this policy change.

SourceMedica Research Institute·JournalHealth Affairs·DateMar 6, 2017

New materials could turn water into the fuel of the future

Researchers developed a high-throughput method to identify new photoanode materials, doubling the number of compounds with potential for use in solar fuels. The approach combines computational and experimental approaches, revealing how to 'tune' properties to make better photoanodes.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

Simple tool can predict serious adverse events in acute heart failure patients

A new study validates the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) as a reliable predictor of serious adverse events in acute heart failure patients. The OHFRS, combined with NT-ProBNP blood test results, improves prediction accuracy, enabling safer hospital discharge decisions and reducing unnecessary admissions.

SourceSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine·JournalAcademic Emergency Medicine·DateMar 6, 2017

Helping women progress in traditionally male dominated fields

Researchers found that women's math and science self-efficacy beliefs and interactions with others about transferring are crucial factors in their intention to transfer to four-year STEM courses. Additionally, diverse backgrounds and personal circumstances, such as marital status and childcare obligations, also play a significant role.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateMar 6, 2017
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Star clusters discovery could upset the astronomical applecart

Researchers have discovered young stars in old star clusters, suggesting that our current models of stellar evolution may be incorrect. This finding could mean that star clusters contain multiple generations of stars.

SourceInternational Centre for Radio Astronomy Research·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 6, 2017

Unique protein partly to blame for worm's digestive distress

Researchers have discovered a unique protein in the Orsay virus, a nematode worm virus, that plays a crucial role in binding to cells and infecting them. The protein's molecular structure has potential antiviral applications, and its study could guide bioengineers in developing synthetic variations of the virus to target parasitic worms.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMar 6, 2017

Infant MRIs show autism linked to increased cerebrospinal fluid

A study found that many toddlers diagnosed with autism at two years of age had a substantially greater amount of extra-axial cerebrospinal fluid at six and 12 months of age, before diagnosis was possible. The more CSF at six months, the more severe the autism symptoms were at two years of age.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 6, 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.

Mouse arrest

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a professional pest management intervention was no better at decreasing asthma symptoms in children allergic to mice than teaching families how to reduce mouse allergens on their own. Both groups showed substantial reductions in mouse allergen levels an...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Medical Association·DateMar 6, 2017

Robot uses social feedback to fetch objects intelligently

Researchers at Brown University created an algorithm that enables robots to ask for clarification when unsure about object requests. The system uses a combination of speech commands and human gestures to improve interpretation accuracy and efficiency.

SourceBrown University·DateMar 6, 2017

Early deaths from childhood cancer up to 4 times more common than previously reported

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that childhood cancer deaths within a month of diagnosis are significantly higher than previously reported, affecting young children and minority groups disproportionately. The study used a large national database to find that early deaths from some pediatric cancer subtypes w...

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateMar 6, 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.

Vesicle formation findings could pave way for liquid biopsies, drug delivery devices

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Magee-Womens Research Institute have developed a framework to understand vesicle formation, which can help create non-invasive diagnostic tools like liquid biopsies. The study also provides insights into optimizing artificial vesicles for drug delivery devices.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

Continuous pain is often not assessed during neonatal intensive care

A recent analysis found that only 31.8% of newborns were assessed for prolonged, continuous pain in European neonatal intensive care units. Intensive care units with specific support systems performed assessments more frequently, highlighting the need for better pain monitoring in newborns.

SourceWiley·JournalActa Paediatrica·DateMar 6, 2017

Research into palliative care top priority for cancer patients

Researchers from the University of Surrey found that cancer patients prioritize palliative and end-of-life care, while nurses focus on eHealth and technology to manage symptoms at home. Both parties agree on factors affecting early cancer symptom presentation and psychosocial support services.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalOncology Nursing Forum·DateMar 6, 2017

Designing the fuel-efficient aircraft of the future

University of Michigan researchers use Stampede supercomputer to design fuel-efficient aircraft with morphing wings and composite materials. Their studies show that tow-steered composites can reduce structural weight by 10% and fuel burn by 0.4%, while morphing wings have the potential to burn 2% less fuel than current designs.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·DateMar 6, 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.

Underwater mountains help ocean water rise from abyss

Scientists have identified a mechanism by which deep waters may rise to the surface through turbulence generated by underwater topographic features. This finding could help estimate how long the ocean stores carbon in its deepest regions before returning it to the surface.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2017

Study shows how skates, rays and sharks sense electrical fields

Researchers at UC San Francisco have cracked the mystery of electrosensation in skates, revealing new insights into how these animals detect prey. The study found that specific ion channels play a crucial role in this process, and that there are similarities between the skate's electrosensory system and the mammalian auditory system.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateMar 6, 2017

The Darknet protects itself by being more robust against attacks

The Darknet's unique topology makes it difficult to attack, with an attack on a specific node requiring four times more strength than one on the internet. The network can easily counter large attacks by adding more capacity through its decentralized onion router protocol.

SourceUniversitat Rovira i Virgili·JournalPhysical Review E·DateMar 6, 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.

Very different cities have similar potential for ride sharing

A new study reveals that ride-sharing is feasible in various cities worldwide, with the potential for sharing autos being more similar than expected. Over 99% of trips in New York and over 97% in San Francisco, Singapore, and Vienna are shareable, highlighting the importance of daily mobility patterns rather than city layout.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 6, 2017

New method rescues donor organs to save lives

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a novel cross-circulation platform that maintains the viability and function of donor lungs for several days. The technology, inspired by an abandoned surgical procedure from the 1960s, enables long-term support of living organs outside the body.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateMar 6, 2017

New evidence for a water-rich history on Mars

Researchers discovered that a mineral found in Martian meteorites could indicate a more water-rich history for the Red Planet. Synthetic whitlockite samples were subjected to shock experiments and X-ray studies, revealing partial conversion to merrillite, which is commonly found in Martian meteorites.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2017

How nature creates forest diversity

Researchers at International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis developed a model that elucidates the natural patterns of biodiversity in tropical forests. The study shows how physiological differences and competition for light lead to a large number of species coexisting, challenging traditional ecological theory.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 6, 2017

Study uncovers a mechanism driving cognitive symptoms in Huntington's disease

A study published in JCI reveals that mutant HTT protein and DISC1 form a complex that compromises its functions, leading to disruptions in downstream pathways. Normalizing the activity of this protein complex improves cognitive symptoms in HD mice, providing insights into DISC1's role in mental illness.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 6, 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.

Tackling Lupus and its renal complications with novel small molecule drug candidate

Researchers have identified a new compound that binds to CD11b and enhances its ability to suppress TLR signaling, reducing inflammation in lupus patients. The study found that the compound can override genetic defects associated with ITGAM mutations, offering a personalized approach to treating lupus.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 6, 2017

Only 1 in 5 patients seeking specialist for resistant HBP take meds as prescribed

Research reveals that only one in five patients with resistant hypertension are taking all their prescribed medications, while 20% are not taking any. The study found that adherence to medication greatly affects the ability to assess the value of another treatment, and patients can take steps to prevent high blood pressure from remaini...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateMar 6, 2017

Revealing the origin and nature of the outskirts of stellar megalopolises

A team of astronomers has discovered extended stellar envelopes in individual massive elliptical galaxies at half the age of the Universe. The study, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, used the Hubble Ultra Deep Field to characterize galactic haloes and reveal the process behind dramatic galaxy growth.

SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateMar 6, 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.

Cebit 2017: Post-print customization of 3-D prints

Saarland University scientists create a procedure called Hotflex to work around the limitation of static 3D objects. By integrating composite elements, they can modify shapes and add touch responsiveness to printed prototypes.

SourceSaarland University·DateMar 6, 2017