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Science News Archive March 2017 - Page 5


Page 5 of 41

Atomic 're-packing' behind metallic glass mystery

Researchers have solved a decades-long puzzle about metallic glasses' atomic structure using a new method combining various techniques. The study revealed a hidden amorphous phase within a certain temperature range, linked to metals' ability to form glass and potentially enabling the development of stronger novel materials.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 29, 2017

Eating peanuts may lead to supple arteries and healthy hearts

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating peanuts with a meal can help prevent arterial stiffening and keep blood vessels healthy. The researchers observed a 32% reduction in triglyceride levels after peanut consumption compared to a control group.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·DateMar 29, 2017

Electronic health records improve weekend surgery outcomes

A Loyola Medicine study found that electronic health record (EHR) systems can mitigate the weekend effect in urgent general surgery patients. Patients at hospitals with high-speed EHR connectivity and electronic bed management systems experienced lower hospital stays and mortality rates, with reductions of up to 35%.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMar 29, 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.

Reusable carbon nanotubes could be the water filter of the future, says RIT study

A new class of enhanced single-walled carbon nanotubes offers a more effective approach to water treatment and remediation, with the potential for regenerating filters by heating them in a microwave. The technology works because nanotubes dislike water, allowing only organic contaminants to stick to them.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalEnvironmental Science Water Research & Technology·DateMar 29, 2017

The last 'caimans' living in Spain

Researchers uncover 16 million-year-old fossils of a small crocodile, Diplocynodon ratelii, which is similar to modern-day caimans. The discovery provides new insights into the early Miocene ecosystem in Catalonia, Spain.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalComptes Rendus Palevol·DateMar 29, 2017

Penn State study shows aphasia may not solely be a language disorder

A recent Penn State study suggests that aphasia may be a broader cognitive disorder affecting not just language, but also hearing, vision, motor processing, attention, and executive functions. The findings imply that treating aphasia requires a more holistic approach, considering these interconnected brain networks.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Human Neuroscience·DateMar 29, 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.

Wrong-way asteroid plays 'chicken' with Jupiter

Asteroid Bee-Zed, orbiting the wrong way around the sun, has been playing a cosmic game of chicken with Jupiter for a million years. The asteroid's retrograde motion allows it to maintain a stable orbit despite its unusual path, thanks to Jupiter's gravity deflection.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 2017

Every £1 spent on public health in UK saves average of £14

A systematic review found that UK public health interventions return an average ROI of £14.30 on every £1 spent, with national policies producing even higher returns. The study warns that recent cuts to public health budgets will cost the NHS and economy 'billions'.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateMar 29, 2017

Journal: Researchers can track hazardous chemicals from fast-food wrappers in the body

Researchers developed a new method to track perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) from fast-food wrappers in the body, linking them to various health issues. The study found PFASs were detected in all tested organs, including liver, stomach, lungs, kidney, heart, skin, muscle, brain, and others.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Technology·DateMar 29, 2017

How should the UK approach Brexit?

A study by Oxford University Press USA outlines strategies for the UK to adopt in future trade negotiations with the European Union. The authors propose four guidelines: giving something of value to trading partners, starting from a favorable position, using bargaining power effectively, and investing in negotiating capacity.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalOxford Review of Economic Policy·DateMar 29, 2017

Making bones stronger

A mathematical model shows that injections of peptide CK2.3 can increase bone formation and decrease bone degradation, potentially treating osteoporosis. The researchers used a combination of biological and mathematical models to calculate ideal dosages for humans and mice, aiming to develop a promising remedy for the condition.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalCPT Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology·DateMar 29, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Solving the mystery of the Arctic's green ice

Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2017

Scientists predict reading ability from DNA alone

Researchers at King's College London used a genetic scoring technique to predict reading performance throughout school years from DNA alone. Genetic scores explained up to 5% of the differences in reading ability between children, with students having highest and lowest genetic scores differing by two years in reading performance.

SourceKing's College London·JournalScientific Studies of Reading·DateMar 29, 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.

Infant vitamin B1 deficiency leads to poor motor function and balance

A Tel Aviv University study found that infants fed thiamine-deficient formula suffered from severe motor function difficulties, with long-term consequences for their health. The researchers emphasize the critical role of vitamin B1 in child development and stress the need for regulatory control of breast milk substitutes.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalMaternal and Child Nutrition·DateMar 29, 2017

Study reveals amount of premature deaths linked to international trade

A new study estimates that 12% of global premature deaths related to PM2.5 pollution are caused by emissions in a different region, while 22% are associated with goods produced for consumption in another region. The study highlights the need for international cooperation to reduce air pollution and its health impacts.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature·DateMar 29, 2017

Legends of the lost reservoirs

Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateMar 29, 2017

Surgery to remove unaffected breast in early breast cancer increases

A study found nearly half of young breast cancer patients in five states undergo preventive mastectomy to remove the unaffected breast. The proportion of women receiving this procedure increased significantly between 2004 and 2012, particularly among those under 45, with regional variations across states.

SourceAmerican Cancer Society·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateMar 29, 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.

New research into light particles challenges understanding of quantum theory

Researchers at the University of East Anglia discovered a new mechanism for creating paired light particles, which could have significant implications for quantum physics. The findings suggest that photon pairs can be emitted from spatially separated points, introducing positional uncertainty of fundamental quantum origin.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2017

Harnessing brain's internal reserves might help treat epilepsy

Researchers have discovered that activating the endocannabinoid system of the brain can reduce or completely suppress epileptic activity in test animals. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for temporal lobe epilepsy, a common form of the condition.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalBrain Research·DateMar 29, 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.

Best-looking politicians lean right, best-looking scholars lean left

A recent study found that Right-leaning politicians tend to be considered more attractive, whereas Left-leaning scholars are viewed as more physically appealing. This effect was observed despite similar factors such as age and education level between the two groups.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalPersonality and Individual Differences·DateMar 29, 2017

NIH designates $42.7 million for food allergy research consortium

The National Institutes of Health has designated $42.7 million for the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) over seven years to continue evaluating new approaches to treat food allergy. CoFAR scientists are working on immunotherapy approaches to reduce immediate allergic symptoms and bring about long-term relief.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·DateMar 29, 2017

Trauma and stress in teen years increases risk of depression during menopause, Penn study shows

A new Penn study reveals that women who experience multiple traumatic events during childhood or adolescence are more likely to develop depression during perimenopause. Women who experienced their first traumatic event in their teens are particularly susceptible, even if they had previously never had depression.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateMar 29, 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.

Fred Hutch scientists to cover advances in immunotherapy, proteomics at AACR

Researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are presenting new developments in immunotherapy and proteomics at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. A new adoptive T-cell therapy for ovarian cancer has shown promising results, while a vaccine adjuvant has boosted immune responses to sarcomas.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·DateMar 29, 2017

A novel molecular link between cholesterol, inflammation and liver cancer

A new study links protein c-Fos to liver carcinogenesis, highlighting the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in preventing liver cancer. The research suggests that statins may also prevent deleterious changes in hepatocytes caused by hypercholesterolemia and reduce inflammation.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·DateMar 29, 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.

Building trust, not hate

When anonymity is lifted, cooperation increases significantly due to mutual understanding. Participants who knew each other were more likely to cooperate rather than engage in retaliatory sentiments or punishment.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 29, 2017

Impacts of school choice on segregation

Penn State researchers found that black and Latino students tend to move into charter schools with higher racial isolation, while white students move to more diverse schools. This study highlights the need for educational equity and raises questions about school-choice policy's effects on fostering racially diverse schools.

SourcePenn State·JournalEducation Policy Analysis Archives·DateMar 28, 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.

Female menstrual cycle in a dish

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a miniature female reproductive tract that can test new drugs for safety and effectiveness in women. The EVATAR system, made with human tissue, mimics the body's dynamics and will help understand diseases such as endometriosis, fibroids, and cancer.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 2017

Legos and origami inspire next-generation materials

A team of researchers has designed a standard set of building-blocks to assemble complex structures and engineer arbitrary 3D metamaterials. The breakthrough aims to overcome the bottleneck in translating scientific progress to commercial applications.

SourceTianjin University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

About time! Predicting midge seasonality key to reducing livestock diseases

Ecologists at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology have led a study that informs optimal strategies for controlling devastating midge-borne diseases like bluetongue and Schmallenberg virus. The model predicts that timing insecticide treatments over the Autumn midge peak has the greatest effect on population suppression.

SourceUK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateMar 28, 2017

Cortisol excess hits natural DNA process and mental health hard

A study on patients with Cushing's Syndrome found that cortisol excess was associated with reduced DNA methylation, leading to persistent psychiatric problems. The researchers hope that targeting DNA methylation may lead to new treatment possibilities for stress-related conditions.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 28, 2017

Evidence insufficient to screen for celiac disease

The US Preventive Services Task Force found inadequate evidence on celiac disease screening accuracy, benefits and harms of screening, and treatment effects. Current evidence is insufficient to assess balance of benefits and harms of screening for asymptomatic individuals.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 28, 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.

Study finds that elevating women's status lowers dependence on solid fuels

A recent study by Lehigh University sociologist Kelly Austin finds that countries with higher gender equality have lower rates of solid fuel use and female exposure to indoor air pollution. The research highlights the importance of female empowerment in reducing this global health issue, which claims 4.3 million premature deaths annually.

SourceLehigh University·JournalPopulation and Environment·DateMar 28, 2017

Cornering endangered species

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara found that as certain species decline in number, their geographic areas of occupation also shrink. This makes them easier targets for hunters and fishermen, increasing the risk of extinction. The study highlights the importance of well-managed harvests to prevent overharvesting.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2017

Asian dust providing key nutrients for California's giant sequoias

Researchers have found that dust from the Gobi Desert is providing more phosphorus than previously thought for plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including giant sequoias. The study suggests that dust may be shaping this iconic California ecosystem and could help predict forest response to climate change.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 28, 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.

Why don't Americans have a name for the color 'light blue?'

Researchers found that Japan has unique color terms like 'mizu' and 'kon', while the US uses words like 'teal' and 'lavender'. The study reveals differences in color language between modern societies, highlighting the evolution of color terminology through interaction.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Vision·DateMar 28, 2017

New type of sensor material developed

Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a nickel complex that changes color and magnetism when exposed to methanol vapor. The material exhibits vapochromic properties, making it suitable for chemical sensing applications.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 28, 2017

Igniting a solar flare in the corona with lower-atmosphere kindling

Researchers use new telescope images to reveal the emergence of small-scale magnetic fields in the corona, which may trigger solar flares. The study suggests that these magnetic field structures are linked to the onset of a main flare and could help predict flares with more precision.

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 28, 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.

Stop eating! You are full

Researchers have discovered a molecule sent by fat cells to the fly brain that signals when energy stores are sufficient, inhibiting feeding behavior. This finding suggests a potential appetite-suppression mechanism in humans and may lead to new weight management strategies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 28, 2017

The physics of wealth inequality

A Duke University professor proposes that wealth inequality is governed by a physical law, where systems evolve to increase access to flow. This natural tendency governs the distribution of wealth in economies, with hierarchical movement leading to greater disparities.

SourceDuke University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 28, 2017

Seabird bones, fossils reveal broad food-web shift in North Pacific

Scientists analyzed seabird bones to find evidence of a significant change in the North Pacific's food web, likely caused by human activities such as industrial fishing. The study found that petrels' trophic level had declined over time, suggesting a shift in the structure of the ocean's ecosystem.

SourceSmithsonian·DateMar 28, 2017

Abuse accelerates puberty in children

New Penn State research reveals that childhood sexual abuse can accelerate physical growth and maturation in adolescents, increasing the risk of behavioral and mental health problems. The study found that young girls with a sexual abuse history were more likely to transition into higher puberty stages earlier than non-abused peers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·DateMar 28, 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.