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Science News Archive May 2017 - Page 18


Page 18 of 42

Toy unboxing: It's a thing; it's lucrative but sensitive -- QUT research

New research examines the global phenomenon of toy unboxing on social media platforms, revealing both empowering and exploitative aspects. The study suggests that while some argue for strict regulation, others see it as an educational tool and business opportunity.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalMedia International Australia·DateMay 17, 2017

Chances of receiving CPR at home decreases with age

A new study from Penn Medicine found that the likelihood of receiving CPR at home decreases significantly with age, affecting older Americans who are most likely to be struck by sudden cardiac arrest. Low CPR training rates among older adults have been identified, highlighting a need for targeted training in this population.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateMay 17, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers take an important step toward an HIV vaccine

Scientists have created a vaccine that boosts specific parts of the immune system attacking HIV viral genes, prolonging resistance and allowing for more efficient defense. This approach may lead to an effective HIV vaccine by targeting weak immunostimulatory parts of viruses.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences·JournalEBioMedicine·DateMay 17, 2017

Springer sponsors 2 award lectures at EUROANALYSIS 2017

The EUROANALYSIS XIX conference in Stockholm, Sweden will feature two key prize lectures sponsored by Springer. Luigi Mondello and Lo Gorton are the recipients of the Robert Kellner Lecture and DAC-EuCheMS Award respectively, for their contributions to analytical chemistry research or education.

SourceSpringer·DateMay 17, 2017

Microbial fuel cell converts methane to electricity

Researchers have created a bacteria-powered fuel cell that can convert methane into small amounts of electricity near the wellheads, reducing long-distance transport and leakage. The process uses a consortium of bacteria that produces electricity by capturing methane and producing acetate, electrons, and an energy enzyme.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 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.

Wild orangutan teeth provide insight into human breast-feeding evolution

Researchers analyzed orangutan teeth to reconstruct diet histories and determine nursing patterns, shedding light on the evolution of human breast-feeding. Orangutans' cycles of milk consumption may inform models of population growth and resilience in humans.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 17, 2017

Dams are major driver of global environmental change

Researchers found that man-made dam reservoirs trap nearly one-fifth of the organic carbon moving from land to ocean via rivers. This lack of representation in climate models highlights the need for better understanding of reservoir impacts on the Earth's climate.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2017

Men sing about dating and sex more often than women

Research analyzing popular song lyrics across five decades reveals men singing about romantic love and sex more frequently, while female artists focus on love. The study highlights gender-based differences in sexuality and stereotyping, with women's bodies being objectified more often than men's.

SourceSpringer·JournalSexuality & Culture·DateMay 17, 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.

Tea-time means leopard-time in India

A new WCS study reveals that leopards are abundant in tea-garden landscapes in north-eastern India, but their presence doesn't lead to conflicts with people. The research found that leopards use tea-gardens due to dense ground vegetation cover and avoid developed areas.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 2017

UCR study sheds light on Earth's first animals

A UCR study reveals that the Ediacaran-era fossil animal Dickinsonia developed in a highly regulated way using a similar genetic toolkit to today's animals. The research helps place Dickinsonia in the early evolution of animal life, showcasing its complex growth and development.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 2017

Ultrafast tunable semiconductor metamaterial created

Researchers have devised an ultrafast tunable metamaterial based on gallium arsenide nanoparticles that can be turned on and off quickly, paving the way for ultrafast optical computers. The material consists of semiconductor nanoparticles that concentrate and interact with light efficiently.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2017

Current stimulation may keep visual neurons alive after injury -- but at a cost

Researchers from Magdeburg University and The Chinese University of Hong Kong found that electrical stimulation can preserve visual neurons from cell death after injury, but it induces a fast disconnection of dendritic tree. This may protect the neurons from toxic excitation after brain damage.

SourceUniversitätsklinikum A.ö.R., Institute for Medical Psychology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 2017

Advancing cancer immunotherapy with computer simulations and data analysis

Researchers developed a novel mathematical model to explore interactions between prostate tumors and common immunotherapies, predicting their effects on patient-specific immune systems. The study highlights a potential therapeutic strategy for managing tumor growth more effectively.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 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.

Microbes seen controlling action of host's genes

Researchers have found that microbes manipulate the molecular machinery of animal cells, triggering patterns of gene expression associated with health and disease. The study suggests ancient parts of the genome and interactions with microbes are relevant to modern-day human diseases.

SourceDuke University·JournalGenome Research·DateMay 17, 2017

Researchers harness metabolism to reverse aggressiveness in leukemia

Researchers have identified BCAT1 as a key protein in aggressive leukemia cells that can produce branched-chain amino acids for cell growth. By blocking this protein, they were able to promote differentiation and make the disease less aggressive, suggesting BCAT1 as an ideal therapeutic target.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalNature·DateMay 17, 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.

Brain's hippocampal volume, social environment affect adolescent depression

A University of California, Davis, study found that adolescents with large hippocampal volume were more susceptible to depression depending on their home and community environments. The research suggests a greater ability to overcome fear and anxiety in larger hippocampi may indicate better resilience against depressive symptoms.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalClinical Psychological Science·DateMay 17, 2017

Energy-efficient green route to magnesium production

Researchers developed a novel smelting method for magnesium metal, utilizing an antenna structure to absorb microwave energy and reduce temperature, resulting in significant energy savings. The technique has the potential to be applied to other metal materials, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 17, 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.

Biomarkers may predict cognitive decline in Parkinson's

Researchers identified brain scans, genetic tests, and CSF analysis as predictive biomarkers for Parkinson's disease-related cognitive decline. Biomarkers associated with dopamine deficiency, beta-amyloid protein, and single nucleotide polymorphisms were found to correlate with cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 2017

Why a crackly crust is essential to a baguette's aroma and taste

A firm bread and brittle crust lead to more chewing and a greater rate of release of aroma molecules, according to the researchers. The findings could help food scientists create new bread types better tailored to meet consumers' expectations.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 17, 2017

Parents with bipolar benefit from self-help tool

Researchers at Lancaster University found that online self-management support for parents with Bipolar Disorder improves parenting skills, child behavior, and reduces parenting stress. The intervention combines self-management strategies with mood management to promote consistent parenting.

SourceLancaster University·JournalScandinavian Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology·DateMay 17, 2017

Tool may help determine older adults' history of sports concussions

A new study develops an objective tool to rule out a history of mild head traumas in ageing patients with abnormal cognitive decline. The tool combines markers from brain assessments and may help former athletes sue sports associations for alleged long-term effects.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience·DateMay 17, 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.

Researchers create first significant examples of optical crystallography for nanomaterials

Researchers at University of Illinois create first significant examples of optical crystallography for nanomaterials, improving precision of nanocrystal engineering and understanding of reactions. The new technique uses absorption spectroscopy to identify crystal type in liquid-dispersed nanomaterials, offering simple, accurate analysis.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2017

Is religion an evolved domain or instinct?

Researchers propose that religion is an evolved domain or instinct, while intelligence allows people to rise above instincts. This association is supported by historical evidence and recent survey data across different countries and groupings.

SourceSpringer·JournalEvolutionary Psychological Science·DateMay 17, 2017

Solving the mystery of the white oak

A recent study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences reveals that Eurasian white oaks arose from a North American ancestor that migrated to Europe. The research also shows that two oak species found on opposite ends of the globe are closest relatives and part of a widespread white oak lineage.

SourceThe Morton Arboretum·DateMay 17, 2017

Scientists begin to unlock secrets of deep ocean color from organic matter

Researchers discover that cultured picocyanobacteria, such as Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, release fluorescent components that closely match the typical signals found in oceanic environments. This finding sheds light on the origin of colored dissolved organic matter in the deep ocean.

SourceUniversity of Maryland Center for Environmental Science·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 17, 2017
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.

NASA's Van Allen Probes spot man-made barrier shrouding Earth

The study found that VLF radio communications can interact with particles in space, creating a barrier around Earth. This 'barrier' corresponds to the inner edge of the Van Allen radiation belts and may help remove excess radiation from the near-Earth environment.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalSpace Science Reviews·DateMay 17, 2017

Cardiovascular disease causes one-third of deaths worldwide

A new study found that cardiovascular diseases account for one-third of global deaths, with the highest rates in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The study also revealed a plateau in CVD mortality rates in high-income countries and an increase in low- and middle-income countries.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateMay 17, 2017

Designing better drugs to treat type 2 diabetes

Two studies have shown how new potential anti-diabetic drugs interact with their target in the body, reducing blood sugar by increasing sensitivity to insulin and changing metabolism of fat and sugar. Researchers are now designing modified drugs that will work even more efficiently.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Medicinal Chemistry·DateMay 17, 2017

Early MRI may lower costs for prostate cancer treatment

Researchers found that using MRI to detect lesions and guide biopsies increased standardized quality-adjusted life years for patients, and was cost-effective in 94.05% of simulations. This approach could change how doctors identify and sample cancer lesions, reducing unnecessary treatments and costs.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalRadiology·DateMay 17, 2017

Injured bones reconstructed by gene and stem cell therapies

A Cedars-Sinai-led team developed a technique that cues bone to regrow its own tissue, potentially replacing bone grafts. The innovative method combines ultrasound, stem cell and gene therapies to mend severely broken bones.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 17, 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.

Use of new swallowable gastric balloon results in substantial weight loss

A new swallowable gastric balloon, Elipse Balloon, has been shown to be safe and effective for inducing substantial weight loss in obese individuals. The study found a mean weight loss of 15.2 kg after 16 weeks, with significant reductions also observed in comorbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of Obesity·DateMay 17, 2017

Antibody that neutralizes sMIC boosts CTLA4 immunotherapy response and reduces colitis

Researchers found that co-administering an antibody that neutralizes tumor-released soluble MHC I chain-related molecule (sMIC) improves anti-CTLA4 therapy effectiveness and reduces treatment-related colitis. The combination therapy dramatically improves CTLA4 therapy response and avoids colitis, suggesting a new powerful immunotherapy...

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 17, 2017

Study links physician age to patient mortality risk

Researchers found that patients treated by hospitalist physicians over 40 years old are more likely to die within a month of admission compared to those under 60. The study analyzed over 730,000 Medicare patient records and found a significant gap in mortality rates between younger and older physicians.

SourceHarvard Medical School·DateMay 17, 2017

New test to rapidly diagnose sepsis

Researchers have created a TaqMan-Based Multiplex real-time PCR detection system to rapidly diagnose sepsis, increasing the chance of targeting the correct agent and avoiding antibiotic misuse. The test detects 10 frequent bacterial pathogens from blood samples and can even identify pathogens in blood culture-negative cases.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis·DateMay 17, 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.

Cancer-cardiac connection illuminates promising new drug for heart failure

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a potential new therapeutic approach to treat heart failure by targeting inflammation and fibrosis. The study found that a cancer drug called JQ1 can effectively treat severe, pre-established heart failure in both small animal and human cell models.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateMay 17, 2017

Polymerases pause to help mediate the flow of genetic information

Recent research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals that polymerase pauses prevent other machines from immediately following, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information. Paused polymerases keep new polymerases from initiating transcription, maintaining a controlled pace during gene expression.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 17, 2017

Sacrificing sleep for love

A study found that male fruit flies have specific neurons called MS1 that release octopamine to keep them awake during courtship, suppressing sleep. The researchers also discovered that these neurons communicate with other brain cells to enhance male sexual behavior.

SourceThomas Jefferson University·DateMay 17, 2017

NASA annual Arctic ice survey expanded range this year

NASA's Operation IceBridge expanded its Arctic ice survey range this year, covering a wider area than ever before with denser and more accurate measurements. The mission also explored the Eurasian half of the Arctic Basin and measured a newly formed crack on Petermann Glacier.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateMay 17, 2017

'Trojan fish': Invasive rabbitfish spread invasive species

A new study reveals that red sea rabbitfish brought live marine animals with them when they invaded the mediterranean, expanding biodiversity and threatening native ecosystems. The research highlights the role of fish in spreading invasive species through 'ichthyochory,' a previously unknown mechanism.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·DateMay 17, 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.

Researchers track groundwater loss during drought in California's Central Valley

A study by UCLA and University of Houston researchers reveals significant groundwater loss in the Central Valley during two droughts, with losses totaling 16.5 cubic kilometers and 40 cubic kilometers, respectively. The increase in groundwater loss was attributed to reduced precipitation, snowmelt, and changes in crop cultivation, high...

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 17, 2017

Russian scientists have found the remains of an unknown animal

Scientists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown mammal, Baidabatyr, in Western Siberia. The animal is believed to be a herbivore and lived during the Early Cretaceous period, with its species going extinct around 20 million years ago.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateMay 17, 2017

Hospital-acquired anemia more common, increases risks

A new study found that hospital-acquired anemia affects nearly a third of hospitalized patients, increasing the risk of death or readmission. The severity of anemia was independently associated with a 39% increase in readmission or death within 30 days after discharge.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateMay 17, 2017

Migrant children less obese due to absent grandmothers -- study

Children of migrant families in Chinese cities have lower obesity rates due to lack of parental supervision and influence from grandparents. Migrant children have fewer opportunities for unhealthy snacking and more active play, contributing to their lower obesity rates.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 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.

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.

Blue and purple corn: Not just for tortilla chips anymore

A University of Illinois project has identified a source of natural blue and purple corn, providing an affordable alternative to synthetic food dyes. The researchers found that anthocyanin concentrations in Peruvian corn lines remained stable across generations, paving the way for breeding high-yielding, colored corn hybrids.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMay 17, 2017