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Science News Archive October 2017 - Page 11


Page 11 of 43

'Choosing Wisely' movement: Off to a good start, but change needed for continued success

The Choosing Wisely movement has successfully started conversations about low-value care, but its impact is limited by the difficulty in changing doctor behavior. Researchers recommend prioritizing recommendations, consolidating guidelines, and evaluating efforts to make a greater difference in quality and value in healthcare.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHealth Affairs·DateOct 24, 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.

Managing risky behavior reduces future incarceration among aggressive juvenile offenders

A two-week intervention program focusing on reducing risky behavior was found to be effective in reducing aggression and future incarceration rates among clinically aggressive juvenile offenders. The program, PHAT Life, taught youth to identify triggers for high-risk behavior and develop coping strategies.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 24, 2017

Jumping nanoparticles

The study confirms Einstein's theoretical analysis of Brownian motion by observing the Kramers turnover in levitated nanoparticles. The researchers found that the transition rate between states depends on friction and grows with decreasing friction before decreasing again at low friction levels.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 24, 2017

Novel histone modifications couple metabolism to gene activity

Scientists have discovered two new classes of histone modifications that couple cellular metabolism to gene activity, providing a potential mechanism for environmental influences on gene expression. The novel marks, propionylation and butyrylation, are linked to fatty acid metabolism and can drive transcription in test tube experiments.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 24, 2017

Noninvasive brain imaging shows readiness of trainees to perform operations

A study using noninvasive brain imaging found that simulator-trained medical students demonstrated increased cortical activity and faster completion times for cutting tasks compared to those with no training. The researchers believe this approach can objectively assess surgical skill transfer, providing a more accurate representation o...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 24, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Mysterious DNA modification seen in stress response

Geneticists at Emory University School of Medicine have discovered a mysterious DNA modification in animals, specifically adenine methylation, which increases four-fold under conditions of stress in the brain. This epigenetic modification may play a role in neuropsychiatric disorders.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Ice sheets may melt rapidly in response to distant volcanoes

Researchers found that ancient volcanic eruptions caused significant melting of the northern European ice sheet, with some eruptions leading to 20 centimeters of ice loss. The study suggests that modern ice sheets may be vulnerable to similar effects, highlighting a potential positive feedback loop between volcanism and climate change.

SourceColumbia Climate School·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Universities should actively support open scholarship

A new article in PLOS Biology argues that universities should support the sharing of educational resources to benefit society. The author proposes several ways institutions can counter practices that inhibit open information flow, including awarding faculty prizes for community engagement.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 24, 2017

Researchers discover which brain region motivates behavior change

A team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have identified the posterior cingulate cortex as a key brain region that motivates behavior change. By stimulating this area, people can become more exploratory and creative, suggesting its role in foraging efficiency and landscape adaptation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNeuron·DateOct 24, 2017

Long-term opioid use does not increase risk of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found no association between long-term opioid use and Alzheimer's disease. Despite this, they highlight potential adverse effects such as drowsiness and addiction, suggesting restricted use for severe pain conditions.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalPain Medicine·DateOct 24, 2017

Study finds increase of herbicide in older adults

Researchers found significant increases in glyphosate and its metabolite in the urine of older adults from Southern California between 1993 and 2016. Average glyphosate levels increased by 13 years, with detectable levels present in more than 70% of samples.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 24, 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.

Study indicates arsenic can cause cancer decades after exposure ends

Researchers tracked mortality rates in Chileans exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water, finding increased risk of lung, bladder, and kidney cancer up to 40 years after exposure ended. Long-term interventions may help mitigate the effects of past exposures.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateOct 24, 2017

How the financial press influences investors' opinion and behavior

Researchers at the University of Luxembourg found that the financial press can have a significant impact on investor behavior and opinions. The experiment showed that positive news coverage led to a positive evaluation of stocks, while negative coverage had the opposite effect.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization·DateOct 24, 2017

Electronic entropy enhances water splitting

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that cerium's electronic entropy is the underlying reason for its success in water-splitting technologies. Cerium's large entropy makes it ideal for hydrogen production, opening up possibilities for future work in creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy system.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Antibiotics from a 'molecular pencil sharpener'

Researchers at Rutgers University have identified a protein complex called TldD that activates the antibiotic microcin B17 by removing its protective coating. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibacterial agents and drugs to combat toxins.

SourceRutgers University·JournalStructure·DateOct 24, 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.

Single nanoparticle mapping paves the way for better nanotechnology

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method to map individual nanoparticles, allowing for improved nanomaterials and safer technologies. The discovery paves the way for the development of more efficient hydrogen detectors and other applications.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Study highlights value of acknowledging adolescents' perspectives

A new study found that parents who acknowledge their adolescent children's perspectives and encourage them to express themselves have youths with stronger self-worth, intrinsic motivation, and engagement. However, the benefits of autonomy and decision-making differ across cultures.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateOct 24, 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.

How to predict high school dropouts

Researchers from Lancaster University found that teenagers who do not access healthcare when needed are at greater risk of dropping out of high school. More than one in five young people globally experience this issue, leading to increased unemployment, poor health, and crime.

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·DateOct 24, 2017

$65.5 million from NIH to create brain atlas

Researchers will count and catalog cell types in mouse brain using single-cell transcriptomics, aiming to build a comprehensive atlas of cell types that can be applied to the human brain.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateOct 24, 2017

A quantum spin liquid

Scientists from Boston College and Harvard have successfully created a copper iridate metal oxide that meets the Kitaev model's standards, enabling a chemical entity known as a 'spin liquid' with free-flowing properties. The material's unique honeycomb structure disrupts natural magnetic order, producing geometric frustration.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 24, 2017

Automatic acoustic gunshot sensor technology may benefit shooting victims

A study by Oakland trauma surgeons found that acoustic gunshot sensor technology can lead to quicker hospital arrival times and equal survival rates despite more severe injuries. The technology detects gunshots and provides responders with accurate information, helping paramedics treat and transport patients faster.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 24, 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.

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.

High-speed locomotion neurons found in the brainstem

A study by researchers at the University of Basel and FMI identified specific neuron types in the brainstem that regulate high-speed locomotion. These neurons are intermingled with others that can elicit immediate stopping, and their activation can induce full body locomotion.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateOct 24, 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 self-regulating nanoparticles could treat cancer

Scientists have developed intelligent nanoparticles that can heat cancer cells to a high temperature, but then self-regulate and lose heat before causing harm to healthy tissue. This breakthrough could lead to a more effective treatment method for cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalNanoscale·DateOct 24, 2017

Blood-based epigenetic research may hold clues to autism biology, study suggests

Researchers analyzed blood and brain tissue data to find epigenetic marks that control gene expression, revealing key connections between genes and immune function. This study suggests that understanding epigenetic connections could lead to new treatments for autism by targeting specific biological pathways.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

NASA sees Tropical Storm Saola near Guam

Tropical Storm Saola has strengthened to a tropical storm near Guam, with NASA's Aqua satellite analyzing its cloud top temperatures in infrared light. The storm is expected to continue strengthening and become a typhoon by Oct. 25, bringing strong winds and hazardous surf.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateOct 24, 2017

Kent State professor receives NSF grant to develop eye-tracking software

Kent State University professor Jonathan Maletic has received a three-year, $290,610 NSF grant to develop eye-tracking software that can track programmers' working environments. This project will enable more realistic studies of programmers' behavior, leading to better understanding of program comprehension and development.

SourceKent State University·DateOct 24, 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.

Study explores the seasonality of hair loss

A new study analyzes Google Trends data across eight countries, finding summer and fall seasons correlate with greater hair loss. The findings provide evidence for seasonality in hair loss at a population level, supporting future research into the physiology of the hair cycle.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Dermatology·DateOct 24, 2017

Heart failure therapy hope as drug blocks deadly muscle scarring

A new experimental drug has been found to block deadly muscle scarring that contributes to chronic heart failure and skeletal muscle disorders. The treatment targets alpha V integrins on scar-forming cells, reducing scarring even when the process has already started.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Organic material matters

A team of scientists from UC Santa Barbara tested the effect of sulfurized nano-zero-valent iron on a common freshwater alga and found that it picked up cadmium and alleviated toxicity. Organic material produced by the algae mitigated the nanoparticle's toxicity, allowing for greater remediation.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 24, 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.

New combination therapy of registered drugs shortens anti-Wolbachia therapy

A new combination therapy using registered drugs albendazole and antibiotics has dramatically shortened treatment time for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, reducing it from weeks to just seven days. This breakthrough could accelerate elimination of these debilitating diseases, prioritized by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 24, 2017

NIH BRAIN Initiative launches cell census

The NIH BRAIN Initiative has launched a major effort to discover and catalog the brain's diverse cell types. The BICCN will generate knowledge that is prerequisite to solving the mysteries of brain disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·DateOct 24, 2017

Raton Basin earthquakes linked to oil and gas fluid injections

A University of Colorado Boulder study found more than 1,800 earthquakes in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico between 2008 and 2010 were likely caused by fluids pumped deep underground during oil and gas wastewater disposal. Elevated pore pressures in the basement rock underlie the Raton Basin's oldest stratified layers.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·DateOct 24, 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.

UBC researchers create definitive method to detect wildfire tainted wine grapes

Researchers at UBC Okanagan campus have created a definitive method to detect wildfire-tainted wine grapes, providing accurate and quick results. The new test detects volatile phenols present in the fruit prior to wine production, helping wine producers and grape growers manage the impact of smoke exposure on wine flavor.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateOct 24, 2017

Weight loss after bariatric surgery can improve heart health

A new study found that weight loss after bariatric surgery can lead to significant improvements in heart health, including a return to natural shape and function. The study also showed a decrease in ventricle size by 15.7 percent, reducing the risk of heart failure.

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·DateOct 24, 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.

Auxin tells the stem cells to stop growing and the gynoecium to start forming in flowers

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology identified CRABS CLAW as a key molecule that controls the termination of stem cell growth and the formation of gynoecium in flowers, promoting floral reproduction. The study also shows auxin homeostasis is regulated by TORNADO2, providing insight into flower development.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Study provides more clarity on the genetic causes of children's food allergies

A study published in Nature Communications has identified five genetic risk loci associated with food allergies in children, highlighting the importance of skin and mucous membrane barriers. The research, involving over 1,500 participants, also found that four of the five risk loci are linked to other chronic inflammatory diseases.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2017

Self-esteem mapped in the human brain

Researchers used a mathematical equation to analyze how our self-esteem is shaped by what others think of us. They found that self-esteem changes are guided by whether we expect to be liked and that increased prediction errors in the brain can confer risk for mental health problems.

SourceUniversity College London·DateOct 24, 2017