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Science News Archive August 2018


Page 10 of 41

UIC awarded $7 million to develop depression prevention program

A $7 million grant will fund a 18-month study comparing two interventions: online CATCH-IT and in-person POD group therapy, to prevent depressive episodes among adolescents. The trial aims to identify which program has the greatest capacity for large-scale impact.

Gas-sensing drones draw NSF backing

Rice University researchers have developed a fleet of autonomous aerial drones that can coordinate to detect and track airborne pollutants. The system, called ASTRO, will use real-time data to alert neighborhoods of hazardous conditions following extreme weather events.

Research methods that find serial criminals could help save tigers

A geographic profiling tool used to catch serial criminals could help reduce the casualties of human-tiger conflict. By analyzing data from 2,386 Sumatrans and 13 years of human-tiger encounter records, scientists identified three places with high risk and low tolerance for tigers.

Measuring the tension of a cell with a molecule

Scientists develop FliptR, a fluorescent molecule that measures cell membrane tension, revealing how cells adapt their surface to volume changes. The discovery paves the way for applications in cancer cell detection and membrane tension regulation.

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.

Upper Cretaceous trench deposits of the Neo-Tethyan subduction zone

The Jiachala Formation, a key deposit in the Neo-Tethyan subduction zone, was formed in a submarine fan environment during Late Cretaceous (~88-84 Ma) at the active southern margin of the Asian plate. Provenance analysis indicates it originated from the Gangdese arc and central Lhasa terrane.

How do fruit flies grow legs? Solving a molecular mystery

A team of neuroscientists at Columbia University has figured out how to tease apart the many roles EGFR plays in the body. They report their findings in PLOS Genetics, solving a long-standing question about EGFR signaling and development. The study sheds light on the link between EGFR and disease, offering clues for diseases like cancer.

Connectivity explains ecosystem responses to rainfall, drought

Researchers used information theory techniques to track changes in rainfall, heat, soil moisture and carbon flow in two ecosystems before, during and after rainfall and drought events. The study found that stronger connectivity alters how rainfall affects moisture, heat and carbon flux in the system.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of stressors on bee health

The PoshBee EU Horizon 2020 project aims to support healthy bee populations and sustainable beekeeping practices in Europe. The project will integrate knowledge from academics, beekeepers, and farmers to quantify the exposure hazard of chemicals on bees and determine their impact on health.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Patients with high blood pressure unlikely to reduce salt

Research suggests that patients with high blood pressure are more likely to rely on medication rather than reducing their salt intake, leading to higher blood pressure levels and increased medication use. Salt restriction is recommended as a key strategy to manage hypertension, but many patients fail to adhere to guidelines.

Weight loss drug shows no increased risk in cardiovascular outcomes

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lorcaserin, a weight loss drug, helped patients lose weight without increasing the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and death from heart disease. The trial involved 12,000 overweight or obese patients at risk for cardiovascular events.

Weight loss drug does not increase cardiovascular events

A weight loss drug, lorcaserin, does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events, according to a study that enrolled over 12,000 adults. The trial found noninferiority of lorcaserin for major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo after three years.

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.

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.

Fish oils do not prevent heart attack or strokes in people with diabetes

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that fish oil supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. The ASCEND trial involved over 15,000 participants and followed them for an average of 7.4 years.

Apps a timely reminder for those on heart medication

Research from the University of Sydney shows that high-quality medication reminder apps increase people's adherence to cardiovascular medication. A clinical trial found no additional benefits from advanced features like snooze reminders and social support structures.

Jury still out on aspirin a day to prevent heart attack and stroke

The ARRIVE study found that daily aspirin use did not reduce cardiovascular events, but participants who took aspirin had fewer heart attacks. Aspirin reduced the risk of total and nonfatal myocardial infarction in certain age groups, but increased gastrointestinal bleeding rates.

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.

Short and fragmented sleep linked to hardened arteries

A large study found that sleeping less than six hours or waking up several times in the night increases the risk of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Participants with short and fragmented sleep had significantly more atherosclerosis, according to Dr. Fernando Dominguez.

Cellular pumps protect the gut from toxins

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School discovered that gut stem cells have a unique population of cells with intrinsic toxin resistance, enabling them to withstand drugs and spicy foods. These 'drug efflux pumps' protect the gut from toxic compounds, promoting intestinal regeneration and overall health.

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.

Finding the sweet spot of a good night's sleep: Not too long and not too short

A recent study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that sleeping six to eight hours a night is most beneficial for heart health. The research, which analyzed data from over one million adults, suggests that both short and long sleepers have an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease or stroke.

Scans cut heart attack rates and save lives, major study finds

A new study suggests that incorporating heart scans into routine care could save thousands of lives in the UK. The SCOT-HEART study found that patients who received a computed tomography angiogram (CTA) scan had a 40% lower risk of heart attack within five years.

I have had a heart attack. Do I need open heart surgery or a stent?

The new guidelines recommend open heart surgery for patients with complex coronary artery disease, as it provides better long-term survival and outcomes compared to stent placement. In contrast, patients with simpler disease can benefit from both surgical bypass and PCI, with complete revascularization being the preferred option.

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.

Why the effects of a boozy binge could last longer than you think

A recent study published in the journal Addiction found that individuals who experience hangovers continue to exhibit impaired cognitive function, including poorer attention and memory, the day after a heavy drinking session. This highlights the need for workplaces to reconsider their guidelines on alcohol intoxication at work.

A smartphone application can help in screening for atrial fibrillation

A smartphone application has been shown to effectively screen for atrial fibrillation, with a verification process that can be downsized or omitted. The study found that approximately 225 people would need to be screened to detect one new case, making this technology an attractive option for widespread screening.

Single pill with two drugs could transform blood pressure treatment

The guidelines recommend starting most patients on two blood pressure lowering drugs as a single tablet to improve control rates and reduce strokes, heart disease, and early deaths. A healthy lifestyle is also recommended for all patients, regardless of blood pressure level.

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.

Unnecessary heart procedures can be avoided with noninvasive test

A new non-invasive test called FFRCT accurately reflects invasively measured fractional flow reserve, showing it can safely guide treatment for patients with moderate stenosis. The study found that patients with normal FFRCT results had a similar prognosis to those with mild or no stenosis.

Do doctors really know how to diagnose a heart attack?

The 2018 Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction provides clarity on diagnosing a heart attack, distinguishing between myocardial infarction and myocardial injury. Elevated troponin levels are not sufficient for diagnosis, and oxygen shortage detection via electrocardiogram is crucial.

Study investigates major cause of heart attacks in women

A new study published by the European Society of Cardiology has investigated the major cause of heart attacks in women, finding that spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a leading factor. The study also identified emotional stress as a key trigger for SCAD, which can lead to narrowing, aneurysms, or tears in the arteries.

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.

Getting a charge out of MOFs

A team of researchers developed an electrically conductive MOF that conducts electricity up to 10,000 times better than before, using a potassium chemical mix to boost conductivity. The new material has high electron mobility and can be used in various applications including batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells.

Carbon emissions in African savannas triple previous estimates

Research suggests that tree felling in African savannas is releasing at least three times more carbon than previously thought. The study found that degradation releases around twice as much carbon as deforestation, leading to combined losses of three to six times higher than expected.

Risk adjusting for race and poverty bolsters rankings of some hospitals

A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that risk adjusting for race and poverty improves the apparent performance of hospitals treating large numbers of nonwhite or poor patients. The study's lead author recommends including sociodemographic adjustment in payment models to prevent harm to vulnerable populations.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

UMass Amherst research discovers new channel-gating mechanism

A team of computational biophysicists has identified a hydrophobic dewetting mechanism that blocks intracellular access to the selectivity filter in BK channels. This finding represents a paradigm shift in understanding the regulation and gating process of these channels, which play a crucial role in various health conditions.

From guts to glory: The evolution of gut defense

Researchers mapped the evolutionary journey of animal guts to defend against microbial attack. They discovered that tunicates, a simple animal related to vertebrates, had an intermediate gut lining with both chitin and mucous coexisting. This finding suggests a missing link between invertebrate and mammalian gut defenses.

Researchers stop cell suicide that worsens sepsis, arthritis

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University discovered a way to stop immune cell death associated with multiple diseases, including sepsis, IBD, and arthritis. They identified a chemical, necrosulfonamide, that potently inhibits inflammatory cell death by preventing pyroptosis, a type of cell suicide.

Producing hydrogen from splitting water without splitting hairs

Researchers developed a new model explaining the interactions between small copper clusters and water molecules in producing molecular hydrogen. The study shows that copper-water complexes synthesized in ultra-cold helium nanodroplets can catalyze hydrogen production.

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.

Kelp forests function differently in warmer oceans

Warm-water kelps alter ecosystem functioning, with faster food production and processing, but may reduce biodiversity. Kelp forests are expected to survive, unlike in other regions where they are disappearing.

Researchers achieve multifunctional solid-state quantum memory

The team developed a multi-degree-of-freedom multiplexed solid-state quantum memory with high multimode capacity and demonstrated photon pulse operation functions with time and frequency DOFs. The device enables coherent manipulation of quantum states and can serve as a quantum mode converter with high fidelity.

New insights on sperm production lay groundwork for solving male infertility

Michigan Medicine researchers created the most complete catalog of cells in the male gonads by analyzing over 30,000 individual cells from mouse testes. The study reveals a continuous sperm cell developmental program and identifies new cell types and molecular features that can help understand the causes of male infertility.