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Science News Archive July 2018


Page 27 of 38

How private prison companies are influencing immigration policy

A groundbreaking study found that lawmakers representing districts with privately owned ICE detention facilities are more likely to co-sponsor punitive immigration bills. The researchers assessed support for immigration legislation among members of the 113th and 114th Congresses, spanning from 2013-15 and 2015-17, respectively.

Big Data analysis identifies new cancer risk genes

Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation have developed a new statistical method to identify cancer predisposition genes from tumour sequencing data, identifying 13 candidate genes with 10 being new. The method allows researchers to find risk variants without comparing cancer patients to healthy groups.

July/August 2018 Annals of Family Medicine media tip sheet

Research in Annals of Family Medicine reveals a strong association between alcohol consumption and nocturnal leg cramps, particularly among patients over 60 years old. Additionally, partners of individuals with newly diagnosed diabetes exhibit higher rates of behavioral change compared to those without the disease.

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.

Mapping the urban vitality of Barcelona

Researchers mapped Barcelona's urban vitality using a new methodology that combines Jane Jacobs' theories with data analysis. The study reveals high levels of street life in peripheral and poor districts, challenging traditional views of vital areas.

Study examines safety and efficacy of TPA in mild stroke cases

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that use of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) for mild stroke may not provide significant benefits for patients. Researchers used data from the Greater Cincinnati Stroke Study and tracked outcomes for 313 patients with minor, non-disabling acute ischemic strokes.

Study unveils components of successful key account management

A new study by University of Eastern Finland researchers identified key components of successful key account management, including market sensing, opportunity creation, and continuous improvement. The findings suggest that companies can gain sustained competitive advantages and profitability by investing in dynamic capabilities.

Global quadrupling of cooling appliances to 14 billion by 2050 -- new report

The University of Birmingham report forecasts a five-fold increase in global cooling appliance demand to 14 billion by 2050, driven by growing population and urbanization. To meet this demand sustainably, the report emphasizes the need for a system-led approach, harnessing waste resources and adopting novel technologies.

Want an expensive engagement ring? Looks count

Research suggests that men will purchase more expensive engagement rings when imagining themselves with an attractive woman, while women prioritize larger rings with their less attractive partner. Women who rate themselves as physically attractive also opt for pricier rings.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The relationship between alcohol outlets and traffic crashes

A new study found that injury crashes were more frequent in areas with more retail alcohol outlets, including bars. The research also showed that crash risks are associated with local outlet density and alcohol availability across neighboring areas.

Unplugged holidays tipped to increase

Research from James Cook University suggests digital-free tourism is gaining traction, with luxury resorts and isolated island destinations capitalizing on the trend. The study found growing media coverage of digital-detox holidays, which are expected to expand into more services and programs.

Seal serum offers protection from inflammation

Researchers discovered seal blood serum has anti-inflammatory properties, protecting against damage to pulmonary tissues and inflammation. This unique adaptation allows elephant seals and Weddell seals to safely dive deep without lung damage or inflammation.

Stop antibiotics before resistance 'tipping point'

New evidence suggests that reducing antibiotic course length can reduce the risk of resistance. Microbial communities can reach a tipping point when exposed to antibiotics, leading to an irreversible shift towards drug resistance. Stopping treatment too soon may not prevent resistance from occurring.

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.

Thesis prize winner's calculations characterize neutrino interactions

Alessandro Baroni's thesis work using chiral effective field theory has characterized neutrino interactions with nuclei at low energy. His calculations combined theoretical framework and ab initio computational methods, leading to results in agreement with previous phenomenological calculations.

Balancing foreign judgments against domestic policies

A legal scholar at Singapore Management University has outlined two principles to help judges decide whether to recognize a foreign judgment that conflicts with domestic public policy. The proposed principles aim to uphold universal norms of justice while protecting community interests, guided by the concept of subsidiarity.

Booklet on childhood fever reduces antibiotic prescriptions if used

A cluster randomized controlled trial found that a parent-focused booklet on childhood fever reduced antibiotic prescribing rates by 11% when used. The study involved 25,355 children and showed that the booklet was effective in promoting self-management strategies and reducing the need for medication.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Use of prescribed testosterone therapy in US decreases in recent years

Testosterone prescriptions decreased in men without a clear indication following reports of increased heart attacks and strokes associated with testosterone use. The steep decline coincided with the FDA safety bulletin, leading to a decrease in prescribed testosterone therapy in the US.

Want to be an elite weightlifter? It takes a strong pair of knees

A new study published in Heliyon found that elite snatch style weightlifters have stronger knee joints and more elastic energy, allowing for faster and more efficient lifting. Coaches can use this knowledge to improve training methods and help sub-elite lifters reach their full potential.

Game changing game changes

A new framework, described in a paper published in Nature, models the evolution of cooperation based on repeated stochastic games. The system shows that even if cooperation does not evolve in individual games, it can emerge when combined with multiple games.

Bypass maneuver

A hybrid vocational track in Russia enables students from underprivileged families to access higher education, while also providing an option for upper-class families. According to the study, academic achievement plays a key role in determining whether students choose this pathway.

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.

Ecology and AI

Researchers from Harvard University and others demonstrated that deep learning can identify animal images with 99.3% accuracy, automating a laborious process. The technology has the potential to revolutionize fields like wildlife ecology and conservation.

Survey paints mixed view of New Yorkers' health

The NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES) found that New Yorkers are getting heavier, with obesity rates increasing among certain groups. The survey also showed high rates of depression and sleep problems, as well as persistent racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes.

Developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low, new study suggests

A new study suggests that developmental screening and surveillance rates remain low in the US, with only about one-third of young children receiving recommended screenings. The study found significant variations in rates across states, with Oregon performing as the top state and Mississippi struggling to meet the 17% benchmark.

Mapping the genetic controllers in heart disease

Researchers created a 3D map of enhancer-gene interactions that play a key role in cardiovascular disease. The map identifies the most important genes for developing new treatments for heart attacks, heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders.

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.

Two new USPSTF recommendation statements

The USPSTF concludes that current evidence is insufficient to make recommendations on screening for PAD and CVD risk with ABI in asymptomatic adults. Additionally, the task force finds that adding ABI, hsCRP level, and CAC score to traditional risk assessments does not prevent CVD events in asymptomatic adults.

Every person has a unique brain anatomy

Researchers found that brain anatomy is highly individualized, reflecting a combination of genetic and non-genetic influences. Over 90% accurate identification was achieved using MRI scans of nearly 200 healthy individuals.

NASA spots Typhoon Maria's ragged eyewall replacement

Typhoon Maria's ragged eyewall is a result of eyewall replacement, where the smaller inner eyewall deteriorates and becomes replaced by a larger outer one. The storm is moving northwest towards Taiwan and China, continuing to weaken.

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.

Challenging the conventional wisdom on calculus

A Harvard University study of over 6,000 college freshmen found that students who mastered algebra, geometry, and trigonometry had twice the impact on college calculus success as those who took calculus in high school. Weaker math students who took calculus in high school actually benefited the most from the class.

Evolution does repeat itself after all

A team of researchers identified factors contributing to recurrent patterns of diversity and similarity in cichlid fish. Habitat similarity is a key determinant of evolutionary predictability, with deeper lakes providing more ecological niches.

What separates the strong from weak among connections in the brain

A new study by neuroscientists at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory helps explain why strong synapses are stronger. The team found that strong active zones have higher calcium ion channels and more of the protein Bruchpilot, which clusters these channels, maximizing signal transmission. By studying how strong synapses dev...

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.

New technology for early detection of type 1 diabetes

A breakthrough discovery by RMIT University could enable early detection of Type 1 diabetes in newborns, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of the disease. The collaboration combines lab-on-a-chip technologies with biomarker detection to identify early loss of beta cells.

Face value

Researchers developed a video game, VERITAS, that improves players' ability to discern truth from lies. After one hour of training, players can accurately detect truth 68% of the time, compared to 56% initially.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Wider access to HIV prevention drugs still needed

Despite highly effective anti-HIV pharmaceuticals, HIV remains a persistent threat, with significant equity gaps in access to PrEP. Research identifies barriers affecting minority groups and highlights the need for targeted interventions to increase awareness and facilitate equitable access to PrEP.

Alternative splicing is crucial to muscle mass maintenance

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that alternative splicing is essential for maintaining adult muscle mass. Knocking out genes Rbfox1 and Rbfox2 in skeletal muscles led to rapid loss of muscle mass within four weeks. The study highlights the critical role of alternative splicing in adult muscle maintenance.

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.

Living in areas with less sun may increase your risk of OCD

A study from Binghamton University found that individuals living in areas with lower sunlight exposure may have a higher risk of developing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The researchers suggest that reduced morning light exposure could disrupt the internal biology and external light-dark cycle, leading to increased OCD symptoms.

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.

Unique brain 'fingerprint' can predict drug effectiveness

Researchers developed a personalized Therapeutic Intervention Fingerprint (pTIF) to predict the effectiveness of targeting specific biological factors for controlling neurological disease progression. This technique can categorize patients with their unique physiological needs, leading to more effective and tailored treatments.

Rocky planet neighbor looks familiar, but is not Earth's twin

Researchers have determined the detailed chemical abundances of Ross 128, a red dwarf star that hosts an exoplanet similar to our Solar System's Jupiter. This helps estimate the makeup of Ross 128 b, indicating it should be rocky with a temperate climate.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Finding a weak link in the frightful parasite Schistosoma

Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research identified key stem cells governing the complex life cycle of Schistosoma. A gene associated with germline development was also found, providing potential targets for prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis, a deadly neglected tropical disease affecting hundreds of millions.

World Trade Center response crews may face higher heart attack, stroke risk

A new study found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in blue-collar workers who responded to the World Trade Center plane attack on September 11, 2001, may increase their risk of heart attack and stroke. The study, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes Journal, included over 6,800 non-firefighter workers...

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.

As brain extracts meaning from vision, study tracks progression of processing

A new study tracked how the brain processes visual information from simple sensory inputs to meaningful categories, finding a continuum of activity across multiple cortical regions. The research challenges classic beliefs about separate regions playing distinct roles, suggesting a more integrated network of functional similarities.