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Science News Archive May 2018


Page 42 of 44

Flaw found in water treatment method

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a flaw in the water treatment process that can create toxic transformation products, including 2-butene-1,4-dial. This compound has been linked to negative effects on human cells and may be responsible for toxicity in cigarette smoke and car exhaust.

Understanding fear of guilt key in better treating OCD

A new study at University of Waterloo found that fear of guilt evokes feelings of doubt in decision-making, leading to indecisiveness and repetition in OCD patients. The study's results suggest that addressing this specific factor could improve treatment outcomes for individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Organic printing inks may restore sight to blind people

Researchers have developed a tiny, simple photoactive film that converts light impulses into electrical signals, stimulating neurons and potentially restoring sight to blind people. The technology uses cheap and widely-available organic pigments and has been successfully tested in experiments with non-functioning retinas.

No evidence of 'gaming' after death rates for bowel surgeons published

A study published by The BMJ found no evidence of 'gaming' after death rates for bowel surgeons were publicly reported. However, improvements were seen in mortality rates for patients undergoing non-emergency surgery, suggesting that the introduction of public reporting may have triggered better outcomes through teamwork.

Hawking's last paper co-authored with ERC grantee posits new cosmology

Hawking's final theory on the origin of the universe predicts a simpler and finite universe, contradicting the prevailing theory of eternal inflation. The new theory, developed by Hawking and ERC grantee Thomas Hertog, proposes that the universe is reasonably smooth and globally finite.

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.

Frequent sauna bathing reduces risk of stroke

A 15-year study found that people taking saunas four to seven times a week were 61% less likely to suffer a stroke than those taking one session per week. Frequent sauna bathing also reduces cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk.

Are emperor penguins eating enough?

Researchers use time-lapse video observations to determine the foraging success of Emperor penguins, which is crucial in understanding their diet and adaptability to a warming Antarctic. The study's findings may inform conservation measures to protect the critically endangered species.

A novel voltage peak in the metal nanowire-superconductor hybrid structure

A novel voltage signal has been observed in a hybrid metal nanowire-superconductor structure, where the voltage peak appears at the proximity-induced superconducting transition temperature and is proportional to the cooling rate. This finding offers a new method for detecting superconductivity without damaging or dissipating current.

UH engineer seeks to learn more about crystal formation

A UH engineer is working to understand how crystals form in soft materials, with potential applications in drug design, biomedical diagnostics and petrochemical production. The researcher aims to control the crystallization process to improve outcomes in various fields.

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.

Researchers discover connection between circadian rhythm and aggression

A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen has confirmed a connection between the circadian rhythm and aggression in Alzheimer's patients. The team identified a circuit linking the brain's circadian clock to an aggression centre, suggesting a potential target for pharmacological intervention. This discovery may lead to new ...

PD-L1 expression in medulloblastoma: An evaluation by subgroup

Research findings show that PD-L1 expression facilitates immune escape in medulloblastoma patients. The study identifies subgroup-specific variations in PD-L1 expression and its relationship with therapeutic responses. Immune adjuvant therapies may be necessary to fully realize the benefits of PD-1 blockade treatments.

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.

It all comes down to roughness

The study shows that using rough particles can significantly reduce the amount of material needed to achieve sudden solidification in suspensions. This could lead to improved cement flow characteristics and potential applications in everyday materials like bullet-proof vests.

New leads on treating dementia and Alzheimer's

A recent study sheds light on the role of inflammation in dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that inflammation is a major cause rather than just a consequence. The research found that many genes linked to dementia regulate susceptibility and response to inflammatory damage.

NASA finds Tropical Cyclone Flamboyan in a southeastern stretch

Tropical Cyclone Flamboyan has been weakened by strong vertical wind shear, with precipitation pushed southeast of its center. The storm's elongated low-level circulation center is due to the presence of high winds, leading to a gradual decay over the next couple of days.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Plant breeders balance shared innovation, revenue

Researchers recommend developing best practices for revenue sharing, increasing funding for public programs, and establishing professional standards for sharing plant breeding materials. This can support the development of low-return, high-value crops that benefit both farmers and society as a whole.

Protecting campus free speech, even when it challenges beliefs

A Cornell University study suggests that understanding biases is key to resolving conflicts over free speech, as psychological science has shown many types of bias can prevent opposing sides from accepting each other's arguments. The researchers argue that college experiences should involve challenging beliefs, even when uncomfortable.

Whooping cough more widespread than previously known

According to Public Health Ontario and ICES, whooping cough cases in Ontario are more frequent than previously known, with estimated cases being nearly double reported cases. This highlights the need for people to ensure their immunizations are up-to-date to limit potential infection and spread.

Why Antarctic snow melts even in winter

Researchers found that Antarctic glaciers can experience surface melting during the winter months due to warm winds. The Larsen C ice sheet shows large meltwater lakes forming, which may affect ice-shelf stability and contribute to sea-level rise if ponds cause ice shelves to break up.

NASA's GPM examines developing US severe weather

The GPM core satellite analyzed severe weather in the US, predicting a surge of spring tornadoes after a drought. Moisture-laden air from the Gulf of Mexico interacted with dry air, resulting in thunderstorms that spawned rotation and tornadoes.

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.

Valleytronics discovery could extend limits of Moore's Law

Researchers have discovered a new material that can absorb and selectively reemit light, providing a platform to understand how information is stored and processed in valleytronics devices. This breakthrough could enable the development of operational valleytronic devices with increased computing power and data storage density.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Blacks, whites equally as likely to be prescribed opioids for pain

A recent study from the University of Michigan found that racial disparities in opioid prescribing have decreased, with blacks and whites now receiving equal numbers of opioid prescriptions. However, blacks are at a higher risk of addiction due to prescription narcotic exposure.

Use of ibuprofen and similar NSAIDs may shorten life of patients

A study published in Kidney Cancer found that non-aspirin NSAID use was associated with shorter overall survival time for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The use of these medications can cause kidney-specific toxicity, leading to increased blood pressure and decreased renal function.

Strategy prevents blindness in mice with retinal degeneration

Researchers at Duke University have developed a strategy that delays blindness in mice with retinal degeneration by boosting cells' ability to process misfolded proteins. The approach could potentially be used to prevent cell death in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's and Parkinson's.

Dielectric metamaterial is dynamically tuned by light

The new technology can control electromagnetic waves in many different ways by adjusting the size and angle of tiny silicon cylinders within a grid structure. This allows for subwavelength control, faster reconfiguration, and potentially improved security scanners and visual displays.

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 insights into the origins of mutations in cancer

Researchers used human and C. elegans data to understand the mutational causes of cancer, finding a resemblance between nematode worms and human cancer genomes. They discovered DNA mismatch repair deficiencies in both species, providing insights into the causes of cancer and potential treatment avenues.

Opioids over-prescribed after hiatal hernia surgery

A study presented at the AATS 98th Annual Meeting found that patients used far fewer opioids than were prescribed after open and laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair. The study identified several factors contributing to over-prescribing, including inadequate patient education and improper use of adjunct pain medications.

Sweating the small stuff

Researchers developed a new membrane with nanoscale pores that allows for controlled sweat stimulant release, mitigating issues with direct dermal contact and sweat dilution. The technology has the potential to improve wearable biosensing devices for measuring small samples of sweat.

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.

Vitamin D improves weight gain and brain development in malnourished children

A study led by Queen Mary University of London found that high-dose vitamin D supplements significantly boosted weight gain in malnourished children. Vitamin D supplementation also resulted in substantial reductions in delayed motor development and language development, with potential implications for the management of severe acute mal...

$3.6 million boost in search for new malaria drugs

A global charity grant will support researchers in Australia and the US to identify 'drug-like' molecules for treating malaria. The new treatments aim to target deadly forms of the disease, such as Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, with a focus on long-term effectiveness.

Hormone from fat boosts metabolism in both exercise and cold

Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have discovered a hormone in fat that boosts metabolism during exercise and cold exposure. The hormone, 12,13-diHOME, is released from brown fat and offers beneficial metabolic effects. Further studies are underway to understand its role in obesity and metabolic disease.

Rapid increase of synthetic opioids involved in drug overdose deaths

In a recent study published in JAMA Network, synthetic opioids were found to be involved in 45.9% of opioid-related deaths in 2016, up from 14.3% in 2010. The study highlights the growing threat of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, and their increasing role in overdose deaths

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.

Blood type O patients may have higher risk of death from severe trauma

A study published in Critical Care found that blood type O patients had a death rate of 28% after severe trauma, compared to 11% for patients with other blood types. The researchers suggest that lower levels of von Willebrand factor may be linked to higher hemorrhage rates and increased mortality.

Palliative care improves hospital care for seriously ill patients

A new study from Trinity College Dublin found that palliative care significantly improves patient experience by reducing hospital stays and costs. For patients with complex health needs, which often come with high costs, palliative care can expedite discharge and improve outcomes.

As consumers, how do we decide what's 'best' when it's not clear?

A new study found that consumers tend to make choices in a 'boundedly rational' way, relying on predispositions while keeping an open mind to strong evidence. This is particularly true when product quality is ambiguous, such as with generic products versus brand-name alternatives.

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.

Post-mortem CT angiography illuminates causes of death

A study found that post-mortem CT angiography outperformed conventional autopsy in detecting skeletal and vascular lesions, which can provide crucial information in post-mortem examinations. The technique showed high sensitivity and specificity, making it an excellent choice for investigating traumatic deaths.

Traffic-related pollution linked to risk of asthma in children

A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that children living close to major roadways had nearly three times the odds of pediatric asthma compared to those who lived farther away. The researchers also discovered a stronger link between lifetime pollution and asthma among school-age girls.

New study finds pureed pork supports infant growth

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that introducing pureed pork as a complementary food to formula-fed infants can support early growth and development. The research suggests that meat-based diets may be beneficial for linear growth, with no increased risk of overweight at 12 months of age.

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.

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.

Virus inhibits immune response of caterpillars and plants

A new study reveals that a polydnavirus suppresses the defense mechanisms of both caterpillar hosts and plant hosts, allowing parasitic wasps to thrive. The virus reduces glucose oxidase in caterpillars' saliva, triggering lower enzyme activity and defense-gene expression in plants.