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Science News Archive May 2018 - Page 26


Page 26 of 44

World's fastest water heater -- 100,000 degrees in 0.000 000 000 000 075 seconds

Researchers use X-ray laser to heat water from room temperature to 100,000 degrees Celsius in less than a tenth of a picosecond, producing an exotic state of matter. This study has significant implications for understanding the properties of water and its behavior under extreme conditions.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Otago study shows 'giant' problem looms for aging population

A University of Otago study found that New Zealanders with dementia and older men have poorer oral health, with dirtier and more decayed teeth. The researchers emphasize the need for improved oral care in aged residential care, citing higher rates of cognitive and physical impairments as a major challenge.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalGerodontology·DateMay 14, 2018

Scientists find missing factor in gene activation

A team of scientists discovered a key factor that unravels nucleosomes, allowing genes to activate. This finding provides new insights into the regulation of genes and has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 14, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

What financial markets, cancer cells, and global warming have in common

A team of biophysicists from FAU presents a mathematically concise method for comparing different pricing models, predicting more accurately how parameters such as volatility change over time. This method enables researchers to identify triggering events in real-time and pinpoint invasive cancer cells.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2018

Gout not associated with increased risk of fracture, study finds

A large study published in CMAJ found that gout is not associated with an increased risk of fracture. Researchers from Keele University studied over 31,000 patients with gout and their matched controls, finding a similar rate of fractures in both groups.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

The digital doctor's visit: Enormous potential benefits with equally big risk

The use of digital recordings in medical visits holds great promise for improving healthcare outcomes, including enhanced patient engagement, shared decision-making, and education. However, the authors caution that there are pressing need to develop new policies on data collection, management, and storage.

SourceThe Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice·JournalThe BMJ·DateMay 14, 2018

Simple equation directs creation of clean-energy catalysts

Nebraska researchers have identified a simple equation to design less costly and more efficient catalysts for producing renewable hydrogen fuel. The team found that surrounding certain transition metals with specific environments can elevate their performance, making them viable alternatives to precious metals.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Catalysis·DateMay 14, 2018

Consumer sleep technology is no substitute for medical evaluation

A position statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine emphasizes the need for medical evaluation over consumer sleep technology. While wearables and apps may provide valuable data, they are not a substitute for comprehensive testing.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Motivation to move may start with being mindful

A new study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that a mindfulness-based stress reduction program was as effective as structured exercise programs in increasing physical activity and extending life expectancy. The program involved 2.5 hours of meditation, self-awareness, and breathing exercises per week.

SourceIowa State University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateMay 14, 2018

Brain activity alternates while stepping

Researchers studied Parkinson's patients with deep brain stimulation and found that brain activity alternates between the left and right sides of the brain while stepping. The introduction of a metronome improved accuracy and enhanced beta activity.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMay 14, 2018

Email encryption standards hacked

Researchers demonstrated that two common email encryption standards are vulnerable to attacks, compromising secure communication. The S/MIME standard is not suitable for secure communication due to outdated cryptography, while OpenPGP can be configured securely but often isn't.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Salmon abundance and short-tailed shearwaters

Research highlights transhemispheric ecosystem link spanning Pacific Ocean between pink salmon abundance and short-tailed shearwater populations. Declining short-tailed shearwater productivity linked to increasing pink salmon abundance in North Pacific Ocean.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

First description of mEAK-7 gene could suggest path toward therapies for cancer

Researchers characterized mEAK-7, a human equivalent of EAK-7, which regulates cell growth and development. The study found that mEAK-7 activates an alternative pathway in cells, potentially controlling disease progression. Disrupting this process could lead to new therapies for cancer and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 14, 2018

Rhino horn used to comfort the terminally ill in Vietnam

A new Danish-Vietnamese study has found that Vietnamese consumers buy rhino horn for symbolic gestures to console terminally ill family members, rather than traditional medical reasons. The study suggests that a legal trade of farmed rhino horn is unlikely to reduce poaching, and that other strategies are needed to address the problem.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalHuman Dimensions of Wildlife·DateMay 14, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Socioeconomic status and brain network organization

Middle-aged adults with lower socioeconomic status exhibit less organized functional brain networks and reduced cortical gray matter thickness compared to those with higher SES. The study suggests that SES influences brain anatomy and network organization across adulthood, playing a role in age-related brain decline.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Robot teaches itself how to dress people

A robot at Georgia Tech has learned to dress people by analyzing simulated examples of dressing a human. The robot uses its sense of touch to guide the garment onto a person's arm and predict the consequences of different motions.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateMay 14, 2018

Researchers identify the most accurate risk prediction models for selecting whom to screen

Four risk prediction models have been shown to be most accurate for selecting the highest risk ever-smokers for lung cancer screening, suggesting that these findings can inform future lung cancer screening guidelines. The models picked similar numbers of ever-smokers and showed the best agreement on which ever-smokers to select.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Screening for impaired vision in older adults: New Canadian guideline

The new Canadian guideline recommends against routine screening for visual impairment in older adults living independently, as it does not prevent limitations on daily living. Instead, patients should make their own appointments for regular vision screening or seek help if they suspect visual problems.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateMay 14, 2018

A micro-thermometer to record tiny temperature changes

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have created a micrometer-wide thermometer that can measure small and rapid temperature changes in real time. The device is sensitive to heat generated by optical and electron beams, enabling its use in various fields such as photo-thermal cancer treatment and advanced research on crystals.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 14, 2018

Even low concentrations of silver can foil wastewater treatment

Research at Oregon State University found that silver nanoparticles can inhibit beneficial bacteria in wastewater treatment plants, leading to excessive nutrient levels and eutrophication. The study suggests that short-term exposure studies may underestimate the potential toxicity of long-term, low-concentration exposure situations.

SourceOregon State University·JournalChemosphere·DateMay 14, 2018

Understanding steam burns

Researchers have solved the mystery of steam burns, revealing that water vapour penetrates skin pores to cause second-degree burns. The epidermis cannot protect against steam, which condenses in the lower dermal layer, releasing thermal energy and triggering damage. To minimize damage, cooling is essential for a long time.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 14, 2018

May/June 2018 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

A simple visual screening tool can identify older adults at increased risk for dementia after a minor decline on the Mini-Mental-State-Examination. Early career family physicians with a broader scope of practice report lower burnout rates, while resilience training alone may not be enough to address burnout.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Lignin -- A supergreen fuel for fuel cells

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a lignin-based fuel cell that converts the chemical energy of forest fuels into electricity without emitting carbon dioxide. The use of conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS as both electrode and proton conductor enables efficient proton-coupled electron transfer reactions.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Sustainable Systems·DateMay 14, 2018

Elastic microspheres expand understanding of embryonic development and cancer cells

Researchers have developed a technique to quantify 3D forces within cells using elastic microspheres filled with fluorescent nanoparticles. The study found that these mechanical forces play a fundamental role in cell physiology and may help unlock mysteries related to embryonic development and cancer stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2018

Nanomedicine -- Targeting cancer cells with sugars

Cancer cells express specific sugar receptors that can be targeted for better drug delivery. Researchers are developing nanocarrier formulations to accumulate in tumor sites and minimize side effects.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateMay 14, 2018

Ecological systems research: What do disturbances in the system result in?

The study investigates the effects of different disturbance events on a simple microbial food web, finding that the type of disturbance affects bacterial communities and stability. The results highlight the importance of considering trophic interactions and time factors in ecological systems.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 14, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Uncertainty in long-run economic growth likely points toward greater emissions, climate change costs

Researchers found substantially higher uncertainty than assumed in current climate change studies, with a median per capita output growth rate of 2.03% per year. This new understanding of uncertainty will affect policy planning globally.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

Homeless veterans at increased risk of hospital readmission after surgery

A study published in Medical Care found that homeless veterans are more likely to experience unplanned hospital readmissions after surgery, particularly those discharged to nursing homes. Homeless veterans were younger and had lower rates of medical diseases but higher rates of mental health problems, contributing to the increased risk.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalMedical Care·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

CAMH study shows details of brain networks in autism

A CAMH study analyzed over 1,000 brain scans to provide new insights into brain networks in people with autism. The personalized brain mapping approach showed that each person's brain has unique differences in network functioning despite sharing the same diagnosis.

SourceCentre for Addiction and Mental Health·JournalBiological Psychology·DateMay 14, 2018

Roles and functions of community health workers in primary care

Community health workers provide a range of functions including care coordination, health coaching, and social support to improve patient outcomes. By utilizing community health workers, care teams can better manage workload and improve patient care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Feeding schedule maintains normal food intake in obese mice

A mouse study found that time-restricted feeding maintains normal food intake and reduces weight gain in obese mice. The researchers discovered that restricting food availability to one half of the day resets the normal timing of satiety signals, leading to less weight gain.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

Scientists' discovery in Yellowstone 'extremely relevant' to origin of life

Researchers found a new archetype of microbes living in Yellowstone National Park's thermal features that sheds light on the origin of life and the importance of iron in early Earth. The discovery is critical to understanding the universal tree of life and evolutionary history of the Earth.

SourceMontana State University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 14, 2018

Spread of neotropical biodiversity

Researchers studied 4,450 species in American tropics, finding Amazonia as primary source of diversity, with over 2,800 lineages. The study highlights the role of dispersal in assembling regional biotas across Mesoamerica and northern South America.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

A new drug shows preclinical efficacy in Rett syndrome

A new drug has been found to reduce symptoms and activate dormant neurons in preclinical models of Rett syndrome, a genetic disorder causing intellectual disability. The treatment, SB216763, also shows promise in improving quality of life by lengthening lifespan and reducing tremors and breathing difficulties.

SourceIDIBELL-Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 14, 2018

Social challenges are associated with poorer health outcomes

Half of primary care patients face social challenges, leading to poorer health outcomes and reduced access to preventive services. More complex cases were associated with higher rates of ambulatory and emergency care visits.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
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.

New phase of globalization could undermine efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

A new study found that global carbon production from Chinese exports has slowed or reversed, as developing countries shift trade among themselves. The growth of South-South trade has more than doubled between 2004 and 2011, leading to a surge in CO2 emissions in regions like Vietnam and Bangladesh.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2018

Hungry, hungry hippos

A new study by UC Santa Barbara community ecologist Keenan Stears examines how hippos shape the ecology of freshwater ecosystems. The research found that high-density hippo pools with excess nutrients cause dissolved oxygen levels to decline, leading to a decline in fish diversity and abundance.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018

A theoretical model to alleviate primary care strain

A new co-management model between nurse practitioners and physicians reduces primary care clinician workload, alleviating burnout and fatigue. The effective model requires three core attributes: communication, mutual respect, and a shared philosophy of care.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 14, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Genetic markers and database illuminate fish evolution

A comprehensive genomic database for fishes has resolved evolutionary relationships among 131 species, including tuna and seahorses, and identified genetic markers to track divergence through time.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2018