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STAT2: Much more than an antiviral protein

STAT2, a protein associated with viral infections, also inhibits cell growth and regulates cellular processes. This discovery offers insights into overcoming limitations of interferon therapies and developing novel tools for studying STAT2 functionality.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 25, 2016

Conclusions based on PISA results deserve further attention

Researchers argue that PISA tests only capture a snapshot of students' math skills, neglecting earlier assessments and socio-economic factors. They also suggest that better-qualified teachers can improve student performance in formal mathematics.

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateOct 24, 2016

Big data methods under development at UGA will help tackle diseases

University of Georgia professor Ping Ma is developing statistical tools to analyze big data in disease research, with a focus on small RNAs and their role in alternative splicing. His work aims to provide efficient and robust computational strategies for analyzing large datasets without requiring expensive supercomputers.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·DateOct 24, 2016
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.

The universe is expanding at an accelerating rate -- or is it?

A team of scientists found that the evidence for an accelerating expansion of the universe may be flimsier than previously thought, with data consistent with a constant rate of expansion. The study challenges the standard cosmological concept and suggests that dark energy, a mysterious substance driving this acceleration, may not exist.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 21, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

UA uses big data to solve bus woes in Brazil

The University of Arizona's INSITE Center helps Fortaleza city planners use big data to understand bus delays and overcrowding. The team developed an online dashboard with real-time data on bus movements, passenger numbers, and weather conditions to inform decision-making.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateOct 13, 2016

UT Dallas researchers examine construction accidents in Gulf region

A UT Dallas study found that construction firms in the Gulf region operate with limited safety regulations or enforcement, leading to a high risk of accidents among migrant workers. The study identified inadequate training, language barriers, and a lack of effective communication as key causes of these accidents.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalApplied Ergonomics·DateOct 13, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

It pays to go beyond the last word when advertising using Google AdWords

A study by Indiana University researchers found that using a combination of first touch and last touch keyword metrics improves ROI by 5%. First touch bidding prioritizes broad keywords, attracting early searchers, while last touch bidding targets specific keywords used by consumers late in the search process

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateOct 11, 2016

Study: Hospital rankings may rely on faulty data

A study by Rush University Medical Center found discrepancies in hospital rankings due to faulty data, which can skew safety scores down. The authors suggest that rating systems try to account for severity of illness but often rely on flawed metrics.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalThe Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety·DateOct 6, 2016

Research details industry payments to dermatologists

A new study analyzed industry payments to 8,333 dermatologists in 2014, finding that the top 10% collected at least $3,940 and the top 1% received over $93,622. The majority of payments were for speaker fees, consulting, or research activities.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateOct 5, 2016
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.

Beat the stock market by satisfying customers

Researchers from Michigan State University found that creating a stock portfolio based on customer satisfaction data achieves cumulative returns of 518 percent. This surpasses the 31 percent increase for the S&P 500 Index in the same time period, with the customer satisfaction portfolio outperforming the benchmark in 14 out of 15 years.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateSep 6, 2016
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.

Politics affect views on healthcare quality -- but not on personal experience with care

A recent study published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality found that Democrats and Republicans have different views on the quality of healthcare, but those with recent illnesses had similar experiences. The research suggests that political differences in opinions about government regulation may contribute to these disparities.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal for Healthcare Quality·DateSep 1, 2016

The Great Elephant Census reports massive loss of African savanna elephants

The Great Elephant Census reports a substantial decline in African savanna elephant numbers over the last decade, with an estimated population of 352,271 in 18 countries. Poaching is the primary cause of this decline, with large numbers of carcasses found in protected areas indicating that elephants are struggling to survive.

SourcePeerJ·JournalPeerJ·DateAug 31, 2016
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.

The Great Elephant Census reports massive loss of African savanna elephants

The Great Elephant Census reports a 30% decline in savannah elephant populations over the last decade, primarily due to poaching. The census estimates that there are currently around 352,271 savannah elephants in Africa, with conservation efforts facing significant challenges to protect these endangered animals.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalPeerJ·DateAug 31, 2016

Attitudes towards traffic safety worldwide

The study analyzed responses from 142 respondents in 36 countries to identify key findings on traffic safety cultures worldwide. The results revealed two approaches to traffic safety culture: an objective reality-based approach and a threat-elimination focus, with poorer countries emphasizing safety.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Psychology Journal·DateAug 30, 2016

Researchers identify neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol use

The study identified 34 neural factors that predict adolescent alcohol consumption, showing improved accuracy compared to demographic information alone. The findings have significant clinical and public health implications, potentially helping prevent underage drinking.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateAug 30, 2016
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.

African bird shows signs of evil stepdad behavior

Research on the southern pied babbler reveals that dominant males preferentially treat their biological sons, while alienating their stepsons, which may have evolved as a survival strategy. This behavior has significant impacts on group dynamics and cooperative breeding habits.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalBiological Letters·DateAug 24, 2016

Whiskers help animals sense the direction of the wind

Researchers found that rats rely heavily on their whiskers to locate airflow sources, even when other sensory cues are available. The discovery could lead to the development of artificial flow sensors for robots.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 24, 2016
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.

Poaching patrol: New ranger methods decrease illegal activities

Researchers from the University of York have developed a new method to detect and decrease wildlife poaching in protected areas, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness for ranger patrols. The approach uses data analysis and patrol optimization to target high-risk areas and reduce costs without additional resources.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalConservation Letters·DateAug 17, 2016

Sex bias in human surgical clinical research

A study published in JAMA Surgery found that few studies included men and women equally, with wide variation in inclusion and matching of the sexes among specialties and journals. This sex bias can lead to different postoperative outcomes, complication rates, and readmission rates for males and females.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateAug 17, 2016

Cosmology: Lore of lonely regions

Researchers from LMU Munich analyzed data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to calculate the dynamics of cosmic voids. Their findings demonstrate that the analysis of voids is a suitable approach to investigating gravity in empty regions and determining the total density of matter in the universe.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 16, 2016
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.

NIST's rolling wireless net helps improve first-responder communications

NIST's Rapidly Deployable Public Safety Research Platform integrates commercial technologies to enhance emergency communication systems. The platform enables over 200 local users to communicate using voice, text, instant messages, video, and data, with a range of approximately 4 kilometers.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateAug 10, 2016

Marine citizen science: Room for growth

A recent survey of 1145 marine users found strong public support for citizen science projects, highlighting room for growth in this field. The study's findings have implications for both researchers and the general public, emphasizing the need for further research on citizen science's effectiveness.

SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateAug 10, 2016
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.

Millennials less sexually active than Gen-X peers

A study by San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge found that millennials are less likely to have had sex since turning 18 compared to Generation X peers. The researchers attribute this trend to increased safety concerns, reduced interaction time due to technology, and a risk-averse attitude.

SourceSan Diego State University·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateAug 2, 2016

Tweets better than Google Trends at forecasting TV program ratings

A recent study by INFORMS found that tweets are more effective in predicting future TV ratings than Google Trends. The researchers analyzed over 1.8 billion tweets and 113 million Google searches for TV shows during the 2008-2012 seasons.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalMarketing Science·DateAug 1, 2016

High animal protein intake associated with higher, plant protein with lower mortality rate

A large study found that high animal protein intake, particularly from red meats, was associated with a higher mortality rate. In contrast, high plant protein intake was linked to a lower risk of death. The study analyzed data from over 170,000 participants and found that the association disappeared in those with a healthy lifestyle.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateAug 1, 2016

Cognitive ability varies, but prejudice is universal

A recent study found that cognitive ability is not a consistent predictor of prejudice, and that low ability only predicts prejudice towards specific liberal and unconventional groups. High ability instead tends to predict prejudice against conservative and conventional groups.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological and Personality Science·DateJul 29, 2016

Racial differences in inpatient procedures after stroke

Research reveals racial differences in stroke care procedures, with minority patients receiving more life-sustaining treatments like gastrostomy and tracheostomy. However, curative procedures such as IVT and carotid revascularization were less common among minority patients, highlighting disparities in stroke care.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateJul 25, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Optimizing Monday Night Football

Researchers from the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business developed an optimization model that analyzes years of Monday Night Football viewership. The study identifies factors such as defending Super Bowl champions, high-profile personnel changes, and teams with high-powered offenses as key predictors of high ratings.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalStatistical Analysis and Data Mining The ASA Data Science Journal·DateJul 25, 2016

Sexual minority youth have higher rates of disordered eating behaviors

A new study found that sexual minority boys and girls are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating habits, with lesbian and bisexual girls facing a widening gap in rates. The study analyzed data from youth ages 12-18 and found disparities in disordered eating behaviors between sexual minority teens and their heterosexual peers.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders·DateJul 21, 2016
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

A mini-antenna for the data processing of tomorrow

Researchers have successfully generated spin waves with extremely short wavelengths in the nanometer range, a key feature for their future application. The new method uses a magnetic vortex as a nano-antenna, allowing for precise control over the wavelength and wave properties.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 19, 2016
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.

Ancient Brazilian pit house occupied continuously for centuries

A study published in PLOS ONE found that a proto-Jê pit house in southern Brazil was continually occupied and extended over two centuries. The researchers used radiocarbon dating and Bayesian modeling to analyze the site, which revealed twelve well-preserved floors with different types of ceramics and renovation techniques.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 14, 2016

Study uses text-mining to improve market intelligence on startups

Researchers developed a cloud-based system using big data analytics and topic modeling to analyze startup companies' business descriptions. The approach identifies potential matches based on business proximity, geographic location, social links, and common investor ownership.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalMIS Quarterly·DateJul 13, 2016

July/August 2016 Annals of Family Medicine tip sheet

This study reveals a significant increase in prediabetes prevalence among healthy-weight adults over 18 years, highlighting the need for revised screening recommendations. Additionally, inadequate hydration is linked to higher BMI and obesity rates, suggesting drinking more water could be an effective tool against the obesity epidemic.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 11, 2016

Return-to-play rates high for football players after shoulder instability surgery

A new study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that surgical treatment for shoulder instability in collegiate athletes can lead to high return-to-play rates, especially for those who played at high levels previously. Athletes with scholarships were more likely to return as starters after surgery.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 8, 2016

The BMJ reports on disclosure UK

The BMJ has released a series of infographics revealing UK doctors' payments from pharmaceutical companies, showing that those with the highest earnings are less likely to disclose payments. The database is seen as a step towards greater transparency and public accountability, but critics argue it is insufficient.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateJul 7, 2016
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.

Research: Your kids are what you eat

A recent study found that parental diet quality has a significant impact on children's diet quality, with too few vegetables and empty calories being major contributors. Researchers analyzed data from over 600 parent-child duos and found that parents had better diet scores than kids, but only by a small margin.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateJul 6, 2016