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Is targeting aging the future of medicine? Researchers make the case

Researchers argue that intervening on biological aging mechanisms can slow multiple age-related diseases, extending health span. Geroscience seeks to define the underlying causes of aging, aiming to delay or prevent diseases simultaneously.

SourceThe Gerontological Society of America·JournalPublic Policy & Aging Report·DateDec 18, 2019
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.

Booze on the brain

Researchers at Santa Clara University identified a specific brain pathway that helps regulate drinking behavior, which may be disrupted in individuals with alcohol use disorder. The study suggests that this pathway's dysfunction could contribute to the development of compulsive drinking habits.

SourceSanta Clara University·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateDec 18, 2019

Study identifies way for employers to retain casual workers

A University of Waterloo study found that positive feelings about work in general and a psychological attachment to the organization are crucial for casual workers to return the following year. Job enrichment was shown to increase work engagement and organizational commitment among seasonal student workers.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalManaging Sport and Leisure·DateDec 17, 2019

Taking an X-ray of an atomic bond

Researchers have developed a new technique to study electron behavior in atomic bonds using resonant x-ray reflectivity. This method allows for the measurement of individual elements' contributions to their shared bond, providing insights into the degree of covalent and ionic bonding.

SourceDrexel University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 17, 2019

Hospital patient portals lack specific and informative instructions for patients

Patient portals provide access to health information and communication with clinicians, but many hospitals fail to offer clear guidance on using them. The study found that over half of secure messaging portals lacked detailed instructions on appropriate message content, leading to confusion among patients.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateDec 16, 2019

Researchers explore factors affecting money management skills in multiple sclerosis

A study found that individuals with multiple sclerosis who struggle with money management have difficulty with executive functioning and low depressive symptomatology. This can lead to serious financial, legal, and psychological consequences. Understanding these underlying factors is crucial for identifying those at risk and providing ...

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Neurology·DateDec 16, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Students do better in school when they can understand, manage emotions

A comprehensive meta-analysis of over 160 studies involving 42,000 students from 27 countries reveals that emotionally intelligent students tend to achieve better academic performance. Higher emotional intelligence is linked to improved grades, achievement test scores, and social relationships with teachers, peers, and family.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychological Bulletin·DateDec 12, 2019
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.

Genetic breakthrough identifies heart failure risk in African and Latino Americans

A new study has identified a genetic variation that significantly increases the risk of heart failure in African and Latino Americans. The transthyretin or TTR V122I genetic variant was associated with an increased risk of heart failure, with patients being two-fold more likely to have the condition.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateDec 10, 2019
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.

Loneliness may be due to increasing aging population

Despite growing older population, studies show that loneliness levels among similar-aged adults have not increased over time, but rather above age 75, loneliness increases. Researchers suggest older adults maintain good health, social relationships to reduce loneliness.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateDec 10, 2019
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.

Emerging role of adenosine in brain disorders and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Researchers explore the role of adenosine in neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, with a focus on its potential as a drug target for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Studies review changes in adenosine metabolism and receptor function in ALS patients and experimental models.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Caffeine and Adenosine Research·DateDec 6, 2019

Stanford scientists reliably predict people's age by measuring proteins in blood

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a blood test that can reliably predict a person's age with 97% accuracy. By measuring the levels of 373 proteins in the blood, the test can identify three distinct inflection points in the human life cycle where physiological aging accelerates. This breakthrough could...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 5, 2019

What is a scream? The acoustics of a primal human call

Human screams share specific acoustic characteristics, including higher pitch and roughness, variability in frequency, and a wider range of sound waves. Listeners can readily distinguish screams from other human calls, highlighting the unique properties of this primal human call.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nonverbal Behavior·DateDec 5, 2019
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.

Next generation of CAR-T cells possible

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a new approach to programming CAR-T cells that can prolong their activity and increase their effectiveness against human cancer cells. The technique uses ATAC-Seq to understand what happens when T cells become exhausted, and modifying CAR-T cells to restore balance in...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature·DateDec 5, 2019

Unemployment encourages men to try traditionally female-dominated work

A study by University of North Carolina at Charlotte researchers found that unemployed men are more likely to transition to female-dominated jobs, resulting in higher wages (4% increase) and increased occupational prestige. This shift may help offset the negative effects of unemployment on job status.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalSocial Science Research·DateDec 3, 2019

NIH study reports more than half of US office-based physicians recommend CHA

A new study published in JACM found that more than half (53.1%) of US office-based physicians recommended at least one CHA to their patients, with female physicians more likely to do so. Massage therapy was the most commonly recommended CHA, followed by chiropractic/osteopathic manipulation and herbs/nonvitamin supplements.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateDec 2, 2019

Advancement made in the visualization of large, complex datasets

Researchers can now visualize data from samples containing tens of millions of cells with unprecedented resolution, pinpointing previously undetectable features that distinguish diseased samples from controls. This advancement may lead to discovery of novel cell types to therapeutically target diseases.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2019
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Why do we freeze when startled? New study in flies points to serotonin

A Columbia University study finds that serotonin is the chemical that drives a fly's startle response, causing it to freeze momentarily. The research provides insights into the biology of this ubiquitous phenomenon and offers clues about what may happen in human bodies when we get startled.

SourceThe Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 27, 2019

Does frailty affect outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury?

A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that frailty is a significant predictor of poor outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury, particularly in patients younger than 75. The researchers identified frailty as a risk factor for adverse events, acute hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·DateNov 21, 2019

Neighborhood matters for fentanyl-involved overdose deaths

A study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that fentanyl-involved overdose deaths are concentrated in resource-deprived neighborhoods. The research used census block group-level data to examine the local geographic distribution of drug overdoses, revealing a unique perspective on overdose locations.

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateNov 21, 2019
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.

Peritoneal dialysis use has increased in the United States after Medicare payment reform

The use of peritoneal dialysis increased significantly among US patients with kidney failure following a Medicare payment policy implemented in 2011. More patients initiated dialysis with peritoneal dialysis and switched from hemodialysis to peritoneal dialysis, indicating a positive impact on an underutilized form of dialysis.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateNov 21, 2019

Addressing challenges in inter-rater reliability in traditional chinese medicine

A systematic review found that levels of agreement were low to moderate, highlighting the need for better experimental controls and more thorough reporting of outcomes in TCM research. New statistical approaches may also be suited to analyze Traditional Chinese Medical patterns.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateNov 20, 2019

Creating viral targets can weaken HIV vaccination

Creating too many Th1 cells at mucosal sites compromises effective vaccine protection against HIV. Researchers have identified a key balance needed to stimulate the immune response without increasing susceptibility to the virus.

SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 20, 2019

Anal cancer rates and mortality have risen dramatically among Americans

Anal cancer diagnoses and deaths related to human papillomavirus (HPV) have increased dramatically over the last 15 years, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The study found that anal cancer rates and mortality rates had more than doubled for people in their 50s and 60s.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateNov 19, 2019

UTHealth awarded $3.3 million to expand popular literacy program

The Developing Talkers program has been successful, with over 6,000 Texas teachers using the adapted programs in their classrooms. The new grant aims to develop and test a more advanced version of the program with 200 kindergarten teachers and 800 students.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·DateNov 19, 2019
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.

Personality traits affect retirement spending

A new study published by the American Psychological Association found that people with greater conscientiousness, extroversion, and positive emotions withdraw from their retirement portfolios at a lower rate. However, higher portfolio withdrawal rates may be concerning if it leads to early depletion of savings.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalPsychology and Aging·DateNov 18, 2019

The Mark Foundation funds projects at the intersection of AI and cancer research

The Mark Foundation has awarded $2.2 million to fund projects exploring the intersection of AI and cancer research, including detecting pancreatic cancer tumors using 3D renderings and predicting patient responses to immunotherapies. Researchers aim to develop new tools for early cancer detection and improve treatment outcomes.

SourceThe Mark Foundation for Cancer Research·DateNov 16, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Diet trials often amend their outcome measures as they go

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 86% of diet trials amended their primary outcomes. This discrepancy raises questions about the rigor of these trials and potential biases. Researchers are calling for more investment in rigorous diet research to pin down the effects of dietary changes.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 13, 2019

Improving trauma pain outcomes

A 7-year prospective cohort study found that early use of regional anesthesia is associated with sustained pain benefits throughout rehabilitation and recovery. The study suggests that effective, agile pain interventions can play an important role in reducing future pain.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalRegional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine·DateNov 13, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

In states where recreational marijuana is legal, problematic use increased among adults and teens

A new study found that problematic marijuana use increased by 25% among adolescents aged 12-17, while past-month frequent use rose by 23% among adults aged 26 or older after recreational legalization. The study suggests investing in substance use prevention and treatment to prevent unintended harms.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateNov 13, 2019

Practice characteristics and job satisfaction among GPs in 11 countries

Job dissatisfaction among general practitioners (GPs) varies greatly across countries, with higher rates found in Germany and lower in Norway. Factors such as workload, administrative burdens, and limitations on appointments contribute to dissatisfaction.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateNov 12, 2019
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.

For first time, potential treatment path becomes clear for subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Scripps Research scientists have discovered a way to stop a problematic enzyme from wreaking havoc on peripheral nervous system cells in patients with a specific subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. By preventing the enzyme's entry into the nucleus, researchers achieved a complete rescue of symptoms in fruit fly models.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 7, 2019
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.

Bloodlines may matter more than love when it comes to health

Research suggests that family emotional climate has a significant effect on overall health, including the development or worsening of chronic conditions. In contrast, intimate partner relationships showed no significant associations with later health outcomes.

SourceAmerican Psychological Association·JournalJournal of Family Psychology·DateNov 7, 2019

Study finds association between physical activity, lower risk of fracture

A new study found that regular physical activity, including lighter intensity activities like walking, reduces the risk of hip and total fracture in postmenopausal women by 18% and 6%, respectively. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 77,000 participants and suggests that even modest activities can sig...

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 6, 2019
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.

The cost of waiting in emergency departments

A new study published in Economic Inquiry reveals that prolonging emergency department wait times increases hospital costs, with moderate and severe cases bearing the brunt of the expenses. The study found a 3-6% cost increase for moderately severe cases and 6% for serious cases.

SourceWiley·JournalEconomic Inquiry·DateNov 6, 2019

Feast or famine: Scientists find key bio 'switch' that helps cells adapt

Researchers from UNC School of Medicine and Stanford University found that crotonyl marks on histones help cells adapt to low-nutrient conditions by repressing growth genes. This mechanism may be a future target for cancer therapy, as proteins similar to the identified yeast protein are often disrupted in cancers.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 5, 2019

Study shows media overlook best practices when reporting a celebrity suicide death

A study by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that media coverage of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain's suicides did not always follow best practices, increasing the risk of contagion among vulnerable individuals. The study highlights the importance of following suicide reporting guidelines to reduce this risk.

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 1, 2019

Being physically active can lower older adults' risk for dying

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that low levels of physical activity are associated with higher risks of mortality among Brazilian older adults. The research suggests that regular physical activity can help reduce deaths from heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

SourceAmerican Geriatrics Society·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateNov 1, 2019
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.

Distinct brain region alterations in youth with psychosis spectrum disorders

A study found that youth with psychosis spectrum disorders exhibit surface area reductions in key brain regions, including orbitofrontal, cingulate, precentral, and postcentral areas. These changes are not seen in typically developing youth or those with bipolar spectrum disorders.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 29, 2019

Ashes to concrete

Researchers at Drexel University have created a coal ash aggregate that helps concrete cure, reducing the time it takes for concrete to harden and improving its durability. The additive, called SPoRA, promotes a uniform hardening process from the inside out, providing a solution to concrete drying problems.

SourceDrexel University·JournalCement and Concrete Composites·DateOct 29, 2019

Workplace sales ban on sugared drinks shows positive health effects

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that a workplace ban on sugared drinks led to a 48.5% reduction in consumption and improvements in insulin resistance and total cholesterol levels among participants.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateOct 28, 2019
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.

Kidney replacement therapy rates have remained higher in men vs. women for decades

Rates for all types of kidney replacement therapy were consistently higher in men than women in European countries from 1965 to 2015. The male-to-female ratio increased with age and was particularly high for diabetic patients, suggesting that biological or access-related factors may be at play.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateOct 24, 2019

Zeroing in on how a tumor suppressor protein is cast away

Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered that BRK kinase binds to and leads to the breakdown of SMAD4, a key tumor suppressor protein. This finding suggests that targeting BRK may help retain SMAD4 function, reducing or stopping tumor growth in breast cancer.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 23, 2019