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Science News Archive 2013 - Page 186


Page 186 of 352

Surprise species at risk from climate change

A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that up to 83% of birds, 66% of amphibians, and 70% of corals are highly vulnerable to climate change but not currently listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List. This means they may not be receiving focused conservation attention, putting their survival at risk.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 24, 2013

Modified immune cells seek and destroy melanoma

Researchers engineered dendritic cells to recognize protein fragments from cancer-specific antigens, eliciting an immune response that led to partial and complete clinical responses in patients with active disease. The study suggests a promising approach for enhancing immune recognition of melanoma cells.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 24, 2013
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.

Changing minds about climate change policy can be done -- sometimes

Researchers found that open-minded people became more supportive of government intervention after viewing videos presenting both sides of the issue. Closed-minded individuals did not change their views, regardless of the messages they received. The study suggests climate change denialists may be less effective in swaying public opinion.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Communication·DateJun 24, 2013

1 in 10 female German or British tourists holidaying in southern Europe suffers sexual harassment

A study by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention found that 8.6% of people suffered sexual harassment and 1.5% experienced sex against their will during summer holidays in southern Europe. The survey, which interviewed over 6,500 young tourists, highlights the need for awareness and preventive measures to address these issues.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalArchives of Sexual Behavior·DateJun 24, 2013

Farming carbon: Study reveals potent carbon-storage potential of manmade wetlands

Researchers found that two 15-year-old constructed marshes in Ohio accumulated soil carbon at an average annual rate of 2150 pounds per acre, surpassing natural wetlands and other agricultural lands. This suggests that restored and man-made wetlands should be considered for long-term carbon storage.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalJournal of Environmental Quality·DateJun 24, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

NMR advance brings proteins into the open

Researchers at Brown University used a novel approach to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to resolve the key interaction between two proteins. The study reveals that the GroEL chaperone is a permissive captor, allowing the smaller protein to bind at two hydrophobic sites and detach, resulting in conformational heterogeneity.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2013

Starting on 3 drugs at time of diagnosis benefits Type 2 diabetics

Patients with Type 2 diabetes who start on three medications at diagnosis have better glucose control with lower hemoglobin A1c levels and fewer hypoglycemic events compared to conventional therapy. The triple-therapy regimen also promotes weight loss and preserves beta cell function.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateJun 24, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Desktop experiment kit improves engineering ed

The DLMX enables educators to use modern pedagogical approaches, including cooperative and problem-based learning. It facilitates students' understanding of complex concepts like heat transfer and equation application through interactive experiments.

SourceWashington State University·DateJun 24, 2013

2 mutations triggered an evolutionary leap 500 million years ago

Researchers discovered two key mutations that sparked a hormonal revolution 500 million years ago, leading to modern human reproduction, development, immunity, and cancer. These findings show how evolutionary analysis of proteins' histories can advance drug design and predict disease effects.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2013
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.

NASA sees West Fork complex fires, Colorado

The NASA Aqua satellite's MODIS instrument captured an image of the West Fork fire complex in June 2013. The fires were burning in rugged terrain with large beetle-killed spruce forests, prompting evacuations in nearby South Fork.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 24, 2013

€3.9 M project hailed success by the EC

The €3.9M HARCO project, backed by the European Commission, has successfully developed equipment to reduce vibration levels on machine tools, improving product accuracy and reducing costs.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·DateJun 24, 2013

Computer models shed new light on sickle cell crisis

Researchers from Brown University have developed computer models that show how different types of red blood cells interact to cause sickle cell crisis. The findings suggest that softer, deformable red blood cells known as SS2 cells start the process by sticking to capillary walls, leading to blockages.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2013
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.

Getting to grips with migraine

The study found 5 genetic regions linked to the onset of migraine and identified 12 genetic regions associated with migraine susceptibility. The regulation of these pathways may be important to the genetic susceptibility of migraines, which affects approximately 14% of adults and is a debilitating disorder.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 23, 2013
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.

Sugar solution makes tissues see-through

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new sugar and water-based solution called SeeDB that turns tissues transparent in just three days without disrupting their shape or chemical nature. This technique enables the visualization of neuronal circuitry inside a mouse brain, revealing detailed wiring patterns and single-fiber resolution.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateJun 23, 2013

Powerful gene-editing tool appears to cause off-target mutations in human cells

A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has found that CRISPR-Cas RNA-guided nucleases can cause off-target mutations in human cells, with rates potentially higher than at targeted sites. This limitation highlights the need to improve the precision of these gene-editing tools for therapeutic applications.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 23, 2013

The genome's 3-D structure shapes how genes are expressed

Researchers mapped the genome's 3D structure, finding that selected exons are exposed and accessible to transcription machinery. This reveals a new mechanism by which the genome's folding regulates gene expression and splicing.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 23, 2013
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.

Depression screening in AF Clinics recommended by study

Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) show signs of depression, sleeping disorders, and low levels of physical activity, despite physicians rating their quality of life higher. Good communication between physicians and patients is crucial for adherence to medications and long-term prognosis.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateJun 23, 2013
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.

Finding Murray's magic

New research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council reveals that athletes who recognize early when a goal is unattainable are more successful at achieving their main career goals. Athletes with self-motivation find it harder to disengage from an impossible goal, leading to psychological distress.

SourceEconomic & Social Research Council·DateJun 23, 2013

Plants do sums to get through the night

Plants perform accurate arithmetic division to adjust their rate of starch consumption, using internal clocks and molecular signals. This calculation helps them prevent starvation and make efficient use of food, with the goal of boosting crop yield.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·DateJun 23, 2013

Risk factors affect the incidence of childhood pneumonia in modern urban apartment?

A recent study found that indoor environment factors, such as lack of ventilation and gas cooking fuel, significantly increase the risk of childhood pneumonia. The study, conducted in Nanjing, China, suggests that modern life style and home environment play a crucial role in developing pneumonia infections among children.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateJun 22, 2013

New analysis shows that patients with Type 2 diabetes and mild renal impairment had similar improvement in blood sugar control and experienced less hypoglycemia with JANUVIA (sitagliptin) compared to sulfonylurea

A post-hoc analysis found that patients with Type 2 diabetes and mild renal impairment treated with JANUVIA achieved similar blood sugar reductions as those treated with sulfonylureas, with significantly fewer hypoglycemia events. Patients taking JANUVIA also experienced weight loss, whereas those on sulfonylureas gained weight.

SourceGCI Health NY·DateJun 22, 2013
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.

Beyond silicon: Transistors without semiconductors

Scientists have created a transistor without semiconductors, harnessing quantum tunneling for faster and more efficient electronics. The device uses nanoscale insulators and metals to control electrons at room temperature, promising miniaturization to virtually zero dimension.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 21, 2013

Airborne gut action primes wild chili pepper seeds

Seeds passed through small-billed Elaenia birds emerged with reduced fungal load and odor that attracts ants, increasing survival rates. The study found a prime example of the benefits of seed dispersal mutualism between plants and animals.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 21, 2013

DoD-funded research: Can climate change heat up conflict?

A University of Maryland-led team is developing new models to understand the relationship between conflict, socio-economic conditions and climate. The research aims to project future conflicts and develop interventions to reduce civil disorder under climate change scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateJun 21, 2013
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.

5 years of stereo imaging for NASA's TWINS

The TWINS mission has provided three-dimensional images and global characterization of the magnetosphere, tracking how it responds to space weather storms. The stereo imaging has revealed details on ion movement and escape patterns, helping scientists understand the ring current's behavior.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013

Messier 61 looks straight into Hubble's camera

Messier 61 is a massive spiral galaxy with a diameter of 100,000 light-years, located 55 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy features six supernovae, making it one of the top galaxies for supernova observations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013
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.

Sun emits a solstice CME

A June 20, 2013, solar eruption sent billions of tons of particles into space, potentially affecting electronic systems on satellites and the ground. The event, known as a geomagnetic storm, can cause aurora and degrade communication signals.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013

Alzheimer's disease protein controls movement in mice

Researchers found that a protein controlling Alzheimer's disease also affects muscle development and coordination in mice. The study suggests that inhibitors of this protein, currently being tested for Alzheimer's treatment, might disrupt muscle spindle formation and impair movement.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJun 21, 2013
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.

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.

Oddest couple ever found

A 250-million-year-old burrow in South Africa's Karoo Basin has yielded a remarkable discovery: an injured amphibian, Broomistega, and its aestivating therapsid companion, Thrinaxodon. The fossilized remains suggest that short periods of dormancy and burrowing behavior helped mammal ancestors survive the Permo-Triassic extinction event.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 21, 2013

Assessing performance of colonoscopy procedures improves quality

A new study shows that using a quarterly report card improves colonoscopy quality indicators. Colonoscopy procedures have higher adenoma detection rates (53.9%) and cecal intubation rates (98.1%) after implementing the program, with increased detection of proximal adenomas.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJun 21, 2013

Research reveals low exposure of excellent work by female scientists

A recent study found that high-quality science by female academics is underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. Women were also less likely to be invited as speakers at prestigious gatherings, due in part to factors such as childcare requirements and lower perception of scientific ability.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalEvolutionary Biology·DateJun 21, 2013
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.

The Huntington Study Group announces first-HD study

The First-HD study examines the efficacy and safety of SD-809, a novel drug for treating chorea associated with Huntington Disease. The trial aims to test the tolerability of the drug in patients who have not previously taken tetrabenazine.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJun 21, 2013