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Science News for April 26, 2013


Sea surface temperatures reach highest level in 150 years

Sea surface temperatures in the Northeast Shelf reached a record high of 14 degrees Celsius in 2012, with significant impacts on marine life and ecosystems. The warming conditions affected fish and shellfish distributions, plankton blooms, and ocean stratification.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·DateApr 26, 2013

Researchers develop new metric to measure destructive potential of hurricanes

A new metric called Track Integrated Kinetic Energy (TIKE) measures the destructive potential of hurricanes by considering storm size, duration, and intensity. TIKE provides a more accurate picture of hurricane activity than existing metrics, which could help emergency managers and businesses prepare for storms.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalMonthly Weather Review·DateApr 26, 2013

Dark field imaging of rattle-type silica nanorattles coated gold nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo

A new composite nanoparticle material, silica nanorattles @ gold nanoparticles (SN @ GNs), has been developed for biological imaging. The silica shell reduces the toxicity of gold nanoparticles, increasing their maximum tolerated dose to 200 mg/kg. This innovation provides a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateApr 26, 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.

ESC guide on new oral anticoagulant drugs

The ESC guide offers practical advice on using new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) to prevent stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. It highlights the benefits of NOACs, including reduced monitoring requirements and lower bleeding risk compared to vitamin K antagonists.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEP Europace·DateApr 26, 2013

Fish win fights on strength of personality

New research from the University of Exeter suggests that small fish with aggressive personalities are more likely to win food contests against larger, passive counterparts. The study found that consistently aggressive fish were able to put on weight and survive in resource-scarce environments.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalBehavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·DateApr 26, 2013

Developments in TACE and SIRT treatment in patients

A new scoring system defines patients who achieve the most benefit from TACE treatment, differentiating those who may benefit from repeat sessions and those who are unlikely to respond. This finding presents a challenge for the design of phase III trials for intermediate-stage HCC.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 26, 2013

Changing cellulose-forming process may tap plants' biofuel potential

Scientists find that altering the structure and assembly of cellulose can make it more easily broken down, leading to more efficient biofuel production. By modifying the synthesis process, plants can produce cellulose with fewer structured bundles, reducing the need for time- and energy-intensive industrial processes.

SourcePenn State·DateApr 26, 2013
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.

Core facilities: Widening access to research instrumentation

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) has approved funding for ten additional core facilities to make existing research instrumentation more easily accessible to researchers. The facilities will provide state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, enabling researchers to conduct complex studies efficiently.

SourceDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft·DateApr 26, 2013

Developmental neurobiology: How the brain folds to fit

A novel nuclear protein called Trnp1 triggers the expansion and folding of the cerebral cortex in mice, supporting tangential expansion and ordered formation of neurons. The findings imply that Trnp1 controls both expansion and folding and serves as a starting point for dissecting cellular and molecular interactions.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell·DateApr 26, 2013

New 10-year risk predictors identified for liver related

A study found that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent predictor of early atherosclerosis and 10-year cardiovascular risk. Patients with NAFLD had higher carotid intima-media thickness and Framingham score, indicating increased cardiovascular risk.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 26, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hitting 'reset' in protein synthesis restores myelination

Researchers at UB's Hunter James Kelly Research Institute have found that reducing a protein called Gadd34 can improve nerve and muscle function in patients with CMT neuropathies. By leaving protein synthesis partially off, they were able to restore myelination, potentially leading to new treatments for other misfolded protein diseases.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateApr 26, 2013

BIOMARGIN -- Increasing the life span of grafted kidneys

The BIOMARGIN project aims to develop reliable, non-invasive methods to diagnose lesions in transplanted kidneys using integrated 'omics' technologies. The study will consist of four phases, including a retrospective analysis of existing samples to identify biomarkers and validate diagnostic performance.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·DateApr 26, 2013

Using mobile phone apps in weight-loss programs

A new mobile phone app has been shown to increase positive affect in overweight women undergoing a partial meal replacement program, improving their motivation during the weight loss process. The study suggests that this type of support app could be a valuable addition to existing health programs.

SourceSAGE·JournalJournal of Telemedicine and Telecare·DateApr 26, 2013
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.

Cardio could hold key to cancer cure

A recent mouse study published at the International Liver Congress 2013 suggests that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing liver cancer. The study found that mice fed a high-fat diet and subjected to regular exercise had a 71% lower incidence of tumours larger than 10mm compared to sedentary mice.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 26, 2013

New approaches in treating complicated childhood polycystic kidney disease

A new evidence-based algorithm guides treatment of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in children, recommending simultaneous kidney and liver transplantation for select patients. The approach aims to decrease overall mortality and morbidity, particularly in those with end-stage renal disease and congenital hepatic fibrosis.

SourceMedical College of Wisconsin·JournalPediatric Transplantation·DateApr 26, 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.

Novel screening tests for liver cancer

New data from clinical trials demonstrate substantial improvements in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) using urinary metabolite profiles. The tests show higher sensitivity and specificity compared to traditional methods, offering hope for early detection and improved survival rates.

SourceEuropean Association for the Study of the Liver·DateApr 26, 2013

Exploring art at a stroke

The 'Repentir' smart phone and iPad app uses computer vision algorithms to reveal the multiple hidden stages of a painting. Users can explore the artist's creative process by rubbing away layers or scrolling through sequence images.

SourceNewcastle University·DateApr 26, 2013

Protein shaped like a spider

Researchers at Helmholtz Centre and Technische Universität Darmstadt discover protein C4BP with eight 'arms' similar to a spider's web. This structure allows for potential use as a scaffold for drug transport, targeting pathogens more effectively.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalJournal of Molecular Biology·DateApr 26, 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.

Movement of pyrrole molecules defy 'classical' physics

Researchers found that pyrrole molecule movement is affected by quantum laws, changing the energy landscape and impacting the whole molecule. The study's results suggest that 'zero-point energy' plays a crucial role in the molecule's diffusion on metal surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 26, 2013