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Science News for April 5, 2013


Electron conflict leads to 'bad traffic' on way to superconductivity

Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Rong Yu discovered a new electronic state in which some electrons become frozen, while others remain mobile, leading to 'bad traffic' on the path to superconductivity. This phase, known as orbital-selective Mott phase, provides clues about the fundamental origins of superconductivity.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 5, 2013

Breakthrough in chemical crystallography

A research team developed a new protocol for X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis that doesn't require crystallisation of the target molecule. This method allows for the analysis of scarce marine natural products and characterises many compounds previously impossible to analyze crystallographically.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNature·DateApr 5, 2013

Vitamin D proven to boost energy -- from within the cells

A study from Newcastle University found that vitamin D supplements improve muscle efficiency in patients with severe deficiency, leading to reduced fatigue and improved mitochondrial oxidative function. The research suggests a link between vitamin D and mitochondrial function, potentially offering a new way to boost energy levels.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalJournal of Endocrinology·DateApr 5, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Treatments, not prevention, dominate diabetes research

Current diabetes research prioritizes treatment over prevention, with most trials focusing on drug therapies rather than preventive measures. The studies excluded older people and those under 18, limiting the applicability of findings to these groups.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalDiabetologia·DateApr 5, 2013

Power struggles are best kept out of the public eye

Researchers found that audiences affect quails' social status, with losers losing dominance when observed, but winners retaining it regardless of audience presence. Testosterone levels were raised in both winners and losers after fights, suggesting a secondary role for the hormone.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalHormones and Behavior·DateApr 5, 2013

Highly lethal Ebola virus has diagnostic Achilles' heel for biothreat detection, scientists say

Researchers at Texas Biomedical Institute discovered a polymer hidden within the Ebola virus that can be targeted by llama antibodies, enabling the creation of highly sensitive test kits using a single antibody. This breakthrough may revolutionize emerging viral diagnostics and offer a promising tool for detecting other deadly pathogens.

SourceTexas Biomedical Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 5, 2013

Skin deep: Fruit flies reveal clues to wound healing in humans

Researchers used a fly model to study wound healing, discovering eight new genes involved in the process. The study reveals that wound healing is fine-tuned and requires a balance of gene activation and inhibition to prevent complications such as ulcers or thickened cuticles.

SourceGenetics Society of America·DateApr 5, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

RWJF grant to Brown University supports childhood obesity research

Akilah Dulin Keita, a Brown University Assistant Professor, has received a 24-month grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to examine risk and protective factors for childhood obesity among Southeast Asians. The grant will support her research through the New Connections program, which aims to increase diversity in health research.

SourceBrown University·DateApr 5, 2013

Sexuality, traumatic brain injury, and rehabilitation

Research highlights the significant impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on sexuality, including cognitive deficits, medical issues, and relationship changes. Rehabilitation strategies are crucial to address these challenges and improve sexual functioning in TBI survivors.

SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·DateApr 5, 2013

New emissions standards would fuel shift from coal to natural gas

A new study by Duke University suggests that tougher EPA air-quality standards may make nearly two-thirds of US coal-fired power plants as expensive to run as plants powered by natural gas. The stricter regulations could spur an increased shift away from coal towards natural gas, especially if fuel prices rise significantly.

SourceDuke University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 5, 2013

Scientists at UH partner with NASA, astronauts to study immune system

A University of Houston research team partnered with NASA and astronauts on the International Space Station to examine how spaceflight affects the immune system. They will collect blood, saliva, and urine samples from two astronauts before, during, and after a mission to monitor natural killer cells and assess viral reactivation risks.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 5, 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.

New tool promises private photo-sharing -- even using Facebook and Flickr

A new tool called P3 removes small amounts of data from photos and encrypts them, allowing cloud file-sharing services to use the unencrypted portion while keeping the owner's sensitive information secure. With P3, photo owners can choose how their photos are shared, retaining rights to the complete photo and ensuring privacy.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·DateApr 5, 2013

Accidental discovery may lead to improved polymers

Chemical engineers at the University of Toronto have made an accidental discovery that could lead to improved commercial polymers. The researchers found a new side product in a common polymer synthesis technique, which could reduce inconsistency and increase quality.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalMacromolecular Rapid Communications·DateApr 5, 2013

Xenophobia has no effect on migrants' happiness, says study

A new study by the University of Luxembourg found that employment and health problems are the main reasons why migrants feel unhappy in their new country. Economic factors such as unemployment and low income, as well as health issues, were found to have a significant impact on migrants' wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Luxembourg·DateApr 5, 2013

UT Arlington motor skills research nets good news for middle-aged

Research suggests that motor skills decline gradually after the age of 64, but healthy older adults can still create accurate internal models for action. This study aims to help clinicians identify abnormal loss of function in patients by pinpointing when deficits begin.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalBrain and Cognition·DateApr 5, 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.

SFU researchers help unlock pine beetle's Pandora's box

A team of SFU researchers has created a sequencing of the mountain pine beetle's genome, revealing large variations among individuals. The genome data will help scientists understand how the beetle causes damage and potentially stop its spread.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalGenome Biology·DateApr 5, 2013

Breakthrough in neuroscience could help re-wire appetite control

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have identified a population of stem cells capable of generating new appetite-regulating neurons in the brains of young and adult rodents. This discovery could lead to a permanent intervention for obesity, potentially offering a solution that lasts beyond dieting.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·DateApr 5, 2013

Corporate accounting earnings data relevant for determining value of the aggregate stock market

A study by Prof. Panos Patatoukas of the University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business found that aggregate accounting earnings are tied to news about expected future cash flows and discount rates, impacting stock market valuation. The research suggests that capital market participants and policymakers can extract valuabl...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·DateApr 5, 2013
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.

Stem cells enable personalized treatment for bleeding disorder

Researchers grew and analysed stem cells from patients with von Willebrand disease to identify the cause of the disease in individual patients, enabling more effective treatments. The technique may also be used to treat diseases of the heart, blood and circulation, including haemophilia.

SourceImperial College London·JournalBlood·DateApr 5, 2013

Symposium highlights epigenetic effects of milk

Researchers at the Lactation Biology Symposium discovered that drinking milk at an early age can change how certain genes are expressed. This epigenetic effect can have long-term implications for behavior and cell development in offspring.

SourceAmerican Society of Animal Science·JournalJournal of Animal Science·DateApr 5, 2013

Vaccine adjuvant uses host DNA to boost pathogen recognition

Researchers at National Jewish Health discovered that alum, a common vaccine adjuvant, works by coating with host DNA, inducing T cells to interact longer with the vaccine, resulting in a stronger immune response. This breakthrough could lead to more effective vaccines and improved public health outcomes.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2013

Huge disparities in hypertension seen across US counties

The study found significant differences across US counties, genders, and ethnic groups in hypertension treatment and control. Despite high prevalence of hypertension in the southeast, the region also had the highest levels of treatment.

SourceInstitute for Health Metrics and Evaluation·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 5, 2013

Experts call for research on prevalence of delayed neurological dysfunction after head injury

A recent review article highlights the need for preventive measures, genetic risk factors, and new diagnostic tools to identify the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in athletes and soldiers. Researchers propose large-scale trials and genome-wide association studies to characterize CTE and develop prevention strategies.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Reviews Neurology·DateApr 5, 2013
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.

Diabetes trials worldwide are not addressing key issues in affected populations

A study published in Diabetologia found that only 10% of diabetes trials focus on prevention or behavioral therapies. Most trials are small to medium-sized and prioritize drug treatments over preventive measures. The analysis highlights the need for more research addressing the needs of diverse populations affected by diabetes.

SourceDiabetologia·JournalDiabetologia·DateApr 5, 2013

Researcher offers clues on the origins of life

A three-year study by Professor Michael Blaber and his team suggests that proteins, not RNA, were the first molecules to form life. The researchers found that 10 prebiotic amino acids could be folded into complex protein structures in a high-salt environment, supporting a 'protein-first' view of abiogenesis.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 5, 2013

MDC and FMP researchers identify edema inhibitor

Researchers have identified a substance that prevents fluid accumulation and edema formation in the body, offering new hope for treating excessive fluid retention in patients with chronic heart failure. The discovery also reveals a new molecular mechanism controlling water homeostasis in the kidneys.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateApr 5, 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.