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Science News for December 20, 2013


Common disorders: It's not the genes themselves, but how they are controlled

Researchers discovered that six autoimmune diseases arise from DNA changes located outside genes. Multiple genetic switches controlling gene expression are affected in each disease, leading to incorrect gene expression. The study provides a new model for understanding the genetic causes of common complex diseases.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalGenome Research·DateDec 20, 2013

New data for engineering immune cells shows early promise in solid tumors

Engineered immune cells, called CARTmeso cells, have shown antitumor activity in two patients with advanced cancers that failed prior treatments. The temporary CARs are safe and trigger a response against the patient's own tumor, providing a new tool for solid cancer therapy.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Immunology Research·DateDec 20, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 20, 2013

Researchers identified a fungal surface protein that promotes host cell invasion in mucormycosis, while others found that melanocytes from light-skinned humans secrete a molecule promoting angiogenesis. These findings could lead to new treatments and biomarkers for diseases associated with increased vascularization.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2013

Penn researchers grow liquid crystal 'flowers' that can be used as lenses

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a method to grow liquid crystal 'flowers' using silica beads as templates, creating a lens-like structure with potential applications in optics and optoelectronics. The new approach demonstrates directed assembly and paves the way for the creation of custom optical components.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 20, 2013

Researchers find potential new treatment approach for pancreatic cancer

Researchers have found a potential new strategy to selectively kill pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones, using energy supply disruption. By blocking glycolysis, they observed a toxic calcium overload and cell death in cancer cells, but not in normal cells.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 20, 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.

Breaking down cancer's defense mechanisms

Researchers develop new treatment for pancreatic cancer by using a drug that breaks down the protective barrier surrounding cancer tumours. The approach enables T cells to get through and kill cancer cells, resulting in almost complete elimination of cancer cells in initial tests.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2013

Elucidating biological cells' transport mechanisms

Researchers have calculated the force of molecular motors acting on organelles in biological cells, finding discrepancies with physical laws due to complex biological processes. The study used non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to analyze the motion of motor proteins in living cells, providing new insights into the transport mechanism.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 20, 2013
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.

Wayne State cholesterol study shows algal extracts may counter effects of high fat diets

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism found that algal extracts from Health Enhancement Products, Inc. improved plasma cholesterol profile despite a hypercholesterolemic state induced by a high fat diet. The extracts increased 'good' cholesterol levels and decreased 'bad' cholesterol concentrations.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·JournalJournal of Nutrition and Metabolism·DateDec 20, 2013

Staph stoppers

Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a new vaccine that targets staph toxins, providing almost complete protection against staph infections. The vaccine was tested in an animal model and found to be effective even against high doses of bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateDec 20, 2013

Want to stop smoking? See a specialist!

A study of over 10,000 people found that seeing a specialist increased quit rates by three times compared to self-trying. Buying nicotine patches or gum did not improve success rates.

SourceWiley·JournalAddiction·DateDec 20, 2013
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.

UBC-VCH scientists use drug to repair rare birth defect

Researchers at UBC-VCH have developed a potential cure for aniridia, a rare eye disease affecting 5,000 people in North America. They formulated the drug Ataluren into eye drops and found it restored normal vision in mice with the condition.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2013

New mechanism that permits selective capture of microRNAs in nanovesicles that shuttle between cells

A new study describes a mechanism by which microRNAs are encapsulated and exported in nanovesicles, facilitating intercellular communication. The researchers identified EXOmotifs, specific nucleotide sequence patterns, that enable the export of miRNAs from human T lymphocytes.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 20, 2013

Sierra Nevada, western North America, and the Andaman Sea focus of new Geosphere articles

Researchers analyzed detrital zircons from passive margin strata in western North America, revealing variations in ages and Hf isotope compositions that provide insights into the provenance of Cordilleran passive margin strata. Strike-slip faulting along the Wassuk Range of the northern Walker Lane, Nevada, was also studied, providing ...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeosphere·DateDec 20, 2013

Efforts to curb climate change require greater emphasis on livestock

A recent analysis suggests that reducing livestock emissions can help mitigate climate change, particularly methane and nitrous oxide. Ruminants, such as cattle, produce copious amounts of methane in their digestive systems, with greenhouse gas emissions from these animals being 19-48 times higher than plant-based protein sources.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateDec 20, 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.

Smooth or grainy?

A systematic review presents the state of the art in investigating the existence of grains in space-time, which could lead to violations of special relativity. Physicists have devised methods to test these deviations using high-energy astrophysics phenomena.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalClassical and Quantum Gravity·DateDec 20, 2013

Religion is good for business shows Rotman study

A new study from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management found that businesses with head offices in highly religious communities were less likely to experience stock price crashes due to not disclosing bad financial news. Strong social norms, regardless of whether individuals are religious or not, can help minimize bad ...

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis·DateDec 20, 2013

More mentions in the FT linked to greater popularity of stocks

A six-year study by University of Warwick researchers found that companies mentioned more frequently in the Financial Times tend to have higher trading volumes and changes in stock prices. The study used daily print issues from 2007-2012 to analyze the relationship between financial news and market movements.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 20, 2013
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Nonsense suppression drug restores function in a mouse model of aniridia

Researchers have developed a nonsense suppression drug that can restore function in mice with aniridia, a progressive disease affecting the eyes and brain. The treatment, ataluren, was administered topically to postnatal aniridia mice and successfully reversed eye deformations and restored vision.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2013

Neurobiology: The logistics of learning

Researchers have discovered that neuronal RNA granules are highly heterogeneous and dynamic in their composition, containing proteins that repress protein synthesis. This uncoupling of mRNA transport from protein production is essential for learning and memory, and has implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 20, 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.

Fungal surface protein promotes host cell

Researchers identified a fungal surface protein that promotes invasion of host cells in mucormycosis. The loss of this protein decreases infection and virulence in Mucorales fungi.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 20, 2013

How the cells remove copper

A study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reveals that the protein responsible for copper excretion uses a unique transport mechanism to remove toxic copper from cells. This knowledge has important implications for understanding copper-related diseases, as well as developing new antibiotics targeting harmful bacteria.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateDec 20, 2013

Increasing personal savings, the 'Groundhog Day' way

A study published in Psychological Science found that a cyclical mindset, focusing on recurring experiences rather than linear goals, can lead to higher savings rates. Participants who used a cyclical approach saved an average of $223 over two weeks, compared to $130-$140 for those using a linear mindset.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateDec 20, 2013

UNL research raises concerns about global crop projections

Research suggests that future global food security projections may be overly optimistic due to stagnant crop yields in intensively cropped areas. This could lead to increased marginal costs and decreased returns on investment in agricultural research and development.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 20, 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.

A wrong molecular turn leads down the path to Type 2 diabetes

A team of researchers has pinpointed a critical intermediate step in the chemical pathway that leads to amyloid fibril formation, which is implicated in type 2 diabetes and other diseases. The findings provide a new target for potential treatment, such as designing an inhibitor drug to block the harmful pathway.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 20, 2013

Even or odd: No easy feat for the mind

A study by Gary Lupyan reveals that humans make mistakes in even the simplest rule-based calculations, favoring contextual information over clear rules. People consistently mistake numbers like 798 for odd and prefer 400 as a better even number.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalCognition·DateDec 20, 2013

Sugar cane fires in Louisiana

Resident concerns rise as sugar cane fires get too close to homes despite controlled burns being conducted. The absence of a regulating agency is a major issue, leaving farmers and homeowners at risk.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 20, 2013

Van Allen Probes shed light on decades-old mystery

The Van Allen Probes have provided high-resolution measurements that suggest local acceleration is at work in the Earth's radiation belts. This discovery resolves decades of uncertainty over the origin of ultra-relativistic electrons and has important implications for understanding planetary magnetospheres throughout the universe.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalNature·DateDec 20, 2013
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Charge order competes with superconductivity

A team of scientists has discovered that charge carriers in cuprate high-Tc superconductors form nanostripes that can suppress superconductivity. The research uses synchrotron radiation to detect the elusive phenomenon of charge order and measure related nanostructures with high precision.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 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.

Birth control at the zoo

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna successfully performed hippo castrations, a long-studied challenge due to anaesthesia issues. The procedure enabled controlling captive hippopotamus populations, improving animal welfare.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalTheriogenology·DateDec 20, 2013

New research provides insight into epilepsy

Scientists have discovered that microRNA-128 plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression in neurons, leading to increased neuron activity and epilepsy. The study used mice experiments to demonstrate the effects of reducing microRNA-128 levels, which can help hamper muscle activation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2013

Parasitic DNA proliferates in aging tissues

Researchers found that parasitic DNA elements proliferate in mouse tissues as they age, particularly in cancerous tumors. Calorie restriction can reduce this activity, suggesting a potential target for preventing chronic diseases associated with aging.

SourceBrown University·DateDec 20, 2013

Ohio State study shows 2 drugs help adolescents with ADHD, aggression

A new Ohio State University study found that a combination of two ADHD medications, along with parent training, significantly reduced aggressive behavior in children. The treatment approach showed promise in addressing physical aggression and disruptive behavior in children aged 6-12 with ADHD.

SourceMediaSource·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateDec 20, 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.

Adult stem cells found to suppress cancer while dormant

Researchers at UCLA discovered a mechanism by which certain adult stem cells suppress their ability to initiate skin cancer during dormancy. The study found that PTEN gene plays a crucial role in tumor suppression via quiescence in hair follicle stem cells.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateDec 20, 2013

A gluttonous plant reveals how its cellular power plant devours foreign DNA

Researchers have discovered that the mitochondria of Amborella trichopoda, a sprawling shrub in the remote South Pacific, have acquired six genome equivalents of foreign DNA. The plant's energy-producing organelles absorbed genes from moss, green algae and flowering plants, creating an enormous mitochondrial genome.

SourceDOE/Joint Genome Institute·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 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.

An earthquake or a snow avalanche has its own shape

Researchers studied computer simulations and found distinct forms of events, which were later confirmed through experiments. The study's findings show that the shape of an avalanche holds more information than traditional indices.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 20, 2013