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Science News for July 26, 2013


Human stem cell-derived hepatocytes regenerate liver function

Researchers have generated functional human liver cells from stem cells and transplanted them into mice with acute liver injury. The stem-cell derived human liver cells were able to function normally and increase the survival of treated animals. This breakthrough demonstrates a scalable method for producing these cells, which could lea...

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 26, 2013

What can plants reveal about global climate change?

A new series of articles in the American Journal of Botany explores how plants respond to climate change, providing insights into plant biology, ecology, and evolution. The studies reveal complex relationships between plants and wide-scale biological changes.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalAmerican Journal of Botany·DateJul 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.

Traditional forest management reduces fungal diversity

Research in Navarre's beech groves reveals traditional forestry management reduces fungal diversity, with some species disappearing and families affected. The study highlights the importance of decomposing dead wood for fungal populations, contradicting current forest management practices.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateJul 26, 2013

HIV-associated lymphoma survival has not improved during the antiretroviral therapy era

New study reveals stable survival rates for HIV-associated lymphoma patients during the antiretroviral therapy era. Despite increased incidence and changing demographics, recent diagnosis years are not associated with decreased mortality. The study highlights an ongoing need to improve treatments for this challenging population.

SourceJournal of the National Cancer Institute·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJul 26, 2013

Quantum of sonics: Bonded, not stirred

Researchers at McGill University have discovered a method to join nanoparticles together using ultrasound, forming strong agglomerates without changing their useful properties. This discovery could lead to the development of new hybrid materials with various everyday applications, such as improving catalytic converters in car exhausts.

SourceMcGill University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 26, 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.

Buying a used car? Be sure to flatter the seller

Researchers found that flattering sellers eliminates the endowment effect, leading to lower selling prices. This phenomenon is driven by consumers' emotional response to losing a possession, which can be mitigated by acknowledging their concerns.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013

Is it Bell's palsy or a stroke? Emergency physicians have the answer

A study of 43,979 patient records found that emergency physicians correctly identified nearly all patients with Bell's palsy. The majority of patients with life-threatening alternative diagnoses were accurately diagnosed without advanced diagnostic tests.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 26, 2013

Evolution on the inside track: How viruses in gut bacteria change over time

Researchers tracked a healthy male subject's virome for two-and-a-half years, revealing rapid evolution of viral species. The study found that certain viral species changed substantially over time, driven by genetic mechanisms such as substitution and CRISPRs.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 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.

Overactive immune response blocks itself

Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research discovered natural killer cells have optimal immune response balance, having less active NK cells during early stages of infection improves survival. The overproduction of interferon IFN-γ can block recruitment of neutrophilic granulocytes, leading to fatal sepsis.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Infection Research·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·DateJul 26, 2013

The arithmetic of gun control

A UC Irvine team measures how to best prevent bullet deaths by designing parameters for gun control. They found that reduced legal gun availability lowers domestic and one-on-one crime deaths, but armed citizens may save lives in rare mass shootings if trained to avoid accidentally shooting fleeing bystanders.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 26, 2013

People with mental health problems hit harder by recession

Research from King's College London reveals that people with mental health problems face higher unemployment rates and increased social exclusion during economic downturns. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights the need for governments and employers to address stigma and discrimination against individuals with mental health issues.

SourceKing's College London·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 26, 2013

1-year results of ADAPT-DES trial published in The Lancet

High platelet reactivity after drug-eluting stent implantation was associated with increased risk of stent thrombosis and heart attack, while also reducing major bleeding. However, the association between high platelet reactivity and mortality was not independent.

SourceCardiovascular Research Foundation·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 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.

Give them a hand: Gesturing children perform well on cognitive tasks

In a study published in Developmental Psychology, researchers found that gesturing significantly improves young children's performance on cognitive tasks. The study shows that even 2-and-a-half-year-olds who use gestures outperform their peers, suggesting a strong link between gesture and cognitive development.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateJul 26, 2013

Pesticides contaminate frogs from Californian National Parks

Researchers have found pesticides commonly used in California's agricultural regions contaminating Pacific Tree Frogs in remote mountain areas, including national parks. The detection of pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, and simazine highlights the potential long-term impact on biodiversity.

SourceWiley·JournalEnvironmental Toxicology and Chemistry·DateJul 26, 2013

Sudden decline in testosterone may cause Parkinson's disease symptoms in men

A new study by Rush University Medical Center researchers found that a sudden decrease in testosterone levels may cause Parkinson's-like symptoms in male mice. Testosterone supplementation reversed the pathology in the mice. The study suggests that preserving testosterone levels may be important to prevent Parkinson's disease.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJul 26, 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.

Legendary brands: Why are consumers still fascinated by the Titanic?

The Titanic's consumer fascination stems from its ambiguous tale, leaving consumers pondering unanswered questions. The study highlights the importance of imprecision in legendary brands, which can be both a marketing advantage and a key to their enduring appeal.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013

NASA's various views of Tropical Storm Dorian

Scientists studied Tropical Storm Dorian's infrared image, revealing thunderstorms as cold as 195 Kelvin, indicating very high clouds. The storm maintained strong thunderstorms around its center before moving into warmer sea surface temperatures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 26, 2013

Is Facebook actually making communication about products and brands more interesting?

A new study by Jonah Berger and Raghuram Iyengar found that written conversations on Facebook lead to discussions of more interesting products and brands compared to oral conversations. This is because written communication allows consumers time to think before responding, enabling them to select more engaging topics.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 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.

Migraine is associated with variations in structure of brain arteries

A new study suggests that people with migraine are more likely to have an incomplete circle of Willis, which may contribute to abnormal cerebral blood flow and trigger migraines. The research found that variations in arterial anatomy lead to asymmetries in blood flow, and abnormalities were most prominent in the back of the brain.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 26, 2013

Gold nanoparticles improve photodetector performance

Gold nanoparticles have been applied to MoS2 photodetectors, increasing their efficiency by a factor of three. The researchers attribute the improvement to plasmon oscillations in individual nanoparticles, which enhance the local optical field.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 26, 2013

Singapore scientists discover new drug targets for aggressive breast cancer

Singapore scientists have identified genes that are potential targets for therapeutic drugs against aggressive breast cancer. UBASH3B is a protein tyrosine phosphatase that promotes tumor growth and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer patients.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2013

Molecular monkey arranges X-chromosome activation

Scientists from Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics found that the protein MLE molds the RNA strand, allowing it to bind with other proteins. This dynamic interaction enables the entire X chromosome to be covered by the RNA-protein complex, essential for sex chromosome activation.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 26, 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.

Building stronger policies to fight global hunger

Michigan State University will lead a new Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy to improve food policy in developing countries. The lab, partnering with universities and private sector stakeholders, aims to increase agricultural productivity, dietary diversity, and resilience to climate change.

SourceMichigan State University·DateJul 26, 2013

Oregon's Sunnyside Turnoff Fire

The Sunnyside Turnoff Fire in northern Oregon burned over 48,916 acres by July 26, 2013, with 40% containment. The fire was caused by human activity and affected the Warm Springs area, leading to evacuations and public closures.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 26, 2013

Empowering your customers? Think twice about social media campaigns

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that empowering consumers through product development can lead to a backlash when combined with social media influence. Consumers who feel empowered are more likely to deliberately express opposing views and rebel against attempts to shape their opinions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013

Researchers uncover cellular mechanisms for attention in the brain

A study published in Nature reveals that attention operates at the synapse level to sharpen signals and selectively boost relevant information. The results have implications for improving screening and treatments for people with attention deficits resulting from brain injury or disease.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalNature·DateJul 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.

Inherited virus can cause cognitive dysfunction and fatigue

Research suggests that inherited Human Herpesvirus 6 may be a root cause of CFS, causing cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. Antiviral drug therapy improves severe neurological symptoms in affected patients.

SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateJul 26, 2013

Removing complexity layers from the universe's creation

Physicists propose that Einstein's special relativity emerges from a combination of quantum dynamics and gravity. This theory predicts the formation of charge asymmetry between particles and anti-particles at ultra-minute fractions of seconds after the Big Bang, in agreement with recent cosmological observations.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal C·DateJul 26, 2013

Materialism and loneliness: Is there really a vicious cycle?

A recent study found that materialism can lead to loneliness, but it also decreases loneliness for those who acquire possessions solely for enjoyment. The research suggests that materialism may not be entirely detrimental to consumer well-being when pursued in a 'happy hedonistic' lifestyle.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013

Gadget genius

Researchers at the University of Akron have developed new nanoscale materials that can be used to create ultra-lightweight electronics. These materials, known as 'giant surfactants,' have the potential to revolutionize the tech industry by enabling the creation of smaller and more efficient devices.

SourceUniversity of Akron·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 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.

Why are consumers less likely to buy a product when it's the only option?

A study by Daniel Mochon found that consumers react negatively when choices are too restrictive, increasing the likelihood of no purchase. Consumers prefer having multiple options, and isolating one option may lead to increased searching and decision paralysis.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJul 26, 2013