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Science News Archive July 2013 - Page 7


Page 7 of 31

Computer can infer rules of the forest

Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can infer the rules of complex systems by analyzing intermittent samples. By looking at relative changes in population updates, they uncovered an invariant geometry that relates to the hidden reactions driving the system.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 25, 2013

Montana scientists discover surprising importance of 'I Love Q' for understanding neutron stars

Researchers at Montana State University have discovered a universal relation among three intrinsic properties of neutron stars: moment of inertia, Love number, and quadrupole moment. This finding enables astrophysicists to infer the shape and degree of deformation without detailed internal structure knowledge, aiding gravitational wave...

SourceMontana State University·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2013

Twitter predicted to become a big TV screen

A new study by Columbia Business School and University of Pittsburgh professors predicts Twitter's user engagement will slow down, shifting from a social network to a content-delivery platform. Everyday users are expected to stop posting as much, while celebrities and commercial users will continue to post for financial gain.

SourceColumbia Business School·JournalMarketing Science·DateJul 25, 2013

Frequent and longer patient-doctor contact key to dialysis patients' health

A study found that more frequent and longer patient-doctor contact in dialysis care is linked to better health outcomes for patients. Facilities with higher frequency and duration of contact had significantly lower mortality rates and fewer hospitalizations compared to those with intermediate or infrequent contact.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 25, 2013

Watching catalysts at work -- at the atomic scale

Scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used RIXS spectroscopy and ab initio theory to study the iron carbonyl complex. They discovered a strong orbital mixing between metal and ligands, weakening the chemical bond during excitation. This fundamental insight can help control catalytic properties and produce novel materials.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 25, 2013

Researchers find potential new target to treat malignant pleural mesothelioma

Researchers have identified Ephrin B2 as a promising target for treating malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. The study found that EPHB2 is significantly overexpressed in tumor tissue compared to normal peritoneum, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for early diagnosis and treatment.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJul 25, 2013

A faster vessel for charting the brain

Researchers at Princeton University created enhanced proteins that respond quickly to changes in neuron activity, allowing for a more precise view of neuron signals. The new sensors can be customized to react to different rates of neuron activity, giving scientists a comprehensive understanding of brain-cell communication.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 25, 2013

UCSB study reveals mechanism behind squids' and octopuses' ability to change color

Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism that allows squid and octopuses to change color by using specialized cells in their skin called iridocytes. The cells create layers or lamellae that operate as tunable Bragg reflectors, allowing the animals to control their transparency and match their surroundings.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateJul 25, 2013

Effect of obesity on patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Researchers found that obese patients initially had superior outcomes in terms of overall survival compared to normal-weight and overweight patients. However, their risk of death from any cause significantly increased once they were on the study longer than 16 months, indicating a limited time benefit of obesity in lung cancer patients.

SourceInternational Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·JournalJournal of Thoracic Oncology·DateJul 25, 2013

Trust in leaders, sense of belonging stir people to safeguard common goods, analysis shows

A new report examines conditions that foster cooperative use of common resources, including strong group identity, smaller community size, and high trust in leaders. The study highlights factors leading to incongruous use of resources, such as intergroup conflicts, ideology/values, and cognitive disconnection.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJul 25, 2013

Managing waters shared across national boundaries: Treasury of papers helps capture 20 years of lessons

A special edition of Environmental Development journal captures decades of trans-boundary water management lessons, highlighting the need for science-based governance and innovative approaches to address pressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, and ecosystem degradation. The volume includes articles on Nile River Basin mana...

SourceTerry Collins Assoc·JournalEnvironmental Development·DateJul 25, 2013

A lifespan-extending drug has limited effects on aging

Rapamycin treatment improved memory, reduced thyroid follicle size, and decreased cancer rates in older mice. However, its effects were age-independent, with similar benefits seen in young mice, suggesting a potential use for relieving some age-related conditions.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 25, 2013

Bacterial blockade

Harvard scientists have identified a pair of genes that allow certain gut bacteria to break down a widely prescribed cardiac drug into an inactive compound. The researchers found that these genes are expressed when the bacteria are exposed to the drug, and that they play a key role in converting the drug into its inactive form.

SourceHarvard University·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2013

Rapamycin: Limited anti-aging effects

Researchers investigated rapamycin's effects on aging in mice, finding that it extends lifespan but has only limited impacts on the aging process. The study assessed over 150 traits and found positive effects on memory impairments and red blood cell counts, but no significant impact on wear and tear or disease risk.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 25, 2013

Carnegie Mellon biophysicist obtains first experimental evidence of pressure inside the herpes virus

Researchers discovered a high internal pressure within the human herpes simplex virus 1 that enables it to eject its DNA into a host cell's nucleus. This pressure is a key mechanism for viral infection across organisms and presents new opportunities for broad-based, mutation-resistant antiviral treatments.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 24, 2013

New NIST standard reference material to help calibrate hospital CAT scanners

Scientists at NIST have developed a new standard reference material (SRM) for medical computed tomography (CT), enabling hospitals to calibrate their CAT scanners and link tissue density measurements to international standards. The SRM allows for accurate calibration, which is crucial for diagnosing lung diseases effectively.

Nature: Watching molecule movements in live cells

Researchers developed a new microscopy method combining STED fluorescence microscopy with raster image correlation spectroscopy to track molecule movements in live cells. This allows for high-resolution analysis of biomolecular dynamics, enabling better understanding of cell membranes and protein interactions.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2013

Boreal forests in Alaska becoming more flammable

Researchers found that the composition of tree species in the Yukon Flats gradually shifted from coniferous trees to deciduous trees, which are more fire-resistant, during a warm period in the Holocene epoch. Current wildfire activity has already surpassed this limit, with the average fire frequency doubling in the last 50 years.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2013