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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

Silky brain implants may help stop spread of epilepsy

Researchers found that adenosine-releasing silk implants can reduce DNA methylation levels in the brain and prevent the progression of epilepsy. The study suggests that the implants could be used to prevent seizures after head trauma or following conventional surgery.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 25, 2013

Captured: Mysterious oyster killers

Tiny parasites, known as Mikrocytos mackini, have been found to infect Pacific oysters, causing unsightly green lesions and death. The discovery sheds light on the parasites' reduced metabolism and unique relationship with their host.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalCurrent Biology·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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A molecular chaperon prevents antibiotic associated hearing loss

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that HSP70 produced by supporting cells in the inner ear prevents antibiotic-induced hair cell death. Extracellular HSP70 has potential to be used therapeutically to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss, currently without treatments.

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

Fires in Northern Territory Australia

The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center captured a true-color image of the region's hotspots and smoke plumes on July 23, 2013. The image revealed large fires in the Northern Territory, with temperatures higher than background detected by thermal sensors.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 25, 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.

NASA's Hubble: Galaxies, comets, and stars! Oh my!

The article highlights NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's incredible view of Comet ISON against a vast backdrop of galaxies and stars. The comet appears to be swimming through the cosmos despite its immense distance from Earth, showcasing the telescope's unparalleled resolution.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 25, 2013

Salk scientist discovers novel mechanism in spinal cord injury

Kuo-Fen Lee's discovery of the protein P45 provides insight into a possible molecular mechanism to promote rerouting for spinal cord healing and functional recovery. P45 has been shown to have a previously unknown neuroprotective effect, preventing cell death in injured mice.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2013

NASA puts Tropical Storm Dorian in the infrared spotlight

NASA's AIRS instrument captured an infrared image of newborn Tropical Storm Dorian on July 25, revealing strong storms and heavy rains near the center and a band of thunderstorms south of it. The storm is moving west-northwest across the Atlantic, with forecasters expecting fluctuations in intensity over the next couple of days.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·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
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.

Honey bee gene targeting offers system to understand food-related behavior

A new technique enables scientists to target multiple genes in honey bees via RNA interference, allowing for the examination of insulin metabolism's role in food-related behavior. This breakthrough could provide insight into human dietary behavior and potentially lead to gene control over undesirable food choices.

SourceThe Journal of Visualized Experiments·JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments·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

Microbial who-done-it for biofuels

Researchers have developed a cost-competitive way to extract fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass using thermophilic microbes. The most active populations in the switchgrass-deconstructing consortium were identified as Gemmatimonadetes and Paenibacillus, which show potential for biofuel production.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 25, 2013

MIT neuroscientists show ability to plant false memories

Researchers successfully created and stored false memories in mice using optogenetics, a technique that allows them to activate specific brain cells. The study suggests that many neurological traces of false memories are identical to those of authentic memories.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2013
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Extinct ancient ape did not walk like a human, study shows

Researchers confirm that Oreopithecus had anatomical features incompatible with habitual bipedal walking. The study refutes a long-standing debate about the ape's locomotor behavior, providing new insight into its unique characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateJul 25, 2013

Bipolar disorder takes different path in patients who binge eat, study suggests

Researchers found that bipolar patients who binge eat are more likely to experience mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts, psychosis, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. In contrast, obese bipolar patients without binge eating were more prone to serious physical problems like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·DateJul 25, 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.

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
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.

NASA probes detect 'smoking gun' to solve radiation belt mystery

Scientists have discovered a massive particle accelerator in the Van Allen radiation belts, revealing that particles are sped up by a local energy source. This discovery answers a longstanding question and will help make predictions of space weather conditions.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2013

Deciphering the air-sea communication

Marine scientists have decoded the mechanism for long-term climate fluctuations in the Atlantic, revealing that ocean currents significantly affect long-term climate variability. The study found that heat exchange between ocean and atmosphere influences decadal climate fluctuations, which are superimposed on the general warming trend.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalNature·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
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.

New nuclear fuel-rod cladding could lead to safer power plants

Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNuclear Technology·DateJul 25, 2013

Sherlock Homes inspired real life CSI

Historian Dr Ian Burney's research shows that French Edmond Locard and Austrian Hans Gross were influenced by British writers Arthur Conan Doyle and R Austen Freeman, who advocated for a professionalised CSI. This led to the systematisation of methods in crime scene investigation.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateJul 25, 2013

Broad-scale genome tinkering with help of an RNA guide

Researchers at Duke University have created a novel method for genome tinkering using an RNA guide, allowing precise control over specific genes. The tool has potential applications in gene therapy and regenerative medicine, including reprogramming stem cells into neurons.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Methods·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
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.

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

Study explains Pacific equatorial cold water region

Researchers at Oregon State University have obtained multi-year records of mixing in the Pacific equatorial cold tongue, showing that it cools the sea surface temperature and is influenced by equatorial currents. This discovery could improve climate models and help understand seasonal weather patterns and global warming.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 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.

MIIR scientist awarded $293,000 NIH grant

Dr. Jingwei Xie has been awarded a $293,000 NIH grant to lead a project developing a new biological device that better mimics an uninjured tendon-to-bone attachment, potentially improving healing rates for rotator cuff injuries.

SourceMarshall University Research Corporation·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

Are North Atlantic right whales mating in the Gulf of Maine?

Scientists have found evidence that North Atlantic right whales mate in the Gulf of Maine, with a high proportion of potential mates aggregating there between November and January. The study used aerial surveys and genetics data to identify individuals and determine mating grounds, shedding light on the species' life history.

SourceNOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center·JournalEndangered Species Research·DateJul 24, 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.

Monoclonal antibody effective against norovirus

Researchers developed a monoclonal antibody effective against human norovirus, which can prevent infection in susceptible host cells. The study aims to explore the antibody as both treatment and disease prevention strategy for outbreaks, particularly among vulnerable populations like healthcare workers and travelers.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalJournal of Virology·DateJul 24, 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.

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMedical Physics·DateJul 24, 2013

Starburst wind keeps galaxies 'thin'

A new UMD-led study suggests that a burst of star formation in galaxies can blow out most of the remaining gas, resulting in a long period of starvation. This process is crucial in understanding the universe's surprising paucity of high-mass galaxies.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2013

URMC study clarifies surgical options for kidney cancer

A recent URMC study questions the assumption that saving kidney tissue during surgery improves patient outcomes and survival rates, suggesting radical nephrectomy may be a viable option for certain patients with small kidney cancers.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalEuropean Urology·DateJul 24, 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.

Western-led 'international beam team' solves Martian meteorite age puzzle

A Western University-led team of geologists has solved the long-standing puzzle of the Martian meteorite age by directing energy beams at tiny crystals found in a Martian meteorite. The team discovered that the most common group of meteorites from Mars is almost 4 billion years younger than previously believed.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNature·DateJul 24, 2013

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
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.