Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive 2014 - Page 260


Page 260 of 376

Genome regions once mislabeled 'junk' linked to heart failure

Researchers found that long noncoding RNAs distinguish between two major types of heart failure and change expression patterns after LVAD support. These RNA molecules may play a role in coordinating the regulation of multiple genes involved in heart function.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalCirculation·DateApr 25, 2014

Are almonds an optimal snack?

Researchers found that almonds can help curb appetites, improve nutrient intake and reduce abdominal fat mass in adults. Snacking on almonds may be a weight-wise strategy depending on the foods consumed, with their nutrient profile supporting a healthy weight.

SourcePorter Novelli·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateApr 25, 2014

Climate change: Don't wait until you can feel it

New research from Carnegie Institution scientists highlights the need for policy decisions based on sound science, rather than anecdotal information about local weather. The study finds that even as extreme weather events influence public opinion and support for climate change mitigation, waiting for people to experience these conditio...

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Climate Change·DateApr 25, 2014

Tsetse fly genetic code sequenced

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have successfully sequenced the genetic code of the tsetse fly, a major breakthrough in disease control. The genetic information will enable researchers to develop alternative strategies to control sleeping sickness, a fatal disease that kills over 250,000 people each year.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Function found for mysterious heart disease gene

A new study identifies how a genetic variant in the SPG7 gene contributes to cardiovascular health by promoting chronic inflammation and cell division. The researchers found that the variant can activate itself in certain circumstances, leading to increased production of free radicals and more rapid cell division.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa Heart Institute·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 25, 2014

Fires in the Yucatan Peninsula in April 2014

The Yucatan Peninsula experienced severe fires during its dry season, from January to May, with the number of fires growing as the season progressed. The fires, which may be wildfires or accidental, produce smoke degrading air quality and pose a threat to local farmers' crops.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateApr 25, 2014
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.

Scientists at the UA make critical end-stage liver disease discovery

Scientists at the University of Arizona have discovered a molecular pathway that could help create new therapies for end-stage liver disease. By understanding how Nrf2 is suppressed in cirrhotic livers, researchers have identified Hrd1 as a key player in exacerbating the disease process.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 25, 2014

Today's statin users consume more calories and fat than their predecessors

A new UCLA-led study suggests that people taking statins in the 2009-10 year consumed more calories and fat than those who used statins 10 years earlier. Researchers found a significant increase in caloric intake among statin users, with no similar change among non-statin users.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateApr 25, 2014

Reconstructed ancient ocean reveals secrets about the origin of life

A reconstructed ancient ocean revealed spontaneous chemical reactions that could have produced crucial organic molecules for life. These findings suggest that primitive cells may have synthesized their own metabolic components without the aid of enzymes, challenging the traditional view on the origin of life.

SourceEMBO·JournalMolecular Systems Biology·DateApr 25, 2014
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.

Couples need just 1 conversation to decide not to have children

A recent survey of 75 UK women aged 35 and above found that 40% had not discussed having children with their partner, while 23 decided not to have kids after a single conversation. The research suggests that couples can accurately sense each other's lack of desire for children, making discussion unnecessary.

SourceBritish Sociological Association·DateApr 25, 2014

Researchers at LSTM part of the international team to sequence the tsetse genome

A team of international researchers, including LSTM scientists, has sequenced the genome of the tsetse fly, a key vector for African trypanosomiasis. The study provides valuable insights into tsetse biology and may lead to more effective control strategies, ultimately reducing the human cost and economic losses due to the disease.

SourceLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2014

3-D printing cancer tumors

Researchers at Drexel University have created a method for 3D printing living cancer tumors using cervical cancer cells and hydrogel substances. This breakthrough technology allows for more accurate modeling of tumor behavior and response to treatment, potentially leading to new paradigms for cancer research and individual therapies.

SourceDrexel University·JournalBiofabrication·DateApr 25, 2014
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 generate immunity against tumor vessel protein

A novel DNA vaccine targets TEM1, a protein overexpressed in tumors, reducing tumor vascularization and increasing immune cell infiltration. The vaccine induces epitope spreading, creating a secondary immune response against the tumor itself.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 25, 2014

Know your enemy

Oligomers are identified as the enemy that kills nerve cells and causes symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The study reveals two types of oligomers with different degrees of flexibility, which can link up to inhibit fibril formation.

SourceAarhus University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 25, 2014

Researchers trace HIV evolution in North America

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have found that HIV is slowly adapting to its human hosts in North America, a development with potential implications for vaccine design. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, suggests that the virus's adaptation rate may be too slow to pose a significant threat.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 25, 2014
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.

Specialized yoga program could help women with urinary incontinence

A new study published in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery found that a specialized yoga program can improve urinary incontinence in women by up to 70%. The six-week program helped women strengthen their pelvic floor muscles and reduce stress-related urine leakage.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalFemale Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery·DateApr 25, 2014

Revolutionary 'metamaterial' has potential to reshape neurosurgery

Researchers explore the capabilities of graphene-based metamaterials for various neurosurgical applications, including cancer treatment, neuroregeneration, and functional neurosurgery. Graphene's unique properties make it a promising material for developing new technologies in neurosurgery.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalNeurosurgery·DateApr 25, 2014
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.

'Beneficial inflammation' may promote healing in pulmonary fibrosis

A study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology suggests that TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, accelerates lung recovery and reduces scar tissue in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. The researchers found that inflammation can be beneficial during the healing process, rather than just causing scarring.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateApr 25, 2014

Researchers pinpoint protein crucial for development of biological rhythms in mice

Johns Hopkins researchers pinpoint the protein essential to the formation of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which coordinates sleep-wake cycles and other circadian rhythms. Disabling this protein in test animals led to disrupted SCN function, resulting in irregular sleep patterns and poor communication with the body's master clock.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 24, 2014

Use of frozen material for fecal transplant successfully treats C. difficile infection

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated C. difficile infection with frozen fecal material, achieving a 90% success rate and offering a safer alternative to traditional Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). The treatment involves administering the frozen material through a nasogastric tube, which is as effec...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 24, 2014
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Animals with bigger brains, broader diets have better self control

A recent study using nearly 600 animals across three dozen species found that those with bigger brains and more diverse diets outperformed others in self-control tests. The researchers suggest that brain wiring and dietary diversity may be key factors in explaining differences in animal intelligence.

SourceNational Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2014

Increasing daily coffee consumption may reduce type 2 diabetes risk

A new study published in Diabetologia found that increasing daily coffee consumption by more than one cup per day can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 11%. Conversely, decreasing coffee consumption by more than a cup per day increases the risk of type 2 diabetes by 17%.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalDiabetologia·DateApr 24, 2014

Study: Altruistic adolescents less likely to become depressed

A new study suggests that adolescents who find pleasure in pro-social activities are less likely to become depressed than those who engage in risk-taking behaviors. The research found that activity in the ventral striatum brain region predicted whether depressive symptoms would worsen or lessen over time.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2014

Oops! Researchers find neural signature for mistake correction

Scientists at RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics identified gamma oscillations as the key brain signal underlying memory transfer and corrective action. They found that mice made mistakes and then corrected them, triggering a burst of gamma waves that enabled working memory recall.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell·DateApr 24, 2014
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.

Cell resiliency surprises scientists

Researchers at Michigan State University found that cells can grow normally without a crucial component needed to duplicate their DNA. This discovery suggests that cells are more flexible in managing their DNA than previously thought.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 24, 2014

Interactive training halves malaria overdiagnosis and prevents wastage of drugs

New research found that interactive training programmes for health workers can reduce overdiagnosis of malaria by half and prevent the wastage of valuable drugs. The study suggests that comprehensive training packages should be implemented alongside the roll-out of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in endemic countries.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateApr 24, 2014

When things get glassy, molecules go fractal

A new model shows that molecules in glassy materials settle into a fractal hierarchy of states, unifying mathematics and theory. The findings explain several behaviors seen in glasses, including avalanching, which leads to crystallization.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2014
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Oxygen diminishes the heart's ability to regenerate, researchers discover

New research by UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered that high levels of oxygen in the postnatal environment result in cell cycle arrest of cardiomyocytes, making it impossible for adult hearts to regenerate. The study's findings have significant implications for cardiovascular medicine and may lead to new therapeutic approaches.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell·DateApr 24, 2014

New ultrasound device may add in detecting risk for heart attack, stroke

Researchers developed a new ultrasound device that can identify vulnerable arterial plaques, which are more likely to break off and cause heart attacks or strokes. The device uses dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound technology to detect contrast agents, making it easier to highlight vulnerable plaques on ultrasound images.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·DateApr 24, 2014

The blood preserved in the pumpkin did not belong to Louis XVI

A recent study published in Scientific Reports analyzed the DNA recovered from a relic attributed to Louis XVI and found it did not match his expected genetic profile. The analysis revealed a clear French and Italian component, contradicting historical accounts of Louis XVI's physical appearance.

SourceSpanish National Research Council (CSIC)·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 24, 2014

Genome yields insights into golden eagle vision, smell

The golden eagle genome sheds light on the species' vision, suggesting that ultraviolet light is not as sensitive as previously thought. The study also reveals a sharper sense of smell than initially believed, which could aid in tracking populations and monitoring mortality.

SourcePurdue University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateApr 24, 2014
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.

New study helps to explain why breast cancer often spreads to the lung

A new study by University of Western Ontario researchers reveals that specific interactions between breast cancer stem cells and lung-derived proteins contribute to lung metastasis. Understanding this phenomenon could lead to improved treatment options for breast cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Western Ontario·JournalNeoplasia·DateApr 24, 2014

Viral infections: Identifying the tell-tale patterns

Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have identified the structural features that enable the innate immune system to distinguish viral from host RNAs. The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) recognize specific patterns in viral RNAs, which differ from endogenous cellular RNAs.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 24, 2014

Breast cancer replicates brain development process

Researchers at the University of York discovered that breast cancer cells use a process similar to brain development to metastasize. Blocking sodium channels inhibits migration and invasiveness, making them a potential therapeutic target.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateApr 24, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

'Double-duty' electrolyte enables new chemistry for longer-lived batteries

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a new battery design that incorporates an electrolyte with dual functions. This cooperative chemistry increases capacity and extends lifespan, enabling longer-lived disposable batteries for medical devices and other applications.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 24, 2014

Breakthrough harnesses light for controlled chemical reaction

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison develop a dual-catalyst technique using sunlight to control the 'handedness' of product molecules, overcoming UV's limitations. This breakthrough enables easier synthesis of complex chemicals with well-defined chirality.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2014

Amazon rainforest survey could improve carbon offset schemes

A new study reveals unprecedented detail of the Amazon Basin's trees, enabling researchers to accurately assess their carbon content. The findings will help administer carbon offsetting more effectively, improving our understanding of global forest carbon storage.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateApr 24, 2014
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.

Controlling brain waves to improve vision

Scientists at Beckman Institute use a new method to test brain waves and discover that alpha oscillations can inhibit visual processing, making it hard to see unexpected events. By targeting specific brain regions with electrical stimulation or feedback, they aim to improve attention and awareness in various situations.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience·DateApr 24, 2014

New type of protein action found to regulate development

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a novel mechanism by which the protein Botch regulates the Notch signaling pathway, crucial for healthy organ development. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of developmental biology and potential therapeutic applications for certain leukemias.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalCell Reports·DateApr 24, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cosmic illusion revealed

Researchers have discovered a galaxy that magnified a background supernova thirtyfold through gravitational lensing, confirming their previous explanation for the anomaly. This discovery may significantly impact our understanding of cosmic expansion and the mysterious components of the Universe, including dark energy and dark matter.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·DateApr 24, 2014

Computer program could help solve arson cases

A University of Alberta team developed a computer program to analyze chemical data from arson scenes, reducing the need for human analysis and speeding up investigations. The program can classify debris in seconds, helping investigators pinpoint the cause of fires more quickly.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalForensic Science International·DateApr 24, 2014