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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 42


Page 42 of 376

First genetic-based tool to detect circulating cancer cells in blood

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a genetic-based tool called NanoFlare that can detect live circulating tumor cells in the bloodstream. The technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer by providing a more accurate and personalized approach.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

New tools in fight against virus that attacks the brain

Researchers have created a new mouse model that allows them to study human glia in live animals, enabling the development of potential treatments for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The study found that the JC virus targets astrocytes, leading to inflammation and cell death, which can trigger PML.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 17, 2014

Fatigue, irritability, and demoralization can affect your heart health

A Mount Sinai study found that vital exhaustion increases the risk of first-time cardiovascular disease by 36%, affecting otherwise healthy people. The researchers investigated 11 prospective studies involving 60,610 participants and found a significant association between vital exhaustion and cardiovascular disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·DateNov 17, 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.

Chlamydia knock out the body's own cancer defence

Research reveals Chlamydia trachomatis breaks down protective protein p53, allowing cells to mutate and develop into cancer. The bacterium exploits this mechanism to survive within host cells, posing a potential risk for cancer development.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2014

Datasets used by policymakers, scientists for public health analyses inconsistent

Researchers found significant differences between two commercially available datasets used to analyze the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and food and alcohol establishments. The study highlights the need for accurate data to support policy decisions on issues like incentives for grocery stores in econom...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014
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.

Scripps Research Institute scientists reveal weak spots in Ebola's defenses

Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified vulnerable sites on the surface of Ebola virus that are targeted by the antibodies in ZMapp, a drug cocktail administered to patients during the 2014 outbreak. The study provides insights into how ZMapp works and suggests strategies to improve it.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

Fat around the heart may cause irregular heartbeat

A study found that excess fat around the heart, measured by epicardial adipose tissue volume, is more closely associated with atrial fibrillation than BMI. The layer of fat was shown to correlate with scarring in the left atrium, increasing the risk of irregular heartbeat.

SourceLoyola Medicine·DateNov 17, 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.

Young vessels rejuvenate aged insulin-producing beta cells

A recent study published in PNAS shows that young capillary vessels can rejuvenate aged pancreatic islets, suggesting a new way to treat age-dependent dysregulation of blood glucose levels. By replacing the islet vasculature with young capillaries, glucose homeostasis was fully restored.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

Pulse oximetry screenings save lives of babies with congenital heart defects

A new screening method using pulse oximetry has detected 13 babies with previously unknown congenital heart defects in New Jersey. The screenings were mandated in licensed birthing facilities and resulted in the detection of undiagnosed critical congenital heart defects, which may have prevented significant disability or death.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 17, 2014

Behavioral flexibility impaired after exposure to oxycodone

Researchers found that even brief oxycodone exposure can impair cognitive flexibility in rats, leading to maladaptive decision-making. The study suggests that this 'cognitive hangover' may contribute to drug addiction.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalLearning & Memory·DateNov 17, 2014

Setting family rules promotes healthier behavior in children

A study by Indiana University found that setting specific family rules about healthy eating and sedentary behavior leads to healthier practices in children. Children from households with set guidelines were more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, limit screen time, and make healthier choices overall.

SourceIndiana University·DateNov 17, 2014
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Where will big neuroscience take us?

Several countries have launched brain research projects with big budgets and ambitious goals, aiming to make groundbreaking discoveries and develop new treatments for diseases. The initiatives are expected to drive rapid progress in the field of neuroscience, with a focus on global collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches.

SourceThe Kavli Foundation·DateNov 17, 2014

Protecting forests alone would not halt land-use change emissions

A study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that forest protection policies alone will not reduce CO2 emissions from land-use change. Implementing comprehensive conservation schemes covering all land types is crucial, as intensifying agriculture can generate higher yields to compensate for reduced land availability.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Climate Change·DateNov 17, 2014

Potential therapy found for incurable pediatric brain tumor

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a potential drug therapy for a rare, incurable pediatric brain tumor by targeting a genetic mutation. The experimental drug GSKJ4 delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival in mice with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 17, 2014

TopBP1 a sweet spot for treatment in multiple cancers

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered calcein inhibits TopBP1 activities, leading to anti-tumor effects. The study found calcein has potential as a treatment for multiple cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 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.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on postconcussion symptoms in military members

A clinical trial found that hyperbaric oxygen treatment did not improve postconcussion symptoms in military members, but both the treatment and sham groups showed improvements compared to those who received no supplemental air chamber treatment. The study suggests that the observed improvements may be due to placebo effects.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 17, 2014

Advances in electron microscopy reveal secrets of HIV and other viruses

UC Davis researchers use new techniques in electron microscopy to study HIV and other viruses. They find that the gp120 trimer associates with gp41 to form a structure that allows HIV to enter host cells. The study also reveals how viruses hijack cellular processes to enter cells, shedding light on potential vaccine targets.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 17, 2014

New technique to help produce next-generation photonic chips

Researchers from the University of Southampton have developed a new technique, Ultrafast photomodulation spectroscopy (UPMS), to help produce more reliable and robust next-generation photonic chips. This method uses ultraviolet laser pulses to change the refractive index of silicon in a tiny area on the chip.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 17, 2014

Small fraction of students attended schools with USDA nutrition components

According to a study, schools with all five USDA nutritional components were attended by only 1.8% and 0.3% of middle and high school students. The study found that having fruits or vegetables available, absence of higher-fat milk, and three or more standard components were associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateNov 17, 2014

Densovirus named top suspect in devastating sea star wasting disease

A genomic analysis of a newly discovered virus prevalent in symptomatic sea stars has linked Sea Star Associated Densovirus to the devastating wasting disease, potentially triggering an unprecedented ecological upheaval. The research lays the groundwork for understanding how the virus kills sea stars and what triggers outbreaks.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Tiny fish provides giant insight into how organisms adapt to changing environment

Researchers identify genes and networks that enable tiny Atlantic killifish to alter their body form in response to environmental changes, providing insight into phenotypic plasticity. The study's findings have substantial implications for understanding molecular evolution and its applications in climate change, medicine, and regenerat...

SourceIndiana University·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateNov 17, 2014

Climate capers of the past 600,000 years

The Lake Van drilling project provides a unique 600,000-year archive of climate fluctuations and natural hazards, including six cycles of warm and cold periods. The analysis reveals the region's high risk for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateNov 17, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Revolutionary solar-friendly form of silicon shines

A team of Carnegie scientists synthesized a novel form of silicon with a quasi-direct band gap, suitable for high-efficiency solar applications. The new allotrope, Si24, has an open framework structure and is stable at ambient pressure, making it potentially more effective than conventional diamond-structured silicon

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 17, 2014

Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified

Researchers have identified a second protein, THSD7A, associated with membranous nephropathy, a common cause of kidney failure. This finding allows for the development of a new blood test to diagnose and monitor the disease, providing additional tools for clinicians to follow treatment response.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 17, 2014

Ten ways remote sensing can contribute to conservation

The study highlights the top 10 ways remote sensing can be used in conservation, including species distribution, ecosystem processes, and climate change. The authors hope to jumpstart a new collaborative initiative that provides guidance for space agencies and partners on advancing wildlife protection and protected area management.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalConservation Biology·DateNov 17, 2014

British men who pay for sex have many (unpaid) sexual partners

A study of over 6,100 British men found that those who paid for sex had twice as many lifetime sexual partners as the general population, but few were paid for. Young professionals with a taste for binge drinking and recreational drugs were more likely to engage in this behavior.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalSexually Transmitted Infections·DateNov 17, 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.

Diarrhea and candidiasis associated with common antibiotic amoxicillin

A systematic review of controlled trials involving adults and children found that diarrhea was over three times as likely in people taking amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, while candidiasis was also associated with the use of this antibiotic combination. The study highlights under-reporting of harms in clinical trials.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·DateNov 17, 2014

UT Arlington to lead $1.6 million research project focused on digital learning

The University of Texas at Arlington has been chosen to lead a $1.6 million initiative to connect researchers across the country studying digital learning's impact on higher education. The Digital Learning Research Network will benefit universities making the transition to digital learning and learners from underrepresented groups.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateNov 17, 2014

Calorie-restricting diets slow aging, study finds

Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center found that calorie-restricted diets slowed the normal rise and fall of genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain. The study used female mice fed food pellets with 30% fewer calories than controls, and tissue analyses showed a significant impact on gene expression.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·DateNov 17, 2014

Researchers present highly anticipated IMPROVE-IT results

Adding ezetimibe to statin therapy lowered cholesterol levels and reduced cardiovascular events by 6.4% in patients following heart attack, according to the IMPROVE-IT trial. The study found that adding ezetimibe resulted in a significant reduction in cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·DateNov 17, 2014
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.

NASA's SDO sees returning sunspot produce mid-level flare

A mid-level solar flare was detected by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory on Nov 16, 2014, emerging from an active region that previously rotated across the front of the sun in October. The M5.7-class flare is a tenth the size of X-class flares and may disturb GPS and communications signals.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 17, 2014

Side effects of possible anti-cancer strategy discovered

A promising anti-cancer approach targeting Malt1 protein's protease function in lymphoma cells may also cause destructive autoimmune inflammation when its other functions are preserved. Researchers discovered this unexpected side effect using an animal model, emphasizing the need for new alternatives to treat lymphomas.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalCell Reports·DateNov 17, 2014

New advance in cryopreservation could change management of world blood supplies

Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a method to rapidly prepare frozen red blood cells for transfusions, reducing the time-consuming process of thawing and removing glycerol from the blood. This breakthrough could make it feasible to use frozen blood in emergency situations, solving inefficiencies in the current system.

SourceOregon State University·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateNov 17, 2014

Second protein associated with common cause of kidney failure identified

Researchers have identified a new protein, THSD7A, that turns the immune system against itself in kidney disease called membranous nephropathy (MN). This discovery enables the development of a blood test to diagnose MN, which can reduce the need for kidney biopsies by up to 85%.

SourceUniversity of Louisville·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 17, 2014
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.

Credit score can also describe health status

A new analysis from a long-term study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found a strong relationship between low credit scores and poor cardiovascular health. The study also suggests that personal attributes such as self-control, planning ahead, and perseverance can predict both better financial status and better health.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

With rewards, we remember more than we should

A new study at Brown University found that reward overcomes retrieval-induced forgetting, a phenomenon where practicing certain facts suppresses recall of others. Volunteers who earned rewards during practice had improved recall of unpracticed fish category facts.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014
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.

Major brain pathway rediscovered after century-old confusion, controversy

Researchers have rediscovered a large fiber pathway in the brain that was previously unknown, despite being visible in dozens of MRI scans. The vertical occipital fasciculus plays a role in visual processing and perception, and an algorithm has been developed to identify and measure its properties.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

NASA computer model provides a new portrait of carbon dioxide

A new ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model provides a stunning visual portrait of how carbon dioxide travels around the globe. The simulation, called GEOS-5, illustrates regional variations in carbon dioxide levels and differences between northern and southern hemispheres.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 17, 2014

Scientists X-ray tiny cell organelles responsible for carbon fixation

Researchers successfully imaged carboxysome particles, a key component in photosynthetic bacteria's carbon fixation process, using an X-ray laser method. The technique enables single-particle imaging of objects with varying size and shape, shedding light on the structure and dynamics of life's smallest units.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 17, 2014

Less sex plus more greens equals a longer life

A Tel Aviv University study found that reptiles with reduced reproductive rates and plant-rich diets lived longer than those with faster growth and early reproduction. Herbivorous reptiles consumed fewer calories and took a more leisurely pace, leading to increased longevity.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateNov 17, 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.

Overhaul in tropical forest research needed

A new study reveals that long-used field inventory plots are not representative of tropical forests, leading to biased results. Advanced three-dimensional forest mapping techniques provide a more accurate understanding of forest structures and systems on large geographic scales.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 17, 2014

A noncoding RNA promotes pediatric bone cancer

A new study identifies Ewing sarcoma-associated transcript 1 (EWSAT1) as a critical target of the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein, contributing to cancer cell growth and repression of key genes. This finding supports the notion that long noncoding RNAs can drive cancer development and highlights an important mediator in Ewing Sarcoma.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 17, 2014

Infection-fighting B cells go with the flow

B cells use a unique migration strategy in the bone marrow that allows them to exit slowly and be passively swept out by blood flow. The researchers found that the absence of CXCR4 significantly slows down B cell movement, highlighting the importance of this protein in regulating immune cell egress.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateNov 17, 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.

Heart of New Ulm project results show improvement in heart disease risk factors

The Heart of New Ulm Project demonstrated population-level improvements in blood pressure and lipids, with increases in residents meeting blood pressure and LDL cholesterol goals. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and increased physical activity, also showed significant effects on HDL levels and total cholestero...

SourceMinneapolis Heart Institute Foundation·DateNov 16, 2014