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Science News Archive 2014 - Page 54


Page 54 of 376

Mosquitofish genitalia change rapidly due to human impacts

A study from North Carolina State University reveals that human-induced habitat alteration leads to changes in the shape and size of male mosquitofish genitalia, particularly in fragmented waters. The research suggests that these changes may be driven by reduced predation pressure, which can influence reproductive success.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEvolutionary Applications·DateNov 5, 2014

Could non-gluten proteins play a role in celiac disease?

Scientists discover that people with celiac disease also react to non-gluten wheat proteins, which could lead to improved understanding and treatments of the disease. The study identifies five groups of non-gluten proteins causing immune reactions in patients, suggesting a broader range of potential triggers.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateNov 5, 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.

CNIO researchers create a mouse model that reproduces noonan syndrome

Researchers at CNIO have developed a mouse model that expresses the most common K-Ras mutation found in Noonan patients, reproducing its most representative features. The study aims to advance knowledge of the syndrome and develop specific treatments for each mutation.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2014

Genesis of genitalia

Researchers found that embryonic cloaca signaling determines genitalia structure, similar to location-based signals in real estate. This finding reveals a deep homology between mammalian and reptilian genitalia despite their non-homologous origins.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 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.

Young patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer anticipated to nearly double by 2030

Incidence rates of colon and rectal cancers among 20-34 year olds are projected to increase by 90% and 124.2%, respectively, by 2030. Lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of physical activity contribute to the rising trend, while screening efforts in older patients have led to a decline in incidence rates among those over 50.

SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateNov 5, 2014

Teens close to high number of tobacco shops more likely to smoke

A new study from the University of Edinburgh finds that teenagers living in neighborhoods with a large number of tobacco shops are almost 50% more likely to smoke. The research suggests that reducing tobacco retailer density could be an effective strategy to reduce smoking rates among adolescents.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalTobacco Control·DateNov 5, 2014

Live images from the nano-cosmos

Researchers at DESY's PETRA III have observed the growth of C60 molecules into ultra-smooth layers, revealing fundamental insights into molecular growth processes. The team determined three major energy parameters simultaneously, enabling the potential for selective nanostructure growth.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Research funding for teen brain and nervous system cancer

A new drug-based treatment may offer effective options for teenagers with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a devastating condition that affects 1 in 25,000 people worldwide. Researchers will investigate the mechanism of NF2 and explore how existing drugs can be repurposed to treat the condition.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·DateNov 5, 2014

New global wildfire analysis indicates humans need to coexist and adapt

A new study suggests that aggressively fighting wildfires may actually increase societal vulnerability, highlighting the importance of learning to coexist and adapt with natural hazards. The research recommends integrating fire management strategies into land-use planning, zoning regulations, and building codes to mitigate human losses.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2014

UW study shows direct brain interface between humans

Researchers at the University of Washington have replicated a direct brain-to-brain connection, allowing them to transmit signals and control hand movements between individuals. The study involved six pairs of participants and achieved accuracy rates ranging from 25 to 83 percent.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 5, 2014

QUT leading the charge for panel-powered car

Researchers have developed lightweight supercapacitors that can boost the power of an electric car. The technology could be embedded in a car's body panels to store enough energy to turbocharge the battery in just a few minutes, enabling faster acceleration and charging times.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateNov 5, 2014

Next for DARPA: 'Autocomplete' for programmers

A Rice University-led team is developing a sophisticated tool called PLINY to 'autocomplete' and 'autocorrect' code for programmers. The system will leverage big-data analytics and deep program analyses to populate a database of open-source code, providing programmers with help finishing or debugging code.

SourceRice University·DateNov 5, 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.

IBS is managed effectively with the right drugs, for the right symptoms

A new guideline from the American Gastroenterological Association provides guidance on treatments for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), highlighting the effectiveness of linaclotide and rifaximin. The guidelines also suggest using tricyclic antidepressants, antispasmodics, and other therapies for IBS patients.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·JournalGASTROENTEROLOGY·DateNov 5, 2014

Osteoporosis, not just a woman's disease

A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that men with osteoporosis-related fractures are under-screened for bone density testing and treatment. The research highlights the importance of evaluating and treating older men for osteoporosis, as fracture rates among men are expected to increase dramatically by 2050.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateNov 5, 2014

Scientists prove possibility of 'impossible' dust transition in turbulent flow

Researchers from MIPT and Weizmann Institute of Science discover possibility of negative turbophoresis, where impurity particles move against turbulence direction. The study presents new type of phase transition, depending on particle inertia, which can either localize or delocalize in turbulent flows.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2014

Researchers hit milestone in accelerating particles with plasma

Scientists have successfully accelerated electrons to energies 400-500 times higher than conventional accelerators using a plasma wakefield acceleration technique. The breakthrough achieves high energy gains and efficiency, paving the way for future applications in medicine, national security, and high-energy physics research.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2014

Back to basics

Professor Robert Sinclair argues that simple numerical observations and rational numbers can illuminate complex scientific systems. He proposes a balance between deterministic and stochastic growth, finding relevance in nature's selective pressure for stochasticity.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalFrontiers in Computational Neuroscience·DateNov 5, 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.

Engineered for tolerance, bacteria pump out higher quantity of renewable gasoline

Researchers boosted bacteria's ability to produce isopentenol, a compound with desirable gasoline properties, by identifying and overexpressing genes that improve tolerance to solvent stress. The findings suggest a promising approach to developing a bacterial strain that can yield industrial quantities of renewable bio-gasoline.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateNov 5, 2014

X-ray vision of photosynthesis

Researchers have used X-ray diffraction to investigate photosystem II, revealing structures yet unknown. The results show that photosystem II proteins are arranged within crystals as extended rows, similar to their natural environment.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalStructure·DateNov 5, 2014

CT lung screening appears cost-effective

A new analysis of NLST results concludes that CT lung screening is cost-effective in aging smokers, but its implementation will depend on various factors. The ratio of costs per quality-adjusted life-year added was $81,000, below the $100,000 threshold.

SourceBrown University·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 5, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Golden approach to high-speed DNA reading

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have developed a method to produce graphene nanopores with integrated optical antennas, enabling direct optical DNA sequence detection. This approach opens new avenues for simultaneous electrical and optical nanopore DNA sequencing and regulating DNA translocation.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 5, 2014

Getting to the heart of the heart

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have captured images of the complex, revealing the connection between some genetic mutations and electrical abnormalities in the heart. The study provides a starting point for designing therapies to treat conditions such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2014
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.

'Direct writing' of diamond patterns from graphite a potential technological leap

A new method uses a pulsing laser to convert graphite into nanodiamond at room temperature, offering advantages over traditional methods such as lower cost and scalability. The technique has potential applications in various fields including biosensors, quantum computing, fuel cells, and next-generation computer chips.

SourcePurdue University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 5, 2014

First amphibious ichthyosaur discovered, filling evolutionary gap

A new fossil discovery links dolphin-like ichthyosaurs to their terrestrial ancestors, revealing a previously unknown stage in their evolution. The 248-million-year-old fossil has flexible flippers and a shorter snout than its marine counterparts, suggesting it could have moved on land with ease.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 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.

Measuring nano-vibrations

Scientists have measured high-quality factors of up to 5 million in carbon nanotube mechanical resonators, outperforming previous records. This breakthrough enables the development of ultra-sensitive sensors and quantum systems, such as magnetic resonance imaging at the atomic level.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 5, 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.

Coexist or perish, new wildfire analysis says

A new international research review argues that government-sponsored firefighting and land-use policies encourage development on hazardous landscapes, amplifying human losses. The authors recommend adopting location-specific approaches to improve development and safety in fire-prone areas through effective land-use planning, regulation...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2014

Financial experts may not always be so expert, new Notre Dame study reveals

A new study by Andriy Bodnaruk and Andrei Simonov found that financial experts, including mutual-fund managers, do not outperform ordinary investors in making investment decisions. The researchers suggest that focusing on passive strategies can help minimize trading costs.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalJournal of Financial Intermediation·DateNov 5, 2014

Bone drug should be seen in a new light for its anti-cancer properties

Researchers discovered that bisphosphonates can inhibit cancer spread in some women with breast cancer by attaching to calcifications in tumors and being devoured by immune cells. This finding could lead to new, more effective ways of using these drugs to treat certain cancers.

SourceGarvan Institute of Medical Research·JournalCancer Discovery·DateNov 5, 2014

The Lancet: 'Aging well' must be a global priority

As people live longer, soaring levels of chronic illness and diminished wellbeing threaten the quality of life of older people. Strategies are needed to prevent and manage chronic conditions through affordable healthcare and social environment changes.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 5, 2014

Why women buy magazines that promote impossible body images

A new study reveals why women are drawn to magazines promoting impossible body images: they derive 'thinspiration' that helps them cope with negative self-comparisons. In contrast, those who focus on self-improvement instead experience increased body satisfaction.

SourceOhio State University·JournalHealth Communication·DateNov 5, 2014
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Can love make us mean?

A study by University at Buffalo researchers found that feelings of warmth and sympathy can lead to aggressive behaviors when caring for someone else is obstructed. Empathy and aggression are linked through neurohormones oxytocin and vasopressin, which drive social approach behaviors.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateNov 5, 2014

Shape of things to come in platelet mimicry

Researchers have developed artificial platelet-like nanoparticles that combine morphological, mechanical, and surface chemical properties of natural platelets. These artificial platelets can simulate natural platelets' ability to collide with red blood cells, enabling selective clot formation at vascular injury sites.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 5, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Taking a deeper look at 'ancient wing'

New research reconstructs Archaeopteryx feather color as matte black with darker tip, shedding light on fossil preservation. Advanced imaging technologies provide definitive proof of melanosomes in fossil record.

SourceSociety of Vertebrate Paleontology·DateNov 5, 2014

Readmission rates above average for survivors of septic shock, Penn study finds

A new study by Penn Medicine researchers reveals that septic shock survivors have a higher risk of readmission within 30 days, often due to life-threatening complications. The findings highlight the need for improved patient education and discharge planning to prevent readmissions.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateNov 5, 2014

The Peres conjecture is false!

A team of researchers from Université de Genève and Hungarian Academy of Sciences disproves Asher Peres's conjecture that the weakest form of quantum entanglement can never result in the strongest manifestation of nonlocality. They find a counter-example using numerical algorithms, showing bound entanglement can violate Bell's inequality.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 5, 2014

High rate of insomnia during early recovery from addiction

A high rate of insomnia is reported in patients during early recovery from addiction, with evidence suggesting it can lead to increased risk of relapse. Behavioral treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), have been shown to be effective in reducing relapse risk.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Addiction Medicine·DateNov 5, 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.

Longhorn beetle inspires ink to fight counterfeiting

Researchers have developed a new kind of ink that mimics the color-shifting ability of a longhorn beetle, offering a durable alternative to current methods. The ink can be fine-tuned to change color in response to environmental factors, making it difficult to copy.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 5, 2014

Madagascar: Fossil skull analysis offers clue to mammals' evolution

The fossilized skull of Vintana sertichi, a 66- to 70-million-year-old groundhog-like creature, offers significant insights into the lifestyle and relationships of early mammals. The analysis reveals that Vintana likely had large eyes, a good sense of smell, and could eat a diet of roots, seeds, or nut-like fruits.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature·DateNov 5, 2014

Betting on brain research

Research on Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions may eventually lead to ways to prevent memory loss, learning disabilities, and devastating symptoms. Significant progress continues to be made with advancements in detecting neurodegeneration and predicting cognitive decline.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateNov 5, 2014

Safest cosmetic surgery procedures

A new Northwestern University study analyzed over 20,000 minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and found no risk of serious adverse events. The study suggests that these procedures are exceedingly safe, with fewer than 1% minor complications, offering a significant cosmetic boost through mixed procedures.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJAMA Dermatology·DateNov 5, 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.

NASA sees Typhoon Nuri pass Iwo To, Japan

Typhoon Nuri passed close to Japan's Iwo To island with maximum sustained winds at 92 mph. The storm is expected to continue weakening and transitioning into an extra-tropical storm over the next day or two.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 5, 2014

Patients benefit from caregiver involvement in hospital discharge intervention

A study published in The American Journal of Managed Care found that patients with family caregivers present during recruitment had significantly higher consent rates and completion rates for a post-hospital transitional care coaching intervention. Family caregiver involvement was associated with improved health outcomes, including low...

SourceCare New England·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateNov 5, 2014

Does life satisfaction increase with age? Only in some places, new study finds

A new study finds that life satisfaction increases with age in high-income, English-speaking countries, but declines in other regions. The researchers analyzed data from the Gallup World Poll and found that residents of these countries experience a U-shaped curve of increased satisfaction after middle age.

SourcePrinceton School of Public and International Affairs·JournalThe Lancet·DateNov 5, 2014

European satellite could discover thousands of planets in Earth's galaxy

The European satellite Gaia is expected to detect tens of thousands of new planets within its five-year mission, revealing unique details about each planet's properties. The satellite's instruments will also capture the motion, physical characteristics, and distance of roughly 1 billion objects in the Milky Way galaxy.

SourcePrinceton University·DateNov 5, 2014