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Science News Archive April 2014


Page 12 of 32

Safer alternatives to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain killers

Researchers have identified a potential new class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that target the mPGES-1 enzyme, which reduces oxidative damage and slows atherosclerosis in macrophages. This could lead to safer pain relief options without increasing heart disease risk.

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.

Edible flowers may inhibit chronic diseases

Common edible flowers in China have excellent antioxidant capacity due to their high phenolic content, which has anti-inflammatory activity and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Fast, simple-to-use assay reveals the 'family tree' of cancer metastases

Researchers developed an assay to analyze poly-G repeat mutations in human cancer samples, revealing evolutionary relationships among tumor sites. The study found that individual patients had varying levels of genetic differences between primary tumors and metastases, suggesting early or late metastatic spread.

The anti-inflammatory factory

Researchers at Lomonosov Moscow State University and Pittsburgh University have identified a new biosynthetic pathway for lipid mediators, producing molecules that regulate inflammation and cell death. The study's findings could lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.

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.

NASA sees wind shear affecting newborn Tropical Cyclone Jack

Tropical Cyclone Jack strengthened quickly after forming on April 20, but strong vertical wind shear is expected to weaken the storm. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center notes that despite this, the storm continued to build thunderstorms and elongate to the southeast.

How often are unauthorized immigrant workers trafficked and abused?

A recent study published in The ANNALS found that more than 30% of undocumented migrant laborers are victims of labor trafficking, while 55% experience other forms of labor abuse. The research highlights the importance of improving working conditions for vulnerable workers and addressing the root causes of exploitation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Ginseng can treat and prevent influenza and RSV, researcher finds

Research by Sang-Moo Kang of Georgia State University found that ginseng can improve survival rates of human lung epithelial cells infected with the influenza A virus. Red ginseng extract also reduced inflammation and improved immune response. Additionally, Korean red ginseng extract inhibited RSV replication and suppressed inflammator...

Birthplace of the domesticated chili pepper identified in Mexico

An international team of researchers, led by a plant scientist at the University of California, Davis, reports that the domesticated chili pepper originated in central-east Mexico. The region, extending from southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca to southeastern Veracruz, was previously thought to be less suitable for the crop's origins.

Dana-Farber researchers uncover link between Down syndrome and leukemia

A team of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute investigators have uncovered a connection between Down syndrome and the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) during childhood. The study found that an extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to abnormal B cells that grow uncontrollably, increasing the risk of ALL.

Computational method dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland developed a new method, Sailfish, that dramatically speeds up estimates of gene expression from RNA sequencing data. The method can complete its analysis in a few minutes, with accuracy equal to or exceeding previous methods.

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.

Bulletproof nuclei? Stem cells exhibit unusual absorption property

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that embryonic stem cell nuclei exhibit auxeticity, a property allowing them to 'sponge up' essential materials. This unusual behavior has potential applications in soundproofing, super-absorbent sponges and bulletproof vests.

'Chaperone' compounds offer new approach to Alzheimer's treatment

Researchers identified a new class of compounds, called pharmacologic chaperones, that can increase retromer levels and decrease amyloid-beta levels in cultured hippocampal neurons. The study found these compounds to be relatively non-toxic and showed promise in treating neurologic disease.

Study casts doubt on climate benefit of biofuels from corn residue

A study published in Nature Climate Change found that using corn crop residue to make ethanol and other biofuels reduces soil carbon but generates more greenhouse gases than gasoline, casting doubt on its climate benefits. Researchers suggest planting cover crops or alternative feedstocks to mitigate emissions.

Cancer stem cells linked to drug resistance

Scientists have identified a molecule called CD61 on the surface of drug-resistant tumors that induces tumor metastasis by enhancing cancer cell properties. The findings suggest that existing drugs can exploit this pathway to reverse drug resistance and re-sensitize tumors.

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.

Big data poses great challenges and opportunities for databases

The emergence of big data presents both challenges and opportunities for databases, necessitating the development of new technologies and systems to handle vast amounts of complex data. Various distributed processing frameworks and systems have been proposed to address these issues.

Innovative strategy to facilitate organ repair

A team of researchers has developed a novel method for repairing soft-tissue organs and tissues using aqueous solutions of nanoparticles. In vivo experiments on rats showed that the method can close deep wounds rapidly without inflammation or necrosis, and successfully repair difficult-to-suture organs such as the liver.

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.

Stanford researchers rethink 'natural' habitat for wildlife

A new study by Stanford researchers challenges the long-accepted island biogeography theory, which predicts a decline in species abundance in fragmented landscapes. Instead, they found that farmland and forest remnants in human-dominated landscapes can support higher species diversity and slow extinction rates.

Treating depression in PD patients: New research

A study published in Psychiatry Research found that dopamine replacement therapy commonly used to treat motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease was associated with a decline in cognitive performance among depressed Parkinson patients. Mood in depressed Parkinson's patients was also worse while on dopaminergic medications.

Sun emits a mid-level solar flare

A mid-level solar flare, peaking at M7-class, was emitted by the sun on April 18, 2014. The radiation burst did not affect humans on Earth but may disturb communications signals and GPS.

'Exotic' material is like a switch when super thin

Scientists at Cornell University have successfully switched a particular transition metal oxide from a metal to an insulator by making it less than a nanometer thick. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to revolutionize the development of ultra-thin electronic devices.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Impact glass stores biodata for millions of years

Asteroid and comet impacts can preserve the signatures of ancient life in Earthly impact debris. Researchers found fragments of leaves and preserved organic compounds in ancient impact glasses from Argentina, which could provide a snapshot of environmental conditions at the time of those impacts.

UT Dallas professor to develop framework to protect computers' cores

A new defense framework will be developed by UT Dallas professor Dr. Zhiqiang Lin to detect, diagnose and repair kernel malware attacks and enforce a prevention mechanism. The framework aims to detect malicious code sequences in the core of computer operating systems and prevent kernel malware infections.

Counterfeit contraceptives found in South America

A survey of emergency contraceptive pills in Peru found that 28% were either substandard or falsified, posing serious health risks. Researchers developed a sophisticated approach using mass spectrometry to detect counterfeit drugs, highlighting a growing concern for women's health in developing nations.

More questions than answers as mystery of domestication deepens

Recent research suggests that domestication may be more complex than previously thought, with many species being domesticated less than expected. Studies on animal and plant domestication highlight the limitations of human agency in shaping organisms through selective breeding.

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.

Flipping the switch

Physicists at Harvard University have successfully created quantum switches that can be turned on and off using a single photon. This technological achievement could lead to the creation of highly secure quantum networks, enabling perfectly secure communications over long distances.

Religious music brings benefit to seniors' mental health

Research by Baylor University and the University of Texas-San Antonio found that listening to gospel music decreases anxiety about death, while increases sense of control among seniors. The study, based on a nationwide survey, also showed positive associations between religious music and life satisfaction, self-esteem.

Chronic inflammation linked to 'high-grade' prostate cancer

A new study found that chronic inflammation in non-cancerous prostate tissue may increase a man's risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer by nearly twice. The study showed that men with signs of chronic inflammation had a higher risk of having an aggressive and rapidly growing prostate cancer.

Researchers question published no-till soil organic carbon sequestration rates

A team of researchers found that some studies have shown no-till systems without cover crops may not increase soil organic carbon stocks as claimed. The review suggests that different definitions and methods can lead to conflicting findings, and the accuracy of determining soil organic carbon sequestration depends on the method used.

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.

Gecko-like adhesives now useful for real world surfaces

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new version of Geckskin, a gecko-like adhesive that can adhere to various surfaces like drywall and wood. The material exhibits the ability to stick and release on different surfaces, opening up possibilities for innovative technologies in homes, offices, or outdoors.

Ancient DNA offers clues to how barnyard chickens came to be

A study analyzing ancient chicken DNA found that traits like yellow skin only became widespread in the last 500 years, contradicting previous assumptions about domestication. Researchers compared DNA from 81 ancient chickens to those of modern chickens, revealing significant genetic differences.

Chronic inflammation may be linked to aggressive prostate cancer

A study found that chronic inflammation in benign prostate tissue was associated with high-grade prostate cancer. Men with at least one biopsy core showing inflammation had a 1.78 times higher odds of having prostate cancer and a 2.24 times higher odds of having aggressive disease.

Plants with dormant seeds give rise to more species

Researchers found that seed dormancy allows plants to adapt to their environment, resulting in increased species diversity. Plants with this ability are more likely to colonize new areas and thrive under changing conditions, a strategy that has been around since the earliest seeds.

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.

Impurity size affects performance of emerging superconductive material

A recent study by North Carolina State University reveals that impurities can either hinder or improve the performance of a key superconductive material, Bi2212. The size of the impurities determines their effect, with nanoscale defects appearing to enhance superconductivity, while large-scale impurities weaken it.

Researchers find 3-million-year-old landscape beneath Greenland ice sheet

A team of scientists discovered a 3-million-year-old tundra landscape preserved under the Greenland Ice Sheet, suggesting the ice sheet has endured for longer than previously known. The findings indicate that even during warm periods, the center of Greenland remained stable, preventing the complete melting of the ice sheet.

New study suggests a better way to deal with bad memories

Researchers found that thinking about non-emotional contextual details of a memory can alleviate the negative effects of these memories. This strategy, known as focusing on context, is a promising alternative to other emotion-regulation strategies.

Finding turns neuroanatomy on its head

A new study by Harvard neuroscientists reveals that myelin, the electrical insulating material in nerve cells, is not uniformly distributed along axons. Instead, more evolved neurons in the cerebral cortex have intermittent myelin patterns, which may enable increased neuronal communication and complex behavior.

MRI, on a molecular scale

Scientists at Harvard University have created a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that can produce nano-scale images, potentially allowing researchers to peer into the atomic structure of individual molecules. The system uses a miniaturized magnet and quantum computing technology to achieve high spatial resolution.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Under some LED bulbs whites aren't 'whiter than white'

Researchers found that different LED light sources render white differently, affecting product appearance. Participants struggled to distinguish between cards under blue-pumped LEDs, highlighting the need for spectrum engineering to accurately render whiteness.

Our relationship with God changes when faced with potential romantic rejection

Researchers discovered that individuals with high self-esteem enhance their relationship with God when faced with romantic rejection threat. However, low self-esteem individuals do not leverage this resource. The study also found similar trends when threatening the individual's relationship with God versus a romantic partner.

Classifying cognitive styles across disciplines

Researchers propose a new, integrated framework of cognitive styles that eliminates confusing labeling and enables integration of findings on individual differences in cognition across different disciplines. The taxonomy offers a clear categorization of styles from various fields, highlighting the importance of adaptive patterns or sty...

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.

New clues on tissue scarring in scleroderma

A Northwestern University discovery identifies a specific protein, fibronectin (FnEDA), as a key player in promoting fibrosis in people with scleroderma. The study found that blocking this protein's activity can prevent skin fibrosis in mice, offering new avenues for treatment.

Our brains are hardwired for language

A groundbreaking study reveals that the human brain is sensitive to language universals, with frequent syllables processed more readily than infrequent ones. The brain's response to ill-formed syllables points to a universal linguistic principle governing sound patterns in human language.