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Science News for April 25, 2014


New sensor molecules have potential for early cancer detection

Researchers discovered a new water-soluble fluorescent detection system that is extremely sensitive to pyrophosphate, which plays a key role in energy transduction and DNA replication in cancer cells. The discovery may lead to improved cancer diagnostics.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·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.

It's not all wedded bliss: Marital stress linked to depression

A recent study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that chronic marital stress can make people more vulnerable to depression. Participants who reported higher marital stress had shorter-lived responses to positive images than those reporting more satisfaction in their unions.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalJournal of Psychophysiology·DateApr 25, 2014

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
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.

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

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
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.

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
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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

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
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.

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
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.

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
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.

'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