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Science News for August 17, 2014


8,000-year-old mutation key to human life at high altitudes

A University of Utah-led study identifies a genetic variation in Tibetans that contributes to their adaptation to high altitudes. The EGLN1 gene change protects Tibetans from complications caused by low oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in thin air.

SourceUniversity of Utah Health·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 17, 2014

FDA-approved drug restores hair in patients with alopecia areata

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have identified the immune cells responsible for destroying hair follicles in people with alopecia areata. A small number of patients showed complete hair regrowth after treatment with an FDA-approved drug, JAK inhibitors, which eliminated attacking T cells and restored hair growth.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Medicine·DateAug 17, 2014

Suspect gene corrupts neural connections

A recent study has found that a rare genetic mutation in the DISC1 gene can corrupt neural connections, leading to disruptions in brain circuitry. The research, published in Nature, used induced pluripotent stem cells to model the effects of the mutation on human neurons.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Mental Health·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 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.

New Stanford research sheds light on how children's brains memorize facts

A new study from Stanford Medicine explains how children's brains reorganize themselves as they learn math facts. The research found that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in building a schema for mathematical knowledge and provides a scaffold for learning and consolidating facts into long-term memory.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 17, 2014

New home for an 'evolutionary misfit'

Researchers have discovered a definitive link between ancient worm-like creature Hallucigenia and modern velvet worms. A new study reveals that claws play a crucial role in the connection between these two groups, shedding light on the evolutionary tree of life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature·DateAug 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.

Stuck in neutral: Brain defect traps schizophrenics in twilight zone

People with schizophrenia struggle to convert desires into actions due to brain deficits affecting the caudate region. This impairment prevents them from making choices and behaving accordingly. The study's findings suggest that schizophrenics are 'stuck in neutral', wanting a normal life but unable to take necessary steps.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateAug 17, 2014

BGRF announces OncoFinder algorithm for reducing errors in transcriptome analysis

The OncoFinder algorithm reduces errors in transcriptome analysis by mapping gene expression onto signalling pathways, allowing for more effective evaluation and analysis. The method enables scientists to characterise functional states of transcriptomes more accurately, improving research and clinical applications.

SourceBiogerontology Research Foundation·JournalFrontiers in Molecular Biosciences·DateAug 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.

Epigenetic breakthrough bolsters understanding of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have discovered strong evidence that epigenetic changes play a role in Alzheimer's disease, with specific DNA modifications linked to neuropathology. The study provides potential hope for understanding the mechanisms involved in dementia and highlights the importance of epigenetics research.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 17, 2014

Microchip reveals how tumor cells transition to invasion

Researchers have shed new light on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in cancer cells, using a microengineered device that acts as an obstacle course for cells. The study reveals that EMT upgrades cancer cells from an economy model to a fast sports car, allowing them to migrate aggressively to distant locations.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 17, 2014

A shift in the code: New method reveals hidden genetic landscape

A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory developed a new algorithm to analyze genome sequences and pinpoint insertion and deletion mutations involved in diseases. They successfully identified indels associated with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, shedding light on the genetic causes of these disorders.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 17, 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.

'Cavity protection effect' helps to conserve quantum information

Scientists have successfully used a protection effect to enhance the stability of a promising quantum system, allowing for longer storage times. This breakthrough opens up new applications for hybrid quantum systems and could lead to ultrafast quantum computers.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 17, 2014

Fascinating rhythm: Light pulses illuminate a rare black hole

Astronomers have accurately measured a rare black hole about 400 times the mass of our sun in a galaxy 12 million light years from Earth. The finding confirms the existence of intermediate-mass black holes, which were previously disputed due to lack of data.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2014

Gorges are eradicated by downstream sweep erosion

A team of scientists analyzed a gorge on the Da'an Chi river in Taiwan over almost ten years, revealing a new mechanism that drives this process. Downstream sweep erosion is caused by a wide braided channel upstream, which gradually washes away bedrock surrounding the gorge.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Geoscience·DateAug 17, 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.

Stem cells reveal how illness-linked genetic variation affects neurons

A recent study using stem cells found that a rare genetic variation, known as DISC1, reduces synapse growth in young brain cells, contributing to schizophrenia and depression. The researchers also discovered that the variation regulates the activity of over 100 genes related to synapses.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateAug 17, 2014

DNA methylation involved in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered that early changes in brain DNA methylation are involved in Alzheimer's disease. The study found correlations between methylation levels and Alzheimer's disease in specific genes, suggesting a potential role for epigenomic modifications in disease susceptibility.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateAug 17, 2014