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Science News Archive August 2014 - Page 18


Page 18 of 31

UTSA research sheds light on factors affecting veteran hiring

Researchers at UTSA have identified key factors limiting veterans' ability to secure jobs and offer strategies for organizations and veterans to enhance their access. The study highlights the importance of addressing stereotypes, educating decision-makers about military skills transfer, and creating a culture that values hiring veterans.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalHuman Resource Management·DateAug 14, 2014

NASA to investigate climate impacts of Arctic Sea ice loss

The Arctic Radiation IceBridge Sea and Ice Experiment (ARISE) aims to study the effect of sea ice retreat on Arctic climate. ARISE will conduct research flights over the Arctic from Aug. 28 to Oct. 1, collecting data on ice, clouds, and radiation balance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateAug 14, 2014

Immune cell discovery could help to halt cancer spread

Melanoma cells that have spread to the lungs can be killed by highly specialized immune cells called natural killer cells. The discovery reveals a new target for boosting or depleting these immune cells to treat disease.

SourceWalter and Eliza Hall Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Adipose-derived stem cells and nerve regeneration

Researchers explore adipose-derived stem cells as a tool for improving nerve regeneration through bioengineered nerve grafts, aiming to revolutionize peripheral nerve repair. Adipose-derived stem cells have shown potential to stimulate improved nerve regeneration and could replace current clinical approaches.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateAug 14, 2014

Strong state alcohol policies reduce likelihood of binge drinking

Researchers found that states with stronger alcohol policies have a lower likelihood of binge drinking, with higher taxes and reduced outlets accounting for half of the effect. This study highlights the importance of evidence-based policy decisions in reducing alcohol-related deaths and economic costs.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 14, 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.

Forcing chromosomes into loops may switch off sickle cell disease

Researchers use protein-engineering techniques to force chromatin fiber into looped structures that activate genes regulating fetal hemoglobin, which is not affected by the inherited mutation causing sickle cell disease. The approach may give rise to a new therapy for the debilitating blood disorder.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 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.

Early antibiotic exposure leads to lifelong metabolic disturbances in mice

A new study suggests that early antibiotic exposure disrupts the gut microbiome, permanently altering metabolism in mice. Researchers found that mice exposed to low-dose penicillin during pregnancy or nursing were more susceptible to obesity and metabolic abnormalities than those exposed later in life.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 2014

Fukushima's legacy

Studies on Fukushima radiation impact birds, monkeys, butterflies, and plants with population declines, genetic damage, and stress responses observed. Chronic low-dose radiation exposure results in genetic damage and mutation rates in reproductive cells.

SourceAmerican Genetic Association·JournalJournal of Heredity·DateAug 14, 2014

Study details shortage of replication in education research

A recent study found that replication studies in education research are severely lacking, with less than one percent of published articles being replications. Most replications were successful, but the quality and frequency of replications vary greatly depending on factors such as authorship overlap and journal publication policy.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalEducational Researcher·DateAug 14, 2014

New Irish research sheds light on how aspirin works to reduce cancer deaths

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin found that women taking regular aspirin before diagnosis had lower rates of breast cancer spreading and death. The study suggests a possible link between aspirin use and reduced mortality from breast cancer, with further research needed to understand the mechanism and optimal dosage.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 14, 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.

Experimental chikungunya vaccine induces robust antibody response

A new experimental chikungunya vaccine performed well in an early clinical trial, eliciting neutralizing antibodies in all participants and providing durable protection for at least 11 months. The vaccine, a virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine, was delivered without an adjuvant and prompted a robust immune response.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalThe Lancet·DateAug 14, 2014

Protein found to block benefits of vitamin A cancer therapy

Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center found that protein AEG-1 interferes with retinoic acid's ability to treat leukemia and liver cancer, highlighting a potential target for new therapies. The study's results could impact the treatment of countless cancer patients by enabling doctors to screen for AEG-1 expression levels.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 14, 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.

Food allergies more widespread among inner-city children

A study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that at least one in 10 inner-city children has a food allergy, with peanuts being the most common allergen. The study also suggests that early-life exposure to certain microbes may play a protective role against food allergies.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 14, 2014

Hoopoes' eggs show their true colors

Researchers found that hoopoes' eggs change from bluish-grey to greenish-brown when exposed to preen gland secretion, which contains antimicrobial properties. This color change may serve as a signal about the mother bird's breeding quality.

SourceSpringer·DateAug 14, 2014

Researchers develop strategy to combat genetic ALS, FTD

Scientists at Mayo Clinic and Scripps Research Institute developed a new therapeutic strategy to combat the most common genetic risk factor for ALS and FTD. They discovered a potential biomarker that can track disease progression and measure the efficacy of therapies.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNeuron·DateAug 14, 2014

Gender disparities uncovered in desire to receive living donor kidney transplants

A recent study found that black women are less likely to want to receive kidney transplants from living donors, despite receiving more unsolicited offers from family and friends. Women were also less likely to be evaluated for a transplant, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to alleviate existing disparities.

SourceAmerican Society of Nephrology·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateAug 14, 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.

CF mucus defect present at birth

Research by University of Iowa scientists reveals that cystic fibrosis causes a primary defect in mucociliary transport, resulting in impaired detachment of mucus from airway glands. This leads to airway obstruction, difficulty breathing, and increased susceptibility to lung infection.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

Woodrats' genes help them to win the arms race against their food

Researchers identified specific genes switched on in woodrats that detoxify the creosote plant's toxic resin. The study found two closely related species of woodrat have different reactions to the toxin, with one species exhibiting stress due to unactivated detoxification genes.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Ecology·DateAug 14, 2014

NSAIDs benefit overweight breast cancer patients, study finds

Researchers found that NSAID use reduces ERα positive breast cancer recurrence by 50% and extends patients' disease-free period by more than two years. The study suggests a new possibility for reducing breast cancer recurrence among overweight and obese postmenopausal women.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 14, 2014

Scientists use lasers to control mouse brain switchboard

A study found that just a few nerve cells in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) may control the switch between internal thoughts and external distractions. The TRN's firing patterns were altered using laser light, revealing its role in regulating consciousness and mental states.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 2014

Tissue development 'roadmap' created to guide stem cell medicine

A new computer algorithm called CellNet has been created to guide stem cell medicine by providing a 'quality assurance' measure for lab-created cells. The algorithm assesses the complex network of genes in engineered cells, comparing them to their real-life counterparts, and provides guidance on improving the engineering process.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 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.

New non-invasive technique controls size of molecules penetrating the blood-brain barrier

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new non-invasive technique using acoustic pressure to control the size of molecules penetrating the blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough may help improve localized brain drug delivery for treatment of central nervous system diseases like Par...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism·DateAug 14, 2014

Scientists study 'talking' turtles in Brazilian Amazon

Researchers found Giant South American river turtles have a repertoire of vocalizations for different behavioral situations, including caring for young. The study reveals unique insights into their behavior, with female turtles using specific sounds to call to their newly hatched offspring and synchronize movements.

SourceWildlife Conservation Society·JournalHerpetologica·DateAug 14, 2014

Scripps Research Institute chemists uncover powerful new click chemistry reactivity

Researchers have developed a powerful new reactivity called SuFEx that enables the creation of stable, non-polar linkers for making drugs, diagnostics, and smart materials. The breakthrough opens up vast numbers of new molecules for production, with potential applications in fields such as drug discovery, biology, and materials science.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateAug 14, 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.

New tool makes a single picture worth far more than a thousand words

Researchers developed AverageExplorer to tackle vast amounts of visual data, generating an image that represents key features of multiple photos. This tool enables users to quickly sort and analyze images by giving extra weight to specific features.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateAug 14, 2014

Human contribution to glacier mass loss on the increase

A recent study reveals that human activity is a significant contributor to glacier mass loss, with a notable increase in recent decades. The research suggests that only about one quarter of global glacier mass loss between 1851 and 2010 was due to anthropogenic causes, but this fraction rose to two-thirds during the last two decades.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

New analysis links tree height to climate

Researchers link tree height to climate conditions, finding hydraulic limitation constrains maximum tree height under drier conditions, while resource allocation constrains it in moist areas. The study, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Thomas Givnish, examined Eucalyptus species in Victoria state, Australia.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalEcology·DateAug 14, 2014

Molecular engineers record an electron's quantum behavior

Researchers developed a technique to control and observe individual electrons in nanoscale defects, enabling the creation of quantum-state snapshots. This breakthrough contributes to quantum information processing and could accelerate development of quantum computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 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.

Researchers identify a brain 'switchboard' important in attention and sleep

A study published in Cell reveals that the thalamic reticular nucleus acts as a 'switchboard' directing sensory signals during wakefulness and internal information during sleep. This 'switchboard' is crucial in attention and sleep, with faulty cells potentially disrupting filtering of information in psychiatric disorders.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 2014

New frontiers of fecal microbiota transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in treating a broad range of gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. A new orally delivered community of microbes has been developed to address the challenges of FMT.

SourceAmerican Gastroenterological Association·DateAug 14, 2014

Mysteries of space dust revealed

Researchers analyzed seven grains of possible interstellar dust, finding they are more complex in composition and structure than previously imagined. The analysis opens a door to studying the origins of the solar system and possibly the origin of life itself.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

Memories of errors foster faster learning

Scientists discovered that people learn new motor tasks faster when they recall the errors made during the first attempt. The brain uses this information to fine-tune its performance and adapt to future similar tasks. This study sheds light on how our brains learn from mistakes.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Study of Chilean quake shows potential for future earthquake

Researchers analyzed near-real-time data from the April 1 earthquake in Iquique, Chile, and found that it occurred on a fault gap not ruptured since 1877. The study suggests that while the current stress was not released during the quake, it leaves open the possibility of another significant event.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateAug 14, 2014

NSAIDs may lower breast cancer recurrence rate in overweight and obese women

Regular use of aspirin or other NSAIDs has been found to reduce the risk of hormone-related breast cancer recurrence by half in overweight and obese women. The study suggests that limiting inflammatory signaling may be an effective approach to altering the cancer-promoting effects of obesity.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research·DateAug 14, 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.

Computation and collaboration lead to significant advance in malaria

Researchers developed a new computational method to study disease-causing genes, starting with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The method allowed for the prediction of protein functions and revealed the role of EXP1 in detoxifying metabolic byproducts and drug susceptibility.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalCell·DateAug 14, 2014

A self-organizing thousand-robot swarm

A self-organizing swarm of 1,024 robots creates complex shapes by following simple programmed rules, showcasing collective artificial intelligence. The Kilobots overcomes individual limitations through a smart algorithm, guaranteeing task completion and demonstrating the potential for large-scale robotics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

Predicting fracking policy

A new study presents a formal model to predict how countries will regulate hydraulic fracturing, helping companies assess risks and benefits. The model uses multi-criteria decision analysis to aggregate various inputs into a ranked list of policy alternatives.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalEnvironmental Sciences Europe·DateAug 14, 2014

Harnessing the power of bacteria's sophisticated immune system

Researchers have better understood how bacteria can protect itself from harm, using X-ray crystallography to visualize the molecular machinery known as Cascade. The unique ladder-like structure allows RNA to scan DNA more efficiently than a double-helix structure, enabling faster recognition and destruction of viral invaders.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

Mass layoffs linked to increased teen suicide attempts

A new study from Duke University found that mass layoffs can trigger increased suicide attempts and behaviors among teenagers, particularly girls and black adolescents. The research, based on a nationally representative survey of 403,457 adolescents, suggests that economic hardship worsens existing tendencies in girls.

SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateAug 14, 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.

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.

Embalming study 'rewrites' chapter in Egyptian history

A study published in PLOS ONE found evidence of ancient Egyptian mummification practices dating back to the Late Neolithic period, around 4500-3350 BC. The discovery suggests that early Egyptians may have used natural products to preserve bodies, laying the groundwork for later Pharaonic mummification techniques.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateAug 13, 2014

Tick-tock: How to quite literally speed up a woman's biological clock

A study found that listening to the sound of a ticking clock can influence women's desire to start a family at an earlier age. The effect was particularly pronounced among women from lower socio-economic backgrounds, who were more likely to prioritize having children over other life goals. Men were not affected in the same way.

SourceSpringer Science+Business Media·JournalHuman Nature·DateAug 13, 2014