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Science News Archive December 2014 - Page 28


Page 28 of 28

Supplemental co-enzyme Q may prevent heart disease in some individuals

Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that low birth weight in rats can lead to reduced co-enzyme Q levels in the aorta, but supplementing with extra CoQ may prevent age-associated damage and heart disease. This study provides potential steps towards developing a diagnostic test for blood co-enzyme Q levels.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateDec 1, 2014

UGA study finds it's mean boys, not mean girls, who rule at school

A new study from the University of Georgia found that boys engage in relationally aggressive behavior more often than girls across all grade levels. The longitudinal study analyzed data from over 600 students and found that almost all of them had experienced relational aggression at least once.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalAggressive Behavior·DateDec 1, 2014

The human eye can see 'invisible' infrared light

Researchers found that the retina can sense infrared light when laser pulses rapidly deliver a double hit of energy, allowing the eye to detect light outside the visible spectrum. This discovery may lead to developing new tools for examining and stimulating the retina.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014
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.

Sophisticated HIV diagnostics adapted for remote areas

Researchers have developed a low-cost, electricity-free device capable of detecting HIV-1 DNA using a small scale chemical reaction. The NINA system can detect infection at an early stage, allowing for immediate treatment and reducing the risk of loss to follow-up.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Biomedical Imaging & Bioengineering·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 1, 2014

NASA's CATS eyes clouds, smoke and dust from the space station

The Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument on the International Space Station measures aerosols and cloud layers, providing data to improve air quality forecasts and track hazardous events like wildfires. This information will also feed into climate models to better understand Earth's energy balance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 1, 2014

Breast cancer vaccine shows promise in small clinical trial

A new breast cancer vaccine developed at Washington University School of Medicine has shown safety and preliminary evidence of biological efficacy in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The vaccine targets a protein called mammaglobin-A, found almost exclusively in breast tissue, and primes the immune system to attack tumor cells, ...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalClinical Cancer Research·DateDec 1, 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.

NYU researchers find silver lining playbook for performance

A novel silver lining theory establishes that believing a weakness can be a strength leads to increased productivity in that domain. In experiments, impulsivity was found to be related to creativity when participants believed it, but not when they disbelieved it.

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology·DateDec 1, 2014

Ground-based detection of super-Earth transit achieved

Astronomers have successfully detected a super-Earth's transit using a ground-based telescope, marking the first time this has been done. The transit occurred in front of a bright Sun-like star and demonstrates that small planets can be characterized with existing facilities.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateDec 1, 2014

Quantum leap as Clark unveils UK's network of Quantum Technology Hubs

The UK has unveiled a £120 million national network of Quantum Technology Hubs, exploring the properties of quantum mechanics and harnessing them for technology. The hubs will deliver transformative impacts in key areas such as quantum metrology and sensors; quantum simulators; quantum computers and quantum secure communications.

SourceEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council·DateDec 1, 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.

Researchers identify chemical compound that decreases effects of multiple sclerosis

A team of researchers has identified a chemical compound called indazole chloride that can decrease the effects of multiple sclerosis. Ind-Cl works by inhibiting selective inflammation and remyelinating axons, restoring neuronal function and potentially reducing MS progression.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014

Research suggests ability of HIV to cause AIDS is slowing

Research suggests that HIV's rapid evolution is slowing its ability to cause AIDS, while access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables infected individuals to progress more slowly. The study found that HIV adaptation to the immune system comes at a cost, making the virus less virulent.

SourceWellcome Trust·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 2014

Therapeutic bronchoscopy performed on a dolphin

A bottlenose dolphin with breathing difficulties underwent pioneering therapeutic bronchoscopy, marking the first time such a procedure was performed on a marine mammal. The dolphin's respiratory cycle improved significantly after the treatment, and she returned to her normal behavior.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateDec 1, 2014

PET/CT shows pituitary abnormalities in veterans with PTSD

A new study using PET/CT technology found that military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often have abnormal pituitary gland function. The research suggests that hormone imbalances in the pituitary gland may be a key factor in the development of PTSD in veterans who have also suffered from mild traumatic brain injury.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 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.

American mastodons made warm Arctic, subarctic temporary home 125,000 years ago

New radiocarbon dates reveal American mastodons only lived in the Arctic and Subarctic for a limited time around 125,000 years ago. The results indicate that mastodons suffered local extinction several tens of millennia before human colonization or climate changes at the end of the ice age.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 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.

Mutation associated with premature ovarian failure identified

A new study identifies a specific mutation in the MCM8 gene as a cause of premature ovarian failure. The mutation leads to chromosomal instability and DNA repair problems, affecting women's reproductive health. Researchers found that siblings without the mutation did not experience similar symptoms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateDec 1, 2014

NASA's 2014 HS3 hurricane mission investigated four tropical cyclones

The HS3 mission investigated the processes underlying hurricane formation and intensity change in the Atlantic Ocean basin. The study focused on four tropical cyclones: Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, and Gonzalo. Data collected by NASA's Global Hawk aircraft revealed strong winds and dry air shifts near Hurricane Cristobal's center.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateDec 1, 2014

Institute of Food Research announces test for horse meat

Scientists at Institute of Food Research developed a fast and cheap alternative to DNA testing for distinguishing horse meat from beef. The new method uses NMR spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of fat in meats, with results available in just ten minutes.

SourceNorwich BioScience Institutes·JournalFood Chemistry·DateDec 1, 2014

Study: Different species share a 'genetic toolkit' for behavioral traits

Researchers have discovered a common 'genetic toolkit' for behavioral traits across different species, including house mice, stickleback fish, and honey bees. Shared gene expression patterns were found in response to intruder threats, suggesting molecular similarities run deeper than brain structural differences.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 1, 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.

Vitamin D reduces lung disease flare-ups by over 40 percent

A new study from Queen Mary University of London found that vitamin D supplements can significantly reduce the risk of COPD flare-ups in patients with a vitamin D deficiency. The trial, which included 240 patients, showed a 40% reduction in flare-ups among those who received vitamin D supplements.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·DateDec 1, 2014

Widening wage gap linked to more deaths among black Americans

A study by University of California, Berkeley researchers found that greater income inequality is linked to more deaths among African Americans, with each unit increase resulting in an additional 27-37 deaths. In contrast, white Americans experienced fewer deaths, suggesting a protective effect for high-income whites.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalInternational Journal of Health Services·DateDec 1, 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.

UW team explores large, restless volcanic field in Chile

A team led by UW-Madison is investigating the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in Chile's Andes, where a mega-eruption could be as large as Mount St. Helens. The team aims to document the volcano's behavior before an eruption using geology, geochemistry, and seismology techniques.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalGSA Today·DateDec 1, 2014

Researchers use 3-D printing to guide human face transplants

A study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that using 3D printed models of the recipient's head improved pre-operative data, allowing surgeons to better appreciate complex anatomy and bony defects. This reduction in procedure time led to improved overall patient outcomes.

SourceRadiological Society of North America·DateDec 1, 2014

Scientists identify most ancient pinworm yet found

Scientists have identified the most ancient pinworm yet found, dating back 240 million years. The discovery confirms that herbivorous cynodonts and possibly dinosaurs were infected with parasites.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalParasites & Vectors·DateDec 1, 2014

Health information exchanges should be better examined, study finds

A RAND Corporation review found that few health information exchanges have been evaluated, despite significant investments. The relatively few examined exchanges show some evidence of reducing emergency department costs and usage, but outcomes are unknown.

SourceRAND Corporation·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateDec 1, 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.

Study links sleep apnea to impaired exercise capacity

A new study reveals that obstructive sleep apnea is associated with lower predicted peak oxygen uptake, a measure of aerobic physical fitness, in patients. Sleep apnea severity alone explained 16.1 percent of this variability, indicating a strong independent relationship between the two.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateDec 1, 2014

Love at first smell

Researchers found that birds can compare their own odor with potential mates and choose unrelated individuals as breeding partners. This suggests a link between mate choice and disease-resistance in birds, similar to mammals.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 1, 2014

Anticholesterol rosuvastatin not associated with reduced risk for fractures

A large study found no association between rosuvastatin statin therapy and reduced fracture risk in participants with elevated inflammatory biomarkers. Despite potential biological pathways linking cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, the results contradict previous studies suggesting a protective effect of statins on fractures.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateDec 1, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stressed-out cancers may provide drug target

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that cancer cells with chromosomal instability are vulnerable to mild metabolic disruption, making them a potential target for new therapy. The study's findings suggest that targeting these unstable cells could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOncogene·DateDec 1, 2014