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Science News for February 21, 2014


Antibody may be detectable in blood years before MS symptoms appear

Researchers found an antibody to KIR4.1 protein in the blood of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) years before symptoms appeared, suggesting a potential role in disease development. The study's findings may help detect MS earlier, enabling better treatment and prevention strategies.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·DateFeb 21, 2014

Fruit-loving lemurs score higher on spatial memory tests

A study by researchers at Duke University found that fruit-eating lemur species excel in spatial memory tests, demonstrating a strong link between diet and cognitive abilities. The findings suggest that lemurs with diets rich in fruits, which are seasonally available and often hard to access, develop superior spatial memory skills.

SourceDuke University·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateFeb 21, 2014

Selenium and vitamin E supplements can increase risk of prostate cancer in some men

A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high-dose supplementation with selenium and vitamin E increases the risk of high-grade prostate cancer in men. The risk depends on a man's baseline selenium level, with men who have low levels experiencing a higher risk

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 21, 2014

Promising cervical cancer study

A multi-site research project led by Dr. Bradley J. Monk found that women with advanced cervical cancer live an average of 17 months longer when combined with bevacizumab and chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. The study reveals a significant improvement in treatment outcomes for patients with metastatic cervical cancer.

SourceSt. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateFeb 21, 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.

The parasite that escaped out of Africa

A Penn-led study found Plasmodium vivax's origin in wild-living apes in central Africa, overturning the dogma that it originated in Asia. The parasite infects both gorillas and chimpanzees, with ape P. vivax exhibiting infection rates consistent with stable transmission within wild communities.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 21, 2014

Optimizing custody is child's play for physicists

Researchers used physical models to tackle the challenge of finding a suitable weekend for both parents in a recomposed family to see all their children at the same time. They found that minimizing energy in a material model is equivalent to maximizing parent-child time, and developed an algorithm to achieve this.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 21, 2014

Degradation of viral DNA in the cell nucleus is opening up new treatment

Scientists have discovered a way to selectively degrade viral DNA in the cell nucleus of infected liver cells, opening up new treatment options for hepatitis B. This breakthrough may allow for the development of a treatment that can heal hepatitis B without damaging the host cell.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2014

NASA's IRIS spots its largest solar flare

On January 28, 2014, NASA's Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) witnessed a strong solar flare, emitting x-rays and light into space. The IRIS mission offers unprecedented resolution to study the sun's lower atmosphere, providing valuable insights into solar flares.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 21, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Schizophrenics are at greater risk of getting diseases

Research from Aarhus University finds that people with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Infections play a determining role in this association.

SourceAarhus University·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateFeb 21, 2014

Tracking catalytic reactions in microreactors

Researchers mapped catalytic reactivity inside a microreactor in high resolution from start-to-finish using infrared and x-ray light. The study revealed opportunities for optimization, resulting in better catalytic performances.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 21, 2014

Microparticles show molecules their way

Scientists have developed novel microparticles with structured surfaces that can selectively load various molecules, opening up potential for cancer therapy and artificial manufacture of biological tissues. The microparticles are suited for technical applications such as manufacturing of micromachines and nanorobots.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 21, 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.

Early warning system for epidemics

A new software architecture developed by Fraunhofer IOSB enables the visualization of complex relationships between environmental factors and health data on risk maps, leading to a better understanding of cholera epidemic processes. This allows for faster and more effective response measures.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateFeb 21, 2014

Reducing HIV transmission among drug injectors lowers AIDS mortality in heterosexuals

A recent study by New York University researchers found that programs for people who use drugs, such as syringe exchange and treatment, are associated with lower rates of AIDS incidence and death among heterosexuals. The study highlights the importance of addressing HIV epidemics in one population to reduce risks in other populations.

SourceNew York University·JournalAnnals of Epidemiology·DateFeb 21, 2014

Does a diet high in carbohydrates increase your risk of dementia?

A diet rich in carbohydrates can lead to detrimental effects on brain health, increasing the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment. Dr. David Perlmutter explains that carbohydrate calories have a more significant impact on human physiology than calorie sources from fat.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalAlternative and Complementary Therapies·DateFeb 21, 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.

Researchers look to reduce hep C infections for injecting drug user

A new study suggests that a strengths-based social/behavioral intervention can help injecting drug users avoid injection-related HCV and HIV infections. The 'Staying Safe Intervention' program, developed by NYU researchers, showed substantial improvements in motivation and planning to avoid injection risks.

SourceNew York University·JournalAIDS Education and Prevention·DateFeb 21, 2014

Selenium and vitamin E supplementation over recommended dietary intake may raise PC risk

A new study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that high-dose selenium supplementation increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer among older men with high baseline toenail selenium concentrations. Vitamin E supplementation also raised PC risk, especially among men with low baseline selenium levels.

SourceOxford University Press UK·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateFeb 21, 2014
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.

NASA sees Tropical Cyclone Guito exit the Mozambique Channel

NASA's Terra satellite captured visible images of Tropical Cyclone Guito as it exited the Mozambique Channel and moved into the open waters of the Southern Indian Ocean. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 60 knots/69.0 mph/111.1 kph, located just south of the channel.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateFeb 21, 2014

Temperature and ecology: Rival Chilean barnacles keep competition cool

Researchers found that two Chilean barnacle species, Jehlius cirratus and Notochthalamus scabrosus, coexist without strong competition, even in different temperatures. The study's surprising non-finding may have implications for understanding the biological future of major coastlines.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology·DateFeb 21, 2014

New, inexpensive production materials boost promise of hydrogen fuel

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed new, oxide-based materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases using solar energy. The dual-layer catalyst design enabled a record high efficiency of 1.7%, making it possible to produce fuel at a price competitive with gasoline.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 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.

Newly discovered marsupial the victim of fatal attraction

Researchers have discovered a new species of marsupial in Queensland's Springbrook National Park, the Black-tailed Antechinus. The highly sexed mouse-like marsupial is threatened due to its unique mating behavior, which causes males to die before reproducing.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalZootaxa·DateFeb 21, 2014

Will plug-in cars crash the electric grid?

A team of University of Vermont scientists has developed a novel solution to manage the growing fleet of plug-in electric cars, allowing them to charge in smaller chunks and distribute demand over time. The approach uses smart meters and computer algorithms to smooth out supply and demand, protecting grid overload.

SourceUniversity of Vermont·JournalIEEE Transactions on Smart Grid·DateFeb 21, 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.