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Science News Archive February 2014


Page 9 of 30

Dismantling pancreas cancer's armor

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that removing immune suppressor cells from pancreas tumors triggers a spontaneous anti-tumor immune response, providing hope for future immunotherapy strategies. The study showed that these cells, called granulocyte-myeloid-derived suppressor cells (Gr-MDSCs), actively work ag...

Cell behavior in low oxygen conditions mapped

A new study at the University of Liverpool explains how cells adapt to low oxygen environments, potentially controlling cell survival signals. By monitoring protein levels and gene expression, researchers discovered optimal conditions for keeping cells alive, which could lead to cancer treatment advancements.

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.

Forest model predicts canopy competition

A new mathematical model developed by Brown University scientists can predict how trees compete for space in the canopy, revealing that incumbent trees dominate 97.9% of a given square meter two years later.

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.

Multilevel approach to coping with stigmas identified

Researchers found that a two-way approach can be more effective in reducing health disparities due to social stigma. Interventions at the individual level, such as educational approaches, can be combined with structural changes, like legislative reforms, to achieve better outcomes.

With friends like these, who needs democracy?

A new study by Michigan State University's Michael Colaresi suggests that foreign aid from rival nations can create mistrust among citizens and hinder the establishment of democratic governments after civil wars. Only one country, Algeria, bucked this trend by becoming more democratic in the following decade.

Study shows that premature infants benefit from adult talk

Research published in Pediatrics shows that premature babies who hear more adult talk in the NICU have higher language and cognitive scores at 18 months. The study found that every increase in adult word count per hour during the recording period was associated with a two-point increase in the language score.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Sequencing hundreds of nuclear genes in the sunflower family now possible

A new approach allows for the sequencing of hundreds of nuclear genes across members of the Compositae, enabling better-resolution phylogenetic relationships and addressing evolutionary questions about the family. The method, termed target sequence capture, has been successfully tested using 14 species from the sunflower family.

Extreme weather decides distribution of insects

Researchers found that insect distribution is primarily defined by their tolerance to extreme temperatures, not average temperature changes. This knowledge helped model the expected shift in distributions due to climate change, with some species predicted to disappear entirely in a few decades.

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.

Scientists discover 11 new genes affecting blood pressure

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have identified 11 new genetic variants associated with high blood pressure and heart disease. These findings provide valuable insight into the body's regulation of blood pressure, potentially leading to the development of new treatments for hypertension.

Roots to shoots: Hormone transport in plants deciphered

A new study identifies a protein essential for relocating cytokinins from roots to shoots, regulating plant growth and development. The research has implications for increasing biomass yield and stress tolerance of plants grown for biofuels or agriculture.

Clinical opinion published on use of maternal oxygen during labor

A clinical opinion published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that maternal oxygen supplementation during labor may not benefit the fetus and could be harmful. The authors recommend reserving oxygen for mothers with hypoxia only, pending further research.

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.

Mauritius kestrels show long-term legacy of man-made habitat change

A study on Mauritius kestrels reveals that the birds have adopted a faster reproductive strategy due to habitat loss, allowing them to maintain population numbers despite reduced survival rates as young adults. The researchers warn that human activities can have long-lasting impacts on wild species' life histories.

A changing view of bone marrow cells

Researchers at Caltech have shown that bone marrow cells are sensitive to infection-related molecules and respond rapidly. They detect invasion and mount an inflammatory response, producing cytokines that stimulate the differentiation of immune cells.

Greece's deepening health crisis

A new study reveals that Greece's health system is deteriorating due to severe austerity measures, leading to a rise in infectious diseases and mental health issues. The country has experienced significant cuts to its healthcare budget, resulting in reduced access to medical care for many patients.

Better broccoli, enhanced anti-cancer benefits with longer shelf life

Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered a method to increase broccoli's anti-cancer properties while prolonging its shelf life. The combined application of methyl jasmonate and 1-methylcyclopropene increased the presence of cancer-fighting agents in broccoli, while reducing ethylene levels that cause decay.

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.

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.

Crime Lab receives $1 million MacArthur Foundation award

The University of Chicago Crime Lab has received a $1 million MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions to study interventions preventing violence. Researchers have found targeted tutoring programs improve school outcomes and reduce violence among high school students.

Study examines correctional officer stress

A new study by Sam Houston State University found that conflicts between work and family life were the most significant issues affecting correctional officers' stress and job satisfaction. The study identified demands from work, incompatibility between work and home roles, and family circumstances as major contributors to job stress.

Turning back the clock on aging muscles?

Researchers have discovered a method for restoring strength to damaged skeletal muscles in the elderly using stem cell therapy. The treatment involves treating cells outside the body with a drug that prevents protein modification and culturing them on soft biomaterials, allowing aged cells to grow and self-renew.

Biopsies before transplantation do not determine success of donated kidneys

Studies found that biopsied kidney injuries were modestly associated with delay in organ function, but only for donor kidneys already at high risk. However, there was a large degree of overlap between discarded and transplanted kidneys, suggesting low-quality biopsies may be used to make acceptance decisions.

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.

What has happened to the tsunami debris from Japan?

The IPRC Ocean Drift Model has been charting the possible paths of tsunami driftage for nearly 3 years, improving its accuracy by accounting for different shapes and buoyancies. The model predicts the type and timing of material that washes up along windward shores, including oyster buoys, crates, and wood pieces from Japan.

Scientists create powerful artificial muscle with fishing line

Researchers have created artificial muscles that generate far more force and power than human muscles of the same size, using fibres from fishing lines and sewing threads. These inexpensive muscles can quickly lift weights up to 100 times heavier than humans can, with applications in medical devices, humanoid robots, and prosthetic limbs.

New calibration confirms LUX dark matter results

The LUX detector demonstrates its high sensitivity to potential signals in the search for low-mass dark matter particles. The new calibration confirms that no evidence of such particles was found during the detector's initial run.

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.

Why are some children more resilient to post-traumatic stress?

A study comparing post-traumatic stress symptoms among children exposed to disasters and identifying risk factors for resiliency. The article discusses the importance of recognizing similarities and differences in how children and adults react to traumatic events.

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.

Elsevier announces the launch of a new journal: TrEAC

Elsevier has launched a new journal, TrEAC, which will publish concise and critical overviews of the rapid changes and development in environmental analytical chemistry. The journal aims to enhance understanding of the environment through analysis and detection of new contaminants.

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.

Bioengineered growth factors lead to better wound healing

Researchers at EPFL have developed bioengineered growth factors that significantly enhance wound healing, bone repair, and new blood vessel formation. The engineered growth factors display improved binding affinity to extracellular matrix proteins, leading to faster tissue closure and granulation tissue production.

Molecular 'cocktail' transforms skin cells into beating heart cells

Researchers at the Gladstone Institutes have devised a method to reprogram skin cells into cells that closely resemble beating heart cells, exhibiting twitching and contracting patterns. The addition of one genetic factor, Oct4, accelerated the transformation, revealing promising results for pharmaceutical-based therapies.

New apps may help detect seizures, treat strokes

Two new smartphone applications have been developed to aid in diagnosing epileptic seizures and managing acute stroke care. The epilepsy app was found to be informative in 87% of tested individuals, agreeing with medical diagnoses in 96% of cases.

Stress hormone linked to frailty

A new study found that individuals with frailty have lower morning cortisol levels and higher evening levels, associated with reduced grip strength and walking speed. This study suggests a link between disrupted cortisol regulation and loss of muscle mass and strength in frail adults.

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.

MD Anderson researcher uncovers some of the ancient mysteries of leprosy

A new hypothesis suggests that leprosy has existed for millions of years, with roots dating back to around 10 million years ago. The disease is believed to have evolved from a common ancestor of two known leprosy bacteria, which underwent reductive evolution resulting in a lean genome and loss of free-living ability.

Human and dog brains both have dedicated 'voice areas'

A recent study has revealed that human and dog brains share dedicated 'voice areas', suggesting a long evolutionary history of this neural mechanism. The research used fMRI scans to compare brain activity between humans and dogs in response to voice and emotional sounds.

NCI recommends the Wistar Institute receive $14.9 million support grant renewal

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has rated The Wistar Institute Cancer Center as 'exceptional' and recommended a $14.9 million support grant renewal over five years. This rating highlights the center's commitment to scientific collaboration, research excellence, and translating discoveries into better cancer treatments.

Genetic screening can identify men with advanced prostate cancer

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have discovered that screening for certain genetic mutations in men with a family history of prostate cancer can predict the development of aggressive forms of the disease. The study identified 13 'loss of function' mutations in eight DNA repair genes, which significantly increase the risk...

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.

From a distance: New technique for repair work

A novel platform connects engineers in their offices with production locations, enabling real-time video transmission and interactive 3D model views. This approach facilitates remote maintenance by showing operators multiple views of the machine on screen.

Smaller meals more times per day may curb obesity in cats

A study found that feeding cats smaller meals more frequently increased their physical activity, particularly when anticipating meal times. This approach can be a practical solution for pet owners to manage feline obesity and diabetes.

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.