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Science News Archive February 2014 - Page 11


Page 11 of 30

An essential step toward printing living tissues

Researchers at Harvard University's Wyss Institute have developed a bioprinting method to create intricately patterned 3D tissue constructs with multiple cell types and tiny blood vessels. The breakthrough enables the creation of thicker, functional tissues that can be used for drug testing and potentially replaced damaged human tissue.

Ants build raft to escape flood, protect queen

Researchers observed that worker ants and broods were extremely resistant to submersion during floods. The ants protected the queen by placing her in the center of the raft, with workers using the brood's buoyancy and their own recovery ability to minimize injury or death.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 19, 2014

Addicted to tanning?

A study by Bowling Green State University researchers suggests a correlation between excessive tanning and mental health symptoms such as OCD and BDD. The findings indicate that prevention messages may not be effective for those with these conditions, highlighting the need for further assessment and treatment.

SourceBowling Green State University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·DateFeb 19, 2014

Clutter cutter

Researchers created computer models using PySB framework to explore biochemical processes driving cancer growth. The models aim to identify what goes wrong in cancer cells' self-destruction signals, potentially leading to novel therapies.

RXTE reveals the cloudy cores of active galaxies

Astronomers using data from NASA's RXTE satellite discovered a dozen cloud events where gas clouds moved across the line of sight, dimming X-ray light produced by supermassive black holes in active galaxies. The study triples previous cloud event counts and provides new insights into the environments around supermassive black holes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateFeb 19, 2014

Research prevents zoonotic feline tularemia by finding influential geospatial factors

A Kansas State University epidemiologist has found that climate, physical environment, and socio-ecologic conditions contribute to tularemia infections among domestic cats. The study identified newly urbanized areas, residential locations surrounded by grassland, and high-humidity environments as key factors in the disease's prevalence.

SourceKansas State University·JournalVector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases·DateFeb 19, 2014

Study shows in vivo endomicroscopy improves detection of Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia

A new study shows that in vivo endomicroscopy improves the detection of Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia when used with high-definition white-light endoscopy, reducing unnecessary mucosal biopsies and potentially changing patient care. The approach involves real-time endoscopic diagnosis and imaging-guided therapy.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateFeb 19, 2014

Kinetic battery chargers get a boost

Researchers have developed a kinetic energy harvester that captures the energy generated by human movements and converts it into electrical energy. The system uses a flexible cantilever to bend with body movements, producing a small but significant voltage that can be stored in a capacitor.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Biomechatronics and Biomedical Robotics·DateFeb 19, 2014

A step closer to a photonic future

Researchers demonstrate low-power photonic devices fabricated using standard chip-making processes, achieving energy efficiencies competitive with electronics. The advancements enable the commercialization of photonic technology, accelerating its adoption in computing and communication applications.

SourceOptica·DateFeb 19, 2014

Study reveals workings of working memory

Researchers at Brown University discovered that working memory uses similar brain circuits to those involved in planning motion. They found that the caudate and dorsal anterior premotor cortex contribute to output gating, a crucial process for selecting from working memory. The study's findings provide insight into how the brain effici...

SourceBrown University·JournalNeuron·DateFeb 19, 2014

U of I study: Couples, pay attention to your relationship work ethic

A University of Illinois study recommends that couples adopt a relationship work ethic that equals or surpasses their professional one, focusing on active listening and quality time. The research found that couples who attended an Intentional Harmony workshop improved significantly in managing work-partner role conflict and reported re...

Targeted treatment for ovarian cancer discovered

Researchers have developed a biologic drug that prevents the production of HE4 protein, allowing ovarian cancer cells to grow aggressively and resist chemotherapy. The novel biologic has shown promising results in cell and animal models, increasing the potential for improved treatment and survival rates for women with ovarian cancer.

SourceCare New England·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 19, 2014

The nose knows in asthma

Researchers have discovered that genes expressed in the nasal passages can serve as accurate proxies for those expressed deeper in the lungs. This breakthrough allows for less invasive and more affordable genetic profiling of asthmatic patients, potentially leading to improved treatment options and better understanding of the disease.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateFeb 19, 2014

How stick insects honed friction to grip without sticking

Research reveals stick insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when walking upright through a hierarchy of grip with the slightest pressure, allowing them to grip but not stick. The insect's hairy friction pads employ three main tricks to increase contact area under pressure, creating a scale or hierarchy of grip.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateFeb 19, 2014

What is El Nino Taimasa?

During strong El Niño events, tropical western Pacific sees a sudden drop in sea level, causing prolonged droughts in Samoa and triggering tropical cyclones near Tahiti. Computer climate models predict that these drops could become seasons ahead, helping island communities prepare for the next event.

Managing chronic bone and joint pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects an estimated 100 million Americans, with low back pain and degenerative joint processes being common causes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not effective in many chronic pain scenarios, but antidepressants and anticonvulsants can provide remarkable relief.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateFeb 19, 2014

Molecular aberration signals cancer

Researchers at Simon Fraser University have discovered that non-coding RNAs are perturbed in cancerous human cells, allowing for early detection of breast and lung cancers. The study's findings suggest that these molecules can be used to classify patients into subgroups with different survival outcomes.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalEMBO Reports·DateFeb 19, 2014

Self-employment growth does not bank on access to capital

Researchers found that counties with a history of favoring entrepreneurship and fostering economic self-dependence tend to predict higher self-employment growth rates in the future. The availability of capital matters minimally to self-employment growth, except in small rural counties near metro areas.

SourcePenn State·JournalEconomic Development Quarterly·DateFeb 19, 2014