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Science News for January 17, 2014


What comforts targets of prejudice the most

Researchers found that homosexual youth found comfort in messages supporting them and advocating for social change, with such messages being more comforting than those focused solely on social connection. The study highlights the importance of intergroup communication and its impact on targets of prejudice.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJan 17, 2014

Vitamin D supplements reduce pain in fibromyalgia sufferers

Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation reduced chronic pain and improved physical role functioning in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. The study suggests vitamin D may be a safe and economical treatment option for FMS patients.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalPain·DateJan 17, 2014
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.

NASA tracks soggy System 94S over Western Australia

NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 17, 2014

Colby fire near Los Angeles, California

A wildfire broke out in the foothills of Angeles National Forest, spreading quickly and prompting air quality concerns. Nearly 500 firefighters battled the blaze, which destroyed over 1,700 acres and at least two homes due to gusty winds and low humidity.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 17, 2014

High volume of severe sepsis patients may result in better outcomes

A recent study led by Boston University School of Medicine found that hospitals caring for more sepsis patients have significantly lower mortality rates than those with lower volumes. The superior outcomes were achieved at similar costs, suggesting improved processes of care for patients with severe sepsis.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 17, 2014

Tiny swimming bio-bots boldly go where no bot has swum before

Engineers developed tiny self-propelled swimming bio-bots that can traverse viscous fluids and sense chemicals, opening up possibilities for medical and environmental applications. The bio-bots use heart cells to create movement through a wave-like motion, enabling unique navigation capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 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 satellite catches birth of Tropical Cyclone Deliwe

Tropical Cyclone Deliwe forms in the Mozambique Channel and Southern Indian Ocean after a tropical depression developed on January 16. Forecasters predict it will move southwest and then curve northwest due to high pressure system changes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 17, 2014

Poison-breathing bacteria may be boon to industry, environment

Researchers discovered bacteria that breathe toxic metals, which could be used to produce industrial products and remove pollutants from wastewater. The bacteria can produce high-quality antimony trioxide crystals without creating byproducts or requiring specialized equipment.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 17, 2014

Penn researchers run successful HIV intervention project in S. Africa

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania conducted a large-scale HIV intervention project in South Africa, involving nearly 1,200 individuals. The program showed significant improvements in condom use and reductions in unprotected sex among men, with participants reporting increased discussions about safe sex and condom use.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania Annenberg School for Communication·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 17, 2014

New sea anemone species discovered in Antarctica

Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a new species of small sea anemones, Edwardsiella andrillae, burrowed into Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. The anemones have adapted to live upside down in ice, creating a previously unknown ecosystem.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 17, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers awarded grant from the DeGregorio Family Foundation

Researchers at Boston University are developing a new approach for detecting esophageal adenocarcinoma using a sponge-containing capsule. This non-invasive method could lead to wider screening, earlier detection, and improved survival rates for patients with Barrett's Esophagus.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJan 17, 2014

Clever chemistry improves a new class of antibiotics

Researchers have developed a new class of antibiotics called acyldepsipeptides (ADEPs) that kill bacteria in a unique way by altering protein degradation pathways. By modifying the ADEP molecule's structure to make it more rigid, they increased its potency up to 1,200 times that of the naturally occurring molecule.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJan 17, 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.

Statin use reduces delirium in critically ill patients

A new UK study found that continued statin use may help prevent delirium in critically ill patients who received statins before hospital admission. The study used a validated delirium screening tool and showed a significant lower risk of delirium associated with statin administration.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateJan 17, 2014

At arm's length: The plasticity of depth judgment

Researchers found that people have a preferred distance for judging depth most accurately, which depends on their mind's perception of arm length. The study shows that manipulating perceived arm length can influence depth perception and tactile sensitivity.

SourceBrown University·DateJan 17, 2014

Energy storage in miniaturized capacitors may boost green energy technology

Researchers have discovered a new class of high heat-tolerant electronics using supercapacitors made from CCTO, which could compete with existing devices and operate at higher temperatures. The material's permittivity and loss tangent properties are linked, allowing for efficient energy storage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJan 17, 2014

New study reveals links between alcoholic liver disease and the circadian clock

Researchers from University of Notre Dame and Indiana University School of Medicine have revealed a link between the circadian clock and alcohol-induced liver disease. The study found that disturbances in the liver's daily rhythms can lead to fatty liver disease, suggesting a potential target for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 17, 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.

Mass. General researcher Gary Ruvkun a co-recipient of 2014 Wolf Prize

Gary Ruvkun, PhD, and Victor Ambros, PhD, discovered that microRNAs regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs, controlling protein-coding genes in animals. The researchers' work is recognized as a significant contribution to understanding the human genome and its role in disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·DateJan 17, 2014

Study finds chimps can use gestures to communicate in hunt for food

Researchers found that chimpanzees can use gestures to coordinate actions in pursuit of a specific goal, such as finding hidden food. The study highlights the primates' ability to remember and communicate about their environment through directional gestures.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2014

Feast or fancy? Black widows shake for love

Research by Simon Fraser University biologists found that male black widow spiders produce carefully pitched vibrations to signal their presence and desirability to females. The team also discovered that these vibratory signals can help avoid potential attacks from the females, allowing males to successfully court and mate.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalFrontiers in Zoology·DateJan 17, 2014

New insights into facial transplantation

Researchers have found that during active rejection episodes, many to most of the immune cells involved are of donor origin. This discovery provides new insights into the rejection process, suggesting that transplanted faces carry their own army of immune cells that may defend against rejecting recipient cells.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalModern Pathology·DateJan 17, 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.

Highly efficient broadband terahertz radiation from metamaterials

Researchers at the Ames Laboratory have developed a new method to generate broadband terahertz waves using metamaterials. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize fields such as non-invasive imaging and sensing, as well as high-speed information communication, processing, and storage.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 17, 2014

Here comes the sun

Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, found that vitamin D deficiency stifferens blood vessels, leading to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The study used genetically modified mice to explore the effects of vitamin D deficiency on blood vessel flexibility.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalMolecular Endocrinology·DateJan 17, 2014

Study reveals how ecstasy acts on the brain and hints at therapeutic uses

A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that MDMA decreases activity in the limbic system, which is involved in emotional responses. The results suggest possible clinical uses of MDMA in treating anxiety and PTSD. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

SourceImperial College London·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateJan 17, 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.

Researchers collaborate to reduce effects of the aging eye

A special issue of IOVS addresses the aging eye, focusing on unmet needs and accelerating clinical care. The issue features new research on genetics, biology, and prevention/treatment of age-related diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

SourceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology·JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·DateJan 17, 2014

The bigger the tree, the faster it grows

A new study found that tree growth rate increases with size, with older trees removing a larger share of carbon from the atmosphere. This means that massive, old trees can remove huge amounts of carbon through photosynthesis, playing a disproportionate role in the global carbon cycle.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalNature·DateJan 17, 2014

Smooth sailing: Rough surfaces that can reduce drag

Researchers have found that properly designed rough surfaces can reduce skin-friction drag in turbulent conditions. The study models fluid flow between two surfaces covered with tiny ridges, which trap air bubbles and create a hydrodynamic cushion.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateJan 17, 2014

2 million people eligible for weight loss surgery

A new study published by JRSM Open suggests that up to 2 million people in England could benefit from bariatric surgery due to obesity-related diseases. The researchers highlight several factors contributing to low surgery rates, including patient awareness and socioeconomic status.

SourceSAGE·JournalJRSM Open·DateJan 17, 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.