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Science News for January 28, 2014


EORTC study shows value of HRQOL assessment in small cell lung cancer

A recent EORTC study found that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments provide relevant information in small-cell lung cancer trials, even when treatment efficacy is similar. The study highlights the need for improved HRQOL reporting in randomized clinical trials to optimize their value.

SourceEuropean Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer·JournalThe Lancet Oncology·DateJan 28, 2014

Research could bring new devices that control heat flow

Researchers have discovered a way to control heat flow using tiny triangular structures that can 'thermal rectify', allowing for greater flow of heat in one direction. The technology has potential applications in thermal management, electronics, and textiles.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 28, 2014

'Weeding the garden' lets ALK+ lung cancer patients continue crizotinib

A study found that patients with ALK+ non-small cell lung cancer can continue treating with crizotinib after receiving targeted radiation therapy to eliminate resistant disease pockets. This approach improves 2-year survival rates compared to those who discontinued the drug earlier.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·DateJan 28, 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.

Parenting plays key role when African-American boys move from preschool to kindergarten

A new study from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that African American boys' academic and social performance in kindergarten is influenced by their parents' engagement in literacy activities and teaching. Effective parenting practices can help African American boys achieve academic success and positive socia...

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateJan 28, 2014

'Chameleon of the sea' reveals its secrets

Researchers at Harvard University have discovered the secrets behind the cuttlefish's adaptive camouflage, enabling it to change its skin color and pattern in response to visual cues. The study reveals that a sophisticated biomolecular nanophotonic system underlies the cuttlefish's color-changing abilities.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalInterface·DateJan 28, 2014

Price highlighting helps consumers stick to longer-term product preferences

Researchers found that reminding consumers of prices strengthens their purchase decisions and leads to long-term satisfaction. Participants preferred higher-functionality products even in the short-term, despite a longer-term preference for greater usefulness.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 28, 2014
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Researchers open door to new HIV therapy

Scientists at UC Berkeley and NIH have captured a high-resolution snapshot of the Nef protein, which hijacks host proteins to facilitate HIV's lethality. By blocking a promising target on host protein AP2, researchers aim to slow or stop HIV.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·DateJan 28, 2014

Study examines repeat colonoscopy in patients with polyps referred for surgery without biopsy-proven cancer

A new study reports that most colon polyps referred for surgery can be successfully resected endoscopically. The procedure had low adverse event rates and high recurrence rates, but recurrences were treatable. The findings suggest a shift towards outpatient repeat colonoscopy in patients with polyps without cancer.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJan 28, 2014

Malaria screening unsuccessful in some schools

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that a school-based intermittent screening and treatment program for malaria had no health or education benefits in rural coastal Kenya. Despite high participation rates, the program did not reduce anemia or improve class attendance scores among children. However, the authors suggest that school...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 28, 2014

Berkeley Lab research finds running may be better than walking for breast cancer survival

New research from Berkeley Lab and the National Runners' and Walkers' Health Study found that runners had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer mortality compared to walkers. Exceeding current exercise recommendations may provide greater protection, with runners experiencing a 40% reduction in risk per MET hour.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Cancer·DateJan 28, 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.

Bacterial toxin a potential trigger for multiple sclerosis

Researchers found that epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens kills brain's myelin-producing cells and targets other cells associated with MS inflammation. The toxin may be responsible for triggering MS in genetically susceptible individuals.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJan 28, 2014

Converting adult human cells to hair-follicle-generating stem cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully converted adult human cells into epithelial stem cells that can regenerate human skin and hair follicles. The breakthrough could potentially enable hair regeneration in people, but further work is needed to address other cell types involved in hair growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Tropics are main source of global mammal diversity

A recent study reveals that the tropics are the main source of global mammal diversity, driven by higher speciation rates and lower extinction rates. The research, published in PLOS Biology, suggests that tropical regions have been a continuous source of biodiversity, allowing for repeated colonization of temperate regions.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJan 28, 2014

Research into 'silent' adrenal tumors detected by CT scans provides much-needed guidance for clinical management

A new study in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology assesses the progression of 'silent' adrenal tumours (adrenal incidentalomas) and their impact on cardiovascular events and death. The results show that some tumours became more active over time, increasing cardiovascular risk, especially in patients whose tumours secrete cortisol.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateJan 28, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

H.M.'s brain yields new evidence

A 3D model of Henry Molaison's (H.M.) brain has been created, providing new insight into the neurological basis of his severe amnesia. The study reveals a small lesion in the left orbitofrontal cortex that was likely created during H.M.'s 1953 surgery, which may help scientists understand the consequences of similar operations today.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Measuring waist circumference would improve the detection of children and adolescents with cardiometabolic risk

A study published in PLOS ONE found that including waist circumference measurements in clinical practice can help identify children and adolescents at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In Spanish children aged 6-17, 21.3% have abdominal obesity, with traditional screening methods missing 70% of cases.

SourceIMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute)·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJan 28, 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.

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.

'Natural' engineering offers solution against future flooding

Researchers have successfully implemented a 'natural' flood management scheme in Belford Burn, Northumberland, reducing the risk of flooding and pollution. The scheme, costing £200,000, uses soft engineering solutions to restrict water flow and increase soil infiltration.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJan 28, 2014
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.

UH researchers create new flexible, transparent conductor

University of Houston researchers have developed a new stretchable and transparent electrical conductor that could bring bendable cell phones and foldable flat-screen TVs closer to reality. The gold nanomesh electrodes demonstrate good electrical conductivity, transparency, and flexibility, with potential applications for biomedical de...

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

New operating principle of potassium channels discovered

Researchers have discovered a new operating principle of potassium channels, revealing the pore remains open even in response to cAMP. This finding has implications for developing drugs to treat epilepsy and cardiac arrhythmias.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

23andMe helps identify 11 new genetic associations for asthma-with-hay fever

A genome-wide association study by 23andMe has identified 11 new genetic markers associated with asthma-with-hay fever. The study, led by researchers at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, used data from 20,000 individuals and found variants in the ZBTB10 and CLEC16A regions linked to allergic disease.

Source23andMe, Inc.·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateJan 28, 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.

Asia's first under-1-roof Nutritional Research Centre set up in Singapore

The Clinical Nutrition Research Centre (CNRC) aims to understand the causes of metabolic diseases and develop products to reduce their risks, with a focus on nutrition in women, children, and the elderly. The centre will also conduct research on food and nutrition in Asia, leveraging partnerships with top universities and companies.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·DateJan 28, 2014

Automated system could efficiently identify high-risk osteoporosis patients

A Penn State College of Medicine researcher developed an automated system that identifies high-risk osteoporosis patients and encourages follow-up treatment to prevent future fractures. The system resulted in a 60% follow-up rate among those who received letters, compared to 14% of those who did not receive letters.

SourcePenn State·JournalGeriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation·DateJan 28, 2014

New NASA laser technology reveals how ice measures up

Researchers demonstrate photon-counting technique to track the melt or growth of Earth's frozen regions using NASA's MABEL campaign. This new technology will allow for precise measurements of elevation changes across ice sheets and glaciers, enabling scientists to better understand climate change impacts.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology·DateJan 28, 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.

Labeling obesity as a disease may have psychological costs

A new study found that labeling obesity as a disease can lead to less importance on health-focused dieting, greater body satisfaction, and unhealthier food choices among obese individuals. The findings suggest that the messages individuals hear about obesity have self-regulatory consequences.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 28, 2014

NASA spots developing tropical system affecting Mozambique's Nampala Province

NASA has identified a developing tropical system in Mozambique's Nampala Province, characterized by strong storms and potentially heavy rainfall. The system, known as System 91S, is expected to track southwest in the Mozambique Channel, with forecasters predicting a high chance of it becoming a tropical depression within the next day.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJan 28, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Certain probiotics could help women lose weight

A recent study found that consuming certain probiotics from the Lactobacillus rhamnosus family can lead to significant weight loss in women, with an average loss of 4.4 kg over 12 weeks. The probiotics also helped maintain weight loss over a longer period and reduced appetite-regulating hormone leptin levels.

SourceUniversité Laval·JournalBritish Journal Of Nutrition·DateJan 28, 2014

PM Netanyahu announces CyberSpark National Cyber Research Complex

The Israel government has announced a new national cyber research complex called CyberSpark, which will be located adjacent to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The complex is expected to attract major companies and researchers in the field, and will be a hub for cybersecurity innovation and education.

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·DateJan 28, 2014

Fertilizer nutrient imbalance to limit food production in Africa

A study published in Global Change Biology found that a growing yield gap in Africa is largely caused by the underuse of phosphorus-based fertilizers. Increasing nitrogen applications could help close this gap, but at a significant cost due to limited phosphorus reserves.

SourceInternational Institute for Applied Systems Analysis·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateJan 28, 2014

Finding points to possible new Parkinson's therapy

A new study suggests that a population of support cells called astrocytes could provide a promising approach to treat Parkinson's disease. Astrocytes, which are critical to maintaining a healthy environment in the brain, were found to repair multiple types of neurological damage caused by the disease.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalEMBO Molecular Medicine·DateJan 28, 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.

How politics divide Facebook friendships

A new study from Georgia Institute of Technology found that people with differing opinions engage less on Facebook. The research also highlights design changes that could help bridge political differences, such as displaying shared interests and increasing exposure to weak ties.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·DateJan 28, 2014

Future directions for landmark diabetes study in journal Diabetes Care

The landmark DCCT and EDIC studies are marking their 30th anniversary, with a new focus on refining self-monitoring and exploring the effects of glucose control on cognition. Intensive management is critical for preventing complications of type 1 diabetes.

SourceUniversity Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center·JournalDiabetes Care·DateJan 28, 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.

Animal model demonstrates role for metabolic enzyme in acute myeloid leukemia

A genetically engineered mouse model has demonstrated the potent oncogenic role of mutant IDH2 protein in acute myeloid leukemia. The study provides a new tool for evaluating the pharmacological efficacy of potential mutant IDH2 inhibitors and confirms the relevance of this protein as a therapeutic target.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJan 28, 2014

Agent Orange linked to skin cancer risk, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

A recent study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery suggests that Vietnam War veterans with prior exposure to Agent Orange may be at increased risk for non-melanoma invasive skin cancer. The study found that 51% of TCDD-exposed veterans developed NMISC, with those actively spraying Agent Orange having a rate of 73%.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalPlastic & Reconstructive Surgery·DateJan 28, 2014

UA researchers find culprit behind skeletal muscle disease

A University of Arizona researcher has shown that genetic mutations in the titin gene can cause skeletal muscle myopathy, a disease characterized by muscle weakness. The study, published in the Journal of General Physiology, could be an important step in developing treatments for this condition.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of General Physiology·DateJan 28, 2014
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Effective control of invasive weeds can help attempts at reforestation in Panama

A team of scientists from Australia and Panama examined the reproductive mechanisms of Saccharum spontaneum to develop better management strategies. The study found that cutting stems into smaller pieces can help prevent flowering and seed dispersal, while timing management actions during specific seasons can also be effective.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalNeoBiota·DateJan 28, 2014

Resetting the metabolic clock

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara gained insight into factors affecting mammalian circadian oscillations, which could lend themselves to circadian regulation and pharmacological control. Their work suggests that high-amplitude circadian rhythms are associated with a lower risk of diseases like diabetes and obesity.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 28, 2014

Low levels of pro-inflammatory agent help cognition in rats

Research found that neutralizing a specific cytokine in the brain impaired cognitive flexibility in stressed and nonstressed rats. However, restoring low levels of this cytokine in a specific region of the brain corrected the deficit.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·DateJan 28, 2014

80 million SEK study seeks to explain what drives our appetites

A five-year research initiative aims to understand the impact of hunger, emotions, stress, and economic factors on food choices. The Nudge-it programme will examine how eating habits develop and provide better evidence for public health policies promoting healthy diets.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·DateJan 28, 2014