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Science News Archive January 2014


Page 8 of 28

Researchers developing new approach for imaging dense breasts for abnormalities

Researchers have made refinements to a technique combining MRI and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to improve image quality and accuracy in detecting breast cancer. The new design allows for increased coverage of the chest, providing improved visibility for 'hard-to-see' areas, and has shown promising results in clinical trials.

Researchers use sensory integration model to understand unconscious priming

Carnegie Mellon University researchers Roberta Klatzky and J. David Creswell develop a new sensory integration model to explain the mechanisms underlying unconscious priming, which affects how we think and behave in social contexts. The model provides a clearer understanding of when and why primes influence behavior.

University of Hawaii scientists make a big splash

Researchers found that interplanetary dust particles carry both water and organics needed for the origin of life. This mechanism could also work for exoplanets, enabling water formation through solar wind irradiation. The discovery sheds light on the Moon's OH and water ice, as well as asteroid and comet origins.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Digging Into Data award winner

Barton's team will develop interconnected, web-based analysis and visualization tools to discern complex relationships among societies and their environments. The project aims to create new insights into socio-ecological systems and make them accessible to the general public, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Space-raised flies show weakened immunity to fungus

A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis found that growing up in space weakens a key immune system pathway in Drosophila flies. The Toll pathway was 'non-functional' in space-raised flies, but showed improvement under hypergravity conditions.

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.

Academics discover variation in circadian clock protein in fruit flies

Researchers at the University of Leicester have found two versions of a protein called Cryptochrome in wild populations of fruit flies, both with different amino acids that affect the circadian clock. The study suggests that this variation is functionally important and actively maintained by natural selection.

Do doctors spend too much time looking at computer screen?

A study by Northwestern University found that doctors who use electronic health records in the exam room spend about a third of their visits looking at computers, leading to missed nonverbal cues. The study suggests that interactive screen sharing could improve doctor-patient interaction and contribute to better-designed technology.

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.

Rainforests in Far East shaped by humans for the last 11,000 years

New research reveals that humans have actively managed Southeast Asian rainforests for over 11,000 years by clearing vegetation to plant food-bearing plants. Pollen samples and archaeological findings indicate repeated disturbances to vegetation since the end of the last ice age.

NASA spacecraft take aim at nearby supernova

Astronomers plan observations of supernova SN 2014J with NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and other space missions. The event provides an opportunity to study how interstellar dust affects its light.

Infections damage our ability to form spatial memories

Increased inflammation after infections impairs brain's ability to form spatial memories by disrupting neural circuits involved in learning and memory. The study used PET scans to measure effects of inflammation on glucose consumption in the brain, revealing a decrease in glucose metabolism in the Medial Temporal Lobe.

2-way street

Scientists at King's College London argue that biobank donors should have unrestricted access to data derived from their own material. This move aims to increase reciprocity and partnership between donors and researchers, recognizing the donor's agency in decision-making processes.

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.

The evolution of drug resistance within a HIV population

A study in PLOS Genetics found that HIV drug resistance mutations can spread rapidly within a patient, leading to a homogeneous or heterogeneous viral population. The researchers estimate the effective population size of HIV to be around 150,000, which may help inform treatment strategies and predict resistance evolution.

Can walkies tell who's the leader of the pack?

Researchers tracked six dogs and their owner on group walks to measure social behavior and determine personalities. Dogs that consistently took the lead were more responsive to training, older, and more aggressive than those that followed.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Risky ripples: Frog's love song may summon kiss of death

Research reveals frog calls create ripples used by rival males to assess competition, but also detectors for predators like frog-eating bats. The study shows how complex communication can have costs and benefits through different sensory channels.

Choose your love

Researchers found that females who mated with preferred males produced more offspring and were better able to cope with infection from Salmonella compared to offspring sired by non-preferred males. The fitness benefits were due to tolerance to infection rather than immune resistance.

Happy 10th anniversary Opportunity!

The Opportunity rover has discovered evidence of conditions that support the chemistry of life in Mars' past, earning a spot in Science magazine. The 10-year-old rover explored Martian geology and environmental processes, searching for signs of habitability and life.

Tracing unique cells with mathematics

Scientists have created a new statistical method to analyze individual cells, allowing for more accurate detection of cell properties. By combining data from multiple cells, researchers can reduce errors and overcome statistical noise, leading to better understanding of cellular behavior and development.

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.

To stay a step ahead of breast cancer, make a map of the future

Researchers developed a tool to predict which direction a breast cancer tumor is most likely to go and how it will respond to chemotherapy. The study's findings reveal general rules, including genetic diversity within tumors and the importance of analyzing individual cells.

A new wrinkle in the control of waves

Researchers at MIT have developed flexible materials with nanoscale wrinkles that can control the wavelengths and distribution of waves, including sound and light. This technology could lead to new diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer and enable advanced noise-cancellation systems.

Even without a diagnosis, psychiatric symptoms affect work outcomes

A recent study published in Medical Care found that psychiatric symptoms such as insomnia and emotional distress have a significant impact on work-related outcomes. The study suggests targeting symptoms, rather than disorders, may help lessen the work impact of mental health issues.

11,000-year-old living dog cancer reveals its secrets

The genome of the world's oldest continuously surviving cancer, a transmissible genital cancer in dogs, has been sequenced. The cancer carries about two million mutations and is believed to have arisen 11,000 years ago. Analysis reveals that the cancer still harbors genetic variants from its ancient host.

Probing hydrogen catalyst assembly

The study demonstrates how cyanide and carbon monoxide are safely bound to an iron atom to construct an enzyme that can generate hydrogen gas. This discovery sheds light on the unusual chemistry involved in binding small molecules to metal atoms, a crucial step towards producing hydrogen using abundant metals.

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.

Better eating habits, not bad economy, stabilized obesity rates

A new study found that US consumers changed their eating habits significantly between 2003 and 2011, leading to a decline in calorie consumption. The changes persisted independent of economic conditions, suggesting that public health efforts and increased awareness about healthy eating played a crucial role.

Diabetes: We are in it together

A recent study published in BMC Medicine has found that living in a household with a spouse who has type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing the condition. The research team analyzed data from six studies and found that spousal diabetes was associated with a 26% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Detecting sickness by smell

Researchers find that people can detect unpleasant odors in sweat after exposure to toxins, potentially indicating an early immune response. The study suggests that there may be biomarkers for illness in the form of volatile substances from the body.

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.

Watching molecules morph into memories

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine developed a mouse model with fluorescently tagged beta-actin mRNA, allowing them to observe the molecular processes that culminate in memories. The study revealed a novel mechanism by which brain neurons control the synthesis of beta-actin protein.

The $125 billion question: How will the ACA affect cancer survivors?

Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center are studying how the ACA affects cancer screening in low-income women and employed married women with breast cancer. The study found that Medicaid expansions increased breast and cervical cancer screening, particularly among low-income women, suggesting a positive effect of near-universal coverag...

New genes spring and spread from non-coding DNA

A study by researchers at UC Davis found 248 new genes that exist only in Drosophila melanogaster, emerging from ancestrally non-coding DNA. These genes showed evidence of being under selection and were more likely to be larger and more complex.

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.

Sniffed out -- The 'gas detectors' of the plant world

A team of researchers led by Professor Michael Holdsworth has identified the central mechanism for detecting nitric oxide (NO) in plants, which regulates growth and response to environmental stress. The 'master regulators' control NO detection and have been found to regulate important aspects of plant development.

Lab-grown, virus-free stem cells repair retinal tissue in mice

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed human induced-pluripotent stem cells that can repair damaged retinal vascular tissue in mice without using viruses. These non-viral, human retinal iPSCs were grown using a safer method and showed comparable ability to human embryonic-derived iPSCs.

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.

Scientists reveal why life got big in the Earth's early oceans

A team of researchers discovered that large multicellular organisms grew tall to access nutrient-rich ocean flow, gaining an advantage over bacteria. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of early life forms and may have implications for understanding modern ocean processes.

Physical activity significantly extends lives of cancer survivors

A recent study of 1,021 men found that physical activity significantly extends the lives of male cancer survivors. The study revealed that those who expended more than 12,600 kilojoules per week in physical activity were 48% less likely to die than those who burned fewer kilojoules.

When nanotechnology meets quantum physics in 1 dimension

Scientists from McGill University and Sandia National Laboratories have successfully tested the 'Luttinger liquid' model, a mathematical prediction for one-dimensional quantum physics. The experiment measures the effect of electrical current on nearby wires, showing increased friction at low temperatures.

The rocky road to a better flu vaccine

Researchers found that a new adjuvant improved flu vaccine effectiveness in mice and showed promise for the elderly. The study also highlighted the importance of characterizing immune responses following intra-nasal vaccinations, particularly with novel adjuvants.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New computer model may aid personalized cancer care

Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how tumors will behave and which treatments are most effective, focusing on genetic diversity within tumors. The study found that tumors with less genetic diversity are more likely to respond to treatment, providing new insights into personalized cancer care.

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.

New microscopy technique improves imaging at the atomic scale

Researchers developed a new technique that accounts for sample drift and eliminates distortion in scanning transmission electron microscope images. This allows for accurate representation of material structures and enables the discovery of crystalline structures in unknown samples.

Mitochondrial ribosome revealed

Researchers at ETH Zurich deciphered the structure of the large subunit of the mitochondrial ribosome, a complex enzyme that deciphers genetic code and assembles amino acids into proteins. The study's success relies on a combination of high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and chemical cross-linking combined with mass spectrometry.

Cohabitation plays 'major role' in number of long-term relationships

A new national study reveals that cohabitation significantly contributes to the number of long-term relationships lasting eight years or longer. The research found that couples who start out cohabiting are more likely to form and maintain long-term unions, especially among women as they get older.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.