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Science News Archive January 2014 - Page 28


Page 28 of 28

Under pressure

A recent study found that guide dogs experience the most tension on their chest when wearing a harness, with pressure equivalent to up to 10% of their weight. Flexible harnesses are recommended to minimize stress and promote healthy exercise for guide dogs.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalThe Veterinary Journal·DateJan 2, 2014

El Nino tied to melting of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier

A new study suggests that El Nino events are tied to the rapid melting of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier. The glacier's ice shelf has been thinned nearly continuously since observations began in the 1970s. Under certain conditions, a thick layer of warm water surrounding the continent can flood the glacier margin and accelerate melt.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2014

Are sweetpotato weevils differentially attracted to certain colors?

Researchers found that sweetpotato weevils prefer red light for indoor conditions and green light for outdoor field conditions. The study suggests that understanding the differences in insect behavior between indoors and outdoors may help develop more effective control methods without toxic pesticides.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·DateJan 2, 2014

Environment affects an organism's complexity

Researchers found that complex landscapes led to more complex organisms due to the cost of morphological complexity. The study used a program to simulate the evolution of virtual creatures in various landscapes.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateJan 2, 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.

Roses are red -- why some petunias are blue

Scientists discover novel proton-pumping pathway in plant cells that allows for hyperacidification of vacuoles, resulting in blue flower colors. This breakthrough could lead to new color varieties and applications in fruit and wine production.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 2, 2014

Trapping insects by color: Will it work in Montana?

A new study tests the effectiveness of color-based traps against major pests in Montana, finding that red and green traps are most effective. The researchers also discovered that insects use chromatic cues to identify colors and will pursue further studies on this topic.

SourceMontana State University·JournalAnnals of the Entomological Society of America·DateJan 2, 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.

More evidence suggests type 2 diabetes is an inflammatory disease

Scientists have found that macrophages invade the diabetic pancreas, producing cytokines that contribute to insulin-producing beta cells' elimination. This discovery may lead to development of tailor-made anti-inflammatory therapies to reduce type 2 diabetes burden.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateJan 2, 2014

Study supports a causal role in narcolepsy for a common genetic variant

A new study has identified a nearly 100% association between narcolepsy and a specific gene variant, suggesting a causal role for the HLA DQB1*06:02 allele in the disease. The findings support the idea that immune system dysfunction plays a key role in narcolepsy development.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalSLEEP·DateJan 2, 2014

Odor receptors discovered in lungs

Scientists have found odor receptors in lung tissue that can detect cigarette smoke and other irritants, triggering a response to constrict airways. These receptors, called pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, may be responsible for the chemical hypersensitivity characteristic of respiratory diseases such as COPD.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology·DateJan 2, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Earthquake lights linked to rift environments, subvertical faults

A new study found that earthquake lights are more likely to occur on or near rift environments and adjacent to subvertical faults. The study analyzed 65 documented cases of earthquake lights, finding that 85% appeared spatially on or near rifts and 97% appeared adjacent to subvertical faults.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateJan 2, 2014

Role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the loss of RGCs in diabetic retinopathy

A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that endoplasmic reticulum stress plays a crucial role in the death of ganglion cells and impairment of retinal microvessels in diabetic retinopathy. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid treatment effectively inhibited this pathway, providing protection against diabetic retinopathy.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateJan 2, 2014

When being called 'incredibly good' is bad for children

A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that inflated praise can have negative effects on children with low self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem actually benefit from inflated praise, while those with low self-esteem may become more cautious and less willing to take on challenges.

SourceOhio State University·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 2, 2014

Methane hydrates and global warming

Scientists from GEOMAR found that methane hydrate outgassing off Svalbard is likely caused by natural processes, rather than global warming. The team discovered that seasonal temperature fluctuations can push the stability zone of gas hydrates, leading to outgassing.

SourceHelmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2014

Amber fossil reveals ancient reproduction in flowering plants

A 100-million-year-old piece of amber has revealed the oldest evidence of sexual reproduction in a flowering plant, featuring a cluster of tiny flowers and pollen tubes. Researchers from Oregon State University discovered the fossilized scene, which appears identical to modern angiosperm reproduction.

SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas·DateJan 2, 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.

High blood pressure potentially more dangerous for women than men

Researchers found significant differences in mechanisms causing high blood pressure in women compared to men. Women experience 30-40% more vascular disease for the same level of elevated blood pressure, highlighting a need for tailored treatments.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalTherapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease·DateJan 2, 2014

Chinese herbal compound relieves inflammatory and neuropathic pain

Researchers discovered a compound in traditional Chinese herbal medicine that effectively alleviates both inflammatory and nerve pain, with no tolerance to addiction. The compound, dehydrocorybulbine, was found to be reproducible and has potential as a new nonaddictive treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 2, 2014

Want a good night's sleep in the new year? Quit smoking

New research published in The FASEB Journal found that tobacco smoke disrupts the circadian clock function in both lungs and brains, leading to reduced productivity, mood disorders, and depression. Quitting smoking may improve sleep quality and cognitive function by targeting a specific pathway involving the anti-aging molecule SIRT1.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 2, 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.

Study on pregnancy and alcohol fails to take psychological factors into account

A recent study by Janni Niclasen found that children of mothers who consumed small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy showed improved emotional and behavioral outcomes at age seven. However, the study also highlighted the importance of considering psychological factors such as attachment between mother and child. The research, conduct...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateJan 2, 2014

Molecule discovered that protects the brain from cannabis intoxication

Researchers have identified a natural defence mechanism in the brain that prevents cannabis' harmful effects, opening doors to new treatment options for addiction. Pregnenolone, a hormone produced by the brain, blocks the activation of CB1 receptors, reducing intoxication's effects.

SourceINSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)·JournalScience·DateJan 2, 2014

Novel noninvasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice

A novel breast-cancer therapy has been developed that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice. The therapy uses a sophisticated method to identify genes that drive cancer and blocks them using RNA interference, offering new hope for early-stage treatment without surg...

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 1, 2014

Insight into likelihood of retinal detachment following open globe injury

A study published in Ophthalmology found that open globe injuries increase the risk of retinal detachment, particularly among older patients with poorer visual acuity. Researchers developed a new scoring system to predict which patients are at higher risk, which may help prevent or identify and repair retinal detachment more quickly.

SourceMass Eye and Ear·JournalJournal of Ophthalmology·DateJan 1, 2014
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.

Research into fruit fly cells could lead to cancer insights

Scientists at the University of Exeter have identified four distinct routes for cell division, which could lead to errors in cell division and increase cancer risk. The study also found a central molecular complex, Augmin, essential for all these pathways.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 1, 2014

How best to go about getting seed money through crowdfunding

A study of over 20,000 Kickstarter campaigns found that entrepreneurs who emphasized their own projects were more likely to succeed than those who focused on themselves. The research also suggests that this approach is particularly effective for artistic ventures.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·DateJan 1, 2014
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.

Alcohol, tobacco, drug use far higher in severely mentally ill

Researchers analyzed nearly 20,000 people with severe psychiatric illness, finding that 30% engaged in binge drinking, 75% were regular smokers, and 50% used marijuana regularly. These findings are concerning because individuals with severe mental illness tend to die younger due to health problems caused by chronic substance use.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJan 1, 2014

Drivers engaged in other tasks about 10 percent of the time

A recent NIH study using video technology and in-vehicle sensors found that drivers engage in distracting activities about 10% of the time, with risks being greatest for newly licensed teen drivers who are eight times more likely to crash or have a near miss while texting.

SourceNIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 1, 2014

US global share of research spending declines

The US has lost its lead in global biomedical research spending, with Asia's share increasing from 18% to 24%, while the US dropped from 51% to 45%. Industry funding cuts drove this decline, not public sector reductions. Increased support from governments and lower labor costs in Asia are key factors.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 1, 2014