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Science News for July 11, 2014


Opening-up the stem cell niche

A team of scientists led by Prof. Claudia Waskow has successfully generated a mouse model that supports human blood stem cell transplantation without irradiation, enabling the study of human blood development in a physiological setting. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options and disease research for patients with he...

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJul 11, 2014

Baboons groom early in the day to get benefits later

In a new study, researchers found that baboons groom each other early in the day to gain access to food and mating opportunities. The study suggests that social strategies of baboons can vary across short periods of time, optimizing certain elements for maximum fitness.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 11, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A first direct glimpse of photosynthesis in action

Scientists successfully visualize crucial event in photosynthetic reaction, enabling study of protein complex that splits water. This breakthrough uses free-electron laser technique to collect data at room temperature.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2014

Blame it on the astrocytes

A new study reveals that astrocytes regulate inhibitory synapse formation through the protein TGF β1 and CaMK2 signaling. This discovery has significant implications for understanding neurological disorders associated with impaired inhibitory synapses.

SourcePublicase International·JournalGlia·DateJul 11, 2014

New study may identify risk factors for ACL re-injury

A recent study suggests that identifying modifiable risk factors such as age, activity level, and graft type can help minimize the chance of a future ACL tear. The study analyzed data from 2,695 patients and found that younger age, higher activity levels, and certain graft types increased the risk of re-tearing the same ACL.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 11, 2014
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.

'Expressive therapy' intervention assists women living with HIV

An expressive therapy group intervention, conducted by The Medea Project, assists women living with HIV in disclosing their health status and improving social support, self-efficacy, and relationship safety. The study reveals five core themes: sisterhood, catharsis, self-acceptance, safer relationships, and gaining a voice.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalJournal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care·DateJul 11, 2014

Miriam Hospital study examines smoking prevalence

Researchers at Miriam Hospital found significantly higher smoking rates among individuals with mobility impairments, particularly those using special ambulatory equipment. The study highlights the need for tailored cessation strategies for this high-risk population.

SourceLifespan·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJul 11, 2014

USC Stem Cell scientists lay a TRAP for disease

USC Stem Cell scientists have created a transgenic mouse line called TRAP, which enables the detection of early signals of acute kidney injury. This breakthrough has the potential to improve patient outcomes by detecting kidney failure earlier, allowing for more effective treatment.

SourceUniversity of Southern California - Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 11, 2014

Getting a charge out of water droplets

The new findings demonstrate that the process can generate small amounts of electricity, comparable to other ambient energy harvesting systems. The device could be simple and powered by humidity in the air, producing clean water as a side benefit.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 11, 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.

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.

NASA sees Tropical Storm 9 over Guam

Tropical Storm 09W strengthened into a tropical storm on July 11, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing visible images of the storm's strong thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Guam and surrounding waters as the storm is expected to bring increased winds over the weekend.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 11, 2014

Omega 3 fatty acids lessen severity of osteoarthritis in mice

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that mice consuming omega-3 fatty acids had healthier joints than those fed diets high in saturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids. The study suggests that dietary factors, rather than obesity alone, contribute to worsening osteoarthritis.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases·DateJul 11, 2014

Brain activity in sex addiction mirrors that of drug addiction

A University of Cambridge study found that brain activity in people with compulsive sexual behavior is similar to that triggered by drugs in the brains of drug addicts. The ventral striatum, dorsal anterior cingulate, and amygdala regions were more active in individuals with compulsive sexual behavior compared to healthy volunteers.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2014

New simple setup for X-ray phase contrast

Researchers developed a simple setup for X-ray phase-contrast imaging, which uses scrambled X-rays to produce high-quality images. The new technique demonstrates efficiency and versatility, enabling accurate measurement of specimen thickness and mapping of small structures.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 11, 2014

NMR under pressure: Reproducing deep-Earth chemistry

The device allows researchers to study chemical reactions in liquid water under pressure without it freezing into a solid. High-pressure measurements shed light on calcium ions and may impact hydraulic fracturing and nuclear waste behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 11, 2014
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.

Mills Canyon fire, Washington

The Mills Canyon fire started on July 8, 2014, near Entiat, Washington, and quickly spread to over 1,000 acres despite local efforts. The fire has since grown to 18,065 acres, with challenges including steep rocky terrain and warm weather conditions.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 11, 2014

Drone lighting

Researchers at MIT have created a drone lighting system that automatically assumes the right positions for photographic lighting effects. The system uses an autonomous helicopter to produce rim lighting, adjusting in real-time to capture delicate edge effects.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 11, 2014

Better use of electronic health records makes clinical trials less expensive

Researchers used electronic health records to monitor the impact of treatments on patients with high-risk cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The study found that using EHRs simplified clinical trials, saving time and money for taxpayers, while maintaining minimal patient involvement.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalHealth Technology Assessment·DateJul 11, 2014

Out of an hours-long explosion, a stand-in for the first stars

Researchers detected striking similarities between a recent gamma-ray burst and the expected features from the first stars in the universe. The ultra-long burst is thought to be caused by an explosion from a blue supergiant star, providing evidence for this class of objects.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 11, 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.

Landsat looks to the moon

Landsat 8 uses monthly lunar scans as a baseline calibration to ensure the accuracy of its land-cover information. The satellite's Operational Land Imager collects data on different wavelengths of light, and the moon's stable surface allows for precise tracking.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 11, 2014

'Tailored' water -- the latest in lawn care

Researchers propose combining 'fertigation' and decentralized water treatment with drip irrigation to create 'tailored' water containing high levels of nitrate. This approach aims to reduce waste and increase efficiency in lawn care, but further study is needed to address potential challenges.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJul 11, 2014

When good gut bacteria get sick

A study from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that infection can significantly alter the gut microbiota, leading to new microbial signatures that may help detect early stages of inflammation. These findings could aid in better treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal infections and inflammation.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJul 11, 2014

Many fires in New South Wales, Australia

On July 11, 2014, NASA's Aqua satellite captured a natural-color visible image of the region showing smoke from various fires. The NSW Rural Fire Service was tracking 29 active fires in eastern New South Wales.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJul 11, 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.

Text message medicine: Texts from the ER can reduce binge drinking

A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that mobile phone text messages after an ER visit reduced binge drinking in young adults by over 50%. The intervention, which included text message queries and feedback, led to a 51% decrease in self-reported binge drinking days.

SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJul 11, 2014

ACL reconstructions may last longer with autografts

A study of 99 patients found that autografts had a lower failure rate than allografts after ACL reconstruction. The study suggests that using an autograft may increase the lifespan of these procedures and minimize future surgeries.

SourceAmerican Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine·DateJul 11, 2014

Obese US firefighters report receiving no weight advice from their health provider

A new study found that nearly half of obese and overweight US firefighters do not receive weight management advice from their healthcare providers. Higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with recommendations to lose weight, while younger firefighters were less likely to receive weight loss advice.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalPreventing Chronic Disease·DateJul 11, 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.

Potent spider toxin 'electrocutes' German, not American, cockroaches

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a biological tactic to protect crops from insect plagues using specific spider toxins. The study found that naturally occurring insect toxins can be lethal for one species and harmless for a closely related one, suggesting the development of more species-specific insecticides.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2014

Molecular snapshots of oxygen formation in photosynthesis

Researchers from Umeå University have explored two ways to study the reaction sequence leading to oxygen formation in photosynthesis. The studies used different techniques, including slowing down the reaction and taking X-ray snapshots of the molecule's structure. The results show that small structural changes occur together with proto...

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2014

Do women perceive other women in red as more sexually receptive?

A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women perceive a woman in red as more sexually receptive. In experiments, participants rated the woman in red as more attractive for sex and showed increased derogation towards her fidelity but not financial resources compared to white or green.

SourceSociety for Personality and Social Psychology·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 11, 2014